Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

112 THE PRISONER OF LA VINTRESSE. you, and he has been talking with me this half-hour. He knew Minerva and all her family.” The farmer hastened in, followed by his’-daughter, whose attention had been powerfully attracted by the handsome face of the stranger. It was Senor Abrates who introduced himself to the farmer, He had heard of the abduction, he said, and, being interested in the young lady, had come to see what he could learn about it. He had been, in earlier years, a playmate of Senorita de Monserate, and both his sister and himself regretted the unpleas- ant turn which the affairhad taken. Understanding, to some ex- tent at least, how matters stood, he believed that the senorita had been forcibly carried away; and the probability of her fate, if she were in the hands of Don Carlos’ deceiving agent, filled him with dismay, for he did not believe the latter was at all scrupulous in the fulfillment of his engagements, nor could he believe him under oath. This testimony placed matters in the most unfavorable light. Tender-hearted Jessie walked to the window to hide her tears, and the old farmer, resting his cheek on his brown hand, mused silently. At last he said fervently : “ Well, I believe ’'m one of the Old Testament Christians, for I’m dreadful apt to take judgment in my own hands where I think the Lord allows it. And Ive got the faith of those times, too, as well, for I believe the God of Moses will protect that poor child; ay, and bring my son back to me from a foreign land. It may not seem’ consistent to say that I shall pray for this, when you may hear, maybe, t knocked down that Spanish puppy at the hotel up yon r his insolence ; but my blood is quick, and the man deserved it. Think of his calling his niggers to order me—me out of-his room.. ['d do it again.” ' Senor Abrates laughed heartily. “That makes the second time,” he said. — , “Why, what do you mean? queried the old farmer. “Your son did the same service for him, so I have under- stood, when, through his contrivance, he was ordered to prison.” “Ah!” said the old man, thoughtfully, “is thatso? Her- man was always a plucky boy, but I never knew him to fight. comiliclooks.com