The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-04-17
WITH A YANKEE PEDDLER.
How q shrewd spectacle-se Paid his
Board.

For ways that are dark and tricks that are not
| vain tho Yankee peddler can give the heathen
Chinse points. A bright young fellow who was
driven not long ago to travelling country roads
with basket over his arm, selling little article
on which there was just tribe over two thousand
per cent. profit. fell in down in the wilds Of New
Jersey day. with one Of those interesting x
specimens. THAT man." says the young fellow,
"taught me more about pcddling in the few days
wo Travelled together than I ever knew before
lie could turn jack knife into n horse and wagon
Late one afternoon We were making for the little
tavern, kept by an elderly woman. where We in
tended TO pass the night. The Yankee as We pass
cd little pile Of pebbles. stopped down and pick
cd up two round white ones, one about twice ~
large as the other. i am going 20 pay for my
supper and lodging, said he. with these two psb-
blss. lie put them in his pocket, and thought
no more about them till after we had eaten
supper, We were seated 10 front Of comfortable
fre-the Yankee. the landlady and !. lie was
spectacle peddler. and carried his wares in title
green boz. lie had 4 charming habit Of saying
to people whenever he get n chance. Your eyes
are in pretty bad way. They won't last long
lie said thi. TO the lsndady. and she replied that
she Was afraid tha, was true, for they had been
troubling her good deal lately.
Then the spectacle man brought out the larger
Of the two pebbles. Look q, that madam said
he. What do you think Of that"
The landlady said she thought IL looked like
any other white pebble that could be picked up
anywhers. The spectacle man. laughing At the
poor wonan's ignorance. said II she could pick up
few stone. like that she'd soon make her fortune.
II was a genuine eye pebble imported from Ger.
many. i make an eye-water from those psbble-,'
said he. that strengthens the eye and restores the
failing sight. That stone will dissolve TO nothing
in ten minutes in salt and water. The old lady
was increduisus. and for some time nothing more
was 'ad about it. Presently she asked is that
eyc-water of yours very explosive; :; Ne. he said.
mot very explosive. Then. said she; guess I'll
have io get you % make me bottle Of it.
The peider told her to brin; ia a iumbIerfuil
Of lukewarm water with Tablespoon VI salt in IL,
and a teaspoon. The articles were soon brought.
and the pcider dropping the larger pebble into
the gias. began 90 stir IL with the teaspoon with
great dciibera;ion. For fully fyc minutes he con.
;nuel 20 siir. the pebble Of course showing no
si gus Of dis.olying.
~ thought, .sid the old lady. that there little
stone wouldn't dissolve
lit does seem little stubborn. that a fact
said the spectacle man, but the trouble 10 you
haven't put in quite enough salt. Just get me
teaspOoniuli more sal;. AMI il will be all
right. The old lady lcit the get the salt.
and the Veidler quickly whipped the large pebble
out Of the ;uubler and dropped in the snail oac.
4 declare. ,siI .he. when she rsiurzeI and saw
the diminished sire of the pebble. =; il takin hold.
after all. ANT it, Certainly. said the spectacle
man. looking very ~i.e. and pouring in the re-
maindeT of the salt. IL will be ready now in about
hFc minutes. anu you better nave a hOUle Mandy
20 put il in. for it poils ]; TO stand 10 the air.
The landlsiy had him this time. :or the bottle
was standing on the mantle shelf. IL was neccs.
ssry 10 get her oct of the room once more 20 re.
move the little pebble. he asked Haven't you
| = solorei glass bottle = No. shs said. she hadn't
one 10 the house. Then. said he. you had better
paste some dark paper around this one. for the
light weaktns the sye-waier and in time spoils IT,.
The old lady went oui in the kitchen 10 hunt some
thick paper. and out came the little pebble. The
eye-water VAS made.
"Rub your eyes well with this three times day
he said A. be eorked the bottle, land by the next
time come around you u have nsw pair Of eyes
| 10 your head
Next morning. az We we're about 10 pay our bills.
the landlsdy inquired hos much she owed for the
| sye-watsr.
1T will be dollar for the pebble. jus, What il
| eosis TO import them from GERMANY. said he. Il
won't charge yeu anything for making it,
dollar was just What be owed the hotel. lie
and the lsndlady were square. 'Ne'e York Tih's..