The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-11-20
THE YANKEE PEDLAR.

Old Squire, who some years ago
lived in the town of W, in New Jor-
sey, was "death ON pcdlars," and wouldn't
allow one to como within gun shot of him if
he could help it. 1t SO happened that one
Nat Tucker, Yankee pcdlar of the most
incorigible kind, in dry goods, and other
"notions," chanced that way, and having
heard of the aversion of the Squire to itino-
game, and determined to "scll" some of his
wares and the old man ut the same time.-
Accordingly the first house he drew up at on
entering the town was the house of the Squire.
1t was at the close of warm day in July,
and the old man sat complacently smoking
his pipe under the porch of his house. AS
Nat approached him with a clock under his
arm and dozen of silver spoons in his hand,
the old man majestically waved him of, at
the same time cxclaiming:
"Clear out! Don't you come in here-I
don't want any o your tribe round me!
know you."
"Wal, must low, SQUIRE" said Nat, good
naturcdly, "that you've got the advantage of
me, for don't know you, and guess your
ncighbors don't nuthcr, for they tell'd me you
was n good Christian and never turned hun
cry man from your door,
The coolness and sclfposscssion of Nat
caused the Squire to pause, for he was a
whole souled, hospitablo man, and he began
TO think he might be mistaken in Mats true
character. AT length he inquired, looking
the visitor steadily in the face: "Answer me
one qucstion-ain't you apcdlar!"
'Pcdlar be darncd mo-" said Nat.
"Thcn what arc you bringing them things
in the house for" qucried the old man, point
ing to the articles which Nat was carrying.
"Wal, the fact is" replied Nat, 81 don't
much like TO leave these silver spoons in my
wagon, for somebody might make love to
'cm, and as for this ere clock, / couldn't af
ford to lose it. no how, for it's jst one o the
greatest clocks out. want bowl of milk
nation bad, and if you'll accommodate me
I'll thank ye, and if not, III hev 10 90
further, and if anybody axes my opinion of
yow, in course I'll tell 'cm how good you are
TO strangers"
This settled the matter. Nat was invited
in. Tho Squirc's wife was out, but the old
man soon placed a bowl Of pure milk and
some white bread before me, who laying
aside tho old fashioned spoon which the old
man brought him, supplied its place with one
of his own, and proceeded TO ego in" as tho
he had tasted for month. When he had
about half finished his meal, Nat remarked,
as he paused TO turn his spoon over and eye
it admiringly-"how much better milk tastes
outn new silver spune, than it does, out'n
old onc~ '.sYcs, / spose it does" replied
the Squircy who had all along been cycling
the remainder of the set, wishing he was the
posscssor Of them, that no might astonish tho
old lady (who by the way was given TO strong
mindedness, that is, wearing the brceches,) J
on her return.
81 got them 'cro spoons very cheap" re-
marked Nat again, as he swallowed largo
mouthful of the 'lactcal,' Sand I've no doubt
my Nance i'll be delighted with en-"
81 Isposc you wouldn't care about partin'
with 'cm, would you?" asked the Squire,
hcsitatingly.
oval, no, don't kcer much about it."
answered Nat, "but scein' it's you, mought,
and guess there's some moro of the same
sort left, which kin Git before 90 hum.-
Tell you what I'll dcu, Squirc--if you'll give
me them ere spuncs Of yourn aud seventy
| NV ,ShtS w oue't JNS' W Htl iiS ioi ny
trouble, they're yours
"Donc" said the Squire, and Immediately
he was put into possession Of n dozen plated
spoons, for which he exchanged dozen solid,
old fashioned silver ones aud 'thc boot
Nat seemed TO regret his bargain, and show
cd no disposition 10 take the old spoons which
the Squire laid in bunch before him, when
the latter fearing he mightaltcr his mind and
demand his property back, left the room for
| the purpose Of slowing them snugly away.
A broad grin passed over Mats face as the
old mau disappeared, and rising from his seat
he approached one &c those solid old fashion
ed clocks, specimens Of which may yet occa-
sionally be met with, which occupied posi-
ton in one corner Of the room. Opening the
door, Nat carefully cut the cords which sus-
taincd the weights, so that the slightest jar
would be sure TO part them, and then thurs