- description
- # Changing Disguise
## Overview
This subsection, titled "Changing Disguise," is part of Chapter XIII of a larger work. It details a character's discovery and examination of a scarecrow's wardrobe, which he intends to use as a disguise. The text describes the scarecrow's clothing and the items found in its pockets, contrasting them with the possessions of a wealthy squire. The passage also highlights the character's motivation for seeking a new, more inconspicuous outfit.
## Context
This subsection is extracted from the file `israel_potter.txt`, which is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It follows the subsection titled "[Encounter with the Scarecrow](arke:01KG8AK5MYMCE5PDJ72BHGY454)" and precedes a subsection also titled "HIS ESCAPE FROM THE HOUSE, WITH VARIOUS ADVENTURES FOLLOWING." This section is situated within the broader narrative of [CHAPTER XIII. HIS ESCAPE FROM THE HOUSE, WITH VARIOUS ADVENTURES FOLLOWING.](arke:01KG8AJJ261FWJ1RK528BTY9AX).
## Contents
The text describes the scarecrow as being composed of a "cocked hat, bunged; tattered coat; old velveteen breeches; and long worsted stockings, full of holes," all stuffed with straw and supported by a framework. The protagonist, Israel, finds items such as a tobacco-box lid, a broken pipe bowl, rusty nails, and wheat kernels in the scarecrow's pockets. He then compares these to the squire's pockets, which contained a handkerchief, spectacle case, and a purse with over five pounds. Israel's decision to change clothes is driven by the need to avoid detection, emphasizing the advantage of wearing "wretched" clothing when trying to remain unnoticed.
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- Changing Disguise
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- text
- Not a little relieved by the discovery, our adventurer paused, more
particularly to survey so deceptive an object, which seemed to have
been constructed on the most efficient principles; probably by some
broken down wax figure costumer. It comprised the complete wardrobe of
a scarecrow, namely: a cocked hat, bunged; tattered coat; old velveteen
breeches; and long worsted stockings, full of holes; all stuffed very
nicely with straw, and skeletoned by a frame-work of poles. There was a
great flapped pocket to the coat—which seemed to have been some
laborer’s—standing invitingly opened. Putting his hands in, Israel drew
out the lid of an old tobacco-box, the broken bowl of a pipe, two rusty
nails, and a few kernels of wheat. This reminded him of the Squire’s
pockets. Trying them, he produced a handsome handkerchief, a
spectacle-case, with a purse containing some silver and gold, amounting
to a little more than five pounds. Such is the difference between the
contents of the pockets of scarecrows and the pockets of well-to-do
squires. Ere donning his present habiliments, Israel had not omitted to
withdraw his own money from his own coat, and put it in the pocket of
his own waistcoat, which he had not exchanged.
Looking upon the scarecrow more attentively, it struck him that,
miserable as its wardrobe was, nevertheless here was a chance for
getting rid of the unsuitable and perilous clothes of the Squire. No
other available opportunity might present itself for a time. Before he
encountered any living creature by daylight, another suit must somehow
be had. His exchange with the old ditcher, after his escape from the
inn near Portsmouth, had familiarized him with the most deplorable of
wardrobes. Well, too, he knew, and had experienced it, that for a man
desirous of avoiding notice, the more wretched the clothes, the better.
For who does not shun the scurvy wretch, Poverty, advancing in battered
hat and lamentable coat?
- title
- Changing Disguise