American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-17
INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A PEDLER.
BY sOMEBaDY

BY SOMEBODY.
Fred Griswold was what might be called a
speculatng pedler. Born and brought up, as
HE had. in Connecticut, he possessed all that
shrewd cunning and knowledge of mankind so
Essential to one of his calling, and fer which the
Yankees are SO celebrated--he knew his man
at a glance, and conld guess the kind of goods
b man would want by the looks of his prem-
ses. He was not, however, as the reader may
suppose, dealer in wooden nEtulegs, tin ware,
brass clocks, or anything of that nature, but a
regular travelling merchant, with "little of
Everything" from paper OF pins to the most
splendid broadcloths.
He was a native of Connecticut, as was be-
Gore stated, but he had migrated TO the western
cart of New York, and settled in the town OF
&c, which place he made his head quarters,
aad from whence he made excursions into
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, &c. He
had followed the profession from the age OF
fourteen, and his favOrite policy was never to
refuse any thing man might offer in pay
meat for goods, trusting to his own ingenuity
to dispose of the articles thus obtained to ad-
vantage and ho seldom lost money upon
them.
At one time heuwas travelling with his load
through new settlement in ONO and stopped
his team before neat looking log house, whose
owner was at work, putting together one Of
those Substitutes for fence, knowR as a "brush
fence" around his garden.
"Halto, FRIEND" said Fred, "do you wish to
purchase anything to-day?"
"Can't, ''said the man, pausing a Enoment.-
~ haven't any moAey-nothing to pay with
10, never .nind,"' replied Fred, in his usual
bland tone, Aflal take most anything"
The man saw he wac determined 10 have q
trade and SO im order, TO get lid of him he said
"Weu, sir, ana just building piece ofbrush
fence, and if you'll take that don't know but
we caa tIade.'
ooh. I'll take it if you'll keep it until 1 call
for it,"
"Oh, yes, LII do that said the man, sur
prised at the accommodation of Fred, and try
| ing 10 assign some 9eason for it in his mind
He finally concluded that Fred had heard Of
him and Intended doing him favor; and as Ae
was really needy, he determined to accept it in
i the spirit in which it was offered. So bargaia
was made for his fence, he received the goods,
but as long as he could pay in brush fence, he
thought they were cheap enough at any price.
Two or three years passed, and though Fred
often called at tie house and done considerable
trading, vet he never demanded payment on
his note. In course Of time, when the man
! began to prosper, he burned up his rude fence,
and substituted neat picket in its place. About
| tive weeks after this was done, Fred came that
way again and called.
"Morning, Mr.. -" said he, on enter
/ ing 81 have found a place where can dis
| pose of my fence to advantage, and haze call
i ed for it,"
The man saw he was caught in the trap, and
as there was no way to avoid 1t, he paid Fred
the money and laughed at the joke, and babe
him good morning.
Fred gained considerably by this. He not
only made fair profit on his merchandise, but
secured the friendship and patronage of the
man. and likewise all the influence he could
command in the neighborhood, which was
considerable, to secure him the patronage of
others.
| Among Fred's numerous friends was Judge
Newton, who resided in the northern part of
Pennsylvania. Fred always made the Judges
house bis home whea he travelled that part of