Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-09-21
A VISIT TO THE UGLY MAN.
BIT MON sUGGs

A VISIT TO THE UGLY MAN.
BIT SIMON sUGGs.
As we stepped over the low fence, heard
the hum of a spinning wheel, and in another
moment one OF the sweetest, rosiest faces /
ever beheld, looked out at the door. It was
Lucy Wallis, the pretty daughter of the Ugly
Man. Saluting us modestly, she asked US in
and to be seated-and resumed her work
There be few more lovely girls than Lucy
In her moist blue eyes was a blended ex-
preston of mirthfulness and something more
tender, that went into your heart without
ever asking leave. Clad in a homespun
trock, coarse, but tasteful in its coIors and
adjustment oh how brilliantly spot
less-her fingers tipped with the blue of the
indigo tub-her little feet in buckskn moe
caslns-she piled her task industriousIy; now
with an arch toss, shaking into place her rich
auburn hair, and now, with bound forward,
gracefully catching the thread that had slipped
from her fingers. Sweet voiced too, was
Lucy Wallis, as she stood a: her wheel spin
ming two threads, one Of cotton on her spin
die, and the other Of gossip, with my excel
lent and loquacious friend, Dick Mccoy.
Plague take the girl! She has made me
forget her ugl ly father: Mr.. Wallis and his
there-having been on visit to sick neig
bor-but in half an hour they returned.
Thar they come,' said Dick, as he heard
voices outside the cabin; seat yourself, and
don't be scared! Then looked at Lucy.
You've never seer daddy, Squire, have
you!' she asked, slightly coloring and pout-
ing.
Never have always had curiosity'-
but the wounded expression OF the girl stop
ped me, and in another moment the Ugly
Man was before me.
Truly had Mccoy said nothing on the
breathin' yearth can match him His face
generally had the appearance Of recent
y healed blister-spot. His prominent eyes
seemed ready to drop from off his face, and
were almost guiltless Of lids. Red, red, red
was the all-prevailing color of his counten
ance-even hiseyes partook oft. His mouth
gHpE EEs5 red lq9ksat o. if il bad np nbsap
having been originally made by gouging :
hole in his face with nail grab The tou
ensemble was horribly, unspeakably ugly!
So you've come to see the Ugly Man
have you. Squire I've hearn of you before
You're the man as took the sensers of thi
county, the last time. was in Georgev
then. Well, you're mighty welcome. Ole
oman, fly round, get somethin' for tht
Squire and Dick to eat. Lucy, aint yor
got no fresh aiggs!'
Lucy went out at his suggestion, and he
father went on: They call me ugly, Squire
and am. Ny father before me was the ug
liest man that ever lived in Hancock county
But Pll give you my experience after supper
Belikes you've hearn that I've been through
the ruffs. No? Well, when we get some
thin to eat, I'll tell you all about it. Oh,
oman, for Heavens sake, do fly around thar
The old lady did fly around and Luc
got the aigs,' and between them they &c
an excellent supper. The purity Of the ia
ble cloth, the excellence Of the coffee, an
the freshness of the eggs, not to mentio
. Lucy's good looks, were more than set o
: against the ugliness of Billy; SO that Die
and [ continued to eat quite heartily, to th
|. evident qualification ofour hospitable thong
, ugly entertainer.
Supper over, old Bill drew out his lare
J soap stone pipe. After Whit or two,
= began:
> It's no use argyfyin' the matter-I a
- the ugiiest man now on top of dirt. Thar
. marry nuther like me! I'm crowd bv IN
/ self. | alters was The fust knewed Of
though, was when | was bout ten years ol
- | went down to the spring branch one NOR
:. in to wash my face, and as | looked in t
u u water, seen the shadow ofmy face! Tha
~ the last time I've seen my countenance-
~ daresn't but shet my eyes when 60 'bo
4" water
Don't you use glass when you shave
:. :. enquired.
~ Glass Thunder! What glass cou
= stand it? Twould burst it ifit were an in
= thick. Glass !-pish"
Lucy told her father he was too ba
= and that he knew it was no such thing a
- the old man told her she was sassy Venc
d. and to hold her tongue
Yes he continued, it's so; havn't Sc
Oh my face in forty years, but know how
On looks. Well, when growed up, | thor
50 would be hard to find woman that'd
Sc wilhn' to take me, ugly as | was =
~ 'Oncomnon! tell you when | was
M lMas year old, fly wouldn't fgh. on my face
1e' and it can't be much wuss now! Shet
ose aad let me tell the Squire nv ixperance.
ny It's no use,' put in Lucy, to be :
he ming ones self down, that way, daddy 7
y amt right
IN 'Runnin' down! Thunder and lightn
us Lucy, you'll have me good lookin'
csc e John Bozeman, your sweetheart As
lor said this, old Bill looked at me, and succe
ley ed in covering the BALL of his left eye,
ths way of wink. Lucy said no more.
ter The old man continued:
the well, hard as | thort it 'ud be to g
wife. fust thing | knowed, had Sally, lie
70 and she is, or was, as pretty as any of the
ana Old Mrs. Wallis knitted conyulsiyely,
NY coughed slightly.
ans However, she Eever kissed me afore
'ork married, and it was long time a