The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-25
SELECTED TALES.
From BlackwOOd' s Edinburgh Magazine for Oct,
THE WAGS.

In a town which we will call Mddleiown, be
cause il was Of the middle size, dwei worthy
: shopkesper bearing the odd name OF jeremiah
Was By dealing in all sorts of commodities
aud steady attention to his business, he had
; managed TO keep up his respeclabiliry, and
doubtless would considerably have increased his
store, but for the gradual increase Of his family
For several years after his marriage a new little
! Wag was uskered annually into the world and
though there had lattery been somewhat les.
of regularity, as many as ten small heads might
be counted every evening in his back parlor.-
Jerry, the eldest boy, was, however. almost
fourteen years of age, and therefore began tc
make himself useful By carrying out smal
parcels aud assisting behind tue counter. Al
the rest we've. to use their parents phrase
" dead stock" and "werc eating their head
OFF," for. sooih 10 say, they were Jolly it'll,
set, and blest with most excellent appetites.-
/ Such was the state Of family matters AT the tim,
p when our narrative commences.
Now, on the opposite side of the street. ex
actly facing the modest board on which Jere
mlah's name was painted, with tie usual an
! nouncement OF certain commodities in Which
he dealt, was another board of very different
description. On it were emblazoned the arms
OF his Majesty, with the supporters, a lion and
a unicorn, as the cogntry folks said, "a fighting
for the crown"
The establishment indicated by this display,
vas upheld by very different class OF custom.
ers to those which psrronized the shop. Two
or three times in each day some private carriage
or post chsise would stop to change horses at
the Kings Arms, and occasionally "a family"
took up their quarters there for the night; but
the latter piece Of good luck not often TO
be expected, as there were no lions TO be seen
in Middletown save the rampant guardian on
the sign board.
! Ii was haymakng time, and business was very
"s slack" with the worthy Jeremiah but he
said that he didn't care much about it, as the
country folks were earuing money, par, of which
he trusted would find its way into his ill in due
course. So, after rupuiaging about among his
stock to see If he was opt OF any thing" he
took his staud at the door, just TO breathe a
moulhfu Of fresh air. Titus Twist, the land
lord, made his appearance al the same moment,
in his own gateway, apparently with the same
sllubTaus intent, and immediately beckoued to
his neiehbor just TO step across.
! We'll, how are yc, Master Wag p said he,
when they met. Did you observe that green
chario, that stands down in tho yard there, and
came in more than an hour agor jeremiah
answered in the negative. Well continued
mine host, 1T belongs to one Of the oldest, rum
NEST. little old gentleman ] ever Clapped my
) eyes on. He's been asking me all sorts OF ques
tions, and seems nightly ticklsd with your
, name above all things. think he's cracked
: Howsomeyey, hes ordered dinner; but hush
here he comes"
The little gentleman in question seemed be-
tween sixty and seventy hut, excepting Ger
tain sallowness of complexion, carried his years
well, his motions being lively, and wearing 4
good humored smile, though habiual, on his
eounensnce. His dress was plain, but good
aud together becoming his apparent rank.
shall be back in quarter Of an hour said
he 70 the landlord; I'm only going over the
way 10 the shop 10 buy something's; and away he
went, and, of course, was followed by jeremiah,
. who, Immediately on entering his own house,
l. skipped nimbly behind the counter TO wait upoo
his new customer.
After irving on some gloves, and purchasing
: TWO pair, the iliis strange gentleman looked
= round he shop, as though examining us con
J tents to find something he wanted.
: Any thing else can do FOR you. sir re
: piled jeremiah. You sell almost every thing
g see, Mr.. Wag,' observed the old gentleman
?. .Mr. Wag, You,r name is Wsg J suppose :
= Yes. sir replied the shop-keepcr dyly.
.Wag, Wag, Wag" repeated the stranger
briskty. Funny name eh ;! : II was my "a
theirs before me, observed Jeremiah, scarcely
knowing what to think Of The ma''er
Very good name = continued the little fen'
tleman. Like livery much. Got any children
Any little Wags. eh Like TO see 'em. Fond
Of ehildren-lrtle Wass in par,icuiar--ile, he
= he
, Much obliged to ye for enquirns, SIR re
5 piled the senior Wag; Tvs cot JUS, half :
score. sorted sizes. That's the eldest . snd h'
(, pointed 70 young Jerry, whose hnky limbs were
G at the moment displayed, spread eagle fashion
0 sesns, the shelves, from the topmost Of whist
? he was reaching down some commodity fer !
: customer.
: 'Thars right Bring 'efn np 10 industry
e said the little gentleman. Well, ] cant sta,
y nov. because NY dioner's ready; but see yot
: sell IRISH llnsn, snd ] want piece Tor shuts
n 50. perhaps you'll be so good ~ to loos M
It cut good one and bung 1t over 10 me-
= You may rely commenced Mr. Wsg bu
hrs new customer cu; him short by adding.