"
The illustration, forcible as it was, did not strike me as offering
a prepossessing introduction, but we were already at the rancho.
The barking of dogs brought Sylvester to the door of the pretty
little cottage which his taste had adorned.
I briefly introduced Mr. Kearney. "Kearney will do--Kearney's good
enough for me," commented the soi-disant Kearney half-aloud, to my
own horror and Sylvester's evident mystification, and then he
blandly excused himself for a moment that he might personally
supervise the care of his own beast. When he was out of ear-shot I
drew the puzzled Sylvester aside.
"I have picked up--I mean I have been picked up on the road by a
gentle maniac, whose name is not Kearney. He is well armed and
quotes Dickens. With care, acquiescence in his views on all
subjects, and general submission to his commands, he may be
placated. Doubtless the spectacle of your helpless family, the
contemplation of your daughter's beauty and innocence, may touch
his fine sense of humor and pathos. Meanwhile, Heaven help you,
and forgive me.
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