Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

9 NAT’S GOOD-BY. 83 witnesses.” A day er two before her going, he watched his opportunity, and surprised her bidding good-by to her little island. “T am glad to see you in this place, Minnie,” he said, husk- ily ; “ because it was just here I seen you, the last time I ever did see the little Fawn—that’s the night afore your cousin came. I used to think I could get to be something worthy of you; but that’s all past now, and you’ve growed clear out of my reach. I hope you'll like your new ways when you get to livin’ in the city ; and I hope you will always be as happy as you are good and beautiful. There’s something I meant to buy you a present with ”—handing her a twenty dollar gold piece—“ but I didn’t see just the thing I wanted ; so you must get it yourself in New York ;—a little gold chain —real good fine gold—and a little heart to wear on it, around our neck.” “Oh Nat, I thank you; but I can not take your money— it’s too much !” “ No it isn’t too much, considerin’ who and what it’s for. I’ve got no other use for it; and would rather it should be hangin’ around your neck, than to be anywhere else.” “ But it would buy land, Nat; or something nice for your housekeeping.” “T don’t want no land—and I never shall have no house- keepin’. If you won't take it, Minnie, I'll throw it in the ” creek. “J will take it, Nat—and get what you desire with it.” “ Good-by, then, Minnie. We used to be more like brother and sister than like strangers—mayn’t I kiss your cheeks, for good-by ?” Minnie could not help blushing; but she very frankly pre- and received as pure a kiss of sented her cheek to his lips, ‘ love as man ever gave woman, humble though was the giver. And -that was Nat's farewell. ; The partings were all over at last. Minnie had cried a good deal at leaving her parents 80 lonely—yet she could not turn back ; so strange is the desire of youth to see the great world and try its paths for itself. 7” comicbhooks.com