Evening star., 1931-05-08
Doctor Marigold.
RY CHARLES DICKENS.

(Charles Dickens. 1sI2-1s7o, was q
British novelist, author Of David Cop
perfeld," "Tale of Two Cities, "Oliver
Twist" Great Expectations" etc.)
II AM a Cheap-Jack, and my own
L fathers name was Willum Marigold.
It wa In his lifetime supposed by some
that his name was william, but my own
father always consistently said. No, 1t
was Willum. On which point content
myself with looking at the argument
this way: If man is not allowed to
know his own name in a free country,
how much Is he allowed to know in a
land of slavery?
was born on the Queens highway.
but IL was the Kings at that time. A
doctor was fetched to my own mother
by my own father, when it took place on
a common, and in consequence of his
being a very kind gentleman and ac-
cepting no fee but o tea-tray, was
named Doctor, out Of gratitude and
compliment to him. There you have
me. Doctor Marigold.
The doctor having accepted q tea
tray, you'll guess that my father was a
Cheap-Jack before me. You are right,
He was. And my father was q lovely
one in his time at the Cheap-Jack work.
GA cheap-jack was q dealer in usually
inferior goods Of low price; also some
time called a Cheap-John).
Now I'll tell you what. mean to
go down into my grave declaring that,
OF all the callings ill-used In Great
Britain, the Cheap Jack calling is the
worst used. Why amt we a profession? i?
Why amt we endowed with privileges? {?
Why are we forced to take out hawk
er's license, when no such thing is ex-
pected OF the political hawkers? Where S
the difference betwixt US? Except that
we are Cheap-Jacks and they are dear
JACKS, l cont see any difference but
what's In our favor.
For look hereI Saw IT'S election time
I am on the footboard Of my cart in the
market place on Saturday night. I
put up general miscellaneous lot.
say:
Now here, my free and independent
voters, I'm going to, give you such a
chance as you never had in all your
born days, nor yet the days preceding
Now I'll show you what am
a-going to do with you. Here's q pair
OF razors thatn shave you closer than
the Board of Guardians. here's a fiat
iron worth its weight in geld, here's a
frying pan arttflcially favored with es-
you've only got for the rest of your lives
to fry bread and dripping in it, and
there you are complete with animal
food; here's a genuine chronometer
watch in such solid silver case that
you may knock at the door with it when
you came home late from social meet
ing.
stop I'll throw you in another ar
ticle, and I'll give you that, and it's a
rolling pin, and If the baby can only get
it well into its mouth when its teeth are
coming and rub the gums once with it
they'll come through double, in a fit oi
| I'll throw you In another article, because
don't like the looks Of you, for you
haven't the appearance Of buyers unless
I lose by you, and because I'd rather
lose than not take money tonight, and
that articles looking glass in which
you may see how ugly you look when
| you don't bid.
"What do you say now? Comet Do
| you say a pound? Not you, for you
haven't got 1t. Do you say 10 shillings?
Not you, for you owe more to the tally
the inStallment plan). Well, then, Ill
tell you what I'll do with you. I'll heap
| EN- all on the footboard of the car
there they are! Razors, dat-iron, frying
pan, chronometer watch, dinner plates,
| rolling pin and looking glass take 'ern
all away for shillings, and I'll give you
sixpence for your troubled"
This is me, the Cheap-Jack.
| But on Monday morning, in the same
market place, comes the Dear-Jack on
the hustings-his cart-and what does
he say?
''Now, you free and Independent
voters, am going to give you such a
chance"-he begins Just like meas
you never had In all your born days,
| and that's the chance Of sending my
self to Parliament. Now I'll tell you
what am a-going TO do for you
| Here's the interests Of this magnificent
town promoted above all the rest Of