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Feathertop: A Moralized Legend
Forthouhastafeatherinthyhat,andIhavethrustahandfuloffeathersintothehollowofthyhead,andthywig,too,isofthefashiontheycallFeathertop,—sobeFeathertopthyname!"
And,issuingfromthecottage,Feathertopstrodemanfullytowardstown.MotherRigbystoodatthethreshold,wellpleasedtoseehowthesunbeamsglistenedonhim,asifallhismagnificencewerereal,andhowdiligentlyandlovinglyhesmokedhispipe,andhowhandsomelyhewalked,inspiteofalittlestiffnessofhislegs.Shewatchedhimuntiloutofsight,andthrewawitchbenedictionafterherdarling,whenaturnoftheroadsnatchedhimfromherview.
Betimesintheforenoon,whentheprincipalstreetoftheneighboringtownwasjustatitsacmeoflifeandbustle,astrangerofverydistinguishedfigurewasseenonthesidewalk.Hisportaswellashisgarmentsbetokenednothingshortofnobility.Heworearichly-embroideredplum-coloredcoat,awaistcoatofcostlyvelvet,magnificentlyadornedwithgoldenfoliage,apairofsplendidscarletbreeches,andthefinestandglossiestofwhitesilkstockings.Hisheadwascoveredwithaperuke,sodaintilypowderedandadjustedthatitwouldhavebeensacrilegetodisorderitwithahat;which,therefore(anditwasagold-lacedhat,setoffwithasnowyfeather),hecarriedbeneathhisarm.Onthebreastofhiscoatglistenedastar.
