Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-07-23
Yankee Clock PedlarS in The West.
SCRAPS FROM THE NOTE BOOK OF a MISSOURI
LAWYER.

JAwYER.
In travelling through the new States of the
West, one cannot fail to notice the number of
New England clocks, everywhere to be found.
No matter how remote or secluded the coun-
try-no matter how poor the inhabitants, the
- Yankee clock" is sure TO arrest your atten-
ton as you enter the rude cabin of the back
woodsman. The clock is often the only piece
Of furniture in his cabin, not made with his
own hands, and, not unfrequently, is pur-
chased at a cost exceeding the value Of the
rest Of his household goods.
No "%settIei " is too poor, or too remote
from the rest of the world to own a Yankee
clock.
Nothing more forcibly illustrates the en-
terprise and energy of the New England peo-
pie than the almost universal use of these
clocks in the West.
There is no part Of the inhabited West that
has not been visited by the Yankee clock
pedlar. He will find his way, with his wa
rnn load of clocks, through a country that
any one else would at once pronounce utter
ly impossible with a wheeled Conveyance
Ii he finds a road already made, well and
good otherwise he will make a road for him
self. He will, without hesitation, drive in
to the woods never before penetrated by civil
lized man, and will find his way through
without accident. He only asks whether
any one is living in the country if so, he
will find him out, and sell him a clock.
If you happen to be winding your way
! through a rocky, barren country, guided by
an almost imperceptible birdie path, and ev-
; cry moment in danger of being cast, by a
! false step of your horse, over some trightful
! precipice, be not surprised if in the worst
> part Of your route-I will not say road-you
: meet a Yankee clock pedlar, sitting on the
box of his wagon, "calm as a summers
= morn"
d If you ask him whether he ever expects to
. get oveE such a country with his wagon, he
coolly replies, that the road is not half as bad
II as some roads he has driven over.
" The ingenuity of the clock pedlar in dis
posing of his wares is almost as remarkable
y as his skill in driving his wagon over the
" country. Notwithstanding the general use
of these clocks In the West, there is deep
y rooted prejudice among the people against
Yankee clock pedlars. And the manner in
which the pedlar will %contrive to overcome
this prejudice and sell his clock to The un-
"a willing purchaser, is often very amusing
He meets every objection with a plausible
y answer. If poverty is the reason for not
purchasing, he offers any credit, only asking
" a note for the amount. II the person will
not purchase until he has had an opportunity
2 of testing the accuracy of the clock as a time.
), piece, he will leave it on trial for a year,
Then again, if the person importnned refuses
y to purchase upon any terms, he asks the
~ privilege of setting up one Of his clocks un.
" Ill he returns, in order that some neiglboI
- may have an opportunity of purchasing.
~ While riding the circuit some years ago,
~ happened to stop for the night at the house
u of a man with whom | had some previous &C,
" quaintance.
:, lie was an industrious, sensible man, bu
nf poor, and surrounded with a large family o
~ children.
Nv In one corner of the cabin, on a rude shelf
" stood a very smart looking Yankee clock
nd Everything else betokened poverty. Hi
~ children were half naked, and his wife per
~ formed all the household work.
70 After supper | asked him whether his clocl
oh kept correct time, observing that my watcl
was some five minutes faster than the clock
- YES" he remarked, . there's nota bette
"a time-piece in the State. I've had the clocl
four years, and it's never been the least GU
~ Of order"
then asked him what he gave for il, an,
of whom he purchased it; and these inter
liz rogatories drew from him, as | expected, tn
~ history Of the clock, which was as follows /:
"About four years ago. he commenced
a "a Yankee clock pedlar called at our hons
~, with load Of clocks. | knew at once VIA