Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers. All Rights Reserved.
| published weekly. | NEW YORK, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1896. | five cents a copy. |
| vol. xviii.—no. 894. | two dollars a year. |
THE MYSTERY OF THE SWAMP.
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
I.
Once upon a time there lived on a large plantation in Middle Georgia aboy who was known as Little Crotchet. It was a very queer name, to besure, but it seemed to fit the lad to a T. When he was a wee bit of achap he fell seriously ill, and when, many weeks afterwards, the doctorssaid the worst was over, it was found that he had lost the use of hislegs, and that he would never be able to run about and play as otherchildren do. When he was told about this he laughed, and said he hadknown all along that he would never be able to run about on his feetagain; but he had plans of his own, and he told his father that hewanted a pair of crutches made.
"But you can't use them, my son," said his father.
"Anyhow, I can try," insisted the lad.
The doctors were told of his desire, and these wise men put their headstogether.
"It is a crotchet," they declared, "but it will be no harm for him totry."
"It is a little crotchet," said his mother, "and he shall have thecrutches."
Thus it came about that the lad got both his name and[Pg 154] his crutches, forhis father