Laura Brayton — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

ae um iy) Thy 4e.0 ere ‘ LAURA BRAYTON. 123 Here he was instantly followed by Eldridge Put- nam, to whom he was introduced by Sammy Glenn in these words: “This ’ere is the lame lawyer’s quill-driver, boss! Ain’t he pooty?” Eldridge smiled, but business was too important for delay. “Young man!” said he to Nathan, “would you like to make some money easily ?” “Oh, wouldn’t I? Just you try me once!” “Well, look at that.” Kldridge pulled out a plethoric roll of bank bills, and selecting one with XX upon the margin, handed it'to him. “Now,” said he, “this is only a commencement of what you will get if you serve me faithfully. I want you to answer a few questions.” “Well, ask ’em; forif I don’t hurry on what old Sharp sent me, I'll get rats when I go back.” And Nathan nervously shoved the “twenty” into his pocket.. “What has Sharp done-with the young lady, Miss Laura Brayton?” “He has locked her up in his back office.” “What is he going to do next?” “He is going to marry her to Jake Bartram, just as soonaslcan find him anda priest or a squire. That is what he sent me out after. And I’m to hurry, or he’ll break every bone in my body. Where’s the drink you were goin’ to get me? Don’t you see I’m so cold and so dry that a hot punch would be an act of mercy passed by the Board of Health ?” | This last appeal was made to Sammy Glenn. «Dry up, Ink-stand! Don’t you see it a-comin’?” cS (Efe) Gomicboo