Beadle's Dime Novels No. 38: The Wrong Man — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

minute around the room, with that wandering, aimless look so peculiar to children. As his eye rested upon Mr. Perkins, who did not notice him, he started, bolt upright, and moved up tothe bar. It was plain he was one of the schoolmaster’s upils. ret Well, sir, what do you want? Some toddy?” asked the master, with a smirk and a desperate attempt to be witty. “No,” replied the boy, giving that heavy, aspirating sound, and meaningless grin, which are so natural to boyhood when laced in similar circumstances. _ «“ What is it then ?” “Ts there a letter for George Washington Jefferson Franklin Madison Smith ?” “ No, sir—none for him.” * Ain’t thar none there for Melinda Isabella Almina Smith ?” ere’s one for her—Miss Malinda I. A. Smith. I s’pose her, ain’t it ?” of speaking, the boy rapidly nodded his head up © wn about a dozen times, then snuffed and drew his across his nose. He took the letter in both hands, but, of departing, stood looking at the postmaster, as if his was still unfinished. ‘ “ Well, sir, is there any thing more ” “ Sue gaid if thar’s a letter o’ hern here, I mustn’t tell any one it’s from that ar raftsman what staid a few days at our house this spring, and I hain’t told you, have I?” “Oh, no—not at all.” The boy seemed highly pleased, and was about to depart, Wnen Mr. Perkins, looking straight into the fire before him, called out : “ Hezekiah !” _“What—eh—sir, sir ?” answered the urchin, looking toward him, 88 if he expected to be whipped for some offense. Why wasn’t you at school yesterday? I’m afraid you played hooky.» oa a a, I didn’t. I don’t play hooky no mure since you “Tm licked me so.” . M glad to hear it. What, then, was the immediate and 3 38 2 o comcbdooks.com + oa eee Sk