Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-03-03
POP CORN.


AID the word pop" was uttered in a
startling, cultural voice.
Come in !" said Glezen.
The one-armed popcorn man entered.
He was dressed in a shabby blue, wore
on his head a military cap, and in his on
ly hand bore the basket that contained
the modest merchandise. lie had never
come to Glezen's Office before, but he
evidently remembered the two young
men.
Say !" said he, "I'ye seen you be-
fore"
"Yes,,' said Glezen, 81 remember
you"
"And one Of you bought paper, and
the other said Get OUT" responded Che
popcorn man; "aud here, gentlemen,
is the last opportulty! Here you have
it! Popcorn just salt enough Each
aud every individual kernel has a jewel
and a drop Of blood in it for you"
"Look here" said Glezen, you've
said that before. Give US something
new"
popcorn, gentlemen, is a balm for
wounded hearts, stimulant to yirtuous
endeayor, swectener OF domestic life,
and furnishes silver lining"
"Old, Old, old I" exclaimed Glezen.
ct adds charm to the cheek Of beau
ty when applied on the Inside, cures
heart burn, tan, freckles, stammering,
headache, corns, and makes barks 20
dogs. Five cents paper, and just
sat enough F.! How many papers will
you have gentleman ?'
Look here" said Glezon, with a
mirthful look in his eyes, "dd you ever
suspect that you were nuisance ?'
"On the contrary" said the pope
man, 81 happen to know that | am n
balm and IL blessing"
"And a bomb shell and a cotton mill, !"
added Glezcn.
"a thing Of beauty is a joy forever,
gentlemen. "Here's your picture-a one
armed soldier with a basket Of popcorn.
Look at it, gentlemen, and let it linger
in your memory. How many papers
did you say ~
"See here, my man." said Glezen, "do
you know that you can do something n
great deal better than selling popcorn,
and putting yourself into places where
! voii orn nat wanted ?U
"Open toconyiction, said The pep corn
man.
"scll yourself for old brass" said Gle
zen.
The man looked up to the ceiling,
while an expression Of pain crossed his
ccatures
II suppose" said he, "that could tell
YOU that there was evidently no market
for that article here, and hold my own
playing the blackguari with you for the
rest Of the evening but ] don't feel up to
it. May l sit down? p
"Certainly, if you wish to-"
The man set bis basket upon the door
took of his cap, disclosing a hand-ome
forehead, laid aside his professional air
and drew up and seated himself on a
char before the young men.
ado you SUPPOSE" said he his dark
eyes cleaning with painful earnestnoss,
''that | don't know that l am a nuisance?
Do you suppose that it is pleasant thing
for me to push my head into other peo-
PIES doors, and disturb them in their
work and their talk Do you suppose
that | don't know and feel that it's an
outrage =? DO you suppose l make a
clown Of myself among wolldressqd gen
tlemen and dirty boys because ! like it?''
81 didn't mean to offend you," said
Glezon.
''No, don't thnl, you did," said the
peddler "but once in a while get tired
with carrying my disgusting load, and
then | want to be myself for awhile !
don't know why it is, but you two fellows
sitting so cozily here together, and look
ing upon the poor pcddIor with such con-
tempt, makes me feel as If q little Of your
respect for the man whom necessity com
pes to play a part would be pleassnt.-
I'm having a hard life. It's doyiIish
hard to bo alono-not to have a man that
can shake hands with, unless it be some
rascal whose touch is a disgrace"
The young men were throughly sur
priscd. The changed boalirg Of the man
before them, his wel-chosen language,
his evident deep feelings and sincerity,
impressed them with respect.
"Do you mind telling us about your
solf?" inquired Nicholas, whose sympa-
thy had been touched.
"Oh, WE'LL there's not much to tell
not much that is new in The world. was
afflicted, a few years ago, with a disease
called patriotism. 1t was very prevail
ent at the time, and ! took it. When !
got through with it, or it got through
with me, | found an arm gone. | had
served by country, but lost the means OF
taking care of myself, and providing fsr
my wife and children. People rejoiced
in the victory had helped to win, but
they forgot me. A one-armed soldier
who needed help was nuisance. L sup
pose | could have beggsd, but | had a
prejudice against that way Of getting
living. ] suppose | could have borrowed
or hired hurdy-gurdy, and tormen;oC
peoples ears and hung out an empty
sleeve as a plea for charity, but 1 ddn'
like that. So | took up that old basket
/ set my wife and children to popping
9 corn, and went to paddling. I dom
know exactly how | worked into it
but my tongue was ready, and l founc
that | had n new way Of amusing th
o. crowd. They bought nv corn. and