Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-05-28
INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A PEDDLER

INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A PEDDLER.
BY soMEBoDY
Fred Gnswold was what might be called
specializing pedder. Born and brought up,
as he had been, in Connecticut, he possessed
all Ra6 Sh 81 eHan6 Is one an8 kPqMhga
for which the Yankees are so celebrated-he
knew his man at glance, and could guess the
kind of goods man would want by the looks
of his premises He was not, however, as
the reader would suppose, dealer IN wooden
nutmegs, tin ware, brass clocks, or any thing
of that nature, but regular travelling mer-
chant, with a g little of every thing" from a
paper of pins to the most splendid broadcloths.
He was native of Connecticut, as was be-
fore stated, but he had migrated to the west
ern part of New York, and settled in the
own of c., which place he had made
hk headquarters, and from whence he made
excursions into Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ma.
rvlaod. &c. He had followed the profession
from the aye of fourteen, and his favorite pol
lev was never to refuse anything man NIGH
offer in payment for goods, trusting to his
own ingenuity to dispose OF the articles thus
obtained to advantage; and he seldom lost mo-
ney upon them.
At one time he was travelling with hit
load through a new settlement IN Ohio, anC
stopped his team before a neat looking log
| house, whose owner was at work, putting to
gether one of those substitutes for fence
known as brush fence around his gar
den.
g Halo, FRIEND" said Fred, do you wisl
to purchase anything y
{" Can't" said the man, pausing a moment
&c havn't any money-nothng 10 pay with.
"Oh, never mind" replied Fred, in his IL
sual bland tone, &C I'll take almost anything
The man saw he was determined to have
trade, and so, in order to get rid of him, h
said, "Wel, sir, | am Just building Il piece 0
brush fence, and if you'll take that | don
know but we can trade
ooh, I'll take it if you'll keep it until ca
for it,
ooh, yes, I'll do that said the man, SUI
prised at the accommodation of Fred, and try
ing to assign some reason for it in his minC
He finally concluded that Fred had heard {
him and intended doing him favor; and a
he was really needy, he determined to acceI
it in the spirit in which it was offered. So
bargain was made for his fence, he receive
the goods, but as long as he could pay
brush fence, he thought they were cheap ell
ough at any price.
Two or three years passed away, and til
Fred often called at the house and done col
siderable trading, yet he never demanded pa,
ment on his note. In the course of time, Wht
the man began to prosper, he burned up h
. rude fence, and substituted a neat picket
D its place. About two weeks after this w
done, Fred came that way again and called.
Good morning, Mr.. - said he, {
t entering, {" have found place where | CT
o dispose OF my fence to advantage, and ha'
called for it,
e The man saw he was caught in the ira
and as there was no way TO avoid If, he pa
e Fred the money and laughed at the joke, al
: babe him good morning.
Q Fred gained considerably by this. He n
@ only made fair profit on his merchandis
: but secured the friendship and patronage
4 the man, and likewise all the influence
could command in the ne;ghbGrhood, viii
! was considerable, to secure him the patrona
# OF others.
n Among Fred's numerous friends was Jud
: Newton, who resided in the northern part
n Pennsylvania. Fred always made the Judge
: house his home when he travelled that pa
: of the country. The Judge was fine, JoVl
Il old fellow, fond of a joke, and was alwa.
: trying TO get a joke upon Fred when he sta
ed with him.
e One day some time in the year i83-, FIR
n was passing through and put up with him t
3 over night. In the morning ne wasdetermI
: ed to drive trade OF some kind with Il
Judge, offering to take anything in payment
:, "Pll tell you what I'll do,'' said the Judg
Il laughing, g I've got first rate grindstone 0
/ in the yard, and if you will take that, W
i trade it OUT
q every WE'LL said Fred, "I'll take that, il
4 just as good pay as want"
II They went out IN the wagon, and u