The Dugdale Millions — page 222: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

maiz THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. much worn as you will perceive ; also that the seal is so battered that the insignia is almost undecipher- able. I am well enough acquainted with these things to know that it is a ring of rare make, but I cannot see that any proof exists in it.” It was passed from hand to hand and returned to him. “Then,” he went on, “there is here a bit of poetry addressed to one ‘ Lote,’ whoever that may be, which seems to have been keyed in the sentiment that the ‘world’s well lost for love.’ It intimates that that is what the writer bas done, yet is well content.” This was passed around. As Dick took it he said: “Tote was the given name of Edmund Dugdale’s wife.” “Ah! It is proof then, to a certain degree,” said Mr. Stanton. “Then here is another bit of poetry in the same hand, addressed to a newly-born babe, wherein the writer upbraids the father for having forfeited the place in the world which he received at his birth, so that he could not transmit it to the child for whose existence he was responsible.”’ ‘Tt can be made to work into the proof effectively,” remarked Mr. Stanton. “Here is a sheet of paper,’ he went on, “upon which was begun a statement, in which evidently the writer proposes to give the essential particulars of his life. It begins: ‘“‘¢T propose, while strength is yet permitted me, to set down the important facts and events of my life. My days are numbered upon this earth. I am convinced that I shall soon follow in the way of my wife, await- ing me, who is in Heaven, where so good a woman must be.’”’ Comicbookks C@ 3