The Yankee Champion — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE YANKEE CHAMPION. | © sent forth the messenger of death. I know it, for I aimed at his heart, and I saw him when he dropped.”’ | A bright light passed over the old man’s fopkueee and he grasped his son more tightly by the hand. ‘““Walter,’’ he said, “‘go to my closet and bring me ‘the sword that hangs there.” _ | | The young man obeyed, and when he returned he bore in his hand the desired weapon. It was evi- dently an old sword, but age had not impaired it, either in value or appearance. The scabbard was of black leather, heavily guarded and mounted with silver, and the hilt was also of ,silver. ‘‘Let me take it,’’ said Nixon. The weapon was handed to him, and he tried: to draw the blade; but his strength was not equal to the task, and he handed it back. | ‘‘Draw the made; > he said, “‘for I am too fox gone to handle it now.’ Walter unsheathed the weapon, and as it flashed in the light, the old man put forth his hand and grasped it by the hilt. The blade was long and > heavy, and the edges were as sharp as ever. ; ‘“My son,’’ the old man continued, ‘‘this weapon was my father’s. He gave it to me when he was on his death-bed, and made me promise to keep it — bright, and never-to use it save when honor or dire necessity called for it. I have kept my promise faithfully, though I have not often had occasion to — use the sword. Now, Walter, I give it into your keeping, and I feel sure that I trust itto one who ~ will never tarnish its brightness by a dishonorable _ deed.’’ | | ‘Your confidence, dear father, shall never be — abused,” said the young man, as he took the sword, — comicbooks. co