The Wrong Man — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

REPAIRING THE BIT. 82 = ewer, and those minutes had grown almost into an hour, and ey came not, it must be confessed there was little won- still der that their hearts became greatly alarmed. The business which had detained Enoch Sediey all day from his home was to complete an arrangement for the sale of hia farm with a person who resided several miles distant This object was at last accomplished, though at the expense of mere time than had been anticipated; and the sun was not tar above the western horizon when the old man set out on his re- 3 turn. . His road lay along the summit of the bluffs ; he had pro- ~ ceeded at a fast gait and without interruption as far as the wild- > looking bridge which spanned an abrupt gap between two of _ them, when, in jerking the rein of his horse, which manifested - gome reluctance to cross the rude structure, the bridje-bit broke, This accident rendered it age? to dismount, and contrive some means of rica, it. While he was thus engaged, Na- than Dodge, returning from one of his peddling excursions, . Why. what’s the matter, neighbor Sedley ?”” asked he, stop- : his horse, and getting off from the box. “T rather guess ve broke down, or something, ain't you ?” “Ah, Nathan,” replied the old man, “ you're just the person I should have wished for. I dare say, now, you have something about you that I can fasten this bit with, so that it will hold to- gether till I get home. - The peddier thrust his hand into one of his pockets, and drew thence a handful of miscellaneous rubbish. Sedley selected _ What suited his plage and Dodge retnrned the others to his _ pocket. As he did so, his eyes, ever turning inquisitive glances _ _ Imaill directions, fell upon the stirrup-strap of Sedley’s saddle. There was something fn its appearance which fixed his atten- tion for a moment, when he moved rvund to the other side of the horse, as if to examine the opposite stirrup-leather. _~ “Well, now, I vow that’s strange!” ejaculated he between his teeth; and he stepped to his wagon-box, whence he direct- ~ at with the very strap that had been fastened round ae of but holding it in such a way that the flap of his coat covered it from sight. Sedley was too busy repair- ) his bridle to pay heed to the motions of the peddler. | Well, neighbor Sedley,” said he, “I kind o’ guess your _ étirrap-leathers ain't fellows. This one this side is a right ; a one. I should like to know what's come of the mateh on _ “TF igst it in the woods a long time ago,” said the old man, ~ not with the question. “Phat was bad,” returned the peddler, “because you don’t Sects mig fou have low it this wooden country. Where " 4 i a ae Gomicbooks.com F — — ¥ : gels . ; -" . = com 3 ~~ a a