Roxy Hastings — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 29 are all as poor as beggars. We took Roxy out of charity, like, but she wasn’t brought up to work, and don’t take to it. She shall, though, if she stays here.” ‘‘Her father is dead, then?” “Ves, He was a shiftless fellow—a music teacher and a fine gentleman; always going to be rich; eddicatin’ his daugthers like princesses, and then dyin’ and leavin’ on ‘em. beggars.” “How long has your niece been with you?” “ About a year.” “How do Mrs. Hastings and the other daughters get a living ?” “Taw knows, I don’t. I believe Anna gives music les- sons, and the old one takes in sewing. But wife says they’ve got to give up their nice rooms, and go to a tene- ment-house, and that then Anna can’t keep her scholars. Roxy had a letter from them, and has been eryin’ about it. She’s been hoping to go and live with them one of these days, but she’d better stay where she 1s, if she knows when she’s well off. She’s got a home now.” Charley’s mind was instantly made up. He would go to Philadelphia next day and relieve the pressing need of Mrs. Hastings, and Roxy should go with him if she would, and if her uncle and aunt consented. If not he would at least bargain for her immunity from menial work, and for her being treated as a boarder until her mother or sister could come after her. Full of these generous designs, he resolved to communi- eate them at once to his pretty benefactress, for he felt that he had a heavy debt to discharge, and that he could not begin too soon. ‘May I see Miss Hastings?” he asked, for it was evening now, and Roxy was at her scullion’s work in the kitchen. ‘Miss Hastings!” said the squire, with a euffaw, which was echoed by his wife and two daughters in various tones. - “Miss Hastings! That’s pretty good! Oh, yes, you shall see her, sir. Rachel, call Miss Hastings.” Rachel giggled and went to the kitchen door, which she opened. | “Miss Hastings,” she said, with a broad grin, “Mr. Lee wants to see you in ‘the other room.” Roxy came in with her apron on and her sleeves rolled up, and stood looking at the company as if awaiting orders of some kind. “Please to come in and take a seat, Miss Roxana,” said Charley, handing her a chair. ‘1 want to talk to you about ‘boo (@) S) (E(0) com