Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

12 . THE DOOMED HUNTER. days since. But I have my house and farm—that is to be— paid for now, and I have been thinking that I might as well conclude to marry and settle down for life !” The last words were spoken somewhat hesitatingly, and the earnest eyes of the speaker sought the floor again, while a deep blush suffused his handsome face. But the unpleasant sensation quickly passed away, and he looked the shrewd fur- dealer respectfully in the face, as the latter returned : “ By all means. J was married afore I was old as you are this blessed minute! I don’t believe in any man’s waitin’ till the last crack of doomsday! If you want to git married and take comfort, why dew it, that’s my style. And if there’s any thing Ican do to help the matter along, jest name it, and I will lend you a hand.” “Thank you, sir, for the kindness. JI have found the wo- man to make me happy through life, and if you will but give your consent to our marriage, all will be very near to com- pletion.” “Wal, why don’t ye say on?” demanded J ehonikam, who evidently suspected what was comiug, as the young man stop- ped, and his eyes again sought the floor. ‘“ Whatis your pur- pose in coming to me about it at all?” “The lady I love is your daughter, sir. I have come to ask your consent to our marriage !” “What is that I hear?’ demanded the enraged parent. “Do you dare come to me with such a proposal ?” “ T dare nothing of the kind, sir,” replied Ralph, from whom all signs of fear and trembling had now departed. “TI mere- ly came to present our mutual wishes, and ask your sanction !” “Your mutual wishes, indeed! I should like to have you tell me the meaning of that word. You don’t suppose for one minute that my Nancy would think of marrying such a wild | man as yourself!” “T feared such would be the case,” ‘returned Ralph. “But as she sent me to you, after saying she loved me and was will- ing to become my wife—” “ Bosh | bosh !” interrupted Jehonikam, assuming a confiden- tial tone. “ The girl was only making gammon of you, Ralph. She has a lover in the Hast, one that will make her a worthy husband, and she knowsit. She never would have said any ad connicloooks.comn)