Other editions of book Nightcaps

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER L "Handsome is that handsome does." Away down in Charleston, which (as anybody with ears has heard often enough) is a large city in the peppery state of South Carolina, there lived an excellent, kind-hearted little gentleman, whom all the colored people called "Massa Charles;" and as I never heard his other name, or, if I did, I have forgotten it entirely, we'll just call him "Massa Charles " too, and say nothing more about it. Massa Charles was not handsome, but his small hazel eyes had such a gentle, yet beaming light in them, that they utterly suppressed and vanquished the terror that might otherwise have been inspired in the hearts of beholders by his great and fierce-looking Roman nose; then his manner was so cordial, and his voice, when he spoke, sounded so hearty and cheery, you will readily believe that, spite of his fierce nose and sharp teeth, he was called " de berry bestest massa in de hole wide world." When Massa Charles was a very young man, he had occasion to go to Boston on business. While there, he became acquainted with a young lady who was very beautiful, and, what was a great deal better, but rather strange, she was as good as she was beautiful. Her eyes were brilliant as diamonds, but far more precious, for their loving and sunny glances came warm from a pure heart and a noble nature; and yon will admit there is not much warmth, or loving-kindness either, in the flashing of diamonds. If you attempt to heat them up, they will presently turn into a worthless lump of charcoal; so, upon the whole, bright eyes are better than bright stones. Massa Charles thought so likewise while he watched the graceful and unstudied movements of this lovely young lady, as she flitted about her father's house on her dainty little feet, like a sunbe...