The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-06-19
VOLUME XIV.

=
the MiggleS-"
Here he was interrupted by "Miggles
o Miggles Migglesy Migl" and, in fact,
the whole chorus of Miggles in very much
the same key as it had once before been
delivered unto us,
We gazed at each other for moment in
some alarm. The Judge, In particular,
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
a shelf over the fireplace, and who imme-
diately relapsed into sepulchral silence,
which contrasted singularly with his pre-
Vious volubility. It was undoubtedly his
voice which we had heard in the road, and
our friend in the chair was not responsible
for the discourtesy. 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 no.
body but him within ten miles Of the
shanty, and that ar d-d old skeesicks
knows it.
But the faith of the majority proved to
be securely based. Bill had scarcely
ceased growing, before we heard quick
step upon the porch, the trailing of wet
skirt, the door was flung open, and
with fash Of white teeth, a sparkle of
dark eyes and an utter absence of
ceremony OF diffldence, a young woman
entered, shut the door, and, painting,
leaned back against it.
go, if you please, I'm Miggles ="
And this was Miggles This bright
eyed, full.throated young woman, whose
wet gown of coarse blue stuff could not
hide the beauty of the feminine curves to
which itclung from the chestnut crown of
whose head-topped by q mans oil.skin
sou'wester the little feet and ankles
hidden somewhere in the recesSes of her
boys brogans, all was grsce-this was
Miggles, laughing at us, too, in the most
airy, frank, off.hand manner imaginable.
"You see, boys" said she, quite out OF
breath, and holding one little hand against
her side, quite unheeding the Epeechless
discontinue of our party, or the complete
decentralization of Yubs Bill, whose feat.
ures had relaxed into an expression Of
grstuitous and imbecile cheerfulness-
"You see, boys, was morn two miles
away when you passed down the road
thought you might pull up here, and so ]
ran the whole way, knowing nobody was
at home but Jim-and-and-pm out ol
breath-that lets me out"
Aud here Miggles caught her dripping
oil.skin hat from her head, with a mis-
chievOus swirl that scattered shower Of
rain drops over us; attempted to put bach
her hair; dropped two hair.pins in the
attempt; laughed, and sat down beside
Yuba Bill, with her hands crossed lightly
on her lap.
The Judge recovered himself first, anG
sssayed an extravagent compliment.
"Pll trouble you for that thar hsr-pin,
said MiggleS, gravely. Half q doEeI
hands were eagerly stretched forward
the missing hair.pin was restored to III
fair owner; and Miggles, crossing Thu
room, looked keenly in the face of the in
valid. The solemn eyes looked back a
hers, with an expression we had neye
seen before. Life and intelligence seemed
to struggle back into the rugged face
Miggles laughed Rgain--it was asingularl!
eloquent laugh-and turned her black eye
and white teeth once more toward us.
"This afflicted person is"-hesitated tn
Judge.
"Jim," said Miggles.
"Your father ?"
"No."
"Brother?"
"No."
Husband ?"
Miggles dsrted a quick, hslf-defan
glance at the two lady passengers who
had noticed did not participate in tn
general masculine admiration Of MiggleI
and said, graVely: "No-it's jim"
There was an awkward pause. TIL
lady passengers moved close to eac
other. The Washoe husband looked al
DtrActedly at the fire; and the tall man az
parently turned his eyes inward for sci
support at this emergency. But NJ ggle
laugh, which was very infectious, brok
the silence. "Come," she said; briskll
"you must be hungry. Who'll bear
hand to help me get tea ?"
She had no lack of volunteers. In fe'
D moments Yuba Bill was engaged lib
) Caliban in bearing logs for this Miranda
/ the expressman was grinding coffee O
5 the verandah to myself the arduor
. duty of Blicing bacon was assigned; an
! the Judge lent each man his good. .humore
and valuable counsel. And when Miggle
2 assisted by the Judge and our Hibernia
"deck passenger" set the table with a
!, the available crockery, we had becon
|. quite joyous, in spite of the rain that be-
2 against the windows, the wind tn
8 whirled down the chimney, the two l2di
q who whispered together in the corner,
q the magpie who uttered 3 fatirical al
d croaking commentary on their convers
:. tion, from his perch above. In the brigf
4 blazing fire we could see that the wa
were papered with illustrated iourna
|. arranged with feminine taste and diseril
/. ination. The furniture was extemporize
|. and adapted from candle boxes and paC
ing cases, and covered with gay calico,
q the skin Of some animal. The arm CHI
4 Of the helpless Jim was an ingenious '
e ration Of -four barrel. There was ne,
h ness and even = taste for the pieturesq
n to be seen in the few details Of the lol
# low room. s
The meal was culinary success. B
rs more, It was a social triumph-chiefiy
h think, owing to the rare tact of Miggles
j. guiding the conversation, asking all t
1t questions herself, yet bearing throughc
g. frankness that rejected the idea of =
le eoncealment on her own part. So Il
ID we talked of ourselves, Of our prospeC
sr Of the journey, of the weather, of ca
other-of every thing but our host q
% hostess. It must be confessed that M
glea' conversation was never elega
d. rarely grammatical, and that at times {
it, used expletives, the use Of which b
m generally been yielded to our sex. T
a. they were delivered with such light
ye up Of teeth and eyes, and were usua
IN followed by laugh--a laugh peculiar
II Miggles-so frank and honest that
be seemed to clear the moral atmosphere.
to Once, during the meal, we heard q nc
On like the rubbing of heavy body agai
or the outer walls of the house. This '
shortly followed by scratching and 81
fling at the door. That's Joaquin" Q
1T Miggles, in reply TO our question
ba glances would you like 10 see hin
be Before we could answer she had opel
i'll the door, and disclosed halfgrown E
er ely, who instantly raised himself on
alf launches, with his forepaws hang
Of down In popular attitude Of nendicar
and looked admiringly At Miggles, wit
ng very singular resemblance In his man
ng TO Yuba Bill That's my wstch-dc