"
This was his favorite speech, from which it may be judged he was
somewhat of a character.
He had several hobbies, and was a well-read man and superior to those
around him; and perhaps this was the cause of his holding himself aloof
from most of the villagers. They termed him "cranky and cracked," but
his goods were always acceptable, and he was thoroughly successful in
his business. When his shop was closed he would go out on the hills,
and there spend his time studying geology and botany. He knew the name
of every plant and insect, and the strata of the earth for many miles
round; and it was out of doors that the boys first made his
acquaintance.
They found him on this afternoon seated behind his counter mending an
eight-day clock.
"Well, old Principle, how are you?" said Roy, climbing up to the counter
and sitting comfortably on it with his legs dangling in mid air; "we
haven't seen you for ages."
"Are you going out this evening?" enquired Dudley, as he proceeded to
follow Roy's example.
"To be sure, when my work is done," responded the old man pushing up his
spectacles and regarding the boys with kindly eyes; "these light
evenings are my delight, as you know.
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