The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-06-03
The LattIe Peddler.


--sk
One rainy afternoon, in the earliest
part of autumn, heard low knock at
my back door. and opening it I found
peddler. Peddiers are q great yexa>
tion to me they leave the gates open !;
they never have anything I want, and
don't like the faces that belongs to the
most of them, especially those Of the
strong men who go about with little
packages of coarse goods and I always
close the door upon them, saying to my
self, sslazy.n
This was little boy, and he was pale
and wet, and looked cold, I foEgot he was
a peddler. and asked him to come In by
the fire. l thought he appeared as though
he expected was going to buy sonle-
| thing. for he commenced opening his
tin box, hut had no such intention. He
looked up in my face very earnestly and
sadly, when told him to warm himself
by the fire, and that I did not wish to
purchase anything He 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
81 am out every day, and can't stay in
for little rain /; besides, most peddiers
stay at home then, aud can sell more
on rainy days"
allow much do you earn in day 7"
ssSometimes two shillfngs, and some
times one, and once in while get noth-
ing all day, and then, ma'am, ann very
tired"
Here he gave quick,dr cough. that
startled me.
'.How long have you had that cough p
"I don't know, maam.'
"Does it hurt you p
eyes ma'a
sWhere does your mother live p
sIn heaven, ma am, said he, unmoved
ssHaye you father p
"Yes, ma am, he is with mother" he
replied, in the same tone.
Have you any brethers or sisters 2"
II had little sister, but she went te
mother about month ago
Il s.She wanted to see mother. and so Dc
| I, and 1 guess that's why cough so.''
"Where do you live z"
| 'sWith Mrs. Brown, on N street"
"Does she give you any medicine fo1
) your cough ?''
Mot doctors medicine she is tot
, poor but she makes something for III,
, to take"
s.Will you take something, if give i
to your"
t "No, ma am I thank you; mother tool
j medicine, and it didn't he4p her, though
, she wanted to stay, and you see [ wan
E to go it would not stop my cousht
Good-day, ma'am.'
/ "WaIt minute" I said, "I want to se'
what you carry.
e He opened his box, and for once
Y found what wanted. Indeed, l don
' think it would have mattered what b.
{ had. | should have wanted it, for tn
e little peddler had changed in my eye
-he had father and mother in heaven
and so had T.. low strange, that ped
, alers had never seemed people-huma
d soul-illed beings before How Thankful
he was, and how his great blue eyes look
d ed into mine when | paid him.
), ou don't ask me to take a cen
o less" said he, after hesitating momenl
Il think you must be very rich"
{ 80. no. replied. II am far frou
o that. and these things are worth more t
d me now than what I gave you for them
Will you come again?"
n '.Yes, ma'am, if 1 don't So to mothe
: soon"
.'Are you hungry ?"
!. ssNo ma am never feel hungry now
n l sometimes think mother feeds me whe
n sleep, though don't remember il whel
' am awake. / only know I5doDt wish tt
eat now, since my sister died.
i .Did you feel very sad z"
' Il felt very big in my throat, and
!. was choked but I didn't cry a BIZ
, though felt very lonely at night for
while but I am glad she is up ther
[ now"
, s.Who told you you were going to die z
, ssNobody but | know am. Per
, haps III go before Christmas.
, i could not endure that. and tried t
\ have him stay but he would run an
tell Mrs Brown what luck he had me
) with. He bade me good day again, cheer
fully. and went out into the cold rain
J. while I could only say, "God be wit
E you my child.
He never came again, though locke
n for him every day. At length abou
New Year, I went to the place be calle
home. Mrs Brown was there, but til
little pilgrims weary feet were at res
z and never more would his gentle knoc
!, be heard at-the doors of those, WI Q, lik
J. myself, forgot the necessary and ster
! way that often sent about these wander
Q ers from house TO house, and their em
v ployment might be unseemly to ther
r than annoying to US.
|, It is pleasant to read once in Will
$ of man who doesn't make a row owe
the slight disappointments of is lift
There is u fellow living in this city wh