Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-06-02
THE LATEST DODGE.

Among the numerous expedisnts which
have been rssorted to in eyading the
"Msine Liquor Law" the following is the
most ingenious
About fortnight since, tall specimen
of yankee manufacture" arrived in the
good city of Portland, in the State of
Maine, aud established himself and lug
gage in the Elm Hotel. This luggage con-
sisted of a amall yaliss. and large OBJ.
long box, containing for the spectators
had examined 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 pedlar made his
appearance in the office with small vol
ume in his hand. He glanced his keen,
shrewd eye leisurely around the room,
which contained at that moment no one
but the clerk and myself.
"Fond Of reading? ?" inquired the ped
lar of the clerk, when he had finished his
observation,
Don't get any time to read" replied
the clerk. tartly, busily engaged at the
desk.
~ rather guess I've got book here
you'd like to read |" continued the pedlar,
perssveringly.
"What is it 2"
"Well, it's real good book and just
right for the times, too, cause it III give a
man spiritual consolation and they do
say that's what man can't get very easy
in Maine-just about now"
"That's very true but your "consola-
ton" unfortunately, my friend doea not
happen to be of the right sort"
There was cunning leer in the pedlar's
eye as he inquired "Fond of the right
sort. hey ?"
when l can get it," said the clerk,
becoming interested.
"Guess shall sell you this book, then. 4"
said the pedlar, decidedly.
"What is it-you haven't told me the
name of it yet %
cts the Pilgrims Progress"
"Oh, bother I've read it dozen
times"
"But this is an entirely new sdi-
ton"
."Oh it's all the same"
beautifully engravcd.H
"Oh NONSENSE don't want it." And
so saying, he commenced writing again,
visibly annoyed.
Say, you-better look at the pictsrs."
continued the pedlar thrusting the book
under his very nose.
This movement had an astonishing eff
feet upon the clerk, He jumped off his
chair and began to examine the volume
eagerly but much to my surprise, with
out opening it. Then seemingly satisfied
with the scrutiny. he asked the price and
purchased it,
"Say, you--sAid the pedlar, after the
bargain WAS concludsd--moring towards
the door-"say, you, if anybody else
should see that book and want to get one
just like it, send 'em up to No. Is, and
III accommodate 'em just about as they
please"
And exchanging very queer and mys-
terlous look with the clerk, the psdlar
vanished.
"What on earth made you buy that
book ?" asked Of the clerk, as soon as he
had gone.
"See here, a moment"
l advanced and looked over his should
er. Turning up one end Of the book, he
removed small slide. and discovered
stopple which he unScrswed, and then
handed me the book, which 1 applied me-
chanically to my mouth,
"What is it ?" asked he, laughing.
"BRANDY-6y jingoF' exclaimed
pausing to take a breath, and making tracks
for tho door.
Halo where are you going ?"
Cup stairs it has ust struck me that
the Pilgrims Progress" will be an ex-
cellent addition to my library"
The next day the psdlar's stock was ex-
haustSd,