José — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

JOSE. 299 answered, “and be delighted to know that the affair can be adjusted without any further delay.” He left the room with a slight nod of the head, and Baumann turned to his companions. “Uncle, how are you, and how did your business terminate?” he cried, extending his hand. “How am [?” replied Bob, with a chuckle; “I am determined to go back to the Kickapoos at the earliest opportunity. I believe I have got out of the practice of being propped upin a chair or to entertain people with a discussion of the weather. I felt very queer when I passed over the old, familiar paths again, and when Iwas back on the farm a couple of days, everybody trying to tell by my looks what I wanted, I thought a kitten was everywhere rubbing her coat against me. But it wouldn’t last long, and when finally I tegan to look at my rifle every once ina while and to think of the plains, I began to feel very oddly. I would gladly have given anything just to have been able toclap my eyes on a redskin again. I reckon they guessed what was the matter with me, for Joseph every day offered to go out gunning with me. The idea of going gunning where you can’t take a step without running your nose squarely against a fence! When at last I began to find that it wouldn’t do any longer, I told the old folks that 1 had some business to tran- act among the Kickapoos, but that I would soon be back. Well, of course, ’ll be back. It is exceed- ingly pleasant to know that you have a home and can go back toit whenever you please. I'll drop down this way occasionally—but when some day they got to bury me, I want it to be on the prairie with its millions of stars!” He passed his hand across his furrowed face. “Oh, yes, but my mission!” he then resumed, briskly, as if intent on changing his train of thought. “Joseph was married again day before yesterday, and it only formed the turning point of an affair long ago settled! Does that satisfy you?” he con- tinued, laughingly gazing into Green’s surprised face. “The folks knew very well where there was a hole for escape! They waited a couple of weeks Eomichooks co