Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-08-23

the crazy, spawned beasts with which they
had Journeyed west. Besides, Elias had
some vague suspicion that they carried con
cealed IN some part Of the vehicle, or on their
own persons, portion of the United States
currency; but whether il consisted of paper
or hard money, he had no direct means OF
ascertaining
| However, Elias must do something: and
| aier some hours OF reflection, he determined
TO turn pedlar. But where was his wagon
or his horse. He had neither materials, nor
a cent to offer for them, and his bodily in
firmitIes prohibited him from Carrying a
pack on his back. But, even il this Difficult,
~ vas OVERCOME, where were his goods on
which 10 mslse the profits which were TO al.
leviate the misery OF his mother and sister
Nohody would credit boy who looked a
beggar, though he felt man. Elias was in
dilemma; but hs fdncicd he heard those
that were alone dear 10 him on earth, moan
ing for bread, and the poor house stared HIM
in The face. Necessity is the mother of in
veniion,' and Elias fell upon plan which
appeared to him 10 dissipnte ali the evils
which threatened to crush him. He deter
mined TO make himself large wagon, with
wooden wheels, he was too poor 10 buy iron }
and then, with strap thrown across his
shoulder, he could haul il about the country.
and hawk his goods among the neighbors'
His resolution taken, he began TO work,
aid being aided by benevolent wagon ma.
ker in the vicinity the little machine, about
the SIZE OF market basket, was constructed
and equipped for trip among the farmers.
But now on obstacle, the most trying TO
Eilas's sensbiliiies, had occurred, and lie
must overcome if, or all his hopes must van
ish forever. He was well aware of the dis
advantages under which he lsbored. He
knew very we'll that man obtains credit in
proportion 10 his supposed ability TO pay
and how could any body suppose boy who
had not clothes TO cover him, who was look
ed upon as hall an idiot, deformed and imbe
Gle, and whose mother was in abject poverty.
could pay for goods 10 fill such cart as that
Nevertheless, Elias's intended expedition
had been talked OF in the village; his mo.
tiVes were known, ana he had always borne
a good character for honesty thought
him deranged some laughed at him; but
some pitied him. He cast about how he
should fill his wagon, for winter wns ap-
preaching and he was diffident of success
something must be done He still hoped
Heaven would help those who wished to do
good He resolved to apply TO one of the
village storekeepeis who was the least like
mercy. His story was tavorably received,
and the incipien; pedlar's wagon filled with
refuse calicoes, pins, needles, tapes, thread,
coarse combs, etc. Aud now hehuld The lii
tie lame psdlar, of twelve years old, with
his leather strap across his shoulders, drag
ging his wooden wagon along the turnpike,
seeking the first avenue 10 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 dis
posed of his stock Of merchandise at some
profit, with which he relieved the immediate
necessities OF his mother, whose expenses in
the interim were diminished one third, in>
asmuch as she had not 10 feed Elias. He
promptly paid the merchant the price of his
former venture, and with the residue OF the
profits not required for other purposes, he
paid cash for a 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 him
self; that is, he paid for all his stock in cash,
and his profits were proportionably increas-
ed. In his peregrinalions, he sometimes
met with unfeeIing persons, who ridiculed
his homely apparatus and his ragged dress
telling him he was beggar, and must have
stolen the goods, sc. Elias would say, che
never stole any thing tina. he knew he was
poor, that he must do something to get bet
Ter clothes before cold weather, and that the
reason he dragged the ugly car, about was,
that he nigh! get them honestly
But winter had now set in, and Elias was
gradually sinking under protracled exer.
tions, which had made visible inroads upon
a slender frame and fragile constitution
With impaired health, he was unable to I'M
dergo the fatigue and exposure of winter
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 had neither horse nor wa>
e on. Ely hit upon an cXpedent which
TO admiration. lie recolecied
that there was pack of cur dogs inlesting
the village, some without acknowledged
masters, Others whom their masters would,
no doubt, be willing 10 get rid of on any
terms, short of being their executioners.
Ely's mind was fixed, and he set about &C
comPlishing his design with laudable celcr-
Ity. tongue, with staple at the end,
was soon liked in the wagon, and two min
nature wblfiletrees were attached with the
AId OF his former patron, the wagon maker.
few old pieces of rope supplied the bar
ness, and th:oe ours, which had been nui-
sance TO the settlement, constituted the team
lie experienced some difficulty in breaking
The dogs TO harness. They would lie down
in sulien silence, or they would growl and
snap at him and sometimes try TO run away.
But Eiy's habilual perseverance oyercame
all difficulties besides, be was a severe dis.
ciplinarian. He we'll knew the meri,orious
properties Of flageliation, and when soothing
tailed, he applied his leathern thonged whip
10 such purpose, that lie soon subjected
The nnrulY trio 10 ohedience and the sliced