The Land Claim — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

A PRACTICAL JOKE. 13 “Tet me finish,” said Squire. “We'll just step out long enough to give him time to come in and eat, and, when the fatal deed is done, we will reappear in time to assure him he has just eaten our wo#f-bait, strychnine and all. Lord! won't it be fun to see his roaring and kicking? for he will be frightened to death.” “ Good,” cried Doc. “Excellent,” echoed Flag. “But we must hurry, for I -hear his whistle already.” “There goes the stuff on the table. Let's run now, boys.” Doe quite forgot his back-ache, and was lively as a cricket, while the others were not behind. | “Where are you going?” called Ed, who at that moment came within hail. ; “ Going if Newcome isn’t staking his claim by moonlight,” Squire, cheerfully; “be back again directly.” The three retired to a safe distance, and discussed the best manner of giving the alarm. The ting Ed lunched off the broken remains of the supper with the relish of a hungry man, and then betook himself to a newspaper jresh from the “ States,” whose date made it two weeks old. é' “You are late this evening, Ed,” remarked Squire, as the conspirators returned ; “ got any news?” “ Not much; some interesting letters here That's pretty much all that’s worth reading two ek after eeuP Confounded bore to be deprived of t “*Tis so; but then a fellow soon gets used in habit.” _ | “Yes, like every thing else,” rejoined Doc. “Had any supper, Ed?” “ Well, I helped myself to the leavings ;* guess that'll do.” The Doctor gave a start, and turned to survey the table. “Good heaven! did you eat that stuff on the table?” “T eat some meat and bread, to be sure I did. But what is the matter? You all look as if you had the palsy.” “You're a dead man!” exclaimed Doc, sinking upen one of the benches. conmiclooolkS. Cin. f