The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-11-04

: up for the want Of it by studying a
: night, and reading when I had fey
!, odd moments in the day."
awhile?"
"Yes; my employers brother move,
to Arkansas, and persuaded me t,
come with him, promising to give m,
a clerkship in the store he intended tt
open at Red Bluff Landing. | re-
mained with him two years, and ther
determined to invest same Of my say
ings in pack and explore the coun.
try on foot"
"Well, really yours is an interesting
story. Let me introduce you to my
daughter;-what is your name, sir?'
Charles O'Connell," said he, bow
ing gracefully to Miss Clayton, who
in the act Of setting the table for sup
per, slightly inclined her pretty head
She was followed and assisted by Jim
Hooker, the hired man, who attended
to the outdoor business, and was look
ed upon as kind of protector as well
as dependent by the widow and her
daughter He had been a protege of
Mr.. Clayton's, an orphan whom he
had raised as his body-servant, and
was quite devoted to the family. The
supper was liberal, and consisted of
articles mainly the preparation of the
fair Rosinas own hands, as her moth
er exultantly Informed the stranger
The young lady had dofed her big
apron and put some of the Christmas
holly and mistletoe berries in her hair;
but though she waited on the young
peddler graciously, there was yet a
something of hauteur in her bearing
which showed his quick discernment
that however kind she might wish to
appear, she yet felt herself on a much
higher plane than any mere peddler
could ever hope to be- She was in
deed indulging in that feeling of caste
which is disposed to regard all wan
derers as vagrants or cheating adven-
turers. The country was full Of them
men with all kinds of packs, sewing
machine agents, and soap-receipt vend-
ers; and Rosina was inclined to de-
nounce the whole crew, without dis
elimination, as shirkers of honest labor
and hard-bargained drivers, who made
money by imposing on the credulity
or the necessity Of others. She was
almost provoked with her gentle moth
er for her tone of consideration to the
stranger, yet when she furtively
glanced at his really handsome face,
his bright, candid eyes, and the hair
that curled around his high forehead,
she could not resist favorable i'm
preston and the dole Of at least dis
tant politeness. He addressed him
self, however, chiefly to her mother,
in reply to whose inquiries he gave a
graphic description of the serpent
less isle" and a forcible sketch of what
he denominated the wrongs of his
countrymen. Evidently this young
peddler had not breathed the air of
America for nothing, and quite as ev-
identity the fires of patriotism burned
in his breast.
After supper huge dish and an i'm
mense bowl, in which was a silver la
die, engraved with Rosina's name, and
a waiter with glasses, were produced;
then basket of eggs, dish of sugar,
and a bottle. of whisky. Mrs. Clayton
explained to her guest that it was "a
custom in the country" to make up a
large supply of egg-nog Christmas eve,
to which every visitor or chance-comer
should be treated during Christmas;
but, added she, Il think it a custom
more honored in the breach than in
the observance; but this is piece of
indulgence to Rosina, who expected a
small party of neighbor girls tonight;
l don't approve, but trust they will
not abuse my leniency.'
Mr.. O'Connell very cheerfully as
sisted in making the egg-nog, but re-
fused to taste, saying he made it rule
Of his life never to drink drop of
spirits. Just as the great bowl with
its foaming contents was placed on
the sideboard there was loud ''halloo"
ut the gate, and presently two buxom-
looking girls bounced into the room,
talking and laughing boisterously as
they came followed by their brother,
who bore his fiddle wrapped in blan-
ket-shawl. The elder of the two,
Miss Eudora Brown, instantly recog-
nized Mr.. O'Connell as the peddler
who had stopped at her mothers house
that morning, and familiarly address
ing him with Hey, old fellow, got
here ahead of US, did you?" proceeded
to give Rosina a smothering embrace,
who, softly whispering, why, Dore,
how can you be so familiar with that
peddler?" received for answer, "You
60 long, Rosy-a peddler's good as
!. other folks to my thinking,' in tones