Two horses , munching provender out of the baskets which muzzled them , were fastened near the vehicle : a delectable sound of music proceeded from the interior ; and I immediately conjectured that this was some itinerant show , halting at the confluence of the roads to intercept such idle travellers as myself . A shower had long been climbing up the western sky , and now hung so blackly over my onward path that it was a point of wisdom to seek shelter here . `` Halloo ! Who stands guard here ? Is the doorkeeper asleep ? '' cried I , approaching a ladder of two or three steps which was let down from the wagon . The music ceased at my summons , and there appeared at the door , not the sort of figure that I had mentally assigned to the wandering showman , but a most respectable old personage , whom I was sorry to have addressed in so free a style . He wore a snuff colored coat and small-clothes , with white-top boots , and exhibited the mild dignity of aspect and manner which may often be noticed in aged schoolmasters , and sometimes in deacons , selectmen , or other potentates of that kind . A small piece of silver was my passport within his premises , where I found only one other person , hereafter to be described . `` This is a dull day for business , '' said the old gentleman , as he ushered me in ; `` but I merely tarry here to refresh the cattle , being bound for the camp-meeting at Stamford . '' Perhaps the movable scene of this narrative is still peregrinating New England , and may enable the reader to test the accuracy of my description . The spectacle -- for I will not use the unworthy term of puppet-show -- consisted of a multitude of little people assembled on a miniature stage . Among them were artisans of every kind , in the attitudes of their toil , and a group of fair ladies and gay gentlemen standing ready for the dance ; a company of foot-soldiers formed a line across the stage , looking stern , grim , and terrible enough , to make it a pleasant consideration that they were but three inches high ; and conspicuous above the whole was seen a Merry-Andrew , in the pointed cap and motley coat of his profession . All the inhabitants of this mimic world were motionless , like the figures in a picture , or like that people who one moment were alive in the midst of their business and delights , and the next were transformed to statues , preserving an eternal semblance of labor that was ended , and pleasure that could be felt no more . Anon , however , the old gentleman turned the handle of a barrel-organ , the first note of which produced a most enlivening effect upon the figures , and awoke them all to their proper occupations and amusements . By the self-same impulse the tailor plied his needle , the blacksmith 's hammer descended upon the anvil , and the dancers whirled away on feathery tiptoes ; the company of soldiers broke into platoons , retreated from the stage , and were succeeded by a troop of horse , who came prancing onward with such a sound of trumpets and trampling of hoofs , as might have startled Don Quixote himself ; while an old toper , of inveterate ill habits , uplifted his black bottle and took off a hearty swig . Meantime the Merry-Andrew began to caper and turn somersets , shaking his sides , nodding his head , and winking his eyes in as life-like a manner as if he were ridiculing the nonsense of all human affairs , and making fun of the whole multitude beneath him . At length the old magician -LRB- for I compared the showman to Prospero , entertaining his guests with a mask of shadows -RRB- paused that I might give utterance to my wonder . `` What an admirable piece of work is this ! '' exclaimed I , lifting up my bands in astonishment .
Indeed , I liked the spectacle , and was tickled with the old man 's gravity as he presided at it , for I had none of that foolish wisdom which reproves every occupation that is not useful XXXXX this world of vanities .
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