Year: 1870




The night express had just left the city
Of B when fell in with my friend
Zachariah, to whom / made known the
object of my travel. / first acquainted
him with the fact that was entirely out
of job in the great city we were now
so rapidly leaving in the distance behind,
and secondly that my sister Rebecca had
fallen away fourteen pounds while griev-
ing over the loss of her summer silk and
Brigand hat. occasioned by my being un-
employed.


Finally, growing tired of her reproach-
es seized paper and began looking over
the list of wants" Unfortunately none
there appeared to suit one of my calibre,
but in an obscure corner my attention was
attracted to card, which l carefully read.


WellP' l exclaimed, after completing
it, that is the thing for me, - Peach
Picking" in Delaware. l will off in the
next train that leaves for-for-what place
-Middletown yes, that is the name, and
return soon with riches at least sufficient
to bestow upon my idolized sister the much
coveted dress and hat"


So preparations were speedily made for
my departure, and as night approached
bid adieu to my friends aud relations !"
and proceeded to the depot.


My baggage, Ito give me tho appear
anee of genuine "peach plucker,") was
arranged in the following manner: One
valisc which was apparently an article of
former years, SO fixed as to hang conve-
niently upon the shoulder. Two pairs of
old pantaloons rolled up so as to be con-
sidered overhauls, and long hickory stick
used by my great grand father as cane,
when troubled with the rheumatics. These
articles were of course hidden as much as
possible during my journey until the time
when they should be called into requisi-
tion as proof of my experience at the oc-
cupatien was about to engage in.


The train moved very rapidly, and yet
how slow to me, that was counting the
hours that would elapse ere reached my
place of destination. just as had fallen
into sort of revery the train stopped for
Wilmington, which I learned from my
friend, Zachariah, was the place to
change cars" He said he was going
to remain in that place for some time and
then go north, and hence would assist me
in transporting my baggage, SO he seized
the valise and started ahead, leaving me
to procure string and fix the overhauls,
which had broken open and split all the
contents of my pocket pistol" which
was deposited therein for the morrow
However, did not let the loss worry me
much, but having succeeded in again ar
a. T
pursuit of Zacharia. After walking very
rapidly some distance, perceived form
ahead very like to Zachy, and approach
ing, to convince him that was near, ras-
ed my bundle upon my hickory and let it
come down upon the supposed Zachy with
pretty considerable force. "What do you
mean, you villain" came from the offend
ed man; but perceiving my sad mistake, l
didn't remain long, but grappled up my
baggage and at once passed, stopping only
to catch glimpse of the mans face Soon
however, l brought up with the geuine
Zachy, and we together reached the desir-
ed spot.


Another trouble now presented itself in
the form of being unable to procure tick
ct for the rest of my journey, and not
wishing to borrow from my friend l re-
solved to get along as best l might Soon
the train downward came along, and bid
ding Zachy adieu, l and my baggage got
on, and off we started for the ''peach pick
ing" country. Nothing of importance
occurred until I reached Middletown,
when 1 was helped off by No. ten boot,
with the assurance thst if I returned via
the P. W. & B. r. R. without obtaining
my ticket previous to starting, I would be
dealt with more than polite. | felt quite
well satisfied with my success, and watch.
ed the train as it left the depot. l started
off | know not where, but as day began tc
break felt PLEASANT sensation to think