Ruby's Reward — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

a ee eg eames 2 Nar tmNre en bewertggemrunrweerrennenanene yg Wiearwariere en “Cardy! you dont mean to tell me that they sell tickets for the show, do you 7? demanded the new-come, looking nonplussed ab this unexpected question. “Well, he added, “I wn beat; bub if that’s the game, I guess I can settle,” and plunging his hand into one of his capacious pockets he drew forth a handful of silver and held it out to the man, «There; help yourself,” he said; “TI sha'n't be particular about the amount, for, you see, I’ve come three hunid’r’ed miles to eeba squint at the chap that makes the hest verses that ever was writ, and FT can’t be disappointel, no how.” Thomas Jutferson Coffee cyed that hand- ful of vleaming silver wistfully, but shook his head with an air of grave 1ejection. “Tm afraid it won't do,” he replied, dubiously ; ‘‘you see, dis am a private receylion, and nobody can be admitted un- less he has a particular invitation.” “Jet,” called a sweet voice just at that instant, **come here a moment,” and, loohing up, the two men saw Ruby stand- inv not far from them. She had been passing through the hall justae the stranger entered, and she had caught something of what he had said. Jeil obeyed her call, and in a low tone explained what had occurred, while the young girl’s face dimpled with amusement, and her eyes gleamed with merriment over his account. comichooks.com