One would think that
he would work himself into a better occupation, but his family have
been dust-men for generations, and the generations after him are not
likely to change.
HUCKLEBERRY.
BY FRANK R. STOCKTON.
More than a hundred and sixty-eight years ago, there lived a curious
personage called "Old Riddler." His real name was unknown to the people
in that part of the country where he dwelt; but this made no
difference, for the name given to him was probably just as good as his
own. Indeed, I am quite sure that it was better, for it meant
something, and very few people have names that mean anything.
He was called Old Riddler for two reasons. In the first place, he was
an elderly man; secondly, he was the greatest fellow to ask riddles
that you ever heard of. So, this name fitted him very well.
Old Riddler had some very peculiar characteristics,--among others, he
was a gnome. Living underground for the greater part of his time, he
had ample opportunities of working out curious and artful riddles,
which he used to try on his fellow-gnomes; and if they liked them, he
would go above-ground and propound his conundrums to the country
people, who sometimes guessed them, but not often.
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