Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-02-22
An Adventure In North Carolina by Cochero.


Several years ago l was travelling
through the southwestern part of the
old dominion with large and varied
stock of merchandise; such as in those
days generally composed the stock in
trade of q travelling merchant.
The occupation in which | was en-
gagged was generally called peddling,
and by most persons was not held in
very high estimation, although, for
the life of me, never could see why a
travelling merchant should not be con-
sidered rs respectable as u stationary
one. Nor why a clerk who manages
the ribbons behind pair of pranclng
greys, should not be thought as much
of as one who flourishes u yard stick
behind q counter.
1t is true was in the habit of think
ing my position in the world was II
little more elevated than that of the
pedestrians l sometimes passed on the
road, staggering along under q large
pack, orleading pack-horse, fastened
to the end of a long rope; but all are
influenced by the same motives, and
a strong family likeness exists among
the whole tribe.
Well, finding trade rather dull, and
being near the State line, it occurred
to me that would cross over and try
my fortune in the Old North State,
although the rowing commission l
held did not authorize me to cruise in
that direction.
1 therefore crossed over, somewhat
in doubt as to the propriety of my
course, but relying much on the speed
of my horses to make good my retreat
the necessary. a E
For mile or two after crossing the
State line there were few houses, and
sales were light, for with the eXcep-
ton of two or three tin cups and few
skeins of silk and other notions, my
stock was not perceptibly lessened.
1 Presently spacious mansion show
! ed itself in the distance, and Ideter-
mined there to retrieve my hard for
tune if possible; nor was / wholly dis
appointed. &ts
/ found four ladies at home-the
mother aud three daughters-all of
whom were soon busily engaged in
examining the choice rolls of silks,
delaines, ribbons, laces and the thous-
and and one articles that elicit the adj
miration of the ladies. -
Finding my goods duly appreciated,
and no need for me to expend my elo-
sgnence in praising them, began to
amuse myself in looking round the
apartment. tt..
Presently discovered in one corner
a bookcase containing several law
books, and on taking down one and
opening it, the very first sentence that
attracted my attention nearly struck
me dumb with horror. 1t was some
thing like this: "And be it further
enacted that if any hawker, or ped
dler (for by such opprobrious epithets
did they characterize our honorable
fraternity shall be convicted of sell,
ing goods without a licence, he shall
forfeit his goods and travelling equip
page, and shall receive forty stripes
well laid on his bare back"
now began to feel very much like
getting out of such an inhospitable
region. l therefore commenced in
earnest to sell goods, but the ladies
traded slowly, and insisted on seeing
my whole stock, and before they had
got half through making their pur-
chases, the proprietor of the mansion
suddenly put in an appearance. He
did not seem remarkably pleased with
the display that greeted his astonish-
ed vision, nor did he regard me with
very fraternal expression OF counte-
nance; and by me his unfavorable
opinion was fully reciprocated, for I'M
der the circumstances, he was certain
ly the most disagreeable object | ever
beheld. fk3 FFtE
He made me q gruff salutation, talk
ed little about trade, asked me how
long had been in the State, and
wound up by inquiring If l had a IL
cence. 4
L of course, made the best stearing
l could, but saw he did not believe
word 1 said, and presently he in
formed his family that he had forgot
ten something that he had intended to
bring from town and that it would be
necessary for him to return. So with
out farther remark he went out
mounted white nag that had re-
manned standing at the fance and rode
off. found, on inquiry, that the
town was about two miles distant
and / had strong suspicious that the
forgotten articles were a couple OF
constables. SO 1 dispatched business
as rapidly as possible, collected my
pay, bundled up my goods, stoweC
them away, mounted my box, anC
was soon ready to retrace my steps.
calculated that my delay at the
house was about long enough to enable
the old man to reach the town, SO thai
i'm case of immediate pursuit, l SHOULD
have about two miles the start.
1 did not think it best to put my
horses to full speed until the danger O
pursuit became imminent and there
fore drove along at moderate brisl
pace, for a mile or two glancing fire
auently back without perceiving any
signs of approaching danger. There
was now a gradual descent for som'
distance terminating in marshy spo
of ground crossed by a long stretch o
Corduroy road.n This was formee
by falling poles and trees OF consider
able size, that grew near across tn
road, without, however, any regard Il
uniformity of size or smOothness o
surface, but merely for the purpose o
keeping the feet of animals and tn
wheels Of vehicles from sticking in tn
mud.
no This purpose was answered tolerabl;!
we'll, but for rapid travelling it mad
II one of the most horrible roads tina
could he imagined. bl-
30 CHANGING behind as I came in sigh
of this detestable thoroughfare, l say
three horsemen coming on in rapi
pursuit, and scarcely mile distant
One of the horses was white, and fron
tho manner In which his rider gesticu
lated to his companions, when h