Coleman Gray

Coleman Gray is the name of a little Pisky boy who was adopted by a human. One day, a little miserable-looking bantling was discovered alone, unknown, and incapable of making his wants understood. It was instantly remembered by the finder, that this was the way in which the piskies were accustomed to deal with those infants of their race for whom they sought human protection; and it would have been an awful circumstance if such a one were not received by the individual so visited. The anger of the piskies would be certain, and some direful calamity must be the result; whereas, a kind of welcome would probably be attended with great good fortune.

The miserable plight of this stranger therefore attracted attention and sympathy. The little one was admitted as of the family. His health was speedily restored, and his renewed strength, activity, intelligence and good-humour caused him to become a general favourite. It is true the stranger was often found to indulge in odd freaks; but this was accounted for by a recollection of his pedigree, which was not doubted to be of the pisky order. So the family prospered, and had banished the thought that the foundling would ever leave them.

There was to the front door of this house a hatch, meaning a half-door that is kept closed when the whole door behind it is open, and which then serves as a guard against the intrusion of dogs, hogs, and ducks, while air and light are freely admitted. This little being was one day leaning over the top of this hatch, looking wistfully outward, when a clear voice was heard to proceed from a neighbouring part of the townplace, calling, 'Coleman Gray, Coleman Gray !' The pisky immediately started up, and with a sudden laugh, clapped his hands, exclaiming, 'Aha! my daddy is come !' and he was gone in a moment, never to be seen again.