Sunday dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1845-1854, 1852-03-21
THE LATEST DODGE.

The passage of the Main Liquor Law, has
afforded excellent food for the wits to sharpen
their masticators on The following, from
the True Flag, is about as good a joke as we
have yet read. No doubt, however, but that
VIC shall have occasion to laugh over many
similar ''rum'' incident, before we arc many
weeks older:-
About fortnight since, tall specimen Of
s'Yankee manufacture" arrived in the good
city Of Portland, in the State of Main, and
established himself and luggage at the Elm
Hotel. This luggage consisted of small
valise and large oblong box, containing (for
the inspectors had examined its contents,) a
quantity Of books, richly bound, which the
proprietor had brought for the purpose Of
retailing about the city.
After seeing his property placed in the room
allotted to him, the pedlar made his appear.
ance in the Office with small volume in his
hapd Fs. sElaeGsAiaf1 cd tuy RjStu ulyasF1 66itaIsd
at that moment no one but the clerk and my
self .fi a ..
sFond Of reading ~ inquired the peddler
of the clerk, when he had finished his obser-
vation
''Don't get any time to read" replied the
clerk
81 rather guess I've got book here you'd
like te read" continued the peddler, perse-
veringly.
s'What is it,"
''Well, it's real good book; and just right
for the times, too, cause it II give man
spiritual consolation and they do say that's
what man can't get very easy in Main
just about now"
''Thats very true but your consolation,
unfortunately, my friend, does not happen to
be of the right sort"
There was cunning leer in the peddlar
eye as he inquired
"Fond of the hight sort, hey p
'sWhen I can get it," said the clerk, be-
coming interested.
"Guess l shall sell you this book, then" I"
said the peddler, decidedly.
s.What is it-you haven't told me the name
Of it yet p
''It's Pilgrims Progress
"Oh, bother I've read it at least dozen
times" eo
''But this is an entirely new edition"
''Oh it's all the same.'
beautifully engraved"
ooh NONSENSE don't want it."
And SO saying, he commenced writing
again, yisibly annoyed.
"Say, you-better look at the picters,
COuOAuucu OuO PVVNAOA, VII NooAnS WV HNSN
under his nose.
This movement had an astonishing effect
upon the clerk. He jumped off his chair and
began to examine the volume eagerly; but,
much to my surprise, without opening it
Then seemingly satisfied with the scrutiny.
he asked the price and purchased it.
s'Say, you'-said the peddler, after the
bargain was Notwithstanding towards the
r-"Say, you, If anybody else should see
that book and want to get another just like
1t, send 'em up to No. 73, and I'll accommo-
date EN- just about as quick as they please" p"
And exchanging s. very queer and mys-
terious look with the clerk, the peddler van
ished.
'What on earth made you buy that book'"
asked l of the clerk, as soon as he had
gone
s'See here, moment"
| advanced and locked over his shoulder.
Turning up one end of the book, he removed
email slide, and discovered q stopple, which
he unscrewed, and then handed me the book
which applied mechanically to my mouth.
'sWhat is it :" asked he laughing.
s'Brandy by jingo~ exclaimed l. paus-
ing to take breath, and then making tracks
for the door.
ssHollow where are you going !"
'sUp stairs it has just struck me that the
Pilgrims Progress viii! be an excellent ad-
diti0n to my library"
The next day the peddler's stock was ex-
hausted.