The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-08-23
THE MISCHIEF MAKER.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

Between the rivers Kstnah and Reehma
in the Deckhan, surrounded by wild rocky
hills, lies the town of Shorapoor, capital of
State oil that name, Inhabited by people
who have generally been considered lawless.
superstitious and quarrelsome. Oflate wears
they have teen more industrious and peace
able, and though still an excireabIe 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 a weary looking traveller, COW
cred with dust, entered one of the gates. and
sat down for while al the side Of the WE'LL
He then proceeded TO take off his wastband
and turban, washed his head and his feet.
drank OF the cool refreshing water, combed
his head and mustachios, and spreading a
small carpet on which he laid his trusty
sword: drew from his wallet neat little mus
lin skull cap; then seated himself cross-leg-
ged. 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 liule notice
OF the crowd, and appeared absorbed in a
sense Of his own enjoyment. taking long
whiffs 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 going2 What he was seek
ing in Shorapoor, ond whether he was mer-
chant, or merely came to look about him p
Bnt the questions ended in smoke, being
answered only by uhfs.
Then came another still holder man, and
SAID, "Sir, the heat is great; be pleased to
come with me to my house and repose your
self there, and will give you a 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 ycur preferred hospitality; but the fact
is don't believe you would wish to have me
in your house, did you really know who
am"
And thus saying, lie rolled his eyes about
twisted up his moustachios slroked his beard,
and assumed such a mysterious air that an
Understandable terror seized the bystanders ;
SO much so, that in falling hastily back, some
OF them tumb'ed down, and others tumbed
"He's a thief" whispered one. "Or a
Thug" said another "Or ar evil spirit in
the form Of a man." observed fourth. SAT
all events, doesn't he look like one who has
killed another 2"
In short, The alarm became general, and
several deemed it prudent first TO sneak off
and then take to their heels. A few. how
ever, Of the holder spirits kept their ground !;
and seeing that the stranger did nothing but
take long whilis from his pipe. sending the
smoke peacefully curling over his beard and
moustachios out Of both his nostrls, they re-
gained their confidence, and began 10 thir k
that alter all he might be some important
parsonage ;-who could tell L? So after lit
tie pushing and elbowing among themselves,
a man was thrust forward, under an idea thai
something might come oft; but no, the stran-
ger appeared as unmoved as ever.
Then another who had screwed up his cour-
age to that point, boldly advanced, and thus
spoke
DO pray. sir, tell us who upon earth you
may be-" No answer.
Then the man who had offered sleeping
| place i'm his house, chimed in, and said, aye,
sir, do let us know who or what you may be.
| assure you we are none of us at all afraid
of you" And with these words he twisted
up his moustachios. and tried to look as fierce
and bold possible, while his knees were
knocking together, and his heart Huttering all
the while. On a repetition Of these questions,
however, 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 2"
The runaways however, had departed
and those lett behind seemed determined not
to follow them; more especially as the stran-
ger had made no sign as il he would draw
his sword neither did they think he looked
and all called out, mo we are not a bit
afraid, let Us hear!''
We'll, them" exclaimed the stranger,
taking long puff at his pipe, "strange as it
may appear 10 you all, my name is MISCHIEF
MAKER! And what is very extraordinary,
whatever do. wherever | 60 wherever |
am, Arrays create mischief, always hare
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 sis this
ALI"
" Fer the matter of that" said an active
little man with twnkling eyes, " you need be
under no uneasiness whatever. l defy you
10 invent more mischief here than we have
already, for we are all more or less at enmity
with our neshbors; and as our fathers and
grandlathers were the same, we conclude it
must be owing to something that can't be
changed for instance, the air or water Of
our town; SO set your heart at rest and
come along with us, and we'll take care Of
you"
Well, rejoined the stranger, II am very
glad indeed tn hear what you say OF your
ou,n fonn. f,,r IN ho candid ~ a., ov,o,