Roxy Hastings — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

“~ 146 ROXY HASTINGS. but perhaps I shall find use for it one of these days, when I get that wife you speak of.” “Oh, undoubtedly.” - They were on the river now, and Jedediah, who sat on the front seat, facing the lady, could not avoid seeing how beautiful she was; how much in keeping with the rich in- terior of the vehicle; how she lighted it all up with her smiles, and gave a fresh charm to the very upholstery. | He warmed up wonderfully, said some gallant things, and, when they had crossed, proposed a drive down the river road. ‘‘But the children?” said the widow. “Oh, I forgot. Yes, we might call and see them first. You won’t be long, I suppose ?” ‘Why, the dear little fellows always expect quite a visit from me on Saturdays, which is their holiday, but as I~ have brought them some ‘goodies,’ perhaps they’ll let me off while they are eating them.” “Hem! There’s a confectionary store, now. Allow me to add something to your store, and then they will give us the more time.” “Thank you. Icannot refuse your kindness, though | must limit my boys to small rations of such luxuries.” __ ‘They stopped, and Burr purchased pound after pound of the choicest candies, two loaf-cakes sugared and fruited, and a couple of costly toys. : ‘“We’ll buy them off,” he said, laughing, as the packages were carried out and placed in the carriage; ‘‘we’ll buy them off, unless they’re a pair of unreasonable little toads.” ‘“Oh, they’ll be in ecstasies !” said the widow, radiating delight from her eyes, and cheeks, and teeth, and looking as if she thought of nothing in the world but her children’s happiness.” Simple Jedediah believed it, and admired her all the . more. They were not long in driving to the boarding- school, where, having been shown into the parlor, they awaited the children, who had to be sent for from an ad- jacent play-ground ; and the visitors were, meanwhile, en- tertained by the lady of the principal, a solemn visaged woman, with a descant upon the varied merits of the two pupils, including their docility and their wonderful pro- gress in learning. | They came soon, rushing breathlessly in, each emulous to get the first kiss. and a pretty pair of curly-headed chaps they were, of whom any mother might have been proud. — My Franky ! my Freddy !” exclaimed the widow, hug- | Gomircbooks.<co