Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-06-10
THE WHITE PEDLER.
By REBEccA HARDING DAVIS

BY REBECCA HARDING DAVIS.
The story of the White Pedler, which
is family tradition, has at least two
merits: 1t is true, and it illustrates q
phase of life now forgotten, and almost
incredible in these more orderly times.
Thomas Hardy, about one hundred
years ago, was younger son in family
of prominence in the south Of Ireland.
Being a younger son, however, he knew
that the estate of the family would 90
to his eldest brother, while the income
would be heavily taxed to give dowers to
his sisters He was destined to seek his
fortune in some post under government,
or in India.
But Tom was in no haste to seek q
fortune. He was a handsome young
fellow, and it was very agreeable to
lounge away life at home on the hunting
field or in bathrooms. Popular opinion
had begun to set him down as a good
for-nothing fellow, when his elder
brother married the daughter of neigh
Dor. The bridegroom was the heir; the
bride had beauty and 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 a schoolgirl, and seemed
destined some day TO marry rank and
title. He was penniless, and feather
headed trifer who, as it seemed, would
never beable 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.
II am going to work for my wife, " he
said. II know no profession or business
but farming, and not very much Of that.
l want you to lend me enough money to
rent a small dairy farm and to stock it.
In four years win pay you principal and
interest
'sWhat security have you, Toma Your
fathergn
''Tom shook his head.
Bellies fatheran
mo, sir
IF they viii not trust you, how should
IFs
Tom laughed. He would have
laughed, probably, if death had faced
i'm.
II think you will, Mr.. varens. Ihave
no security to offer but my own win and
strength. But I'll 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.
'T'll risk it, Tom,n he said, at last.
But, remember, this is strict business
transaction. Not friendship
Tom proceeded after this ith a caution
and good sense which amazed everybody.
He sought the advice Of skilled farmers
in choosing his land and in stocking it.
There was comfortable little farmhouse
on il, in which he settled his young wife.
At once they gave up society and took
their position as dairy farmers 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 her
maids, spinning, weaving, laying down.
jellies, 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