St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-09-21
SIrrtrh Story.
A PEDDLER'S PERIL.


nsace After time the man of the
hpuse came in. He was tall and thin.
Two ferret-like eyes CLEANED sharply
noon the peddler from amid shay
s sr tangle of white hair and beard.
b. He placed his long rife in rack
over the door, unslung his shot
oouch and then seated himself and
ppazed gloomily into the fire, without
SSouching either a greeting to the
stranger or to his own family. Nan,
nassing along, whispered to the ped
der:
"Don't ye mind uncle; he's got one
Of his bad spells on now, but if he
amt bothered it'll pass off by and
The peddlar nodded, and began
tale concerning one of his adventures
in Texas. He was soon interrupted
by Aunt Whey.
'"Sit up, stranger; we hain't got
much to eat, but such as it is you're
welcome"
The old mar ate his supper in sol
emn silence, after which he took his
hat and abruptly left the cabin.
Aunt Whey saw fit to explain.
"Mose, my old man, haint been
like hisself since the revenoo men car
ried his son John off five year ago
last April.
"Stilin, I spose?"
Yes, nd top of that he shot one
of 'eln while they were trying to
take him md they put him in the
pen 'tenshry at Nashville for ten
year
The peddler remained silent for
moment or two. But when the
dishes were washed and put away
he again entertained the two women
BY relating sundry "reminiscences of
his own career, and also describing
the wonders OF certain great cities
he had visited.
After awhile Nose again stalked
silently in and took seat in far
corner. While the peddler talked he
continued to eye him closely ,as if sus-
picious that the stranger was not
Just what he should be-
"Speakin of telephone" continued
the peddler, "some folks in these
mountains don't believe that people
can talk TO each other, and them a
hundred or more miles apart, but
tell YOU it's fact. I've seen it done
myself"
eve knowed of men hollerin
across from one mountain to an
other" said Aunt Whey obviously
"Mebbe they could make themselves
heard matter of two miles. But a
hundred" she shook her head dis
approvingly.
It's so all the same, though.
have set and heard them talkin just
as we be now"
That's as big lie as ever wa:
told, exclaimed old Nose, rising
and making for the door.
He seized his rife as he passed
glancing menacingly at the peddlel
and once more left the cabin.
THE old man is little touched il
the head, amt he? ?" asked the ped
der, who seemed to take no offence
whatever at the old mans rude
behavior.
Ever since John was took off he''
had queer spells that come over hin
every now and then. | must say
he's more'n apt to be 'spishus o
strangers when they come around
He's always thinkin of revenoo spies
ldessay that's what makes him &C
so toward you. But you musn
mind him. | never knowed him tt
succeed in hurting anyone yet.
1t was Nan who replied, for Aun
Whey was making preparations t.
retire for the night. When the gil
and the peddler were left alone tn
latter seemed somewhat curiou
about this son John, who for S
many years had been under the ba
OF the law.
John was always good to Uncl
Nose and Aunt Whey, and that
one reason Uncle Nose takes it a
so hard now"
II suppose as you're kin to then
you must have felt powerful ba
when they took him off,"
He eyed Nan closely as he spok
and the girl bushed slightly.
Il amt no real kin to EN-" sal
she. my folks is all dead, nd the
raised me from little gal, but J on
and me was always good friends
Nothing more'"
The girllooked at him reprovlngl,,
It's about bedtime" she sal
coldly, "Shan't l show you whe
you're to sleep?"
The peddler rose, took up n
pack and followed her into Il
little shed room. There was an op'
window by the bed, through whl'
the full moon was shining.
You won't need no light Ireckon
she remarked. Then, bidding hi
good night, she returned to the ma
cabin and went to bed herself.
But for some reason she failed
go to sleep. The bright moonligt
the rasping cry of the katydid fro
the trees without and the disco'
Al.x. lrt q IL