A Beginning and an Ending.

From: Kobboltozo: A Sequel to the Last of the Huggermuggers (1869)
Author: Christopher Pearse Cranch
Published: Lee and Shepard 1869 Boston

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A BEGINNING AND AN ENDING.

  STITCHKIN was mistaken in imagining that so many of the dwarfs had been lost or had perished. There was quite a number of them, both men and women, who had lost their way, while seeking after the giant’s shellfish, and had come out in another part of the island. They proved to be more rational than many of the others, and kept together, forming a little association, which got along tolerably well. They found a quite beautiful and fertile spot near the southern shore, which they had cultivated; and they succeeded so well that they gradually abandoned the idea of becoming giants, and built up a little settlement, where they devoted themselves to farming, fishing, and the trades to which they had been accustomed. They found this spot better situated, being nearer the sea than the village they had abandoned, which was some way inland, and the soil of which was full of rocks and stones.

  This little settlement was discovered one day by Hammawhaxo and Stitchkin, as they were sailing in the carpenter’s little vessel round the island. The dwarfs were delighted to see their old acquaintances, and the carpenter and tailor no less so to find so many of their tribe left alive and flourishing.

  So they determined to come and settle down there too. The tailor’s kindness to those who had suffered, had softened many hearts towards him; and Hammawhaxo, who during his absence had acquired a good deal of useful knowledge, made himself very serviceable to the little community. First, he drew a map of the island, then he discovered a path (made formerly by the giants) leading from the new settlement to the old village, and the dwarfs visited the latter place and brought away all the timber, furniture, tools, cooking utensils, and whatever else they could make use of, to add to and improve their new village. Hammawhaxo showed that he had a wise head and a good heart, as well as an able hand. By his teachings and by his example he was of great benefit. He labored hard to build and adorn their houses—he instructed them and their children in many useful arts—with the assistance of the American sailors, he built boats and fishing vessels—in fine, he was constantly helping others, and teaching them to help themselves. A spirit of industry, contentment, and mutual good will seemed to pervade the little village. Things were going on so well, that when Mr. Nabbum and Jacky left, they felt no anxiety about their future success.

  After a stay of several months, during which time Mr. Nabbum had ample opportunity to make many valuable acquisitions to the great Huggermugger Museum he has since established in America, they bid an affectionate farewell to the carpenter and tailor, and promising to visit them again, if ever they made another voyage in those seas, they sailed homeward, and reached the United States in health and safety.



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