The pedlers
find satisfaction for all contumelies in making good bargains out of
their customers. This man was a pedler in quite a small way, making but
a narrow circuit, and carrying no more than an open basket full of
essences; but some go out with wagon-loads. He himself contemplated a
trip westward, in which case he would send on quantities of his wares
ahead to different stations. He seemed to enjoy the intercourse and
seeing of the world. He pointed out a rough place in the road, where his
stock of essences had formerly been broken by a jolt of the stage. What
a waste of sweet smells on the desert air! The essence-labels stated the
efficacy of the stuffs for various complaints of children and grown
people. The driver was an acquaintance of the pedler, and so gave him
his drive for nothing, though the pedler pretended to wish to force some
silver into his hand; and afterwards he got down to water the horses,
while the driver was busied with other matters. This driver was a
little, dark ragamuffin, apparently of irascible temper, speaking with
great disapprobation of his way-bill not being timed accurately, but so
as to make it appear as if he were longer upon the road than he was.
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