New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-12-21
THE MISCTlBEE-MAKER
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

Between the rivers histnaO ana Deenma, III
the Deckhan, surrounded by wild. rocky hills,
lives the town of Shorapcor, capital Of State
Of that came, inhabited by people who have
generally been considered lawless. supersti
tious, aud quarrelsome. OF late years they
have been more industrious aud peaceable,
and though still an excitable race, may be
said 10 be advanced in the arts of peace.
Ii was during a more remote period, when
few strangers ever ventured to penetrate the
country, that a weary-looking traveller covered
with dust entered one of the gates, aud sat
down awhile at the eide of the well. lie then
proceeded to take of his wristband and turban,
washed his head and feet, drank of the cool,
refreshing water combed his head and his
noustachios. and spreading small carpet on
which he laid his uusty sword, drew from bis
wallet a neat iir;lc muslin skull-cap; then
seated himself cross legged. lighted his pipe, and
began 10 look comfortable indeed.
In the meantime there were not wanting
many Idle and curious people. who, having first
ut a distance observed the movements of the
stranger, approached bim nearer and nearer.
But he seemed to take little notice of the crowd,
and appeared absorbed in sense of his own en-
ioymeut, taking long whifis Of his pipe and look
log as if he had made a considerable progress
toward the third heaven.
Atlength respectable locking man who had
come up drew nearer than the rest, and asked
him from whence he had travelled. aud whittier
be was going? What was he seeking in Shora.
poor and whether he was merchant, or mere
" came to look about him But the question
only ended in smoke, being answered only by
whifs
Then came another still holder man, and
SAID - Sir, the heat is great; be pleased to
come with me to nay house. and repose yourself
there and ! will give yoa nice, cool place in
which you may sleep"
Upon this the stranger drew his pipe from
his mouth and replied: - You are exceedingly
kind, good sir, and am really grateful to you
for your preferred hospitality but the fact Is.
] don't believe YOU would wish 10 have me in
your house, did YOU know what | really am u
And thus saying, he rolled his eyes about,
twisted up bis m0ustacbios, stroked his head,
aud assumed auch mysterious air, that an in
describable terror seized the crowd; so much
81. that iii falling hastily back, some Of them
fell down, and others tumbled over them in q
very ridiculous manner.
Hes thief" whispered one. "Or a Thug -
said another. "Or an evil spirit in the form of
man, observed the third. AT all events.
doesn't he lock like q man who has killed
another p
10 short the alarm became general, and sew
s-al deemed il prudent to sneak of and then
take to their heels. A few, however, Of the
holder spirits kept their ground; and seeing
that the stran ger did nothing but take long
wbiEs from his pipe, sending the smoke peace
fully curling over his beard aud moustachios
out of both OF his Dostrs, they regained their
confidence. aud began to think that, after all,
he might be some important parsonage who
could tell So, after little pushing and ell
bowling among themselves, a man was thrust
forward, under all idea that something might
come OF it but no. the stranger appeared as
indifferent ever
Then another, who had screwed up his cour
age to that point. boldly advanced and thus
poke:
DO, pray, SIR, tell Us who on earth you may
BET" No answer.
Then the man Who had offered a sleeping
place in his house. chiined in and said AYE
sir, do let know who or what you may be
j assure you we are none afraid OF you" And
with these words he twisted up his moustachos
and tried to look as fierce and bold as possible,
while his knees knocking together aud
bis heart futtering all the while. On a repe.
tition of these questions, however, by both these
men. the stranger. with infinite gravity, took
the pipe from his mouth, aud thus spoke
"Are YOU not too much frightened to hear %
The runaways, however, had departed, and
those left behind seemed more determined not
To follow them, more especially as the stranger
had made no sign as if he would draw his
sword neither did they think he looked at all
Sd horrible now. They. therefore, one and all
called out. mo! We are not bit afraid, let
US hear y "a
Well, then, exclaimed the stranger, taking
long puff az his pipe, strange as it may APP
pear to you oil, my Dame Ia Mischief Maker )!
And what il very extraordinary, whatever
do, wherever j go, wherever l an, | always
create mischief, 1 always have created mis-
chief and shall continue to do t. the very
end of my lfei" A0d upon this he rolled his
eyes. and pulled away at his pipe harder than
ever.
"oh, is tbis all = cried the party, is THE
all 20
For matter Of that, j" said an active little
man with twiukiing eye, you need be under
no uneasiness whatever. l defy you TO make
more mischief than we have already for we
are all more or less at enm;ty with our neigh
bors aud "a our fathers aud grandfathers were
the same, cOnclu lie il must he owing TO
something that can't bs changed for instance,
the air water OF our town so get your heart
at rest, and come along with US, and we'll
take care II yon.
Well, Trjuined thu stranger, " | am very
glad indeed TO hear what you say of your town;
Tor, TO be candld with you, it's exactly what |
heard Of you all a. ] came along aud this
makes me think that IN place. where all were
mischief makers aud busy bodies already, |
could have nothing ID do but for once in my
that's ali have 10 say-and il any evil arises
from my visit, turn me out, and I'll seek q
home elsewhere
An o.d Brahmn had come up in time 10
hear this svowal. tbs very strange said
the wise msn. This fellow is surely q magi
can, aud may set all the rocks OF Shorapoor
dancing aud tumhling about our ears some
day. Turn him instantly away or it may be
worse for as OIL"
Mo. no" shouted the multitude, "that
would be inhosp,isble. Let him remain, and
We shall soon what he can do"
The little active man now came forward
again, and saii shyly. "Sir, if you are really
such mischief maker es you describe your
self 20 be, suppose You We're to give us little
specimen Of your power-just some trifing
matter to judge by"
What, nov = said the stranger.
AYE, now! exclaimed all " and the sooner
the better"
Well. let IL be so" said he (; "let me put
up Ny things aud come alongl' And with
this lie arose, packed up, girded on his sword,
and stroie majestically forward, followed by
crowd continually Increasing they advanced
further into the town.
much" raid the stranger, but observe what l
eia. and watch the cons quance." So they let
him proceed and as he advanced, they soon
pefceiyed that he vas forming some deep plan,
particularly as he pushed every now and then,
with his fore finger between his teeth, aud
nodded and wagged his head, much as TO
say. Il have I" Upon which he made straight
for shop kept by a man who sold -four, and