The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-09-11
The Young Pedlcr.


The Dung Pedlcr.
One rainy afternoon in the earliest part OF
autumn heard low knock at my back door,
and upon opening it., found a pedlar. Now,
pedlars are great veXatiOn to me; they leave
the gates open, they never have anything l
want, and don't like the faces that belong to
most of them, especially those of the strong
men who go about with little packages Of
coarse goods, and always close the door upon
them, saying to myself-lazy.
This was little boy, and he was pale and
wet and looked so cold forgot he was ped
Ter, and asked him to come in by the fire.
thought he appeared as though he expected |
was going to buy something, for he cOmmenc-
Ell opening his tin box, but had no such in
tentlon. lie looked up in my face very earn
estly and sadly, when told him to warm him
self by the fire, and that did not wish to
purchase anything. He rose slowly from his
seat, and there was something in his air that
reproached me, and detained him to inquire
why he was out in the rain. He replied:
g l am out every day and cannot stay in
for little rain besides, most pedlers stay
at home then, and l can sell more on rainy
days.
'How much do you earn in day."
Sometimes two shilliDgs, sometimes one,
and once i'll while get nothing all day, and
then, ma'am, l am very tired"
Here he gave quick, dry cough, which
startled me.
Glow long have you had that cough?"
II don't know, ma'am." -.sa..
docs it hurt you?"
Yes, ma'am.'
Where does your mother live?"
I'm Heaven, ma'am,' said he, unmoved.
"Have you father?"
Yes, ma'am, he is with mother" he replied
in the same Tone
"Have you any brothers or sisters!'
81 have little sister, but she went to mo-
Their about month ago
"What allied her?''
''She wanted to see mother and so do l, and
guess that's why cough So
"Where do you live?'
with Mrs. Brown, on N St
"Does she give you any medicine for your
cough?" .~..'.
Not Doctors medicine-she is too poor,
but she makes something for me to take"
Will you take something if give it to
you?" .... .....- 0.....-
No, ma'am, l thank you; mother took
medicine, and it didn't help her, though she
wanted to stay, and you see want to go; it
would not stop my cough Good-day, ma am"
"Wait a minute" l 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 l should have
wanted it, for the little pedler had changed in
my eyeS-he had father and a mother in hea-
ven, and so had |. How strange the pedlers
had never seemed like people--human, soul
tiled beings, before How thankful he was,
and how his great, sunken blue eyes looked in
to mine when I paid him.
~ GU don't ask me to take cent less, - said
he after hesitating minute. 81 think you
must be very rich''
"Oh, no. replied l am far from that :;
and these things are worth more to ME now
than l gave you for them Will you come
again"
YES, mann, if don't go to mother very
soon."
Are you hungry
NO ma am | never ieel hungry now.
sometimes think mother feeds me when sleep,
though don't remember it when / am awake.
l only know don't wish to eat now, since my
sister died" ,... ..,t,.
Did you feel very sad?'
Il felt very big in my throat, and thought
was choaked, but didn't cry Bit though
L felt very lonely at night for while: but I'm
glad she's up there now" ....
"Who told you you were going to die!''
Nobody, but l know am Perhaps I'll
60 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 babe
me good day again cheerfully, and went out
into the cold rain, while l could only say,
"God be with you my child
He never came again though l looked for
him every day. At length about New Years
l went to the place he called bis home Mrs.B.
was there, but the little pilgrim his weary
feet were at rest, and never more would his
gentle knock be heard at the doors of those,
who like myself forgot the necessity and stern
want that often sent about those wanderers
from house to house; and their employment
might be far more unSeemy to them than an
noying to US.
DEATH OF MAN WHO NsEED FOR PREsI-
DENT WAsHINGroN.-Mr Benjamin Blackford
died at the residence of his son, Mr.. VIM. N.
Blackford in this city, Oh Monday afternoon.
He was one Of the few men living who enjoyed
the proud recollection of having voted for the
Father Of his country for President; and
has also voted in every succeeding Prcsiden-
tIal election. Mr. Riackford was q GENTLE