Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 235) (1882 01 24)
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= S| ¥ Ae A! oo LiyZ —@ $ Wi : \ : < ’ \ QW \ \ MQY = i a nt ao ll uo = Ta Rr $2.50 a year, Entered at the Post OMlee at New York, N. ¥., at Second Class Mall Rates. ‘s Copyrighted in 1882 by BEADLE AXD ADAMS, January H, 1882. : Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. xX. Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. - § Cents. No. 235. SHADOW SAM, THE MESSENGER BOY; or, TURNING THE TABLES, BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BOB ROOKERTT, THE BANK RUNNER,” ‘“‘ BOB ROCKETT, THE BOY DODGER,” ‘WILL WILDFIRE,” ‘‘ DARK PAUL,” ETC., ETO, eS , \\ \\ Why 2 WY Ser ; \ “pracP) HELP! THIEVES! MURDER! FIRE!” CAME IN QUICK SUCCESSION FROM THE FRIGHTENED TONGUE OF MRS, MARIA BOUNCE, FOR IT WAS SHB,
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THE MESSE:IGER BOY; oR, TURNING THE TABLES. BY CHARLES MORRIS, ADTHOR OF “SAM CHARCOAL,” *‘ TOM TANNER,” _ ** DASHING DAVE,” ‘*DARK PAUL,” ETC. CHAPTER I. WHAT SAM FOUND IN THE CELLAR. Ir was a late hour of the night in the good **Gity ef Brotherly Love.” Out of doors the faint glow of the gas lamps gave a very feeble imitation of daylight. From a considerable dis- tance came the clear gleam of an electric light, in bright earnest of the *‘ Light of the future.” All was silent in the streets, save when the hurried footfali of a late passer came by,stirred up perhaps by fear of a certain lecture at home. Darkness had fallen on all the houses, except where a dim light betokened a midnight . Student, or, mayhap, a weary watcher by the bedside of sickness. Yet from one building a bright gleam shot out into the shadowy streets. lt stood at the corner of two streets, and its open windows gleamed with bright gaslights. Within this well-lighted room several persons were assem- bled. One of these seamed a telegraph oper- ator, for he sat in front of an instrument in a corner of the room, from which came the mo- notonous tick tick of the Morse instrument. The others were boys, dressed in the uniform of the American District Telegraph Company, and composing the night force on duty at that particular office. For the apartment in ques- tion was one of the offices of that useful and wide-awake institution. _ Vhere were but two of these young gentlemen now present. Two others had gone off duty at midnight, leaving this brace of messenger boys to answer any'calls which might be made be- tween that hour and morning. In order to fight off the sleep which seemed inclined to‘ visit their eyelids, they had been talking together in low tones for the past hour. But, baving run out of their subject of eonver- sation, one of them, a particularly wide-awake little fellow, had slyly slipped a pack of well- worn cards trom his pocket, after looking round to see if they were observed by the operator. But he was otherwise engaged, and soon the boys, hid behind a sort of corner counter, were deep in the mysteries of a game of Old Sled ge. Of course, it was not long before they got into a dispute. “Drop that trick, Sam!” exclaimed one, in an apery whisper. ‘‘’Tain’t yourn. I trumped it. ** Yes, with a hook!” drawled the sharp boy, laying bis hand on the cards. ‘‘ What did you trump it with?’ “The Jack of Spades,” replied the other. “ Jist fork it‘over!” '“ Like to know when spades got to be trump,” remarked Sam, savcapieanily. **Guess you’re wool-gathering, Joe.” ** Ain’t that a spade?” asked Joe, pointing to the Song **Bubt his eyes opened wide when he found that the spade, which he was sure had been turned up, had become changed into a club. He looked suspiciously at Sam, whose face had a very innocent expression. ‘*Phat’s one of your old tricks,” cried Joo angrily. ‘?Tain’t the first time you’ve slipped up the wrong trump on me.” “Why, blame your cross-eyes, do you mean to say I’ve been cheating?” growled Sam. *‘ Say at ag’in and see if 1.9’ punch your head for ‘ou. al rf He looked full of fight as be doubled ur his fist. But their voices thoughtlessly risen during this dispute, and attracted the attention of the wperator. ‘ ** Hillo, there!” he called out. ‘* What’s going on in that corner?” There was a very basty movement of the boys. The cards suddenly disappeared; it would have been hard to tell where. But very Pm A some of them might have been found in Sam’s shoes, and others in the hat which he liastily crowded on his head. : “S$ you was me, Mr. Brown,” asked Sam, wery innocently, “would you let Joe Jenkins “row over you? “ Crow over you, you little spit-fire?” laughed the operator. ‘I fear you'd make it hot \ S caadow fam, the Messenger Boy. E weather for the boy that tried it on. But you can’t put that down my throat, Sam. You're: at some mischief.” : “Only trying to keep awake. That’s all,” answered Joe. The boys well knew that Mr. Brown would not countenance card-play. ““That’s all, eh?’ answered the operator. *'You’re a prime pair of innocents!. But I fancy I’m not quite such an innocent as you take me for.” : He was interrupted by the clear tinkle of a bell from the signal-board in the corner of the room. He turned his attention at once to the pe taeda while the boys sprung up, eager for uty. A groan that was half an oath came from the 1 aaa It was followed by a sarcastic augh. “Hang me if it isn’t the Bounce old maids again!” he ejaculated. ‘“ A mouse in the pantry this time, ‘I! bet a shilling. 1 believe those two old women give us more work than all our cus- tomers together. And a cat in the garret is the most dangerous burglar they’ve raised yet. I hope they’ll be accommodated some time. You peg out, Sam—609 De Lancey, you know. Jurdly worth while to trouble an officer, unless you meet one on your way.” Sam was ready as quick as a flash, and was off before the operator had fairly done speaking. Although the old ladies in question had given so much business to the office it happened that this was the first time he had been sent to answer their summons. He reached the house without having met any guardian of the night. ** Mighty higi-toned,” remarked Sam, looking with an observant eye at the brown-stone front of the mansion before him. ‘ Big-bugs, 1 s’pose, with a gold mine in their cellar.” He snowed the steps, and was debating whether he would apply bis hand to the bell- pull when’ the door, which had been open a crack, was thrown wide open, and the face of a greatly scared old lady appeared. “Who are you, bey?’ she asked, in a loud whisper. ‘“* Are you from the telegraph office?” ‘“'That’s where I hail from,” answered Sam, with little courtesy. “Why oF they send a boy?’ she asked sourly. ‘‘Go back and bring a man. Il want an officer. burglar—hid in the cellar!” “Mercy!” replied Sam. ‘But, s’pose there is? [ guess ’m good for any one burglar. Wouldn’t be the first time.” } He pushed his way in, with very little faith in the supposed burglar. He had heard such false aJarms before. Inside the hall was a second old lady, a coun- terpart of the first. She held a candle in her hand, and its light fell on two badly frightened faces. They were clothed in dressing-gowns, which they had miele: put on, while the night caps, which they had forgotten to remove, gave a comical look to their anxious faces. ‘You must get help,” they cried, in the same loud whisper. ‘*You might be killed, We wouldn’t have anything happen to ycu for any money.” **T guess you don’t know much ’bout us fol- lers,” drawled Sam. ‘‘Why, we lunch on burglars down at our office. I’d think no more of tacklin’ one of them chaps than I would of eatin’ a peach.” . The old ladies’ eyes began to express some admiration of Sam, as they looked into his fear- less face, ‘* What is your name, my boy?’ asked one of them. “Slippery Sam, Shadow Sam, Sam, Saucy Sam, and so forth!” ‘*Oh, dear me, what names!” she held up her hands in amazement, ‘“ That’s what the boys at the office think; !m anything to suit,” rejoined Sam. “But my dad’s name is Slocum, so I s’pose by rights I’m Samuel Slocum, Esquire. But Slippery Sam, or Shadow Sam kind of comes out siicker.” The two old ladies looked at one another. They were at a Iéss what to make of this boy. ‘But all that’s not bizness,” continued Sam. ‘¢What’s the row? Whereabouts is that bur- glarious individual?’ “In the cellar,” answered: the first old lady in a stage whisper, her voice full of horror. ‘* We heard him fumbling about.’ And he fell over something and made a great noise. We've been ’most frightened to death.” iantly. “‘T’'m afraid to let you g0 down alone,” cried the second old lady. ‘“ You might be killed. What could a little fellow like you do with such a desperate character?” Slocum’s ‘Tl soon ‘settle him,” remarked Sam, val-- ‘ . There’s a burglar—I am sure it’s a’ j of the underground region of the house. ‘Maybe you don’t know what us little fellers is made of,” answered Sam, ‘‘ All spring steel, and with quicksilver in our veins, They take any other kind on at our office. the eandle and Ill soon shadow this chap. : ; He snatched the candle from the old lady’s trembling hand, and started toward the cellar door. ‘Oh, come back!” they cried, in concert. ‘We would die of fright to be left here in the dark! You must not leave us!” ‘But how am I goin’ to root out that bur- glar, then?” demanded Sam, contemptuously. **T never learned how to be in two places at once. S’pose you come with me?” “What? Down that cellar? Never!” came in a chorus of terror. ‘*T dunno whats to be done then. I might be split in two, but I don’t b’lieve it’d turn out asuccess. The splitting might be easy done, but the splicing together ag’in is the difficuts pint.” Sam shook his head very doubtfully. He could not see his way out of the quandary. ‘Light the gas,” suggested one of the old ladies. ‘‘ Sister and I wouldn’t be so afraid if we had a light.” : Sam doubled his fist and gave himself a sharp punch in the head. ; : ‘That’s what. you deserve, Sam Sloeum, for being so stupid,” he ejaculated. ‘You might have thought of tLe gas yourself if you'd had any brains.” he old ladies looked doubtfully at the queer boy, as he proceeded to light the gas. They hardly knew what to make of him. In a minute more Sam had several’ burners lit and the rcom as light as day. “Here,” he said, sarcastically. ‘‘Guess I can stir up that critter now. I s’pect it’s nothin’ anyhow but a stray dog that’s got into your cellar,” **Tt’s a man, I tell you!” cried the first old lady, in an indignant whisper. *‘ It’s a burglar. Be very careful. They always have pistols and knives about them.” Sam laughed incredulously. He walked bold- ly back toward the door which led into the cellar, The sadly-frightened old ladies, clasping each other tightly, slowly followed, as if afraid to lose sight of their young defender. They pointed out to him the entrarce to the cellar. All this conversation had been concucted in a | loud whisper. They were afraid to speak above their breaths lest they might bring upon them the terrible monster who had taken Doreen Their eyes followed the little figure of the daring boy with mingled admiration and alarm. The young Shadow made his way very quietly down the cellar stairs. The candie threw its ight for some distance ahead, and his sharp eyes watch- ed every point before him, But he had not the least belief in the notion of the old ladies or he would have been very clear of taking the risk. Sam was no fool, if be was bold and daring. A variety of utensils occupied the cellar floor. Piled against the wall on one side was a heap cf cut wood, on part of which was flung a dark- colored cloth. The boy noted all these points but he saw nothing suspicious. He had got well forward in the cellar without a sight of any- thing alarming, and was about convinced that there was nothing even es large as a cat to ex- cuse the alarm hens he made a slight stumble, and the candle dropped from bis hands and was extinguished upon the hard floor. Sam threw bis hand forward to support bim- self and it fell upon the ag Se wood, or rather upon something soft under the cloth that lay on the wood. : , ‘“‘ What is that?’ came in frightened chorus from the old ladies at the head of the stairs. A loud laugh was the answer of the youthful ioneer. ; ‘}t’s just as I expected,” he said jeeringly. ‘It’s a stray dog that’s got into your cellar and is curled up on the -pile for a snooze. xot my hand on the bairy rascal’s ears,’ Guess i might as well slide back to the cffice.” “No, no! He may be mad! He must not be left there!” = “Calculate *tain’t no part of my bigness to stir up mad-dogs,” answered Sam, sarcastical- ly. ‘*We don’t take on that lino at our office. Shut the cellar door and he’ll be good till morn- ing. Then you can treat him to a dese of blun- eres if zone a esr 8 xe, he cellar ae: He ae, gained the hall above and closed the door behind him. The old ladies looked gratefully on their brave young chau pion. j { | his ,»way back to the
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Sh “ Ain’t there no bolt to this door?’ asked Sa m. ‘No. You are not afraid he will get out?” “Pye got somethin’ to tell you,” began the young Shadow, mysteriously. ‘‘Don’t you make no noise, or things ll git squally. t dog story is all a blind! There’s a man hid un the wood-pile ]” ** Mercy on us!” ‘Hush! Not a word, for your lives! DPve greased the fool’s ears. But if he hears a whis- per from you he’ll know that his fat’s all in the tire!’ CHAPTER It. A DANGEROUS WEAPON. Miss Marra and Miss Sophia Bounce were the names of the two middle-aged maiden ladies who dwelt at 609 De Lancey Place, with no other protection than that-afforded by a deaf o d epiored servant. As they were wealthy, and had considerable silver and other valuables in the house, it would have been safer for them to have some man as protector of the establishment. But they were such confirmed old maids, that they could not endure the sight of a man about them, and preferred to shiver at every cat-call, and tremble at every mouse-scratch, rather than introduce one of these dangerous creatures into tie house, z ‘“ Who knows but he might turn out to be a burglar bimself?” queried Miss Maria. ‘Or maybe cut our throats in the middle of the night, for our trifle of silvet?’ suggested Miss Sophia. It was too great a danger torun. So they surrounded themselves with burglar alarms, made telegraph connection with the District Telegraph Station, and dwelt alone with their deaf old servant in mortal dread. - Scarce a night passed without some source of alarm. Not a week went over their devoted heads but they were scared out of their seven wits. The noise of a drunken man in the street, the scratch of a mouse, a puff of wind in the chimney, even the kick of a mule in a stable three squares away, were magnified by their anxious fancies to efforts of burglars to break ito the house, and they had morg than once sounded the burglar alarra on wakening out of a dream of house-breaking. Their one source of constant complaint was the stupidity of their deaf servant, who slept atolidly on through all their alurms, and who might have been carried off bodily in her bed without troubling her brain about such a trifle, “Tf we’s born to be killed by burglars, how’s we gwiue to help it?” she persisted. ‘‘ Dar’s no use gittin skeered ’bou5 it, Missus, Luf ’em grab all de silber, ef dey wants it, so’s dey don’t ’sturb us.” , ‘ “That's just like you, Dinah,” complained Miss Maria. ‘ You are very willing for other people’s silver to be stolen. You would not dike it much if they were to take your pots and ans.” “Dar welcome to ’em,” rejoined Dinah. ‘*So’s dey lebs de ole woman ’lone, dat’s all I keers fur.” It may be imagined that the district officers grew rather tired of answering the Bounce alarms. They ‘had been fooled so often that the joke was becoming played out. It was for this reason that Shadow Sam had gone so boldly into the cellar. He had not a remote idea of finding anything alarming. ; When they came within the cirele of gas-light again there was a look of triumph in the old tadies’ faces under all their fright. ‘Didn't we tell you so?” they cried in concert. *“* The people at vour office think we are fright- ened about nothing. But we are not so nervous as that. The burglars always made their escape before,” ‘Well, you’ve got your man this time, any- how,” answered "ed eurtly. ‘‘There’s nothin’ like keepin’ it up. Ye’re bound to come in at the winning-post in time. Sure as shootin’ there’s a man in the wood-pile.” At this positive announcement their triumph disappeared and their fright returned. They cluteped each other convulsively, and looked with wide-open eyes at Sam, - ‘‘ What’s to be done?” came in a terrified whisper. ‘It’s just too dreadful to think of. He may murder usall.” ‘*He won’t me,” answered Sam, “if I only git a fair show to run.” : “Oh, no, no; You must not leave us! We dare not stay here alone.” ‘*T don® b’lieve J could handle a burglar,” re- marked Ssm doubtfully, looking down at his diminutive frame, “J ist you stay here while I ado _—- =a +o ore 4 om ~-- 2 are Ne -—-+-—-—- —— ‘*No, no!” they caught the young Shadow’s arm with a convulsive clutch. ‘‘ He may mur- der us before you come back.” ‘*Not much,” answered the boy valiantly. ** Didn’t [ fling wool into his eyes? You go out for help, then, and lkeaye me till you come back.” ‘*Oh, mercy! To go out into the street alone at this time of night? Two lone women! We couldn’t think of such a thing. What would folks say?” ’ ** Anyhow something’s got to be done,” re- joined the young detective. ‘If you’re afeared to go yourselves and afeared to let me go, I don’t see what’s to hinder Mr. Burglar havin’ his own way. ‘Got any shootin’-irons ’bout the ’stablishment?” ** Any what?” asked Miss Maria, in amaze- ment, | : “Any shootin’ riggin’? Such as pistols, or blunderbusses, or rifled cannon, or the like? If I’m to stay here, I’m goin’ to rig up a masked battery.” ‘“- Yes,” cried Miss Maria, joyfully, ‘We've got a pistol,a revolver. Our nephew left it here, and he loads it every time he comes.” ‘“‘How often does he come?” asked the boy doubtfully. “* Every year. from here,” ‘Im afeard that load’s got stale,” remarked Sam. ‘Don’t think I’d like to meddle with . that there deadly weepon.” ‘* But he was here only a month ago.” ‘‘Oh! That’s more tothe p’int. S’pose we evacuate that revolver.” This conversation had taken place in low tones, soas to avoid any danger of its beinz heard in the collar. Before following the old ladies Sam proceeded to the front door, and opened and closed it noisily. “‘That’s to put the gentleman in the cellar off his guard,” he announced. ‘He'll think l’ve made tracks.” ‘*Merey, boy! That might bring him right up-stairs.” “Never thought of that,” rejoined the little burglar-hunter, ‘‘ But he won’t stir till every- things quiet. Let’s see thom small-arms.” They led the way to the stairs, walking very softly. Sam cautiously followed. Reaching the second floor his conductors entered a room in the rear of the house. From the various articles neatly placed on shelves, and trunks and boxes on the floor, it seemed a sort of store He lives at quite a distance room. aoe the side wall stood a large chest, of which Miss Sophia lifted the lid. It was packed full of goods. Sam looked on curiously at these proceedings. He did not know what to make of them. ® had lit the gas.at their request, and now stood wondering what they were after. Tho old ladies were trembling as if inan ague. They seemed as fearful of the contents of the chest as of the cellar. : ‘Why don’t you git me the pistol?” asked Sam, after the floor was half covered with the dry goods removed from the chest. ‘'I don’t keer to see the bottom of that box, if it’s that you’re arter.” ‘*Tt’s in here,” whispered Miss Maria con- fidently. ** In there!” ‘*We was afraid to keep it about,” acknowl- edged Miss Maria, ‘‘It.s so very dangerous. Why, it might have gone off and shot us both!” “You ain’t sayin’ it’s down there, under all them dry goods?’ “Yes, It’s loaded, you know. We thought we'd put it in a safe place.” Shadow Sam whistled a long note of amaze- wh didn’ t h “h y didn’t you git your nephew to carry it off and fling it in o the Scsquéhannyt a wouldn’t hurt nobody there.” ‘‘But we wanted it in the house. Suppose some burglars had come on us in the night?’ ‘* Well, s’pose they had? Would you have dug out this weapon and shot ’em?” ‘“*T wouldn’t have touched it for the world!” cried Miss Maria, holding up her hands in hor- ror, “Then I dunno what you want it fur, That’s all Sich things don’t go off spontaneous. Next time you’d best put it in a bucket of water and cover it up so’s the flies can’t git at it. Then you can be sure it won’t hurt nobody.” Miss Sophia suddenly stopped her explora- tions, and fell back with a little scream. ‘‘Mercy on me! I almost touched the thing!” she exclaimed. . foe 2. wt ETS Be SIRE 2 a eee ase eee ee ee ee eee ene een ee See 3 to one corner. ‘*Ts it in this?” demanded the boy, oe Oh, be more careful. It might go off. “Tell you what,” he e-poge you peg up to the garret and lock your- selves in there ’fore [ touch it. Idon’t b’fieve it can shoot you through two floors and a pair of ceilings.” ‘ The young Shadow was diligently unrolling the musliw as he spoke. He began to think there were twenty yards of it wrapped around the dangerous weapon. It spread on the floor all about him, and. no signs of the pistol were yet visible, : The two old ladies stood pressed tightly against the wall, their hands extended and their eyes rotruding in dread. ‘* Here it is,” exclaimed Sam at ry asa small nickle-plated revolver fell into ig hand accompanied by a slight scream from the old ladies. ‘‘It’s lucky no burglar come round here while it was in that there box. it might have been very dangerous.” He clicked the lock, at which sound the old ladies crouched down to the floor, and pulled their night-caps over their eyes. They seemed - fear that the next moment would be their ast. ‘*Don’t you git skeered. I ain’t goin’ to hurt you,” he remarked, as he examined the charges. ‘ [t’s lucky I know something ’bout revolvers. Joe Jenkins and me didn’t go frog-shootin’ down the Neck fer nothin’.” “Oh!” exclaimed Miss Sophia. ‘“ Hush! Didn’t you hear that? I’m sure somebody's al up-stairs!” “Let him creep,” answered Sam valiantly. He had heard nothing but the wind in the trees. ‘‘ Say, s’pose you two lock yourselves in some room. I’m,kind of feared you won’t be much use round here. Jist leave me to set- tle that burglar’s hash.” ' “Are you not afraid of him?’ asked Miss Maria, with a look of sincere admiration. - ‘‘Me afeared of him? Hope you don’t think I'm that sort of a chap. Why, they won’t take. on a boy at our office till he’s captured bis brace of burglars. Jist leave me alone here, Pll settle him. alge hurt you if you keep ’round.” t this suggestion the slight remnant of courage evaporated from the hearts of the old ladies. They hastened toa room on the oppo- grimly answered. I’m feared site side of the hall, and Sam heard, with much ~ satisfaction, the click of a lock, as they fas- tened themselves in. ‘* Got rid of them, anyhow,” he soliloquized. ‘** But if they think I’m goin’ to stay here, and > be meat for their burglar, they don’t know Shadow Sam, that’s all. I’m bound toslide out of this ’stablisbment quicker than greased lightnin’, The idee of a boy like me facing a burglar! I wonder what they take me for? I'll soon stir up somebody that’s got more muscle, if he hasn’t got more grit.” Grasping the pistol Sam walked cautiously to the head of the stairs. He was about to make his way as carefully down them when 4 sound below arrested his attention. He listened for a minute or two. It was a low, creaking sound. ‘Sure as shootin’ I’m dished!” he exclaimed tohimself. ‘“Mr. Burglar is broke loose! It’s too late now to hunt help. Tve got to put this job through myself, or bu’st a-trying.” CHAPTER IIT. THE GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK. THE sound which Shadow Sam had heard was a low, creaking noise, such as floors or stairs are bound to give out when a persen is trying to get over them very quietly in his stocking feet. He listened intently. The sounds appeared to come from the floor of the hall below. They indicated a very stealthy movement, suppressed breathing. t must be admitted ‘that Sam’s heart beat rather loudly. He had never been in such a scrape as this before, and he would have given something to be out of the present one. The boy did not have much fear in his composition, but be was too young not to be starcled by the job he had in band. He continued to listen. The sounds seemed to approach the foot of the stairs. Then they ceased, and « dead silence prevailed. The. young Shadow -aited for full five minutes, but all continued a: still as death below. only came that .aint breathing sound, which. perhaps was all in his excited fancy. He even fancied he could hear a There. I’m ’feared this deadly weepon
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2 ,. which he had felt under the cloth in the cellar. It had moved under his touch, but had settled down again at his blind about the dog. That man now—perhaps a desperate and well-armed burglar—stood but ten feet below him. Sam had undertaken to guard the house against this dangerous invader, and he began to fear that he bad taken on a Y se too big for his boots. Slyly slipping off his shoes, he backed ginger- He wasn’t quite prepared to meet | ly away. ‘4 he odds were his antagonist face to face. much too great. ‘‘ Wouldn’t I give a pint o’ peanuts to be out of this ’stablishment?” he asked himself. ‘* The chap as says I wouldn’t don’t know much ’bout human natur’. Or ’bout boy natur’, anyway. I ain’t easy skeered, but there’s too much pork fur a shilling in this job. That’s my notion.” He continued his stealthy retreat until he had gained the store-room. e contents of the chest still covered the floor in a considerable heap. Closing the door until but a crack re- mained open, the boy placed himself in a listen- ing attitude. The minutes passed very slowly. Not a sound came from below. Had the bur- glar heard him and taken the alarm? It began to look that way. Nearly a half-hour passed in this vigilant watch. All continued quiet. But now a faint sound came to Sam’s keen ears from across the hall. It was the old ladies, who were growing too nervous to remain alone in their locked room. “Thought they was settled,” growled Sam. “Tf I’m goin’ to capture this here burglar they’ve got to keep shady, that’s all.” Butif the truth was known a scream from the Misses Bounce wouldn’t have made him very angry. on 4g ale burglars is a very nice thing to talk about, but it is not so clever to putin practice. The boy was too proud of his trust to give the alarm himself, but he had no objection to somebody else doing it. ‘“* Wish I was in a ice-cream saloon jist now,” he said to himself. ‘‘Strawberry cream is better than burglar on toast; that’s my idee.— Hush, Shadow! Them stairs are beginnin’ to crackle. It’s a-comin’, sure ee In fact the sounds below had recommenced, The burglar, after gaining the hall, had waited for something over a half hour, perhaps to see if the boy would return with help, Finding that all continued quiet he had resumed his opera- tions. He was slowly ascending the stairs. The movement was a very stealthy one. He seemed to be letting his weight come gradually upon each step. But there are some boards that have so much natural music in them that they creak uuder the lightest touch of a foot. It was such slight sounds which had arrested the little Shadow’s attention. All he heard was two or three faint creaks, but his active imagina- tion eked out the rest. He was as sure that a man was ascending the stairs as if he had seen him in the full blaze of gas-light. Ten minutes by. Sam’s eyes were at the opening in the doorway. A gas-jet turned low burned midway of the hall, throwing a faint light from end to end. There was also & low light in the store-room. It had not been turned quite out. A quick throb came to the boy’s heart as an arm suddenly made its appearance, thrust out from the head of the stairs into the light of the io In a moment more the full body displayed itself, It was very faintly revealed, but the boy was sharp-Sighted, and his senses were sharpened by the excitement of the occasion. He saw a human figure, of medium hight and rather slender in frame. Instead of the rough attire he had expected, the clothes, so far as he could make out, were well cut_and well fitting. And instead of the ferocious, desperate visage, it was a handsome face that met his astonished eyes, With well-cut features and clear complex- ion. He had but a glimpse at it, it is true, for the inan bad hardly gained the hall ere he covered his face with a close mask. He evidently did not care to be recognized, in case he should be seen. But unfortunately for his object he was a second too late. His features were photo- graphed on Shadow Sam’s memory. The hall gained, this gentlemanly looking burglar repeated his former tactics. He stood motionless for full ten minutes, supporting him- self against the wall, while the eyes that shone through the two holes in his mask moved quick- = from point to point, with the utmost vigi- ance. Sam was getting seriously worked up. He was used to coming quickly to the point, and | t eee eee = 7 Se this excessive caution increased his nervousness until he was boiling with suppressed excitement. He would have much preferred that the fellow should make a dash at once, than come on him in this creeping, ghostlixe fashion. ned yer out, if this keeps up; shoot me if I don’t,” he said to himself. ‘‘ 1m not goin’ to stand this all day, you bet. If that coon stands Ley another minute I’ll wing him with a bul- et. Sam meant it, too. He took the revolver from his pocket, and was on the point of draw- ing back the hammer, when the mysterious in- truder, unaware of his danger, straightened himself up, and began to move sitealthily along the hall. The young Shadow dropped his pistol hand, and closely observed him. Step by step he came forward, with a full minute between every two footfalls. The carpeted floor was firmer than the stairs. Not a sound came from under the burglar’s feet. ‘‘Comin’ square this way, or I don’t know nothin’ ’bout beans,’”? Sam soliloquized. ** Guess I'd best retreat. Got the whip hand of that entleman now, but I’ve got to shoot or back own, one or. t’other.” It isno easy matter to shoot a man in cold blood. It was impossible to Sam. He drew back from the door, looking around him fora convenient hiding-place. His eyes fell upon the heap of dry goods upon the floor, which had been taken from the chest. In an instant the boy’s mind was made up. He replaced the pis- tolin his pocket, and noiselessly buried himself under this convenient refuge. Nor was he much too soon. But two or three minutes more elapsed when the burglar slowly pushed open the door, and entered ,the room after first ging & a careful a Shadow ad made a small hole through his covering, by whose aid he managed to see this stealthy entrance. The concealed boy trembled with.excitement. Things were grow- ing hot around there. ‘I hope to goodness gracious he’ll soon make tracks,” said Sam to himself. ‘It’s chokin’ hot here, and I’m most run out of breath. Any- how, he won’t find me, that’s sure. Nobody never think of lookin’ for a live boy under a pile of rags. I’m just assnug asa bugfin arng.” But the live boy had forgot one little particu- lar. Although he was safely concealed, he had left his shoes standing out roam on the floor, and these suspicious indicafions had instantly attracted the attention of the intruder. Sam listened with the utmost intentness. He could not use his eyes now, but he made the best use of his ears. Yet nosound came to him. All was deathly silent. He bad no means of telling whether the man was still in the room, or had retreated. In such a situation the minutes are desperate- iy long. Not two minutes had passed, yet to the boy Shadow it seemed an hour. ‘“‘The chap’s not here now, that’s sure,” he thought. ‘‘ He ain’t no rag-picker, and there’s nothin’ else here for him. Ill give him two minutes more, and then I'll peg out fore I’m quite choked.” There fell upon his excited senses a sound, which he imagined came from the hall, Sure now that the intruder had retreated, he was debating whether or not to throw off his cover- ing, when he felt a breath of cool air on his neck, and caught a gleam of light in his open eyes. oa turned his head upward, and then suddenly jerked himself into an astonished heap. For the cover which concealed him had somehow disappeared, and over him stood the dreaded form of the burglar, his eyes seeming to Sam like coals of fire as they glared down through the openings in the mask. The Shadow was fairly captured. A cry of alarm might have broken from his lips, but there came a hissing whisper from the burglar. ‘Not a whimper, or Vl crack your skull. You've caught the mad-dog in earnest, you lit- tle villain! You thought to fool me by slam- ming the door, but I’m not to be caught with such chaff. Up with you now, before I blow out your brains.” Shadow Sam slowly arose to his feet, consid- erably chopfallen. He fancied that he had been sharp as a steel-trap, yet this fellow had seen right through him. The boy was utterly sold, . he stood before his captor completely down- cast. ‘You're a smart little coon, but you haven’t got your eye-teeth cut,” remarked the sarcastic robber. ‘ When a fox creeps into his hole he doesn’t leave his claws outside, and a sharp boy would take bis shoes in with him.” The boy had nothing to say. He stood con- victed. You could have knocked him down with a feather. ‘* Let me see,” continued the robber, in the same low, sarcastic tone. ‘‘ What’s to be done with this chap? Truss him up, I fancy, with a gag in his mouth. There’s plenty of material ere. He hunted out a piece of stuff from the pile. Shadow Sam showed signs of resistance, but his capturer silenced him by displaying the butt of a pistol. ** Just make a whimper, and |’l] quiet you for the next six hours,” he sternly declared. ‘*Turn round here.” The boy quietly obeyed. He saw that re- sistance would be useless. In a moment more a hard bunch of rags was forced into his mouth, and ‘the villain was tying a firm bandage around his head, so as to thoroughly secure the gag. It effectually silenced Sam’s powei's of speech. ‘* Now hold out your hands.” The boy did. so. But before his capturer could proceed to bind them there was a sudden and unlooked-for diversion. Into the opened door por an intensely scared face. From a pair of wide-open lips came a shrill scream. ‘‘Help! help! thieves! murder! fire!” came in gaick succession from the frightened tongue of Miss Maria Bounce, for it was she. With an oath the villain released the captive boy, and made a quick spring for the screaming woman. But she hastily darted back into the room from which she had emerged, while the sharp click of the lock told that she had se- cured herself from pursuit. A second oath came from the burglar’s lips, as he violently shook the door. , “‘ Stop that noise, or I’ll murder the pa of you,” he fiercely cried. ‘*Not much, I’ve a notion,” came an wex- pected answer. There was a hand upon his collar, a threatex- ing click, and the pressure of a ring of cold iron. upon his temple. He gazed hastilv around, to encounter the sight of a revolver, and bebind it the young but resolute face of Shadow Sam! ** S’pose os come with me, if it ain’t ag’in’ your principles,” remarked the young amateur detective. He had taken his opportunity, torn the gag from his mouth, whipped out his pistol, and fairly turned the tables on his antagonist. The capturer was captured. : “Take down that thing!” yelled the feHow im fright. ‘It might go off!” “Tt certainly will, if you don’t walk the chalk mighty slick, { teli you that. You're booked for the nearest station house, and i might as well come quietly. For I’m bound to deliver you safe, this side up with care. Peg out now, while your skin’s whole.” It didn’t need any interpreter to tell what Sam meant. actions were significant enough. But there was a look of cunning on the prisoner’s face as he obeyed the boy’s im- pulse, and walked before him to the S. Down-stairs they went together, and along the hall to the front door. “Open the door!” ‘commanded the young Shadyw. The man did so, and made as if he would step out. But, at the same moment, he quickly stooped below the aim of the pistol, and gave a sharp, back-handed stroke with his left arm, taking Sam in the middle. The boy dropped asif he had been shot, the pistol in his hand exploding as he fell. The released robber ee through the door, and. was off like a flash down the street. CHAPTER IV. THE YOUNG SHADOW MAKES A DISCOVERY. SHapow Sam picked himself slowly up, rub- bed himself reflectively, cast bis eyes up to the ceiling, then stepped the door and took a doubtful look at the sky. “Yes, them’s the stars there, sure enongh. But I could ha’ swore I saw the whole set of them in the ceiling here not a minute ago. it’s queer how things git transmogrified.” He gazed at the pistol in his hand. “Dunno but I’m well rid of a bad bargain,” he continued. ‘‘ Had more than my hands ful] with that chap. But I hope he carries that there bullet in Fis hide to remember me by.” As for pursuing the fugitive, that was quite out of the question, even if the boy had any thoughts in that direction. He ws out of = sight before the young Shadow got to the door. | But in a minute more a couple of men came running up to the house. And at the bead of the stairs the voices of the badly-scared old ee,
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hornets’ nest. ‘‘ What is the matter?” cried the men curi- ously. ‘We heard a pistol-shat.” ‘Practicing on night-hawks,” answered Sam. The Misses Bounce came hurriedly down stairs, with little screams of agitation and alarm. , ‘“Oh, what has happened? Did he shoot you? Are you killed? Oh, say you are not, our brave defender!” “T. think I ain’t,” returned Sam, shaking himself quizzically. “Kinder sure I ain’t. But be guv me a swipe that filled that there ceilin’ chock full of stars.” “What was that pistol-shot we heard?” asked the men. ‘‘It was a burglar,” answered Shadow Sam. **T nabbed the gentleman. But he knocked me down, and the pistol went off. You didn’t see no chap, with nothin’ on but his stockin’s, run- nin’ down the street?” * ‘“No,” laughed ome of the men. “ We saw nobody quite soshort of clothes as that.” ‘Nothin’ on his feet, I mean,” corrected Sam. **Of course be had on a general assortment of dry goods.” , A conference followed, in whicb the old ladies took an active part. It was wonderful how brave they had ome, now that they were sure the house-breaker was gone. They would have done the most valiant thing if they had seen him. They were not afraid of any man, not eg 6 Particularly when they had a loaded pistol in ee Maybe that int all of them,” at ain't all of them,” suggested Sam. {He might have a partner, hid in the wood-pile.” ’ Ps mercy on us, you don’t really think 30 ‘I do believe there is. I heard an odd noise just now. Oh, dear me, I am ’most frightened out of my life!” : ; The courage of the old ladies had suddenly evaporated. Sam’s suggestion, as they de- clared, was too horrid for anything. thing must be done. They would not dare go to sleep in that house again, They could hear all sorts of murderous noises, iss Sophia knew that somebody was creeping up the cellar stairs at that minute. Miss Maria heard an odd clinking. She was sure’ that their best silver was being stolen. ; Nothing would answer but that the boy Shadow and the two men should go through the house, and thoroughly examine it. They knew they would be murdered in their beds, if the burglars were not hunted out. gentlemen good-natured! They carrying candles, Sam behind them as a guard of t tadies closing up the on, with broom- sticks trembling in their hands, the house was investigated from cellar to garret, every closet examined, and almost every pill-box opened, without a whom creature the size of a mouse being discove: : “ Youcan sleep in peace,” laughed the gentle- man, as they took their departure. ‘‘There’s no danger of your having your throat cut for this night, at any rate.” Sam would have left too, but there was an- other ceremony to be rer gn ere they could rt witb him. The pistol must be put back in ts Place of safety. ‘Why don’t you do that yourselves, like you did before?’ asked Sam. ‘We do it? We touch that deadly weapon? Not for the world!” ‘‘ How did it get there, then?” ** Why Philip—our dear oe eee, it there. We made him do it after he had loaded it.” Shadow Sam laughed to himself as he thought that Mr. Philip Bounce must be as queer a cus- tomer as his old maid aunts. What good could he expect his loaded pistol to do? But the boy duly obeyed ease, and carefully restored the pistol to its place of safety, covering it up again with the contents of the chest. “There, it’s safe now. No danger of its hurtin’ anybody. Burglars might rampage ’round here like clowns in a circus, and they wouldn’t be none the wuss off fur that there re- volver.” : The old ladies looked curiously at the odd boy. They hardly knew what to make of him. He kept stich a grave face that they could not tell whether or not be was laughing at them. ‘““You saw the burglar,” whispe ome- consented. : ‘red Miss Maria, as if that terrible person was at her el- bow and she was afraid he would overhear her. ** What did he look like?” ‘Ob, a horrid man, I know!” exclaimed Miss onor, with the pistol, and the old Sophia, ‘‘ with a great black beard and a savage face. A big, rough, ill-looking fellow!” ‘*Not much,” answered the young Shadow. ‘*He wasn’t that sort at all. Why, the chap wasn’t much bigger than me, and dressed as neat as a dandy. He was good-lookin’, too, with a pretty little mustache and a nice side- whisker. I’d never have grabbed him, you bet, if he’d been oae of them rough, rippin’ fellers like that.” The two old ladies looked at each other with a new scare in their faces. ° There was something in their expressions which Sam could not un- derstand—a fright of a very different kind from that which the burglar had given them. Miss Maria turned to him with a sour look upon her face. ‘ **T don’t believe a word of it!” she shrewishly declared. ‘* Tt’s not true,’’ chimed in Miss Sophia. ‘* You have been put up to this by some of his ene- mies.” ‘*Some of this dandy burglar’s enemies?” re- peated Sam, in amazement at this attack. ** Anyhow, I didn’t know you was his friends. Guess I’d best be makin’ tracks. There’s t much hot water ’bout here.” , And the youthful a took his depar- ture without further remark, vata the ladies of the house very strangely affected by his de- scription of the burglar. With the reader’s consent we will go forward a week in our story. Nothing of any import- ance had happened in the meantime, except that the Misses Bounce, who were not ungenerous had called at the ‘office and left a substantial present for Samuel Slocum, Esq., in acknowl- edgment of his bravery. Shadow Sam’s story had been met with doubt by his companions, ‘You can’t put that down our throats, Sam- my,” cried Joe Jenkins, ‘‘ You can change a club into a diamond, but you can’t make us swallow such taffy as that you’re telling us,” ‘Him nab a burglar!” laughed Bill Barly, another of the boys. “A high old gudgeon of a burglar that must have been. Jist look here, Sam, and see if there’s anything green ‘bout m optics.” And he pulled down the corners of h eyes significantly. But the present, which came while Sam was out onan errand, and was accompanied with an account of the whole affair, quite changed the aspect of the case. It appeared that the Shadow had not bragged, and had not even told the whole story, and he at once became the hero of the office. The boys who had not believed him before, could not hear enough of it now. And they were particularky interested in the comical masked battery of the old ladies, “ Lawseo!” laughed Joe, “ that’s the funniest thing out ’bout that pistol. If I was them I’d drop it down the well at once, and settle it for call from Mr. Brown. ~ Sam, springing briskly Upi/!s..3 Pi Boy called for at 758 Arch. Hurry round there and see what’s wanted.” Shadow Sam lost no time in obeying. He had a reputation for promiptness, and was bound not to loseit. In fifteen minutes from the call he presented himself at the pact in question. It was a private house, with a conveyancer’s office attached. The gentleman present, a sh ness mar, turned briskly to the tered, cap in hand. . You are the messenger-boy I sent for?” It must be deliv- S Sam,” came a “ Ay! ay!” answe featured busi- y, as he en- “Take this — oe e drove along at a rapid pace, quietly pock- eting the car fare which hgd been teas bia “Tf Tcan keep up with the cars there’s no- body worse off,’and I’m six cents richer,” he said to himself, as he drove along, bound that the cars should not beat him. ‘Catch me greasin’ them rich car companies, I’ve got bet- ter investments than that for my money.” The street to which be had been directed was a retired down-tewn street, respectable, but not showy. No. 75 was a quiet house. But just as Sam reached it the sound of laughter came from its partly raised parlor windows. The . __ Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 5 SO TT aT EDS os curtains were down, so that he could not sea what was going on inside. Ringing the bell, Sam was quickly admitted. He inquired for Mr. Jonas Furman, and the servant spoke to some one within the parlor, ‘* Yes, let him come in here,” called a gentle- man’s voice. The boy was ushered into a small, neatly fur- nished room. Around its center table sat three well dressed young men. They were-smoking, while an open bottle in the center of the table indicated that they bad been drinking also, ‘‘A packet for Mr. Jonas Furman,” an- nounced Sam, briefly. ‘“For me? Let me have it, then. Who sends it?” It was a tall, handsome fellow who spoke. ‘‘Mr., Paul Thompson, conveyancer, 758 Arch,” announced Sam. “Ah, yes. That’s all right. Anything to pay?” ‘Not as I know on. I wasn’t told to collect anything.” “Then I won’t waste any money on you,” answered Mr, Furman, with a frank laugh. ‘** That will do.” ** Ain’t there no answer?” asked Sam. ** Wait. I will-see.” The boy Shadow stood wale cap in hand, while. Mr. Furman deliberately opened the packet. He noticed that there was a fourth seat at the table, unoccupied. Ashe continued adjoining room coed, and a gentleman en- tered, who took the vacant seat. word or two to his com young man. “‘There is no answer,” announced Mr. Fur- man. mn “ All rigbt, sir. Good-day.” ' In a jiffy Sam was on the street. He struck his hand on his knee, while an old look came upee. his face, en eat we ‘No answer, ain ere © ejaculated. ‘‘Maybe there ain’t; but if I haven’t twi that there dandy burglar, then there’s no in Virginny! Didn’t git much of a look t’other nighsty.t ‘i T’ve got bim down fine. He knowed me, It’s lucky he don’t know I shadowed his handsome lab afore he got his mask on. Sam walked along, his mind full of the strange consequences which might arise from this unexpected discovery. _CHAPTER V. THE WAY THEY DO THINGS ON ‘CHANGE. Miss Maria and Miss Sophia Bounce were seated in their trim parlor, conversing in their prim way on the akg of lite, and the blessings ot Providence ore than a week had passed since the epoch of the grat scare, and their fancies had invented only one burglar in the mean time. And as that one proved to be a stray dish which had been pushed from the table by their favorite cat, and had fallen with an alarming crash to the floor, they began to think that luck had changed in their favor, or that Providence had taken them under its special protection. ‘It’s such a blessing that we had a pistol in the house,” remarked Miss Maria. ‘* What would ever have become of us without it?” “Or without our dear nephew, who looks so carefully after our panty 7 j “‘Or that brave boy who captured the burg- lar. Just to think of such a mere child as that taking hold of that great monster!” 6 ‘“*But you forget,” answered “The boy was not such a child, the burg ar well a small, well “Oh! don’t say that again!” interrupted her sister. ‘‘I’ll never believe it! Never “1 don’t see how the boy could tell,” con- tinued Miss Sophia. ‘‘ Hesays himself the man had a mask on.” ‘* Hoe lied, sister! I do believed he lied! Though = is dreadful to have to say that of any ; : “Oh, Maria! Could he ever be so wicked as that? A mere boy, too!” “T really believe it,” answered Maria, very firmly, ‘‘ though it hurts me to say so.” The old ladies looked deeply grieved at the thought of any one being so wicked. Ere they aoule « quite recover from the shock the door open less a person than Samuel Slocum himeelf. The old ladies blushed deeply. They had been. - , and there was ushered into the room no _
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* earelessly seating himself. ——+. almost caught in making disparaging remarks about this individual, HR rate ts But Slippery Sam was happily unconscious of all that. sis fresh young face was shining with Sp tae peer and his neat uniform looked as if t had just received a severe brushing. Tbere was a pleasant smile on his face. He removed his cap and bowed very politely. Sam had been well brought up. “Tt just come round to tell you,” he began, “that I’m ever so much obliged.” “ Obliged for what?” ** All I done was jist duty,” be continued. ‘I didn’t expect no present. But that ain’t to say but Pm glad enough to git it. AndI thank you ever so much.” “Qh, that! But we thought you deserved something. For you acted very ee “IT dunno,” answered Sam, doubtfully. ‘I was kind of cornered. Any rat will fight when he’s cornered. I’m desp’rat’ afeard I'd left that burglar alone if I’d had a fair show to run. I’m Slippery Sam, you know. But when a fellar.can’t slip he’s got to face the music.” “You are a brave little fellow,” answered Miss Maria, tn te ‘And you must not come around heré and tell us you are not,” “We will not permit any one tosay so. Not even yourself,” Miss Sophia firmly added. “* Well, I won’t fight ’boutit,” answered Sam, with a queer smile. ‘ Only I wouldn’t never found it out myself. I’m ever so much obliged, anyhow. And—I guess I'll go.” ut on his hat and sidled to the door. ‘** Wait a minute,” said Miss Maria. She spoke in a low tone with ber sister. ‘Have you time to go to Tenth and Chestnut for us?” she asked. “Guess so. I ain’t on duty now.” aie Ee a — then, to Mr. er silk re, ey ve you a package of goods, eos brin z, back ree Pw : . “Ay, ay!” answ is cheery way. ‘This sounded like business. He was off ina flash Miss Sophia turned to Miss Maria. “Do you think he really lied, sister?” “Tt looks dreadful like ery dreadful like py, tty the firm reply. ut it seemed that they were not go any ay. ) ~ — private conversation bel i again rung. Old Dinah answered, and ushered into the parlor a personage at sight of whom g brace of little shrieks came from the wold es. ; Philip! Philip Bounce! “ Our dear nephew! Is it really and truly ible? “T think it is,’ came the sneiing answer. _“*T am quite sure I am myself this morning.” The impulsive little maiden ladies jumped up, arid clas their smiling visitor in a twin em- g him so hastily that one hit the end brace, of his nose and the other his chin. “To think of seeing you here now! Why, it is eight months from your time.” ‘‘Oh! I’ve broke with the country,” answered Philip. “It’s not wide enough to bold me. I am eng to take up my residence in the city.” was a young man, of middle hight and size, and quite handsome in face. He wore no whisker, but a long, well-curled mustache adorned his upper lip. Yet there was a some- what jaded look on the well-cut features, as if the young man had been taking life at too fast a gait. And there was something sinister under all his roe aspect, which a judge of hysiognomy would have at once detected. But fis maiden aunts were oblivious to all this. “‘Going to live in the city?’ exclaimed Miss Mar‘a, alittle dubiously. “Why, what will you ever do here? You know cara of city life.” The old ladies were noted for being “‘a little near,” and they preferred yearly visits from their handsome nephew. ‘““The fact is, we’ve broke up,” said Philip, ‘*Mother and sis- ter’s gone West to Indiana. Going to settle down there with grandfather. But that’s too humdrum forme. Thought I’d strike out for the city ” “But what will you ever do here?’ asked Miss Maria, doubtfully. ‘‘You have no business. You know nothing of city life. You have no money.” ** And we can’t help you,” hastily added Miss | Bophia. “We are ever so hampered. What little we have is all locked up.” Philip threw his hat on the table as he gave an encouraging laugh. ‘Why, bless you both, my dear aunties, I wouldn’t take your money for the world. And maybe I know something more about city life than you fancy. I baven’t been asleep for the Shadow v Sam, the Messenger Boy. last twenty-five years.” The bold fellow actu- ally winked, iss Maria was sure it was a wink, though she could hardly believe -it of her innocent nephew. “ And as for having no business,” he contin- ued, with a light laugh, ‘‘I’d like you to show me anybody of my size that’s quite so full of business. Thy; lam up to my ears in it.” ‘* You?” they chimed in concert, looking at him with deeper surprise than ever. ‘* Yes, little me,” he rejoined. “What kind of business, pray?’ “Tm on ’cbange,” answered Philip, with a careless shrug. ‘*On: change?’ They did not quite under- stand. “Yes. In the Gold Exchange. A broker, you know. Turning paper into money faster than other people turn money into paper. Talk about business, my dear little ignorunt aunties. Why, it is the boss business.” “The—what?’ They held up their hands in horror at this low expression. ‘*Oh, excuse me!” he faltered. ‘I picked up that word on ’change. They’ve such queer ways of talking there. A fellow drops into it before he knows what he’s about,” ‘*T hope our nephew, Philip Bounce, won’t fall into any vulgar talk,” answered Miss Maria severely. “After his careful bringing up, ‘All right, aunty. I'll take care in future. L keep telling those vulgar brokers that. But it min 4g words with them. They’redyed in the wool.” ** Dyed in the wool?” “That’s another of their queer sayings. I wouldn’t stay in such vulgar eompany only it’s so profitable,” : “Are you really making money, Philip?” asked Miss Sophia, with growing respect for her nephew. R Well, I should think so, indeed!” he replied, swelling himself proudly. ‘“ Haven't laid by a fortune pb of course. I’m too young at the ut I can see my way ‘clear. There’s millions in it.” . - is this business like?’ asked Miss Maria curiously. + ‘It’s the surest thing in the world,” he re- lied easily. ‘‘And ever so simple. Gold is jam eup and down all the time, you know. y it’s twenty per cent. » ium, To- morrow down it tumbles to eighteen, or up it skips to twenty-five, and nobody knows why. Now there’s plenty of people dealing in it all the time. That’s what we do on’change. We buy and sell for these folks. They may make, or they may iosa, but it’s a dead sure for us. e always make,” “ But is it all chance, Philip?’ asked Miss pry me with t interest. ‘‘Is there no way of telling wh it is going up or down?” **Of course there hed Philip. ‘ For them that’s in the g, you know. There’s something happens abrvad. Old Bismarck slaps France in face. Queen Vic—Victoria I mean—pats Turkey on the back. Straight off there’s going to be a war somewhere, about something. Nobody ever knows what it all means, but up skips gold, or down skips gold, and the chaps that smell out the row first sweep in the stakes.” “Well, Pll declare!” exclaimed Miss Maria, quite losing sight of her nephew's slang phrases in her interest in the subject. ‘I never knew before how it was done. And you are in the a : ilip broke into a hearty laugh. ; ‘‘In the ring! To think of my aunt Maria using broker’s oY I —_— you that time. Why, you dear old loves, if I chose to put any- body on the track fora good thing, I could do it easy. But, that’s not our way. Outsiders have got to take their own chances. Suppose something, new should happen. Suppose next dispatch should say that Rusen Vic didn’t pat Turkey’s back, but pulled his nose. Away would fly gold on the other track. Then if our tor lost, he would swear it was all my fault, and never think of blaming Queen Vic, No, no; I’m not going to get myse!f in such scrapes. Everybody must go in with his eyes “But it would not be Miss Sophia, very éarn right to blame you.” * But folks would, you know. Why there’sa rich opening at this minute. Gold’s bound to slip up to-morrow. I could put any outsider in the way of making a nice haul. But I won’t.” Philip shut his lips very decidedly. a ‘Ts it sure to go up?’ asked the old ladies in concert. They were very much interested. our fault,” declared y. ‘It would net be ‘We think so,” he carelessly answered. ‘Of course there’s ng counting on what gold will da, But we think so.” ‘* And you won’t let outsiders inf” ** Never.” He spoke firmly. “Not even your aunts, if they should wish to try their fortune?” asked Miss ‘avin, “* You?” Philip straightened bimself up on his chair. ‘‘ You g° into gold speculation? Mercy onus! Why, I never dreamed of such a thing. And didn’t you just tell me your money was ail, locked up?” “Yes, yes! exactly!” hastily answered Miss Sophis. ‘‘We could sparea little, of course, A little, Philip.” ‘‘Don’t you do it,” he cautioned. ‘‘ There’s nothing sure about gold. It might take an awkward turn, I wouldn’t have you lose for anything. It would be a queer business, I think, forme to come to the city and salt my rich aunts on the gold board.” He laughed heartily at the idea. ‘But you think there is a geod chance?” “Tf it was anybody but you I would say it was a first-class chance. But when it comes to you J can’t help being cautious.” -The old ladies conferred in a low tone, while Philip sat trying to make out the pattern of the welhpenes “We will ey tt, Philip,” Miss Maria at length declared. ‘‘We want to help our nephew in his new business.” She gave a little nervous laugh. ‘I will give you a check for a small amount. We can’t spare much. I hope you may be very lucky with it.” “Why, if you insist on it,” he answered. “But I declare I would rather not. Suppose you see some other broker and ask his opin- nm. She had to force the check into his reluctant @ and. “Well, if I must, I suppose I.must. But I will drown myself if anything goes wrong.” They had been so inte ‘as not to hear the ringing of the door bell, nor the entrance of a new tor. The first thing that recalled them to themselves was a long, low whistle of surprise. They all looked up to see before them Shadow Sam, who was gazing intently into Philip’s face. The latter the check nearly dropped from his hands. “B Jiminy) if this ain’t a queer mess, then salt ain’t sour!” ejaculated the young Shadow. “What do you mean?” cried the old ladies. ‘You don’t mean as you dunno who this nice fellow is? Sure’s you're alive, it’s the burglar! no use squirmin’ tt Oe 9° to wens “I Ww ou that say it ag’in; you’re the teas u CHAPTER VL THE SPIDER AND THE FLY- Suapow Sam formed the center of a of highly interested boys at the office of the District ‘py go Company. was just then the hero of his young companions, for be had been ona — the story of his discovery and exposure urglar. “You jist never seen auything like it,” con- tinued Sam. ‘“ Why, that there chap turned all the colors of the rainbow, and the old ladies elled as if they’d sot down on pins. It was ten imes wuss nor an earthqyake. ; ‘Did they believe you?’ asked Joe Jenkins, eer ; “That’s what I’m comin’ to,” answered the. boy Shadow. ‘You can't rh this story, Joe. I’ve got the innings in this little game. You see, it turned out that they was his aunts, and he was their nevvy. Well, he lied out of it, square and straight. Aud they b’lieved him. Sam Slocum was 4 liar, and an ungrateful vaga- bond, and everything except a thief. That’s what come of tryin’ to be honest.” ‘You didn’t stand that, Sammy?’ ‘‘T run from it,” answered the boy detective. “That nice young man talked of kickin’ me out of doors, and the old ladies went fur their broomsticks; so 1 begin to think my company wasn’t welcome. I left ’bout that time.” The lads all broke into a laugh at their young comrade’s dry manner, . “You aren’t goin’ to stand it, Sammy?’ asked Bill Barly. ‘Well, 1 hope I ain’t,” was the energetic re- ly. “I ain't no liar, and never was. You Gaca know that. S’pose I’m goin’ to be put down as a liar by that smart coon! If I do, a blow me up with a fire-cracker, that’s ] 7 This was, in fact, Shadow Sam's { source of complaint for the treatment he had received. He always prided himself on telling the open truth in every case, and to set him down ve such a start that I a -_ N . —— ‘i _ | | "A J z ds.
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~ eeived. He might be “only a boy,” but he was not going to rest easy under any such charge. “Tl show them who’s the liar before I’m through with this job,” he declared. ‘I’m goin’ to smell out that there Philip Bounce or bu’st somethin’. I know one of his hidin’-places, and a boy with his eyes Open may see some p’ints. hem old ladies is down on me the wust way, but Til learn them a thing or two yet.” Sam meantitall. He put, himself on shadow duty at 75 Quince street. Whenever he was off from the office, and able to change his uniform for a less conspicuous dress, he found it very eonvenient to play in the above-named street. He felt sure that ip he watched sharply enough he would get an eye on Philip Bounce or some ef his associates, and might trace them to their various haunts. He proposed to unearth the mode of life of this.moral young man. ~ But it looked as if his efforts were going to prove of no avail. A week passed by, but neither Philip Bounce, Jonas Furman, nor an ef the others made their appearance at 75 Quince street. : Leaving the boy-shadow at his unprofitable guard duty, which he snatched from the inter- vals of his office work, we must take our read- ers to another part of the ¢ity, and to other scenes of interest to our characters. It is in the room of a house in the central sec- tion of the city that, on the day after the scene described in our last chapter, we find Philip Bounce, in company with a personage consider- ably older than himself. The latter is a stern, hard-featured individual with a sinister look in his eyes, and altogether with the expression of a man who would not stop at any wicked- ness to gain his ends, y There had been some hard words going on be- tween the two, and there was a lowering anger about Philip’s brow as he stood sullenly before his associate. “You put me up to it,” he said bitterly. “You got me into an ugly scrape, and you put me up to that plan of getting out of it. “Did I?’ asked the other coolly. ‘* Perhaps so, But you were a very apt pupil, my dear ou must admit that.” “I don’t care a fig. We haven’t seen the worst of it yet. That boy saw my face. Why, he charged me with the whole business before my aunts! I had to lie till everything was a tout of it.” ms a did that hurt your feelings? I fancy that comes natural to you, also.” : “No matter. It’s a sharp little rogue, He swore he'd find me out yet, andI fear he will. At any rate you’re as deep initasIam. Iam not going to put myself to much trouble to screen you, Mr. Jerry Plummer.” A dark frown came upon the face of the ether. He moved uneasily in his chair. After a moment he broke into a sarcastic laugh. ‘You kick very pork in the traces, my young colt. Let me ad you not to forget the other matter. There is a note with the indorsement of Silas Herring & Co., which was sold by one Philip Bounce to one Jeremiah Plummer, fora consideration. That interesting per comes due in three days. It is now in the mmercial Bank waiting to be paid. "Unless it is met in due time by Philip Bounce it will be protested, and off to Silas Herring & Co. tor payment. Then I fear there will be an ex- plosion. I imagine that firm will deny the sig- nature, and there may be some awkward about forgery. ** Exact, ‘ ” answered Philip coolly. ‘And as long as I can’t take it up, maybe Jerry Plum- mer had better do so.” “‘Oh, I am not interested.” : “Perhaps you are. Let us see. To raise money to pay, that note I undertook to rob my aunts, under Mr. Plummer’s instruction. Very well; the burglary proved a failure. I amin danger of getting into trouble about forgery. If Ido I may as well be killed for a sheep as & lamb. Misery loves company, they say. If1 am convicted of the forgery, I think I shall acknowledge the burglary, too, Then Mr. Jeremiah Plummer comes ‘into the game. ‘ He on me up to the burglary. He showed me ow to get into the house, and helped me to do it. Ifancy that wasa company concern.” “ Ah!” answered Mr. Plummer coolly. ‘‘ Ve neat that. It does you credit. But where is zor proof? It is easy to say all this, of course. t how will you prove it?’ ““Why, you put me up to the whole thing. It was your scheme all through.” “Very true. I am willing to admit anything Aere. But I am afraid 1 may lie out of itin court. I did not pS personally in the mat- ter, you know, f course, you can say in court that I put you up to it. But I fancy no judge will send me to prison for that. Ican point triumphantly to my highly respectable character.” - There was a sarcastic smile on his face, as he thus spoke. “So! I begin to see through your little game now,” said Philip bitterly. ‘‘fam , ‘ 3 “* Suppose I cannot? “Then it will be rather sad for you, my young friend. It has always been the case, you know, ever since the world started. Spi- ders build webs, and flies walk into them. Let us say that, in this business, { am the spider and you are the fly. Very well. . The spider always provides for his own safety. it is only the fly that gets his blood sucked.’ The cold villain looked like Mephistopheles as he gazed at the victim of his schemes, But Philip’s expression was rather puzzling to him. “Tam glad you have put it on that footing,” was the answer. ‘ We understand each otheg. I always thought you were a soulless rogue, and now Iam sure of it. But you forget that there have been cases of the fly breaking out of the spider’s web. Andother cases where the spider has found his retreat cut off.” . ‘*I don’t build my webs that way,” answered Jerry sarcastically. ‘* We shall see,” answered Philip quietly, as - he put his hand into his breast. ‘Oh, if that’s the game!” and Jerry drew his hand from the open drawer of the table before him. * The hand held a pistol. ** Pooh!” replied Philip contemptuously. ‘‘ So you fancied that I was going to draw a pistol on yout Only fools and vulgar rogues indulge in such arguments as that. We gentlemen of the trade don’t deal in bullets. have some- thing here of more importance than all the bul- lata in your revolver.” — e withdrew his hand. It held nothing but a printed strip of paper, about six inches long two in width. ‘“*What is that?’ exclaimed Jerry, springing hastily up, with a look of alarm. ‘“‘Only a promissory note, drawn by one Philip Bounce, in favor of Jeremiab Plummer, Esq. and indorsed by Herring & Co, Said note has been paid and taken up this day by the drawer, at the Commercial National Bank.” “The devil!’ hissed the discomfited rogue, He had been completely outgeneraled by his younger iate. ‘‘ You paid itt Where did you Pe the money?” ; **T don’t fancy that is any business of yours. I have ways of ~ own of raising money. I hardly think I will let you into the secret.’ ‘What does all this ‘mean, then?’ asked Jerry sullenly. ‘* Why did you not say it first that you had paid the note?” < eal that, I wanted to get you to show your hand,” laughed Philip. ‘*I was h green enough not to suspect your game, my dear sir. I see through it now. You are the spider and Iam the fly. Very good; but your web was not quite strong enough. You were willing to be five hun dollars out, eh? It was a very neat game to hold this forged note over me, and so make me your tool? But it didn’t work.” ‘By Heaven! it shall work!” cried Jerry, flerce y as he seized the pistol. ‘‘Hand me over t at paper, or I will send a bullet through ou! ’ ‘* Softly, softly! Two can play at that game.” Philip’s hand held a pistol, too, which clicked ominously as he drew back the hammer, ‘I have other uses for this note.” He tore off his signature with his teeth and commenced to chew it, while he covered his an- tagonist with the pistol. ‘Here it is. Make the most of it.” He flung the torn remnants of the note on the table, “And the next time you try on a game like this, Jerry Plummer, be sure you don’t play it on @ man by the name of Philip Bounce. The Bounces have all had their eye-teeth cut.” Various expressions had passed over the older villain’s face during these remarks. Heseemed at a loss what cue to take. When Philip ceased speaking Jerry threw his pistol on the table and burst into a loud me “Hang me if the boy isn’t learning fast!” he cried. ‘‘ He does justice to my teaching. I am proud of you, Philip.” He held out his hand, which Philip declined taking. ‘There is another little matter which we will settle first,” the young man continued. ‘ You have always plotted so as to keep yourself clear i of the law. But*you have put your foct in it for onee, sharp as you are. You fancy that if I am brought in for that burglary your skirts are clear. You forget that you put your nama to a bit of paper in connection with it,” ‘That paper was destroyed!” “Hardly. Lam too good a penman for that: You taught me the art of forgery, you remem-. ber, and so I gave youa forged copy of that. paper to show you how apt a scholar 1 am.” bak hold the original yet?” ‘ ? Jerry Plummer gritted his teeth. He had been foiled on‘all sides. ‘* See here, Philip,” he suddenly cried. “ Fhere is nothing to connect you with the attempt at burglary eg the evidence of that boy: ‘Nothing else.” ‘Suppose I silence that boy?” “Do so, and the original is yours.” : “Tt is a bargain. Slippery Sam, as he calls himself, shall never ah evidence against you." There was.a dark look on the villain’s face as he uttered these words, CHAPTER VI... THE BOY SHADOW HAS A DOUBLE SURPRISE, “‘ Ix there’s anything tiresomer — kickin’ w, feller’s heels "bout the office, ’d like to know what it 1s,” exclaimed Shadow Sam. ‘I’ve. talked myself dry, and there’s nobody else got. nothin’ wuth listenin’ to. I wish somebody’a send a job in.” : There came a call from the office at this mo- ment, “That’s my cue!” cried Sam, as be sprung hastily forward. * next on the roll, Mx, Brown; and I’m b’ilin’ over fer a job.” “We'll try and accommodate Mr. Brown. ‘There is a box of five hundred circulars to be distributed, and you can take i on, if you are so eager,” : **That’s lovely!” returned Sam. * What's the sort, Mr. Brown? High-toned, or common trash? Got envelopes on ’em; hey? Aint wed. din’ invites, nor nothin’ of that sty‘ef” ‘‘No. But you are to be very tee in dis- tributing them. Only go to good houses, in respectable streets. Put them all under doors, or else ring the bells and band them in, The a are very anxious that the work shall be done right.” ‘* All correct,” answered Sam. ‘Guess I'll ring the door bells. It takes more time, but there’s more fun in it.” . : ‘More fun?’ queried Mr. Brown. “You bet there is. Why if you'd see the way some, of the girls behave good asacircus. First they think it’s the letter carrier, and they’re gis’ to git a love létter from. their beaus. hen ein smile we as. sweet as new milk, But when they find its only a circular—lawsee! the milk turns sour right off, You i age see how their noses go up.— au I moll them ’fere I leave,” continued m. ‘' Mollify them?’ ; “Yes. Soft soap them, 1 mean, Tip em a touch of the blarny. It's astonishing, Mr. Brown, how quick they come round. ; ‘Oh, get out!” laughed the o learning too fast, Sammy. Off with you, an& one hem too much time soft soaping the ser. vant gir Shadow Sam clasped the box under his arm, and struck away down the street, eas Be merrily as a bird just out of its cage. He liked paces | better than to be at work. He was sa full of life and spirits that be could not remain long about the office without getting into mis- chief of some sort. Brown knew this, but knew also that the Shadow was the most ef- ficient errand boy on the force, so he took good care not to leave him too much idle time, Grass did not — under Sam’s feet as ho hurried along on his errand, slipping the circn- lars under doors where it was easy to do so, but ringing the bell and handing them in where he | could not get them under. And Le did not omit a little of the soft-soapiny which he had prom. ised to use. He was a go \-looking young tel- low, with a livel wongue, ind there are girls who are susceptible to these charms. ; Sam had an idea in his head as he moved on-~ ward. He was growing tired of hanging about, the door of 75 Quince street on a fruitless task, But here was an opportunity to sce the inside. of the door. He had a good excuse for calling at the house and asking for Mr. Furman, ; By the time he had reached this far down. town locality his box of circulars was nearly: empty. He had a few left, however, and he boldly rung the door-bell of the house in ques. u,” smiled — you'd think it as, ratory, * You're —
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’ down to sich mighty fine p’ints. tion, and waited somewhat anxiously for the answer to his ring. It came at length in the shape of a frowsy- looking woman, who had certainly forgotten to comb her hair that morning. She looked sour- ly at the messenger-boy, and snapped out: ‘* What do you want?” ‘‘ Exonse me fer interruptin’ you,” answered Sam, with immense politeness. ‘‘I ve got a lit- tle note here for Mr. Furman, which I want particular—” ‘“No such person here,” she sharply inter- rupted. : There ain’t?” cried the Shadow, in great surprise. ** No, there ain’t.” ““Why, I seen him here myself only a week ago,” persisted Sam. “Don’t care. He’s not here now.” “ Where is he then? This is very important,” “ Don’t know where he is, and don’t care. He cheated me out of a week’s room rent, that’s all I know. He’s an owdacious rascal, and youcan find him the best way you please.” She slammed the door violently to, and stamped angrily back into the house, leaving the young Shadow quite dumfounded. There was no use trying the soft-soap policy on this good lady, that was very evident. The boy walked slowly away, deeply cogtteting. ‘I dunno what shoe wanted to bite my head off for,” he said to himself. “It wasn’t me cheated her out of her rent. But I can’t say as 1 blame pry ea pat — woman’s got too spicy a tongue; altogether too spicy. Sam soon - *" his box, and started back for the office. He had been completely dished. He must take another tack if he wished to get on the trai! of Philip Bounce, and what t tack was to be was not Wines Yet he was destined to have another adven- ture ere he reached the office. He failed to notice two men, who stood in the doorway of a hall on the stroet Mauss wait he was passing, one Air younger of w pointed him out to er. Shadow Sam strolled on, quite unaware that he was being shadowed. But, ere he had got far he was accosted by a strange voice. The boy quickly turned, and saw before him a tall- ish and rather slender person, seedily dressed, his face heavily whiskered, and his slouch bat drawn down over his eyes so as to half conceal his features. , “ Are you not Samuel Slocum-—of the Tele- graph messenger boys—known as Shadow m?” this person very suavely asked. “That's me. Samuel Slocum, Esquire,” was the prompt answer. > ae me, but I gi ee sure cet you are th t person. as it not you who so bravely Bates the house of the Bounce ladies ogamat a burglar, a week or two ago?” Sam at the speaker with some aston- — How did a stranger como to know all this? **T duno as there was anything very brave "bout it,” he replied, ‘I couldn% run, ’cause I was cornered. So 1 had to show fight. I nab- bed the feller, but he floored me, and made tracks. That’s the whole of it.” “Not quite. The ladies tell me that you saw his face, and would know him again, and that you are on the lookout for him now.” “Why, if he’d tumble over me, I’d help to pick bim up,” laughed Sam. “I’m bound to it that chap in limbo, ’fore I’m done with him. t it’s queer they told you that. They didn’t talk that way to me.” “They have changed their mind,” answered the speaker, with a smile. “They think you ought to be rewarded for your courage, and have asked’ me to give you a little present, which they have made up for tenet **TLawsee!” cried Sam. ‘‘ Why they’ve guv me a present a’ready for that.” ‘“They have?” in a surprised tone. “You bet! Idon’t see no use of their layin’ it on so heavy.” , > nos “Perhaps they th’uk that they have injured you by their late = .spicions, and wish to repay you for this injury.” “T dunno,” answered the boy detective, in- differently. ““here’s no use bringin’ things But, I don’t see no reason fur me to back on presents. "Tain’t so ofcen they come in.” * That's right, my boy. I have it here for ou. The speaker produced from under his coat a package very neatly done up in white paper, and distinctly marked with Sam’s name. It seemed a box of some five inches long, and two or three wide. Sam looked at the directions. Shadow Sam, the Messenger B ——$——$—_—_— ‘**Samnel Slocum, 10 Plum street.’ That’s me. But I dunno how you twigged me so easy. I never seen you before.” ‘‘T have seen you, then,” smiled the man. “I often pass a office. I wason my way there now when [ happened to see you on the street. Good-day! Be very careful not to drop that box. . There is something in it will break easily. And don’t open it at the office, unless you want to have to divide with the boys, Wait till you get home.” “T hope it isn’t eggs,” replied Sam with a grimace. “If it is, and they happen to be bad ones, I think I’d rather divide with the boys. I wouldn’t be a bit stingy with them.” “Tt is not eggs.” laughed the man, as he walked quickly away. The young Shadow strolled on looking curi- ously at his prize, which he had eg oe into the empty envelope box. Despite all that the man had said he did not feel quite satisfied. “There’s somethin’ mighty queer ’bout the whole business,” be fancied. ‘’Cording to all accounts them old ladies has never been s0 blazin’ generous afore. Everybody says they’ll pinch a dollar till it’s as thin as a wafer ’fore they'll let it slide—And after they took their brooms to me, too.” Sam shook his his head very dubiously. He could not get the thing straight in his cranium. There was something very odd about it, and about this stranger, of whose face he had seen little more than the nose. He had not — far before he had met Bill Barly, one of his office cronies. Sam was run- —— over with the story of the box, and soon confided it to Bill. The latter was a very high- spirited little fellow, and he broke out in sudden anger. ey wouldn’t have it!” he declared. ‘‘ You can do as you please; but if anybody took a broomstick to me they couldn’t smooth me down with a box of candy, for that’s what I expect it is. ; . ‘What would you do?” asked Sam. ‘‘ What would I do? Why, I'd face the music; that’s what! I’d take it square back to them, and I’d tell them I was very much obliged, but presents now.” ‘* You bet I would!” ‘“Then, that’s just what ll do!” cried Sam decidedly. ‘I don’t want their candy, Bill. I can buy myowncandy. Come along; [ll show you if I don’t mean it.” The two boys changed their course toward De Lancey place, with intent’ to call on the Misses Bounce. ’ ; Sam had felt a strong disinclination to accept the box at first, and Bill's advice decided him. He would not keep it. . Meanwhile the man who had given Sam the box had slipped back and rejoined bis associate in the doorway. Ho touched him on the arm. “Come back here quickly.” The young man followed to the dark rear portion of the long hallway. Looking cautiously around to see that he was not observed, the dis- guised man laid his hand on his chin. a@ mo- ment the heavy beard came off in his hand, re- vealing a clean shaved face. He pushed back his hat. It was the face of Jeremiah Plummer. The young man beside him was Philip Bounce. “« Well?” asked the latter. ““Not now. Let us get away from here first. We are not safe if anything should happen.” He pushed on through the hall into a rear street, and walked forward rapidly until he was several squares distant, his companion closel rye him. ; At length Philip caught his arm and brought him to a sharp stop, in a secluded corner. “J don’t understand this,” said the latter. “You promised to silence the boy. What have you given bim?”’ Jerry looked carefully around him, He then stooped, with a ver rk expression of face, and whispered in Philip’s ear the one word: namite |” ** The deuce!” cried Philip. ‘Tf the boy opens that box he will be silenced in a jiffy. ere won’t be enough of him left to e a decent funeral,” whispered the heart- less villain. : ‘Pll be shot if I stand this!” cried Philip. ‘Hang me if I can go murder! I will go after the boy and stop him opening it.” “ And how will you explain your knowledge of its contents?” sneered Jerry. ‘‘ Or suppose it should happen to fe off while you are there? I am afraid it wouid be bad for Philip Bounce.” Philip hung back irresolutely. He had suf- fered his villainous associate to make him an accomplice in a dark and terrible crime. Eee Be pret ee i=} ne ea — — “One boy more or less won’t matter much,” asserted the villain. ‘‘ And when that box goes off it will very suddenly remove all evidence against us.” Philip stood biting his lip. He was in a very awkward quandary. Meanwhile the two boys had reached their destination with the mysterious box. The old ladies received Sam sorainely- They had not yet forgiven bis accusation of their dear nephew, who was going to make so much money for them on the gold exchan The idea of such an active business man being a burglar! . “Tm very much obliged to you,” began Shadow Sam, as he stood before them hat in hand, ‘‘ but, if it’s all one to you I'd rather not keep it, I didn’t do nothin’ to be broomsticked for, and I don’t calculate to be smoothed down this ig SE Miss Maria looked at Miss Sophia with great surprise. Miss Sophia returned the look. ! tis What is the boy talking about?’ asked the t. ‘“‘T am sure I don’t know,” answered the second. _ “You don’t?” cried the young Shadow. “ Why, it’s the present you sent me. The box, you know. uel Slocum, 10 Plum street,” and Sam deposited the perilous box on the table, ‘“A present? We sent you no present!” “It’s queer if you didn’t. I’ve got it here. Just guv tome by the man you sent it with.” Sam commenced to untie the box. “The box? The man we sent it with? What does the boy mean? We sent you nothing.” Sam by this time had removed the white paper cover, and revealed a small wooden box, with a sliding lid. “You didn’t send it?’ he cried in surprise. zi That’s mighty queer. We'll soon see what's ip it. They all bent curiously forward, as Sam laid his hand on the lid to draw it back. It was a critical moment. Little did they dream of os deadly contents of that innocent-looking “a CHAPTER VIII. GOLD DOWN AND TURNIPS UP. Any of my readers who knows what dyna- mite is, will understand the deadly peril en; countered by the four rsons who leaned over that box, whose ing cover Shadow Sam was on the rome of pulling back. A moment more and they might have been torn into fragments, and the house wrecked as by an earthquake, But at this instanv Bill rly, Sam’s youthful associate, laid his hand on the arm of the latter. ware he whispered, ‘ Didn’t you hear that? “‘ Hear what?’ demanded Sam, sharply. ‘That noise in the wall,” ‘“‘T heard it,” said Miss Sophia, always read to be terrified. “ Something between a scratc and a knock.” ‘Oh, nonsense! It’s only a mouse,” answered Sam, contemptuously. “See here, Slocum,” Bill angrily re- turned, ‘‘do I look like a feller that’s goin’ be skeered by a mouse? It’s a warning, I tell you! I’ve heerd that noise before, and there’s olneye rigoemen. 3 happens,” y “Let it warn then, if it wants to,” retorted Sam, aga'n taking hold of the box. ‘“ We ain't doin’ nothin’ to be warned about,” ** Don’t touch the box!” exclaimed Miss Sophia. “Tt’s that! It must be that!” : “Who knows?” asked Miss Maria mysteri- ously. ‘‘ I’ve read of people being blown up by such boxes. Maybe it’s gunpowder, or nitro- glycerine, with matches fixed so as to set it off, There have been such things done before ow.” Sam laughed merrily at this ay Sepa ‘* Like, to know who wants to blow me up?” he remarked, as he picked ‘up the box and at- tempted to open it beyond their reach. But Miss Sophia’ clutched it, “It’s us!’ she exclaimed in a horrified whis- po “They know we have money- Tvs the _burglar’s doings, maybe. Put it down. Don’t touch it for the world!” “That’s ridic’lous,” averred Sam. ‘‘ How’s he goin’ to know that I’d bring it here?” “What kind of looking chap was he?’ asked Bill. ‘‘Him? Why, he looked like an Italian brig- and, or an organ-grinder without any monkey. Had a great black beard and a slouch hat dowm to his eyes. Didn’t see much more of him than his nose.” ‘ “He was in disguise!” screamed Miss Maria, ‘Its some dreadful plot—I know it ist Ob .
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ow —— aS ae mercy! do not touch that box! We will all be lailled—I know we will!” ‘Put down the box!” cried Miss Sophia. * Pr ag it should go off in your hands?” ‘Why, if it’s the way you think, I don’t be- lieve we’d know what hurt us,” answered Sam. But the affair did begin to look suspicious, even to the Shadow, and he laid the perilous box very softly on the table. ‘* What’s to be done?” cried Miss Maria. ‘‘ I’m half afraid to look at the thing! What made you bring it here, boys? Take it away at once. t was ridiculous to bring it here.” ‘Perfectly nonsensical,” echoed Miss Sophia. “Take it away at once!” ‘Not much,” rejoined Bill. ‘‘ [wouldn’t carry it for a million dollars,” ** And look here at the directions,” broke in Sam. ‘ ‘Samuel Slocum—from Miss Maria and Miss Sophia Bounce.’ Guess it’s back heme ie L ain’t goin’ to carry the thing. Let’s go, BIN ‘*Stop!” screamed the old ladies. ‘‘ Some- thing must be done! We can’t have that thing here! You must take it away!” “We {eet won't, then!” answered Sam, stur- dily. ‘“ Why can’t you bury it, or something?” ‘Us? We wouldn’t touch it for the world!” Tell you what,” crled Sam, suddenly. ‘I’ve got an idee. Let’s put it in the chest, ‘long with the pistol. It'll be safe there. Won't never go et hurt nobody, no more nor the pistal will, A torrent of exclamations followed. That ‘would never do! Bence somebody was to break in the house, they should want to get the pistol to defend themselves? But Sam laughed down all objections. ‘* Any burglar could go through the house while you was rooting out that pistol,” he de- clared. ‘ Maybe, too, he might take this box to be full of gold-dust or bank-notes, and carry it off. Then that there burglar would have fun. It’s a-goin’in that chest, or it’s a-goin’ newheres.” After some further debate Sam conquered. He carefully wrapped up the box again in its original paper, though this time he turned the directed side inward, and left the blank side out. A comical thought came to the boy at this juncture. * Got any pen and ink?” he asked. “Yes. There are some, on the side table.” Sam provided himself, and commenced to write new directions on the envelope of the box, in large letters: — ‘Private papers of Miss M. & 8. Bounce.” ‘*How’s that?” he asked, viewing bis work with critical satisfaction. ‘* Won’t Mr. Burglar get sold if he takes that in? Maybe he'll carry it off to blackmail you.” - . **Put the thing out of sight,” cried the ladies, nervously. ** We can’t bear to look at it. Some- thing might happen.” The boys were not slow to obey. Anything in the shape of fun is always welcome toa boy. It was not long before the box was deposited in the chest, close by the pistol, and the contents of the chest packed in upon it. It was safely out of the way for the present. : The boys soon took their departure, leaving the old ladies all in a quiver with nervousness and excitement. They at once began to fear’ the most dire . Suppose something should shake the chest? Suppose the matches in the box should take fire spontaneously? Why did they.ever consent to have it put there? Should they send for the police to remove it? But it might go off and blow up the house if it was tounied again. It was a dreadful dilemma they had thoughtlessly got themselves into. They were likely to have plenty to occupy their minds while the box remained in the house. We must pass rapidly by the’ events of the the few succeeding Care They were days of anxiety and alarm to more than one of our characters. The Bounce ladies had more sources of trouble than one. That deadly box was still in the house. There was one subject of worry. And they had not heard from’ their nephew Philip. ow had their money prospered in his hands? Were they wise to trust him? Here was another fertile source of anxiety, Tothink of them, at their age, venturing to gamble in Id! a But Philip and his villainous confederate were no easier in their minds. Morning and evening they had examined the papers with ex- pectant eyes. But they were doomed to disap- pointment. There was no story of a dreadful explosion, and the blowing to atoms of an inno- cent little messenger boy. Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. ‘*T don’t know what to make of it,” said Jerry to himself, with a deep frown. ‘For some reason the boy has not yet opened the box. It could not fail if it was opened. [ would give something to have it back again. One never knows what might come out.” ‘*lam glad of it,” .was Philip’s mental re- mark. ‘‘I can’t quite bear the idea of killing the boy. Jerry must have made a blunder. The box couldn’t have been got up right.” He was somewhat relieved in his mind when he called on bis aunts, a few days after the above occurrence. In fact, he had been so much troubled about his own safety as that of adow Sam. Murder will out; and he was better satisfied that there was no murder to come out. The old ladies received him very cordially. , ‘We could not imagine what had become of you, Philip,” they declared. ‘It is a full week now; just to think. And we have not seen nor heard of you. What is the news? How gold gone?” “Mercy on us, aunties!” exclaimed Philip petulantly. ‘‘ You both talk at once, so I can- not tell what you are saying. You are both well, I hope.” He threw bis hat on the table, and quietly seated himself. ** Yes,” cried Miss Sophia. ‘“ But about the gold, Philip? About the investment?” % Why, am don’t mean to say you haven’t watch he papers! I thought. you would have every point down fine.” “TI didn’t know that the papers gave it,” acknowledged Miss Maria. ‘Of course they do. You can follow the gold market there every day.” “But you are here now. You can tell us. How much have we made, Philip?” “You know I advised you not to invest,” Philip carelessly answered. “a es. But then you were sure it would go up. “Not for you, you dear old gamblers. Only for outsiders,” laughed Philip. ‘‘ We can never calculate, you know. The fact is Bismarck didn’t sign the treaty.” “* And what has Bismarck’s signing a treaty got to do with the price of gold? ' ‘“‘ Everything. Everything. Why, it even affects the price of turni Don’t you know that? I thought everybody knew that. If he had it gold was sure to go up, and turnips to own.” : ** And now?” ' “‘Gold is down, and turnips are up.” “IT do not care about turnips,” exclaimed Miss Maria petulantly. us then, before it fell? as EB ee Well, then, do not sell till it rises again. Bismarck may: sign that treaty yet.” Philip looked curiously at his aunt... He half fancied she was indulging in satire. ‘* Why, bless you, aunt Maria,” he exclaimed. ‘Don’t you know better than that?) We do not do it that way. I bought on a margin.” ‘On a margin?” ‘‘You bought gold for “Just so. gold had gone up you would have made money likesin. We don’t do a two- arg pare on our board.” ‘* But gold went down.” ‘* And the margin is swept out. Exactly. I am glad you see it now. I had a hundred of my own in the same boat. It all went. I\’s the fortune of war, you know. I am free to wash my hands of mine, but I hate consumedly that you’ve been so yn, The two old ladies were looking at him with wide open eyes, They were just beginning to understand. All their money was lost. “Oh, don’t look so down in the mouth!” ex- claimed their precious nephew. ‘It's always that way. Upand down. Upanddown. To- day we're rich, to-morrow we're poor, next day comes a turn, and we're rich again. Iam clean bursted now. I expect to be worth a million before the year is out. There’s only one wer, When you lose go in heavier next time. eep it up and it’s bound to turn in your favor. One good pull and jyou wipe out all the bad ones,” “You would not advise us to go into gold os again?” asked Miss Sophia.” “Don’t call it a my dear aunt, That is too cation, a word. Speculation, of course. I acknowledge it is speculation. Cer- tainly, you will do as you please. I would not venture to advise you. Only it never does to be faint hearted in this business.” ‘‘l am glad we can doas we please,” answered Miss Maria, sourly, ‘‘We have been a pair of old fools, Philip Bounce. We do not please to be again. We have paid dearly for our edu- 9 cation in the gold business, and we do not care to indulge further.” ‘ “T am glad of that,” said Philip, rising. ‘‘ It is an uncertain business, . I would never have advised you to go into it, You forced me, you remember. Well, good-day, aunties. I must be off. Iam glad it was no worse.” ‘** And to think,” continued Miss Maria, “of my brother Philip’s son going into a business that is nothing but gambling! I am rised and astonished at you, Philip Bounce, did not think you would ever disgrace the family in that way.” “Come, come, aunt Maria,” cried Philip, ly, ‘that is laying it on rather heavily. You have been in it yourself. If you’d won, then gold dealing would have been entirely re- spectable. You lost, and now it’s pa gam- b ing. Come, aunt Ri. That won’t work. “Tam etsy glad we lost,” was the testy answer. ‘‘ And | hope you will not come around here tempting us again.” “Well, good-day,” exclaimed Philip. ‘I will not come, at any rate, until you are in a better humor,” He hastily left the house, none too well leased with the result of his visit. He had ully calculated on being able to wheedle bis aunts out of some more cash; *but the decided stand they bad taken settled that. The gold dodge was played out. “Tl Have get up some other game,” he cogitated, thrusting his hands deep into his ets. ‘I have not a fifty left out of the last tch. Letme see. I think I will go down to Downy’s and try my luck on the cards.” He was quite unaware that two persons were. closely observing him at this moment. One of these was a young woman, poorly dressed, and with a pretty but careworn face, She held a child in her arms, The other was no less a per- son than Slippery Sam. CHAPTER 1X. SHADOW SAM AND THE BABY. Tue place in which Philip Bounce soon found. himself had very much the complexion of a ambling saloon. At one end of the room a thin faced fellow, with a well-waxed mustache, was stolidly dealing faro, surrounded ki a group of players, some ha with 4 some joyful, others as stolid as the dealer. In another quorter a roulette wheel was dealing fortune or ruin to a second group. of gamblers. Elsewhere were parties around tables, engage | in the ancient and honorable game of , Here was a plentiful lunch, there a bar, with liquor free to all the thirsty, Free liquor is a | mely wise addition to a gambling saloon. The fools who risk their money on the turn ofa card are doubly fools when they have whisky in their veins, They may fancy that they are get - ting their liquor free, but the hard ‘bended ri ia of the gambling saloon knows better than that. He knows that he is very well paid for his whisky. Philip had a run of luck just now. He had hit the winning card several times in succession, and his small pile of chips was rapidly growing. His face was flushed, and his hand slightly trembling. Any old gambler would have known at a glance that he had takew the fever, and was bound to pursue luck until it deserted him. _ Outside the saloon were two persons interest- in what was taking place within—Slippery Sam and the young woman with the baby. Shadow Sam was too sharp not to have noticed that this anxigus-fi woman was on the track of Philip Bounce; though she had been too intent on her own object to perceive that she had an associate. “'There’s somethin’ queer afloat,” fancied the oung detective, looking sidewise ather. “I t this feller’s a sear a out and out. That there baby looks drefful suspicious. I'm jist a-goin’ to speak to that young woman.” e sidled up to her, where she had rested her- self against the corner of a house, with a very weary expression of face, ‘‘Excuse me, miss,” accosted Sam politely. **But I’ve a notion as how you’re most played out. And sort of interested in that there ’stab- lishment too, ain’t ye?” . She turned tohim witha slight start and a look of dread. ‘‘ Don’t git skeered at me,” continued the boy. “Tm only a boy, you see, and I don’ mean ne imperdence. Kind of interested in that ’stab- lishment myself. You're twi ging that chap they call Philip Bounce now. f take it,” Her eyes opened wide with surprise. ** How can you know that?” she asked. “Why bless you, ma’am,” laughed the Shadow, “Tm in the same boat myself, He's 4
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10 4 at eee as well as yours. Say, is he any- close to you? Sort of intimate like?” “ He’s my husband,” she replied. Shadow Sam would not have been a boy if he had not whistled at this information. Yet he had half-expected it. When young women with babi-s in their arms pursue young men it usually means something. “Whew!” he cried. ‘And he’s run away from you? And that’s his baby? And you're a-follering him up! My eyes, I never thought I was F mae! to stir up so much fun!” “He deserted me,” answered the young woman simply. ‘‘Leftme to starve. But do bie know anything of him? Do you know his unts and his habits? Ob, tell me if you do!” Her voice was full of anxiety. “ That’s what I’m tryin’ to find out,” rejoined the Young Shadow. ‘I knowed he was a rascal *foreI met you. And I know it wuss than ever now. See here, Mrs. Bounce—that’s your name, I s’pose?” “ Yes.” ** Then let’s you and me jine hands. The nice beers? orm has got me into a sort of scrape. e lied on me, that’sall. I said he was a bur- gisn and he said he wasn’t. Don’t calculate e’d say he was,either; but I’m not goin’ to let him put the lieon me. Jist you say the word and we’ll go for Phil Bounce together. And it’s a caution if we don’t bounce him bad, fore we're through with him.” ; “He deserted me,” she answered wearily. “He shall be made to support me.” “It won't never do for you to foller him,” declared Sam, decidedly. ‘‘ He’ll smell the rat right s bt. Why, you don’t know nothin’ *bout follering. Leave thattome. I'll shadow him. I tell you what you do,—Staying any- where particular?” “T have only been in town a few days,” she replied. ‘* And have been at a friend’s house.” _“* Well, see here—Phil Bounce has got two rich old aunts, and he’s makin’ them b’lieve that salt is sugar; same time that he’s tryin’ to rob them. Now, s’pose you ina go to them aunts and tell them what kind of a hair-pin he is. He’s played sharp on_you; jist you let out the whole job on him. bile you’re doin’ that I'll foller up. He won’t twig me, you bet. I’m Shadow Sam. He's Fase: on us ngly tricks. No use inyou follering him up. If he sees you he’ll slide again. you my plan,and we'll nail bim.” The young woman hesitated. She had wearily =e on the Co ghapege her, The = was very heavy. r wore a very unde- cided look. “Come! You can no further, That's flat,” decided Sam. ‘ Why, I bet that er weighs a ton this minute. See here, I’m we _ with Miss Maria and Miss Sophia Bounce, and I'll give you a letter of interduc- ‘tion. Then you've got to do the rest yourself. Are you in on it?” “Yes, anything, anything!” she wearily an- swered, “All right,” returned the boy. “‘Tll write that betber here. 4 He drew a rumpled piece of pocket, and a stumpy lead pencil from another, and making a table of the top of his hat he com- menced to write very diligently. After a good deal of crossing out and filling in, Sam read his production with much satisfaction. “That will do the work, l’ve a notion,” he announced, as he carefully folded the letter. ‘‘ Haven’t any envelope, but I s’pose that ain’t no accoun' ‘““Where am I to go?” she asked, as she took the ace and wearily rose to her feet again. ‘‘T hope it is not far for I am very tired.” “See here! I said that pen weed a ton. _ ?Tain’t far; and I guess Phil Bounce won’t stir till I git back. Give me the baby. Ill carry the pretty little thing, and show you the place.” ~ . Mrs. uunce hesitated. She was rather doubtful about trusting her treasure in Sam’s keeping. But she was sotired and_ he so con- fident, that she finally consented. He proudly led the way, holding the baby as gingerly as though he were carrying a basket of eggs, and looking fearfully on every side, lest some of his boyish friends should see him. “Carried many a thing in my time,” ad- mitted Sam. ‘‘ But a baby’s the awkwardest of all.” It seemed so, indeed, for in his efforts to get a comfortable hold be had got the child upside down, and it was slowly slipping through his despairing fingers. Naturally, too, the young cherub did not enjoy this mode of 2, ing? and some very decided notes of music began to make their way into the air. per from one a Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. “Oh dear me! See what you’re doing?” ex- claimed Mrs. Bounce. Sam hastily reversed his burden, and lifted it with such energy that this time it hung over his shoulder like a sack of wheat. The music con- tinued to sound, and had got up to very high notes. “Give me the child?” cried Mrs. Bounce. You will drop it next.” ‘““Me drop it!” exclaimed Sam. ‘I never dropped a baby in my life.—Never carried one before,” he added to himself. ‘‘ Anyhow, here’s the house. Glad of it, too. Dunno what makes the baby cry so. It didn’t cry with you.” The young mother smiled as she relieved Sam of hisburden. The child at once ceased crying. Sam looked at it askance. ““Was there ever anything so contrary?” he demanded. ‘‘Jist look at it now! And yelling like mad all the time I bad it. There’s some- thin’ queer ’bout babies, that’s my notion.” ‘‘Or about boys,” supplied the mother. “ Anyhow, here’s where the rich aunts live.. You give ’em my letter of introduction, and tell them the whole bizness, Guess I won’t stay. He gave the bell a vigorous pull and hastened away. Mrs. Bounce nervously sought to stop him, but he would not come back. He had got her into a very unpleasant situation, but it was too late. now to recede. The door had been opened in answer to the bell. She must go ugh with it. Meanwhile Sam was hurrying back to the vicinity of the gambling-saloon, rather glad to escape. rs anybody catches me carrying a baby ag in they can tell me of it, that’s al , he de- clared. “‘‘I like music but I don’t ’preciate that kind. Wouldn’t have the boys at the office know of this for a = of peanuts.—Hello! Guess I’m just in time!” This exclamation was called forth by. the sud- den appearance of Philip Bounce, who had left the gambling-saloon and was walking n-oodil along on the opposite side of ‘the street. He looked as if luck had turned against hith. Sam was not slow to take up the chase. He could do it age for there were plenty of peo- ple abroad, the pursued man was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to beed what was ing around him. He walked on agen through several streets. He was finally ed to himself by a significant touch upon the arm. It was the face of + nF tinge that looked down mean- ingly inte b erry led the way toward the open door of a halted, just looking heedfully back, to make sure that there were no listening ears at hand. ‘“Where have you ‘kept yourself?” he asked. ‘*T have been looking for you these two days.” ‘‘Have you? You know where I live.” “TI didn’t care to go there. It is not best for us to be seen together.” “‘T am not anxious to be seen with you; or to see you,” retorted Philip. “You are in the same boat with me,” an- swered Jerry, with a grim laugh. ‘‘ You will not find it so easy to get ashore, unless we go together. See here, Philip, I am anxious about that box. There is no report.” ‘Neither in the box, nor in the newspapers,” rejoined Philip. . “It has gone wrong in some way.” Jerry shook his head significantly. ‘‘I would give something neat to have it back again.” ‘“‘ But we are not known init,” replied Philip. “The boy would never reco you again. Why, your own mother wouldn’t have known you.’ ’ *] am not so sure of that. When things start to go wrong there is no telling how far they may £0. I would like to have it back.” ‘Tell the boy it was a mistake, and ask him to bring it back.” ‘That will never do, - It may be in the hands of the police now. If I could only find out in some way what has happened.” “Very well. You’re smart enough to devise a way,” Philip indifferently answered. ‘* Don’t get me in it, for luck’s dead against me. That burglary, you know, was a complete failure. I had one streak of luck, it is true, when I raised the money to take up that note. But the bot- tom has dropped out of that, too. Tried itagain to-day, and it proved a dead failure. Then I bucked my last fifty dollars against faro, and what's the result? I’m worth just twenty-five cents. ‘Take my advice, then, and play policy with 7 a a en en on ee —_— soma. plan to trace that box. Let us get out of this. They walked back through the hall, which still seemed deserted. Yet they had not reached the street ere a boy’s head slipped slily out from behind the open door at the rear. It was the head of Shadow Sam. He watched them until they had emerged into the street. ‘That ambush paid,” remarked the young sleuth. ‘‘Didn’t hear all they said, but I got some pints. Goin’ to find out what the bo done with the box, eh? All right, Mr. Man, we’ll see. Guess I ain’t done with Phil Bounce yet.” He put bimself again on that young gentle- man’s track, CHAPTER X. THE SHADOW SLIPS OUT OF A TRAP. “Pump Bounce! You do not mean to tay it was Philip—Bounce?”’ This last word was spoken so vi~orously that the nervous young woman addressed did bounce, She boun completely out of her chair, and mh down again with a very much frightened ‘ace. It was Miss Maria who spoke. She was fol- lowed by Miss Sophia: ‘Young person, you should be ashamed of yourself to come here with such a story, That our dear nephew lg pan only son of our dear brother Philip, could do such a thing! It is in- credible!” Young Mrs. Bounce felt anything but com- fortable. She was a nervous little body, and there, bolt upright before her, sat the two maiden ladies, with faces as hard as iron, frown- ing down the story that she had dared to tell them. She really began to feel hbalf-ashamed and to fancy that it must be a mistake that she was married-to and deserted by Philip Bounce. ‘It is incredible!” repeated Miss ria. ‘* Where are roe creden young woman” She doubtfully held out to them a paper — she had despairingly clutehed in her n over it with a puzzled look, ‘‘ What does all this mean?’ she asked, “I do not understand it.” . “It was given me by the boy who brought me here,” replied Mrs. Bounce, “He said you knew him, and that this was a letter of intro- duction. said his name was Shadow Sam.” ‘* Shadow Sam!” they repeated in chorus, ‘It seems it is to be nothing but Shadow Sam. He left something here the other day which we would give fifty dollars to have out of the house. And now he sends you here.” ““And with such a letter as this,” sneered Miss Sophia. ‘“‘ Samuel Slocum, Esq., takes the enduring pleasure to introduce Mrs. Phili Bounce. Time's short and paper’s scarce, an he'll leave Mrs. Philip Bounce to tell the story herself.’ What ridiculous nonsense is this?” She flung down the note with a sniff of dis- “Tt is-all a plot, I believe,” declared Miss Maria. “I hope we know our nephew better than that. And we know his worthy father would have trained him better.” Mrs. Bounce’s nervousness by this time\was quite gone. A red spot burned in either cheek, and there was a snap of anger in her eyes. She rose sharply from her chair, clasping the child es 4 to her breast. ‘His worthy father!” she exclaimed, with bitter scorn. ‘‘Worthy of what, pray? Of the State prison perha If { bad known in time what a worthy father Philip Bounce had, aud what a worthy young man he was himself, 2 would have drowned myself before marrying ‘im. Her voice was full of satire and scorn. “] tell you again that I am his wife, and that: this is his child! I tell ro that he has basely deserted me! But I will stay here no longer to be insulted by his purse proud aunts. | have not asked you for help, and. would beg before accepting it from you. She swept with a nd movement toward the door, ¢ — her babe closely in her arms. The two maiden ladies exchanged looks. There was something peculiar in their expressions. Miss Maria made a significant sign to her sister. ‘‘ Stop!” cried the latter, springing up. “ You are much too hbot-tem » my dear. We have not said we did not believe your story.” ‘*T think you made your meaning very plain,” came from the open door. “But you gave us nothing to show that yor were not animpostor. We believe you now, for you are certainly well acquainted with Miss Maria seized it and ran her eyes , Re
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ee.) Philip Bounce, senior. But our nephew has al- ways seemed so quiet an inoffensive.” “You do not know him. He has deceived you,” was the fiercely-spoken answer, ‘If I turn back, do you accept me as his wife, and this babe as his child?” “We are beginning to know him,” replied Miss Maria, dryly. ‘‘ Yes, come back, my dear. But you must prove your assertion. I presume you have a marriage certificate?” Meanwhile Shadow Sam had returned to ‘the office of the District Telegraph Company. He had beén taking an “‘ off” for the last two or three hours, and had passed a decidedly inter- esting time. What with discovering the de- serted wife, leaving this unhappy woman with her husband’s rich aunts, and overhearing an interesting conversation between Philip Bounce and Jerry Plummer, his time had been fully oc- cupied, P So he’d like to have that box back again,” said Sam to himself. “All right. He knows where I reside. Jist let himcall. I'll give it to him, muchly.” ‘*Where have you been, Sam?” asked Mr. Brown, with some sharpness. ‘ You don’t mean to say that you have been all fhis ‘time delivering those circulars?” ** Private business,” answered the lad, dryly. **Dock me two hours, Mr. Brown. I’ve had the worth of it in fun.” The day passed away without any other mat- ter of interest. Sam was expecting some move- ment on the part of the man who had given him the box, but this shrewd personage was not ready to show his hand. The next day passed also, with no important ebange in the state of affairs. One of our char- acters, it is true, was slightl better off. Philip Bounce had taken Jerry’s advice to play policy. “luck had befriended him, and he was now worth the immense sum of five dollars, He was divided in mind whether he would reinvest in a licy-shop, call at Downy’s and put it up on ‘aro, or pay a week’s board-bill which he owed. ‘There was a chance to turn it into a fifty on the cards. But there was an equal chance to turn it into nothing. And that might be fol- towed by his being turned adrift, and forced w § eben and bedless , ess hunt up Furman and the boys,” he at length Sacinded. “If I can up a 5 of skin eucher, I am good to double my pile. But Iam afraid they will vg Ke I them too badly our last bout. By Jove, I only see two chances left to me now. If ican got my innocent aunts to dip into gold again I ean feather my nest for awhile. And if I can get Lucy Mason to say yes, and marry me straight off, there’s another gold mine opened. But I hope my po ees | wife will keep away ML} got my net set and my fish caught. he was divising these villainous schemes, and seeking the unsuspicious friends whom he hoped to victimize at reat ange the day had quietly at the District Telegraph office. t was near night when Shadow Sam returned from an errand on which he had been sent. “ Near supper time, Sam,” said Mr. Brown. a job you cami do on your way to be delivered at 70 San- som. A f of yours, too, I fancy, for he asked particularly that you should be sent. Said it was very important and he knew you could be trusted.” “ He’s a good deal too sweet,” growled Sam. “ Sendin’ me more than a mile out of my way. Dunno whether I am to’ be trusted, when I’m hungry, and it’s supper time. Where’s the pack- age, Mr. Brown? S’pose I'll have to put her through.” The parcel was a very small one, that was some comfort. Sam thrust it into his pocket, and was quickly off. _It was a round-about way home, and he hur- ried briskly along. His day’s labor had given as a fine appetite and he did not care to waste me. The place to which he had .been directed proved to be a somewhat dilapidated building, eut up into numerous offices. It was very near night, and the halls and stairs were dark. Sam looked at the direction board near the door. “*J, Smith, Fourth Story, back. Wh didn’t he git on the seventh story at once?” growled the messenger boy. ‘‘I s’pose he would, if there’d been any seventh story Got to climb, I reckon, but I don’t take it kindly.” : He soon reached the fourth floor. The build- ing seemed deserted. It was very dark here, and he had difficulty in making out the name = pi Smith, on a door at the rear of the all. ' * All hokey,” remarked Sam, as he knocked at the door. ‘‘Hope Mr. J. 8. ain't stepped *’round the corner.” A cheerful ‘‘ Come in!” settled Sam’s doubts. He opened the door and entered: But the boy could not avoid a slight start on seeing before him the man with the prominent nose and bushy whiskers, who had given him the questionable box. . He looked at him dubiously, while he ex- tracted from his pocket the package with which be had been intrusted. ‘“*Got somethin’ here for Mr. John Smith,” ee as he tugged at the package. ‘‘ Here it is,’ ‘Where from, my boy?” “Dunno,” answered Sam, shortly. ‘'‘ Left at the Telegraph office. Good-night. Guess Dll slide.” ‘* At the Telegraph office? ‘I thought I knew a Are you not SamuelSlocum, to whom he Misses Bounce sent a box as a present, a few few days ago?” “That’s me; Samuel Slocum, Esquire.” ‘*It was I who gave you that box.” The speaker was between Sam and the door. **T know it,” answered Sam, quietly, “T hope it was something worth while,” re- joined the man, with an effort at a smile. ‘What did you find in your box, my young friend?” Despite the soft tone of his questioner, Sam was beginning to smell a mouse. There was something queer about the whole proceeding. The boy took his cue instantly.. ** Dunno what was in it,” he answered, care- lessly. ‘‘ Nothin’ of no account. I guess. Them old women ain’t none too kind that way, ’bout givin’ presents.” ‘“‘ But did you not open it to see?” there was a concealed anxiety in the question. ‘* Not much,” and Sam thrust his hands deep into his pockets. ‘‘ 1 swapped it off unsight un- seen, with Billy Barly, down at the office. The little rascal shut my eye up, too. All he guv was a paper of mixt candy, that hadn’t three good bites in it. I had a big notion to go back on the swap: but that wouldn’t be square, you know. A e’s a trade.” : The man looked curiously at Bam. He was rather doubtful just how much of this story to believe. He thought it his cue to laugh, how- ever, “It isa question who got sold worst, you or sce rf remarked. ‘But ‘t he in the sar No. We've had more fun than a little with that box, up at the office.” Sam’s voice was in- nocently confidential. ‘‘ Bill’s been tryin’ to sell it the boys, on a spec, Like they sell the Adams Express packages, you know. But the boys don’t bite, worth a cent. Bill wants fifty cents for it,and he ain’t had more than ten cents bid. It's on a shelf in the office now. be ded reed to open it to-morrow, if he don’t git his selling price sooner.—Well, guess Vl go. a "bout supper time, and I’m ready for it, I ou. There was a momentary hesitation in Sam’s questioner, as the boy walked with an unsus- icious manner to the door. But, Jerry lummer, for it was he, wag very well satisfied that if the box had been opened somebody would have been blown up. And Sam’s story seemed as good a reason as any why it had not been pene Boys are not generally very slow about examining presents. : These thoughts rushed like a flash through the villain’s mind, as he stepped aside, and opened the way to the door. ; “Good-night, my boy! On duty to-night?” aoe This i night off. Good-nigh 0. is my : -n Mr. Smith.” oN Sam was not long in getting down-stairs and into the street. ‘Tell you what, Sam Slocum,” he said to him- self, ‘that was a rat-trap, and you was the rat. If you’d jist nibbled once at John Smith’s cheese you’d been nabbed, sure. Don’t like to lie, I know. But there is places where the truth has to be dealt out re gingerly. Dun- no what that long-nosed devil might have done, if I hadn’t shut his eye up with that little fairy story "bout the swop.” : Sam made the best of his way home, glad to be safely on the street. j Mi An hour afterward a long-nosed man, with héa black whiskers, and a slouched- hat, called at the District Telegraph office, and had a little conversation with Mr. Brown. : “You gave the boy the wrong box by mis- 11 take,” said the operator, in doubt, “ You want to exchange it. He traded it off with Bill Barly, and it so on a shelf in the office, Is that his story ?”’ “Yes,” was the anxious response. ‘*But, my dear sir, Shadow must have been carrying out his name, Tbe whole story isa fiction. There is no such box here.” He had some difficulty in convincing his visitor of this fact, and the latter was a very anxious and a very much r’iled man as he went Pn § He had been sold very cheap by Shadow CHAPTER XI. PHILIP BOUNCE GETS A START. Sam was perched on a high office stool, bis hat driven savagely down over his eyes, and a look of preternatural importance upon his face. Opposite him sat Mr, Brown, the telegruph operator, on a very low chair, and looking bold meek. One would have said he was a school- boy who bad badly failed in his lessons; and that Sam was the bard-hearted teacher.. “Mr. Brown,” remarked Sam, ‘I've stuck eet close to business lately, now ain’t 1?” “Why, yes, Sam. No one can say that you have not done your duty.” ‘Like a gentleman and a Christian,” sup- plied Sam. ‘ Well, then, Mr. Brown, it’s kind of hard for a boy like me to stick to it so close. If you ain’t got no objection I’d like to take two or three days’ loaf.” y "Loaf? You loaff Shadow Sam, the pride of the office? Why, I thought better of you © than that. What's adrift fn ee brain now, Sam ant to po a-fishing, eh?” ‘“Yes, a-fishin’ after rascals,” answered the boy. ‘Ive told you a bit of what's up, Mr. Brown. If you don’t mind Ill tell you the pall ri ht,” laughed Mr. Brown, * I'm agree- ad right,” laug! i wn m : able. Let me hear it.” mY The young Shadow proceeded to tell the whole’ sory of his connection with Philip ce, and of the mysterious operations of the ised, man who called him — Tor on h Mr. Brown,” luded ow, see : Wy conclu Sam, “that theneehap put it ae me heavy. He had the impudence to declare be wasn’t a lar, when I'd said he was, What do you of that, sir?” self by the uncommon name b thin “It wasa most extraordin case of impu- dence,” answered Mr. Brows, tying his best Oe rs the li And that’ @ guv me ie, you see. at's not the worst. Him, end the other one that ealls himself John Smith, they tried to blow me up with that box. And tbey’re at it yet. Didn’t they try to trap me, t’other night? Telt ou what, Mry Brown, this thing is played out. — t's my turn now. I’m bound to a ring in Phil Bounce’s nose.” ‘*But you do not know what was in the box, Sam. hy not take it to the station, and have it examined? If it proves what you suspect, then have them arrested.” ’ ‘Haven't got that John Smith nailed right yet,” and Sam shook his head doubtfully. Only want three days’ loaf, and I've a notion Til fetch ’em. Took’ Phil Bounce’s wife avd child square into his aunt’s house, and the old Jadies have jist froze to the baby. I’m feared it'll be hot weather for Phil when he goes ‘round that way ag’in. And that’s not all Mr. Brown. There’s another bit of work that I’ve eoeet on that’s goin’ to make things howl. You know therich down Spruce street?” “Yes, What of them?” know. Well, I’ve twigged Phil Bounce soft- soaping around Lucy n. He’s jist makin’ love to ber, that’s the truth. Now, do yous’pose I’m goin’ to stand that, Mr. Brown?” ' ‘‘Making love to her? And he a marricad n > “Tt’s a tony job, Mr. Brown. Now. ain’t it?! But he’s barkin’ up the wrong tree, though he don’t know it. Lucy Mason and me’s kind of thick. Why, every time I take anything down there she smiles as sweet as if I was her first cousin. Hope you don’t spose I’m goin’ to let Phil Bounce come it over that nice little girl? I think not.” » |. He must bea rascal, Sam. That’s a fact.” » ‘You bet be is, Between you and me. Mr. Brown, I’ve posted eye ason. - I’ve been down there, She took it kind of hard av iirst, fer she was a bit soft on Phil. But she come in when I laid down the law to her. Jist let him “Tm kind of acquainted down there, you . é
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12 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. | go’round there again, and he’ll find that salt ain’t sugar. [ve got jist the neatest little game Jaid out that you ever heered of.” ; What is it, Sam? None of your tricks, I ope. arn proceeded to tell the plot he had laid, a lot the reader must wait a little while to un- old itself. It was one, however, which Mr. Brown quite approved of, and he did not hesi- tate to grant Sam the holiday asked for. Meanwhile affairs were not going as smoothly with hie Bounce as that worthy could have desired, He had arranged the little card game with Jonas Furman and that gentleman’s friends, but fortune had proved unfavorable. Despite Phil’s cute way of handling these un- certain little papers his antagonists managed to get the most ridiculously good hands. In con- sequence the unlucky gambler found himself re- duced a to a bare twenty-five cents. All this he duly represented to Jerry Plum- mer, with the hope of softening the hard heart of that gentleman. “ve had confounded bad luck, Jerry, you see,” declared Phil. ‘‘ But I’ve got a sure dodge laid out now. Iam going to buck faro the first chance, and I’ll bet you high I break the bank. | It’s bound to work.’ “Go ahead,” returned Jerry. “I’ve no ob- jections,” “* But the S-scgere Aaa of the case is this,” persisted Phil. “ own bank has gone to win, Jerry, but [ want the funds to invest, and I am ready to share with the capitalist who supplies thecash. Come, old boy, fork me over a cool fifty.” “ Hardly, Phil. That cat won’t pum Ican raise you some on your note, as1 did before. But my friend won't be satisfied without a good indorsement,” Philip looked at him sourly. “So you want me to try fo: ry again, eh? That cat won’t jump either, Jer ummer. ‘You -are deuced anxious to get a hold on me, though I don’t know what for. You have some chestnuts that I am to pull out of the fire for you, I see that. It was you put me up to roan gh and got that confounded boy on wy ; A look of anxiety came upon Jerry’s face. “By the way, how about the boy?” asked Phil. “ You were going to settle him, I believe. But he does not seem to be settled.” “ He isan infernal little rogue!” blurted out pee “T laid the neatest trap for bim; and caught him init too. But, would you believe it, young hound lied with such a smooth face that I swallowed it. I, Jerry Plummer, that can scenta lie ata hundred paces, swallowed that boy’s story whole. He gave such a good me a reason for not opening the box that I eved him, and let him slide.” “ And it proved to be a lie?” * Yes. ' neatest kind of a lie. But Shadow Sam, as he calls himself, won’t slip me quite so easy. If heis not kind engagli to gor up, I will find some way to silence im, “Oh, drop the boy. Come, Jerry, make ita ten. I will pay you back to-morrow.” “How abont that rich heiress you were courting?” ““T have her all right. I am going to pop the question this afternoon. But I want a tew shiners in my pocket. Enough to bty an engagement ring. : your aunts then.” ’ Sol will. Lend mea ten, and I will get it from them to-morrow,” Jerry shook his head doubtfully. ‘Tam afraid of both plans,” he replied. ‘I don’t like to trust my cash on the chance of a girl’s any yes; or a brace of angry old women etting” up on their dissolute nephew. Why not go through their house again. You fajled-before. You may succeed next time.” ‘*Very well. If the other two plans fail, I will4ry that asa last chance. 1 have a notion where they keep their valuables. Hand over, = 7y' “Tfear itisa r security,” answered the elder villain. “‘ But I always was a good- natured fool. I will let you bave a five.” ‘* Ten, you sordid miser,” “* Five. “Pen, I say. I will pay you fifty per cent interest.” “Five. You will save on the interest.” 9 3 =a want to save al ~ igang * But I do on the princi ive or nothigg, Phil. And t alien thee latter.” hige ‘Ob, pass over your five, then. It’s worse than toeth-drawing to get a stake out of you, you old villain.” a Jerry a tae as if he found this a high com- pliment. e handed a five dollar bill to his young associate, “That is the last, Phil. You will have to earn your cash in future.” “‘ All right,” answered Phil lightly. “ See if I don’t have a fifty before an hour. Good-day, Jerry.” He walked gayly from the room. _ Jerry looked sourly after him. ‘*Confound him,” he muttered. ‘He is a keen young rogue. But I will get him under a pr yet, sharp as he is,” eanwhile Shadow Sam was busy. In fact he had opened a communication with Lucy Mason, to whom Philip Bounce was paying very warm attentions, and had su in con- vincing her of the dubious character of her lover. The young lady had an open ement with this interested lover at six o’clock that evening, and affairs were so close between them that she fully expected a declaration of love from him during that visit. Being satisfied now of his villainy, she had arranged a little drama with Sam, to come off on that ners occasion. It was a sort of surprise party for Philip Bounce. et, quite oblivious of this state of affairs, the young gentleman called ps oh the hour ap- inted at the elegant Spruce street mansion of is lady love. The parlor was large, dusk,j cool; decidedly the place for a love scene. ‘** Yet Phil seemed at first ill at ease. He was nervous and slightly irritable, and conversed all round the compass as far as possible from the subject to which Lucy was very willing to bring him. The truth was that the venturesome bler had invested his five dollars on faro and his sure plan had unaccountably gone wrong. He was reduced to his normal sum of twenty-five cents, and fell out of sorts in consequence. Lucy Mason, a fair-faced, plump little body, quite ready to be loved, yet shrewd with it all, ty closer to Phil, and looked inquiringly into his eyes. ** What has gone wrong?” she softly asked. ‘You are not like yourself to-day. troubled about something.” ‘Ob, a mere trifle,” he replied. ‘It doesn’t take much to put a fellow out of sorts this weather. Do you know you are looking re- markably bright tofag” He slipped closer to ber upon the sofa. ‘None of that now,” she laughed. ‘‘I have told (Ne often I would have no flattery.” ‘*Flattery indeed! It is: the solid truth. And, Lucy—” He was now very close. Well?” she asked, with questioning eyes. “IT saw you with Harry Hudson yesterday. And—I thought—you were unusually agreeable gti meme I ? Have I nota right to treat “* Suppose I was’ ave I nota gentlemen pleasantly ?” ‘*Oh,1 do not mean that. But—but I could not help feeling a little jealous. You never treat me so, Lucy,—And you know I love you! Ihave shown you fifty times how I love you! I believe, I hope, that you are not quite indiffer- ent to me,” ' He had come so une tedly to the point that it almost took her th. He now held her hand, and was looking with warm fervor into her eyes. She drew back a little, rather cones: F “Excuse me, Mr. Bounce. I do not know that I have had any spécial reason to think so. It seems to me that this is a new subject of con- versation between us,” “‘T have loved you ever since I first saw you,” he declared: ‘‘I must have shownit. Tell me, dear Lucy, is not my love returned? But it must be. I have seen it in your eyes.” “What unfortunate eyes I must have,” she coldly replied. ‘‘ Release my hand, Mr. Bounce, you hurt me. Iam much obliged for your avowal; but will you kindly anlswer me a few Ptr al “* Certainly,” he exclaimed, somewhat ill at at ease. He did notunderstand her manner. ** You are almost a stranger, you know.” ‘‘But I can give you every evidence as to who Lam. Besides, you know my aunts. As to my former life—”’ “Exactly,” she interrupted. “It is that I refer to. There are some strange stories afloat, Mr. Bounce of—of a former wife and child.” He had been bending forward, looking eager- ly into her eyes. But this shot took him like a pistol ball. He fell back suddenly, his face red- dening to his hair. ‘*Who has told you that?” he cried hoarsely. “Itisa lie! It is a lie, Lucy Mason, whoever has told you!” ou are “T have good evidence of it,” was her quiet answer, ‘““What evidence, Lucy?” He was recover- ing his assurance, ‘‘ Let me know just how far the lie has gone, so that I can nail it. Show me your evidence.” ** You deny it, then?” - * Yes, utterly.” “I think I can convince you, Philip Bounce. You ask me to show my evidence. Look for yourself. Yonder it is!” As she spoke one of the window curtains rose and a beam of sunlight illuminated the room. His eyes followed the direction of her pointing finger to the door, which stood partly open. And in this opening appeared, as if hovering in the air, the form of a pretty child, which smiled sunnily as its eyes fell upon him. “*Do you admit the evidence, Philip Bounce?” “Good heavens! That child! My child!” With extended hands and starting eyes he backed step by step, poring with a stunned as- pect on the infant. His face had changed from red to deadly pale. In this way he reached another door of the room. It opened to his touch. With a ery of mingled fear and rage he rushed out, utterly overwhelmed by the pea big er Lucy sprung “p and clapped her hands, In- stantly through the open door came the slight figure of Mrs. Bounce, whose unseen hands had held the seemingly floating child. At the same moment, from under the window curtain, came Sere that ain't as good a poand “Tf that ain’t as as ice-cream an n cake, then I’m no judge,” laughed the cer ‘‘ Did you ever see a nice young man took more sudden?” CHAPTER XU. A BRACE OF SURPRISES, Suapow Sam resided at No. 10 Plum street. He was not the only one of the family. There were a dignified Mr. and Mrs. Slocum, and a fair ng of Mpa J Slocums, boys and girls, a tumbling, rat- — set of little busybodies, who had ip pontost genius for or manufacturing misch Sam was the eldest of this flock, and the only one who took part in ig the living of the family. He felt the dignity of his position accordingly, and was @ little inclined to make the young fry stand around. “Now don’t you be botherin’ me, Billy Slocum,” he cried to his twelve-year-old brother. ‘ You know I’ve got to tend to business.. We merchants ain't expected to know anything about geography.” “You ain’t no merchant,’”’ exclaimed Billy, very doubtfully. : “T ain't, eh? Well, I'm very glad to hear that, Had a queer notion I was.”’ } *‘ What is amerchant, Sammy?’’ ‘‘What is a merchant? Why, a merchant is— Mom, you got my lunch put up? It’s "bout time I was off—a merchant is a chsh? ‘Specs i are you till you git old enough to understand it. ‘**Don’t believe you know,’’ jeered Billy, running, out of Sam’s reach. ‘“* Show you if I don't, if Lonly had time,” threat- ened “Say, Mom, you know that box I left up in my rogm, wi ay name on the paper Did the man ever call for it that was to git it?’ “Yes, Sa . He was here yesterday. He had big black w ne ence rae over his eyes. H et it,’ em Did he?’ remarked Sam. "I’ve a notion he'll feel kind of sorry ‘fore he gets through with it. Good-mornin’,Mom. Tell you all 'bout it when I “gan ro sot Seach, guiicaken his pecke ™m 8 lunch package into pecket, betetd ie dent down over his ears, struck up the merry air of ‘ Little Buttercup" in a clear oa pe . and was off for business. He always came and went out of the house like a breeze. ; “*So old black whiskers has the box at last?” said the boy to himself, as he hurried along the street. “I s'pose be thinks he has shut Sam Slo- cum’s eyes up slick. All right, Mr. John Smith; but look out you don’t git your eyes opened.” An pores | 2. after be yrs penne _— thus cheeril S way along the street, the person of Wiest ba had just spoken was otherwise occu- ied. He had just admitted Philip Bounce into his 1ouse. There was a look of ae upon his sinis- ter face, in strong contrast with the depressed ex- pression of his younger associate. “Hey! Phil! t’s gone wrong?’’ he eried. - are you got the toothache, or a dead grand- ather?” “Everything is wrong,’’ answered Phil, dejected- ly. “First, my trick at faro didn’t work. Phere was a confounded run of bad luck, I’mcleaned out again, Jerry, dry as gunpowder.”’ “I knew that,” laughed Jerry. “I never saw a trick at faro yet that worked for anybody except the bank.” ; “ But that’s not the worst,” sighed Phil. “There's a terrible screw loose in another quarter,’* : * Hillo! I see what it is. Lucy Mason has jilted you. The rich wife dodge has dropped through. Come, Phil, don’t let that discourage you, [thought that you knew women better than that. They say
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vA find. ‘This boy’s trick no to-day, so they can make yes sound sweeter to- | A shadow came over Phil’s hopes. He felt that it morrow.” “The dog's dead,” answered Phil, gloomily. ‘ She didn’t bother herself to say no. She got up a tab- leau for me, Jerry.” ‘*A tableau?” ‘‘My baby, Jerry! There was my own baby, float- ing in the air like an angel without wings! You never saw a worse scared man than Iwas. I went out as if I'd been shot out of a cannon.” “But what was it? Some trick?” “T suppose so,” gloomily. ‘I fancy my wife has tdinarek me here, and is on my track, There’s only one thing for it. I must make a stake out of m aunts, and then clear for the West. This town is getting too hot to hold me.” cae “Your luck does seem to be off, indeed,’’ said se 4 of with an air as if he rather a ed it. “Tdon't see that yours is any ter,” retorted Phil. “ There’s that dynamite box still afloat. You are shaking in your boots this minute, for fear the lice have it, and may sweep down on you. That wy has been too much for you, smart as you are.” \"I fancy not,” answe Jerry, with an air of triumph. ** And why not, pray?” ‘* Because I’ve got the box; that’s all. too sharp for Shadow Sam.” ‘“You have the box?” 2 “Just so. I was about ‘opening it when you came ” I proved ‘The deuce you were! Wait till I go out, then, before you put that little job through. I don’t care = ae bbe gt you inpiy that box.” ° . erry nowingly. ‘Don't fear, Phil. I know how to handle it. It is safe enough inmy hands, Come,I will show you the trick.’ Phil followed with great hesitation. He was not quite sure that he wanted to be shown that trick. muqoee the ping should work like his trick at faro, and the whole affair go wrong? Whena box of dy- namite goes wrong it is not comfortable to be close by. Everything goes up together, the dynamite and the rators. But Jerry laughed him out of his fears, and led the way into his private room. Ona table in the center stood the mysterious box, from which the paper cover had just been removed. “Tt is the simplest thing in the world,”’ said Jerry, with causing confidence. “It is all in knowing just how to handle #. By putting your thumb here, you see, And ceteping | here.” He was so full of his explanation that he did not per- ceive that the box, though like the one he had made uP was not precisely the same. It was not very erent, and he bad not observed it closely. “There ‘are 730 of doing everything,” he ex- ned. ‘I will show you in a minute how this af- airis got up, You will see, then, that a man who knows how can open it safely, and that nobody else can. You will be surprised when you see what is in it.” He pressed down bard on the back of the sliding lid, and drew it carefully off. Phil bent over the box. The confidence of his associate had re- moved his fears. Ina moment more the cover was removed and they both looking into the open box. Jerry had promised Phil asurprise. But the sur- prise was certainly a double-barreled one. For, in- stead of the peculiar arrangement which he ex- pected to see, there was not! met their eyes but aslip of drawing paper stretched just under the sliding-lid. And on this poner was & neatly outlined drawing of a boy, with the unmistakful face of Sam Slocum. And, worst of all, this nets had the thumb of one hand at the nose, and the fingers stretched out in a most d tful manner, while from the mouth seemed to come the words: ‘Compliments of Shadow Sam to Mr. John Smith. 7 this will find you enjoying yourself.” If curses bad any sting Shadow Sam wauld have felt a twinge even at the distance he was from his foe, for Jerry made the air blue with oaths. He flung the insulting box to the floor and crushed it under his heel. . ; “Don't nae at me, Phil Bounce,” he cried fiercely. ‘It is no laughing matter; as you may tHe Aewes 4 the cat is out of the bag, and that we are anger. “Not much,’ declared Phil. “Tam only a silent partner in that job. Slocum's Sam has proved too much for you, Jerry, that’s flat." “Curse him! Tl settle him! : “I'm clear of it, at any rate. I am going to bleed my aunts and strike for the West. Your Philadel- phia air does not agree with my constitution, er was too much occupied with his own thoughts to of | sociate, When Phil left, the baffied villain had broken into a second paroxysm of oaths, swearing by black and white to be even with Shadow Sam. ‘. ‘‘T hope the load may be on the other shoulder, said Phil to himself, as he walked onward. “I have no reason to love you, Jerry Plummer, I would give something nice to have the hounds of the law catch you napping. I am going to cut loose, at any rate. My aunts won't. refuse me alittle stake, and with that I will strike for the West and a fortune. : He was not long renin. his aunts’ house, in De Lancey Place. He rung ¢ e bell confidently, and was quickly admitted. hil was never troubled with a lack of confidence. He had no doubt he could bamboozle the innocent old ladies. Or if that did not work, an appeal to their generosity I wee assuring to be received by Yet it was not ve them sitting bolt upright in their chairs, and with a look of doubly-starched severity upon their faces. attention to the plans of his as-} \ ® ; was a critical moment, and dashed in with the ut- most vivacity. “How d’ye do, aunties?’ he exclaimed. “Glad to see you looking so well and so jolly. Don’t say a word about my not being here for the last week. I know you are going to blame me for it, but I couldn’t help it; 1 really couldn’t. Been up to my ears in business. Over my head, in fact, I'd have been drowned outright, only I’m a first-class swim- mer. Do you know I had the most confounded ill- luck with that investment of yours. If I’d only bought on a week’s option now, I could have made you a cool thousand apiece. Old Bismarck signed the treaty, just as I knew he would, and up boomed gold. Unluckily he was a day late about it, and our margins were swept out. But afig forthat. That’s the way gold works. We go in again and things work smooth; and bless you how the money rattles rs It’s a sure thing, if you have the heart to keep it up.” “Are you nearly out of breath, Philip?’ asked Miss Maria, grimly. “If so perbaps we may ven- ture a word,’ Why, I could not “Out of breath! t out of t go on, aunt breath on that subject. Don’t let me monopolize.” ae is a sure thing, Philip, no doubt,” began Miss aria.”’ ** Of course it is,” broke in Philip. “Sure to lose,’ continued the grim lady. have lost our investment and learned wisdom. I fancy you have lost all yours too, without learning wisdom,” “Oh, a man will be down in his luck now and then,” Phil airily answered. “I am not well prim- ed now, I confess. Tell you what it is, aunties, I’ve anotion to pull up stakes and travel. Business is ‘too slow hereaways. Chicago is my fleld. Put me on the Chicago board and I will be a rich man ina menth. See here, aunt Ri, I want you to loan me enough for trav and a week’s board bill. will be on my feet in a week, and send it back. Saya fifty, and your nephew won't bother you soon , | promise you.”’ “So you wish A mang Po take to Chicago with you, Philip?” asked Miss hia, **Just so. You have hit the nail on the head.” “Very well, We do not wish to be hard with you, since you are our brother's only son. We will 1 + peewee to take to Chicago with you. th, sister?’’ “Yes,” answered Miss Maria. ‘ We must give a parting present to our dear nephew.” Phil’s face brightened up. ngs were moving even more smoothly than he had hoped. His aunts were not going to be so hard to ee Let him once cut loose, and he could p his fin- at Jerry Plummer and Mrs. Bounce. “That’s very kind in you,” he demurely replied. ‘We do not mean to be hard with you, ei We have something here which we know will delight your heart to have with yoy on your western jour- ney.” Xn un fee shot across: Phil’s’ mind as his aunt walked gravely to the rear door of the room. There was a significance in her tone which he did not quite relish. But there was no time to ask ex- lanations, for in the next instant the door was Song open, and there, before his astounded eyes, stood the form of his deserted wife, holding the child in her arms. And, dimly visible behind her stood Shadow Sam, with his fingers to his nose, as he had nppeetes in the drawing in the box. “This is the pleasant surprise we had prepared for you,”’ remarked Miss Maria bse ‘I hope you will enjoy this lady’s company to Chicago.” CHAPTER XIII. THE RIFLING OF THE CH Par. Bounce was beginning to leaus. They were getting decide ci that sort in which his wife and chil red as the principal aetors. ts so neat a method to get rid of a wife and child by running away from them, that Phil had thought himself rather smart, and had enjoyed the neat surprise he had prepared for Mrs. unce, Butthe tables were slightly turned when he found that Mrs, Bounce had run after him and was pre- paring neat,surprises for him. . ‘ She had spoiled both his cherished plans. H idea of marrying a rich wife, bleeding her of all the eash he could handle, and leaving her in the lurch, had completely failed. His second idea of getting cash from his aunts to pay his way west, had like- wise failed. Yet he must get off in some way. The town was not big enough to hold him and that pre- cious baby at the same time. plan left. “ We EST. et tired of tab- y monotonous; There was but one He had not forgotten how to get clandes- tinely into his aunts’ house. He must repeat the burglary, make a stake in that manner, and slide away for wild western scenes, Such were some of the fancies which passed through Phil’s mind as he hurried away from the house where he had been so unpleasantly aston- ished. Much as the figure in the box had taken aback Jerry Plummer, his associate was still more overwhelmed. The two villains were beginning to meet their deserts, These ideas cf Phil Bounce’s were not without their match elsewhere. His sudden departure had made even his demure aunts laugh. These ancient ladies were not usually goo4 at seeing the point of a_ joke, but this was such a knock-down one that a blind man must have seenit. © — “Poor dear little tot, with such a bad father!” cried Miss Maria, tossing the crowing baby in her “Jt shall not want for nothing, no it sha’n’t, while its old aunties live.” he Messenger Boy. 13 _ “Yes, yes, my dear,”’ broke in Miss Sophia. ‘It is too bad. But then itis not your fault, and it is only proper that we should know the truth.—I teib you, sister, I really believe—” she began, as a sudden thought came to her. ‘““What is it you believe, Sister Sophia?”’ “IT really believe that Philip h nothing to do with gold whatever! It is my fixed opinion that he never bought and sold gold at all!” “Oh, 2 Sophia! Do you really think so?’ “TI positively do,” «And he cheated us out of our money?” ** Just so, Maria,’’ ‘* Well then, all I’ve got to say is that I’m glad he's _ yee to Chicago, I'll cut him off in my will, I vow | Ww ve A . Shadow Sam had been listening intently to this conversation. He now put in a word himself. ““You don’t mean to say as you lent Phil Bounce money to invest?” ‘ “Yes, we did. He told us he was on the Gold | Exchange. He would put it up on the Beard.” “So he did,” answered Sam. ‘“ He told the truth there. He did want it to put up on the board.” ‘*I don’t believe it,'’ snapped Miss Maria. ‘On what board og baie ‘On the faro 5”? Sam’s words were followed by uplifted hands and horrified exclamations, “That's what he done with it, I tell you, vi believe he gambled away all the cash he could raise. pater * track him more than once to a gambling ole?” “Well, well. I’m heartily glad he's going west. He cannot disgrace us there.” . ** How is he to go West without cash?" “He will not get it from us, at any rate," “T am not sure of that.” ; \ “Why, what do you mean, Samuel Slocum You_are talking very mysteriously. “He tried to TOR. you once, You know_ that. Now, I've heered him talkin’ lately, and I've. a notion he'll try it again.” **Oh, Samuel Slocum!” **Oh, how can you say such a thing?” **T don’t believe it. Y. husband wouldn't steal."’ These three exclamations had very little effect on Sarit he'd: tumbl bag of gold he’s jist the af e' mble over a i) e's. the feller to pick it up,” persivted Baxi pe - don't billows he'd kick it out of his way. He ain’t that sort,” “Oh, my! Ishall not sleep a wink to-night!" de- clared Miss Maria. — am scared half out of my wits," followed her sister. ‘““Maybe he means to do me a harm, He must hate me," added the poor wife. “Don't know what he won’t be up to,” answered Sam. ‘ He’s jist like a roarin’ lion, Well, T guess I'll make tracks. I don’t see as I’m any use here now.” “No, no; you shat not go! It is on night now. He may try it this very night. You must s' ani Why, what good can I do? A boy lice met” “Why, Ww. can I do? | 6 me?’ “We know bow brave you a You faced the burglar before, Come, now, Mr. Slocum, won't you “Mr. Slocum! Say, you ain’t got h hat lay- — in’ round loose? Youen mo foe tall © "Mose aut a notion to cultivate side-whiskers," ‘* We will make it worth your while,” pleaded Mise Sophia. ‘‘Just to think of three lone women ex- to burglars and not a man in the house!” + “Think maybe I’d_ best start a mustac eee : declared Sam, “ Well, guess I'll stay, But I ain’t had no supper. Got to go home first for grub.” “No, no. You can have supper here.” ‘Feared I won't like your cookin’,” answered Sam decidedly. ‘Got to report at Roane, too. Don't want to have them draggin the river for me, a , — drowned, I’ back ag'in, You can n a a . 2 > Only after repeated promises was Sam suffered to. o. The two old ladies had an immense confidence his courage, and fancied him a match for a score of burglars. os : But we must move on more zepey: Midnight: came that night as it comes all nights, but it was not a midnight of the same complexion, Outside there was not a star in the , while the moon had been. snuffed out since ten o’clock. Thick clouds covered the firmament. A gusty wind soughed through the . trees. Faint patte sounds told of the first steps of a Pee rain. was a night for all to be in | their beds who had beds to go to. ; Inside the Bounce mansion everything was a bgt The old ladies had even permitted themselves to ge to sleep, which was a thing unheard of when they had a subject of affright. But with Shadow Sam in the house they did not feel as nervous as usual, and let slumber steal upon their eyelids. As for Sam himself he had ideas of his own. It seemed to him very natural that the baffled villain might have revengeful projects against his wife, who had so signally destroyed his schemes. ‘The boy therefore stationed ‘mself at the door of the room occupied by Mrs. Bounce and the baby, as the point where a sentinel was most needed. Sam was determined not to go to sleep. He had ransacked the old chest, and armed himself with the ppistol, replacing its contents without disturbing the * A boy with a pistol is worth a man with a pis- tol,” he muttered. ‘And more, too, if he fires cker. He's got to keep wide awake, though, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
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And he did it with a vengeance, for before an hour he was as sound asleep as though there were a ton weight on each eye. The hours glided on. Midnight was followed by the stroke of one. Two followed in its due time. The rain outside, which had. been falling heavily, ha: now slackened. But the wind was more violent than ever. Its noise, however, did not trouble any- body within. Sleep there ed supreme. From Sam to Dinah everybody was as unconscious as though a spell had been wn upon the mansion. Was everybody asleep? ‘There were sounds that spoke differently. A slight noise as of the lifting of asash. Stealthy feet pattering softly over the floor. The quiet unlocking of a door. Creaking sounds such as Sam had once before heard on such a night, but which ho was past hearing now. .And nobody was likely to waken from these vagne sounds, for br 64 were nearly drowned in the gusty noises out- side. Up-stairs they came, and along the carpeted pas- sage of the second floor. Matters promised badly for Sam's reputation as a faithful sentinel, yet st ; he slept on iin geben, 1 The ponieth ceed rowler had gained the rear room, which contained the chest in which the pistol was '» + usually put out of harm’s way. A slight scratching noise was heard. A match kindled, and in a mo- } ment more a low gas jet was burning. Its faint light revealed the face of the burglar, who was no other than Philip Bounce. “ 4 pistol isa useful institution in a case like this,” he thought. ‘ Lucky I know where the old women keep taeirs, for I may need it. I bear no good will to that cursed wife of mine. I don’t know what I . vet 4 do yet, before I leave this house." } ere was the look of a murderer upon his face. He was haere Aes work removing the contents of the chest, which he quietly heaped pee the floor. The bottom was soon reached, but he felt in vain for . the expected weapon. } “Can they have put. it somewhere else?’’ he j ty oe as he continued to grope. “ Ha! what is is?” : | He drew out his hand, which held a neatly-folded | Ppockase, wrapped in white paper. He took it to the | ght. ; Pi “Private papers of M. & S. Bounce!” Onsly the situation prevented the villain: from } giving a whistle of surprise and satisfaction. “By all that's good I’ve hit on a bonanza!” he thought. ‘Thé stingy old pair, who would seetheir : wephew starve before they'd lend him a farthing! ‘Won't I squeeze them now? I would have let them ; off with a titty. They shall fork out a cool thousand ; before they get hold of this prize again. And I know >) their ways. I bet there is cash in it as well as pa- pers. He earéfully deposited his prize in a capacious pocket, and hastened to replace the contents of the chest. Little did he dream of what he had really found, or of the roundabout way in which fate was returning perilous gift to its Griginal pos- sessors. , The burglar hesitated as if in doubt what next to do. Should he be satisfied with his good fortune, and leave the house? Or should he risk a further Parc? oe he revengeful feeling agginst his wife decided. Hoe knew she had not left the house. Most probably he would find her in the guest chamber, whose situ- ation he well knew. Just what his purpose was he could not have teld himself, but he turned out the light which he had kindled, and groped his way for- ward peng tis wall, toward the room in question, He knew the house too well to need any light. “That is the door frame now,’ he muttered. ‘“ Be- ware, woman! You know not what a sleuth-hound is onyour track, I—” ' He was suddenly interrupted by stumbling over some ob onthe floor. He had difficulty to kee himself from falling, while a loud Lqroanine soun came from this object. Phil was still seeking to re- cover his footing when he felt the thing move be- neath him, and a hand his leg. With a sudden im of fear he tore self joose, and dashed for the head of the stairs. d he had reason for speed, for just as he gained this point the sharp reporc of a pistol was heard, and a bullet whizzed past his ears. Down the stairs-he dashed, followed by an uproar of sounds, The cries of terrified voices, the slam- ming of doors, the sound of hurrying feet, another sharp re and the whiz of a bullet after him, Almost with a bound he reached the first floor caught up his shoes, which he had left there, an dashed for the door. Quick steps followed him down the stairs, the pis- tol again cracked spitefully, Sam’s yells of “ stop thief!” were echoed by screams in women’s voices. Pandemonium see. to have broken loos». Need of baste as there was the ft ing hargsee did not lose bis presence of mind. e already unlocked the front door. He now hastily withdrew the key, inserted it in the outside of the lock, and jlocked the coer afver just as another et buried itself in che hard oak of the portal Sam was making good practice with his revolver. He reached the door t as’soon as the key was turned, but it refused to open to his hand. He jerked and kicked for an instant, and then realized how he had been baffled. His next impulse was to run for the Ng ete fling them open and dash into the x ——- = _—, = —— _— ee < . a an mn a a ee a rt ee ne ee —— oe ee a ——— a XIV. THE OPENING OF THE BOX. Sam’s efforts to get out of the house had wasted precious time. refusal of the door to open, the stiffness of the shutter bolts, the moment lost ee - Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. | running from door to window, had given the fugitive a preccou start, When Sam got his head out of the window he caught a dim sight of the thief, turning a corner half a square off. With spiteful ‘haste he fired the two remaining shots in the pistol, one of them hitting a door-knob across the street, and the other flying. straight for a steeple, a half-mile away. e fugitive had no need to quicken his pace for those shots. “Guess I'd be a good shot if I had some more practice,’’ thought things on the square. He don’t give a feller no chance to take aim.” 4 At this moment a policeman ran briskly up to the oor. “What is the matter?” he cried. ‘What is all the shooting about?” “A burglar,” returned Sam, as he sprung lightly through the window. ‘He jist skooted round that corner. Come on, we'll rope him in yet!” The active hey arted away like a young deer, fol- lowed by the policeman, who had great ifficulty to keep up with . The corner in question was soon reached, but no one was in sight. ey hurried on to the next corner, but with the same result. “You run down that way,” directed Sam. “I'll Gy. the street over here.” ut the pursuit was without effect. Fifteen minutes afterward, Sam, returning to the house from one direction, met the policeman returning from the other. “ What luck?’ asked Sam. “None atall. Ididn’t seaashadow. What luck. had ae he “Didn’t see the shadow of a shadow,” rejoined From inside the house came little screams, and cries of alarm. Night-capped heads protruded at the windows. At. the open door appeared the jet- black face of Dinah, too sleep to be scar Dp “Where are they? How many of them did you kill?” asked Miss Maria, “IT hope there aro no dead bodies in the house,” |: protested Miss Sophia. “No,” answered Sam dryly. ‘I've had them all earried off by the undertakers. Only killed three or four, anyhow.” The policeman looked at him in surprise. He was of the kind who can never see a a “* What do at mean, boy?"’ he asked severely. ** You did not kil any?” “TI would, anyhow, if they'd only waited,’’ re- torted Sam. “ Inever was good at shootin’ on the wing. Es there any blood in the house?’ demanded Miss Sophia, in a tone of horror, ‘‘Oh do come in, gentlonyen, and see if there is any blood in the ouse!’ *-@Gome in and search,’”’ entreated Miss Maria. | “There may be more them in hiding. .I shall never sleep a wink till the house is searched.” Thus entreated and the policeman entered, the former armed with his empty pistol, the latter brandishing his club, Candles were furnished, and they examined the house thoroughly, from cellar upward. But no trace was found of any con- federates of the burglar. Here and there were the marks of rae! pistol practice. A bullet had buried itself in the front docr, another in the wall of the passage, a third had broken a pane of glass in a rear window; but, fortunately for the nerves of the ladies, no scattered blood was found, and no dead bodics lying around loose. The effort to find whether any depredations had been committed met with the same result. All the cherished silver spoons of the good ladies re- mained intact, and not a coffeepot or tea urn was 1s Sl zr. ° “Mighty lucky I was here, though,” remarked Sam. ‘Don’t b'lieve he meant no good to Mrs. Bounce and the baby. He must have been feelin’ for their door when he come tumblin’ over me. I was lyin’ there meditatin’, and I didn’t take it in right away.” ‘Oh, merey onus all! do you think he was going to murder that precious child?’ screamed Miss Maria, abakehing the baby from her mother. “Or me!” added the pale mother, * Bless us, how am I to know?” protested Sam. Tt looked sort of that way.” Y “ There has been some meddling here,”’ remarked the policeman, pointing to the chest in the spare room, the lid of which stood open. : “T guess it was rie supplied Sam. “TI got the pistol out of it. But 1 didn’t leave the lid open,”’ he added, with a new thought. “Was there anything valuable here?’’ asked the policeman. “No,” answered Miss Sophia. ‘‘ Oh, mercy! there was that box! Maybe he has taken that box!” ae box?”’ cena the ee ‘ J ut Sam was y rummaging deeply amo’ the contents of the chest. He looked up at length with a scared face. : “Tt is gone!”’ he announced. “Oh, save us! He will be blown to atoms! Our = hew will be blown to atoms! Oh, can noth- _ * What is it?’’ demanded the policeman, again. * Come with me," cried Sam, sharply, ‘‘ We may oe in time to save him! Come, I'll tell you as we go ong.’ Sam was so sharp and arbitrary that the officer followed him without further question, convinced there must be some important on for this great hat i was, in ! haste, but at a loss to know w “But that chap don’t do’ “T know where he lives,”’ explained Sam, as they hurried on. ‘I ain’t quite sure what’s in that box; but [ve a notion if he opens it there’ll be a first- ” class earthquake, ‘“ What box?’ demanded the vexed policeman. “Why, didn’t I tell you all about it?’ ; **No, you haven’t said a word.” Thus admonished Sam told the story of the dynamite box, and the effort to destroy him, and how : had strangely fallen back into the hands that sent it. “It would serve them right then if they did blow themselves up,” remarked the officer. ‘* But I don’’ see — need of allthis hurry, Do you suppose they won't know their own work when they see it?” They had now gone a considerable distance from the house. They were passing through a narrow street, with modium-sized houses. Sam commenced to explain how it was the disguised John Smith that had prepared the box, and that Phil Bounce likely knew nothing about it. But in the midst of his ex- | arperee Sy he was interrupted by a sudden and rightful uproar. Virst_ came a loud explosion, like the peal of a perk of pee cape aig by a blinding ‘flash. ‘ragments of broken glass rattled like small shos on the stones of the street and the walls of the houses. The upper front wall of one of the build- ings curved suddenly outward, and then tumbled with a thundering crash into the street, sending up a thick cloud ot dust. Something struck Sam on the head and prostrated him. The astonished officer looked quickly around for this missile and was hor- ror struck to perceive a bleeding human arm, torn off at the shoulder, the clinched fist of which bad struck and felled the f ‘In a moment more loud cries of terror came from the wrecked house, while windows were flung open in all directions, from which frightened voices emerged in a thousand tones of alarm. Sam had recovered his feet, and stood looking askance :4 the bleeding arm. ‘Wonder if that’s John Smith, punching me in the head?” he muttered. But we must go back a little in our story, to trace the cause of this terrific explosion. It is closely connected with Phil Bownce’s mid- night burglary. When this amateur house-breaker ran away from the spiteful popping of Sam's pistol he had no well defined plan in his mind. To get safely away was the main th through street after. street with his utmost pl pe ag knowing how quick and sharp pursuit migh e ; His own residence, for which he was making, was at a considerable distance, and he wished to lose no time in getting under shelter. Unexpectedly he found himself in the narrow street in which Jerry Plummer resided, and the recollection came to him that he had a pass key to the-door of this mansion. “A good thought.” he cried. “I will strike into Jerry’s till the danger is over.” No sooner said than done. In a moment he had opened the door and slipped within. He wes sate from pursuit. Phil was pistes, well acquainted with the interior economy of this house, and readily made his way through it in the dark, “Shall I wait awhile and then slip out again?’ he asked himself, “‘Or help myself to one of Jerry's spare beds?” He had reached the foot of the stairs, and a ight from above met his eyes. * Bless us, is that man up yet? He’s a regular owl. Thee surprise him,” @ made his way softly up-stairs and opened the door of the front room from which the light came, There, beside a table, sat Jerry Plummer, bending intently over some object that lay before him. e was but half dressed, his shirt sleeves rolled mp above the elbow, while a lighted pipe on the table near him shewed that he had been indulg- ing in the weed. , fe looked up with a start of surprise on hearing footsteps at the door. ‘It’s only me, Jerry,” said Phil, assuringly. “Thought I’d make an evening call.” ' “The deuce you did!” The elder villain got up and looked his young associate keenly in the face. **See here, Phil, I know what’s up. You have been making that threatened midnight call on your rich aunts. Isn’t that the caseY” , ; “You are o good guesser," laughed Phil. “Thad to leave between two breaths, The hounds were after me, and J broke in here as a refuge.” : “ For which I tap Say be rite go Sad respo ta ed Je grimly. “If you bring them on me I’ pitch you out of the window. And so you failed ain, eh?” *e Not much,” answered Phil triumphantly. “I mae my wages, I fancy.” “ How?" “ Sit down, and I will tell you all about it.” At this request Jerry again took his seat. Phil drew up a ir to the opposite side of the table ase proceeded to tell the story of his night’s opera- Ons. ' ““T would have hed a longer story to tell,’’ be con- cluded; ‘but when they are sowing bullets like a farmer sows wheat I always take it as a hint thatI am not welcome." “ What were you going to do with your wife?” ‘“‘T don’t know,” was the sullen answer. “ Nothing, rhaps. OrI might have pin.ed her hand to tie Bea with a knife-blade as a remembrance. I owe her no good will.” ‘ “Pshaw! Irather indorse the woman. You have ‘treated her shabbily, Phil. You know that.” “FA ‘the woman! Let that drop. I didn’t come out empty, anyhow. I have got a ‘full of the in view, and le ran’ _
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private papers of my precious aunts. Won't I make them bleed before they get it back again!” After some further conversation, Jerry requested to see the box in question, and Phil triumphantly withdrew it from the capacious pocket in which he had deposited it. It formed a package of some two inches square by five in length, and neatly wrapped in white paper, on which were written the words: “Private Papers of M. & S. Bounce.” Jerry looked at it with interest. — ““Why, you doseem to have hit on a prize,” he remarked. ‘Open it, Phil, and let us see what it contains." “Some cash, I hope,” answered Phil, as he pro- ceeded to untie the confining cord. ing I want worse than a trifie of cash.” The knot opened, he quickly removed the paper envelope and flung it on the table, with the side which had been turned within now upward. There was revealed a rough wooden box with a sliding lid. But Jerry's eyes had fallen on the paper, attracted by one writing which he observed on this exposed portion. “Tt might pees for the dynamite box,” laughed Phil, -his hand on the sliding cover. “Samuel Slocum,” read Jerry; then with a yell of terror, “Stop! For the Lord’s sake, sto—”’ He never finished the word, for at that instant Phil had drawn back the lid. There came @ blinding flash; a terrific roar; a crash of glass; a surging outward of the walls; a rending of the t of tne fragments of two torn human bodies to every point of the compass. Sam Slocum was revepred. The box of dynamite meant for him had reftirned, by a strange fatality to its designers. Theirown murderous engine had destroyed themselves, But Jerry Plummer's arm, with its clinched fist, had struck Sam prostrate in the street; another “T know noth- | urniture into splinters; and a tossing | through already? And look at its hair! I am told by good authority that there never was a child of its age had such a head of hair.” ** And to think how heavy it is,” chimed in Miss Sophia. ‘“ And I really do believe it is going to talk unusually early. I am sure it was trying to say something yesterday. Something like ‘mathe- matics ’; only nobody ever heard of a baby commenc- ing with such a word.” There could be no doubt of it. It was a wonder- ful child. Unfortunately it saw very little of its mother, and the poor woman could only get a chance to hold it when it began to ery. She found herself sometimes wishing that it would cry a little oftener. Shadow Sam had dropped this handle to his name, and was now Samuel Slocum, Jr. He had, in fact, become an inmate of the Bounce mansion, and one of the circle of admirers of the baby. But, asSam had had a surfeit of babies in his time, he did not go into very great ecstasies over this. It was very apt to cry very soon after it fell into his hands; and there began to be dark suspicions that Sam was in some way responsible for this infantile grief. ; The truth is, that Sam, as well as the baby, was now a favored resident in the Bounce mansion. It had been decided, at a solemn conclave of the old ladies, that it was not safe to leave the house with- out a protector while that precious treasure was in it. And as the Misses Bounce had a most exalted idea of Sam’s courage and enterprise, they had fairly bought him away from the elder Slocum. Sam was no longer a messenger boy. He was ex- alted to the lofty position of the gentleman of the house in the Bounce edifice, his main duties being to protect the inmates ages’ burglars at night, and to pepe certain light labors during the day. nd as the burglars seemed to have heard of this valiant defender, and avoided the house ever after- ward, Sam’s sleep was not often broken by mid- 15 ett BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. BEADLE AND ADAMS have now on their lists the fol- lowing highly desirable attractive text-books, prepared expressly for sclools, families, etc. Each volume contains 100 Jarge pages, printed from clear, Open type, comprising the best collection of Dia- logues, Dramas and Recitations, (burlesque, comic and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the seasom of 1882—as far as now issued —-embrace twenty-three volumes, viz. : 1, American Speaker. 13. School Speaker. 2. National Speaker, 14. T.udicrous Speakex. 3. Patriotic Speaker, 15. Komikal Speaker. 4, Comic Speaker. 16. Youth’s Speaker. 5, Elocutionist. 17, Eloquent gi 6. Humorous Speaker. 18, Hail Col Speak- 7. Standami Speaker, er, 8. Stump Speaker, 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 9, Juvenile Speaker. 20. Select Speaker. 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker | 21. ny Speaker, 11, Dime Debater. 22, oly ppcaker. : 12, Exhibition Speaker. 28. D t r. These booksare replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, ete, They are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain some of the choicest oratory of the times. 75 to 100 Declama- tions and Recitations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, e = volume 100 pages, em- brace twenty-nine k s3 Dialogues No, One, {Dialogues No. Fifteen, Dialogues No, Two. No; Sixteen. Dialogues No. Three. {Dialogues No. Seventeen, Dialogues No. strange freuk of fate. night : Dialogues No, Five, ogues No, Nineteen, : ‘ e did not forget the folks at home, however. | Dialogues No. Six. Dialogues No. Twenty. CHAPTER XV. He made wy ts to that lowly domicile, wher. | Dialogues No. Seven. (Dialogues No. Twenty-one. ’ THE END OF IT ALD. he astonished youthful brothers and sisters w'tt: | Dialogues No, Hight. 'Dialogues No. ‘Twenty-two, r» THERE is an old saying that * curses, like chickens, | the story of the grandeur of his mansion, and ove .- | Dialogues No. Nine, Dialogues No, Twenty-three, .\ come home to roost,” and the fate of the two vil- | whelmed them with his mas f Dialoguas No. 'Ten. No. Twenty-four, Jains was a good illustration of ‘the proverb. The Billy Slocum never again the heart to question | Dialogues No. Eleven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-tive, | ; base effort to destroy an innocent boy, for no other | Sam’s knowledge of geography and other abstruse | Dialogues No. Twelve. Dialogues No. Twenty-six, reason than that he knew too much, had. been,| Studies, He felt that a brather of his who could | Dialogues No. Thirteen. DialoguesNo,'Pwenty-seven. stran:ely turned by some overruling power to the destruction of those who had devised i such retribution to chance is to make a Providence of chance, and there certainly seemed a superior in- telligence in this case governing the movements of ‘ that fatal box. The deadly blow had fallen on the heads of them who dealt it. The scene inside the house was frightful. The room in which the explosion took place had been rent into fragments, And these fragments were plentifully dyed with the red hue of blood, while bits of torn flesh gave a sickoning aspect to the whole surroundings, P The box had been overcharged with dynamite, and the explosion, in consequenes, hatl been terrific. A very volcano of fire and ruin seemed to have broken out in that wreeked room. There were other inmates of the house, compris- ing Mrs, Plummer and her children. But the part of tle house in which they slept had escaped destruc- tion, and the only effect upon them was a serious fright, If the truth was known, aside from the ter- vible manner of his death, Jerry Plummer’s taki off was no loss to his wife, since that good lady ha lived any but a happy life with him. But we will not dwell longerupon this scene. The remains of the two men were gathered up, as far as was possible, and a coroner’s inquest held upon them, at which Shadow Sam wasa principal witness, Most of the facts told in this story came out at the inquest, though some of the points connected with Philip Eee were suppressed, at the earnest de- sire of aunts, The general verdict was, however, ‘‘ served them right,” and the messenger detective became for a time a hero, Yet the public blamed the older more than the younger villain, it being considered that he had tempted the young man into crime. The read- ers of these pages may form their own opinion upon that matter, but Jerry Plummer was recognized as a doubtful customer, well known to the police, yet cs a shrewd enough to keep just out of their reach, We have little more to say to wind up this over- true narrative, Two of our main characters had ef- fectually disposed of themselves, and we need only give a brief attention to the remainder. Miss Maria and Sophia Bounce continued to dwell in their De Lancey Place mansion, tenfold more queer and nervous than ever. They had been so many years wailing for a burglar to come, and had cried ‘ wolf” when there was no wolf so often, that they felt on the whole rather proud of having had a real live burgiarin the family. But, it was not altogether a maiter to boast of, since this house-breaker was such a near relative; and they set themselves to dis- cover 50mMe More vulgar thief. Once a month regularly the house was broken into, in their nervous fancies; but a8 nothing was stolen, and these ‘burglars left no marks behind, many of their friends had private doubts about these kind attentions of the thievi fraternity to the Bounce mansion. Meanwhile, as expressed it, ‘they had frozen badly onto that precious baby.”’ The r ‘deserted wife, now made a widow, was not likely to Want a comfortable home so long as that child lived, for its old maid grandaunts were perfectly en- waptured with it, ‘There never was such a child,” Miss Maria would exclaim, as she showed it proudty to some visitor. “Why, would you believe, it has a tooth coming t. To ascribe | raise himself to such a position by his own talents | must know everything. It would be sacrilege to doubt anything that am asserted. At the volegtapt office, which Sam also occasion- ally honored with his visits, the boys were not quite 50 sneny to worship the risiz i ee Bill Barly in particular felt envy of Sam’s ad- Dialogues No, Fourteen Dialogues No. Twenty-eight. Dialogues No, Twenty-nine, | ‘ 15 to 2% Dialogues and Dramas in each book. ; These volumes have been prepared with especial reference to their availavility in all school-rooms, They are adapted to schools with or withottt the fur- niture of a stage, and introduce a range of charac- vancement, and was disposed to ¢avil at the dignity | ters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and of his old associate. * There’s no use your coming barking round here, Sam Slocum,” he would say. ‘* Yon've got off your uniform, and are living in a big house, but you're Saucy Sam yet, and you can’t make yourself any- thing élse,”” when Sam would retort: “And ifIdo live ina big heuse I don’t feel any bigger than the rest of the boys. I ain't that kind, You don’t catch me getting set up and proud cause P’mamong rich folks. But I ain't going to make myself common to please anybody, and if you cai it putting on airs ’cause 1 keep a stiff upper lip, you’re welcome. That's my style, and if you don’t like it you can scratch dirt till you're tired.” And Sam meant it. He made himself a little gen- tleman, and the good ladies became in time as rh of him as they were of the baby. Indeed, we ave been privately told that Sam was bountifully remembered in their wills. THE END. The Saturday Journal. “The Model Family Paper Most Charming of the Weeklies.” A pure paper; good in every thing; bright, brilliant and attractive. Serials, Tales, Romances, Sketches, Adventures, Biographies, Pungent Essays, Poetry, Notes and Answers to Corresponden Wit and Fun— All are features in every number, from such celebrated writers as no paper in America can boast of. What is best in popuLAR READING, that the paper always has; hence for Home, Suop, Lr- BRARY and GENERAL READER it is without a rival; ae its great and steadily increasing The SATURDAY JovrRNAt is sold everywhere by newsdealers; price sis cents per number; or to recrigh ih post-paid, at the following cheap rates, viz.: Four months, one dollar: one year, three dollars ; or, two copies, five dollars, Address BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 93 William Street, New York. female. It is fair to assume that no vohimes yet offered to schools, at any price, contain so many availabe and useful dialogues and dramas, serious and comic, ‘ : , Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Pario.s, Entertainments and the Am- ateur 4 comprising Original: Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, D ess Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by : oted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new tnd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof, A. M. Russell, DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series, J BEADLE'S By ake BE: cose ror Yousa Prorie cover a wide range of subjects, and are specially adapted to their end. They constitute at once the cheapest and most useful ‘works yet put into the market for popular circulation. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Book of Games, Gents’ Letter-Writer. Fortune-Teller. ate AH gtiquette, Lovers’ Casket. 0 erses, Ball-room Gompanion, Book of Dreams, Book of Beauty. , -Hand-Books of Games. | Beapur’s Date Hanv-Books or GAMES AND Porut.ar Hanp-Booxs cover a variety of subjects, and are es- pom adapted to their end. at idbook of Winter § Sa woe op J etc, . Book of Croquet. Yachting and Rowing Chess Instructor. Riding and ‘ Cricket and Football. Book of Pedestrianism, Quide to Swimming. Base-Ball Player, Handbook of Hummer Sports, Maruals for Housewives. Brapir’s Du \Famny Serres aims to supply @ ‘class of text-books and manuals fitted for evei per- son’s use—the old and the young, the learned and the unlearned. They are of conceded value, — 1. Cook Book. 4. Family Physician, 2. Recipe Book. Dressm and Mil 83, Housekeeper's Guide. linery. Lives of Great Americans — Are mted complete and authentic bio; i of weuv on the men who have added hoster tee Reputbife by their lives and deeds. series em- races: I,—George Washington. | _VII.—David Crockett. T1.—John Paul Jones, VII.—Israel Putnam. TI.—Mad Anthony Wayne X.—T TV.—Ethan Allen: XI,—Abraham Lincoin, XIL—Pontiac. bi ga de Lafay- BG v1 Beacons bea Degedyany . Grant, othe above publications for sale by all hewndedlers sen on recel : BEADLE & ADAMS, 68 Wntuan Se Nye OY |
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1 Beadwood Dick Go teideen L. Wheeler ellowstone Sack, By Jps. 3 coins King; or, Toe Rep Ricur H HAND. By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm, F. Cody) he Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain Mayne Reid and Captain Frederick Witttaber. — abond Joe, THE Youna WANDERING JEW; ING FOR a Lucacy. By Oll Coomes. Bill Biddon, Trapper. By E£. 8. Ellis. The Flying Yankee; or, Tue OckAN OvrT- cast, By Col. Preatiss Ingraham. Seth Jones. By Edward 8. Ellis. Adventures of. Bar Nat Todd. By E.5. Ellis The Two Victectiver. Guiliver’s Travels, B The Dumb Spy. By Oli Coomes, Aladdin; or, Taz WonpERFvL Lamp. ‘The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe. (27 Llustrations.) Ralph Roy, THE Boy Buccaneer; or, Tar Fuartive Yacut. By Col. Prentiss In m, .3 Sindbad pea Sailor, His Seven Voyages. 19 The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers. By E. L. Wheeler. 21 The Frontier Angel. By Edward S. Ellis. 22 The tes Serpent; or, THz Boy Rozrmnson CRUSOE, Juan Le 23 Nick o? ® Harbaugh. THE PRINCE OF THE ROAD. E. Badger, Jr. n Munchausen,. By A.W. Aiken, Dean Swift. th a hhentoneris men a pet tee fret ret reed Dre! fern Set wis. e Night. By T. C 24 Diamond Leh a ay Colonel P. Ingraham. 25 The Boy Capt By Roger Starbuck, 26 Cloven Hoof, Siieiizo EMON* or, THE Borpger V By Edward L, Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, THz Boy Guiwe. Oll Coomes 28 Buffalo Ben, THe Price or THE or, Drapwoop Dick ox Disevuise. E. L. 29 The Dumb Page. By Capt. F. Whi taker. 30 Boaring ore Roe tenets THE ReEcK- 1.uss RANGER. By Harry 8 31 nee aay PRINCE OF ph aay ETE By Oll Coom: 32 Bob Woolf, THe Borprer RUvFFIAN; Giri Dmap-SHor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 33 The Ocean oe 8. W, ‘ 34 a mr i, Bale or, Nick Wuaurrizs’ Boy Spy ak eae: Adama. or, THE venal THE Boy CLaupE DvuvaL; or, TRE BroTHERHOOD oF DeaTH. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clown. By nk 8 ‘Finn. 37 The Hidden Lodge. By T. . Harbaugh. By Texas Jack. 38 Ned bh Lops d THE Boy Scour. 39 Death-Face, THE Derictive. By Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner. By 43 Dick Darling, THe Pony Express Romer. cA Capt. Frede clk Whittaker. “ attling Rube. By Harry St. George, >» Old Avalanche, THE GREAT ANNIHILATOR} or, WILD ems, waitin, Be Brie@ann. E. L. Wheeler. Glass Eye, THe Great Suor or THe West, ° By Capt. J. F C. Adams. gg eee Nat, By T. C. Ha Black John, THe Roap-AGenr. Omaha Ol], By Edward L. Wheeler. Burt Bunker, tHe Trapper. C. E. The Boy Bities. By ae C. Trons. The White Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr., 7, Box PHENIX; Or, THrover To Dreata. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ned Hazel. ne Og, = t. J. F. C. Adams. Deadly - Eye, THe Unsnown Scovr; or, Tar BRANDED BroTHERHOOD. By Buffalo Bill. Nick Whifites’ Pet. t. J. F. C. Adams. Deadwo Dick’s E es. By Wheeler. The Border hae 27 yO ace a Old Hickor St. Geo Yndinn "Cee J.F The White Buckhorn Bill. By Edward L. The Shadow ». By Col. P. Ingraham. The Red Brothérhood, W. J. Hamilton. Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. Hurricane Bill. Sow Jos. E. Badger, Jr Single Hand. J. Hamilton WPatent-leather Pig By Pnilh Border Robin Hood. By Buffalo Bill Gold Rifle. Edward L. eeler. Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Delaware Dick. By Oll Coomes. Mad Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton. Deadwood Dick on Deck ; or, CaLamiry JANE, THE HEROINE OF WHoop-UP. By Wheeler. Tp ig oi 3 Reagent + By Ol! Coomes. Whe Boy Duelist, By. Col. P. In i Abe ee CrowKitimr. By A, W, Aiken. spares Charlie, tar Boy Bravo; or, Drapwoon Dicx’s Last Acr. By E.L. Wheeler. BWiue Pick. By Captain Mayne Reid. Sol Git, rer, GIANT Rk: By A.W. Aiken. Rosebu Fob; or, NuaeGret Nep, THE KNIGHT OF THE GeLon. By Edward L. Wheeler. E. L. Wheeler. for) Ee Gateons e. RS Sree Ce KwK OCS ort IA 8 "Warne. vham, nih SOC KH m6 CO Date} PS Tose * yi A Whooker - Adams. ‘By 6. Waldo’ Browne. and Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid. reek phil, » THE Boy SLEUTH; or, OB EBARANCE. By EK. L. Wheeler. 89 Island Jim, By Bragehridge Hemyng. 90 The Br Rider. aldo. Browne. 91 ‘The Captain of bs © abs or, THe YounGe Rivan ATHLETES, 92 Canada Chet. By Raw 93 'The Boy Miners. By Edward §. Ellis, 94 Midnight Jack, THE Rodv-AGENT; ‘Tae Boy Traprpm:. By T.C. Barbaugh. $4 ‘Khe Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col, Hazeltine im, Ep or, ae 96 Watch-Eye, THE Saipow. By E. L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers. By J.J all. 98 Robin Hood, THE OUTLAWED Re or, THE Merry MEN or GREENWOOD. Prof. Gildersleeve. 99 The Tiger of 'Faos. By G. Waldo Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Lea.tdville; or, A STRANGE STROKE FoR Liserty. By Wheeler. 101 Jack Markaway in New York. By -. Bracebridge Hemyng. re Dick Dead-Eye. By Col. Ingraham. 103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col. Delle Sara. Deadweod Dick's Device. By Wheeler. Old Bube, THe Hunter. Capt Imes, Old Frosty, THE Guvz. By T C. Harbaugh. One-Eyed Sim. By James L. Bowen. Daring Dav By Harry St. George. Deadwood Dick as sactive. Edward L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. Thrilling Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen. 1 Whe Sea-Devil. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe. Jack Hoyle, THz Younc SPECULATOR; or, Tue Roap To FoRTuNE. By Wheeler. e Black Sc hoonmes. meee Starbuck. The Mad Miimer. By G. Waldo Browne. he Hussar Captain. Col. P. Ingraham. es ed Dic » THE Sport DETECTIVE; or, Tun AD-AGENT’s Dau@uTER. Wheeler. By A wis MT ee ee re Cinnamon Chip, TH: THE GOLDEN Ipon or Mr. Rosa. td. L. Wheeler. Phil Hardy, Tux Boss Boy. Kiowa Charley, TH: WuHITE woh a) T. C. Har BY en e0 Bonense tl Bill, Mrvue. By Ed. 1. L.. Wheeler. By Ghevies Morris. Picayune Pete, =Fire, BossorTHe Roap. By Dumont. Privateer. By H. Cavendish. Dick’s Double. By Wheeler. Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. The Golden Hand. By Geo. W. Bae The Hunted es By Ed. 8. Ellis. 3 Boss Bob, tHe Kin —_ BOoTBLACES: or, Tag PAWNBROKER’S Ed. L. Wheeler. 134 — hot Seth, THe Boy RIFLEMAN; 0 a PatRIOTS OF THE Norra. B M set Comes. 135 Ca Sale Fe eens Meee or, oY Spy or THE Mounts. By Clark Clark: 186 Night-Hawk Kit. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 137 Khe Helpless Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid. 138 Blonde Bill; or, RARROOD Dicx’s Homz Base. By Edward L. Wheeler 139 Judge = de Sal Jr. re By. O. Harbaugh. 140 wee Blazes§ Tue Break o’ Day Boys ” Rocky Bar. By ‘Frank Dumont. 141 Solid Sam, THE Boy Roap-AGEnT; or, THE | Branpep Brows. By Edward L. Wheeler. 142 Handsome Marry, THe Boorsiack Ds- TECTIVE. By les érris. 143 Scar-Face Saul. By OV Coomes. 144 Dainty Lance, THE Boy Spurr. By Badger. 145 Captain Ferret, THz New RK DrrEc- pane or, Boss Bos’ ‘s’ Boss Jos. Wheeler, 146 Silver Star, THe Boy Knicut. By Coomes. 14 hang Wildfire, THE THOKOUGHBRED; or, : Tam WiINNING HAND. By Charles Morris," 148 Sharp Sam. By J. Alexander Patten. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deapwoop Dicx’s Bie Srrixe. By Edward L. Wheeler. 150 Lance and Lasso. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 151 sarees Paul, Ter Prainm Bg om or, Dainty cx To THe Rescun. J. E. Badger. 152 nck. Bess, Wit Wiwprire’s Raper; or, Wrinnine Acarnst Opps.. By Charles Morris. 153 Eagle Kit, rae Box Demon. By Oll Coomes. 154 The Swerd Hunters. By F. Whittaker. 155 Gold Trigger, Taz Sport. T. C. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood3 or, Tre Prokep Parry. By Edward L. Wheeler. 157 Mike Merry, tue Harsor Porice Koy; or, Tre Nigut-Hawks of Pomapetpsia. Mo 158 Paice Frank of Colorado. Buffalo Bill. 159 Khe Lost Captain. By Whittaker. 160 The Black Giant. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 161 New ,.Nork Nell, tae Boy-Gmt Derecrrive; or, OLD BLAKESLY’S Mowry. By E: L. Wheeler, 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods. Morris. 163 Little: Texas, rox Youne Mustanesr! A Tale of Texan Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne, a wag a ha qo “4 Sy Charles Morris. 166 feeaney by eaatee. By Harry St. George. 167 Asa Scott, Tre Sreampoat Boy. By Willett. 168 Deadly Dash. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 169 Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. 170,A Trump Card}; or, Wo. Wimprme Wins TRL SPORT; or, USTANGER. wee ww or Nw B-SOCM sO $5 ledateelodedetedtedtentiitiandt ih 1-1-1_ ii 1-1-1 att) CH SCD Www THE RartRoap Boy; or, anpd Loses, By Charles Morris. 171 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. 172 Thunderbolt Tom. By Harry St. George. 173 Dandy Rock’s Rival. By G.W. Browne. 174 Bob Rockett, tam Boy Doperr. By Morris. 175 Captain Arizona. By Philip S. Warne. 1 Ed. L. 1 a Morris. r THE rris. __———_| BEADLE's | HALF-DIME | LIBRARY. |} — HALF-DIME | LIBRARY. __———| BEADL¥'s | HALF-DIME | LI3RARY. }——— 176 The Boy Runaway ; or, THE aaa oF THE Bay. Lieut. H. D. Perry, USN 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada, E.L, Wheeler. 178 Old Solitary. By Oli Coomes. 179 Bob Rockett, Tae Bank Runner. Morris. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow WELL Kerr. By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U. BN. 181 Wild Frank, THz Buckskin Bravo; or, Lapy Lity’s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler. 182 Little Hurricane, THE Boy Capra. By Oll Coomes, 183 The Hidden Hand, By Chas. Morris, 184 The Boy Trailers. By Badger, Jr. 185 Evil Eye, Kune or Carriz Taieves; or, THE VULTURES OF THE Rio Granpp. By F. Dumont, 186 Cool Desmond. By Col. Delle Sara. 187 ate Mialyard, THe Lire Boar Boy; or, Tar SMuGGLERS’ oF THE IntET. By C. Morris. 188 Ned Temple, THz Borner Boy. Harbaugh. 189 Bob Rockett, vas CracksmMANn. By Morris. 190 Dandy Darke, By Wm. R. Hyster. 191 Bagne Billy, ‘tse Boy BvuLlLWwHAckEr. By Capt. A. B. éylor, U. 8. A. 192 Captain Kit. By Lieut. H. D. Perry,U.8.N. 193 Captain sk, Tar Lapy Roap-AGEnT; or, PATENT-LEATHER Jon’s DEFEaT. By Warne. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream. By Wheeler. 196 Shadowed; or, Bos Rockert’s Fieut ror Lire. By Gharles Morris, 197 Little Grit, raz Wp Romer. By Ingraham. 198 Arkansaw, THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE. By T. C. Harbaugh. 199 Featherweight. By Edward Willett. 200 The Boy Bedouins. By Whittaker. 01 The Black ~ 77 Jezebel; or, DEAD oe woop Dick’s Warp. By Edward L. Wheeler 02 Prospect Pete, or THe Boy Bricapg; or, .: THE woune OvTLAW Honters. By Oll Coomes. 203 The Boy Pards. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 204 Gold Plume, THE Boy Banprr. Ingraham. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom. By Wheeler. 206 Dark Paul, THe Tiezr Kine. By 0. Morris. 207 Navajo Nick, THe Boy Gorn H A. Tale of Arizona, By T. C, Harba 208 The Boy Mercules. By Oll Goomes. 209 Fritz, Taz Bounn-Boy Derterryn. Wheeler. 210 Faro Frank of High Pine. By Kyster. 211 Crooked Cale, THE oe. ap or CELESTIAL Crry. By Jos. E. Badger, J ve, THE mie DErEcrive. es Mo 213 Fritz to the Front. By E, L. Wheeler. 214 By Contain Broder a THE Reine. eric er 215 Sen 5S epilot, THE Rarer Kine. By 212 Dashing By Charl 216 piece ‘Bill, THE PRINCE OF. THE REINS, 'y Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 217 lta Orack-Shot,. By E. L. Wheeler. 218 Fite Tom, THE Texan Terror. By Oll 219 Despard, the Duelist. By P. 8, Warne. 220 Tem Tanner SCALAWAG 4ND SCAPEGRACE. Charles M 221 Sugar Coated Sam. By E. L. Wheeler. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport. By Ingraham 223 Ozark Alf, Kine or THe Moonta. By Edward Willet 224 pro Cieace or, TRAPPER Tom's OasTLx. 225 Sam x rcoal, the Premium WDar- ky. arles Morris. 226 wit Reed: THE Boy, Saarp.. By Edward L. Wheeler. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper, By E. Emerson. 228 Little Wildfire. By Oll Coomes, He ee Kate — Gru TRAILER. 229 r Prentiss he By 230 ns . Saues Watehi By ©. D. Clark. 1 picky t Phil, or THz Biome Tram. By - baugh.” Ready Dee. 27th. By E. L. Wheeler. Ready Jan. 3d. ‘233 Joe Buck, of Angels, AND ‘His Boy Parp Pavt PowpERHORN;, OF, EE WILD Men or Ea@ir Bar. By Albert W. en, Jan. 10, 234 ponlias THE re Horsz-BREAKER; or, Rose oF THE Frio, By Buck- ~~ SReBain’ Ready Jan. 17 235 rae Sam, TURNIN 232 ace Dick. THE, MurssENGER Boy; or, G TRE TABLES. By Chas. Morris. Jan. 24: 236 Apollo Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler, Jan 31. A new issue every week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS. Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.