Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-07-10
nlisfellanrolts Rcaoina.
For the Children.
THE LITTLE PEDDL LER.

THE LITTLE PEDDLER.
One rainy afternoon in the earliest part
of Autumn, heard low knock at my door,
and upon opening it found a peddler. Now
peddlers are great vexation to me they
leave the gate 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 l always
close the door upon them, saying to myself
lazy.
This was a little boy, and he was pale and
wet, and looked so cold / forget he was
peddler, and asked him to come in by the
fire. ! thought he appeared as though he
expected was going to buy something, for
he commenced opening his tin box but !
had no such intention. He looked up in
my face very earnestly and sadly, when
told him to warm himrelf by the fire, that
rose slowly from his seat, and there was
something in his air which reproached me,
and | detained him TO inquire why he was
out in the rain. He replied:
g j 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"
How much do you earn in day ?"
Sometimes two shillings, sometimes one,
and once in while ] get nothing all day,
and then, ma'am, am very tired"
Here he gave quick, dry cough, which
startled me, and enquired:
L., l.,l H. Il,
81 don't know, ma am
"Does it hurt you"
Yes, ma'am."
Where does your mother live?"
ain Heaven, maam," said he, anmoved.
Have you father ?"
| Yes, ma am, he is with mother" he re-
! Piled in The same tone.
Have you any brother or sisters z"
have little sister, but she went TO
mother about month ago.
What allied her? 7" ...
She wanted to see mother, and so do |,
and guess that's why l cough so.'
"Where do you live 2"
With Mrs. Brown, on North Street"
Does she give you any medicine for
your cough Z"
:" Not doctors medinces-she is too poor,
but she makes something for me TO take"
Will you take something if give it TO
you?"
"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 not stop my cough. Good day,
ma am
"Wait minute" said ], 81 want to see
what you carry"
He opened his hox and for once / found
what I wanted. Indeed, / don't think it
would have mattered what he had, | should
have wanted it; the little peddler had
changed in my eyes he had father and
mother in heaven, and SO Lad |. How
strange that peddlers had never seemed
like people--human, soul-filled beings, be-
fore. How thankful he was, and how his
great sunken blue eyes looked into mine
! when paid him.
g You don't ask me to take a cent less
said he, after hesitating minute I" think
you must be very rich"
oh, no" | replied, for / am far from
that; and tFese things are worth more to
me now than gave you for them. viii
you came again
Z" Yes. maam, if don't 60 to mother
soon."
"Are you hungry"
4 "No, ma'am, never feel hungry now
l sometimes think mother feeds me when
sleep, though don't remember it when
awake. only know / don't want TO eat
now, since my sister died."
Did you feel very sad, then 2
Il felt very big in my throat, and thought
, I was choaked, but l didn't cry bit
though 1 felt very lonely at night, for q
while but I'm glad she's up there now."
, "Who told you that you were going ,c
die?"
Nobody; but know | am. Perhap:
y I'll 90 before Christmas"
could not endure that, and tried 10 make
: him stay, but he would run and tell Mrs
Brown what good luck he had met with
He bade me good day again cheerfully, and
/ went out into the cold rain, while / coulC
< only say" God be with you, my child =
: He never came again, though / looked
|. !, for him every day. AT length, about New
n Years, went to the place he called home
Mrs. Brown was there but the little pil
grim weary feet were at rest. and neyel
...o.,ll l;s ,ra1tla Epoct Ia. heard 1.