Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1852-05-08
The Latest Dodge.

Z ig4lf Z
Among the numerous expedients which
have been resorted to in evading the
Maine Liquor Law, the following is the
most ingenious
About fortnight since. |, tall specimen
Of " Yankee manufacture arrived in The
good city Of Portland, i'll the State Of
Maine, ard established himself and lug.
gage at tile Elm Hotel. This luggage
consisted of small vaIise. and large OBJ
long box containing flor the inspectors
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 10 him, the pedlar made his
appearances in the Office with a small vol.
ume in his hand. He glanced his keen,
shrewed eye leisurelY around the room,
which contained nt that moment no one
bui tbs clerk and myself.
Fond Of reading7" inquired the pedlar
of the clerk, when he had finished his OBJ
servation.
" Don't get any time to read" replied
the clerk, tartly, busyitig himself at the
| desk
IL ratllei guess I've got book here
you'd like to read, continued the pedlar,
perseverngly.
+" What Is it p
/" Well, it's |, real good book and just
for the times, too, cause it'll give man
spiritual consolation; and they do say
that's what man can't get very easy III
| Maine--just about now"
"That's very true but yotr consola.
ton" unfortunately, my friend, does not
happen to be of the right sort.
There was cunning leer in the pedar' 9
eye as he enqliired !" Fond Of the right
sort. hey 7"
When / can get IT," said the clerk,
becoming interested.
Guess shall sell you this book, them, =
said he pedlar, decidedly -
+" What is it--you haven't told me the
name Of II yet"
"It's the Pilgrims Progress"
"Oh, bother I've read il dozen times" I"
But this is an entirely new edition.
"Oh. it's all the same
Beautifully engraved"
"Oh! nonsense--I don't want it. "---
And so saying, he commenced writing
again, visibly annoyed.
Say, you--better look to the picters, =
continued the petlar, thrnsting the book
under his very Hose.
This movement had an astonishing cf-
feet 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 pur-
chased it.
"Say, you '---said the pedar. after the
bargain was notwithstanding towards
the door" Say, you, If anybody else
should see that book and want to get ail-
other Just like il, send 'ern mp to No. 10
and I'll accommodate 'em just about as
quick as they please"
And exchanging a very queer and mys.
tsrious look with the clerk, the pedlar
vanished.
" What ON earth made you bny that
book 7" asked I Of the clerk, az soon as Inc
had gone.
/ :" See here, moment"
/ advanced and looked over bis sholder
Turning UP one end Of the book, he re.
moved small slide, and discovered a
stopplss which he unscrewed and then
handed me the book, which applied me.
chanically to my mouth.
I" What Is it ~ asked he, laughing.
Branay---by jingo" exclaimed 1,
pausing 70 take breath, and1haking tracks
/ for the door. 2
"TIollo where are you going 2
!" Up stairs; 1t has just struck me that
the Pilgrims Progress will be an excel.
lent addition 10 my library"
The next day the pedlar's stock wa.
exhausted. H