In “the good old days” a ghost seems to have generally appeared to investigate any unusually spectacular murder. This came about according to custom following the celebrated pedlar mystery.
The Pedlar Who Disappeared
A German Jew had built up a profitable trade among the farmers in a certain section and was looked for every summer by his customers. He traveled with a horse and cart and carried a considerable stock of silks for dresses and heavy black broadcloth for men’s suits. Another item of considerable importance in his business was a choice stock of Paisley shawls.
The prosperous farmer of that period was expected to provide his wife with at least one black silk dress in addition to the one she may have had as a part of her wedding outfit, the shawl adding the final touch of elegance to her wardrobe.
Naturally the wife would expect her husband to be dressed according to her standard, and that meant at least one new broadcloth suit every ten or fifteen years. Therefore the pedlar could always count upon a considerable number of sales and it can be taken for granted that he made at least a fair profit.
It was, however, often necessary for him to extend credit as actual money was very scarce in those times. But he knew his customers and rather encouraged this class of business.
One season the pedlar made his usual rounds, did a considerable credit business, delivering his goods as usual and—was never seen again.
The farmers who had provided themselves with funds to settle their accounts could not understand the case. The pedlar was apparently the last man of their acquaintance to neglect his collections. Time passed, the year rolled around and nothing was heard. It was indeed a mystery.
One day a marvelous story went the rounds. A well-known young man announced that he could keep his secret no longer. He had a confession to make.
He said that about the time of the pedlar’s last visit, returning home one evening, he had overtaken two men on a lonely road through the woods, who were carrying a heavy burden wrapped in a blanket. Finding they were discovered the men had required him, on penalty of death, to help them bury a man’s body. It was the pedlar.