The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. . Be ‘* And who'd employ me?” demanded the Hack, impatiently puffing away at the dirty short pipe stuck between his teeth. “I have not heard that you have started in business yet,” he added with a sneer; “so it’s no use applying to you.” *“T am not so sure of that,”’ observed the weaver. The fellow opened his eyes and looked upon the speaker as if he was not certain that he had heard him rightly ; gave an aditional puff, but remained silent. “ First,” said Tim, “ will you answer me?” Yes.” “¢ Truly ?” You know I must!’ exclaimed the man, impatiently ; ““go what’s the use of beating about the bush—you’ve got the whip-hand of me, and you can make me show just what pace you please. Speak out.” ‘‘Has Marjoram been asking you any questions respecting me ?”’ ‘‘ Humph! ye—yes.” “ T thought as much—what were they?” ‘‘ He wanted something as an excuse to lay hold of you—to justify a search warrant or an arrest; but I told him,” added the fellow, bitterly, “that you were honest—so honest that you would sooner starve—starve with your wife and children—than take from those who can well afford it the means to give them a dinner.” ‘And you told him rightly,” said the weaver, his cheek flushed with honest pride. ‘‘ Bad laws and oppression may make me poor, but they shall never COniiclooecl SS (SO