The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-08-05
THE WHITE PEDLER.

The story of the White Pedler, which
is family tradition, has at least two mer-
its: 1t is true, and it illustrates a phase
of life now forgotten, and almost incredi-
BILE in these more orderly times.
Thomas Hardy, about one hundred
years ago, was a younger son in family
of prominence in the south of Ireland
Being younger son, however, he knew
that the estate of the family would go to
his eldest brother, while the income would
be heavily taxed to give dowers to his
sisters. He was destined to seek his for
tune in some post under the government,
or in India.
But Tom was in no haste to seek for
tune. He was handsome young fellow,
and it was very agreeable to lounge away
life at home on the hunting field or in
ball rooms. Popular opinion had begun
to set him down as a good-for nothing
fellow, when his elder brother married the
daughter of neighbor The bridegroom
was the heir; the bride had beauty and a
fortune. Hence the county joined in the
festivities, which were splendid and long
protracted. Tom continued to enjoy
himself to the top of his bent, until he
suddenly discovered that he had fallen
in love with Isabel, the younger sister of
the bride, who was just out of the school
room.
He went first to her father with his
story, and then to his own, but was met
by both with indignant contempt Isa-
bel was but school girl and seemed dcs-
tined some day to marry rank and title.
He was penniless, and feather-headed
trifler who, as it seemed, would never be
able to support wife or family. He was
hidden to prepare to go to India in week,
never to return.
Toms course under the circumstances
was not that which we would set before
our readers as wise or right. But the
facts must be told He married Isabel
the next day. Then he went to an old
friend Of the family, and told him what
he had done
" | am going to work for my wife" he
said. "I know no profession or business
but farming, and not very much of that.
| want you to lend me enough money to
rent small dairy farm and to stock it.
In four years l will pay you principle and
interest"
"What security have you, Tom ? Your
father 2"
"pom shook his head.
Bellies tather?''
"No, sir"
"If they will not trust you, how
should | p
Tom laughed. lie would have laughed,
probably, if death had faced him.
81 think you will, Mr.. Varens l have
no security to offer but my own will and
strength. But Tll pay you in four years
to the last penny"
The old gentleman pushed up his spec
tacles, and scanned the flushed, resolute
face before him.
cpl risk it, Tom," he said, at last.
But, remember, this is strict business
transaction. Not friendship"
Tom proceeded after this with eau
ton and good sense which amazed every
body. He sought the advice of skilled
farmers in choosing has land and in stock
ing it. There was comfortable little
farmhouse on it, in which he settled his
young wife. At once they gave up socl-
ETY. and took their position as dairy farm
ers who meant to earn their living by
hard work
Tom studied hard to master every de-
tail of his business; his wife, like other
matrons of that day, was busy with hel
maids, spinning, weaving, "laying down
iellies, wines and herbs. Unlike the
stores of other proud young housewives
however, Bellies stores were not for her
self. Old Derry, the foreman of the farm
carried them, together with the butter and
cheese, into the city to be sold. Every
penny that could be saved was laid by to
help Tom to meet the yearly payments to
Mr.. Varens.
They were met, and at the end of the
fourth wear, the full remaining payment
(about two thousand dollars in our
money! was ready. Shilling by shilling
it had been saved, by dint of hard work
and small economies that had left Tom g
graver man, and had taken much of the
bloom and freshness from his wife's child
| ish face.
On the last day of the year, Tom wrote
TO his creditor:
DEAR Mr. VARENs l will bring over thu
remainder of the principal. with interest up tt
| date. tomorrow afternoon. l am glad yol
| trusted me- shall never forget it.
YOur Obedient servant, TIL. HARDY.
P.S-Belle helped me to keep my word.
Belle looked over his shoulder, anC
laughed aloud at this. But the tears a.
the same time ran down her cheeks.
"Never mind, little woman" he said
kissing her. cit has been a steep hill tt
climb, but we are on the top now. Afte1
this we will stand on our own feet and ow'
not farthing to anybody. We shall liv'
in comfort and plenty
They sat late that evening over th'
fire, planning improvements in the house
and little comforts which they had neve
before been able to afford. The mex
morning there was futter of excitemen
ali through the farm. Even Mysis, tn
hen-wife, knew that "the master " wa
going on journey of Importance.
1t was ride of thirty miles. through
desolate tract, part of the road running
along the ridge of an uninhabited rang
| nf mountaine. which were infested b,