Roxy Hastings — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 99 Had the momentous inquiry been made? Alas! a few minutes were now to decide that question, and either to intensify the brilliant hopes which had been raised, or to quench them in the blackest despair. At twenty minutes past eight, it being now almost dark within the prison, and gray twilight without, Lee shook hands with Hartley, and bade him an affectionate farewell, and then, with his books beneath his arm, advanced with singular calmness to the door, and knocked. Then falling behind the negro, whose terror, unfortu- nately, became extreme at this moment, and threatened to betray the whole plot, he whispered : “ Brother Luke, look to your paper, and remember ‘Jay’s Exercises’ and ‘ Baxter’s Saints’ Rest.’ Be aman now.” The sound of withdrawing bolts was heard, the door Swung slowly open, and Hess partly entered; but at the same instant he started in evident surprise, and said, ad- dressing the disguised man: “Why, I thought Shaw said he had let you out. He did say so, I am sure.” “Yes, Massa Hess,” said Luke, at the same time thrust- ing the paper under his nose. “Brudder Brown went out to get a book, but he comed back agin; and now Massa Lee wants you to get dese books for him to-night, and bring ‘em to him arly to-morrow mornin’, and here’s de money to pay for’em. But he don’t want to be ’sturbed to-night. Can you read de names 2” , Hess, who from habit had glanced through the room and saw, as he supposed, the lieutenant at Hartley’s bedside, and the latter, as usual, in bed, now looked at the paper and began to spell out the name, while Alfred slowly walked past him, and stood in the hall, just outside of the prison door, where lamps were already lighted. Here he waited in awful suspense for Luke, but the latter lingered, trying to get the keeper out without his going any nearer to Hart- ley. “Oh, yes, I can read ’em, and if I can’t it don’t make any difference,” said the man, putting the paper in his pocket, and advancing into the room. “He wants you to send for ’em right away, before de stores shut up, Massa Hess,” said the negro, in a whisper, and catching hold of the soldier’s arm; “and he don’t want to be ’sturbed now, ’cause he readin’ and prayin’. De minister talk beautiful to him, and he berry much ’fected.” Still Hess advanced, and Louis, sliding from his seat, com (Q) boo cS (eo)