Beadle's Dime Novels No. 126: Old Jupe — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

LUKE. 13 or keeping bad company, he naturally sought the society of ladies during his unemployed hours. He had been introduced to Mary Miller at the house of a mutual friend, had danced with her often at balls, from the first admiring her more than any woman he ever had met. This summer—during a ces- sation of navigation for six weeks, owing to the low water— he employed his leisure to bring the acquaintance to a closer intimacy; and when he finally proposed for Mary’s hand, neither she nor her parents were inclined to refuse. Luke’s reputation stood high; he was considered a young man of unimpeachable honor; his business prospects were excellent, as, besides his liberal salary as mate, he had many opportunities for “ speculating,” which he had the sagacity to turn to advantage. Added to these sterling virtues, was a good share of manly beauty, and a certain grace of manner, caught from seeing so much of the world as came constantly under his observation. He was one of those “ gentlemanly ” oflicers of whom we always hear as being the objects of oc- casional cards of thanks from passengers, and of never want- ing compliments from “ dead-head” néwspaper correspondents, No wonder that simple, unsophisticated Mary Miller thought she had won the prince of men; nor that she should be an object of envy to many whose fathers had more of worldly goods than hers. The lovers were well matched; both hand- some, good, and very much attached to each other | Nettie; burning with silent jealousy of her younger sister, watched their happiness with smiling eyes, while resolved, if art could do it, to work mischief between them. She had, as if by some untoward fate, taken passage in the boat of which Luke was mate. Seeing her to be lonely and without a male protector, he had, during the ten days’ trip, been kind and attentive to the stranger. It was some time before he chanced to learn her name and destination ; when he found that she was not only a Miller, but the half-sister of his Mary, his heart warmed toward her; and, without telling her of his engagement, he proclaimed himself a friend of the family, and was go impressive in his attentions ag to awaken a deeper interest in Anette than he intended. “ Restless, unsettled, unhappy, tired of the past, and not know- ing What the future promised, she was quite in the mood to commiclboookks. conn