Word: skiapous
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...RANDALL,Sec. C. T. Co.OUR friend Skiapous, on his late pedestrian tour through the White Mountains, stopped at a wayside inn for a frugal meal, - something "light" before retiring. Having toyed with three beefsteaks, two mutton-chops, fried potatoes, two cups of tea, two glasses of milk, some cold meat, an omelet, hot biscuits innumerable, a mound of griddle-cakes, and the usual "fixins," he called for four toothpicks, and was about to leave the table; but the polite head-waiter begged him to remain because they had got a yoke of oxen barbecuing for him in the back-yard...
...friend Skiapous is not a man who courts publicity, but such is his nature that it is thrust upon him. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." This is a remark which was on one occasion made by W. Shakespeare, who has since died. Some have playfully applied S.'s remark to our friend, saying that he belongs to the first and last of these classes. Those can understand the application of this best, who are acquainted with the reasons which led to his being named Skiapous...
...accordingly it need be no "matter of profound admiration" to you that, when the hotly contested point in archaeology as to whether the Greek ladies needed and used, or only needed, pocket-handkerchiefs, was brought before him, he dismissed it as unworthy of his consideration. For all this, Skiapous must by no means be set down by any one as conspicuously lacking in high aspirations. He has a great idea of handing his memory down to posterity, and he very properly thinks that all should seek to "eternize" that part of them which is pre-eminent, and which distinguishes them...
Those who know him, while they appreciate, as far as in them lies, all these soaring thoughts and lofty aspirations in Skiapous, are none the less inclined to regard him as a failure. For they are aware that he refuses the advantages which his largeness of foot gives him, and in consequence they are inclined somewhat to murmur at the Providence which has given to one and the same man equal greatness of foot and of principle...
Years have rolled by, and Skiapous still sighs for his virgin benefactress. But why should young hearts, full of gladness and rejoicing, be oppressed by the forebodings that crowd my fevered brain? Will it not be enough, when all is over, for me to tell you "Skiapous is no more...
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