American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-04-28
The Last Dodge.

Among the numerous expedients which
have been rssorted TO in evading the
Main Liquor Law the following are the
m1st ingenious: g
About fortnight since a tall specimen
Of Yankee manufacture arrived in the
good city of POrtland. 10 the State Of
Maine, and established himself and lug
gage at the Elm Hotel. The luggage con-
sisted Of small valise and a large obloDg
box containing (tor the inspectors had ex-
amined It's contents) quantity OF books
richly bound. which The proprietor had
bought for the purpose Of retailing about
the city.
After seeing bis property placed in me
room allotted 10 him. The pedlsr made his
appearance in the Office with small vol 2
ume in his hand lie glanced his keen. 8
shrewd eye lrisurely around the room; g
which contained at that momsht no one
but the clerk and myself.
Pond Of fsading?' inquired the Pedlar r
Of the clerk when be had finished his OBJ:
servation.
i Don't get any time ID read. replied
the clerk tsrtly, busying himself at the
desk
Il i rather guess Pve got book here
you'd like to read. continued the pedlsr'
psrseveringly. A p
What is it?'
well, il is real good book. and just
right for The times too. cause it'll give q
man spiritual consolation; and they dossy
that's what a man can't get very easT in Z
Maine-jdst about now
That's very true: but yohr 'cohsolatlon'
unfortunately. my friend. does not happen
10 be Of the fight sert.'
THeFe Vas acu6ping leer ID the pedlar's
eye as Ge inquired, Fond Of the right sort,
!, hey?' 80
. when t can get it, said the clerk be.
+ coming interested e'
Guess shall sell you this book thtD;'ni
; said the pedlat, decidedly. v92
$ What is it? You haven't told me the
hams OF II yet p sa'
It's the Pilgrims Progress ~ ltleS
, oh, both4rl' i've road Il . dozen q
/, tines y u s ~ a. s'9 ?
: But this is an entirely Dew edition,
oh. 5 all the same ata Ia f4is.
Beautifully engraved 'la ~,
: 'Oh, nonsehselLI don't want it, And
I. so saying, he commenced writing again;
s Yisibly annoyed. W
4 Say, you-better look at the pie.GreS:
D continued the pedlar, thrusting the book q
O tinder his very nose. ~
g This movement had an astonishing eff
e feet upon the clerk. He jumped off his
e chair and began to examine the volume
e eagrely; bit much TO my surprise. without
q opening il, Then seemingly satisfied
. with the scrutiny, he asked the price; and
= purchased it, ~ - =,
e Say, you.' said the PedIar. after the
. bargain was concluded-moving towards
Il the door say, you, .if any body else
: should see that book and want to get an
s other just like il, send 'em up to No. 10;
9 I'll accommodate 'em just as fast as they
: please
y Aud exchanging very lueef sid thyai
terious look wits the clerk, the pedlar
J vanished.
What OF earth made you bgy that b6okr
! l asked the clerk as soon as he had gone. =
See bere moment sn'
q l advanced and looked over bis sh6ufdsf,a
= Turning up one end Of the booE,b be rcmov-r
ed small slide and discovered stopple !
Rhich he unscrewed and then handed 10
= !, me the book. which | applied mechanically q
!, . 10 my mouth. ffte fFT
q What is itf asked ne laughing. s'''A,a
'Brandy-by jiDgo.' exclaimed paus-
ing to take breath, aud making tracks for 2
the door. ~ e sia
2 'Hsnool where are you goingS' "a
ZIP stairs; il has Just struck me that the Z
9 .piIUrim's P,o0ress' viii be an excellent 5
/ addition to NV library
I The next day the pedIar's stock was ex-
), haiisted. @ s