Here was a type of the traveling canvasser for a manufacturing house a class which at that time was first being dubbed by the slang of the day “drummers.”  He came within the meaning of a still newer term, which had sprung into general use among Americans in 1880, and which concisely expressed the though of one whose dress or manners are calculated to elicit the admiration of susceptible young women a “masher.”  His suit was of a striped and crossed pattern of brown wool, new at that time, but since become familiar as a business suit.  The low crotch of the vest revealed a stiff bosom of white and pink stripes.  From his coat sleeves protruded a pair of linen cuffs of the same pattern, fastened with large, gold plate buttons, set with the common yellow agates known as “cat’s-eyes.”  His finger bore several rings one, the ever-ending heavy seal and from his vest dangled a neat gold watch chain, from which was suspended the secret insignia of the Order of Elks.  The whole suit was rather tight-fitting, and was finished off with heavy-soled tan shoes, highly polished, and the gray fedora hat.  He was, for the order of intellect represented, attractive, and whatever he had to recommend him, you may be sure was not lost upon Carrie, in this, her first glance.

Lest this order of individual should permanently pass, let me put down some of the most striking characteristics of his most successful manner and method.  Good clothes, of course, were the first essential, the things without which he was nothing.  A strong physical nature, actuated by a keen desire for the feminine, was the next.  A mind free of any consideration of the problems or forces of the world and actuated not by greed, but an insatiable love of variable pleasure.  His method was always simple.  Its principal element was daring backed, of course, by an intense desire and admiration for the sex.  Let him meet with a young women once and he would approach her with an air of kindly familiarity, not unmixed with pleading, which would result in most cases in a tolerant acceptance.  If she showed any tendency to coquetry he would be apt to straighten her tie, or if she “took up” with him at all, to call her by her first name.  If he visited a department store it was to lounge familiarly over the counter and ask some leading questions.  In more exclusive circles, on the train or in waiting stations, he went slower.  If some seemingly vulnerable object appeared he was all attention to pass the compliments of the day to lead the way to the parlor car, carrying her grip, or, failing that, to take a seat next her with the hope of being able to court her to her destination.  Pillows, books, a footstool, the shade lowered; all these figured in the things which he could do.  If, when she reached her destination he did not alight and attend her baggage for her, it was because, in his own estimation, he had signally failed.