Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-06-16
Owe ny OWE.
Tie Leisure Hour.
TIE .HISCHIEF-.N.sKRR.
by CHARLES DICKENS.

| by CHARLES DICKENS.
| Between the rivers Kstnah and Beehma
in the Deckhan, surrounded by wild
rocky hills, lies the town of Shorapoor
capital of a State of that name, inhabited
by people who have generally been con.
sidercd lawless, superstitous, and quarrel
some. OF late years they have been more
industrious and peaceable, and though still
an excitable race, may be said to be adj
vanced in the arts of peace.
1t was during more remote period,
when few strangers ever ventured to pene-
trate the country, that weary-looking
traveller, covered with dust, entered one OF
| the gates, and sat down awhile at the side
| of well. He then proceeded to take OIL
his waistband and turban, washed his head
and his feet, drank of the cool refreshing
water, combed his head and his moustach-
los, and spreading small carpet on which
he laid his trusty sword, drew from his
wallet neat little muslin skull-cap; then
seated himself cross-legged, lighted his
pipe and began to look comfortable in
deed.
In the meantime there were not wanting
many idle and curious people, who having
first at distance observed the movements
of the stranger, approached him nearer
and nearer. But he seemed to take little
notice Of he'crowd; and appeoTed as-sorb-
ed in sense of his own enjoyment, taking
long whills Of his pipe and looking as if he
had made considerable progress toward
the third heaven.
At length a respectable looking man who
had come uI, drew nearer than the rest,
and asked him from whence he had trav-
eled and whittier he was going? What he
was seeking in Shorapoor, and whether
he was merchant, or merely came TO look
about him? But the question only ended
in smoke, being answered only by whins.
Then came another still bolder man, and
said "Sir, the heat is great; be pleased to
come with me to my house, and repose
yourself there, and will give you a nice,
cool place in which you may sleep"
Upon this the stranger drew his pipe
from his mouth and replied "You are ex-
tremely kind good sir, and / am really
grateful to you for your profiered hospital
ity; but the fact is | don't believe you
would wish to have me in your house, did
you know what I really am r.
And thus saying he rolled his eyes about,
twisted up his moustachios, stroked his
head, and assumed such mysterious air,
that an indescribable terror seized the
crowd ; so much so, that in falling hastily
back, some of them tumbled down, and
others tumbled over them in q very ride
ulous manner.
"He's n thiei,' whispered one. "Or IA
Tug" said another. "Or an evil spirit in
the form of man." observed the foruth.
"At all events, doesn't he look Ike one
who has killed anotherm
In short the alarm became general, and
several deemed it prudent to sneak off and
then take to their heels. 4 few, however,
of the boldor spirits, kept their ground /;
and seeing that the stranger did nothing
but take long whiis from his pipe, send
ing the smoke peacefully curling over his
beard and moustachios out of both of his
nostrils, they regained their confidence,
and began to think that, after all, he might
be some important parsonage; who could
tell? SO, after little pushing and elbow
ing among themselves, "A man was thrust
forward under an idea that something
might come of it; but no, the stranger APP
peared as Indifferent AS ever
Then another, who had screwed up his
courage to that point, boldly advanced and
thus spoke
"Do pray, sir, tell us who upon earth
you may be?" No answer.
t,o ,,,n,, ,,,I,. Inl ,
place in his house chimed in and said.
"Aye, sir, do let us know who or what you
may be? l assure you we are none afraid
of your? And with these words he twist
ed up his moustachios, and tried to look as
fierce and bold rs possible, while his knees
were knocking together, and his heart Hut
tering all the while. On Il repetition OF
these questions, however, by both these
men, the stranger, with infinite gravity,
took the pipe from his mouth, and thus
spoke:
"Are you not too much frightened TO
hear?"
The runaways, however, had departed
and those left behind seemed more determ-
ined 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 so horrible now.
They, therefore, one and all, called out,
"Noi we are not bit afraid, let us hear r.
"Well, them" exclaimed the stranger,
taking a long pun at his pipe, "strange az
it may appear to you all, my name is Mis-
chiel-Maker And what is very oxtraor-
dinary, whatever | do, wherever | go,
wherever am, | always create mischief
always have created mischief, and shall
continue TO do 50 10 the very end of my
lifer And upon this he rolled his eyes,
and pulled away at his pipe harder than
| ever.
"Oh, is this ALP cried the party, sis
| fla II all 2n