Beadle's Dime Novels No. 96: Little Moccasin — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

A STORY WANTED. — || fhrust out suddenly, _ &3 if the proprietor had been pulled in by the legs. ) “So much for listening !” said somebody within. “Yes, deacon,” said Charley ; “ ever saw wood with a ham- mer, hey 2—ever pick your teeth with a flat-iron ?—where’s your gumption, dearest?—no more sprawl in. you than— high !—keep your fist to yourself, man, if you don’t want to be pitched through that winder.” Another obstreperoas haw, haw! “ Jiss to thinke o’ the major complainin’ o’ the cold lI—a feller that wouldn’t mind bein’ packed in ice for a whole win- ter—halloo here they come!” And they ail withdrew from the fire, and left an empty bench for them, with a large heap of roasted potatoes, just taken out of the burning ashes, and a plenty of salt fish in strips, and a firkin of butter within reach. “By my faith !’ exclaimed Gage, “ but this is more than we bargained for. Thank you, boys—but help yourselves; and now,” throwing his legs over a sort of clothes-horse, upon which two or three shaggy great-coats, and a buffale-robe, and lots of leggings and yarn stockings were steaming, till the atmosphere was -like tliat of a great wash-room at midsum- mer; “and now,” casting his eyes over the walls of the camp, and over the .hunting and fishing gear, and guns and shot-pouches, atid showy blankets, and moose-antlers, and wolf-skins that were hung upon the logs, and then over the upturned countenances of the men, as if taking an inventory of their possessions, “and now—what say you for one more story, boys, before we turn in for the night ?” “By all means! Hurrah for Cap’n Bob! That's your sort !” answered several voices. | “Well—whose turn is it?” - “The majors! Hurrah for the major?’ But the major shook his head. “ No, no,” said he; “ my day for story-telling has gone by; life has got to be too seri- ous a'matter at my age— “At your age !—the spryest man arnong us, by all odds ” said Hannaford. “That I have had some strange adventures, and some ter- rible escapes, I am willing to acknowledge; but after the s ; Peace