Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-09-23
poutb's Department.
THE YOUNG PEDDLER.

THE YOUNG PEDDLER.
One rainy afternoon, in the earliest part
of Autumn, heard a low knock at my back
door. and upon opening it found peddler
Podders are a great yeXation to me they
leave the gates open; they never have any
.hing want. and don't like the faces that
belong to most of them, especially those Of
the strong men who 60 about with little pack
ages 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 a
peddler, and asked him to come in by the fire.
/ thought he appeared as though he ex-
pocted going to buy something. for be
commenced opening his tin box, but had no
such intention. lie looked up in my face
very earnestly and sadly, when told him to
warm himself by the fire, and that did not
wish to purchase anything. lie rose slowly
from his scat, and there was something in his
air which reproached me, and ! detained him
to inquire why he was out in the rain. lie
replied;
II am out every day. and cant stay in for
little rain; besides, most poddlers stay at
home then, and can sell more on rainy DAYS
GLOW much do you earn in a day :"
"Sometmes two shilling, sometimes one.
and once in while get nothing all day, and
then, am, l am very tired"
Here he gave quick, dry cough, that
startled me-
"Iow long have you had that cough"
81 don't know, mann"
docs it hurt you,'
eyes, ma am"
"Whore docs your mother live :"
I'm heaven, ma'am, said he, unmoved.
'Elave you a father y
'Yes, ma am, he is with mother" he re-
piled, in the same tone.
Have you any brothers or sisters,"
81 had a little sister, but she went to
mother about a month ago"
'She wanted to see mother. and so do |,
and guess that's why | cough So"
where do you live?"
"With Mrs. Brown, on N--street"
docs she give you 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 p
mo, ma'am, thank you; mother took
medicine and it didn't help her. though she
wanted to stay, and You see l want to 90 it
would not stop my cough. Good day,
ma am
"Wait minute, | said 81 want to see
what you carry"
He opened his box, and for once found
what | wanted. Indeed, ! don't think it
would have mattered what he had | should
have wanted it, for the little peddler had
changed in my eyes-he had father and
mother in heaven, and so had |. How strange
that peddlers had never seemed people-hu-
man-soul-flled beings before. How thankful
he was, and how his great blue eyes looked
into mine when paid him:
"fou don't ask me to take a cent less. +"
said he, after hesitating a moment. 81 think
you must be very rich"
'Oh, no" l replied. II am far from that ;
and these things are worth more to me now
than what gave you for them. "Will you
come again ~
'Yes, ma'am, if don't go to mother soon. "
"Are you hungry y
"No, ma'am, ! never feel hungry now !
sometimes think mother feeds me when |
sleep, though don't remember il when am
awake. ouly know don't wish to cat now,
since my sister died"
did you feel very sad ;"
81 felt very big in my throat, and thought
was choked but didn't cry Bit though
felt very lonely at night for while; but
am glad she is up there now
''Who told you you were going to die :"
Nobody; but know | am. Perhaps I'll
60 before Christmas"
| could not stand that, and tried to make
him stay; but he would run and tell Mrs
Brown what luck he had met with. He badc
me good-day again, cheeriully, and went out
into the cold rain, while | could only 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 homo. Mrs.
Brown was there, but the little pilgrims wea-
ry ieet were at rest, and never more would
his gentle knock be heard at the doors OF
those who, like myself, forgot the necessary
and stern way that often sent about these
wanderers from house to house and their
employment might be moro unseemly to them
than annoying to us.