Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1855-08-09
Sharp PRACTICE.

christ, to-day, Mlster! Sald 0eter-
mined looking Yankee book peddler, who
yestarday entered our sanctum with a
gutta percha travelling bag in his hand,
and rather powerful odor of whiskey on
his breath.
"No, not today" was our bland re-
ply. "We are rather too busy to spec
ulate in theological literature at present"
"Better look at the book, anyhow,
hadn't ye chuck full of pictures; sarmon
on the Mounts done up first rate
Regular jam up book, that, is; writ the
whole ont myself-did by thunder! "
mo, we've an abundant supply Of
works on divinity"
"But, stranger, this airs suthin new"
1--WE rather CUES that the Bible and
Josephus contain about the grist Of your
compilation, don't they!"
Josse-phus who in thunder's he !
No, stranger, yeour out thar. | tell you
there's things in this ere book that'll bring
you right out of the gall of bitterness and
the bonds of iniquity. There's things in
that book that Jos. rhus never heard tell
on.'
TWAS no use, however, we declined
purchasing, and the Yankee at length
bowed himself out. --'--
A moment afterwards he reappeared.
Say, Mister, mought You know Mr..
P. next door "
We intimated that such was the fact.
swell, kin We tell me to what religion
he belongs? Some say that he's Metho-
dist; some calls him a Swedengorgian,
and another Teller says he bankers arter
the mormons. I'd like tew know what he
rally belongs tew." 1853 Hft..
Why do you inquire p we asked.
"Well don't mind telling you. You
see, ginnerally find eout what church
man belongs few before l try to sell him
a book, because then I always let on that
belong to the same church, and that
ginerally takes, that does. If l know
what church a man jines with, l never
miss fire selling under them circumstan.
ces." ..... -,...-
swell, did you make inquiries concern.
ing our religious tenets? Z"
STRANGER, | did-yeou can bet high
ont"
"Not very successfully. it would ap.
pear; for you haven't sold us book
Well, no; but if you kin tell me what
church Mr.. p. belongs tew, it'll dew jist
as WELL"
You can't sell him book it's no use
making an effort"
STRANGER. iii bet yeou hat ont"
"Well. Mr.. P. is Swedenborgian :
now try him. . = y e Z } J.
About an hour afterwards we entered
Mr.. P's store, He was walking up and
down, using language rather more en-
phatic than ordinary custom requires, not
apparently addressed to any person in par
ticular.
"What's the matter, Pr" we inquired.
".Why, chap came in here to sell the
" Lie of Christ said he was cousin
Of Prof. Bush. the Swedenborgian divine,
and Swedenborgian himself. Said he'd
just sold my brother Dick copy, and that
Dick sent him to me-"
" And so you bought one 2" 1'-' ;
&c Yes, and Dick was here just now, and
says he never saw the man. He's con-
founded rascal; the book amt worth a
cent" ..-.....- f.-
When Mr.. P. went home that night, the
first object that met his eye was the "Life
Of Christ laying on the table. t.
"My DEAR said the lady, ''that's a very
trashy affair you sent home. l don't like
it at all. It's anything but orthodox. (P.'s
wife is strict Baptist ~ s-sa,.- s-rr
y" You don't mean to say you've been
buying one too" said p, producing bis
own copy l-..,
"Why person called here to-day, say.
ing he was member of-the street Baptist
Church; that you sent the book as COM
pliment TO me, and SO paid three dollars
for it, ,.. - ,.,.'...t..,.5l,.-, .z4.f-s
P. stayed to hear no more he rushed
out, and the last we heard of him he was
inquiring for tall peddler with dust color.
ed hair and stripped breeches. 4,
Book peddler will do we'll to avoid Mr..
P, in their peregrinations, as he has vows
to immediate the first one that darkens his
door. se. ,.i. ,c.a ,-5 y
The BEGGAR AND THE SAILoR.-A
we'll known lame 'beggar, who usually
I J,n..nl -, l..