Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

MINNIE’S LIBRARY. 39 o- “TJ wish,” said Constance, one afternoon, when every thing was fairly settled, “that we had some books, some music, some drawing, or, in short, any sort of recreation.” Minnie, whose face always brightened up at the mention of such things, made no reply except an involuntary, eager move- ment of her head, which was not unobserved by their guest. “ Really, a book would be a good thing these long days— especially to me,” returned Harris. “Tye got a few books up-stairs, which are at your service ; though of course you've read them all before,” was Minnie’s half reluctant offer. “Perhaps I haven't. I’m not a very universal reader. Tell me what they are, Miss Minnie.” “Qh,” said she, “I am very sure you have. They are very old books—father brought them with him when he came to this country ; and I fear they are no longer new to anybody who reads.” “T can guess what they are—tell me if I am right :—The Children of the Abbey, the Scottish Chiefs, Scott's Poems, Lalla Rookh, Pope’s Essay on Man, the History of Rome, and the old Columbia Reader. How near am I to your list, Minnie ?” . “ You're right, as far as you've gone,” she replied, smiling and blushing; “but there are a few others. The one I like as well as any, is an old Annual, full of pictures.” “You are fond of engravings, then? I’ve got some beauti- ful ones I should like to show you if they were here.” Minnie did not say that she would like to see them—only sighed a little, and half turned away her head, as if to avoid Showing her own desires so strongly. “By the way,” said Fletcher, roguishly, “ you are something of an artist yourself, aren't you ? I recollect seeing some charcoal sketches, when I first came here, on the chimney- back. Could they have been yours ?” This was too much for the shy Minnie’s fortitude. Casting one quick, blushing, tearful glance at her guest, she darted up the stairs to have a good cry, unseen. “I declare, Fletcher, you are too bad!” expostulated Con- stance. “ You should know Minnie is very sensitive on the subject of her lack of accomplishments.” comicbooks.com