Lanky stood for some moments gazing, as we have said, at
the door through which his lady had vanished, and during
this time his mind seemed to be engaged on some problem
which he could not solve. Not until a humming noise from
the school-house, and some merry faces at the window attracted
his attention, did he become conscious of the singularity
of his posture: and seeing that he was undergoing
that disagreeable ceremony, being laughed at, he slowly departed.
As he turned away, his thoughts took words unto
themselves, and shaking his head, he murmured the profound
sentiment:

“These women kind are mighty hard to understand!”

The expression of his opinion on this subject seemed to
quiet Lanky somewhat, and he took up a line of march

[figure description] Page 057.[end figure description]

toward home, without perceiving that he was followed by a
youthful individual, who had been a delighted auditor of his
fiddle playing.

The word `individual,' is perhaps the best to apply to
the person in question, as it leaves no distinct impression:—
any single word attempting to describe him, would miserably
fail. It was a something in the shape of a human being
about three feet high, with a large woolly head, a laughing
phiz, resembling in color and texture charcoal, a glittering
set of teeth, and a roll in its walk which seemed to indicate
the peculiarity known as bandy legs. This figure wore a
man's coat, all tattered and torn, and in consequence of the
wearer's smallness, the waist of the old coat was at his knees,
and the skirts dragged the ground. We refrain from describing
the rest of his attire, from a reasonable regard for
our reputation as a veracious chronicler. We can only say
that the garment called a tunic by the ancient Romans had
here reached its last degree of dilapidation: and that the
Gallic vesture was of that description that it cannot possibly
be described.

We have expended thus much description upon the figure
now following Lanky, because—more fortunate than brave
men who lived before Agamemnon—he has secured a poet
and an immortality.

The grotesque little goblin, who as we have said had
witnessed the exhibition of Lanky's skill with extreme delight,
now followed in his footsteps; sawing his left arm with
his right, in imitation of the motion of the bow arm; rolling
his head, chin erect, from side to side; and executing a species
of dance something between the waddle of a goose and the
antics of a monkey.

Lanky was not aware of the honor paid to his performance,
and went on thinking of Donsy and his prospects.

“The fact is,” said Lanky to himself, “I never ken say
any thing when Donsy's lookin' at me. I lose my wits
directly she begins to smile and talk sweet to me, and look
at me so! I couldn't do what the Captain said I ought to—
hold my head up and talk bold and free! I can't say
nothing—I feel so curious. What a unfortunate young man
I am!”

[figure description] Page 058.[end figure description]

And Lanky sighed; and went on still thinking of Donsy,
and wholly unconscious of his `following.'

“Now there's no use talking,” he continued after a pause.
“I never ken tell her how much I love her—I needn't try.
I don't know any way to do, but to write a letter and tell
her all about it, though she knows it well enough now. But
what good would that do? I never would have the courage
to put it in the office in town, and run the chance of that
old fellow Smith laughin' at me. Oh me! that would be
dreadful! I could write it well enough, for Mr. Charles
showed me how to make my letters:—but how afterwards?
I couldn't have courage to hand it to her. `What's that?'
she would say! And then I'd feel like I wanted to creep
through a hole. Who could I get to send it by?”

Lanky heard a subdued whistle, and turning his head
saw the boy following him, and sawing away with an accuracy
of imitation which was worthy of the most elevated
praise.

“What are you doin', Crow?” said Lanky, “and how
did you get here?”

“I git here jest so, Mas' Lanky,” replied Crow, making
ready to jump out of the way of a blow, but sawing away as
enthusiastically as ever, “I been listen to you playin'.”

“Idle as usual, you little monkey,” said Lanky, “where
are you goin'?”

“I ain't gwyne nowheres.”

“Why ain't you workin'?”

“Is'e free; I is,” said Crow, executing a pas seul.

“An idea struck Lanky all at once, that Mr. Crow might
act as his messenger and postman, that young gentleman
being a privileged character whose presence would excite no
more remark than that of a shadow.

Just as this idea occurred to him, they reached the highway,
on the opposite side of which was visible the path leading
toward the abode of Captain Ralph. Lanky raised his
hand to his hat to salute a gentleman who was riding by:
and this ceremony was closely imitated by Mr. Crow, who
added the further honor of a complete `turn about,' in the
process of executing which, we are sorry to say, his long
skirts got in his way, and he made a considerable hole in the
sandy road with his head.

p520-412

[figure description] Page 059.[end figure description]

It may be readily understood, that Crow agreed to place
himself completely at the commands of Lanky for a very
slight gratuity:—we need not follow them. Let us rather
accompany the cavalier who had passed; and as this will
lead us into company a step higher, commence another chapter.