The Land Claim — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

A DAUGHTER'S GRIEF. 25 folks mixed up in sich scrapes; they allus take on so, a man feels mighty bad to see ’em.” Allen made no reply. He was thinking of the part he must act in this sorrowful business, and feeling beforehand how that young creature would hate him as her father’s accuser, and what desolation he should be instrumental in bringing upon her. “Why, she’s nothing but a child,” remarked another man, peering over the constable’s shoulders. “JT wonder if she’s all the housekeeper Newcome had—the old wretch !” “J don’t see where she got her beauty from,” was the com- ment of the third person; “ she’s mighty pretty, that’s “Sit down, gentlemen, if you please,” said Allen, a little impatiently ; “you keep the fresh air from her.” “She’s a-comin’ to now,” observed the constable, as he walked to the porch and sat down on the steps. ‘The other men had less delicacy, and hung about, as near as they felt it safe, in the neighborhood of the reviving girl. Allen wanted to thrash them; but restrained his indignation by silence. Carefully as a woman he arranged and composed the disordered dress, watching for the first convulsive signs of recovery, which were heralded by frequent faint moanings. “ Oh, my father!” at last broke from the pale lips. Several tirhes was the expression repeated ere she opened her eyes, to impart resolution and strength. She instantly raised herself to a sitting posture and restrained her moans, though the tears now rolled over her pale cheeks in a shower. “ Be comforted, Miss Newcome,” said Allen ; “ your father is well and safe for the present. Providence may show some way of clearing him yet; at all events, it is too early to despair.” The constable, coming in to inquire if she was better, overheard the latter part of this attempt at consolation. “La! yes, Miss. It isn’t half the men as is accused that gets any thing proven agin ‘em. Like as not this may turn out to be accidental shooting, at the worst.” “Js i¢ true, then, that my father killed some one?” cried cCommiclooksaconn