Year: 1873

Peter Punch was Yankee peddler.
His home was in little village near the
sea-coast Peter had two reasons for re-
turning from his peddling tour at the
end of every fortnight-one was to
replenish his stock at the variety store,
and the other to see his blue-eyed, flax
en-haired sweetheart, Charity Chase.


All the odd notions which Peter, with
all his volubility and palavering, could
n IT sell-all the bits of lace and rem
nants of ribbon which could not be dis
posed of even for "mere nothing"
were given by the loving peddler to his
grateful Charity. Peter was natural
salesman. He rarely turned his back to
house without leaving some article of
merchandise behind him, ON which he
had made snug profit. So in course of
time he began to feel independent, and
to mediate quitting the itinerant busi-
ness, and open store in the village.


Then he began to think about taking
wife, and of course he would marry
Charity. Peter had never once given a
thought to any other of the fair damsels
of Beanville.


But Just as he had about made up his
mind to propose and marry at once,
there came to the village a dashing
young lady of fashion.


She dressed and walked like queen,
only at times she was afflicted with the
Grecian bend but Peter-silly fellow
thought her bent figure the most superb
one he had ever seen, and wished to
goodness the girls at Beanville had sense
enough to fix themselves in that style,
then they would look more like some
body.,'


Peter saw her first at her uncle's
where she was going to pass the summer.
He sold her pair of gloves, and lost his
heart to her on the spot. "What jewel
of hand she has " thought he, as he
pocketed the pay and went back to his
wagon. "CharitY's gloves are three sizes
larger. What waist is hers slim but
plump as peach. Her cheeks are like
mothers peonies, only prettier, with lips
like dead ripe cherry. Now, if was
only as rich as [ ought to be by good
rights, she wouldn't leave these diggins
till she was Mrs. Punch"


Thus soliloquizing, Peter cracked his
whip and drove off. Somehow Peters
tongue was far less glib on this excursion
than was its wont, and as consequence
the end of the second week found him
with his goods not half disposed of. But
he determined to return home neverthe
less. He turned his horses head in the
direction of Beanville, talking thus tC
himself:


I'm bound to 60 and see that Miss
Delong, and find out whether she is a!
stuck up as her uncIe's folks. For my
part | don't see what's the use of some
folks feeling SO mighty big hope sh'
amt proud. She looked as clever as pie
though I've heard say you can't tell by 6
frogs looks how far he can jump.


Peter was soon in sight of Beauvill'
again. He was determined to become
acquainted with Miss Delong at once
So he resolved to call and show her som,
shawls on his way into the village. Full
of this idea he reined his horse to the
side of the road. and dismounted.


Taking box of paper collars from
the wagon, he selected one and put it on
He then combed his hair, and pulled hi
pantaloons out of his boots, brushing
the mud from the latter with a wisp o
straw. Then, satisfied with his prepara
tions, he resumed his seat and drove on
He called on Miss Delong, and conclud
ed in a very short time that she aca
proud. "Proud as Lucifer, and didn'
use me half decent, but I'll win her yet
that's true as the seven stars in the bul
that the schoolmaster tells about"


Peter turned his horse out to pasture
and fell to hoeing and wedding in hi
mothers garden, SO as to be near hi
proud charmer.


"Oh, if | could only be a hero Wo
men love brave men, mother says. If
could only save her life without to-
much risk, I'd jump at the chance |
the house would only burn up, SO coulo
save her, l wouldn't mind having m,
eye-winkers singed a bit. Then sh
would marry me out of gratitude"


Peters head was full of such thought
as these. At last his wish seemed abou
to be gratifed. He was walking dow
} the street one day, his hands in his pock
ct, when he saw pair of horses comin
down the street at full speed. Two la
dies occupied the seat behind them
Miss Delong and her aunt.


"The horses are running away wit
them as sure as guns. Now Peter Punch
! here is chance. Show yourself hero
} Peter quickly posted himself in from
of the running team, throwing his ha
and shouting wildly to the ladies to keel
up good courage, and he would saw
them. On they came. and Peter mad
dash for the bride bit, but missing il
he was thrown down, and the wheel
passed over his-coat-tail.


Are you hurt, Mr.. Punch? ?" aske
the sweet voice of Miss Delong from tn
J seat in the buggy, which had come to
standstill.


No, ma am, not bit and | shouldn'
mind it If was, I'm SO glad / hav
saved your life"


"Saved your life, Mr.. Punch /
what way? Your conduct struck us a
! something very strange" said the lady.
Do you see that bridge yonder? /
/ hadn't stepped that runaway team yo,
would be soaking in the bottom of tn
river now"


A merry laugh from both ladies ran
out on the air.


"Why. bless your simple soul, Nj