The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-04-23
LITTLE DAFFYDOwNDILLY.
BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.

Daffydowndilly, was so called because in his
nature he resembled flower, and loved to do
only what was beautiful and agreeable, and took
no delight in labor Of any kind. But, while
DaffydOwndilly was yet little boy, his mother
sent him away from his pleasant home, and put
him under the care of very strict schOolmaster
who went by the name Of Mr.. Toll. Those
who knew him best, affirmed that this Mr.. Toll
was very worthy character; and that he had
done more good, both to children and grown
people, than any body else in the world. Ger
tainly he had lived long enough to do great
deal Of good, for if all stories be true, he had
dwet upon earth ever since Adam was driven
from the garden of Eden.
Nevertheless, Mr. Toll had severe and ugly
countenance, especially for such little boys and
big men, as were inclined to be idle; his voice,
too, was harsh; and his ways and customs SEEM
ed very disagreeable TO oar friend Daffydown-
dilly. The whole day long, that terrible old
sChoOlmaster sat at his desk overlooking the
scholars, or walked about the school room with
a certain awful birch rod in his hand. Now
came rap over the shoulders of boy whom
Mr.. Toll had caught at play; now lie punished
whole class who were behind with their les
quietly and constantly to his book, he had no
chance of enjoying quiet moment in the school
room Of Mr.. Toll.
"This will never do for me" thought Daffy-
downdilly.
Now, the whole Of Daffydowdilly's life had
hitherto been passed with his dear mother, who
had much sweeter face than old Mr.. Toll, and
who had always been very indulgent to her lit
~. l.. NJ. l. aLokv af
fydowndilly found it a woful change, to be sem
away from the good lady's side, and put undel
the care of this ugly visage schOolmaster, whC
never gave him any apples or cakes, and seem.
ed to think the little boys were created only II
get lessons.
81 cant bear itany longer" said Daffydown.
dilly to himself, when he had been at schoo
about a week. ''I'll run away, and try and
find dear mother; and, at any rate, / shall never
find any body half SO disagreeable as this old
MIR. Toil?"
So, the very next morning, off started pOol
Daffydowndilly, aud began his rambles about
the world, with only some bread and chees fol
his breakfast, and very little pocket money to
pay his expenses. But he had gone only a short
distance, when he overlook man Of gave and
sedate appearance, who was trudging at a mod.
GIdte pace along Jle TOau.
Coon morning, my fine lad !" said the stran.
ger and his voice seemed hard and severe, but
yet had sort Of kindness in it; "whence do yOI
come so early, and wither are you going9"
Little Daffydowndilly was boy Of very in
genuous disposition, and had never been know
to tell lie in all his life. Nor did he tell on
now.
he hesitated moment or two, but finall
IL IL r.. Ill -,
account of his great dislike to Mr.. Toll, an
that he was resolved to find some place in Il
world where he should never see or hear Of IL
old schOOlmaster again.
so, very we'll, my little friend" answed ii
stranger. "Then we will 60 together; for
likewise have a good deal to do with Mr. Toi
and should be glad to find some place where
is never heard Of"
Our friend Daffydowndilly would have bee
better pleased with a companion Of his own ag
with whom he might have gathered flowe
along the roadside, or have chased butterflies
have done many other things to make the j9uI
ney pleasant. But he had wisdom enough
understand that he should get through th
world much eaiser by having man Of expert
enCe to show him the way. So he accepted tb
strangers proposal, and they walked on yer
sOcably together.
They had not gone far when the road passe
by field where some haymakers were at work
moving down the tall grass, and spreading
ont in the sun to dry. Daffydowndilly wa
delighted with the sweet smell of the new now
grass, he thought how much pleasenter it mns
be to make hay in the sunshine; under the blu
sky, and with the birds singing sweetly in tn
neighbOring trees and bushes, than to be shu
up in a dismal school room, learning lessons al
day long, and continually scolded by old MIR
Toll. Butin the midst Of these thoughts, Will
he was STOPPING to peep over the stone wall, h
started back and caught hold Of his companion
hand.
"Quick, quick !" he cried "Let us run ava
or he will catch us
"Who will catch us?" quietly asked tn
stranger.
"Mr. Toll, the old schoolmaster p answere
Daffydowndilly. Don't you see him anon
the haymakers !''
And Daffydowndlly pointed to an elderl
man. who seemed to be the owner Of the flelC
and the employer of the men at work there
He had stripped off his coat and waistcoat, an
was busily at work in his shirt sleeves. Th
drops Of sweat stood on his brow; but he CAV
himself not moments rest, and kept cryin
out to the haymakers to make hay while th
sun shone. Now, strange to say the figur
and features Of this old farmer were precisel
the same as those Of old Mr.. Toll, who at tn,
very moment, must have been Just entering h
sChOolrOOm.
"Don't be AFRAID said the stranger. 9Th
is not Mr.. Toll, the sehoOlmaster, but broth
Of his, who was bred farmer, and people s
he is the more agreeable man Of the two..