"Trade is a Little Dull."
We find the following lifctle sketch in the " Boston Commercial Bulletin." It forcibly illustrates the fact that " trade is a little dull," and also that the portion of the business community known as " drummers," or commercial travellers, despite their almost inexhaustible lesources and invention, are often obliged to yield to the pressure of these stagnant times. The "Bulletin" says: — One of these gentlemen, who has recently returned from a trip for Thistle Brothers and Co., of this city, did not show a very large exhibit of orders to balance the liberal expense account allowed him by the firm, and Mr Thistle, after looking over his return, said — "Mr Rataplan, lam afraid you do not approach the dea-lers in the right way ; I used to be very successful in this line. Now, just suppose me to be Mr Bigher, of Sellout, Illinois, and show me the way you introduce the house." Accordingly Rataplan stepped out of the counting-room, and re-entered hat in hand, inquiring, " Is Mr Bigher in ?" "That is my name," answered Thistle, urbanely. " My name is Rataplan, sir ; I represent the house of Thistle Brothers and Co., of Boston." Thistle, in his character of Western merchant, here rose, offered the fealebinan a. chair, and expressed his pleasure at seeing him. "I am stopping with Overcharge, at the Stickem House, and have a fine unbroken lot of samples, which I should like to show you ; think we can offer you some special advantages," &c. And Rataplan delivered himself of a neat speech in professional style, " Very well, very well," said Thistle ; " I don't see that you understand the way to get ab customers. " " Excuse me, Mr Thistle, "said Rataplan. "1 am afraid you do not understand the style of western merchants just now : suppose you exchange places with me, and we repeat this rehearsal ?" II Certainly," said Thistle, and, picking up his hat, he stepped out. Returning, he found Rataplan with his chair tilted back, hat cocked fiercely over his right eye, his heels planted on Thistle's polished desk, and a lighted cigar between his teeth. Thistle looked a little staggered, but, nevertheless he commenced— "Is Mr Bigher in?" " Yes, he if," responded Rataplan, blowing a cloud of pure Connecticut into Thistle's eyes. " Who fche devil are you ?" 11 1 represent the house of Thistle Brothers and C 0.," said the astonished employer, coughing out aßout a quart of smoke from his throat. " The blazes you do. Are you one of that concern ?" " No, sir, I am not," said Thistle. "Well, it's lucky for you that you 1 are not, for I've had two ' drummers ' to one customer in my store for the last two months ; and if I could get hold of one of the fools that send 'em out here at this i tiuie, I'm darned if I wouldn't boot him clean out of the town of Sellout." "That'll do, that'll do, Mr Rataplan," said Thistle. "I have no doubt you did tho best for the interest of the house. Trade is a little dull."
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Te Aroha News, 26 November 1887, Page 7
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512"Trade is a Little Dull." Te Aroha News, 26 November 1887, Page 7
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