Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-08
The Mischief Maker.


inhabited by people who have generally Deen con-
sidered lawess, superstitious and quarrelsome. OF
late years they have been more industrious and
peaceable, and though still excftabe race, may
be said to be advancing in the arts of peace.
! 1t was during more remote period, when few
strangers ever ventured TO penetrate the country,
that weary looking traveller, covered with dust,
entered one of the gates and sat down for while at
the side of the we'll He then proceeded to take off
his waistband and turban, washed his head and his
feet drank of the cool refreshing water combed his
head and mustachios, and spreading small carpet,
on which he laid his truSy sword, drew from his
wallet a neat little muslin skull cap; then seated
himself crosslegged, lighted his pipe and began to
look very comfortable indeed.
] In the meantime there were not wanting many
idle and curious people, who having first at dis
lance observed the movements OF the stranger, APP
preached him nearer and nearer. But he seemed TO
take little notice of the crowd, and appeared alb
sorbed in a sense of his enjoyment taking long
whils of his pipe, and looking as if he had made
considerable progress towards the third heaven.
AT length respectable looking man. who had
come up, drew nearer than the rest, and asked him
| from whence he had travelled and whittier he was
going' What he was seeking in Shorapoor, and
whether he merchant merely came TO look
about him, But the questions ended in smoke, being
answered only by schifs.
! Then came another still holder man, and said,
Sir, the heat is great be pleased TO come with me
to my house and repose yourself there, and / will
give you nice cool place in which you may sleep"
| Upon this the stranger drew his pipe from his
mouth, and replied, ''You are extremely kind, good
sir, and am really grateful TO you for your proered
hospitality; but the fact is, don't believe you would
wish TO have me in your house, did you really know
who ann
And thus saying, he rolled his eyes about, twisted
up his mouStachios, stroked his beard, and assumed
such a mysterious air that indescribabe terror
seized the bystapders; much so, that in falling
hastily back, of them tumbed down, and others
tumbed over them in a very ridiculous manner.
"He'S thief'' whispered one. cor Thug, -
said another. 'Or evil spirit in the form of a
man, observed fourth. sc At all events, doesn't
he look like one who has killed aROther.''
In short the alarm became general, and several
deemed it prudent first to sneak off and then take to
their heels. A few, however, of the holder spirits
kept their ground and seeing that the stranger did
nothing but take long whifs from his pipe, sending
the smoke peacefully curling over his beard and
moustachios out of both his nostrils they reganed
their confidence, and began 10 think that after all he
might be some important parsonage who could
tell? So after little pushing and elbowing among
themselves, man thrust forward, under an idea
that something might come of it. but no, the Stran-
ger appeared unmOved as ever.
Then another, who had screwed up his courage TO
that point, boldly advanced, and thus spoke
" Do pray, sir, tell who upon earth you may
be- No answer.
Then the man who had offered sleeping place in
his house. chimed in and said " Ave, sir, do lei us
know who what you may be. / assure you we
none of US at all afraid of you'' And with
these words he twisted up his mOustachiOS and tried
to look fierce and bold possible while his knees
were knocking together and his heart fiuering all
the while On repetition of these questions how
ever, by both these men, the stranger, with infinite
gravity, took the pipe from his mouth, and thus
Spoke:-
'Are you not too much frightened to hear.''
The rInaways, however, had departed, and those
left behind seemed determined not to follow them;
t,o had as
If he would draw his sword; neither did they think
he looked at all so horrible now. They therefore,
one and all called out, ''No not bit afraid,
let US hear,''
"Well, them exclaimed the stranger, taking a
long puff at his pipe, "Strange II may appear 10
you all, my name is MISCHIEF MAKERi And
what is very extraordinary, whatever do, wherever
| 60, wherever am, | allcays create mischief |
always haze created mischief, and shall continue to
do so TO the very end of my life . And upon this he
rolled his eyes and pulled away at his pipe harder
than ever
oh, is this all, !" cried the party is this all?''
" For the matter of that said an active little man
with twinklng eyes, "you need be under no uneasi-
ness whatever. / defy you to invent more mischief
here than we have already, for we are all more
less at enmity with our neighbours and fathers
and grandfathers the same, conclude it must
be owing TO something that can't be changed; for
instance, the air water of our town. so set your
heart at rest, and come along with US and wen take
care of you.''
Well reioined the stranger, &c am very glad in
deed to hear what you say Of your town; for, TO
be candid with you, it is exactly what heard of
you all as came along, and this made me think that
In place where all were mischief makers and busy
bodies already, could have nothing TO do but (for
once In my liie) live In peace However, don't
trust me-that's all have to say-and if any evil
arises from my visit, turn out, and I'll seek
home elsewhere
An old Brahmin had come up in time TO hear this
ayowal. lis very strange" said the wise man.
GO This fellow is surely magician and may set all
the rocks of Shorapoor dancing and tumblng about
our ears some day. Turn him instantly away, or it
may be the worse for us ALL"
No, no. shouted the multitude. &c That would
be inhospitable. Let him remain and we shall soon
see what he can do.'
The little active man came forward again,
and said, slyly, &c Sir if you really are such mis-
chief maker you describe yourself TO be, suppose
you were to give us little specimen of your power
just some trifling matter to Judge by"
What, nOr?'' said the stranger.
AYE, 1Otci 20 exclaimed ALL 90 and the sooner the
better"
Well, be it SO, said he; g let me put up my
things and come along' And with this he arose,
packed up, girded on his sword and strobe majeSti
cally forward, followed by a crowd continually in
creasing as thew advanced further into the town.
Now, don't push press upon me so much, F"
said the stranger; ssbut observe what / do, and
watch tie consequences" So they lei him proceed,
and h. advanced, they perceived that he was
forming some deep plan, particularly as he paused
every now and then with his forefnger between his
teeth and nodded, and wagged his head, as much
to say " have it!'' Upon which he made straight
for shop kept by man who sold flour and such
like things, and accosting the dealer, inquired with
great civility, whether he had any honey! THAT
have, sir'' replied the shopkeeper, "penty, fresh
from the comb; only taste it, and Pm sure you'll
buy Here sir look at this beautiful jar, full Of the
finest honey that ever was seen in ShorapOor."