Our Odd-men 



Sprightly was always the man to do it. 

 Surly and insolent as he was only too often 

 to the outer world, he ran to do the bidding 

 of any of us, with the obedience of a slave 

 and the devotion of a faithful dog. 



He was odd to look upon, tall and thin, 

 and with big bony limbs very loosely 

 strung together. His red shaggy hair, and 

 a something uncanny in his eyes, gave an 

 impression of wildness, which was certainly 

 not lessened by his costume. This con- 

 sisted of whatsoever Fortune threw in his 

 way ; he had a quaint bit of pride in this 

 matter, and I remember hearing him say 

 more than once, " I may be a good-for- 

 nothin' fellow and I know I ain't good for 

 much, but I never did nor I never will 

 wear a livery coat." One of the rare occa- 

 sions that he appeared wearing a really 

 suitable article of dress brought him into 

 trouble with my Father, as a cross chance 

 would have it, about that very thing. 

 Some one had given him a white hat, such 

 as was then very usually worn. With 

 this upon his ruddy head he came into the 

 office one morning, and it was evident he 

 fancied himself hugely. It so happened 

 that my Father, who had just been sadly 

 put about by some stupidity of a stableman, 

 came into the office at the verv moment, in 

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