Roxy Hastings — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

30 ROXY HASTINGS. your mother and sister in Philadelphia, whom I intend to see to-morrow, if—if you will give me their address.” ‘“My mother and sister!” replied Roxy, with a surprised and pleased look. She took the offered seat, and pulling down her sleeves, without noticing the rude staring and whisperings of her cousins, she said: ‘“You are very kind, sir, to interest yourself in them.” “Your uncle has told me about their embarrassment and your distress for them. I can relieve them, and I wish you to write to them to make sure that they will ac- cept the aid which I have to offer.” ~ ‘‘Oh, they’ll take all they can git,” said the squire; # ‘‘you needn’t be afraid of thei.” “They have already suffered the humiliation of-receiv- ing charity,” said the girl, without noticing her unfeeling relative, ‘‘and I—what further abasement can I know? I will write to them.” “Would not you like to go to them ?” ‘“Would I? Oh, sir, can you ask? I have not seen my mother in a year; it seems ten.” a “With me, I mean, to-morrow?” | : “There, stop that,” said Rooke; “that’s goin’ too far, ag thatis. The gal ain’t a-goin’ with you.” oa “T should think not,” added Polly and Betsey, in a of breath. “You are answered,” replied the subdued girl, “by those who I suppose have a right to speak for me at present.” ‘Are you her guardian?” Lee asked of the farmer. “T’m her uncle, and her nat’ral purtector, sir, at pres- ent.” “Very well. If then her mother or sister should come for her she can go, I suppose ?” Be “Yes, if they are fools enough for that; but I advise Be you not to be meddlin’ and makin’ mischief in families, 2 young man.” of “T only seek to benefit her, sir.” a “Yes, yes; I know—we all know what it means, when : a young chap like you wants to benefit a poor girl.” i “T scorn your insinuation, sir, but I acknowledge your a right to forbid your niece going with me—a stranger to a you all. She shall not go, then; but, as she will be sure to ae leave you soon have you any objection to releasing her 9 | from all obligations to do your household work, and keep- — ing her‘simply as a boarder on the most liberal terms, Eomicbooks:.com