Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-08-29

GU 10 10 gooo. tie resolved TO apply
to one of the village siorekeepers who
was least likely to refuse him, and
throw himself upon his mercy. His
story was favorably received and the
lncipient pcdlar's wagon filled with re-
fuse calicoes, tapes, thread, pins, nee
dies, coarse combs, etc. And now be-
hold the little lame pedlar, of twelve
years old, with his leather strap across
his shoulders, dragging his wooden
wagon along the turnpike, seeing the
first avenue to the country where he
could find farmers and farmers girls
to whom to tell his story and sell his
wares.
In few days Elias returned, having
disposed of his stock of merchandise at
some porit, with which he relieved the
immediate necessities Of his mother,
whose expenses in the interim were di.
minshed one third, inasmuch as she
had not to feed Elias. He promptly
paid the merchant the price of his for
mer venture, and with the residue of
the profits not required for other purpo-
SEES, be paid cash for few articles, and
then laid in the balance of his new
stock on credit, and started again on
his weary, lonely round. A few trips
enabled him to set up for himself; that
is, he paid for all his stock in cash,
whereby he procured it at q lower
price, and his profits were proportional
bly, increased. In his peregrinations,
he sometimes met with unfeeling per.
sons, who rldiculed his homely appara-
tus and his ragged dress--telling him
he was beggar, and must have stolen
the goods, &c. Elias would say, che
never stole any thing; that he knew
he was poor; that ne must do some.
thing to get better clothes before cold
weather; and that the reason he drag
ged the ugly cart about was, that he
might get them honestly.
But winter had now set in, and Elias
was gradually sinking under protrac-
ted exertions, which had made visible
inroads upon a slender frame and fra
gile constitution. With impaired health,
he was unable to undergo the fatigue
and exposure Of winter campaign
but he was too poor TO be idle. His
means would be exhausted by spring
and he would have to begin anew.
But how to overcome the difficulty
was the question. He ha6 neither hor-
ses nor wagon. Ely hit upon an ex-
pedient which succeeded to admiration.
He recollected that there was a pack
OF cur dogs iniesting the village. some
without acknowledged masters, other
whom their masters, would no doubt,
be willing to get rid of on any terms,
short Of being their executioners.-
Ely's mind was fixed and he set about
accomplishing his design with laudablo
CELEBRITY. A tongue with staple at
the end, was soon fixed in the wagon
and two miniature whifletrees were at.
tached with the aid of his former patron,
the wagon-maker. A few old pieces
ofrope supplied the harness and three
ours, which had been a nuisance to the
settlement, constituted the team. He
experienced some difficulty in brea.
king the dogs to harness. They would
lie down in sullen silence, or they would
growl and snap at him, and sometimes
try 10 run away. But Ely's habitual
perseverance overcame all difficulties,
besides, he was a severe disciplnarian.
He well knew the meritorious proper.
ties of fagellation, and when soothing
failed, he applied his leathern.t honged
whip to such purpose that he soon SUBJ
jected the unruly trio TO obedience, and
the steed fan Arabian sheik was never
more obsequous to his masters will
than were Tiger, Watch, and Ranger
to that of Ely.
Thus accounted, Ely sailed forth with
a well filled wagon and high spirits.
He was now relieved from the toll of
dragging his wagon himself. He could
extend his excursions beyond his for
NOR limits, and with greater rapidly.
Besides, though on level or ascending
ground he was obliged to walk, yet,
where the road was descending, he
could mount his wagon and drive to
the level at a smart trot, thus resting
his weary limbs, and at the same time
making additional speed. The novel.
ty oflhe retinue and Ely's filial afiec-
ton become known, he soon disposed
of his cargo and returned home once
more. In the meantime the great OBJ
ject was accomplished. Those he 10.
we'd were relieved from immediate want,
and Ely became cheerful and compare
lively happy. But he was not yet
satisfied. The wagon dragged too
heavy for the dogs. 1t was not suffi-
GENTLY capacious for his enlarged trade,
besides his rope harness was worn out.
He determined to have larger wagon