Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-07-25
Oracle uttered a loud shrek, and dived

Oracle uttered loud Shrek and dived
under the table. Down came the head
about three feet, and the Principal, his
ogre aspect changing to one OF the most
raV'shing good -humor, stood before us.
He must have been standing on the gar
den stool: but he was naturally tall.
He was also very stout and his big
brown face-the size of our tea-tray un-
culated with kindly, pleasant smile, en-
tirely corroborated by his SMALL but
bright brown eyes, and at once destruc-
tive of every childish fear. | held out
my hand to him; but Oracle, with quick
er instinct still, crawled from her refuge
and clasped his mighty leg! IT was a
fortunate act for her, that seal of mu-
tual confidence, SO instantly begun, so
long and faithfully observed, by both the
great and little friend. Still, it was such
an odd thing for Oracle to do--Gracie,
who held even Mr. Slithers in a kind of
awe-that lstood positively confounded,
as the Principal, his eyes twinkling with
delight, lifted the little thing, and, sitting
down, placed her on his knee.
was not at all jealous of that: on
the contrary, | took it rather as COM
pliment to my advanced age, that he did
not do the same to me, and busted myself
with Emma in putting the fniShing-touch
es to our banquet. Meanwhile, the Prin-
cipal and Oracle ratified on as if they had
been old friends just reunited after long
separation, and had an immense deal to
say to each other.
AHA - heard the Principal sud
denly exclaim; "you know my name, it
seems 2"
Yes; NTH Pigwiggin," said Oracle
promptly. a-0.ap-. -.a
Say it again, my pet" g
"Mith' Pigwiggin," repeated Oracle
distinctly.
} "Good. And a very pretty name I've
got" said Mr.. Pinkerton complacently
Pig wig gin" 1t seemed as if he were
storing it IN his memory. He was.
have scores of letters, IN his large neat
clerkly hand, and every one of them is
subscribed, "Your loving friend. Pigwig
in." ....... t.
1t was lucky we had no secrets in Hon
eysucklc Cottage, since. in about quar-
/ ter of an hour, Miss Gracie's prattle ha,
made our visitor acquainted with our en-
l tire domestic history and doings-ou
wants, our wishes, our views on diver
j. subjects, down to the probable cause o
;, the protracted indisposition of a neighbor
i ing duck, who. though nominally residen
across the way, passed much of his unoc
cupied time with US.
Suddenly, Oracle was seen to be Gu
riously inspecting the Principals boots
: and passing her tiny palms gently owe
s the heels.
"Well, fairy, what's the matter!' askec
!, the Principal . . .-.
l NTH Pigwiggin, where are you
'purs p
II :, Purs All, spurs! We Loudoner
c don't have much use for spurs, dear
T. Spurs for soldiers" said the Principal.
D Is NTH Slithers soldier q
= SIithers soldier? No. Why ?"
u He wear 'purs-'purs as long as that
measuring her little arm nearly up to tn
y elbow-"al bright silver (Grace wa
G not yet grounded iu her metals).
=" Mis- ter Slith-ers wears spurs 7" re
), peated the Principal in unfeigued aston
u ishment. An attorneys clerk jingliD
about in sill I'N spur him !! A fel
low, too, that never was across rocking
J horse in his life p .tt g.
After this little episode, we went t
!, lunch, Oracle still, to the Principals evi
" dent delight, doing the honors of tn
: mansion, feeding our guest with tit.bitt
J. as if he were pet chicken. and hoverin
l. about him like benevolent little fairy
. to whom he had been given in especis
d charge. Despite these attentions, th
principal, for SO vast man, ate very III
y tie. The meal was soon over, and hi
J. face (all our faces) looking little grave
~ he proceeded to business ..'' '..
y Our cottage, alas was to be immed
! ately handed over TO another occupant
: Emma---dear, faithful Emma-dischar,
:, ed ; and ourselves transferred to-to Il
! -(Mr. Pinkerton seemed to hesitate) :
:. to the house Of Gran Morfew.
At These terrible tidings were not softent
to by the mode Of inpaIting them b,
or never seen great grown.pp man stamm
and color as did the Principal. wi
,e sure that, as he glanced at Gracie's scait
st little face, tear came into his brown ey'
se but he took an immerss pinch OF snu
be and tried hard to look as if he enjoyed
RS My poor Oracle | Perhaps she felt i
10 jured that her chosen friend should be Il
BIT bearer of this long dreaded announcement
as At all events. it occasioned momental
to coolness between them. Oracle can
ep weeping to me, while the Principal, ma
ing such sonorous use Of his handkercbi,
0. that the donkey, who was never out
d, hearing, felt it his duty to respond. to-
ar Emma apart, and held conversati'