Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-07-26
THE MISCHIEF. MAKER.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.
(Concluded.)

(Concluded)
Between the rivers Kistnah and Bcehma in
the Deckham, surrounded by wild rocky hills
lies the town Of Shorapoor, capital of state of
that name, inhabited by people who have gen
orally been considered lawless, superstitous
and quarrelsome. OF late years they have been
more industrious and peaceable, and though
still an excitable race, may be said to be ad-
vancIng in the arts of peace.
1t WAS during more remote period, when
few strangers ever ventured to penetrate the
country, that weary looking traveller, cover
ed with dust, entered the gates, and sat down
for while at the side of the well. lie then
proceeded to take off his waisband and turban,
washed his head and his feet, drank Of the cool
refreshing water, cOmbed his head and musta-
chos, and spreading small carpet ON which
lie laid his trusty sword, drew from his wallet
a neat little muslin sku-cap; then seated him
self eros: lie gged, 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 distance observed the movements of the
stranger, approached him nearer and nearer
But he seemed to take little notice of the crowd,
anl appeared absorbed in sense of his own
enjoyment, taking long whiils of his pipe, and
looking as if he had mlde considerable prog
ress 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 was a merchant,
or merely came to look about him ? But the
questions ended in smoke, being answered only
by phVs.
Then came another still boldcr 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 proiiered hospitality; but the fact is,
dont believe you would wish to have me in
your house, did You really know who am!
And thus saying, he rolled his eyes about,
twisted up his moustachOs, strokcd his beard
and assumed such mysterious air that an in
dscrbable terror seized the bystanders so
much SO, that in falling hastily back, some of
them tumbed down, and others ,umbed over
them in a very ridiculous manner.
He's a thief whispered. 'Or a Thug,
said another. 'Or an evi! spirit in the form OF
a man. observed a fourth. AT all events,
doesn't he look like one who has kUlei ano'her p
In short the alarm became general, and sew
eral deemed it prudent first to sneak off, and
then take to their heels. a few, however, of
hte bold spirits kept their ground; and seeing
that the stranger did nothing but take long
whfls from his pipe, sending the smoke peace
fully curling over his beard and moustachos
out of both his noslrils, they regained their con.
fdence, and began to think that alter all he
, might be some important parsonage who
, could tell So after a little pushing and ell
boning among themselves, a man was thrust for
: ward, under an idea that something might come
OF it 4; but no, the stranger appeared as unmov.
ed as ever.
Then another, who had screwed up his cour.
r age to that point, boldly advanced, and thus
spoke
, DO pray, sir, tell us who upon earth you may
be 2 No answer.
: place in his house chimed in, and said, Aye
4 sir, do let us know who or what you may be
! assure you we are none of us at all afraid o
! youn Aud with these words he twisted NJ
his moustac hois, and tried to look as fierce ant
d bold as possible, while his knees were knock
5 ing together, and his heart fluttering all lht
while. Ona repetition Of these questions, how
e ever, by both these men, the stranger, with in
finite gravity, took the pipe from his mouth
n and thus spoke -
r. Are you not too much frightened to hear !!
e The runaways, however, had departed, an
IS those left behind seemed determined not to fol
fow them more especially as the stranger hs
-e made no sign as if he would draw his sword
neither did they think he looked at all SO horr
,k BILE now. They therefore, one and all calle
lie out 'No we are not bit afraid, let us hear
r 'Wel them exclaimed The stranger takin
Is, a long puff at his pipe, Strange as 1t may al
pear to you all, my name is MlscmLf MAKEE