Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-10-29


In the road, in front of the house. coming
quietly toward him, and as it was a bright
moonlight night, he saw that the person
carried two panniers of tin, suspended
from yoke over his shoulders The SEN
tinel instantly surmised the individual to
be a pedler, as there were a good many
traversing the country at that time, and it
being his duty to hail everything that ap-
preached his post, he instantly shouted
Who goes thereY
Nothing but pedler, was the reply,
IN the regular drawl of the down easter
Advance and give the eountersign,'
continued the sentry
IN advance if yeou want me tn, but
I'll be darned if l give anything away
So saying the pedler approached the
sentry, where he was met by the corporal
of the guard, who had been attracted to
the spot by the challenge.
What have you got to sell ? he de-
manded
Better ask what | haven't got to sell,'
replied the pedler.
well, what haven't you got to sell
replied the corporal.
Nothln' that yeou want, unless it be
this pint bottle of rum
what do you ask for it 2 demanded the
corporal.
Not much. If yeou'll let me intew the
yard among the soljiers, III give it to yeou.'
It's bargain answered the corporal
quickly, whose orders had been positive to
lat no one out, but nothing had been said
about not letting people in.
Giving the officer on guard the rum, the
pedler passed into the yard among the sol
diers, who congregatcd Immediately around
him.
What have you got to sell, old fellow?
yelled one,
Got any rum ? cried second.
Get me out a pack OF cards, said
third
/ want jack-knife, said fourth.
Go tew thunder, every darned one of
yeou, replied the pedler in load voice,
as he put down his panniers. Darn it to
darnation, dew yeou think I've got forty
tongues to answer you all at once. Who
is that wanted RUM
Me, answered the soldier, stepping for
ward
well, | haint got none, retorted the
Yankee to the crest fallen trooper. Who's
that wanted cards 2 he added
Me-, said another advancing.
well, here they be- And the pedler
took them out, They are fifty cents for
pack
Let me see them And the trooper
held out his hand
Darned if | do until you let me see the
money to pay for en-
The man paid the half dollar, and the
pedler was soon busy selling off his things
to the troopers, most of whom wanted
something.
These men unfortunately were out of
money, and after endeavoring in vain to
dispose Of something to them, he pettishly
exclaimed
We'll, darn if yeou won't buy anything
cant yeou tell me of somebody who will "
You see that fellow tied to that tree,
don't you !! said one OF the men, pointing
to the rebel lover Of Mary, who had been
bound to sapEng near the fire.
! rather guess | dew
He's to be hung in the morning, and
would doubtless like to buy black cap for
the occasion.
Thank yeou, mister there's a pocket
comb for yeou. I've got one of the darn
dest black caps yeou ever seed
While speaking the pedler had thrown
the comb on the ground, and he Instantly
made off for the prisoner As he drew
near the rebel raised his his head and gaz-
ed upon him, but his slouched hat com
ple;ely hid his features.
They said yeou was tew be hung in the
morning, and | thought yeou'd like to have
a black cap tew put on exclaimed the ped
ler,. first breaking the silence.
Do you come to taunt me " demanded
the prisoner quickly.
tNo, darned if [ dew, but this cap of
mine is darned good one, and lets people
off hanging so easy.
The pedler placed strong emphasis on
the word off, which caused the prisoner
again to attempt scrutiny of his features.
This time the matter was not difficult
The hat was slipped to one side and the
countenance fully revealed.
God of Heaven can it be possible
murmured the rebel in guarded tone.
Hist or all will be lost. Buy the cap,
and in its top you will find a knife. My
men are near by, but we number only thir-
ty Stratagem must be used. Cut your
cords when all are asleep, and then be off
But Mary, said the young man in
hollow whisper.
Shall be saved, rest assured of that
Thank you, General, and may God bless
you for this
well, l guess you can have it for that,
tough its darned little price, exclaimed
the pedler aloud, observing that one of the
men was approaching the spot, at the same
u i - IL ! L