Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

254 A LIVING SAINT. delay, the panting and now thoroughly cowed brutes were taken to food and shelter. The stage was drawn to the side of the road, while the men were reharnessing. ‘‘Did any one ever see the like?’’ uttered young Derby, who had been rendered speechless for fully five minutes. “To think o’ those there horses getting home straight, af- ter all. Poor Matt’s done for, though. There’s his cap on the seat. Who’s going to look inside? ’Clare to goodness I just an’t got the nerve.’’ As if in answer to the question, his father stepped up and threw the door wide open. A mingled odor of candle grease and fur floated out on the crisp morning air. ‘It’s all dark!’’ exclaimed young Derby, shivering. ‘‘Most likely it’s full 0’ dead people, too. Come away, pa, it’s the worst kind o’ luck to see a corpse before break- fast.”’ In spite of this injunction, however, one by one the men cautiously approached, young Derby shrinkingly bringing up the rear, with a very pallid countenance. ‘“‘Lordy me!’ he exclaimed, starting back with chatter- ing teeth, as the old man, witha snort of disgust at the cowardice of his offspring, swung himself in. The snow had so blocked the windows that he could see nothing at first, but his eyes becoming accustomed to the semi-darkness, he was able presently to distinguish the three passengers.. The priest was almost entirely hidden by rugs, so that only his forehead and one arm were ex- posed to view. The other two were side by side, Rose’s head reclining upon Dick’s shoulder. Her hat had fallen to the floor, and her hair enwrapped them both like a cloak. CORNIELOOO KS, EC) im