The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-08-13

his hand, the venerable stranger appa-
rently ollapsed-sinking into half his
size and an indistinguishable heap of
clothing. ..... ..
"Well, dern my skin," said Bill look
ing appealingly at us, aud hopelessly
retiring from the contest. ...
The Judge now stepped forward, and
we lifted the mysterious invertebrate
back into his original position. Bill was
dismissed with the lantern to recon-
noiter outside, for it was evident from
the helplessness of this solitary man
there must be attendants near ut hand,
and we all drew near the fire. The
Judge, who had regained his authority
and had never lost his conversational
notwithstanding before us with his
back to the hearth-charged us, an i'm
aginary jury, as follows:
at is evident that either our distin-
guished friend here has reached that
condition described by Shakespeare as
the sere and yellow leaf or has suf-
ferred some premature abatement of his
mental and physical faculties. Whether
he is really the Miggles-"
Here he was interrupted by" "Miggles!
Miggles ! o Miggles Mig" and in fact
the whole chorus of Miggles in very
much the same key as it had once been
delivered unto us.
We gazed at each other for moment
in some alarm. The Judge, in particu
lar, vacated his position quickly, as the
voice seemed to come directly over his
shoulder. The cause, however, was
soon discovered in large magpie who
was perched upon shelf over the fire.
place, and who immediate relapsed into
sepulchral silence, which contrasted
singularly with his previous volubility
1t was undoubtedly his voice which We
heard in the road, and our friend in the
chair was not responsible for the dis
courtesy. Yuba Bill, who re.entered
the room after an unsuccessful search
was 10th to accept the explanation, and
still eyed the helpless sitter with sus
picion. He had found shed in which
he had put up his horses-but he came
back dripping and skeptical. "Thar
amt nobody but him within ten miles
of the shanty, and that ar id old
skeesicks knows it,"
But the faith of the majority proved
to be securely based. Bill had scarcely
ceased growing before we heard quicl
step on the porch, the trailing of we
skirt, the door was flung open and will
flash of white teeth, a sparkle of darl
eyes, and an utter absence of ceremony
or diflidencc, a young woman entered
shut the door, and painting, leaned bacl
against it.
so, you please, Pm Miggles!"
And this was Migglcs! This brigh
eyed, full throated young woman, who's
wet gown of coarse blue stuff could no
hide the beauty Of the feminine curve
to which it clung; from the chestnu
crown of whose head--topped bya man
oilskn sou wester-to the little feet ant
ankles-hidded far away somewhere il
the recesses Of her boys brogans, al
was grace-this was Miggles, laughin
at us, too, in the most airy, frank, of
hand manner imaginable.
"You see boys" said she-quite Ou
of breath, and holding one little hant
against her side, quite unheeding tn
speechlcss discontinue of Yuba Bill
whose features had relaxed into an eX
preston of gratuitous and imbecil
cheerlulness "You see. boys, / wa
MORN two miles away when you passe
down the road. thought you NIGH
pull up here, and so l run the Who'll
way, knowing nobody was home bu
him-and--I'm out of breath -and.-tha
lets me out"
And here Miggles caught her drooI
ing oilskin hat from her head, with
michievous swirl that scattered shove
of rain drops over us; attempted to pu
back her hair dropped two hairpins il
the attempt; laughed and sat down be
side Yuba Bill, with her hands crosse,
lightly on her lap.
The Judge recovered himself first
and essayed an eytravagantcomplimen
l'll trouble you for that har pin,
said Miggles, gravely. Half doze
hands were stretched forward; the mis-
sing hairpin was restored to its fai
owner; and Miggles, crossing the room
looked keenly in the face of the invalid
The solemn eyes looked back at hers
with an expression we had never seel
before. Life and intelligence seeme
to struggle back into the rugged face
Miggles laughed again it was a singu
larly eloquent laugh-and turned he
black eyes and white teeth once NOR
towards us.
This afflicted person is''-hcsitate
the Judge.
"Jim," said Migglcs.
"Your father"
"No.,'
"Brother?"
| ono"
"IIusband ?n
Miggles darted II quick, half.dellan
| SlhlItt lt lIit t"o iuiy pNHSthStiS WI
l had noticed did not participate in TIN
general masculine admiration OF Mil
giles, and said gravely : "No-its Jim.
There was an awkward pause. I'll
lady passengers moved closer to cac
other. The Washoc husband locke
abstractedly at the fire; and the tall ma
apparently turned himself inward fc
self support ut this emergency. Bt
Miggles' laugh, which was very infec
Gus, broke the silence. Come she sal
bris&ly, you must be hungry. Who'
bear hand to help me get tea ~
She had no lack of volunteers. In
few moments Yuba Bill was engage,
Ike Caliban, in bearing logs for tn
Miranda the eXpressman was grindin
coffee on the veranda; to myself the n
duous duty ofsllcing bacon was assigne,
and the Judge lent each man his goo
humored and voluble counsel. An