Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-04

every thought and action by the measure Of
public opinion. woman thinks 81 may
have faults, but gossiping Is not among
them, and yet her neighbors know that her
tongue ia constantly busy with their failings.
| You think you are truly unhappy the world
looks dark and friends seem treacherous !
but know that dry stockings, cheerful
warm room, and good dinner would recon
cile you TO the world with marvellous rapidi-
ty. Now, although these mistakes are ludi.
crous, yet glory in them az evidences of ca.
paoity for higher things. Suppose that man
should say, There IL nothing higher than
the worlds praise ! suppose that woman
should think, i care more for gratifying my
curiosity than anything else, and | see no
reason why should not give myHelf up to
t. Suppose you should say, My animal
wants are the only ones Of any Importance ;
who cares for anything beyond bis bodily
comfort would not this be unutterably
worse than the mistaken aspirations at hrSt
described ?"
"Mr. Og," replied. "you have at least 30
far persuaded me that ! am willing TO try
your remedy. II you will bear me company,
will order the good room and good dinner
Immediately"
81 am at your service, PereRrine."
my name il Duchesne, sir-LOuis Ouch
esne."
Friend, know nothing Of the senseless
titles Of the world prefer to use names OF
appropriate Specification. Peregine-a 'stran.
ger. Thus will call you. Likewise call
mine host Javan, that ia, supple, and his
wife Ursula, that is a she. bear In this
way our speech becomes pregnant with
meaning, and our minds are not confused
with vain efforts to comprehend AN incom-
patible nomenclature"
Igave my orders, and it was surprising to
see what merry fellow that landlord had be-
come the waiter, too, hustled about and
soon, in q cheerful private parlOr, tempting
dinner smoked upon the table, with little
sprigs Of evergreen aud lunches Of red ber-
ries 10 light mp the whole. When all was
complete l returned 10 the office for my in
vited guest, finding him again absorbed in
the yellow paper, which seemed 10 be cover
ed with written characters. With some diff
cui'S brought back his wandering atten-
ton he rose his legs darted wildly forward,
his feet held back, aud felt obliged to guide
him across the hall, not without some mis-
RivingB lest he should topple over and crush
my five feet eight with his six feet ten. But
when at last be wRs safely seated in a capa-
cious arm chair, and the waiter, according TO
my orders, had retired, sense of comfort
slowly penetrated his huge body the appe-
tizinR Odor of the dinner and the fragrance
Of the wine rose before him like incense he
stretched out his long legs, rubbed his hands,
and revived intelligence shOne in his eyes,
showing that the mind had come back to her
post at the windoW, and was graciously
pleased 10 parley for a while with the outside
world. After q desultory conversation, sup
ported principally by myself, as the giant did
gigantic justice to the feast, | filled the
glasses, saying, well, Mr.. Og, let me wish
you health and happiness"
80 be it, Peregrine but have not known
health and happiness for many years-not
since the happy days of the Grand Ancient
Roman Circus"
My guest sighed as he spoke, aud seemed
on the point Of falling into another fit of alb
straction; but fastened to awake him by
the question, 80 you once belonged TO a cir
Gus, Mr. Oe2"
'Yes," he replied. after a pause. 1T ia
not often that relate my story but my soul
feels lonely, and the companionship of one
OF its kinda luxury to which it is almost a
stranger TO- night an absolute necessity.
Therefore, Peregrine, il you care to hear it,
will relate to you my history.
II was born in one OF the Western states,
and left an orphan while still a young child.
Thrown upon the world, poor aud helpless, l
fell into the hands Of farmer who for the
price Of my living bought the right to my
| noHNiOo1 uuti Il was VI aye. IoFuhpb u uhu
grown strong and useful should have gained
place in the mans esteem, for strength
among the poorer classes takes the rank that
money occupies among the rich but some
thing was wrong with my organization, for
while grew in height with great rapidity,
strength, breadth, and general development
remained stationary. When ten years of age
| was as tall as the farmer, and when twelve
| overtopped all the men in the neighbor-
hood, and still kept growing. 1 could not
lift stick Of wood could not direct my
tottering steps; l could not defend myself
from the attacks OF my malicious companions
II they placed obstacles in my path was
sure to fall over them il they threw me
down, could not rise and il they gave me
| anything TO carry, l was sure to feel it drop.
ping from my fingers in spite of all my eff
/ forts. No clothes could be found to fit me
| the doors were too low for my head l was
in everybody's way and if wanted TO reach
| 4 neighboring house by four O'Clock, was
| Obliged TO begin the journey at three, 10 al
low sufficient time for the meAnderings OF
my uncertain legs. l was the laughing stock
OF the whole neighbOrhoOd. Aud still grew.
l could almost feel myself growing in the
| night. l used 10 make chalk marks on the
| floor before going TO sleep, and watch how
far / grew in three days. I slept on the
floor, for no bed could hold me.) Thus
lived until was thirteen years old. That
summer . circus visited our village, and all
the young people were wild with curiosity
and eagerness 10 enter the mystic tent. No
one thought Of me- was considered drone
in the hive, a vagabond who could not earn
his scanty allowance OF bread but a secret
and overwhelming deare TO see the circus
filled my childish mind, and after all the vii
| lage had assembled in the tent l crept up
stairs to my gArret and reviewed my poor
stock Of clothes with trembling haste. Sc
lecting the best, l dressed myself in a pair
of pantalOOns of coarse blue jean four or
five inches too short for my long legs, an old
shirt With the wristbands tapping at the Ell
| bows, and a linen duster 40 much too smal
that as / cautiously squeezed myself into il
the worn fabric yielded, and the back seam
ripped with q vicious sound that brought the
tears 10 my eyes. Shoes and stockings had
none, my hat was rimless, and my duster a
rag, but give up the circus could not 30
started across the green, going over twice the
distance in my zigzag course, and hoping tc
back in unobserved, 80 as 10 prevent real
view Of my tatteRed costume. l had a store
of pennies, the accumulation of my Who'll,
life, and as l reached the tent pressed then
into the hands of the door keeper, and sidlet
along in, hoping to pass without notice. Bu
In vain. Here, you giraffe, he called out
| catching the skirt OF the duster there, only
ohildrens price, twelve cents pretended
not TO hear and pushed forward, but as the
duster gave way entirely, leaving the tive
fronts Auttering in my hands, the man caugh
my wrist and stopped me with an oath. The
tears stood in my eyes as l surveyed myself
"'YOn've spoiled my GOAT, Whimpered
Goat. indeed l call ii a rag, said the man
roughly. wa you stand still or notP b.
added, as my uncertain legs carried m
against the side of the entrance and nearl,
uprooted the canvas.
Trying TO hook in at half price, and thei
ripping up the tent, sh2' Please, sir, In
only thirteen, l sobbed, clutohing my duste
with trembling hands. Thirteen Ia likel
story 4 exclaimed the man, looking up int
my teaT-stAined face. Perhaps he saw ther
the unmistAkable confirmation of my words
for, dropping his voice, he asked, eagerly
DO you mean to say you are really only thiI
teen years old, young mRnT Only thirteen
l replied please let me see the oiTcus.' Bu
the door. keeper, still holding me fast whistle
10 an assistant who was lounging outside, an
whispered 10 him, Go and bring the boss
At these words l shivered with fright eVi
IDENTIFY nothing less than q hOrsewhip was Il
be my punishment. Making desperate Of
fort, / wrenched myself away from my car
tor, and sndeRvored 10 escape, but my leg
doubled up under me, and l fell, out Q
i breath, Just as the door keeper reached me