Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-26

anxiety 10 obtain customers; his whole
power seemed to bo directed to the
means Of disposing of his wares. He no
sooner arrived at a farmhouse, than he
broached the subject nearest his heart
"Any thing wanted in my line today"
He entered into most unqualified eulo-
GUM on their excellence; they were all
unequalled in fineness, he could sell them
for what might be said to be absolutely
nothing; and as for lasting, why, to take
his word for it, they would wear forever.
lie chose the table where the light was
most advantageous, proceeded imme-
diately to undo the labarynth Of cord with
which his goods were secured, and took
the utmost pains to exhibit their whole
glories to the eyes of the admiring rus
tics. If the farmer endeavored to elicit
from him some information concerning
the state Of the crops in the places where
he had been travelling, he could only
afford brief and unsatisfactory answer,
but was sure TO tack to the tail of it, the
recommendation of some piece of west
Of England cloth, which he held in his
hand ready displayed. Nay, if the hos
pitality Of the good wife made him an
offer of reireshment before he entered
upon business, he most agnanimously,
but unpedlar-like, resisted the tempta-
ton to eat, animated by the still stronger
desire to sell. There was no possibility
Of Withdrawing him for moment from
his darling topic. To the master he
said, "Won't you buy coat?"-to the
mistress, " Won't you buy shawlW-i
to the servant % =; girls, =" Won't you buy a
the cow-herd 10 purchase pair of gar
tiers, regardless Of the notorious fact that
the ragged urchin wore no stockings =
But all his efforts were Intellectual; even
his gaudiest ribbons could not melt the
money out of single female heart; and
his vinegar aspect grew yet more mea-
gre as he restored each article untouch-
ed to his package.
The rival Of this unsuccessful solici-
tor Of custom, was short, squat man,
fair haired and ruddy. He came in
with a hearty salutation, and set down
his pack in some corner; where, as he
expressed himself, it might be "out Of
the way" He then Immediately aban-
doned himself to the full current Of con-
versation, and gave detail of every par
ticular Of news that was within his know
ledge. He could tell the farmer every
thing that he desired to know-what
number Of corn-stacks appeared in the
barn yards wherever he had been, and
what quantity Of grain still remained un-
cut or in shock, and he took time to emu
merate the whole distinctly. He was
equally well prepared in other depart
ments of intelligence, and so fascinating
was his gossip, that when the duties Of
any member Of the family called them
out of hearing, they were apt to lingeI
SO long, that the good wife declared he
was "a perfect of-put to a. rH."-
This, however, was not meant to make
him abate Of his takative humor and
neither did he: the whole budget was
empted first, and he received in turn the
narratives Of all and sundry. Their
came the proposal from some Of those
whom he had gratified with his news, te
"look what was in the pack" The
goods were lugged from their place o
concealment, and every ones hand wa:
ready to pick out some necessary or some
coveted piece of merchandise. The
master discovered that, as he would be
needing suit ere long, it was as well tt
take it now. The mistress was jus
waiting for Thomas coming round tt
supply herself with variety Of articles
"for," quoth she "many things are need
ed in house." The servants exhort
ed each other to think whether they die
not require something, for il was impos
sible to say when another opportunity o
; getting it might occur. The ell-want
was forthwith put into diligent requisi
ton, the scissors shipped little bit o
the selvage, and an adroit "sereed' sep
arated the various cloths from the rapid
ly diminished webs. The corners O
many chests gave up their CAREFUL,
boarded gains, with which cheap rem
nants were triumphantly secured. il
the midst of this transfer of fnery, th
, poor herd-boy looked on with counte
! nance so woefully expressive Of the fact
9 that he had not farthing to spend, tha
E some one took compassion on him, an
. having laid out trifing sum, had tn
o satisfaction of making him perfectly hap
!, py with the equivalent, flingng it int
2 2 his unexpectant arms, and exclaimine
9 "Here, Gallant, there's something io
= you" What multiplicity of pleasin
= emotions had this trader, the tact of cal
ling into exercise, all Of them rebound
r ing ten-(old to his own proper advar
i tage! 1t was impossible to say, whetl
" er he cultivated his powers of talk lror
forethought, as knowing that they woul