The Grinder Papers — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

THE GRINDER PAPERS. 207 Secondly: I might hev had him ef I would, and I’ve said a dozeh times tu him, when he sithed and looked tender, and told me how blest his existence had orter be ef he possessed my hand. F | ‘“No, sir, I couldn’t think o’ enterin’ intu conjugular rela- tions with a widiwer. Abandon the idee,” sez I, ‘‘and forgit Charity Grinder.” He couldn't, poor man, and he’s flowed. Fustly—I mean thirdly—he’s old enough to be my pa, and he: Wears a wig, and his opinions doesn't coinsist with mine. And thems the reasons I didn’t hev him, not because I coulin’t catch him. Dorinda Sniffin judges by herself. I didn’t mean to drive him out o’ his senses. [Fraps ef da known the effect my conduct would hev I shouldn't ha’ been so obdurate in my declension o him. But unless you hev the gift o prophesy ye can’t forsee events which is tu happen in the mor- tal world. I grieve tu ha’ caused the absconsion of Mandy's pa; but I couldn't give my hand where my heart hadn't went, and ef my refusal has driv him from his native land tu Bosting, I feel tu be sorry, but not to blame myself. As fur Dorinda Sniffin I pity and despise her. However, when yer life is spent in duin’ acts o’ benevolents, as mine is, its easy tu forget them that is narrer-minded enough tu talk agin you; and. at present my mind is occupied with a young woman o the name o Parten that lives jest opposite tu where I am stoppin’ with Gusty Gulliver, Ther re very nice people the Gullivers. She’s fashionable, GComicboo <S (e(0) m