The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-06-23
fdE WHITE PEDLER.
BY REBEcCA HARDING DAVIS.

BY REBECCA HARDING DAVIS.
The story OF the White Pedler, which
is a family tradition, has at least two
merits: 1t is true, and it illustrates a
phase Of life now forgotten, and almost
Incredible in these more orderly times.
Thomas Hardy, about one hundred
years ago, was a younger son in a family
Of prominence in the south of Ireland.
Being a 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
fortune in some post under government,
or in India.
But Tom was in no haste to seek q
fortune. He was 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 protractcd. 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 schoolgirl, and seemed
destined some day to marry rank and
title. He was penniless, and a feather
headed trifler who, as it seemed, would
never be able to support a wife or family.
He was bidden 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. H. married Isabe:
the next day. Then he went to an old
friend of the family, and told him what
he had done.
81 am going to work for my wife" he
said. II know no profession or business
but ia ming, and not very much of that.
Iwant you to lend me enough money to
rent small dairy farm and to stock it.
In four years will pay you principal and
interest
'.What security have you, Tom2 Your
father2'
"Tom shook his head.
"Belle's father2"
''No, SIR"
eff they will not trust you, how should
n"
Tom laughed. He would have
laughed, probably, if death had faced
him.
'T think you will, Mr.. Varens. Ihave
no security to offer but my own will 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, resolutt
face before him.
'I'll risk it, Tom," he said, at last
"Bui, remember, this is strict bushes:
transaction. Not friendship"
Tom proceeded af or this with caution
and good sense which amazed everybody
He sought the advice of skilled farmers
in choosing his land and in stocking it
Thrre was comfortable little farmhouse
on it, in which he settled his young wife
At once tEey gave up society and tool
their position as dairy farmers who mean
to earn their living by hard work.
Tom studied hard to master every dc
tail of his business: his wife, like othe
matrons of that day, was busy with he
maids, spinning, weaving, "laying down
iellies, wines and herbs. Unlike tn
stores Of other proud young housewives
however, Bellies stores were not for her
self. Old Derry, the foreman of th
farm, carried them, together with tn
butter and cheese, into the city to b
sold. Every penny that could be save;
was laid by to help Tom to meet tn
yearly payments to Mr.. Varens.
They were met, and at the end Of th'
fourth year, the full remaining paymen
(sbout two thousand dollars in ou
money! was ready. Shilling by shilln!
it had been saved. by dint of hard worl
and small economies that hal left Tom
eraver man, and had taken much of tn
bloom and freshness from his wife
childish fatc.
On the last day of the year, Tom wrot
to his creditor:
DEAR Mr.. VARENs: will bring over th
remainder Of the rincipal, with interest u
to date, to-morrO afternoon. am glad yo
trusted me. I shall never forget it.
Your ob't servant,
tn. HARDY
S.-Belle helped me to keep my word.
Belle looked over his shoulder, an
laughted aloud at this, But the tears
the same time ran down her cheeks.
'sNever mind. little woman, he said
kissing her. 1T has been steep hill t
climb, but we are on the top now. Ate
this we will stand on our own feet an
owe not farthing to anybody. We sha
live IN comfort and Dlenty -