Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-05-22

10Y any 10 tlle CONSTITUTION Is Cdled SUP
mission. ."--N 0. Bee.
LATEST DoDaE.-The passage of the Maine
Liquor Law has afforded excellent food for the
wits to sharpen their masticators on The follow
ing is about as good a joke as have yet read.
No doubt however, but that shall have occa-
sion to laugh over many similar rum incident
before many weeks older;
About fortnight since, a tall specimen of
Yankee manufacture arrived in the good city OF
Portland, in the State Of Maine, and established
himself and luggage at the Elm Hotel. This lug
gage considered of small valise and large OBJ
long box, containing, for the inspectors had ex
amned its contents, 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 pedler made his appearance
at the Office with a small volume in his hand. He
glanced his keen, shrewd eye leisurely around the
room, which contained at that moment no one but
the clerk and himself.
Fond of reading !? inquired the pedler of the
clerk, when he had finished his observation
Don't get any time to read replied the clerk.
p L rather guess I've got book here you'd like
to read. continued the pedler, perseverngly
what is it?
We'll It's real gool book, and Just right for
the times too cause it'll give a man spiritual
consolation and they do say that's what man
can't get very easy in Mane--just about now.
That's very true; but your consolation, un-
fortunately, my friend, does not happen to be of
the right sort
There was cunning leer in the pedler's eye
Fond OF the right sort, hey q
when can get it., said the clerk, becoming
Interested.
Guess shall sell you this book, then, said the
pedler, decidedly
What is it-you hav'nt told me the name Of it
yet?'
Its Pilgrims Progress
Oh bother I've read it at least a dozen
times
But this is entirely new edition
oh! its all the same
Beautifully engraved
+ oh! nonsense-I don't want it.
And SO saying he commenced writing again,
visibly annoyed.
/ Say, yeou,-better look at the pictcrs con-
tinued the peddler, thrusting the book 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,
Say, yeou'-said the pedler, after the bar
gain had been concluded-moving towards The
door-'Say, yeou, if any body else should sec
that book and want to get another just like it,
send 'em up to 73 and I'll accommodate 'em JUS
about fast as they please
4 And exchanging very queer and mysterou:
look with the clerk. the pedler vanished
What on earth made you buy that book p
asked the clerk, as he had gone.
See here moment
| advanced and looked over his shoulder
Turning up one end Of the book, he removed
small slide, and discovered stoppe, which h
unscTewed and then handed me the book, which
applied mechanically to my mouth.
I What is it 2 asked he, laughing.
'Brandy-by jingo' exclaimed l, pausing t
take breath, and then making tracks for the door
Hello! where you going?'
Up stairs it has just struck me that the 'Pil
grims Progress will be excellent addition t
my library
The next day the pedler's stock was exhaus
, ted.