Beadle's Dime Novels No. 97: The Doomed Hunter — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

hal AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. 11 when he was foremost in the little chureh, where a simple- minded divine dealt out stereotyped truths from Sunday to Sunday. As Jehonikam only ate and slept at home, it is but natural that we should find him in the store the monient we introduce the opening scene of our story. A counter ran from one side of the apartment to the other, a rude writing-desk rising at one extremity, at which Jehonikans was busy with a greasy ; ac- count-book. But two others were in the store at the time, one of whom immediately took his leave, with a small bundle, the proceeds of his barter with the merchant. The other was a tall and muscular young man, clad in the ordinary garb of ahunter. He was leaning against the count- er, his dark eyes bent upon the floor in a deep study. Occa- sionally he glanced up at the merchant, who remained for some minutes busy with his accounts, then turned his gaze again upon the floor. After he had waited for some time Jehonikam closed his book, rolled up the furs for which he had just made a shrewd bargain, and tossed them into a drawer, which he care- fully locked. Having nothing else to occupy his attention, he now turned to the man who had been awaiting his some- what tardy movements. “Wal, Ralph,” he said, in tones which sounded almost harsh, “ you said you wanted to consult with me a little. I don’t know’s Tye any thing on hand jest at this particular minute. So if you'll say right off what is bier Pil try and see what can be done for ye.”. “True, I asked for your private ear a minute,” the other said, hesitatingly, “Ihave come to you upon a matter such as I never spoke of before. I don’t know but you'll think I’m rather bold to ask you for such a great favor.” Ralph Rilley paused, evidently at a loss how to proceed, which Jehonikam perceived, and came to his rescue promptly. =e Never mind Ralph, ” he said, “If you want any advance on your next lot o’ fur, or any thing out o’ the store, don’t be afeard to speak right up. I know you too well to be afeard to trust ye.” _ “No, sir; that is not it’ was the quick reply. “I have yet some money, though I paid 708 ga a sum, for me, a few conniclooolks.eormn)