Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-29

| MISS SdT ilu6, WnO udI NJ lutcutiou VI
buying, took out her spectacles. adjusted
them carefully, and examined the shawl
with the closest scrutiny. Meantime
the peddler, while arranging tray OF
goods for the inspection OF the ladies,
introduced himself.
"My names Peck-Silas Peck, Jun. /
belong to the Vermont branch OF the
family. Irepresent the house OF Beck,
Peck, G. Co. Our headquarters are in
New York, but this branch travels" He
grinned. showing set OF excessively
white teeth. and made ready TO follow
Miss Car line into the house as soon AS
she should see ft to lead the way. which
she did presently, remarking as she
went, II believe there's cotton in this
shawl
The peddler laughed good-naturedly.
al like Connecticut people," he said,
paironizingly. You're sharper than
steel-traps. believe myself there's just
grain OF cotton in that shawl; but
there are men in New York who've made
their fortunes in dry-goods would never
be able TO detect it. s'pose the sheep
must have rolled over in q cotton field
before they were sheared. Now. miss,
| have something that's just in your line.
Look at these gloves. They're really the
best in the market-so much superior 10
Alexaudre's that AleIsndre has gone out
of the business in disgust since they were
introduced Look at them"
"Iiow much are theyF"
"Only fifty cents pair"
Amy dropped them. She had lady
like horror OF cheap gloves.
Mr.. Silas Peck, Jun. took his cue i'm
mediately.
II know what you want" he said,
cheerfully. mo cheap stuff for you.
You want TO see some irst-class goods"
lie moved briskly out to his wagon,
and was gone some time. During his
absence Miss Car'line remarked:
Hes pretty-spoken man, Amy, but
we don't want to buy anything to-day;
so Jest you see that he don't impose on
you"
But when Mr.. Peck returned, bearing
in his arms heavy piece OF black silk,
Amy's heart bounded. Aglance showed
that it was OF fine texture and excellent
quality.
"A black silk" said the peddler, lay
ing the piece on the dining-room table,
and preparing himself for a short ora
ton, ais always handy. 1t answers
ekally we'll for funeral or wedding"
When he said funeral" he gazed SOL
EMMY at Miss Csr'line and at the word
wedding" his face frightened into
smile, and he winked mildly at Amy. al
cut dress of OF this piece for my wife
inst before left home, for her birthday
present. She's thirty-two," he added,
refec,ivoly, "but if she should live TO be
hundred and thirty-two, she'd never
have another dress eksl to that. When
we were young" Che was possibly thirty
five, but he addressed himself 10 Miss
Carine with the air of patriarch), 1--WE
might consider ourselves lucky if we got
one such dress in lifetime. eh?"
well, don't know" said Miss Car
line, chow twas where you were
brought up. young man; but l had bet
ter silks than that forty years ago, and l
wasn't stinted on them neither"
He had touched the chord OF pride in
Miss Car'line's heart, and the response
as,onished Amy. But be knew his busi-
ness.
What is the price Of this7" Amy
asked, feasting her eyes on the rich folds
that Mr.. Peck had spread out temptingly
before her.
Now you guess what the price is"
said the peddler.
Three dollars" Amy suggested; for
she had already compared it in her mind
with more than twenty pieces which she
had examined in the dry goods store at
Hartford, and she fancied that she knew
its exact value.
Now knew you'd say three dollars,
exclaimed the peddler, triumphantly
Everybody says three dollars. And. to
be perfectly candid with you. the price OF
it is three dollars; but I'll sell ii TO you
for two dollars and half yard. If I'd
stolen it in Lyons and smuggled it into
New York, couldn't let it 60 . cent
cheaper"
Miss Car'line had risen and joined
Amy in a close.and critical inspection OF
the goods Meantime the peddler seated
himself, tipped his chair back to the wall.
turned his eyes carefully away from the
ladies, and whistled a soothing psalm
tune to himself, while he inspected every
article of furniure in the room.
Twenty yards would be plenty" said
Amy, in whisper; land it would only
come to fifty dollars. Oh, auntie,
please"
why, you foolish child. l amt got
fifty dollars in the house," whispered
Miss Car'line. "And your father would
never listen to the notion of buying
ooods from a pedder. apyWay.n