Beadle's Dime Novels No. 120: The Hunchback — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

a THE DWARF’S HOME.’ 15 look with which the other regarded him: “There is strength in this misshapen trank of mine, and my limbs are of full size. This 4s my castle. Let us enter. Here I am: safe. The Indians know my dwelling, but they will not harm me, for they think that the finger of the Great Spirit has been laid upon me.” He threw open the door, and they passed in together. The room was dark, but he quickly ignitéd a fat pine knot, and thrust one end into a crevice in the side of the hut. Looking about him, Stanton saw to his surprise many evi- dences of a cultivated taste. There were books upon a low, rough table, which would have been quite beyond the intelli- gence of an ordinary man, and one of those clumsy editions Of the Bible common in those times was placed carefully on ashelf out of the reach of prying fingers, together with a Book of Common Prayer and a Psalmist. He had several chairs, made by twisting tough branches together in various directions, and one of these he offered his guest, while he sat down and split some fine sticks for making. a fire. This done, he placed them in the fireplace, and lighted them with a flint and steel. When they were kindled, he piled on more wood, and soon had a blazing fire. Going to a set of shelves covered by a cloth curtain, he took out somé venison steaks, and began to prepare supper. As he bustled about on this cheerful errand, seldom looking at his guest, the latter could not help comparing him with the fabled Genii of Turkish tales. His rough face kindled into a smile, and he worked away zealously. From a deep receptacle under the floor, he took out some potatoes; and put them in the ashes to roast. When his steaks were done, he took them up on a wooden plate, and placed them on the low table, and then raked up the ashes to look at his potatoes. "When they were done, he placed other plates for himself and guest, brought water in a carved wooden goblet, and the meal was ready. Since they had entered he had not said a word, and he now signified by a nod that supper waited. He seemed intent upon the com- fort of his guest, helped him bountifully, pressed more upon him, until he refused to eat longer. Then he cleared away the dishes, washed them, and was ready to tell his story. ? connicloooks.€c©