José — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 109 about the place, began a series of surveys and measurements. The overseer of the improvements on the property was an old Scotchman, named Mc- Allister, under whose supervision the servants, Mexicans and half-breeds, were wont to perform their duties; whose relations to the original pro- prietor, however, had been more those of a friend and adviser than of an employee; and it is safe to presume that for the first time in his experience he now became a witness of operations whose purport and tendency he was at a loss to surmise. Four weeks possibly had elapsed since the arrival of young McGregor and his companion, when both prepared to take their departure; but it was not until the night preceding the day set that the former deigned to honor the trusty old overseer with an explanation. They met apparently by accident at an _ inspection of supplies. McGregor placed the other’s arm in his and conducted him with a few words to an upper room. “Sit down, sir; light a fresh cigar, and let us chat a while,” he said, arrived here, casting himself into one of the chimney chairs, the handiwork of some of the men of all trades about the establishment. “You were my father’s best friend, McAllister,” he continued, when the old Scotchman had silently obeyed his instructions, with his eyes fastened ex- pectantly on the face of the young proprietor, “and I hope that you will permit me to continue to enjoy the advantage of your experience; but it is impossi- ble for me to continue this life of solitary confine- ment like my father who buried himself here for goudness knows what peculiar reasons of his own. Possibly you do not approve my ideas, but you will © Eomichbooks (E(0)