Mezzoni the Brigand — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

30 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. two sisters and a mother in America, and his father, after whom he was named, was a very wealthy citizen. | He was in the possession of robust health, was ex- ceedingly strong and well developed, and in college, where he had graduated at eighteen, had always led his class in all athletic sports. He was an excel- lent shot with either rifle or pistol, and, as was the college custom, had carefully practiced the art of self-defense or pugilism. Thus, in matters of physi- cal training, Walter Hammond had received as care- ful instructions as he had in mental culture. Few professional athletes were his equal. His intercourse with Marion Bray had been a source of infinite pleasure to him; and after attend- ing to his business matters at the usual hours, he was sure to be by her side. They had read the same books, and were fond of the same authors, and in- deed were in consonance in nearly every matter of taste and refinement. The old soldier looked on with satisfaction at their most unobjectionable inter- course. He had never seen, he thought, a more manly and less affected young fellow. “Where is Mr. Hammond to-day?” asked the colonel of “his daughter one afternoon, when the young American had not made his appearance as usual. ‘‘He said he should be busy all day to-day. You know he is dispatching a ship to America, and she is nearly ready to sail.” “That’s right; he shouldn’t neglect business that has been intrusted to him.” ‘‘He seems very conscientious about it.’’ ‘““T like the man,” said the colonel, pleasantly, as he blew the smoke of his Havana upward. “COMICHOOKS.Cco