The Kanzas news., 1859-08-06
The Yankee Peeler.

Old Squire Who some years. ago liv-
ed in the town of W, in New Jersey,
was 'tdeath on pedlers." and would moi al
low one to come in gun shot of him if he
could help it. 1t SO happened that one
Nat Tucker, a Yankee pedler of the most
incoErigible kind, in dry goods, clocks and
other notions" chanced that way, and
having heard of the aversion of the Squire
to ltinerants of his class, be looked upon
him as fair game, and determined to 'sellP'
some of his wares aud the old man at the
same time Accordingly the first house he
drew up at on entering the town was the
house of the Squire. II was at the close oi
a warm day in july and the old man sal
eomplacently smoking his pipe under the
porch of his house. AS Nat approached
him with clock under his arm and doz-
en- silver spoons in his hand, the old man
majestically waved him off, and at the same
time exclaiming:
"Clear out! Don't you come in here
don't want any % your tribe round me!
know you.'F sFs' a-a
ssWal, I mus low, Squire said Nat,
good naturedly, that you've goi the advan-
tage of me, for don't know you. and
guess your neighbors don't nuther, for they
tell,d me you was good Christian, and
never turned hungry man away from your
door,"
The GOODNESS of Nat caused the Squire to
pause, for he was a whole -souled, hospita-
BILE man; he. began to think he might be
mistaken in Mats true character. Al
length he inquired, looking the visitor
steadily in the face, "AnsWer me one ques-
tion-aint you pedler?' -.
"Pedler be darned-no," said Nat. -
"Then what are you bringing them things
in the house for ?'' queried the old man
pointing to the articles which Nat was car
rying.
-"Wal, the fact is,' replied Nat, 4 DOME
much ike to leave these silver spoons in
my wagon, for somebody might make love
to 'em, and as for this ere clock, couldn't
afford to lose it no how, for it's jist one O.
the greatest clocks out. I want a bowl OF
bread and milk nation bad, and if you'll
not accommodate me I'll hev to go further,
and if anybody axes my opinion of yew,
in course I'll tell 'enl how good you are to
strangers" 49,. ~
This settled the matter, and Nat was in
yited in. The Squire's wife was out, but
the old man soon placed bowl of pure
laying aside the old-fashioned spoon which
the old man brought him, supplied its place
with one of his own and proceeded to ego
in as though he had tasted for a 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 out'n new silver
spune, than it does out'n old onel' Yes,
1 spose it does replied the Squire, who
had all along been eyeing the remainder of
the sett, and wishing he was the possessor
of them, that he might astonish the old Ia
dy (who by the way was. given to strong
mindedness, that is, wearing the breeches
on her return. -,s
1 got them ere spoons very cheap re-
marked Nat again, as he swallowed large
mouthful of the 'lacteal,' and I've no doubt
my Nance ill be delighted with 'em. % & =
81 'spose you wouldn't care about par
tin with 'em, would you?'' asked the
Squire, hesitatingly.a
'.Wal, no, I don't keer much about it,
answered Nat, but seein' it's you
mought, and guess there's some more Of
the same sort left, which kin git before
go hum. Tell you what I'll deu, Squire
If you'll give me them ere spunes o
yourn and seventy-fv cents to butte, just to
pay me for my trouble, they're yours
''Done !' said the Squire, and immedi-
ately he was put into possession of a dozen
plated spoons, for which he exchanged q
dozen solid, old-fashionsd silver ones, and
'the boot Nat seemed to regret his bar
gain, and showed no disposition to take the
old spoons which the Squire laid in bunch
before him, when the latter, fearing be
might alter his mind, and demand his prop
erty back, left the room for the purpose Of
slowing them snugly away. ~ se-
| A broad grin passed over Mats face as
the old man disappeared, and rising from
his seat, he approached one of those solid,
old fashioned English clocks, specimens ot
which may YET occasionally be met with,
whish occupied position in one corner oil
ly cut the cords which sustained the
WEIGHTS, SO that the slightest jar would be
sure to part them, and then thrusting his
knife up underneath the face of the clock
he clipped all the cogs but one from one oi
the wheels, closed the case again, and had
just taken his seat when the Squire entered
''Tell you what, Squire" said Nat, assu-
ming frightful expression of countenance
"I begin to <eel bad-'fraid I'm goin' to
have one of them drafted fits which takes
me down sometimes. Yes, there 1t comesl'
he yelled-and Immediately after he jump,
ed from his chair high enough almost tc
touch the ceiling and came down on the
floor with force that shook the house tc
its foundation.
Bangt bangl went the weights of the
old clock, and ricki ricki click click
snap! snap went the wheels, till the Squire
was fairly dumb-foundered, and knew no
which to attend to first, the old clock OF
Nat, who lay writhing upon the floor.
The scene did not last long. however
for Nat very speedily recovered, and ther
the Squire alluded to the noise which the
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