Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-11-06
THE PAWKY PEDDLER.

T.. III
THE PAWKY PEDDLER.
It is curious to contemplate the various
modes by which people attempt to obtain
triu,nphs over each other in this bad
world. Some conceive that tia. very best
way is to punish their enemies; some,
again, take the Christian doctrine of bold
ing up ''the other cheek" and some are of
opinion that there is no such thing at all
as the luxury of real, bona fide lasting
and unqualified triumph to be had by one
man over another. Let us see We think
that the case of simple Walter Wylie, who
was for long time so well known in the
town Of Inverkeithing for his peculiar
manner of bringing out his sage philos-
ophy of life after the pawky form of some
packmen, who, when they are satisfied
they have real good article to show, af-
feet simplicity and scarcity of words of
laudation, the very opposite of the verbose
and stately defamation by which they en-
deavor to dispose of their general stock.
The quality of Walters moral and poAit
ical commodities was clearly indicated by
the quantum of simple naivete infused into
his speech and countenance while in the
act of narration-his effort at the more
pure degrees of simplicity being in exact
proportion to the estimate (never wrong
one) which he himself made of the excel
lence of the communication his peculiar in
SEPARATION enabled him to produce His
shop in the high street of lnverkeithing, in
which he sold variety of those commod-
tiles which are necessary for the sustenance
of the human corporation, brought him
more clearly into public notice. Directly
opposite to Honest Walter (as he was
styled by the people, both in manners and
locality was William Harrison, who car
ried on the same style of business in a shop
on the other side of the street.
The ordinary rivalship existed between
them, and they took their different modes
Of recommending themselves to their Gus
tomers-the one, Harrison, by a most YER
bose and figurative signboard and most
loquacious speech. and the other by his pc
culiar simplicity of enunciation and publ
cation of the qualities of his wares The
former was both philosophical and a
practical rogue; the latter, again, was as
honest as steel, and his honesty and simple
huunor combined made him beloved by all
who knew him, while his rival, who bore
to his simple friend a most inveterate
spite, was mortally hated for his roguery
throughout the whole burgh.
Now, it happened that Harrison, with a
view to two objects-first, the qualification
of his never sleeping spirit of roguery; and,
secondly, the ruin, OF at least the inconven
fence, of simple Walter-bought up from a
neigh boring rogue debt alleged to be due
by Walter, but which the latter had truly
paid, though he had neglected to get it can
celed or discharged by a probative receipt
1t amounted to about el00, and Harrison
paid for it only about five pounds, with a
condition of paying the cedent five pounds
more in the event of the entire sum being
wrung out of the simple Walter by the
wrenching wheel of horning.
AS soon as Walter heard that his rival
and enemy Harrison had bought up the
false debt he knew by an instinct which
had nothing wonderful about it, that he
was committed for tough fight, but he
retained his equanimity, and even his sim
pie naivete hung about his mouth and
small twinkling eyes in the same manner
as il no horning or any such thunderbolt
of Jove had been in the act of being forged
against him. One day his enemy came
into his shop.
'Mr. Wylie," said he, with most pert
Ioquacity, and holding up the horning in
his hand, 81 have piece of paper here on
which there is the name of Walter Wylie
as debtor to me in the sum of e100 | think
YOU had better pay me at present, for do
not wish to let the debt lie and ruin you by
allowing larger sum of interest to run up
against you"
81 thank ye," replied simple Walter with
an obsequious bow, and then proceeded
with the business in which he was en-
gagged. Harrison waited, expecting his
debt; but Walter continued his operations.
81 Wilma TAX the present O. your interest"
again said Walter; Eye medina wait. And
as for your horning, it wadna row up three
punds O. my sugar You are as welcome
to it as to the interest"
This answer produced laugh among the
customers against Harrison, who, swear
ing he would have a caption and appre-
bend Walter the next day, walked out to
instruct his agent to put his threat into
execution. He had scarcely gone when
several of his (Harrison's) creditors-for he
himself was great as a debtor-arrestedi in
Walters hand the false debt due to Harri
70 IL RI fban,caIvaC The
son, WaIta. J,-as as+o,;sbad at al tbis
n.nlp,o 49,, a aab+ thnt l,a had a1roadv
20; h1t no ,,ovor los+ h. si,nnla naiveta
49, ~ .o,.,,,o, ard ,,,,s datar,ipad ~ c,o n
" 81 lias .aaeL,,, as ,.n,h Maanr.bi1e Tho
~; 49, L;+on+s baard If No axnectod ;no.r.
$3.50 of their f.vor;te and insisted
800, liz dafoa+ir,,, flo soI,en,es If bic ono
80 T., r r,s;st;ner aocordinn to low bic ~.
49,; ;ns da,,,ands. hit Walter With q GOOD
Jusu sn,;Ie cold that he trustad ali to
~. ns'0uIeu 3D. - pu,1;danoa
'n Nv wy n,o " Waller aItooetber uncon.
80. 80 a ,io IL. onnrebens;on went forth
~ " IT,; Ill, IN 10 ,,.oo,, fia,ds occord.
inc to his custom. although it might be to
take his breakfast in the old Tolbooth.
which frowned upon him as he passed He
had wandered q little way in the country
when he thought he observed two men
Shining along behind thorn hedge. as if
+betr Wished to escane detection: and. i'm.
nalied bv curiosity he slipped along the
otbar side of the same hedge upon his
hands and his feet and having seen the
nan denosit something in the side of a
na; ahhorino dyke souatted down as if he
had been shot dead and Law there as still
as deatb 1nti, tha men went away. In
tbo,, rose Walter and going cautiously.
looking around him again and again as be
- Il ~ :,