Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-11
TIE LITTLE PEDDLER.
BY MRS. c. II. GILDERsLEEvE.

This was Il little boy, and he was pale and
wet, and looked so cold that l forgot he was
peddler, and asked him to come In by the
fire. thought he appeared as though he ex-
pected L was going to buy something, for he
commenced opening his tin box, but 1 had no
such intention. He looked up inmy face very
earnestly and sadly, when told him to warm
himself by the fire, and did not wish to pur-
chase anything. He rose slowly from his seat,
and there was something in his air which re-
preached me, and l detained him to inquire
why he was out in the rain. He replied:
81 am out every day, and can't stay in for a
little rain; besides, most peddlers stay at home
then, and l can sell more on rainy days.
GLOW much do you earn in day?'
'sSometimes two shillings, and sometimes
one, and once in while I get nothing all day,
and then, ma am, am very tired.''
Here he gave a quick, dry cough, which
startled
GLOW long have you had that cough'
81 don't know ma'am.''
esDoes it hurt you?''
eyes ma'am.''
'Where does your mother live?
'sIn heaven, ma'am,' said he, unmoved.
s.Haye you a father?'
:sYes, ma 'a1n, he is with mother" he re-
piled in the same tone.
ssHaye you any brothers or sisters?"
81 have little sister, but she went to moth
about month ago.
What allied her?''
sSShe wanted to see mother, and SO do /,
and guess that's why cough 800
s.Where do you livei"
s.With Mrs. Brown on N. Street,
ssDoes she give you medicine a for your
cough?''
'sNot Doctors medicine,-she is too poor;
but she makes something for me to take
s.WilI you take something, if give it to
you?'
s'No ma am, thank you; mother took-med
icine, and it didn't help her, though she wan
ted to stay, and you see want to go; 1t wouldn't
stop my cough Good day, ma'am.'
ssWait minute,'' said, 81 want to see
what you carry
He opened his box, and for once l found
what | wanted. Indeed, l didn't think it
would have mattered what he had. I should
have wanted it, for the little peddler had
mother in heaven, and so had I. How strange
that peddlcrs had never seemed like people
human, soul-filled beings, before. How thank
full he was, and how his great Sunken blue eyes
looked into mne when paid him.
'sYou don't ask me to take cent less, said
| he after hesitating a minute; 81 think you
must be rich.'
ssOh, no, replied. ssI am very far from
| that; and these things are worth more to me
now than gave for them. viii you come
| again?' ?''
| eyes, a'am, if don't go to mother soon. .
| care you hungry ?"
enc, ma'am, am never hungry now, l
sometimes think mother feeds me when sleep,
| though l don't remember it when am awake.
l only know don't wish to eat now, since my
sister died.
''Did you feel very sad then2"
ssI felt very big in my throat, and thought I
was choked, but didn't cry bit, though l
felt very lonely at night for while; but am
| glad she's up there now
| esWho told you you were going to die 2"
ssNobody, but 1 know 1 Perhaps I'll
go before Christmas"
| / could not endure that, and tried TO make
him stay, but he would run and tell Mrs.
Brown what good luck he had met with. He
bade me good-day again cheerfully, and went
out into the cold rain, while / could only say.
ssGod be with you, my childl''
He never came again, though looked fol
him every day. At length, about New Years
| | went to the place he called home. Mrs
Brown was there, but the little pilgrim hi:
weary feet were at rest, and never more would
his gentle knock be heard at the door of those
who like myself, forgot that necessity and
stern want often sent about these wanderer
from house to house, and that their employ
ment might be far more unseemly to then
, than annoying to us. have learned a lesson
i and l never see peddler bending with hi
load, but my heart softens to them, and l won
der if they too do not wish to lay aside thei
burden and be at rest.
" A Clergyman, catechislng the youth
e of his church, put the first question from tn
e catechism to girl: ssWhat is your consols
a tion in life and death 20 The poor girl smile
but did not answer. The priest insisted. ssWel
t then'' said she, sssince | must tell, it is tn