The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-07-10
81 cHARLKs DIcKENs-

HETNEE< ttc ftfrft htfshsu shu Dseh-
m. ia she Derkhsn. surrounded by Wild
rocky hills, lies The town Of Shofapnor. ca
pitsl uf q state Of that name. inhabited by
. people who have generally been consi-
dered lawlrss. superslilious, and quarrel
some. or lsis years ihey have been more
industrious and pescesbie. and though still
an excitsble race. may be said 20 be sd-
ysncing in The arts Of peace.
n was during more remote period.
when lev strangers ever ventured 10 pc
neiraie The country, that weary.looking
traveller, covered with dust. entered one
OF The gates. and sal down for awhile al
the side Of a well. He then proceeded 10
take of his waislband and iurbsn. wash
ed his head and his feet. drank Of The cool
refreshing water. combed his beard and
mousiachios. and spreading small carpet
on which he laid his lrusty sword. drew
from his wallet neat little muslin skull
cap; then seated himself cross.legged,
lighted his pipe. and began TO look very
comfortable indeed.
In the meantime there were not want
ing many idle and curious people. who
having first at distance observed the
movements ofihe stranger. approached him
near and nearer. But he seemed 10 lake
little notice OF the crowd. and appeared
absorbed In asense OF his own enjoyment.
taking long whiirs Of his pipe. and looking
rs if he had made considerable progress
towards the third heaven.
Al 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 goingi
What he was seeking In Shorapoor, and
whether he was merchant, or merely
came 10 look about himi But the ques-
.ions ended in smoke, being answered only
by ichi1s.
Then came another still bold man. and
said, !. Sir, the heat 10 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 profiered hospital.
ity; bu, the fact IL, don't believe you
would wish TO have me in your house, did
you know what really am I"
And thus saying, he rolled his eyes
about, twisted up his moustachios. stroked
his beard, AMI assumed such mysterious
air. that an indescribable terror seized the
bystanders; so much so, that in falling
hastily back, some Of them tumbled down
and others lumbled over them in very
ridiculous manner.
.He's a thief" whispered one. "O'
a Thug" said another. :" Or an evil
spirit in the form Of a man." observed =
fourth. AT all events, doesn't he loob
like one who has killed n,other?"
In short The alarm became general
and several deemed il prudent, first ID
sneak of. and then take TO their heels. A
few. however. .ofihe bolderspiriis kepttheil
ground; and seeing that The stranger did
nothing bul lake long whiifs from his pipe
sending tho smoke peacefully curling ovel
his beard and moustachios out Of both hi.
nostrils, they reQained their confidence
and began 10 think that after all he nigh
be some important parsonage; coult
ielll So after lillle pushing and elbow
ing among themselves man was thrus
forward, under an idea that something
might come Of il; but no, The stranger ap
peared as unmoved as ever.
Then another, who had screwed up hi
courage 10 that point, boldly advanced
and thus spoke
Do pray, sir, tell us who upon cart
you may be!" No answer.
Then The man who had offered sleeT
ing place in his house chimed in, an
said, "Aye, sir, do let US know who Q
what you may BET assure you we ar
none Of us at all afraid of you !" An
with these words he twisted up his moul
tachios. and tried TO look as fierce and Dol
as possible. while his knees were knockin
together. and his heart futlerlng all III
while. On repetition Of these questions
however. by both these men. the sirant
er. with infinite gravity. took the pir
from his mouth, and thus spoke -
Are you not too much frightened
heart"
The runaways, however. had departe,
and those left behind seemed determine
not TO follow them; more especially as Il
stranger had made no sign as if he won
draw his sword; neither did they think
looked a, all so horrible now. They ther
fore, one and all, called out, No we a
not bit afraid, let US hear!''
Well. them" exclaimed the strange
taking long puff al his pipe. " strange
il may appear 10 you all, my name
MISCHIEF. MAKER! And what is vel
extraordinary, whatever | do. whereve
lgo. wherever l am. al,cays crea
mischief. | always hare created mischie
and shall continue to do so the very er
OF my Life! And upon this he rolled b