The Wrong Man — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

HEZEKIAH. 20 Socio ge to assist whoever might be there, when it slowly o and a lar country bumpkin made his appearance. fle was about a dozen years old, with a flaxen head, great star- _ ing eyes, as round and clear as globes of glass, and enormous - mouth, constantly open, disclosing a fine set of even teeth. _ His coat was evidently his father’s, for the skirt hung nearly to _ his feet, and was of a deep, dusky-brown color, Every now and then he drew the sleeve of this across a fat pug-nose, accom- _ enyene the motion by a shutting of his eyes, and a snuff, as though the sleeve were filled with a sweet perfume. His hands were incase1 in prodigious mittens, while the boots he wore, if made for him, were designed, apparently, to fit him when he came to man’s estate. He shat the door by backing against it,and then stared a - minute round the room, with that wandering, aimless look so peculiar to children. As his eye rested upon Mr. Perkins, who did not notice him, he started, bolt upright, and moved Upto the bar. It was plain he was one of the schoolmaster’s ‘pupils. OP Well, sir, what do you want? Some toddy?’ asked the _ postmaster, with a smirk and a desperate attempt to be witty. “No,” replied the boy, giving that heavy, aspirating sound, - and meaningless grin, which are so natural to boyhood when ~ placed in similar circumstances, _ “What is it then?” = * Ts there a letter for George Washington Jefferson Franklin - Madison Smitb ?”’ . *No, sir—nene for him.” _ “ Ain’t thar’ none there for Melinda Isabella Almina Smith ?” “Yfere’s one for her—Miss Malinda I. A. Smith. I s’pose that’s her, ain” it?” _ Instead of sy eaking, the rapidly nodded his head up and _ down about a dozen times, then snuffed and drew his sleeve . oe his nose. nd ee the — in both monet Bee posi _ of departing, s.ood looking at the postmaster, as i erran was still sc, here] __ “ Well, sir, ic there any thing more ?” _ ®Sue said if thar’s a letter o’ hern here, I mustn’t tell any one +, = ity, eur . 1 4? fe * _ it's from that «2° raftsman who staid a few days at our house this spring, a1 .) I hain’t told you, have I?” “Ob, no—r ‘t at all.” _ _ The boy s-cmed highly pleased, and was about to depart, _ When Mr. Pe.l-ins, ing straight into the fire before him, Cc Ee 4 i a. omicbooks.com)