The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-06-22
THE BOOK AGENT.

Il
sultry days in July, when the thermometer
rose to 90, tall lantern jawed, gambrel
shanked fellow entered the village of -,
in the old commonwealth of Massachusetts,
lie was dressed in the peculiar costume Of
yankee back woodsman-haying on his
head squirrel skin cap, and on his feet
doublesouled cowhide boots, which would
laugh out of countenancc Kamschaian
winter.-On his arm was carefully folded
butternut colored frock coat, and in his
hand was an extra shirt and dickey, tied up
in cotton flag handkerchief. On his en-
trance into the village he inquired for the
clergyman, and being told where he might
be found started post haste for his residence.
Arriving at his house, he found him enjoy
ing the cool of the twilight in his garden.
Stepping up to the fence he inquired if the
Rev. Mr.. - lived in that ncighborhood?
The clergyman told him he did, that he
was the individual to whom he alluded.
I" I'm dreadful deaf" said the fellow /;
"you must raise your voice, or can't hear
word you say" The clergyman put his
lips to his ear and repeated the declaration
that he was the person for whom he enquir-'
ed, and asked him the object of his call.
:'Tis bin an awful hot day." The clergy
man again enqured his business, on the top
of his lungs. 81 thank you thousand
times," said the stranger, 81 rcckoned to
have got to the tavern by sun down, but
havn't, and as am prodis iously tuckered
out, I'll stay, and thank ye into the bargain,
following the clergyman into the house.
The clergyman handed him chair and
after laying down his coat in the corner of
the room and tanning himself a while with
his cap, he took his seat. The clergyman,
in loud voice, asked him to what part of
the country he was traveliingl Any
thing that comes handy" he replied, +" I'm
n farmer when at home, and not much used
to nicknacks-l can eat any thing but cold
pork and cabbage, and that l never could
cat, since was boy-but don't put your
SELVES out ofthe way about supper" The
clergyman inquired again, in still louder
voice, if he was from Vermont.
/" I'm getting subscribers" said he, " for
valuable book--it's the works of John
Buuyan,-or Jonathan Bunyan,--I don't
remember exactly which but I'll sec,"
pulling out his prospectus and handing it
to the clergyman. The clergyman, after
looking at it handed it back, and remarked
that he did not wish to subscribe. 40 yes"
he replied. 81 always carry pen and ink
with me find a great many folks that
don't keep such things in their houses" pull
ling out his pen and ink and offering it to
the clergyman. The clergyman raised,
his voice to the highest key, and said he
must be- excused from subscribing. "Just
as WE'LL" said the agent, I" write the names
of half my subscribers myself" entering
the name of the clergyman in his book.
The clergyman dcsparing of making the
fellow hear any thing, concluded 10 get rid
of hin, the easiest way he could. He there
fore furnished him with good supper and
bed. In the morning he told him, in as
loud voice rs he was master, of, that he
did not want the work, and should not take
it. Don't give yourself any uneasiness
about it ;" said the agent /" never forget
subscribers, and especially mnisters-you
shall have it in due time" Thanking him
for his kindness and hospitality, and bid
ding him good morning, he trudged off as
fast as his legs would carry him.
About a month after, as The clergyman
was on his way to visit brother in the
ministry in n neigliboring town, he was
not little surprised to meet his old guest,
the deaf book agent. lie was dressed
much in the same manner as before but
was seated on a box, in the fore part of a
one horse wagon, drawn by a morse that
would require stall feeding to make much
of show. Coming up with him, he
jumped out of his wagon, shook him cor
diaIly by the haud, and said he was going
directly TO his house with his books. The
e,ergyman said that he must be excused
from taking them, as he had a set already
on hand. &c No NATTER" said the agent,
. I'm going right by your house and can