The Yankee Champion — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

134 THE YANKEE CHAMPION. «+ said Luke; ‘‘an’ of course he ain’t no right to claim kin with such as you an’ your sweet sister be.”’ For some time the two picked their way through the dubious path in silence. ‘‘Luke,”’? at length asked Gideon, in a careful, guarded manner, ‘‘do you know who my father was?”’ The man started more nervously than before. and Gideon felt his hand tremble violently, but he re- ceived no answer. : “Did you know my father?” he repeated. | “Yes, Gideon, I did know him.”’ ‘‘And what became of him?’’ ‘‘He died!’’ faintly articulated Luke, while he seemed half choked by some strange emotion. . ‘‘How did he die?”’ ‘“‘T could not tell you, boy.”’ “Do you not know, Luke?’’ The boy could hear the quick, heavy brsakleaee of his companion, and he could feel the trembling of the big, hard hand that led him increase. ‘Don’t, for Heaven’s sake, Gideon, ask me any - more such questions. I’ve told you that Silas Ryan wasn’t your father, an’ I’ve saved you twice from his murderous hands. Why can’t you let that do?”’ ‘‘Because I would know more. Surely a child has a right to ask of his father.”’ “But I can’t tell you any more.’’ ‘‘And yet you know more, Luke.’’ ‘‘No more that I can tell.’’ “Oh, you must tell me. I know you will tell me more of my father.”’ ‘*No, Gideon.’’ “Luke, you have a kind heart; 5 know you have, or you wouldn’t thus befriend me.’’ comicbooks.com aT a - a —_ ; —s ce? = = J : i. . ‘ f . RS ee ae ee Te are Mee ee ee ot, See y ty -e £4 ee