Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/114

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The Shepherdess and

were to be seen on it, and between them little stags popped out their heads with zig-zag antlers.

But on the top a man at full length was carved. True he was laughable to look at; for he showed his teeth—laughing one could not call it—had goat’s legs, little horns on his head, and a long beard. The children in the room always called him General-clothes-press-inspector-head-superintendent Goat-legs, for this was a name difficult to pronounce, and there are very few who get the title: but to cut him out in wood—that was no trifle. However, there he was. He looked down upon the table and towards the mirror, for there a charming little porcelain Shepherdess was standing. Her shoes were gilded, her gown was tastefully looped up with a red rose, and she had a golden hat and cloak; in short, she was most exquisite.

Close by her stood a little Chimney-sweep, as black as a coal, although he was made of porcelain too. He was just as clean and pretty as the rest of them; as to his being a

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