The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-02
A Peddling
Partnership
BY WARREN MILLER


mined to marry girl who didn't know
he was rich and at the same time a
person of intrinsic worth.
John was fond OF an outdoor life,
and his plan was influenced by this
, taste. He concluded to rig himself up
as a peddler, travel through the coun.
! try selling such articles as women
need and thus make the acquaintance
of some girl whom he could study In
cognito He bought an auto delivery
wagon and stocked IL with tin pans,
pins and needles. hosiery, shoes, grid
irons and every article he could think
of that a woman would want.
1t was a bright spring morning when
Johns loaded auto was brought up be-
fore his house by his man Thomas,
whom he had charged with procuring
the outfit, and John, rugged out in a
ready made suit he had bought at a
cheap clothing store and faded straw
hat, sailed forth and, taking the wheel,
started on his tour.
IF don't get WIFE" he said to
himself, "l'll at least enjoy myself
Then aloud to Thomas, Forward to-
days mail to Waverly to Martin r.
vine. I'll keep you posted where to
send it from that on"
Johnny drove off, and window sash
on the opposite side of the street was
closed at the same time. A few min
utes later girl emerged rom front
door beneath the aforesaid window and
| hurried down the street.
! Johnny struck the road TO Waverly,
then began to stop at houses along the
way. He chaffed the wives, chucked
the children under the chin and other
wise made himself agreeable. The con-
| sequence was that he sold his goods
readily, though he generally made his
prices to suit purchasers. When night
came he put up at the only hotel in
Waverly.
In the morning he breakfasted-on
spring chicken-and after the arrival
Of the mail started again on his trav-
els. He had not gone far before he
heard the rafting of machine behind
him and pulled out to the right TO let
it go by. AS 1t did so Johnny saw
lIidl IFS lNhA was SSl bP w hoAA "a
ing machine which was strapped down,
and the car was driven by young
woman, comely, though plainly dress
ed, who called to him to know If the
road held good and for how long.
Johnny gave her the information she
desired, and the two fell into CONVEX
sation. The girl told Johnny that she
was a sewing machine travelling agent
She also informed him that her father
was comfortably off in this worlds
goods, but she didn't propose TO sit
around waiting for a husband and
must have occupation.
by Joye," exclaimed Johnny to him
ing for!'
John kept on one side of the road,
the girl on the other, the two moving
side by side except when vehicles pass
ed, at which time John fell behind.
Il wish" said John to her after
awhile, that we could make double
team of it, joint stock concern, to
take In peddlers goods and sewing
machines"
"Oh, We couldn't do that" said the
girl who gave her name as Molly
Sparks, though I'd like to ever so
much. / sometimes feel afraid travel
ing on lonely roads"
What's the objection to a partner
ship?" asked John.
II don't think It would be exactly |
proper. People would take us for man
and wife, and when they found we
were not they'd talk"
John thought awhile, then proposed |
that they should lay out route to-
gether for the next day, the girl to /
put her sewing machine In his motor
car. They would stop for the night at
different hotels, by travel together
during the day. The girl, with appar-
ent reluctance, assented to the plan.
and the next day they carried 1t out.
But they paid more attention to each
other than TO peddIing.
This method Of travel now kept up
until John was satisfied that he might
go farther and fare worse. The girl
was far above the ordinary country
ass, and John saw an advantage In
in his own class He pro-
posed to her, but at first was refused
,n the ground that II she married a
oeddler her family would disown her.
But John was bent on winning her and
inally got her consent TO marry him
without saying anything about 1t at
lone. They could then travel togeth-
II with more propriety.
They were married at a country
hurch and by country parson, and
fter the wedding John said they must
AVE rest from work and they must
70 to his home for awhile In the City.
His bride consented. and he took her
o his palatisl residence.
John looked at his bride, expecting
o see establishment depicted In her
ace. Instead, she laid aside her
wraps as If she had always lived there
Didn't you think you were marry
ne a peddler?" he asked in wonder.
mo, | didn't | knew / was marry
ng Johnny Cosgrove, millionaire"
How did you know thatT" asked
ohm. aghast
Il live a few doors down the street
nd have often seen you, though you
idn't know me | saw you drive
way as a peddler l. didn't know
that you were going for. but thought
would be a good chance to go for :