The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-06-09

WdnueIeu SOlltarIly ABOUT the play -SrOunQ
immersed in bitter reflection. But unfor-
tunately, grief did not stop my growth.
Year after year, as | came home for the
midsummer and Christmas holidays, my
| frther regarded my increasing stature with
| face of painful establishment. He hardly
had the heart to measure me, especially as he
was soon compelled to mount stool for the
purpose. Bob no longer dared to bully me-
lie was awed by my monstrous presence
Nurse Crossley, who had retired on half-pay
and took in plain needlework at an adioin-
ing cottage, was still pleased to see me; but
even she began to regard me with face of
apprehension. She grieved me very bitterly
one day by saying;
Master Davy, your parents, being small
which your pa is but few inches off a
dwarft, begin to be feared that you, or least
ways what ought to be you, was certainly
changed at nuss aaas
At fourteen, | had attained the height of
six feet two inches; my schoolfellows be-
lieved that | was twenty, and wondered |
did not leave Poplar House Academy They
tainted me with effeminacy, and laughed
at my shrill voice, which still piped in
childish treble must mention that | was
not an ill looking fellow. My figure, though
clumsy, was not deformed; my features
were good, my complexion was clear and
healthy. But, as | grew older and bigger,
| became more and more sensitive. | with
drew myself as much as possible from the
view OF my fellow creatures. There was
| private path accessible only by the school
masters key leading from our playing field
to sluggish stream, bordered with poplar
ded willows. On the margin of this mipia-
ture river used TO sit for hours, with my
long legs dangling over the water, watch
ing the swallows as they swooped down on
their prey, or the rats as they swan eau
tiously from bank to bank with only their
noses above water. Here | would remain in
state Of negative happiness till the sun
had set and the bats flew in circles round
and round the hollow trees. # sa H.7
One evening, had just looked at my
watch (having been endowed with that dig
nified appendage i'll consideration of my size
several years before and was rejecting with
a sign that must quit my solitary retreat,
and miugle once more in the din and merri-
ment of the school room, when hand was
laid softly on my shoulder. turned my head
and beheld the face OF man whom | had
seldom seen, though had often heard his
name mentioned.
Mr.. Leverton was the recluse of the viii
lage. He scarcely ever stirred out of his house
which was situated on the banks of the riv-
er, saw no company, never went to church,
and spent most of his time in fishing. AS he
was a strict preserver, and my schoolfellows
had often trespassed on his waters, fancied
he deemed me one of the culprits and was
about to execute summary vengeance on my
person; but | was speedily undeceived by
the mildness of his address.
my young friend, he said Il have
watched you for some time past. AS | stand
rod in hand at yorder bend Of the river.
can see you through the trees. Like me, you
are fond of solitude. Consequently, there is
natural sympathy between us. Now, what
do you think about p
about giants"
'Giantsl That is a strange subject of con-
templation.,' no..
81 think to myself, shall become a
giant" said L with blush.
'.Nonsense-Why you must have done
growing. How old are you?
l thought Of my fathers strict injunction,
and Of the deceit which had been success
fully maintained for the last six years, and
replied, with some hesitation;
Il am twenty, sir"
"Ioo old for school. What can your pa
rents be thinking Of? At your age, was
battling with the world. Come you shall sup
at my house,
q am rather afraid Mr.. Wickham will
object, sir" s.I
il have his permission. See here" said
Mr.. Leverton, displaying a paper in
black and white. If you wish for comfort in
this villainous world, have everything in
black and white. Read it."
''Mr Leverton has Mr.. Wickhams per
mission to invite Mr.. David Elworthy to mis-
house whenever he pleases."
care you satisfied p
Eyes, sir"
Then come along"
The recluse unlocked gate studded with
spikes and iuterlaced with brambles which
led to his own property. He preceded me
at swift pace, the decisive abruptness Of
which correspond with his manner of speak
ing; and as soon as we reached the house
a small but picturesque ed6ce completely
screened from view by evergreen foliage
he unlocked the front-do with latch key
and pushed me into the hall.
Pointing to another door, he said:
Go in there, and wait till | come.
[ opened the door, and went i'll. To my
astonishmnt, figurerose up at my entrance
"a female figure. | felt utterly abashed.
was entirely unaccustomed to ladies
society, and here | was face to face with a
pretty young lady. Excepting sisters (who
count for nothing) my intercourse with the
f,i, i.ith IN nv "
mother and nurse Crossley. stood in the
middle of the room, blushing red hot to the
ears gasping for breath, and twirling a
chair by way of employing my hands,
cannot describe the young lady from
what saw at that juncture | saw a cloud
of white with fascinating face at the top
of it, and that is all. / don't know how
long | stood in this ridiculous posture: it
might be two minutes but it felt like forty,
when | was brought to my senses by soft
voice saying: 1.
'Pray, be seated Mr.. Elworthy.'
My face grew hotter than ever at the
sound of my own name, and | selected the
slenderest chair in the room-one of those
elegant ornamental articles with spiral legs
and feeble back, which are not meant to
be sat upon. On this fragile piece of work
mapship cautiously deposited my bulky
person. @
''Are you not somewhat tired of school,
Mr. klworthy ~.
Oh, no, not at all-that is-no-yes-
yes, | am"
After this contradictory speech, was all
blush, from the soles ofmy feet to the sum-
NIT Of my head. felt very much like a
red cabbage
g You do not play at games, Think
s No, MISS that is, don't play at-at
any games.
A fresh outbnrst of blushing followed this
brilliant speech, while my chair creaked il
a terribly threatening manner. l was too shy
/ however, to move to one that was more sub
stantial, and prayed inwardly that Mr.. Lev.
enton might soon appear
Are you fond of reading 2
| 90 Very miss -