Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-05-31
MRS. BENSON'S PEDDLER
by KATE A. BRADLEY.

Mary" snid Mr. Benson from tho
depths of the closet, where is that
old checked coat of mine?"
why, John" began Mrs. Benson
timidly.
"Marv, have you given that awayY'
asked Mr. Benson, coming into view.
Why-yes, John, L did. You
haven't had that cont on your back
for three years and--and the man had
such-lovcly-" here poor Mrs. Ben
son relapsed into the safe refuge OF
tears.
"Peddlers," exclaimed Mr.. Benson
contemporary. why can't woman
be satisfied with buying what she
wants ut n decent store, and not be
picking up u lot of worthless articles
from sneall-thieves, because they are
cheap'l You'll be sorry for it some
day, Mary, you mark my words" Mr.
Benson went out and shut tho door
vigorously.
He walked down the street with a
preoccupied frown upon his face. al
must cure Mary of that" lie thought
seriously. Sometime sho will have
something valuable stolen. I've got
it!' he exclaimed. after pause.
He fitted his key to the door OF his
private office, opened the door and
then turned back.
"Jenning," he said, at shall be
very busy for an hour or two, posi-
bly, all the afternoon. See that I am
not disturbed by anyone"
He entered his office, locked the
door after him. 1t was very easy
matter to open back window, drop
into the alley and hasten to an OBJ
scure costumer's, where detectives
and jail-birds were impartlully dis
guised to play at hide and seek with
one another.
Left alone Mrs. Benson cried a little
while repentantly to herself, and then
remembered that she had intended to
wash the delicate brio u bruc that was
her pride and Joy. To do this she
must get her dainty white apron and
her dear little new pan that she had
sighed little. She slipped of her
rings, moved out little table and
left the room for the necessary arti-
cles
Little matters detained her and it
was fully an hour before she again
entered the room, bearing the pan.
Just ns she set it down peal ut the
bell startled her.
wonder who it can be-and Jenny
Is ironing" she thought.
She opened the door herself, and
then almost shut it again in her
momentary dismay.
Certainly, it was a disreputable
looking object, even for peddler,
that stood on the doorstep.
I've come, mum, ter sec Z ye did'n
want t exchange some old clos for
somethin' rale vallyble." he edged
his way past her and established him
self on hall chair.
What have you, my mani" Mrs.
Benson asked hesitatingly.
I've some of tho harnsomest lace
ye ever saw" He produced piece
as sample.
It was just what sho had been wnnt-
ing to complete the dainty spring
costume she had just finished.
Mr.. Benson doesn't like to have
me bay of peddlers. she said hesitut-
ingly; .,,-. -, ,.
mum, ef 'ee was here. Just look
around an see eff thar aln't an old
coat you can spare.
Mrs. Benson hesitated q few mo-
ments longer, then rose and went
slowly from the room after long ago
cast off coat that she remembered.
The temptation had proved too much
for her. at the foot of the stairs she
paused. John wouIdn' t like it," she
thought. mo. I'll go without the
lace till 1 can afford to buy it," She
turned back just as the sound OF O
, closing door caught her ear.
The peddler was gone! Instinctively
her eyes flew to the table whore she
had left her rings; they, too, were
gone.
Without a moments thought she
rushed to the door and screamed
Policel" at the top of her lungs
Strange to say, her Gull was imme
diately answered, for around tho cor,
ner OF the square appeared a blue
coated guardian, dragging the
unwilling person of the Identical ped
dler.
Hes stolen my ringsl" screamed
} Mrs. Benson. Don't let him come
near me, sir"
II thought he'd stole something
when I see him come away on the
! dead jump" said the policeman, IAN
/ thought I'd just run him in and see
about it. During this speech he hac
been rapidly emptying the paddler'l
pockets, despite his vehement strug
: giles.
Here they be. ma'am. They'll
! give them to you at the police station
E when I've sworn to them. Come
along here, my beautyp
/; "Maryl'' screamed the peddler
. . when he could free himself enough tc
speak, but Mrs. Benson had sunk in
! q heap on the hail floor with the
: closed door between them, and the
peddIer was dragged OF with mot
ley procession following.
To the statement that he was Johr
Benson, a well-known and Iespectu
BILE lawyer, only laughter and tho re
ply, "Thut won't work here" wal
returned to him and he accordingly
found himself in a very narrow eel
with every prospect Of night to bt
spent In 1t
Mrs. Benson waited for her hus
; bands return that night with inward
dismay, but a brave determination K
. tell him the whole story,