"
Mr. Matthews now came forward, and straightening his bear-like
figure, proceeded to smile without apprehension. He cleared his voice
and chanted:
Sometimes I take the wings of steam,
And on the cars my cart I wheel.
And so I came to Richmond town
Two days ago in fair renown.
"Oh," said Grandma Padgett.
"What's that he's givin' out, marm?" inquired Zene.
"It's a way he has," she explained. "He talks in verses. This is the
pedler that stayed over in that old house with us, near by the Dutch
landlord and the deep creek. Were you going to camp here all night?"
she inquired of J. D.
"We wanted him to," coaxed aunt Corinne, "my feet ached so bad. Then
we could walk right into town in the morning, and he'd hide Fairy
Carrie in his cart till we got to the tavern."
"Zene," said Grandma Padgett, "you might as well take out the horses
and feed them. They haven't had much chance to-day."
"Will we stay here, marm?"
"I'll see," said Grandma Padgett. "Anyhow, I can't stand it in the
carriage again right away."
"Let's camp here," urged Robert. "J. D.'s got chicken all dressed to
broil on the coals, and lots of good things to eat."
"He wouldn't have any money the last time, and I can't have such
doings again.
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