The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-08-06
THE YOUNG pEDDLER.


One rainy afternoon, in the early part Of
autumn, heard low p at my back door,
and upon opening il found a pedder. Now
pedders are a great vexaton TO me they
leave the gates open, they never have any
thing ! want, and don't like the faces that
belong to most OF them, especially those of
the strong men who 90 about with little
packages of coarse goods; and always close
the door upon, saying to myself, Lazy.
This was little boy, and he was pale and
wet, and looked so cold, forgut he was n
peddler, and asked him to come in by the fire.
! thought he appeared as though he expect
ed was going to buy something, for he
commenced opening his tin box; but had
no such intention. He looked up in my face
veTy earnestly ard sadly, when told him TO
warn himself by the fire, and that did not
wish TO purchase anything. lie rose slowly
from his seat, and there was something in
his air which reproached me, and detained
him to enquire why he was out in the rain.
he replied:
81 am out every day, and can't STAY in for
little rain; besides, most peddlers stay at
home then, and can sell more on rainy
days"
"f1ow much do you earn in q day?"
"Sometimes two shillings. sometimes one,
and once, in a while, get nothing all day
and then, ma'am am very tired"
Here he gave quick, dry cough, which
startled me.
"How long have you had that cough?"
81 don't know, ma'am"
"DOes il hurt you!"
ayes, maam."
"Where does your mother live?"
"ln Heaven, man," said he, unmoved.
"Have you fatherl"
"Yes, nam, he is with mother" he replied,
in the same tone.
"Have you any brothers or sisters!"
81 have a little sister, but she went to moth
er about month ago."
"What allied her!"
"She wanted to see mother, md so do |,
and guess that's why cough So"
"Where do you lve?"
"With Mrs. Brown, on N street"
"Does she give you any medicine for your
cough?"
"Not doctors medcine-she is too poor,
but makes some for me TO take"
"WiII you take something if give it to
your
"No, ma'am, thank you, mother took
medicine, and it didn't help her, though she
wanted to stay, and you see ! want to go; it
would notstop my cough. Good day maan."
"Wait minute," said, 81 want to see
what you carry"
He opened his box, and for once found
what wanted. Indeed, didn't think it
would have mattered what he had. should
have wanted it, for the little pedler had
changed in my eyes--he had father and
mother in Heaven, and so had |. How
strange that pedders had never seemed like
people-human, sOul-6lIed beings, before
How thankful he was, and how his great,
sunken blue eyes looked into mine when
paid him.
"You don't ask me Ia take a cent less,
said he, after hesitatng minute. 81 think
you must be very rich"
"Oh, no." replird,"I am far from that;
and these things are worth more to me now
than gave You for them. Will you come
again?"
Yes, nam, if do not go to mother soon,"
"Are you huugry!"
"No, ma'am, ] never feel hungry now. ]
sometimes think mother feeds me when |
sleep, though don't remember i; when am
awake. only know don't wish 10 eat now
since my sister died"
"Dd you feel ve:v sad?"
81 felt very big in my throat, and thought
! was choked, but didn't crya bit, though
felt very lonely at night for awhile; but I'm
glad she's up there now"
"Who told you you were going to die?"
"Nobody, but know | am. Perhaps III
90 before Christmas"
could not endure that, and tried to make
him stay, but he would run and tell Mrs.
Brown what luck he had met with. He
babe me good day again cheerfuIly, and
went out into the cold rain, while could on
ly say:
"God be with you, my child!"
lie never came again though ] looked for
him every day. AT length, about New Year,
went to the place he called home. Mrs.
Brown was there, but the little pilgrims
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 these wanderers from house to house,
and their employment might be far more un-
seemly to them than annoying to us.