Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. II.djvu/105

Rh his bodily proportions, and lives here on fish; he is said to be inoffensive when he is left at peace, but dangerous if excited. I can believe it. He looked to me like one of those Starkodder-natures, half human and half enchanter, which the old Scandinavian ages produced at the wild falls of Trollhätta, and which the wildernesses of America seem to produce still.

Another curiosity, but of smaller dimensions, I saw also, not however in the wilderness, but in the Capitol. I was in the House of Representatives. There were not many people in the gallery, and I went forward towards the railing, so that I might hear more distinctly what was said in the hall below. Here stood beside me a little lady, meanly attired, and about middle age, but so short that she scarcely reached my shoulder. Several persons came up into the gallery to speak to me, and by this means my name was mentioned. When they were gone, my little lady turned to me, wishing also to shake hands with me and bid me welcome, which she did in quite a friendly manner, but added in a tone of vexation, “I am very much disappointed in you!” “Indeed!” said I; “and why?”

“Well,” said she, eyeing me with a grave and displeased glance, “I expected that you would have been a tall lady.”

“Oh!” said I, smiling, “did you wish then to find me tall?”

“No, not precisely!—But I am very much disappointed in you!”

And with that she laid her hand upon her breast, and turning herself to me, she continued with great emphasis, “In me you see a descendant of the old Pilgrims; a lineal descendant of the great and celebrated Miles Standish!”

The little descendant evidently expected that I should fall down from sheer astonishment, but I merely said, “Oh!” If I had had spirit enough I should have added,