Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 305) (1883 05 29)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
“WELL, HERE I AM, HAVEN'T A RED, NOR A CRUST IN MY POCKET, AND DON’T KNOW A SOUL “ il ik i > = eee a . SN QO i om se il \ te . —y X ) & mo! te at AQ) WHRL AMG ‘fm tt ft a el a Tn SS — = — SS . = S = = ~~. SSS ae Se SSS OSss Copyright, 1888, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. DASHAWAY OF DAKOTA; or, A We PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, TST Le ae e-iAS May 29, 1883. so \\ >=) SIT | } | a wh Price, 5 Cents. \_ Lil ES ~~ | BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BOB ROCKETT, THE BANK RUNNER,” “BOB ROCKETT, THE BOY DODGER,” “ WILL WILDFIRE,” ‘‘ DARK PAUL,” ETC,, ETO, — SS ~ SS ~~ Ss Ss SS == —— —SS* Ss tery FA Wy Wad j i Se at Heth ery (EMIT HEY HH I iH IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.” stern Lad in the Quaker City,
Page 2
: i 2 Dashaway of Dakota; A Western Lad in the Quaker City. BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR or ‘‘ JOLLY Jim,” ‘‘ THE TWO BLOODS,” ‘* DICK DASHAWAY,” ‘“‘ YOUNG SLEUTH,” ‘““THE WATER HOUND,” ETC. CHAPTER I. A CAT IN A STRANGE GARRET. “Writ, herelam. Never set foot on these streets before. Haven't a red, nor acrust inmy pocket. Don’t know a soul in this part of the world, AndifI did I’d only be the worse off, for I’ve got a most stupendous talent for getting eople down on me. ink I must have been rn full of fight, and can make ten enemies to one friend any day in the year. That’s what comes of being an independent rooster. If I'd had a smoother tongue I could wear a decenter suit of clothes, and jingle more cash in my ocket. But no matter, ‘Tl make my way. A ellow that’s got plenty of float in him is sure to come to the top.” The individual who gave vent to this soliloquy presented a striking and curious figure. He was evidently quite a young man, perhaps not much over twerty-one years of age, and his chief evidence of manhood was a full black mustache, twisted into the fiercest French curl.: This ornament gave tone to a very handsome face, but as reckless, dare-devil a countenance as any one would care to lookupon. There was humor in the eyes, but there was fire in them too, while the general expression of the face was that of the boy who don’t care a cent wheth- er school keeps or not. As for his attire it looked as if it might have been picked up at some antediluvian Jew shop, The well-frayed coat was a handbreadth too short in the waist, and was buttoned so tightly in front that it looked ready to split, like a ocust’s skin, down the back. His pantaloons ‘were a full inch too short. His low-crowned silk hat, jabbed fiercely down on his head, had a narrow, well-curled rim, the fashion of ten years before. Altogether he presented an extraordinary appearance, which was added to by his swag- gering gait, the independent manner in which e carried his head, and the belligerent swing which he gave the short stick which served him as a cane, The ple who passed this self-satisfied in- dividual wore very serious faces, as they faced his keen black eyes, but seemed strongly in- clined to break out into smiles, and to take sly observations from the rear, after passing him. ‘“‘Here I am. If any gentleman. wants to laugh at me he can have an opportunity to distinguish himself,” continued the odd stranger. ‘‘ Somehow, the hungrier I am the fuller of fight I get to be. I'll give in that this isn’t a Broadway rig. But I won. itjat a raffle, and it wasn’t my fault that they didn’t put up a more tasty set-out. Anyhow, I fla my self that a gentleman with a round -and a ood figure like mine can’t easily be spoiled by is clothes.” - He looked complacently down at his muscular, well-knit and well-rounded frame, with an as- pect of the utmost satisfaction. He had good warrant for it, too, for he was a perfect specimen of the well-built man. He might have passed for an Soa ill-dressed by a modern tailor. Some of the ladies who passed seemed to have the same opinion as himself. There was admi- ration of his handsome face and figure mingled with their smiles at his uncouth dress. A burly, dignified personage, who was hastily passing, somewhat rudely jostled the stranger, as he was thus engaged in admiring self-obser- vation. With e quick flash in hiseyeshe turned upon the careless citizen, who had himself turned back with an angry Stare. , “Glad to make your acquaintance,” he re- marked, with a polite nod. “I suppose that’s * Sarg way here. Only out West we shake hands, stead of butting shoulders.” ‘One can’t be on the lookout for every swag- r,” answered the testy citizen. “Oh! then you didn’t mean it as a friendly | greeting?” returned the odd stranger, carelessly tapping his knee with his stick. ‘If it isn’ttoo much to ask, would you mind giving me the price of bricks and curbstone heréaway?” “What in the world do you expect me to know about that?” “Bless us! you don’t mean to say you don’t own this pavement; or a good two-thirds of it? | hungry as a wolf. Dashaway of Dakota. I had a fancy he must be a heavy contractor in that line. ope you have no objections to a stranger walking on it, if he keeps close to the curb, and gives plenty of swing to your high mightiness?’ ‘You are an insolent ruffian!” retorted the citizen, ina rage. ‘‘ Beware who you are talk- ing to, sirrah, if you don’t want to get yourself into trouble.” “Pm talking to the lord mayor, I suppose. Or some other high cockalorum. Here’s my card. If you want a gentleman’s satisfaction you can have it. Name your weapons. Pistols, swords, blunderbusses, or strychnine in coffee. Come, sir, time, place, and weapons? I haven’t had a fight for a month, and I always have to begin business by ame a new graveyard in every place Icome to. I’ve an idea you’re just the figure for a respectable funeral, and Vil promise you silver-mounted handles to your coffin.” ‘“‘ Fool!” muttered the citizen, though he could not help some change of countenance. “Fool, sir? Fool to me? Fool to Dashing Dick of Dakota? Vamose now, instanter, be- fore L bring that flashy tile down over your nose and eyes! Scoot, you prairie rabbit, while your bones are whole!’ The stranger whirled his stick in the air, and advanced with such a warlike gesture, that the citizen hastily turned and retreated, apparently thinking that prudence was, just then, the bet- ter part of valor. A laugh broke over the handsome features of Dashing Dick, as he had called himself, on seeing this rapid retreat. “The old fashion,” he ejaculated. ‘‘I always begin with a fight. But I’llswear that I thought that fellow had more backbone.” > He resumed his independent walk, with as much nonchalance as if this encounter was but an ordinary greeting to an acquaintance. Meanwhile the discomfited citizen, having reached a safe distance, angrily observed the not. very clean card which had been given On it was written: “DICK DASHAWAY, ** Dakota,” “T knew it must be some border ruffian,” he muttered angrily. ‘‘ Very well, Richard Dash- away, Hsq., it’s your turn to-day, but Pll not forget you. I don’t usually take without giv- ing.” fie carefully put away the stranger’s card, and continued his walk, with a decidedly ruf- fled countenance. Dick walked on, with all bis reckless aban- don. Toall appearance he had quite forgotten the antagonist who was nursing up wrath against “Wonder where I can get a nip? I’m'as "ll have to establish a Junch route right away. [see that. But, bless me I don’t own the price of a glass of beer, If i could only run across some gentle saloon-keeper who has oor Sy he wants salted down. Td fight a round haif-dozen of Quakers now for a fair swoop at a free lunch.” , The street upon which he was advancing was one not much frequented at that hour. Only an occasional n passed. bim. Just at this mo- ment a well-dressed, portly gentleman, with a sturdy tread, and a highly self-important ex- m of countenance, came along. He looked curiously at Dick, as if at a loss jest hat to make of him. Dick returned the ook with all his easy independence. ** A solid old cove,” he said to himself. ‘‘ Won- ee s there’d be any use trying to cultivate es ‘ He was half inclined to try his luck, but there was asveer of disdain on the old gentleman’s face that repelled bim. f 4 * Another lost opportunity,” said Dick to him- self. He looked behind him, just in time to catch a similar look from the old gentleman, who had twisted his portly frame solidly around, and was gazing with a curious expression at the odd- looking young man. But there was something else caught Dick’s quick eyes. Hesprung forward and picked up an object which lay unobserved at the old gen- tleman’s feet. . “Excuse moe,” said Dick politely, “but you have perees your etbook. Seo if this doesn’t belong to you.’ A knowing nod of the head answered Dick’s | remark. His hand was put curtly aside by the fat paw of the portly citizen, upon whose face came a look of stern integrity, and self-satis- fied shrewdness. “It won’t work, my friend,” he pleasantly rr sss remarked, ‘‘It is a very neat trick, but you haven’t picked out your man with much judg- ment, e have a fashion of reading the news- papers here, and know something about the tricks of your trade. You can’t play the drop game on me.” There was nothing angry in his tone. In fact, he seemed rather in a good-humor at his own shrewdness, A whistle of surprise and amazement came from Dick. ‘Tt doesn’t belong to you, then?” he asked. “Now you’d best be off, while you’re safe,” answered the old gentleman severely, ‘If you stop here a minute longer Pll give you into the hands of the police.” ‘*Thank you,” replied Dick, taking off his het very politely. ‘“Itisa very kind warning, and I shall be glad to doas much for you some day. Will you be kind enough to tell me the name of these streets?” “This is Eleventh. The street yonder is Jeff- erson.” “Much obliged. If you should want to see me on business af any time soon, say at thi hour to-morrow, you might find me here. Give you very good-day.” Dick replaced his hat, setting it well back on his bead, thrust the prize into his pocket grasped the stick in his old warlike fashion, an walked away with bis independent swing, with- out the slightest further attention to the aston- ished citizen. is. The latter continued to look after him, witha very much puzzled expression, But a smile gradually broke over his broad countenance, and was followed by a chuckling laugb. “Very cute. Very cute, indeed,” he re- marked, with a knowing nod, ‘It’s astonish- ing how sharp some of these chaps are. There was only one little error in his caleulations; be picked out the wrong man. Jobn Blossom, Esq., has had his eye-teeth cut. Heis not to be taken in by the drop game. I can’t say that I did quite right. ought to have seized the fellow and called for a policeman. But I must admit that the unblushing impudence of the rogue amused me. I flatter myself that I gave him a good scare, and he will hardly try the same game on any more of our citizens.” He continued to shake his head and chuckle to himself as he pursued his walk, evidently in high good-humor. There is something so pleas- ant in the thought that we, at least, are up to snuff, and too keen to be caught by roguish tricks. Dick’s face expressed equal satisfaction. He pressed his hand on the fat wallet in his breast cke ‘Wonder if Ill see the old cove to-morrow? Maybe he didn’t drop it, but I’ve a notion he’ll rin on the otherside of his face before the ays over.” e cocked his hat well to one side, rubbed his right ear reflectively with the head of his stick, and fell into a train of deep cogitation. ‘Seems to me an honest orphan ought to be encouraged. Ain’t no use wasting honesty if it don’t pay. It’s the duty of the owner of the purse to offer a handsome reward, and it’s my duty to accept it. That’s good logic and reason. Let me see; what isa fair reward to encourage honesty inanorphan?” He continued to rub bis ear reflectively. ‘‘ Suppose we say a ten? Nobody can say a ten is extravagant. cue we'll make it a ten, and invest it square off. It was a clear train of reasoning, and the con- clusion a very definite one. Dick took the thick leather wallet from his pocket, and opened it with very little show of curiosity. It was well filled, with a fat roll of notes. The first of these which he took hold of proved to be a ten-dollar bill. This be coolly took out, and returned the prize to his pocket. “There, honesty is rewarded, and an orphan encouraged to do right. Guess now, I'll go and have a snack.” = Without troubling himself with the thought that another person might have some say about the amount of this reward, Dick entered the first eating-house that offered, and sturdily bade the waiter bring him a good dinner. There were some smiling looks at the queer figure which the young man presented, but the amused ae seemed to think it good policy to turn their faces away when Dick faced them with his keen eyes, twisted the ends of his mustache into a fiercer curl, and laid his knobbed stick meaning] on the table. “Roast beef—rare,’ be said to the waiter. “We cook it in the sun out West. Pickled clams; pig's toes; lobsters on toast. Just hurry along all t e delicacies of the season. Quick ag
Page 3
ee ———<——— Dashaway of Dakota. lightning, too, Dve been starving for six days to get up an appetite for dinner, and if the dinner hangs fire, V’ll eat the waiter. We Westerners ain’t a bit particular.” The waiter bustled away a little nervously. There was something so fierce in his customer’s tone, and so outlandish in his appearance, that it might not be too safe in his vicinity. He had heard something of there being cannibals out West. Consequently Dick was soon provided with a good meal, in sufficient abundance to satisfy his cannibal appetite. But the nervous little atten- dant stood somewhat aside as his customer hun- grily went to work, as if half afraid that he might yet take a craving for a slice of rare-done waiter. ‘‘Now shall I have anything more?” asked Dick, after a busy twenty minutes, ‘ Yes. toothpick. Here’s your provender. Bring me the change.” E He lo aly handed out his ten-dollar bill, thrust the change into his pocket when brought to him, with a gratuity to the waiter; and stalk- ed out of the saloon with an air asif be had come on to buy Philadelphia, and was undecid- ed whether to purchase it in pieces or in a lump. CHAPTER II. THE FATE OF JOHN BLOSSOM'S. PURSE. Asout the time that Dick finished his meal, and sauntered forth, feeling very well satisfied with himself and the world which he honored with his presence, John Blossom, Esq., entered his Market street store. He wore a very placid countenance, which seemed strongly in- clined to break out into smiles. One of the salesmen whispered to another as he passed: “The old gentleman must have seen some- thing funny on his way dowr-town. His face looks like the Schuylkill with a ripple-on it.” ‘* Had buckwheat cakes and honey for break- fast,” replied the other. ‘‘There’s nothing like that to smooth down the wrinkles in a man’s temper.” art Mr. Blossom walked on to his office, oblivious 5 these remarks, A gentleman awaited him there. “Ab! glad to see you, Mr. Bently. You are early on hand this morning.” ‘*T think not. Ten o’clock was the hour.” ‘‘ Not past ten, isit? I wasdelayed a little on my way. Had the most extraordinary adven- ture. Take a seat, Bently, I must tell. you about it.” ~ He broke into a laugh at the recollection. ‘Something amusing, eh?’ asked Bently. “‘ Just the best joke I’ve bad fora year. Ha! ha! hal It was too good! DoT look likea raw countryman, Bently?” ‘*Not much,” was the reply. ‘*T was taken for one, then. play the drop game on me. Ha! ha! I[t was he best joke of the season. A good-looking fel- low enough, but dressed in Noah’s old clothes. Picked up something at my feet. ‘Did you drop this purse, sir? It was a’cute game, I promise you.’ ‘‘ Billed with bits of old newspaper, I suppose. Did you have him arrested?” ; “No policeman about, as usual. I gave him some good advice, Scared him a little, I think. He will hardly try it on again in this city.” ‘*But what was in the purse?” ‘‘ Bless you, man, you don't imagine I was green enough to touch it? No, no, as [ said .to the gentleman, I’ve had my eye-teeth cut. Oh, by the way, Bently, maybe you’re ina hurry. Did you bring that note? I won’t detain you.” “ T have it here,” answered Bently, producing a printed strip from his pocket. | ““That’s right. I came provided. Now I think of it, I might have passed the trick on to you, by taking the fellow’s purse and paying you out of it. How would you like that, eh? a! ha! that would have been as good a joke as the other.” “Maybe I would have proved as sharp as you were.” “Ob! Pll give you sound cash. But it was good, Bently, wasn’t it now? A prime joke.” He was feeling in his pocket for his parker book. “ To think that any one could oek in my face and take me—for a—green—” His voice sunk and his words became broken. A remarkable change passed over his counte- nance. The smile upon his face slowly faded out. His jaw fell, and his eyes took on a glassy stare. He began tospeak in a muttered tone. «The best joke of the— By the Lord, Bently, it’s no joke at all, and I’m the infernalest donkey that was ever kicked for his stupidity! It was my own purse after all. There’s a hole A chap tried to / = in my pocket you could drive a cab through. I was so confoundedly and ridiculously wide- awake that I am out of pocket to the tune of a cool thousand! I wish to Heaven there was some jackass here to kick me for my confounded dumbness! You do it, Bently, and T’ll thank you for the service.” “Tf it is all the same to you I’d rather not play jackass,” answered Bently dryly. he old gentleman stamped around the office, and ran his fingers distractedly through bis hair. He felt bis pockets again and again. ‘* To think that he offered me the purse like a man, and I was so pig-headed that I would not take it! I don’t suppose I will ever see him again.” ‘It was the best joke of the season, eh, friend Blossom?” “* Tf you say that again Ill knock you down!” exclaimed the merchant, growing as red as a peony with rage. ‘‘Hang meif Idon’t! Just you keep this story to yourself. There’s no use telling everybody what a fool I’ve been. Here, let me have the note. I was going to give you the cash on it, but you willhave to take a check now. He hustled his visitor out of the office as quickly as possible, with the closing remark: ‘Mind now, Bently. If you love me don’t let this out.” ‘It is too good a joke to keep,” laughed Bent- ly, as he walked away, ‘He will have the story from end to end of the street in an hour,” said the merchant dis- consolately. ‘‘Let me see. The fellow said he would meet me to-morrow at the same hour. I shouldn’t wonder if be was bonest after all. Let me once get the cash back and they can laugh to their heart’s content.” y Things somehow did not go very agreeably in the store that day. The merchant was more sour and crabbed than he had been for ten years past, “The sun shone too early this morning,” re- marked the clerk who had commented on his smiling aspect at his first entrance. “The buckwheat cakes and honey have turned to sour dough and vinegar,” answered his companion with a dry laugh. Meanwhile Dick Dashaway continued his aimless walk, his hands in his pockets, his stick under his arm, his hat thrust well back, and his face full of the independent spirit of the western wilds. He was much stared at, but that very little troubled his equanimity. If Dick, with nothing in his pocket and an empty stomach, was not to be cast down, Dick with a good dinner and the remnant of a ten-dollar bill was as happy as a king. Simple curiosity did not trouble him much. “Folks can look if it’s any good tothem. I came by this rig honestly, and will swop even- up with anybody who don’t like the fit, But T’d advise any gentleman not to try to make game of Dick Dashaway.” Like a genuine citizen of the world, at home anywhere from China to Nova Scotia, and in any dress from a Broadway rig to the attire of a South Sea islander, the easy-going Westerner walked on viewing the new city in which he found himself with as much unconcern as to his future fortunes as though he were the owner of a national bank. He felt sure of his ability to fall, like a cat, on_his feet, no matter where he was dropped. He was just now gompletely cleaned out, but it was not the first time he had been in that boat, and he was not an inch afraid, but he would soon row himself ashore into some safe harbor, ‘*A deuced sober concern, this Quaker City,” he muttered, as he walked through the quiet streets. “’Tain’t got the go of Chicago, nary time. A chap could make a fortune there while he’s ‘turning a penny here. But there’s another side to that picture. These sobersides hang on to their Poany when they get it, while your smart estern nabob loses his fortune as quick as he made it. I know it, for I’ve been through that mill. No matter,” he shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “ I’ve made a fair beginning any- how. Hope to gracious it wasn’t the old chap’s purse, and [’!] fall heir to it. Hang me if I ain’t getting curious to investigate the weight of my responsibility.” ; king around him forsome shelter in which he might examine the contents of the purse which had so luckily fallen into his hands, he spied a quiet saloon that stood back in a small side street. It seemed just the place for his pur- pose, and he mdde his way thither, | Entering with his usual easy swagger, he found himself curiously obseryed by several rene, porsebe within the saloon, on some ot whose aces their were covert smiles, Dick turned himself around as if for inspection. ‘‘That’s all there is of me,” be remarked. ‘“You’ve got me now, from my nose to my toes. A tight figure, ain’t I, in a seedy suit! Laugh it out, if there’s anything tolaugh at. But don’t crowd on the mourners, I’m a baby from Dakota, and we Dakota infants don’t like too much pap. Just smoke that, gentlemen.” He turned curtly to the bar, where the red- headed bartender hastily smothered a snicker and tried to look grave. ‘‘A brimmer of ale and a pipe, my covey. And be brisk about it if you want to save your scalp. Brick-dust scalps are at a premium just now, and yours looks tempting. Sbow me to a private room. I don’t think 1 care for any bet- ter company than myself.” An angry look came into the face of the in- censed bartender. He was about giving his rude customer as rude a reply, but Dick curtly cut him short: “There, that will do. Just imagine it said. I’m an impudent beggar and scarecrow, that ought to be kicked for my_ impertinence. It’s all stereotyped, my friend. They’ve got it im print out West; so you needn’t think you're go- ing to say anything original. Just show me a room, and hurry up my pipe and ale, and then fou can have your private theatricals. I know ust the sort of a rooster 1 am, so you needn't take the trouble to tell me.” The angry bartender choked back his intend- ed remarks, Dick bad quite taken the wind eut of his sails. He proceeded to sullenly obey the orders of his queer customer, while Dick turned coolly to the other tenants of the room, who were laughing at his odd bebavior. ‘* We fricassee that sort of chaps out West,” he said, with an unchanged face. ‘Don’t know how you serve them up here. I’m just learning the ways of your village.” He turned on his heel and followed the waiter, who now led the way to the private room which Dick had ordered. He passed through a narrow apartment behind the bar, and into a small, closet-like room adjoining. “That will serve,” said Dick, looking around him. ‘A table and a chair, and a chance to stretch my heels and for the smoke of a pipe to curliu. That ought to serve anybody that ain’s hoggish. See here, Bricktop, I bope I hayen’t hurt your feelings by my off handed ways. [ can’t help it. It just comes out of me like juice out of a watermelon, Here’s something to cool your sores.” He thrust a half-doJlar into the waiter’s hand, who went out smiling, quite won over by Dick’s shining argument. 7 “T know the tribe,” he remarked, ‘*¥ eon buy the dearest of them with a dollar.” Now let’s see what I’ve tumbled on,” . He took a long draught of the foaming. ale, lit his pipe and sent a curl of smoke toward the ceiling, and then extracted the wallet from his pocket. It was a fat leathern book, apparently well- stuffed with valuables, Dick soon bad on the table a thick roll of notes, These he flattened out and commenced to count. “Tens, twenties, and there’s a hundred. The old chap don’t deal in picayune papers, that’s sure. It’s queer what a deuce of a difference it makes to put another to at the end of a ten! ’ There’s a cool thousand, and the tale not told et. Eleven hundred and sixty! Why, it’s m ting Providence. The old cove took leave of his wits when be put such a lining as this into a rotten pocket. Lucky for him I’m an honest coon. He took another long sip at his ale, threw bim- self back in his chair, and smoked away as if quite exhausted with his labors. ‘Always tumble on my feet somehow,” he cogitated. ‘‘I was too confounded modest to take a ten for my reward. Hang it, he can’t offer less than that odd sixty. The old fool is swimming in cash, and ought to be bled for the benefit of poor orphans like me.” He opened the book again, and examined the papers which it yet contained. These were mostly letters, memoranda, canceled notes, and the other odds and ends that some people crowd into their pockets. Dick curiously examined several of them, while an odd look came upon his expressive features. ; “John Blossom, eh? Wholesale groceries. 789 Market street. Might good. But there’s something else than tea and pickles in your busi- ness,.old hoss. A sweet old Blossom you are. A regular rosebud, if I ain’t out of my reckon- ing. But that’s none of my business,”,
Page 4
“k The smoke of his pipe curled in slow wreaths upward as Dick sunk into deep cogitations. here was evidently something working in his way brain. e slowly replaced the papers and money in the wallet. Ashe did so he was attracted by some voices in the adjoining room. The door ‘was slightly ajar, so that an occasional word came to his ears. ‘Sounds as if those chaps were a bit boozy,” he remarked, ‘If they want to talk on private Matters, they oughtn’t to prime themselves with whisky first.—Eh! What’s that? Blos- som? Seems to me I’ve very lately become uainted with that name.” ick’s interest was aroused. The name that came to him was that of the owner of the lost wallet. He rose and cautiously advanced to the door, where, without any scruples of conscience, he set himself to listen. ““Got my fortune to make,” he muttered. *‘Tf there’s chancesafloat in the wind, I'd be a fool not to grab for them.” The half-tipsy individuals to whom he was par gi took little trouble to lower their tones. “T tell you he’s under my thumb,” declared one. ‘* He daren’t squirm. hy, Icould smash him as easy as I could a blue-bottle fly, and he knows it.” ‘You ain’t going to let the chance slip you?” “‘Not much I ain’t,” came with a sneering laugh. ** He’s well lined, I’m told.” “T should fancy so. Blossom’s Fd are known from Maine to Texas, hat’s more, the daughter’s as pretty as a picture. [’m bound to have the girl.” ‘“*Goin, Hiram, [ll back you to the shoul- ders. You want my help in this, or you wouldn’t be so dashed confidential. What is it? Let’s hear my part in the game.” Their voices sunk so that only an occasional word came to Dick’s ears. He returned to his seat, satisfied that there was nothing more to be heard, In doing so be unintentionally gave the table a till. Instantly he heard the men in the next room spring up with angry haste. The door leading into his apartment was flung open and the faces of his neighbors appeared, flushe with anger and dread of having been overheard. They were young men, somewhat flashily dressed, and not ill-looking, though it needed no keen eye to detect traces of dissipation in their faces, ‘By the Lord Harry!” cried the foremost. But he checked himself, and looked with aston- ishment at the occupant of the room they had invaded. Dick had his heels on the table, his chair tilted wall pen and his sorry tile set ata ve sa angle on his head. He held his pipe in one hand and his glass of ale in the other, and looked with an easy nonchalance at his unceremonious visitors. “T’m mighty glad to see you, gentlemen,” he coolly remarked, ‘Only the next time you're shot out of a cannon I wish you’d aim in some other direction. It isn’t good for the nerves of a quiet single gentleman to have a pair of jolly bucks like you flung at him like a potato into an Irishman’s throat.” CHAPTER III. HOW DICK CHANGED HIS CLOTHES, Tue leader of the two men who had invaded Dick’s spar inedt was 2 hancleqmne fellow, with sharp black eyes, and a long, drooping mus- tache. He idoked like a genuine man-about- town, a nobby-dressed, easy-going individual, who might have been either a bank clerk or a professional gambler. His companion was also well, but rather loudly dressed. There was in his face some- thing of a hang-dog expression. They had both evidently been drinking, and were flushed with liquor and anger alike, Dick looked them over with eyes accustomed to take in the caliber of such men at a glance. “See here, my fine buck,” cried the first, the one called Hiram by his companion, “I’ve a notion you’ve been playing spy onus. I know oo had your ears at the keyhole. If you’ve m playing that trick on me, I’m going to cure you of trying it again.” He advanced with a belligerent aspect. Dick did not stir, but quietly removed the pipe from his mouth, ‘**So you were having a private conversation in that room?” he coolly queried. ‘*'You bet we were.” * And saying so ber you were ashamed to have honest folks hear Hiram was somewhat taken aback by this cool question. He had no answer to make, i here, my good fellow,” continued Dick, Dashaway of Dakota. with his easy air, ‘‘the next time you've got any secrets to tell, just you take a speaking- trumpet and roar them out in the open street, Of course nobody will listen. Folks always stuff cotton in their ears when chaps like you want to air their secrets.” Hiram cast a supercilious glance at the odd attire of the speaker. **You’ve been listening then, blast you, vou walking advertisement of a South street Jew store? ou’ve overheard our conversation?” ‘Not quite all,” answered Dick coolly, ‘‘ but the most of it. Didn’t have any cotton handy to stuff in my ears.” ‘You impertinent beggar! don’t lay you out!” Hiram bustled angrily up, with clinched fists. He was closely followed 3 his tipsy compan- ion. It looked as if Dick was going to have his hands full, with a pair of rough customers. But our western friend had no idea of being taken at adisadvantage. In an instant his feet were on the floor, and he had risen from his seat, so as to confront his antagonists. “Hold up a minute, gentlemen,” he asked, “till I lay down my pipe and mug. I'd be ashamed of myself to spoil your pretty profiles with an ale glass, and only two to one, Why, bless your kind pictures, you’re the most ac- commodating gents I’ve met in this district. I’ve been spoiling for a square knock down the worst way, and can’t find the coon to tip a chip off my nose. Come on, sweetmeats, till I chaw ye up jist like a pair of chocolate-drops.” The tipsy sports, infuriated by this scornful remark, rushed on Dick like a pair of maddened bulls. But they counted without their host if they thought to take that young gentleman ata disadvantage. Hiram’s companion was slightly in advance, and dealt a sledge-hammer blow at Dick’s throat. But very much to his surprise he found himself the next minute curled up ina heap against the wall, with a ringing in his head as if a hive of bees had swarned in his brains, Dick had knocked up his fist, and dropped a light, left-handed tap on his tem le, that laid him out as neatly asif a mule had kicked him. At the same moment he stepped easily aside, and pada ut his foot as Hiram came up with a mad rush. The furious sport stumbled over Dick’s extended foot, and ere he knew what had happened was flattening his nose against the oppogte wall, Tt isn’t my fault, gentlemen,” said Dick, pay, “if the walls are too close together in his room. I wasn’t consulted by the architect. Come into this spacious saloon, and we can have a better swing for our little ‘exercise.’ “ He retired into the adjoining apartment, fol- lowed furiously, but more cautiously, by his antagonists. At the same moment the door leading to the bar-room opened, and its occu- nts c.me streaming into the apartment, at- ted by the noise of the fight. ‘“‘ What the deuce is the row here?’ demanded the saloon-keeper, who was among these new- comers. “Are you gentlemen kicking up a shindy? I'd bave you know that this is a quiet, respectable house, and if there’s any fighting to be done I’m the man to doit. Take that down, will you#” He was a burly, hard-fisted fellow, who seem- ed quite able to keep his promise. “Then I'd advise you not to keep open house for tramps and black-legs,” cried Hiram, scorn- fully. “If you oat gentlemen to patronize our house you had better give a cool good-by chaps like that, who has robbed some scare- crow of his best clothes.” He laughed sneeringly as he pointed at Dick. The landlord looked at his odd customer, who stood in an easy attitude, surveying the com- Hang me if I any. “Well, I'll swear if you ain’t a sweet figure for a respectable house!” he ejaculated. ‘‘ Hang your impudence, what brings you_here? This is not an asylum for tramps. You get, in- stanter, before I show you the way to the street.’ “* All right, Boniface,” answered Dick, with easy impertinence. ‘It is hardly the place for gentlemen in a house patronized by sponging roughs, like these half-fledged roosters. I’ve got about enough of your crib, Don’t care to be robbed by blackguards.” “Rob you!” yelled Hiram, in a fury. ‘“‘I’d make more by robbing a dead tramp. Rob you, you scaly beat! I bet if you were hung up by the heels we couldn’t shake the price of a beer out of you. Look at him, gentlemen. oe ee that . Agay set-up for millionaires, isn “This circus isn’t on exhibition just now, so + 2 the gentlemen needn’t trouble themselves to look,” answered Dick, in his easy manner. “As for you two chaps, I’ve salted you once, and am ready to repeat the dose if you want it. If it comes to a question of cash ’m your horse. Vil match you dollar for dollar, the winner to take the pile. And as you seem to admire my suit of clothes, it shall be rig against rig. Come, my jolly cove, the fat pocketbook strips the lean one, if you dare stand the match.” A laugh of approbation broke from all present at this bold challenge. fe mga stood for a moment cogitating, as if in oubt. ‘‘Come, Mr. Boomer,” said the landlord, with a laugh. ‘It is a square challenge. And I fancy i ought to be able to wipe out our friend here.” ‘It’s a bargain,” exclaimed Hiram, with a look at his competitor as if he did not fear much grist from that mill. ‘“‘ And understand me, my hearty, if I win you shall strip, if you bave to go out bare legged. Is that the understanding, gentlemen?’ ‘Yes, yes,” came the reply, with a shout of laughter. ‘We will hold him to his bargain.” ‘We Dakota boys never flinch from our bar- gains,” Dick coolly replied. ‘‘ Come, boss, plank down. Let’s see the weight of your pony.” With a confident air Hiram extracted a well- filled purse from his pocket and took out a ten- dollar bill. “J fancy that will be enough to discount our friend’s pile,” he remarked, as he slammed it down on the table. “Not much,” answered Dick. ‘ You'll have to put in bigger licks than that.” Il present opened their eyes in wonder as he drew from an inner pocket Mr. Blossom’s fat wallet. This was a wholly unexpected revela- tion. Dick looked at them with a peculiar smile. ‘‘ Looks bu’sting, don’t it?’ he asked. ‘‘ Lord love you, that’s the way I carry my dirty shirts! But there’s a greenbac or two there back in the corner. Here’s the color of one.” He laid a twenty on the table, and looked in- quiringly at his opponent. The latter smiled superciliously, as if quite satisfied with the money value of his purse. He built his first bid up to any ‘* See that, if it’s in you,” he demanded. “See it’s the word, and twenty better,” an- swered Dick. ty ‘Jolly. Here’s a cool hundred,” rejoined Hi- ram, Dick seemed to hesitate as he fingered in the depths of the wallet, His opponent looked at him triumphantly. He turned and winked to the others present. ‘Takes water,” he said, in a stage whisper. **Oh, yes. e Western boys drop at a flash ina pan,” answered Dick. ‘“ But I guess I’ve got enough here to straddle your blind.” He slammed a bunch of notes on the table, ‘‘ What's the size of it?” asked Hiram. ‘A square two hundred,” answered Dick, counting the cash before them. It was Hiram’s turn to hesitate. Here was an une ted revelation. He had not dreamed that his seedy antagonist could pan out in this fashion. He turned slightly pale as he fumbled in his pocketbook. — 1 “By Jove, I believe it is counterfeit,” he de- el . * “Do you?” answered Dick quietly. ‘‘ Exam- ine those bills, landlord, and tell me what you think of them.” ** Good as wheat,” declared the landlord, after a close inspection. ‘Do you hear?” Dick sternly asked his antag- onist. “‘ Now see here, my jolly. We Westerners have queer ways; and one is to stick to our word if we lose our skins. Another is to hold everybody else square to the mark, You've accused me of swinging counterfeits, and I’ve nailed you in alie. Now understand me, this circus has got to go on to the last act. And strip’s the word for the chap that loses, Plank down, or own up ne “You can’t dry me up with western bluster,” answered Hiram angrily. ‘ Here’s for you. Match it if you dare.” He emptied his pocketbook on the table, and counted out its contents. Five hundred dollars lay on the table before him. He looked ap with a smile of coutempt, as if satisfied that his op- ponent was checkmated. “Ts that your pile?” asked Dick. “Yes,” answered Hiram, in a tone of some doubt. Dick did not show the expected signs of melting down. “Then I wipe it in.”
Page 5
odes Eee He laid five one-hundred-dollar bills’ on his former heap. ‘*Mate it or flunk.” He looked with quiet meaning at his discomfited foo, ‘““There’s some rascally trick here!” cried Hiram, with a pale, excited face. ‘‘The man never came by that money honestly. It’s a gambler’s trick, gentlemen, and I won’t stand it. He started forward to grasp his money from the table, but sprung back assuddenly. For the ' barrel of a revolver, held in Dick’s hand, lay on the pile of greenbacks, and the cool stranger was looking into his face with an expression that made him flinch, ‘**That’s another of our little western ways,” explained Dick. ‘‘ We have a fashion of raking down what we win; and never object to lend a bullet to a rantankerous fellow-citizen,” He gathered up the winnings and thrust them into his pocket, ‘‘ Cash and clothes was the bet, Was it not, gentlemen?” ‘* Yes,” came the general reply. «Then peel,” demanded Dick, seating himself on the table, and playing quietly with the trig- ger of his revolver, ‘‘ Peel quicker than a mon- ey cen “” a banana, or I’ll bore your corpo- rosity. I mean every word of it, my cove.” And it was plain that he did. His eyes flash- ed with a steely luster, and his lips were set and firm. Hiram’s comrade, who had seemed in- clined to come to the rescue of his friend, ea back from the staring mouth of the pis- tol. ‘You don’t know me, maybe,” exclaimed the winner. ‘I’m Dashing Dick of Dakota. Tve been brought up to shoot on the jump, and I ean bring down a jack rabbit at a hundred paces. These are your friends, I suppose, but they are square men, and know a sqnare man when they see one, Strip, you blusterer! Of with that gay rig, or Pll shoot you as I woulda cattle lifter.” Hiram, pale and trembling looked again at his determined antagonist, He then looked around at his friends, but saw no signs of their coming to his aid. He slowly began to remove his clothes, Dick coolly waited, one leg over the table, and pistol in hand, while the performance went * a4 n, “Lay the dry goods there,” he remarked, pointing to the end of the table, Soon his baffled and dismayed opponent was stripped to his underclothing. A smile of amusement curled Dick’s handsome lips. “That will do,” he said. ‘* You needn’t peel to the skin. AndasI don’t want to send you into the street in that rig I'l) trade with you. Tt’s the rule all the world over that a fair trade is no robbery.” Laying the pistol within easy reach of his hand, Dick quickly removed his own clothing and assumed the attire of his antagonist, taking good care to transfer his cash. : “There, my jolly lad, you can pile on that an- tediluviano rig assoon as you like,” he remarked, straightening himself in bis new clothes, which fitted him almost as if made for him, He had changed from an odd-looking and seedy customer of a few minutes before into a hand- some, stylish and well-dressed gentleman. ‘‘ Wear that scarecrow’s dress!” cried Hiram angrily. ‘I'll die first!” ‘‘ All correct,” answered Dick, with an. ironi- eal smile. ‘You can dig out as you are if you prefer. Day, day, gentlemen. If you know any more yak that want to salt a western greeny just fetch himaround. I’m always open for a bit of game.” N Playing significantly with the lock of his re- Y volver, be walked to the bar-room door, and vanished with a parting bow. CHAPTER IV. ASTONISHING THE NATIVES. A LAUGH of amusement broke from Dick as he made his way along the street, He looked down at himself with an immense degree of satisfaction. In his new dress he appeared a handsome young gentleman of taste and style, though perhaps a little loud. ‘“There’s a leg for you,” he ejaculated. ‘* And a shoulder that fits any coat. The ladies smile at me in another shape now, you bet. Don’t I always drop down into luck though? Nota day in this town, and a five hundred strike already ; without saying anything of John Blossom’s little pile. It’s better to be born lucky than rich, any day.” __ ; He walked on with bis easy, free swagger, not noticing that he was followed at a distance by ad Hiram Boomer’s companion. It might, indee bave been a sorry day for that young man h Dashaway of Dakota. Dick discovered that he was being tracked by a spy. PY Guess I’ll streak for the Continental. A chap that makes his five hundred a day can afford to go it first chop. And it’s none of my game to mix with your small fry. Nobby gents or none for Dashing Dick, But wouldn’tI give a cow and a calf to see friend Hiram peg outin that old raffle suit of mine!” He aged gayly at the thought. ‘‘He won’t, though, or not till after dark, I suppose he'll be putting that rig in a glass case in the museum of antiquities,” Dick reached Chestnut street, and made his way to the Continental Hotel, without noticing the spy upon his track, The latter followed him into the hotel, and watched him as he signed the register and ordered a room, He also noticed, with a look of anything but satisfac- tion, that Dick handed his fat wallet to the clerk for safe-keeping. ‘*Hang his dirty caution,” growled the spy. ** He’s going to have bis swing out of Hiram’s cash, and bank the other. That balks part of our little game, <A fellow might think the chap smelt a rat,” Dashing Dick, quite oblivious of the fact that he was the center of such an interested observa- tion, was impressing his opinions on the hotel clerk. ‘*Not the tenth story, if you please,” he re- marked with great politeness, ‘‘?ve given up mountain climbing since I came East. Box me in some neat. little crib, not up more than one or two stairs. I didn’t come here to see the sun rise over the city.” “I can give you a second-floor room. But you will have to pay for it,” said the clerk, slightly smiffed by Dick’s off-handed ways. ** Don’t you suppose I know enough about hotels to know that?’ was the reply. “If I bunked on a clothes line and took my meals off a chair bottom, I’d have to pay for it. DP’ve got the needful, old hoss, And as you’re bound to bleed me anyhow, I might as well die for a sheep asa goat. You lay down beavy on that pocketbook I gave you. If it’s lost Vl take the hotel to pay for it. Where’s the black- complexioned individual that’s to tote me to my room? Trot him out.” The clerk, a little out of temper, signaled a waiter, and handed Dick over to him, well pleased to get rid of his queer customer, “There, that will do,” said Dick, after being brushed from top to toe by the obsequious waiter. ‘Or hold up, my friend. Got a silk handkerchief?” ** Yes, sah,” answered the attendant. *‘ There’s a speck of dust on the end of my nose, Just tip it off, will you? There, now | begin bo feel clean, What’s the damage?” ‘Sah?’ exclaimed the surprised ‘waiter. ‘Nothin’, sah. We makes no charge, for brushin’ gemmen, sah,” ‘* Oh, you don’t, hey? You just hustle that broom around fora bit of sport? All right, Sam- bo. I won’t force any dirty cash on your honest soul. Wouldn’t insult you by it. ou can git, now. Don’t want you any longer.” With a downcast and angry countenance, the waiter slid through the door,’ He bad not made’ ten steps, however, before Dick called him ack, ‘* How soon will supper be ready, Sambo?” “Tn half an hour, sab,” ** Then toddle back here about that time, and pilot me down, I haven’t got the hang of this cross twisted concern yet. And say, Sambo, here’s the price of a sugar plum that’s burning my vest-pocket. Suppose you take care of it till I ask you for it again, That won’t insult your dignity, eh?” The waiter toa with delight as he finger- ed the coin. He retired with profuse bows and thanks. ‘* Cheap as dirt, blacky. I could buy your soul with a trade dollar,” soliloquized Dick. ‘Shoot me, if this isn’t a neat get-up, though,” he continued, as be looked around the roomy and handsomely-furnisbed apartment. ‘* That clerk’s going for me heavy in the morning. But who'd have thought that seedy Dick Dashaway, when he tremped into the Quaker City not ten hours ago, as hungry as sin and with an empty pocket, would be ordering the best room in a gallus hotel before night? Dunno how it is, but I always tumble on my feet.” A half-hour afterward found Dick at the sup- r table, doing justice to an abundant meal. is day’s adventures had given him a hearty appetite, to which a full pocket and an easy heart added their share, : “Feel as if Vd been climbing the Rockies,” he said, as he lingered over his supper. ‘‘ Or as if I'd been corraling a drove of wild oxen.—W hat 5 do you call that, Pompey?’ as the waiter brought him a diminutive sample of meat, “Steak, sah, Br’iled steak, rare.” “Oh, itis! CanI take your werd for it, or had I better send for a microscope? Looks like a fricas:eed grasshopper.” ‘*Briled steak, sab,” repeated the offended waiter. ‘Sure of that? All right, then. Take out this sample and tell them that’s what I want.’ You needn’t fetch it in mouthfuls, like this. I can do my own carving. Just put on the side ofacow. Vamose, now. Whatare you hang- ing fire about? The hesitating waiter snatched up the plate and left in a miff, to relate in the kitchen that they had a cannibal at the supper table. But Dick, caring not a fig for the sensation he was creating, continued his supper in the same style. ‘‘ There,” he exclaimed at length, ** ’ve done two men’s duty. Guess I’d best evacuate while there’s something left in the hotel for breakfast. Haven’t had a square, solid meal for a week before,” He strolled easily intothe main room of the hotel, as big in his boots as any millionaire there, and bigger in bis heart than half of them, a true specimen of western dash and pluck, not leg a cent for to-morrow so to-day did its uty. Dick bad not finished bis after-supper cigar, when the spy again glided cautiously into the hotel, with eager, peering eyes. His face lit up with satisfaction on observing the object of his espionage, then engaged in conversation with one of the hotel guests, Eight o’clock had struck from a neighborin clock, when Dick strolled out into Chestnut stree for a promenade before bedtime. The avenue was brilliant with lights, and thronged with people. He walked on for a considerable dis- tance, enjoying the soft air of the evening. Tke spy followed him, step by step. e had reached the end of bis walk and was turning to go back, when he was approached by a small boy, with a very sharp face, ‘Excuse me, gentleman,” said the boy, with a forced whine in his voice. ‘“ But would you mind coming down here a little way? There’s a lady has fell and burt herself. Dve been try- ing to help her, but I ain’t strong enough.” Dick looked down at the mite, without dis- trust in his eyes. ‘‘A lady, eh? Fell and hurt herself? Well, I'd be a hogif I didn’t. And I ain’t no hog, nary time. Chip along, my hearty. I’m after you, The spy noticed with alook of satisfaction that Dick started off with the diminutive mes- senger, ‘* He bites. I thought that would fetch him,” was his remark. ‘‘Now for the rest of the game.” He hastened onward. Dick walked easily on, Ghestioning the boy, and not noticing that the keen lad was leading him a considerable distance. **Here’s the place,” said the boy at length, stopping before a quiet house in a side street, whose door he pushed open. “This is the place, eh? woman?” ‘* She’s inside, sir. Come right in.” * Look here, young hoptoad. Didn’t you say that a woman had fallen in the street and hurt herself, and that she wanted to be helped home?” ‘“No, sir,” cried the boy eagerly, ‘‘I didn’t say a word about the street. It was in the house she fell, sir. Down the stairs. She’s laying there yet. Ob, come in, sir! You don’t know how she’s hurt,” “T know that this isa confounded doubtful yarp,” apswered Dick, keenly observing the house. ‘“‘ Where are the folks of this respecta- ble mansion, boy?’ “They are all away on a picnic, They hain’t come home yet. I was sent out to look for somebody. Oh, do come in, sir, and-help the poor wornan!” “It looks thunderingly as if there was a nig- ger in the woodpile,” considered Dick. “TI wonder if there’s an adventure ahead of me? Anyhow Dashing Dick is not the chap to back down before a bit of sport. Might as well finish the day out. Peg ahead, my little coon. I'll see what’s in the wind.” He put his hand behind him to seeif his revolver was in bis pistol pocket. Finding tbat useful companion all right he pushed on, con- —— in bis ability to make his way out of any anger. The boy led up a flight of stairs. He halted” at the foot of the second flight, Then where’s the —
Page 6
6 “Tt was here I left her,” he said, in a tone of surprise. “She must have got up and gone into this room.” He opened the door of a side room. It was totally dark within. Dick stood hesitatingly in the doorway, trying to make out the vague out- lines of the apartment before him. “'There’s some thin game here,” he muttered, as he drew a match from his pocket, and struck it on the door-jamb. As he did so a dark form leaped from a shadowy corcser of the hall. It was the spy, who had concealed himself there. Giving Dick a bard shove he sent him reeling to the middle of the room, while, at the same instant, the door clesed sharply bebind him, and the lock re- sounded with a loud click. Dick’s match flashed for a moment, and then went out; but not before it had revealed a peril- ous and startling scene. CHAPTER V. RATTLING THE IVORIES. THE light of the match illuminated the room but for an instant, and then left all again in total darkness. But that instant was enough to ut Dick in full possession of the situation. For it had revealed to his eyes a room with a table in its center, and around its sides a group of stern-faced men, each holding a pistol with its muzzle bearing full upon hishead. He saw ata ' glance that he had been vig ae into a den of villains, and that he was decidedly in for it. But Dashing Dick of Dakota was not the man to be put down by any such trifle as that. ‘“*T cave,” he cried. ‘I fling up the sponge. You needn’t pull trigger on any of those little playthings. I know just how they work, so ou needn’t trouble yourselves to show me, ut suppose some of you gentlemen strike a opt. I was always afraid of ghosts in the **'You have had your fun, Dashing Dick, as you call yourself,” came a voice from the dark- ness. “It is cur turn now.” ‘““All right, hoss. Wheel in the circus; camels, elephants, and all the animales. Fetch along your lofty tumblers and your comical clowns. I’m ready for the performance.” A smothered laugh from one of his captors followed Dick’s reckless gayety. A match was struck and a lamp lit, which flung its light through the room. He looked curiously around, to see what sort of company he had fallen into, A glance revealed the situation and told him the whole reason of the trap that had been laid for him. For tbere stood his pith eget Hiram Boomer, dressed in Dick’s di ed suit, and making a most ridiculous appearance there- in. Dick could not help laughing at the aspect of his sorrily-dressed victim. “Excuse me,” he said, * but you do look con- ppecpantd seedy and old-fashioned. Wonder if I cut such a figure when I masqueraded in that tasty rig. You ought to put yourself up at auction and sell out to the lowest bidder.—So these are your friends, eh? Invited them around to give me a sort of surprise party, did you? Hang me, if it wasn’t kindin you. trent easy forget the favor.” The group of men who were stationed around the walls of the room lowered their weapons with a feeling of shame, as they saw their unarmed prisoner standing so unconcerned in their midst. “You played sharp on me, Dashing Dick,” said Hiram, severely, as he advanced to the table. ‘‘ You robbed me, like a dead beat as you are. It’s my turn now, and I’m bound to get even with you. I wore this tramp’s suit with a purpose.” “ Just so,” remarked Dick, coolly. ‘I under- stand. You wanted to see how a tailor’s sponge would look in a gentleman’s cast-off clothes. Now, see bere, Hiram, what’s your little game? I’ve got business on hand, and though your in- vitation is very pressing—” **Deuced pressing!’ growled one of the ruf- fians, while another laughed. “Tuese are only some friends of mine, that I invited around to see fair play,” answered Hiram, with an effort to emulate Dick’s coolness, “T only want to finish our little game of match, that’s all. In the first place, there’s a document in that suit that wasn’t in our bargain. It was clothes, not papers. So hand it over.” “Haven't investigated the pockets yet,” re- joined Dick, noticing a shade of anxiety in am’s voice, ‘Lord love you, man. you're welcome to all your pepers. I don’t want them.” , He at once felt the pockets of his newly-won ‘weuit, and drew from one of them a folded paper. “Ts this the document?” a a ee =>) Z ° ‘ j Dashaway of Dakota. ** Yes,” cried Hiram, with an air of great sat- isfaction, as he seized the paper from Dick’s ex- tended hand, and thrust it deep into a pocket of the suit he wore. ‘*So far good,” remarked Dick. business on hand?” “Yes. A little game of match.” He produced a dice-box, which he laid upon the table. ‘‘ You have in your pocket a purse of five hundred dollars which you won from me. Now I want my revenge. We'll rattle the bones for that little stake, if you please.” ‘‘I’m agreeable,” answered Dick cheerily. “You never caught me yet going back ona square game, There’s my stake.” He slammed the purse ov the table, to put up against it.” “This,” answered Hiram, laying his pisto] on the opposite side of the table. Dick looked at it with a knowing eye. “T draw,” he said. ‘It isn’t a square match, Your stake’s too small.” “Then Vil make it up,” answered Hiram. He signed to his companions, who advanced, revolver in hand, and laid their armed hands on the table, while they looked at Dick with stern inquiry. “ How is my stake now?” asked Hiram. ‘* Bless you, I am not going into the revolver business,” replied Dick with a sbrug. ‘‘ One of those barkers is a load for a common individ- ual. You don’t want me to turn pirate, do you, and have a pistol-butt sticking out of every pocket? What amI going to do with that army if I win it?” “‘I don’t care a fig what. That’s for you to settle,” said Hiram, rattling the box. ‘ Call your bet, The best throw from double ace to double six. What will you have, the high or the low?” ‘“‘ High, for a bee-hive,” cried Dick. ‘‘ There’s nothing low about me.” Hiram again rattled the box, and flung the two dice on the table.” 3 “Five tray. Eight points for Dashing Dick. And here’s the winning throw.” ; He again threw the dice. Dick looked curi- ously as the box was lifted. There lay a double ** Any more ve. “The stake is mine,” said Hiram, laying his hand on the purse. “Solid logic,” answered Dick. ‘‘No going back on the bones. Rake in the stakes.” ““Come,” continued Hiram, ‘‘ you can have your revenge. This is to be a square game.” ne another red about me,” rejoined ic ‘*But you have a receipt from the clerk of the Continental for a valuable wallet in his safe. Ill take that interesting paper on a bet against this purse.” ‘‘Oho! is that your little game?” : ** Just so,” answered Hiram, curling bis mus- tache, as he looked triumphantly at his helpless victim. ‘It’s only a bit of paper; bat I’ve taken a fancy to it.” : ‘Oh, you have? Then don’t let me stand in the way of your fancies. I’m the most accom- modating coon out. Here’s your little paper that you've taken such a fancy to.” The cool fellow tock a quick glance around him, at the window, at the locked door, at the rough chaps before him, who looked as if they would shoot him down at a suspicious move- ment. There was nothing for it. He wasinthe trap and must gotbrougt the game. He would have drawn his own pistol and tried his chances, but six to one, and a locked door, were too great a against him. He laid the receipt upon the adie, ‘* Pass over the box,” he demanded. ‘Tl do my own throwing this time. Don’t like to trou- ble you to handle the ivories for me.” ; The observers looked curiously on as Dick gave ths box a western rattle and brought it heavily down upon the table. ‘*Deuce ace! Sold, as sure as shooting,” he cried, *‘T reckon so, if that’s your best throw,” an- swered Hiram, as he tossed a pair of sixes from the box. ‘* Rake it down,” said Dick. ‘' You’ve got the winning fever to-night. You’ve cleaned me out like a whistle.” ‘** Not quite,” answered Hiram, coully. ‘‘ One more throw, my dear sir, for rig and jig. I don’t want to be hard on you, but I’ve taken a fancy to that very neatsuit you wear. And I’ve a notion these clothes of mine will fit you toa charm.” “Dick cast a side glance at the scaly figure which Hiram presented and broke into an invol- untary laugh. “Hang me, Hiram, you'd burst a looking- ‘What have you got EE ee lass if you looked into one now. Did Dick of akota ever cut such a dash as that? No mat- ter, old chap, if it’s to be a toss of the bones, I’m your man, I never backed yet from a square wager.” A laugh, which was not much to Hiram’s rel- ish, broke from all present at Dick’s comical manner. But he could afford to let his victim joke, on the principle of ‘‘ Let those laugh who win.” The bones were certainly againsthim. Again Hiram threw twelve to Dick’s five. But the shrewd Westerner was not green enough to im- pute this run of ill-luck to fortune. He had no- ticed some manipulations of Hiram’s fingers. He picked up the dice and balanced them curiously on his finger-tip. “T thought so. Loaded!” he said. “What?” cried Hiram, threateningly. ‘The pistols,” replied the cocl Westerner. “Of course I didn’t mean anything else. If wouldn’t hint for a fortune that you are not on the square. So I suppose we’ve got to reverse our afternoon’s game, and strip back again.” **Tt looks that way,” rejoined Hiram dryly. Without a moment’s hesitation Dick began to take off his borrowed plumage, He knew well that they were playing with him, like a cat with a mouse, and he would have sold his head before showing the white feather. In a few minutes the exchange was made, and Dick again appeared in the sorry attire which he had worn that morning into the city, while Hiram assumed with infinite satisfaction his own more sightly array. Dick had laid bis pistol on the table. “*T bope you gents won’t object to my hanging on to this bit of hardware,” he queried. “Its a family jewel, handed down from my grand- father. You needn’t be afraid of its going off.” ‘““We are not troubled about that,” said one of the men, with a meaning laugh. Dick hastily snatched up his pistol, and looked at the chambers. They were empty. It had been abstracted from his pocket, and the cart- ridges removed. He replaced it without a word. eanwhile Hiram took possession of his re- covered purse, and of Dick’s hotel-safe receipt. ‘Now, my jolly Westerner,” he remarked, with a knowing.look, ‘‘I don’t mind telling you what else is in the wind. ‘‘ There’s such a thing as turning the tables on smart coons like you. I think I wiil stro] down to the Continental and play Dick Dashaway of Dakota. Vm just your build, you see, and have got on the rig you sported there, Our mustaches are some- thing alike, and I think I can make up my face for you very neatly.” : He took from a closet a wig which looked closely like Dick’s dark hair. A few manipula- tions to his face, and he did not look much un- like the prisoner. He might easily pass for him with people who were not well acquainted with his face. ‘fT have a fancy to withdraw the little pack- age I left in the hotel safe,” he pleasantly re- marked. ‘TI have to take the night train West, on sudden business, so will pay my bill and re- ceive my valuables. That ought to work, eh? You will be kind enough: to wait here, in the company of these gentlemen, till I return, I hope you will enjoy yourself.” There was a look of insulting triumph on his face. But Dick kept as cool as a cucumber. He was not yet ready to fling up the sponge. The spy, who had stood by the door during this colloquy, now unlocked it to let Hiram out, and locked it bebind him. The villainous-looking customer then advanced with a harsh grin on his face. “Hiram has got even with you,” he re- marked, ‘‘ but I ain’t. You knocked me into the corner, dash you. It’s my turn now, and I’m going to salt you for it, Do you smoker that?” Dick retreated till he stood beside the door, and involuntarily drew his pistol. He did not like that hang-dog face, nor the ruffianly looks of the armed men in the background. The villain laughed insultingly. ‘““Go ahead, boss. Much you'll do with an empty pistol,” he said. ‘*There’s more can be done with an empty istol than you fancy, mayhap,” answered ick. ‘* Pile in, then. Show us the game.” ‘‘Here’s one thing.” Dick struck out sharply. The fellow was closer than he had supposed, and the butt of the pistol took him square be- tween the eyes, felling him like a log to the floor. : ‘* Here’s another thing.” The weapon, wielded by the strong hand of the muscu Westerner, came down with a -
Page 7
Dashaway of Dakota. | sledge-hammer blow on the lock on the door. The stroke was given with such intense vigor that the screws that held the lock were pulled from the wood, and it fell useless to the floor. ‘* Here’a a third use for an empty pistol.” The first two performances had taken but the fraction of a minute. Ere the surprised villains could recover from their astonishment, Dick had flung the weapon with a sure aim at the ie lamp, A crash of glass followed. Sudden arkness filled the room. A half-dozen pistol-shots succeeded. The vil- lains had regained their senses, and were shoot- ing. wildly toward the door. ut Dick of Dakota knew a trick worth two of that. He had stooped to the floor on the in- stant that darkness filled the room. He sprung through the open door in this attitude, while — singing bullets went flying wildly above im. In a moment more he had gained the head of the flight of stairs, and was darting downward five steps at a stride. Loud curses, a wild rush, and the crack of revolvers still sounded above. CHAPTER VI. A FOX IN A LION’S HIDE. Wirt the reader’s permission we will return to the Continental Hotel. Its main hall was still thronged with people, for the night had not yet far advanced. ‘At the clerk’s desk stood that individual, in conversation with a person who certainly presented a close likeness to Dash- ing Dick of Dakota. ** Will you be kind enough to let me have my bill?” he asked, with a great show of politeness. *“‘T have just received a telegram that makes me dig for the night train west, so I won’t have the pleasure of ruffling your bed-linen.” ** What name?” asked the clerk, shortly. “Dick Dashaway. Here it is on the regis- ter. Hardly dry yet. I’m the chap that’s quick on the trigger, you see.” The clerk looked sharply up. He had a keen ear for voices, and these tones did not strike him as familiar. Nor did the face seem quite right. However he had only taken a momen- tary glance at Dick Dashaway, and this fellow was certainly like him. The clerk thought that his memory of faces must be going back on him. He ed to make out the bill. ** You have secured a room forthe night. I shall have to charge you with it.” ‘All correct. You won’t find anything mean about me. Bless you, man, chaps like me, that’s used to sleeping in gold mines, don’t haggle about picayunes. Pile on all the extras. I’m agreeable.” He cast his eye over the bill presented him, while the clerk took another quick look at him, This speech struck him as a counterfeit of the true coin, It lacked something of the Dash- away flavor. _ But there was nothing counterfeit in the way in which the stranger opened his purse, and flung ont a bank bill. ‘‘ There, take it out of that. Clap your fist to the bottom of the bill, and let me off. Ive got to streak for the train. Is that clock of yours railroad time?” ‘“Yes, To the minute.” “Then here’s for a fling. Sharp’s the word with us western gents.” He turned partly away, but swung quickly around again on his heel. ‘‘ Dash my old carelessness, | was nigh forgetting! If it’s all one to you suppose you just pass over this bit of plunder.” He handed the clerk the receipt for the wallet. ‘ That’s what we call out West a vallyble package, Plank it down, and let me off on the jump, or T’ll be dished for the Night Express.” His excited and energetic faste threw the clerk a little off his guard. Taking the receipt he turned to the safe and produced Dick’s wal- let, which he laid before the claimant, not with- out another momentary sense of doubt. Yet everything looked to be on the square. The guest made a nervously quick movement toward it; but he checked himself, as if in fear of creating distrust. “That’s the plunder,” he remarked. ** Wouldn’t I have kicked myself for a jackass if I'd pegged out without that jolly fat “bundle. Good-by. Til drop in to see you the next time I come East.” He was on the point of picking up the wallet, when, to bis utter surprise, another hand was laid flat down upon it. At the same moment he was taken by the ear with a pinch so sharp that it brought the tears to hiseyes. — - ‘¢ Hands off, neighbor,” came a familiar voice. ‘You're a gay buck from the Rockies, aren’t you now! But you can’t jump this claim, while your uncle’s floating around.” The sharp pinch upon his ear drew his head around until, to his utter surprise and dismay, he found bimself confronted by no less a person- age than Dashing Dick himself. Andit was the familiar Dick, in his antediluvian attire, his seedy hat set back upon his head at a raking angle, Some of the lookers-on broke into a laugh at his extraordinary appearance. “So; youw’re a nice duck for a small party,” continued Dick. ‘Thank your stars it was your ear and not your nose I went for, or I mightn’t bave left you enough for a respectable blow. Didn’t calculate to bave your neat little game discounted by the genuine Dick, eb?” The masquerading counterfeit jerked himself loose from the pinch of Dick’s thumb and finger. But his face continued full of astounded dismay. How came the man here whom he had left un- der the pistol-barrels of his associates? It seem- ed like the work of magic, and he was cowed in spite of himself. In a moment, however, he regained his bra- vado, and dashed forward for the prize, which yet lay under Dick’s hand. ‘Let go,” he cried fiercely, ‘‘ you infernal tramp! Release that wallet, or Pll hand you over to the police for a thief!” “Stand back!” returned Dick, with energy. ‘‘You’re playing with no baby now, friend Hiram. If you touch that leather with your dirty fingers, down goes your house.” The inclination to laugh in the observers was changed to a look of interest as this controversy went on. Some of the more nervous backed away. The clerk, who bad been utterly taken aback by this sudden event, now stepped sharp- ly forward, and laid his hand on the subject of ispute. ‘“What’s all this row about?’ he demanded, angrily. ‘‘ Let go that wallet. IDlltake care of it till I find who it belongs to.” ; “‘Thope you will,” said Dick sarcastically. “ And not hand it over to every coon that goes for it. Is that the way you do business in this shanty? Blast it all, man, there's my signa- ture!” He struck his clinched fist on the register. ‘‘Dick Dashaway of Dakota. Look at me, and at this swamp pigeon, and say which is the genuine grizzly.” ene clerk glanced doubtfully from one to the other. ‘It is not easy to decide,” be declared, ‘‘as I only saw you for a minute. Your face and voice seem more like the thing, but my guest was was not dressed in any such rag-barrel suit as that. This man has the clothes and some- thing of the looks. And he has presented the receipt for the package,” : ‘And he’s the man who intends to take it, if there’s any law in Philadelphia,” cried Hiram. ‘* Is this the way you do. business at the Conti- nental? I have paid my bill like a man, and turned over my receipt for the package, Hand it over, and kick out this dirty ragamuffin.” The clerk looked from one to the other, and then made a movement toward Hiram, He had certainly i Megreay the receipt, and he looked respectable, while Dick presented the aspect of a tramp. Hiram’s face wore a trium- phant smile as the clerk held out the package. He made a movement to take it, but encount- ered Dick’s intercepting hand, ‘‘ Hey, there!” cried the clerk to to some of the waiters. ‘‘ Run this fellow out. We don’t keep open house for such cattle, Pitch him out if he won’t go quietly.” ‘‘That’s right, hoss,” answered Dick. “ma neat football for niggers, ain’t 1? But if you want to live inside your skin you'd best freeze onto that plunder. Stand back there!” He turned to tbe waiters with such a fierce look that they incontinenvly retreated. ‘As for this chap he’s a masquerading highwayman, I was enticed into a den of cutthroats and robbed of that receipt. I got away from them just in time to block his little game. Lookhere! This is the way they make up western men in your Quaker City.” . He dashed at Hiram and tore the wig from his head, revealing short-cut hair, much ligbter color, beneath, F ‘*There’s your lamb in a lion’s skin, Look at him, and say who’s playing ’possum.” . The revealed villain stood discomfited by this revelation. He stole a foxy glance to right and left, and then sharply turned, and ran hastily for the entrance of the hotel. Dick followed with a view halloo. ‘‘Hoicks! Stole away! Stole away! Head off the hyena!” But Hiram was too quick forhim. He darted from the hotel door, and disappeared in the crowd that thronged that part of Chestnut street. Dick returned with a reckless laugh. “The fox has gone, but I took the brush,” he said, displaying the captured wig. ‘‘ He robbed me of my purse and clothes, gentlemen, and left me only this sorry rig in its place. And he’d have robbed me of more, only I stepped in here in time to discount him. Put that plunder aways Mr. Clerk. Hang on to it till I call for it, Just whistle up one of your darkies to pilot me to my room, for ’ve had enough sport for one day.’ “‘T will keep this till its owner is proved,” an- swered the clerk, in a tone of suspicion. ‘As for your room you can have none in this hotel. We don’t accommodate customers of your stamp. You had best hunt up quarters else- where.” “The blazes you say!” answered Dick, ‘‘ You take men’s money and kick them out, eh? Here’s a receipted bill for supper and lodging for Dick Dashaway. You take my money, and then kick me out, because [ choose to put on a sum- mer suit. I’ve a notion, Mr. Johnsing, that you’ve got the wrong sow by the ear. Can’t play that little game on this wild colt,” As may be imagined this scene had made con- siderable commotion among the hotel guests. They crowded around the clerk’s desk, with various comments, ““T’ve seen that gentleman before today,” cried one of these, a portly, dignified individual, “It’s alla falsehood about his being decoyed by robbers, and made to put on that suit. I saw him this morning, swaggering along, with that same dress on.” Dick turned, with a look of comical amaze- ment, at this remark, ‘* Will you be kind enough to move, and let this orphan see that knowing individual? Oho! so it is you, my cove! It’s the swelling chap that wanted to walk on pavement and curb- stone at once. You swore you would get even with me, because I gave you a little wholesome advice. 1 haven’t forgot you, nary time.” ‘You were aswaggering blade, | know that,” answered the angry citizen, “I haye your card yet. I won’t forget you either, my blus- tering friend.” “‘T hope you won’t. I like to be remembered. Suppose you just burn that piece of pasteboard. Knights of fortune, like me, don’t float the same name all day long.’ The gentleman produced Dick’s card, with an air of triumph, He thought he had the best of his antagonist, and could easily prove him an impostor, He handed it to the clerk. “Read that. That’s the name your sorry guest wore this morning.” The clerk read, with an air of surprise: “ Dick DASHAWAY, * Dakota.” ** Well,” said Dick, turning with a sarcastic laugh to the citizen. ‘‘ You’ve squelched me now, I ain’t worth a pigtail after that dig. Don’t you feel sorter good after your virtuous deed, eh? Why, you mutton jowled jackass, you’ve played your cards square into my hands, ook at that name on the register! ok at this bill and receipt for board and lodging for Dick Dashaway! If any gentleman here wants his jaw broke, a let him say again that Iam an impostor, Dve got _an angelic temper, but I’m a little likea cat, It isn’t safe to rub me too long against the wool. [ve got a bill and a receipt for a room in this hotel. That’s good evidence in any court in this community, What do you say, Mr. Clerk? It’s a question of a room for Dick Dashaway, or a red-hot law-suit for this big shanty of a hotel. Let out now. You've got ten seconds to settle it in, and 1 don’t care the toss of a penny which way.” The clerk looked angry, hesitated, bit his lip, and finally turned, much against his will, to a waiter. ‘Show this gentleman to his room.” “Lucky for you,” said Dick loftily, as he stepped off. ‘‘You’ve saved the Continental.” CHAPTER VII. ; DICK MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME, “Ts the gentleman that runs this shanty hanging round anywhere? Let out, quick, for Pve got business with that wealthy individual.” There was a subdued laugh in the rege ey of the store. The speaker was Dashing Dick, in his seedy costume, The establishment was that of Jobn Blossom, Esq. Dick turned and set his scaly hat at its most rakish angle over his left ear, while his eyes sharply sought the locality of the laugh. ; ~~ ‘Did my ears deceive me, or did [ hear some virtuous youth indulging in amusement at my expense? Let the critter step out. Vd to see his shape and size. It’s been a week now -
Page 8
* recover. —__ since ]’ve cremated anybody, avd I’ve got 1 red- bot blast ready, It'd do me a beap of good to give that chap a cheap funeral.” But the langhing youth did not make his ap- pearance, Dick, after waiting a moment, con- tinued: “* Guess the fellow don’t approve of cremation, But be’d best keep a damper on that little horn of his while I’m about. l want to see the blos- soming individual that runs this establishment. Just hand him my card, and tell him that Rich- ard Dashaway, Esq., is on hand.” ‘* Mr, Blossom is not here yet,” answered the clerk addressed. His inclination to laugh was quite checked by Dick’s fierce demeanor. “‘ Itis after his time, though. He will be here very soon. Will you wait?” ‘**Dunno,” said Dick, ‘ Got a press of business. Mought give him an hour, if you think that will fetch him.” ** He will be here in five minutes.” ‘*Show me in then. I'll sacrifice myself on the altar of honesty and virtue.” The clerk ushered Dick into Mr. Blossom’s private office: not without some doubts, as he glanced around the well-fitted room. But thero was nothing there of any great value that could be carried off unseen, so he concluded he could safely leave the scaly visitor there until Mr. Blossom’s appearance. The laughter, which Dick had nipped in the bud, broke out again as soon as his back was turned, loud enough for bim to hear. ‘The bucks are having it out now,” he solilo- quized. ‘Tm agreeable. Let them burst with fun if they want to. Can’t hurt my feelings. I’m tough as shoe-leather on that side.” The reckless fellow seated himself in Mr. Blos- som’s softly-cusbioned arm-chair, which he threw back till he could get his heels on a pile of correspondence on the table. Then taking a cigar from his pocket, he struck a match and coolly kindled ths weed. In a minute a wreath of fragrant smoke was curling through the quiet air of Mr. Blossom’s sacred room. ‘There, now I begin to feel comfortable. Hope old Blossom won’t bloom till I’ve had m quiet smoke out, Hate like poison to have busi- ness poked on me till ’'m ready for it.” He continued to smoke, with intense enjoy- ment of his cigar. He seemed lost in a subiriel which suddenly ended in his bringing his band down with a es slap on his ie, while a laugh of triumph broke from his lips. ‘* By the heart of the Rockies, if that isn’t a neat go!” he ejaculated. ‘‘ Never thought of it till that minute. Well, ifIain’t got a ring in Hiram’s Boomer’s nose, after all, then there’s no Dashaway of Dakota, While Dick was thus engaged John Blossom entered bis store. He br in with a hasty step, and with a flushed and angry countenance, which made the salesmen look askance. ‘No hot buckwheat cakes this morning,” whispered one to another. ‘‘The milk’s all turned sour, and there’s been young chickens in the boiled eggs.” Mr. Blossom stamped back, casting angry and sharp glances to the right and left, as if seeking for something to vent his anger upon. ‘“* What’s this order book doing here?” he cried sharply to one salesman. ‘Is this the place for it? Am I to spend all my life making rules which nobody obeys?—W by is that box of goods | standing open? 1 thought I ordered it closed last night.—Where’s that boy? Send him here instantly, somebody. Move,some of you! Are my orders of no account in my own store?” These sharp words made a commotion in the establishment. Most of those present hurried away in search of the missing boy; while the others tried to keep out of sight of their angry employer. ohn Blossom was decidedly ruffled. He had good reason to be, for he had waited a full hour at the rendezvous made by Dashing Dick, with- out that gentleman putting in an appearance. ‘““There’s a person waiting for you in the office, Mr. Blossom,” announced the clerk who had shown Dick in. ‘* A person waiting! There’s always a person waiting! Let him wait!” snapped Mr. Blossom. “Tm run down with persons, who only come here to bore me. Excuse me, Harry, I’m a bit out of temper this morning. And who wouldn’t be? I’ve been diddled out of a thousand dollars. Clean diddled. It’s enough to make a saint swear.” “Mercy! You don’t tell me that!” exclaimed the clerk, holding bs his hands. ‘None of that! You know all about it. Tht wag of a Bently has spread it all over town. Heard folks laughing at me everywhere yester- day. The worst is, the fellow was to meet me this morning. Hang me if he did though. He has confiscated my thousand.” ‘“T am very sorry to hear that,” remarked the clerk sympathetically. ‘“*Something must be done, Mr. Blossom.” “Do you suppose I need to be told that? Where’s that boy? Anybody found the young rascal yet? Oh! here you are, sirrah! Now be bi ot will you?” ‘What about?” asked the boy. “Wait till I tell you, ninny. Harry, write me off un advertisement, at once. Offer a hun- dred dollars reward for the recovery of a lost snakes! Thought he had me, the blazing beggar; | pocketbook. Say the finder is spotted, but no but it’s a gay coon that discounts Dashing Vick.” | questions will be asked if the book is returned He continued to laugh with great amusement. ‘* Let me go over the whole queer biz,” he re- sumed. ‘‘ First he made me pony over a highly valuable document, which he buried in his pockets with great satisfaction. That was act number one. Then he flung the bones till he had me stripped to the skin. That was act number two, Then we both put on our old clothes. That was the third act of our interest- ing little play. Next I dug out with this here ripping suit and alt its contents, including Hi- ram Boomer’s valuable document, which he for- got to transfer. That wasthe fourth act. And now up goes the curtain for the fifth act, which is the reading of that interesting document. Oh! lawsee, won’t Boomer be ina booming rage when he finds what a glorious ass he Las Bees yof himself!” He thrust his hands into bis pockets, and after a moment’s search drew out the folded paper which Hiram Boomer had seemed so anxious to ‘‘ Here it is,” laughed Dick, as he again slap- ped his knee. ‘Just the neatest bit of luck I’ve seen for acentury. Wonder if Hiram wouldn’t like to rattle the ivoriesagain? Bet you high he won't ring in this cbicken to such another scrape as that last one. Mighty easy to throw double six with loaded dice; buf it’s my throw now, and I’m going to discount Hiram.” He opened the recaptured document and cast his eyes over its contents. Dick knit his brows as he read on, and seemed at some loss to take in the meaning of the paper. But at length a light broke over his face, which soon became a jolly burst of laughter. Got it all in now,” he ejaculated. “ But I wouldn’t if I badn’t heard that trifle of conver- gation about the girl, and how he had old Blos- som under his thumb. If there ain't a neat bit of rascality afloat, ’ma Jew. AndifIgivem time to old Blossom out of his scrape, he’s heavy. I ain’t the sort of coon that ad for love.” » = ae at once.” “Here it is, sir,” answered the clerk. “Allright. Here, boy. Run to the Ledger office with this. Three insertions: Here’s the cash to pay for it. When that’s done stop at the Central Police Station. Leave word to send a detective up here immediately. Under- stand?” “Yes, sir.” ; * Off with you, then. Don’t let the paving- stones grow under your feet.” The boy shot out of the store like a bullet from a rifle. He knew from old experience that it was not safe to waste time when Mr. Blossom was in his present temper. “Think you will get it back, Mr. Blossom?’ asked the clerk, “Don’t ask such ridiculous questions, Harry Blank!” snapped the testy merchant. ‘*‘ How cen I know whether I will or not? The fellow was well marked. But I suppose he is as dif- ferent now as a cat is from an elephant. Been investing some of my loose funds. Where’s tbat person you said wanted to see me?” ‘* Tn your private cffice, sir.” “ Very well, ’ll go and be bored. If it’s a book agent, or a tract distributor, hang me if I don’t fling him out the window. I’m not in the humor for that sort.” Still testily growling, Mr. Blossom made his way back, and opened the door of his private office. He cast but a single glance in there, but in that instant enough changes passed over his face to make the fortune of a character actor. Indignation, astonishment, hope, fury, and per- fect bliss, chased each other over his counte- nance. For there sat the very man who was the subject of all his thoughts, Dick Dashaway himself, occupying his private chair, with his boot-heels on his private papers, and coolly smoking in that sacred room where the very smell of tobacco was absolutely forbidden. The astounded merchant turned red and then pale, He blurted out some vague exclamation. Then he turned and rushed back into the outer offi ce, “Joe! Harry! Tom! Some of you,. quick! After that boy! Stop him! Don’t let him put in that advertisement! Turn him baek from the police office! Here’s the very man I want, waiting for me; and I’ve been making a blessed jackass of myself about him all morning.” ** Tell the truth and shame the devil. That’s my motto, Mr. Blossom,” said Dick, taking the cigar from his lips. ‘How d’ye do, sir? I’m waiting for you, you see,” ‘** Have you brought it?’ cried Mr, Blossom, rushing forward with very undignified haste. ‘‘T have been waiting for you at the place ap- pointed. Why were you not there?” “ Took a morning snooze, and spent too much time over my breakfast,” acknowledged Dick. ‘* And it’s a shorter walk around here from the Continental, than up to the jumping: off piace.” “The Continental?” repeated Mr. Blossom, ‘‘Yes. You don’t fancy that gentlemen of my standing put up at any one-horse shops, do you? Object to smoking, Mr. Blossom?” “Decidedly,” answered the merchant. “All right. This is your shanty.” Dick flung the remnant of his cigar into the spittoon. ‘‘ Hope you don’t mind my taking iteasy. It’s a way fave.” ‘Tam not in favor of boot-heels on my pri- vate papers,” answered the merchant, ‘‘ You're boss here,” returned Dick, dropping his feet to the floor. It’s my motto that ever man basa right to make his own rules for bis own head-quarters. In my rooms it’s the rule to sit on the mantlepiece and hang your feet out the window. When you call on me I shall ex- pect you to do it.” ‘‘Have you brought the pocketbook?” asked the merchant angrily. ‘‘ What, the little drop-game book, eh?” ‘“*T hope you’ll excuse that. I was a little too wide awake, I acknowledge.” *“T overheard a little conversation out in your store just now,” continued Dick. ‘ Some- body spoke rather loud, and these windows have ears. Something about a hundred dollars’ reward for the recovery of a lost pocketbook.” Mr. Blossom looked rather blue. ‘Oh, yes! But—you know—but—” ‘* But you want to creep out the little end of your own horn,” said Dick sarcastically. “Very well, then. I haven’t the wallet with me. know where it is; but poor chaps like me can’t afford to be honest for rich merchants like you without a consideration. That’s some- thing that don’t want to be translated, Mr. Blossom. "You were so deuced sharp yesterday that I intend to be sharp to-day. If you’re going to take water on your reward, why then—' And Dick rose, and significantly set his bat on the side of his head. “Oh, no! certainly not! Of course ’m a man of my word,” Mr. Blossom hastened to ejaculate. “The reward is yours. Of course, on the return of the book.” : “Thats all square. Yow’re a straight man, and I bet you don’t find any straighter individ- ual than Dick Dashaway of Dakota. Things and men all grow straight out that way. I suppose it’s partly because we hang all the crooked kind. Tbe book’s yours. But just sit down a moment first. I have another little affair to discuss with you.” *“T don’t see that we can have any business except in relation to the lost pocketbook,” said Mr. Blossom haughtily. “You don’t, eh! Then youdon’t see all there is in the wind, that’s all. Have you ever heard the name of Hiram Boomer, or of a tight squeeze in the daughter market? If you have, I’m your hoss.” Mr. Blossom seated himself bastily, while all his dignity and haughtiness suddenly vanished. CHAPTER VIIL. DICK ASTONISHES JOHN BLOSSOM, ESQ. — “Just look at me, Mr. Blossom,” said Dick, as he rose and turned himself slowly around, “Investigate them high-minded pavtaloons. Take in this rip-staving nobby coat. Measure the diameter of this antique beaver. I ain’t just the style for a fasbionable shindig, I give in. But bless your eyes, where I come from the clothes don’t make the man. We don’t swing piled shirts and French tips out in Dakotah, nary time. Ifa chap’s got a sound beart under a torn coat, and a lively brain in an ugly bead, he’s got up for the first society in themadiggings. Do you take?” ‘* What has that to do with the re Ne of our conversation, Mr. haway?” the sur- prised merchant,
Page 9
Dashaway of Dakota. ‘This much. I want you to know that ’ma straight man, if I’m not got up in the tip of the fashion. You can see the measure of a man in his eye better than in his buttonhole. See here, John Blossom, Esq., do you know that you’re a confounded old villain?” ‘What do you mean, sirrah?” cried the mer- chant, starting to his feet inarage. ‘‘D oyou come here to insult me?” ‘*T mean just what Isay, old man. Dashing Dick never yet swallowed a word that he had jonce let out; and he isn’t going to begin now. Let me have my talk out, and then if you can make me out a liar, why just kick me into the street as you’d kicka mangy dog. I say that yow’re playing the confounded old reprobate.” “This is strange talk toaman in his own office,” returned Mr. Blossom. But he resumed his seat, growing a little pale in the visage, ‘*A man can’t get rid of his record by shut- ting the door of bis private office,” answered Dick, with cool determination, ‘Shall T shut down this sash, Mr. Blossom? Ordo you want this talk retailed?” ‘Yes, yes, shut it,” replied the subdued mer- chant. ‘‘And now goon. What do you mean by such an extraordinary piece of imperti- nence?” **T mean just this. A man that’s grown to be sixty years old, and hasn’t learned any more decency at that age than to sell his daughter to agang of dirty blacklegs, ought to be kicked out of respectable society, Guess that’s about your measure,” ‘* How dare you, sirrah? What do you mean?” And Mr. Blossom sprung to his feet with a very red face. “Say it isn’t so, and I'll give you back your pocketbook without a cent of reward. Say you're not selling her, body and soul, to Hiram oomer, the bloomingest young reprobate this here town holds. Say that Jeremiah Bunce isn’t squeezing you like a ripe persimmon. Say that you ain’t playing into the hands of two of the dirtiest dogs in your Quaker City. Say ony of this isn’t so, and I’ll cave instanter.” r. Blossom stood looking at the speaker with a very red and highly-scared countenance, as he poured out these surprising accusations. The merchant tried two or three times to speak, but only emitted a feeble gulping sound. At length he dropped nervelessly into his chair, blurting out with a strained voice: ‘“‘J—T deny it all. Hiram Boomer and my daughter are engaged. Heisher lover, Idefy any one to prove anything else.” “ Well, as the girl is “he daughter, and I’ve never seen her, I don’t know why I should kick my heels through your dirty linen, as long as you're bent on wearing it. There’s no society in this town for the prevention of cruelty to daughters. But [’ll be hanged if I believe if you're such a bloody old rogue as you want to appear, You're being squeezed, John Blossom. This Jerry Bunce is squeezing you. Don’t say I’m lying. You’ve tumbled under that rascal’s thumb, somehow.” Mr. Blossom chews ale, and began a denial, But he checked himself, and blurted out hastily: ‘* How did you find itout? You are astranger here. Oh, sir, l am a very unfortunate man! I am in the most dreadful strait. ‘You will not reveal my secret?” ' “Don’t know it yet,” said Dick, shortly. “Guessed at the most of it. But Vve gota mighty sharp nose for rascality. Icansmell a rogue a mile off. Tell you what it is, friend Blossom, you’ve got yourself in some deep hole, and you’re going to let these hounds push yon deeper. Do you recollect the motto [ gave you when you came in here just now?” * No,” answered the merchant. ‘Tell the truth and shame the devil. That’s solid logic. There’s some disgrace in this busi- ness, I suppose. Folks will talk about you. The solid record of John Blossom will be blown to the winds of gossip. ‘‘ You’ve done some- thing you’re thoroughly ashamed of, eh?” Yes.” answered the penitent merchant, ** And so, to hide one dirty act, you are going to do a dirtier one. I hope you're not con- founded jackass enough to fancy you can hide disgrace that way. You are only sinking your- self deeper in the mire, 'These fellows are mak- ing a toolof you. They will squeeze you till you're like a dry lemon-skin, and then toss you away empty. And after all the whole job will come out. Take a boy’s advice, let it out now, if. they choose to spread it, and save your daughter.” “f dare not! I dare not!” moaned the un- bappy man, letting bis head fall weakly on his ands, \ ‘*Tt’s sound advice I’m giving you,” continued Dick. ‘* We wild Westerners always bit straight from the shoulder. Never go round barns, The straight ahead track is the safest one. Tell that bound Bunce to go to Davy Jones, and blow | his prettiest. That’s Dick of Dakota’s way. ‘*No, no!” groaned the miserable merchant. “T could not live under the disgrace!” Dick scratched his head, looked dubiously around the office, and then burst out with the energy of a school-boy: “T ain’t much given to carry other men’s loads on my shoulders, a fancy to you, old man. And I’d give a ship- load of salt-bags to get even with Hiram Boomer. Just let me into the merits of this little job. Vil take it on, hang me if I don’t! Between you and me I’ve got my thumb on them roosters already. If they try to crew just you see if [ don’t make them squeal, There's two ways of dealing with rascals, Mr, Blossom, One way is to defy them, and the other is to circumvent them. If you won't try the first, then let me try the second. [ve trailed rascals on the plains before now, old man, and I calculate I can scout blackguards in the city.” Dick looked so energetic, knowing, and self- confident, that the merchant took heart from the assurance of this strange ally. Aftera short hesitation he began to reveal to Dick the strange story of his troubles. A half-hour passed away and still the pair of confederates were in deep consultation, What they had to say to each other is John Blossom’s secret, We will not venture to spread abroad the disgraceful affair which he so desired to conceal. The cat must get out of the bag its own way, not through our gossiping talk. At the end of the hulf-hour their conference was brought to a sudden termination. The door ef the office rereely opened, with the free- dom of a privileged character. It was a very handionih young lady, a fresh- faced, bright-eyed girl, prettily dressed, and as neat and blooming as a May blossom. Her face was not without its shade of sadness, which lay upon it like a vail of vapor on a bright sky. ‘* Papa!” she cried, quickly. ‘*Oh! excuse me, [ did not notice you were engaged, I will wait, and—” She stopped short, and burst out into a laugh of such infectious merriment that it set all laughing that heard it. She had caught a glimpse of her father’s odd companion, looking just then doubly ridiculous, with his sorry tile pushed back ti)l it rested on the rear of his head, and his mustache twisted into the fiercest French curl. The laugh came from her as uncontrollably as a burst of sunshine through arent cleud. She could not for her life have hindered it. She checked herself as quickly as possible, and turn- ed away very red and confused as Dick cast up one of his quick, keen glances. “What is this?’ cried Mr. Blossom, rising hastily. ‘‘I thought— Oh! it is you, May, And what in the world are you laughing at, irl?” ‘ “J don’t know—I—ha! ha! Because—be- cause Iam happy, I suppose. Ha! ha! ha!” She burst into a louder and more uncontroll- able laugh than ever, as the full ridiculousness of Dick's appearance came upon ber. ** Child, child!” cried Mr. Blossom, reproving- ly. “Tam surprised at you.” ‘* Excuse me, pepa,” she hastily cried, flinging her arms around his neck, and fondly kissing him. ‘I ama little idiot, [ know. But I don’t often misbehave so.” “ Have your fun out, Miss Blossom,” said Dick gallantly. ‘It’s just like cream in coffee for me to be laughed at by such pretty lips as yours, I’m a jolly ridiculous coon, t know. But bless your sweet éyes it’s all done on purpose. Ud most as soon be Jaughed at as kissed, We raise that sort out West, you know.” ‘“Excuse me,” she penitentially answered. *‘T—that is—” She quite broke down in an ef- fort to explain. “This is my friend, Mr. Richard Dashaway,” announced the merchant. ‘* Mr. Dashaway, al- low me to introduce you to my daughter May.” ‘‘Tam sure I am very happy,” answered the young lady, bowing demurely. ‘‘I—can I speak to you a moment, papa? Will you excuse me, sir?” “Only too glad,” bowed Dick, with a sly glance at the sparkling eyes of the little beauty. ‘And any time you want to laugh, Miss Blos- som, don’t mind me, I like to see the young folks enjoy themselves.” Miss May, with a very red face, hastily drew But somehow [ve took | a her father from the office, and out into a corner of the store. Here she buttonholed him earnest- ly for several minutes, striving to look grave, though smiles would ripple over ber face, and at least one burst of merriment came to Dick’s ears. “JT thought I was a trim figure of a man,” he soliloquized. ‘But hang me if I relish being laughed at by such a dear little beauty as that. A sweet figure of a May Blossom she is, and I'll be shot if I’ll let her be tangled up by that bramble-bush of a Hiram Boomer. Could set my cap for such a little lovely myself. You bet I’m going to discount this rig. Don’t mind the street rabble; but it goes against the grain to be laughed at bya blossoming young puss like Miss May. I was only half-hearted in this job of old Blossom’s; but I’m going into it now, body and boots. Be- fore Hiram Boomer shall snatch up that rose- bud, I'll marry her myself, bang me if I don’t!” Miss May soon finished her business with her father, who returned to his confederate in the office, “If you will take a stroll down to the Con- tinental, Mr, Blossom, we will settle that little affair of the lost pocketbcok. I suppose yeu are solid on the reward.” : ‘“‘T will make it two hundred,” exclaimed Mr, Blossom. ‘I consider | owe you that on ac- count of this morning’s work.” —__ J “Youre a gentleman!” cried Dick enthusias- tically. “I won’t refuse; for I’ve completely worn out the lining of my pockets. It takes some virtue to hand over that plunder, Mr. Blossom, for I’m just the hardest-up coon in these diggings. irtue ought to be rewarded, they say. et’s peg out, sir. Tbey’ve shut down on me at the Continental, so l want you along to prove property.” Many eyes were cast on the strange combina- tion, as the solid merchant and the reckless and oddly-dressed Westerner walked together alon the streets. Dick noticed this, and fell behind, advising Mr. Blossom to walk on alone. Hardly bad be done so when he observed a familiar face and form approaching. It was none other than that of the portly citizen with whom Dick had already a double encounter, and who had vowed that he would repay him. On meeting Mr. Blossom the person stopped and held him for a few moments in conversa- tion. Dick walked on ahead. On turning to let the merchant overtake him he noticed that Mr. Blossom had an excited and flushed aspect. “Did you notice the person that just stopped me?’ he asked Dick. “Yes. Who was he?” “That is my enemy, Jeremiah Bunce.” “The deuce!” A long, loud whistle came from Dick’s astonished lips. ‘* You don’t tell me that’s Jeremiah? Why bless your dear soul, I’ve got a little crow to pick with that gent myself. He piled it on me a bit, yesterday. 1 handed bim my card. It’s war to the knife between me and Jeremiah. Swore be’d get even with me, the jack rabbit. ’m your hos, right from the shoulder, Mr. Blossom. Hiram and Jeremiah! Why, l’d sooner abolish them two coons than strike a gold mine.” The clerk of the Continental looked grimly at Dick, as he swaggered up to the office of the hotel. “Now, my good sir, I'll trouble you to hand over that trifle of plunder which you shut down on his morning. Do you recognize this gentle- man?” “Mr. Blossom, of Market street, is it not?” “ At your service,” answered the merchant. ‘Very well,” returned Dick, ey 92: “That . cash book belongs to Mr. Blossom. If you don’t believe me, open it, and you'll find out for yourself.” The clerk at this produced the book, and examined its contents. There was abundant evidence there that it was indeed the property of the merchant, whose eyes glistened on seeing 1b, “Mr. Dashaway is correct. This is your property, Mr. Blossom,” said the clerk, handing it over, ** And it’s about time you were same, the shape and size of an honest man, young fellow,” answered Dick, sharply. ‘‘As I said to you once before, you’ve saved the Continental.” CHAPTER IX. A PAIR OF INTERVIEWERS. Wer must begin this chapter, ke the last, in the private office of John Blossem, Esq. The worthy merchant bas another caller this morn- ing, and one apparently less agreeable to him than Dick Dashaway. This is the portly,
Page 10
10 middle-aged, consequential person with whom _ Dick had had two hostile encounters, and was ' likely to have more, since, as Dick had just learned, this was that Jeremiah Bouace, whose schemes he had vowed to counteract. The merchant has a careworn look, and some- thing of the aspect of a cornered deer, as he sits } before his self-satisfied visitor, whose face wears a hard and merciless expression. | “I have it here,” said the visitor, tapping his y cket significantly. ‘‘ And I have you here.” ¥ e pressed his thumb hard upon the table, as if he had John Blossom beneath it, in the shape of a Pt fly. ‘I can crush you as easily as [ can snap | that pen handle.” He broke the frail piece of woed in illustration of his power. ‘* You bear me, John Blossom. Iam not here to be played with, You have my ultimatum. If you were to ‘eed to me on your knees I would not go back on a word of it.” “You have it there?’ repeated the merchant, casting a peculiar glance upon bis foe, “Here,” answered Mr. Bunce, very pomp- ou laying his hand significantly on his breast- pocket. “Then what’s to hinder—” Mr. Blossom half rose, with a threatening look in his eyes. ** Sit down, John Blossom,” cried his tormen- tor sternly. ‘‘ You are thinking of bringing your crew in from the store, and taking it from me by force. Do not attempt todeny it. Isee it in your eyes. Why, old man, I hope you did not think [ was booby enough to bring the : original. Hardly, Jeremiah Bunce has had ® his eye-teeth cut, let me tell you.” “Can I not buy it from you?’ exclaimed the tortured merchant. ‘‘ It isonly a slip of paper, not worth the fifth of a cent. I will pay you five thousand dollars for it.” “My dear sir,” answered Bunce, “‘ the paper may be worth nothing at all, but you are en- tirely forgetting the value of the ink upon it, Gold does not begin to weigh like that one pen- ful of ink. Diamonds are dross in comparison. Ieould not think of selling that valuable ink for any such trifle.” ‘ ‘*Then what do you want for it? Name your price. I will give anything in reason to get finally rid of such a vampire bat.” ‘‘Hard words butter no paretly Mr. Blos- sem,” answered his visitor. ‘‘ You are a wealthy man, and doing a good business. You set a high value on your public reputation, I can crush it for you with a turn of the hand, and show the people what sort of a man the worthy Blossom really is, You cannot buy me off with roe sir, Iam not quite poor, thank Heaven. And I do not know but it is my duty as an honest citizen to expose the fraud whom they nurture in their midst.” “Vory well, sir,” cried the merchant, stung to indignation. ‘‘Goon,then. Do your worst, I defy your malignity!” He rose and very firmly put on his hat. be , “That’s quite judicious,” remarked Bunce, with a sarcastic smile. ‘‘I am very ready to take you at your word, and announce to the public that John Blossom, the prosperous mer- chant, the earnest church member, the high- minded public officer, is a fraud and a criminal, He is a—” ‘Hush! hush!” ejaculated the poor merchant, in a sudden agony of fear. ‘ ‘* For mercy’s sake, ae man, you may be heard! Do not say that word here,” t “T don’t intend to be heard till the proper time comes,” replied the smiling villain, ‘‘ and then I shall be heard with good effect. But you ; cannot bribe me, John Blossom. You know the price of silence.” “To give my only daughter, my loved daugh- ter, in marriage to a dubious stranger, of whom I know nothing, and who may be the veriest ~ criminal,” groaned the merchant. ' ‘*He is a very honest and clever fellow, I tell ou,” answered Mr. Bunce with a virtuous ook. ‘‘ Hiram Boomer is a good fellow. He loves the girl, and she loves him. What great sacrifice is this?” ‘*She hates and despises him!” exclaimed Mr. 4 Blossom. ‘I know she does, although she tries Vb to wear a apne of enduring him, for my “Gy ahd sake. But 1 cannot bear to see my dear daugh- ‘a ‘ter wearing her soul out with secret pain.” fe “The girl is a fool,” broke out Bunce in harsh i accents, ‘‘ They all have some babyish fancy. a She will get over it. They all get over it. I am sure Mr. Boomer is a handsome and gentle- manly fellow, who will make her a very good ; husbind, I can’t see what all this pother is i. ‘*T don’t believe a word of it,” cried the mer- chant. ‘‘ You are afraid to tel] me whoor what beis. And what is the bottom of allthis? Why ee Dashaway of Dakota. are you so anxious to marry off this nobody- knows-who?’ “He isa protege of mine,” returned Bunce, with a look of importance. ‘ He is inlove with your daughter. e requested me to interview you in hisfavor. Iam doing so. You refused me at first, John Blossom, on the childish plea that the girl has another lover. But Jeremiah Bunce never does things by halves, and never takes no for an answer.” ‘* Ten thousand dollars,” pleaded the distressed father. ‘It will almost beggar me. But I would give my whole fortune to save my dear May from distress.” ‘*That’s all nonsense,” cried Bunce decidedly. ‘*T won’t be bribed, I tell you. It’s the girl or nothing. And mighty quick. I am not to be paren with.” He rose, put on his hat, and uttoned his coat with an air of virtuous deter- mination. “Yes or no, John Blossom. And quick, I say. ‘This affair has been debated long enough. If I leave this office now without a final an- swer, that will be the end of it. Say yes now, or this goes into the hands of the authorities be- fore an hour.” The latter hesitated, extended his hands ap- pealingly, looked imploringly into the firm and hard countenance of his visitor, and at length cried out, in a tone of deep anguish: ‘Yes! yes! You have your answer! Go, Torment me no more.” He fell into his chair, avd dropped his tortured face upon his bands, Witha smile of contempt the bardened vil- lain turned shortly upon his heel, and left the office. , Mr. Blossom continued for several minutes in an attitude of abasement, He at length lifted his head, with a less hopeless and distressed ex- pression. ‘¢+T have only that strange young man to trust to now,” he declared, ‘‘Can I depend on him? Dashing Dick, as he calls himself, looks honest and energetic. I hope he may prove so, for he is my last hope. My daughter, my poor daugh- ter! if be saves you from this fate ne will earn my eternal gratitude.” While this scene was transpiring, another scene, closely related to it, was taking place in another part of the city. In the parlor of a bandsome mansion stood a young gentleman, with an elbow on the mantle, and one foot on a chair, waiting apparently, but with a very easy face, as if he was in no hurry. He was neatly and handsomely dressed, in black coat and white vest, over which flowed the links of a neat gold chain. Yet the face was none other than that of Dick Dashaway. It was the butterfly out of the tocoon. Dick had shed his seedy suit, and donned an attire which brought out all the pos- sibilities of his fine form and handsome face. He would hardly have been recognized now as the tramp-like individual who had swaggered into the city, with empty pocket and stomach, a few days before. “Wonder if she'll laugh at me now,” he queried, looking approvingly at himself. ‘Ive a notion I’m a bit improved. Never was much given to make myself a tailor’s walking sign, but there’s no going back on it that a _well- sbaped leg is the better for a neat fit. Who'd have thought, two days ago, that, seedy Dick Dashaway would be sporting the young gent to-day, and with some golden nest eggs in his socket. There’s nothing like brass and dash. Nonder when Miss May intends to show her pretty face?” He was answered by the opening of the par- lor door, and the entrance of the young lady in question, who came into the darkened room with a smiling face and a swish of silken skirts. ‘‘ Harry!” she exclaimed in warm accents, as she hastened forward. ‘‘I am ever so glad! — did not dream of your coming to-day, and it is so good in you—” By this time she was across the parlor and almost on the point of flinging herself into Dick’s arms. And it may here be said that that young gentleman showed no signs of an inten- tion to convince her of her mistake. She checked herself just in time, and drew back in blushing confusion. “Excuse me—I did not know—I thought—” ‘“‘You thought it was Harry,” he replied. ‘“Wish to Heaven it was, too. T’ve always been called Dick; but I'll change my name on the spot ‘if it will be any accommodation to you. **No, no!” exclaimed the confused girl. ‘I thought— But excuse me, sir. Was it me you wished to see?” ‘*T see you have forgetten me, Miss May,” an- | Se ee ee ee swered Dick, ‘‘ The other day you had the fun of a good laugh at me. To-day you came near making the serious mistake of kissing me, That wouldn’t bave burt my feelings any more than the other, I promise you. It is astonishing how much of that sort of thing I can stand.” ‘“‘ Why, itis Mr. Dashaway !” exclaimed May, “The room is so dark I did not recognize you. And besides — you have certainly cbanged.” Sue hastened to raise a curtain and let in some ight. { ‘Just so, Miss Blossom,” said Dick, walking. forward. ‘‘I wasmaking a martyr of myself, trying to introduce our fashionable Dakota costume. But, bless your eyes, it didn’t take ‘worth a cent.” *‘ Tshould think not,” laughed the merry girl. ‘* Why you looked as if you had stepped out of a twenty-year-old fashion plate. I think you must say that our Phi‘adelphia tailors are more civilized,” and she looked at her handsome and well-dressed visitor with some admiration. ‘‘Can’t say,” answered Dick, indifferently. ‘“‘T kind of cottoned on to that old suit. Picked it up in Chicago, at a raffle. Al] I had left of a gold mine. I tell you what, Coicago is a swim- ming place to go through a gold mine, You sromitaxe seen me make the ore jump in the stock market. Why the wool fairly flew from the innocent Dakota lamb.” ‘‘-You lost a gold mine in speculation?” queried May, with wide-open eyes. 7 “You don’t know what a swallow that Chica- ge stock board has. Why, a gold mine is only an after breakfast snack to it. They squeezed me dry as a sucked orange, and then tossed me aside to make room for other innocents, Ex- cuse me, Miss Blossom, I didn’t come here to bother you with my own little affairs, There’s one other matter I want you to post me on.” ‘* With great pleasure,” murmured the young lady. She was evidently taken by Dick’s off- hand manner, “It is only about that Harry episode,” he coolly remarked, ‘‘ Pardon my impudence, but I thought his name was Hiram.” ‘‘Hiram! No indeed, sir! That is— [I mean—” she confusedly continued. ‘‘ Yes, sir, his name is Hiram. I made a mistake in saying Harry.” ; ‘ f “T suppose you think ’m an _ impertinent wretch, Miss Blossom,” continued Dick. ‘ But as long as I’ve got my foot in it, I might as well goin upto my neck, If you feel like pulling my ears for my gp hi just pull away. won’t grin. e Westerners have our way of blurting right out. It isn’t Hiram, Miss May. That card. won’t play with me. Harry’s the. man, and you hate Hiram like original sin. Just let it out. DUve come here to help you out, of your worepes if you’re in one. You hate Hi- ram, that’s the long and short of it.” The young lady had worn a dozen expressions during this speech, She changed from red to pale, looked angry, dignified, hurt, and finelly curious. ‘7 cannot see what it concerns you, or why you come here to meddle in my private affairs,” she indignantly cried. ‘‘ It’s because I’m a meddling fool, I ap al Dick quietly answered, ‘ I’m always digging my fingers into somebody's pie. *Tisn’t, impu~ dence, though, it’s business fetches me here to- day. Just ask your respected father if that ain’t Gospel. Now seehere, Miss May. There’s a game afoot to make you marry Hiram Boomer, whether or no. It don’t make an ounce of dif- ference tome. If you want him take him, I won't stand between, But if you don’t want him—if they’re squeezing you to marry him against your will—you’ve only got to let it out, and I bet 1 make Hiram think there’s a whole hive of bees in his hair, That’s me, Dashing Dick of Dakota.” The girl looked at him with surprise and be- wilderment. She could not quite take Dick’s measure. But a gleam of hope glided over her pale face as she admitted in a low voice: ‘“Why, Mr. Dashaway, you are so peculiar, I bardly know what to say. Yet I—I prefer Harry.” ; ‘Solid affection!” exclaimed Dick, ‘‘ And you hate Hiram like rank poison. Say the word, and it’s all up with Hiram.” . ‘“‘ But my poor father is in trouble,” confessed the trembling girl. ‘‘I must save him, I—I don’t like Mr. Boomer. But I dare not say 80. lhave given my prowise,” : ““That’s right, Miss May,” declared Dick. ‘¢ An honest confession is good for the soul. Now I don’t like Boomer any more than you do. The dirty hound bas got some hold on your father, but { bet high I get a hold on him, and squeeze him so tight that he’ll drop you like a hot pota-
Page 11
to. I’m in earnest, Miss May. I’ve got the whip-band of that customer already. I bet he won't like the squeeze of a Dakota intant. And when I discount friend Hiram you can give me for reward—” ‘What?’ hurriedly asked the excited girl. ‘*Only that kiss which you were so eager just now to waste on Harry.” CHAPTER X. DAYLIGHT BEGINS TO BREAK, In bis pleasant room at the Continental sat Dick Dashaway. That young gentleman was bound to keep at the top of the market while he had a copper in his pocket. “Living is a little steep here for a poor cuss who was ready to beg for a crust a week ago,” he said to himself. ‘ Butas long as I’ve got my crust, with a thick spread of butter on it, ’m not going to back water while the butter lasts. Whole hog or none, that’s my motto,” and Dick wet his lips from the glass of wine before him. He was very comfortably fixed indeed, in a roomy and well-furnished apartment, with wine ' and cigars on the table, and a meerschaum in his mouth, while his chair was tilted back till it he a miracle how it escaped a backward tum- e, ‘“When I’ve got a job of hard thinking on hand,” he soliloquized, ‘I want to be comfortable first. And according to my notion there’s more solid comfort in the bottom of a pipe-bow] than in a ship-load of cigars. [ve got a regular Rocky Mountain of a job before me, and it’s a uestion of broadcloth or corduroy with me. te I win old Blossom has to bleed. If I lose the old sinner will kick me into the street without a copper. I know human nature that much. But money or not I want to squelch the infernal crew of Bunces and Boomers, and save that pretty May Blossom from being sold for the devil’s price to the devil’s crony. And I'll do it, too, or bu’st. Dashing Dick ain’t easy dis- counted.” He dropped into silence, while he smoked furiously, sending thick clouds of vapor through the air. Dick was thinking desperately, trying to hammer into some shape the loose hints of the rascally scheme which he had picked up. The deeper he thought the more vigorously he smoked, so that his pipe served as a sort of ther- mometer, to register the opinions which were a fc) through his brain. e took from his pocket the captured docu- ment, and very carefully examined it, reading it word by word, “Tm not quite a fool,” he remarked to him- self. ‘‘ And I’m not entirely blind. And hang me, if I don’t begin to catch a glimpse of day- light through this fog. Now let’s lay this busi- ness out seriatum, as the lawyers put it, First place, Jeremiah Bunce has got some sort of a squeeze on John Blossom. That salubrious merchant has done something in his life he oughtn’t to, and Jerry has got the document to prove it. Trick number one. Second place, that document ain’t for sale. Money’s no ob- gect. Only your daugbter’s hand to my young riend Hiram. Very good. But Jerry isn’t the coon to chuck a big check overboard. He flings away because he can’t help himself. Hiram Boomer has got a squeeze on him, and this little contract comes from that squeeze.” He struck the paper in hishand. ‘ This is a neat agree- ment, by which Jerry agrees to suppty Hiram with a wife, and Hiram agrees to let up on Jerry, and on the marria:e day to hand him over a certain important document, Trick number two. There’s a double squeeze. Bunce on Blossom, and Boomer on Bunce. To fini-h the game there wants a third squeeze. Dash- away on Boomer, And that :queeze is bound to come, you bet. If it don’t, then I'm _ going to emigrate to the Sandwich Isiands. There’s too many rascalsin this Uni‘ed States for an honest orphan like me to vege‘ate here.” __ Dick ended hi: long soliloquy with a sip of wine, a long puff froaa his pipe, and another silent cogita ion. ‘“* There’s more in the wind yet,” he muttered, “ Miss May bas a pair of lovers, There’s the young sprout Harry Earle, that she’s sweet on. And there’s the gay duck Hiram Boomer, that she’s got to marry to please her daddy. Now Harry is Jerry’s own nepbew. Jerry’s favoring him above-ground, and playing against him un- derground. Going back square on his own blood. Now, what’s the deep game in this? Let’s see.”. He sent up a mighty. cloud of smoke, atid rubbed his fingers in desperate energy through his hair. ‘ Jerry’s got plenty of cash. Inherited his fortune. Folks expected it would go to Harry Earle, but it went to the uncle instead of the nephew. The young fellow left with hardly enough to buy him a decent coat, Folks surprised. Don’t wonder they were. Shouldn’t be surprised if it was here the deviltry comesin. Let’s get that through my thick noddle. Forged will. Hiram Boomer in it. Maybe that youth did the forgery and hung on to the original. Been bleeding Jerry ever since, and Jerry’s getting him a rich wife to buy the document back and get the load off his shoulders. By Jupiter! that begins to look like daylight.” Dick got up and danced around the room in deligut at his own shrewdness. ‘‘There’s more in it than Hiram,” he cried, with a sudden recollection. ‘ There’s that hang-dog-looking friend of MHiram’s. He’s let into the game, too, because they daren’t keep bim out of it. There’s my ’pos- sum. I must get my fingers on that coon. He ain’t got no rich wife and no fortune in his eye. That chap can be scared or bought, and I’m go- ing to try both onhim. Bet my fortuneagainst a pig’s tail that ’ve got the right bull by the horns; and if I drop him it won’t be the first bull [ve flung by a Dakota trip!” Dick flung his bat in the air in his exultation, He then dabbed it tightly on his head and left the room. He wanted fres air. He was so full of his scheme that the narrow room choked him. He must have all outdoors to breathe in. He would have given something valuable just then to be on the prairies, with a wild mustang under him, and a free dash over the broad ear'th- ocean of the West. At very near the same time that Dashing Dick thus broke from the hotel door into the human river of the street, a conversation in which we have some interest was going on ina room not far distant from that locality. The parties to this conversation were those who were just then the subj«ct of Dick’s earn- est thoughts, Jeremiah Bunce and Hiram Boomer. They were seated in a retired room, in the second story of a house on Ninth street. From the apartment adjoining this room in front tones of voices and other sounds came, as if something peculiar was going on there. But the two confederates continued their conversa- tion with little attention to these noises. *T’ve got it allin shape, I tell you,” remarked Bunce, in continuance of their conversation. ‘*Old Blossom has flung up the sponge. The girl is yours for the taking.” ‘She is playing confounded shy of me lately,” remarked Hiram. ** Suppose she is. Do you calculate she is go- ing to drop her old beau and take you on asa chap might change mint-drops for sugar-plums? She’s promised her daddy not to kick against the match, You’re a bandsome and a dressy fellow, Hiram. It’s queer if you can’t break her of this old fancy.’ “T will, or I'll break her neck,” was the furi- ous answer. ‘‘ Let me get young madam once, and [ bet you high she don’t play her high strikes on me.” ‘¢That’s your lookout,” answered Bunce, shrugging his shoulders indifferently. ‘‘ But let me tell you if I once give up my hold on old Blossom you’ve got to handle the young gosling tenderly, or you won’t find the old duck ready to bleed.” ‘“There’s some good wit in that,” answered Hiram, struck by the force of the observation. ‘*Guess Pll have to play the kind dodge till I get a stake,” “*T don’t care a fig what you do,” answered the elder rogue. ‘‘ All I want is for you to keep your part of the bargain, and let me out of the scrape.” “The paper goes into your hands the minute the young lady says yes before the preacber,” rejoined Hiram. ** And the other part of the plan?” “Oh! about young Earle. Don’t you mind that. Pll fleece him. He’s took the bait bad. Swallowed it hook and all. I never saw any- body have the faro fever worse. Why, the idiot dropped a clean five hundred on the cards last night, and went away tearing his bair. But he'll be back again to-day with another stake. I know the breed. as close as a sheared sheep before a week.” “Thats the dodge. Clean him out completely. | Drive him from the city. Out West, or any- wheres. I never feel quite safe while that boy is about. If you can only make a beggar of him, I will offer him the cash to carry him out West, and thank my stars to be well rid of him.” ‘You are a regular sharp one,” remarked Hiram, with a glance of admiration at the older rogue, **T don’t think we could be easilv beaten for a sharp pair,” answered Jerry. ‘ But see here, ! He will be clipped | a ote —— 11 Hiram. What about this faro bank? You are not going to run it after you get married tos young lady of high social standing?” “No,” rejoined Hiram. ‘Ill drop faro then and take to stocks. High-toned gambling. Must have some sort. This bank pays well, though,” he continued, with a sigh of regret. “Tt will be slaughter to giveitup. There’s a good game going on there now. ear them,” It was easy now to tell, from the loud sounds and voices, the character of Hiram Boomer’s business. He was the proprietor of the faro bank, in which some high play seemed to be now proceeding. ‘Shall we adjourn front?’ he asked. “Wait a minute. There’s another little mat- ter to settle, That dirty cur that follows yeur heels, Jake Trumper, knows of this business. We must shut him up somehow. He may blow on us.” “That’s all provided for,” returned Hiram. ‘Why, you could buy off that fellow any time for five hundred a year. But I’ve got a neat dodge on foot to settle him,” “What's that?” ‘“To turn over the faro bank to him after I’m done with it.” : : ‘Neatly done,” cried Jerry in admiration, “There’s nothing like providing for your re- sponsibilities.” . ‘ In the faro bank, as we have said, some lively play was in progress, It was a large room, well provided with all the essentials of ar bling. On one side was a roulette-wheel, te which some of the devotees of fortune were paying their ardent court. Elsewhere in the room other games were in progress, But the principal attention was given to a table in the rear of the room at which an impassive-faced scoundrel was dealing faro, while a circle of dupes were risking their money on the uncer- tain turn of the cards, One of the latter was a young, fair-faced fel- low, too fresh and tiga age ry: to be at home in such company. He was little more than a boy, in fact, and was betting on the cards with a flushed excitement which brought smiles to the faces of the older gamblers. ‘There he is,” Hiram nudged his confederate, as they entered the room together. ‘* And los- ing. ou can see it in his face.” ‘Losing? Of course he will lose if he gets into your bands.” Hiram turned and winked, with a wink that was full of meaning. It was plain enough that a straight game of faro was not played at that board, and that the rich sheep who came there were quite likely to go away shorn. The young man’s play grew heavier as he continued to lose, and his excitement increased. He drank freely of the strong liquor that was handed around gratuitously, for the purpose of exciting and destroying the prudence of the players. ““You’ve got to know whom _you are dealing with in this game,” whispered Hiram to Bunce, ‘‘Some chaps you have got to let win now and then, to coax them on. But you can pla gudgeons with the bare hook. ay lan wi young Earle is to keep him losing. e boy bas plenty of pluck, and hasn’t the wit to see that his courage is carry ing him to destruction,” In fuct the young fool had commenced the game of doubling. He felt quite sure that he must win one stake out of a dozen, and he had the cash to double up to that mark, Card after card came up. Steadily he lost. Yet still his stake grew higher as he persistently doubled his bets. The door of the gambling saloon meanwhile opened, and two persons entered. One of these was no less a personage than Dashing Dick, who had been invited to this den by a hotel ac- quaintance, The quick eyes of the Westerner took in the whole concern at a glance, and bis eyes sparkled as he recognized the faces of bis two foes, Without a sign of recognition, however, he _ walked up to the faro table, and looked over the shoulders of the players at the game going on. Young Earle was yet in the tide of his ill- luck, and was growing more excited as he con- tinued to lose. ; A sarcastic smile marked Dick’s face as he watched the play of the young scapegrace. But. the smile faded from bis lips and was replaced by a stern expression as he observed the manip- ulation of the cards by the dealer. Evidently Dick had seen faro dealt before, “There is my last bet!” cried the boy, as he slammed a handful of bank-notes on the table, ‘* A thousand dollars 6n the queen, and the last money I’ve got in the world. Cover it! Not with checks, but with cash, Money against — ee a Pe Birt — = = ~.
Page 12
pe Dashaway of Dakota. a a TS a TS a eS Ra money. IfI win I’m done with faro. If I lose I will jump overboard, and end the whole game. Put up your stake and deal. It’s life or death I tell you.” The other players ceased to bet, as they list- ened to this wild exclamation. The dealer cov- ered the bet, with the impassiveness of a wooden man. He continued to deal the cards, piling them successively on two heaps to right and Wott, The young man fell back with a despair- ing expression as the queen came up, and fell on | the heap to the left. ** Queen wins for the bank,” coolly remarked the dealer, reaching out his hand for the bet. But he did not get it, for another hand cover- ed itin advance—the hand of Dick Dashaway; while the eyes of the bold Westerner wore an expression that made the scoundrel quail. ** Hold hard!” eried Dick sternly. ‘ That cat ‘won't jump, my hearty! You can’t cheat this innocent boy to his eyes in the face of your uncle, Dashing Dick of Dakota!” CHAPTER XI. A SQUARE DEAL AT FARO. We need not say that an intense excite- ment followed this bold action of the daring Westerner. The people around the table backed off, in dread of a fight. Those in the rear pressed forward. The dealer sprung to his feet with a furious countenance, and in an in- stant confronted Dick with a loaded cane. Hi- ram leaped forward with a ery of rage, and sprung for a drawer as if to provide himself with a weapon. But they had no baby to deal with in Dakota Dick. In a moment his trusty revolver flashed in their eyes, while a voice that meant work broke upon their ears, “ By the everlasting hills, Pll drop the man that moves an inch! Freeze where you are, Hiram Boomer, or Vil make dog-meat of you! Let go that club, you bloated hyena, or down goes your house! It’s my trick at the wheel, now. blast your dirty carcasses, and when I say shoot, I mean shoot!” This energetic harangue, and the glittering barrel of the revolver that enforced it, had an instant effect. Hiram paused in dismay. The ruffianly dealer hastily lowered his club, Sev- eral of the lookers-on, undoubted confederates of the gamblers, who had pressed forward, fell as quickly back. They did not relish the glitter of that bit of steel. ‘What in the blazes does this mean?” yelled Hiram, recovering himself. ‘‘ How dare you interfere? Hands off that money or it will be worse for you! Gentlemen, | call on you for rotection against this thief. He would rob he bank before our eyes.” ‘Then it’s your bank, is it?” asked Dick, ‘‘ It’s you that runs this shebang?” “Yes. What is that your business?” “Nothing. Only I never deal with the devil’s imps when Old Nick himself is at hand. Here, young fellow, lay your hand on this cash, and Stick to it like grim death. I want to show these gentlemen a point or two.” The youthful gambler, whose despair was changed to an excited hope, obeyed Dick’s di- rections, and laid a trembling hand on the money. “Back, you rhinoceros!” and the pistol-barrel touched the dealer’s ear, as that person made a hasty movement forward. “If you touch those ecards I will kill youasI woulda cat, Step up here, a nia You've been patronizing this gambling-hole. I want you to see the sort of viger you've been butting against.” ith a quick movement Dick picked up the ast two cards that had been laid on the right- band pile. He showei the second of these cards, ‘ “The seven of diamonds! Have you seen that before?” ‘*No, no,” came a simultaneous cry. _ “ts because this hippopotamus tour learned the trick of drawing two cards for one. The ueen belongs on the right, and this young gen- tleman wins. Pocket it, you blind jackass, and kick faro to the dogs.” All this had passed so quickly, that the gamb- ling crew had not recovered from their conster- nation when Dick revealed their trick. Hiram now sprung forward with a fierce oath, as the youth snatched the money from the table. A half-dozen hard-fisted men, the back- ers of the bank, hurried around to his aid. But the remainder of the players moved up to sup- ort Dick, with stern and angry faces, They n to see the kind of game they had been pleying. ; 4 Dick’s was now not the only pistol in sight. Several of the bull-dogs of the gambling-hell had drawn weapons. But there was no give in Dick Dashaway. ‘*T know you, you dirty hounds!” he cried. ** You had me foul once, and I played you out with an empty pistol. I’ve got a full one now, and every time I touch this trigger a man dies. Pocket those barkers, my lovelies. If a man among you shows the glint of steel within half a minute l’ll drop him, it I hang for it!” Dick’s eyes were as full of mischief as his words and he was backed up by a dozen angry and vigorous men, some of whom displayed weapons, The gamblers were overmatched, and sullenly pocketed their pistols, cowed by Dick’s lightning glances. ‘“Yowre a thief through and through!” yelled Hiram, half mad with rage, ‘‘ You rob- bed me of an important document. Where is it? Hand it over, or you shail not leave this room alive!” “There might be two words to that,” an- swered Dick, in bis coolest manner. ‘‘ You robbed me of five hundred dollars, so we’re quits. See here, Hiram, I’ll put up the paper against the five hundred, and a turn of the cards shall decide who takesboth. So long as you run a gambling-hell you can try your luck against a Dakota sharp.” Hiram’s eyes glistened at this bold proposi- tion. “It’s a bargain!” be cried. ‘ What card do you back?” ‘The ace of spades for a fortune. document.” He drew a folded paper from his pocket, and slammed it vigorously on the painted ace. ‘“‘And here’s my stake,” rejoined Hiram, covering the document with bank notes. ‘‘ We'll put a fresh pack in the box and draw for the winner.” ‘‘ Not mucb,” answered Dick sarcastically, as the pack was produced. ‘Why, you don’t dream, in your innocent soul, that I’m donkey enough to buck against that box and that dealer? We don’t wean our babies out West on such skim-milk as that, Illshow you a trick worth two of that, a jolly rooster. Hand me a hammer and a nail,” These implements were brought, while the party looked curiously on to see what Dick in- tended. He was not long in showing them. Setting the sharp-pointed nail on the center of the pack, he drove it with one vigorous blow, through the entire pack and deep into the table, ‘‘There’s a Rocky Mountain faro-box,” he cried, as he flung the hammer aside. ‘‘ There’s no trick springs about that machine, And this young man shall deal. This game has got to be on the square, and I want no tricky coon to finger them cards,” Some conversation followed. But Dick’s proposition was evidently a fair one, and no reasonable objection could be made. Young Earle commenced tearing the cards one by one from the nail, and laying them in two heaps, face upward on the table. “Left you win, right I win,” cried Dick, as card after card appeared. All present bent with great interest over the table, as this went on, every one anxious to see the end of this unusual match. ‘“The ace of spades!” cried Dick, as a final card was drawn from the nail, - ‘‘ And right wins! Guess I'll rake in that little stake, Mr. Boomer, if you’ve no objections.” An angry and dismayed expression marked Hiram’s face, as Dick grasped his winnings with a look of triumphant malice. ‘‘ Kind of sorry for you, my hearty. But you can’t say this paper isn’t mine fair and square now. “Not till you win it again! Dll back Hiram Boomer, and lay a thousand against that docu- ment!” It was a strange voice that spoke these words, All eyes turned curiously toward Jerry Bunce, as he came forward from the rear of the saloon where he had until nowremained. Dick looke up quizzically. ‘* Hello, old hoss. It’s the chap that owns the Philadelphia pavements, is it? So you’re going to keep your oath to get even with me?” . The youthful dealer looked hastily up, and exclaimed in surprise: **My uncle! You here?’ 3 ‘Your uncle, eh?’ cried Dick. ‘‘And what's your name, young chap, if it’s fair to inquire?” ‘* Harry Earle, sir.” “The deuce!” Dick whistled in his surprise. ‘Pye heard of you before. Didn’t hear though orl ie, were riding to perdition at race-horse speed. Why, you’re the bloomingest young ninny that I ever dropped on, to be buck- ing such a ripping tiger as this, Come, Jere- Here’s the d kn \ miah Bunce, if that’s your name, as long as you want to fight out our challenge on the faro- board, you'll not find me fly the field. Make your bet, and I’ll cover it,” The old regue, without a word of reply, pro- duced his pocketbook. It did not contain the amount of his proffered bet, however, and he borrowed the remainder from Hiram. He laid his bet on the ten of hearts, which card was yet in the pack. ‘*Cover that,” he said, briefly. ‘Ym your coon,” answered Dick, laying the document on the cash. ‘Seems to me you chaps set considerable store by that bit of paper. lt’s nothing to me except a sort of fool’s con- tract. You might have bought it square out for a hundred, if you hadn’t been so blazing spry with your thousand. Go ahead, my jolly youth. Rip up the papers. Right wins for Dick, left for Jeremiah.” Young Earle again began, with nervous hand, to tear the cards from the nail and lay them successively on the two heaps. The two villain- ous confederates looked on with anxious eyes. Evidently it was animportant matter to them. But Dick was as easy as if he had no interest in the result. He began calling out the cards aloud as they came up. ** Deuce of spades to the right; jack of dia- monds, lett; tray of hearts, right; king of clubs, left; ace of diamonds, right; ten of hearts—” ‘“‘Left!” cried Jerry; in exultation, as Dick hesitated in his count. ‘ And a square win for me, Ixrake that pool.” “Take it and be shot!” returned Dick, indif- ferently. ‘‘I’m well paid for a bit of useless paper, anyhow. Come, Harry Earle. You're my chicken. I’m not going to leave you to be piace by these hawks. Why, they wouldn’t eave you a feather to bless yourself with in an hour’s time. Come with me.” ; A look of baffled rage passed over the faces of the confederates at this remark. Evidently they were not pleased to see the young dupe snatched frem their clutches. A look from Hiram, and some of his backers edged around toward the door, “Hold your hosses!” cried Dick, whose keen eyes caught this movement. ‘That cock won't crow, my turtle-doves. The man that tries to cut me off from tbat door is a dead sucker.” His ready pistol again appeared, and the vil- lains shrunk back. ‘‘See here, gentlemen, it’s to be game for game, if you will have it so, ain’t quite the green gosling you take me for, as ’ll let you know in mighty short meter, Can’t to skin this youngster and get rid of him? And what for? Shall I tell?” “ Yes; tell and be hanged!” roared Hiram. ‘¢Then one reason is that you are both goin for the same girl; and because Harry is ahea of Hiram in the race. I won’t name'the young lady here, for she’s not the sort to have her name bandied in a gambling-hole.” ‘* And what’s your other reason?” asked Jer- ry, angrily. ‘‘ Because the uncle has a notion to get rid of his nephew. I won’t say what for. Don’t want to stir up this heap of rascality and let out the bad smell that’s under it. Touched you in a sore spot, bave I, gentlemen? ‘You’re squirming, are you? Dashing Dick’s a rough pole to climb, owll find that. Come ahead, Harry. We'll eave them to stir those lumps of sugar in their coffee,” Followed closely by the youth, Dick walked, with his freest swagger, from the room, leaving his two antagonists with pale, dismayed and astonished countenances, I see that you are tryin CHAPTER XII. DICK GETS IN HIS WORK. ee. on Daddy and mammy have had to stand round. I can see plain enough that they’ve just made a baby of ou.” me What do you mean, sir?” exclaimed the young
Page 13
2 - Dashaway of Dakota. lady, starting up with a flaming face. to insult me?’ ‘*Searcely,” answered Dick, in his easy way. “Don’t mind waking you up a bit, though. You've got to quit playing the baby now, and begin to play the woman. our daddy is in a scrape of the worst sort. You've got to get him out of it.” ‘By marrying Hiram Boomer! Never!” “Td sooner see you marry Old Nick himself,”’ re- marked Dick. “But you've got to coddle up Hiram, and make him think you mean it. I’m working for you, but you must do your share. These rascals have got to be managed, Miss May, and | fancy you're the girl to manage them. Your daddy has given his word, and you’ve got to stand by it, or there may be everlasting Cain raised.”’ “And how about poor Harry?” queried May, with tears in her eyes. “ Just you bluff Harry. We can’t trust him with this business, for he’s got a loose tongue, Cut him off short before Hiram. That’s the way to draw on that possum.” “ But he will be driven to despair. He will jump overboard.” ; ‘*No he won’t. I’m training that youth. I've handled young colts before now. You bet I break him into the traces.”’ “T don’t understand your horse talk,” answered the young lady, with some indignation. ‘‘ What do you mean by treating colts to the traces?” ‘That's Dakota blather. Don’t mind it,” laughed Dick. ‘‘But Harry Earle won't jump overboard. Tve got him in tow.” “‘T would make any sacrifice for my father; but I cannot marry that man,” said the poor girl, with a shudder. ‘You may fail! I may not be able to re- treat! YetI would rather die than marry him!” “There’s no law in these United States to make you say yes when you mean no,” rejoined Dick. ‘* Do you wish Play with him till the last minute; if it’s even to stand up before the minister. If all fails then you can back out at the last step. It’s easy to bring a horse to the fence, but it’s not_easy to make him jump it. You understand?” “Yes. But I do hate to play the hypocrite.” “Maybe you'll find that there’s worse games than to play sharp on a rascally sharper.”’ his was good advice perhaps, but Dick was mak- ing trouble for himself in another quarter. A few days after the above conversation he met Harry Earle, with a face the very picture of despair, and hurrying on, with downcast head, as if looking for a pool of water deep enough to drown him. Dick caught him by the shoulder with little ceremony, and brought him to a sharp halt. ; ‘““Whereaway, my _ hearty?” he cheerily de- manded. ‘“ Haven’t heard of the bank bursting where you keep your deposits, eh? Lookas down- hearted as if you’d been struck by lightning.” ‘Let me go!”’ cried the young man hotly. ‘‘ How dare you stop me so rudely?” ‘‘Only to find out where you're going,’ declared Dick, without releasing him. ‘If you're off to butt against faro you'd best take me as a looker-on, Or if you’re going to drown yourself maybe you'd like company.” The distressed youth looked at his sarcastic ques- tioner with tears in his eyes. “I don’t know what 1 am going to do,” he hotly declared. ‘She has despised me! She has insulted me in the face of that dog of a Boomer! I don’t want to live! I don’t want—”’ “You want to make a fool of yourself,” rejoined Dick. “ There's as good fish in the sea as ever were ht. of will never love any but her! I will die if she discards me!” exclaimed the poor lover. ‘And she seemed of oa AP otek au hisee > my lovely, you ve her yet,” sooth ly answered as he softly stroked Harry’s fair “You're the age to make a soldier, and here you are your back to the enemy. See here, my lad, do you think I am a eden fid in lied u ve every confidence ou,” re Harry, with a look of ‘dic irasion. x . “ Very well, then. You shall win May Blossom, soko a word for that. You saw our little game of ‘aro hl “ ” “There’s a bigger game than thatup. You dealt atfaro. You may have to deal in this game too. I want your help, Harry. Whether I win or lose, you shall win. Betore I let Hiram Boomer snatch up that little lass I will make a spread-eagle of the low- minded cuss.” : “But what does it all mean?” asked Harry. “There’s some mystery here.” “So there is; a blazing hot mystery. And it has ot to stay one. You'll get into the secret some ay, if you are a good boy. The question just now is, Have you given up your notion of jumping over- board?” Harry hung his head sheepishly, and made no an- swer. “If you have I'd like a little help from you.” The youth. with a look of shame, laid his hand in Dick’s broad palm. “If I can do anything,” he faltered. “It’s to help you to win May.” “Then I will do anything!” and he straightened himself with sudden energy. ‘To win May! I will sell my soul to win her!” “ Best sell your old clothes first,’ Dick dryly an- swered. “Chaps that sell their souls never make a good bargain. Come with me. I've got a job for ou now. f % In a short time afterward they were seated to- gether in Dick’s room at the hotel. * Now, my lad, hold hard till I get my pipe in a / blaze. Somehow I’ve been spoiled in my education and I can’t half think except through the smoke o: & meerschaum.”’ They were a strongly contrasted pair, as they sat facing each other over the width of a table. Dick, with his handsome, reckless, keen-cut face, his sharp eyes, and the easy look of a man that could make himself at home in any climate, from China to Patagonia. Harry, with his youthful, innocent countenance, his mild expression, and his evident ignorance of the ways of the world. all, dash and smash; the other of a retiring, depend- ent nature, The one was made to lead; the other to follow. “There,” said Dick, as the smoke began to curl upward from his pipe-bowl. ‘‘Now I'm comfort- able. See here, Harry, what’s your opinion about that pious uncle of yours; that blessed Jeremiah Bunce?” Harry hesitated and colored. “Perhaps I had better not say,” he answered. “Tt is a family matter,” ‘*Maybe it is a public matter,” returned Dick, sharply. ‘1 didn’t fetch you here to pull my chest- nuts from the fire, my lad; but your own. See here now, The money that ought to have been left to you was scooped up by uncle Jeremiah. Did he get t honestly?” “The will gave it to him.” “I don't know about that,’ and Dick drummed uneasily on the table. ‘‘ Wills can be made to order, I've a fancy this was one of that sort. And—” ‘And what?’ cried Harry excitedly. ‘Did you ever suspect anything of the kInd?” “ Yes,” was the hot answer. ‘At the time there was talk of a later will, that had been made way nary Z But no such will could be found, and the mat- er fell. ‘*Good,” cried Dick. “That suits my game. I tell you what it is, Harry, I believe in the later will. I’ve a notion I’ve got my eyes on the chaps that salt- ed it. What’s more I believe that that missing will is still alive, and if we play our cards right we can handle it.”’ “ By Heaven!” cried ye springing up excited- ly. “Iwill give you half the fortune if you prove what you say, and make my rascally uncle disgorge. None of us believe that he came by it honestly.” “T have the thing in train,” said Dick approvingly. ‘There's a big dog and a little dog in this business. The big dog has the crust, but the little dog may steal it from him. I’ve hunted the little dog. Have written to him in your name that if he comes here he will hear of something to his advantage. I ex- pect him every minute. It won’t do for me to take part in the business, fer the cur is afraid of me. I want you to deal with him, and if you fail then I will put in my oar. Are you in for it?” “I don’t understand you,” answered Harry, con- fused by Dick’s way of putting his project. “Keep quiet then, till I peg it into you, in plain English.”’ A conversation of considerable length ensued, in which Dick laid down the details of his plan, and coached Harry as to how he was to act. He took care however not to mention Hiram Boomer’s name as one of the parties to the fraud. It was too soon yet to trust the young lover with that bit of informa- tion about his rival. The conversation was finally interrupted by a knock on the door, Some quick movements fol- lowed. The knock was repeated ere Harry opened the door. When he did so Dick had disappeared. There was but one occupant of the room. The visitor was a fellow dressed in a very loud suit of checkered stuff, which he wore with an af- fectation of smartness. His face wore a coarse ex- pression, and a look of low ergs * that was not prepossess: It was, in short, Hiram Boomer’s quiet politeness. ‘*T spose this is the place,’ answered the other, in a hoarse tone. ‘I was to call here for something to my advantage. Now I’m the chap for that sort of thing. I’m dead on the make.” He handed Harry an open letter. “Oh, yes! It is Mr. Trumper?” * Just so. I’m your man. “Thac letter came from me, Mr. Trumper. Sit down. I wish a little conversation with you.” Mr. Jacob Trumper crouched in the chair offered, and fixed his heavy eyes on the innocent face of his host, with a look of eager avarice. A conversation of considerable length followed, in which it quickly proved that Harry Earle was no match for the trained rascal with whom he had to deal. Despite the coaching which Dick had given him, Harry very guickly let the whole cat out of the bag, without getting an ounce of confidence in return. An offer of reward was of no use, the fellow stolidly denied any knowledge of the affair. ‘You're a neat coon, you are,’”’ he coarsely declared; ‘‘ to fotch a ei all this way on such an arrand! Wonder if I look like a chap as steals wills. Dang me ef I’d stand long to punch your head for your imperdence. I’m an honest man, clear through, that don’t deal in any crooked work. I’ve lost a whole day to come here on this business, and shoot me if you sha’n’t pay me for my time. I want a ten square down, or I'll punch your brain-pan for your imperdence,” “Tl give yon a hundred for the recovery of the will,” answered Harry. i S’pose you/‘say a thousand, and tell me where it “Tt is in the hands of your confederate. I do not roe name, Bring it to me, and the thousand is | in advance, The one was | 13 $A “Not much. When I do crooked work I want pay Plank down the cash on the nail, and I'}l be a square coon.” : “Hardly,” answered Harry, “I am not quite such a fool as that.” “Then you’d best pay me off and let me slide. You've made a fool of me, and you've got to pay me for it. If you don’t pony down—”’ “ What?” asked Harry, retreating. “Ill go through you, that’s all,” and the villain advanced threateningly ‘* Hold,” cried Harry, in affright. the ten.”’ He took out his pocketbook, and began nervously . to extzect the money demanded. The villain’s eyes zlittered. es *Tain’t worth while to make no split,” he hoarsely deqencd: ‘Hand it all over, or 1h burst your iler.”’ “Stand back!” cried Harry, indignantly. “You ain't going to crow over Jake Trumper, little chicken, hey? By the blue blazes—”’ “What?” It was another voice and another tone, The villain turned, and recoiled as he recognized the well-known face of Dick Dashaway. ‘* Highway robbery, is it, you dog? I've got you by the wool now, blast your eyes! If you don’t pony up that stolen will, into Cherry Hill prison you go, quicker than greased lightning.” “*] will give you CHAPTER XIII. A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS. THe would-be robber was decidedly taken aback by this sudden change in the state of affairs. There was a gleam in Dick’s eye that cowed his craven soul, and a clutch in Dick’s fingers that reminded him of ypreviona knock-down arguments, » could not tell whence this spy had so suddenly appeared, though an open closet in one corner of the room hinted at a hiding-place, “Straight to Cherry Hill, is the word, my jolly canvasbacker,’’ continued Dick. ‘I caught you at highway robbery, and I’m the witness for this gen- tleman. You've got to flunk, you hound, or up you £0, at telegraph speed,” “T were only playing with the boy,” growled the discomfited villain. ‘‘ lt were only a lark.” “All right, Jake Trumper; but you can't play your larks on this coon, Squat down here. There’s one way for you to get off. But if you play shy Ti railroad you to the stone jug, sure as shooting.’ Trumper seated himself, with a surly but fright- ened face. * What's in the wind?” he grumbled, ‘ Don't see . no use in making sich a howling row ‘bout trifles.” “Sit down, Harry. You can be witness to a little bit of business between me and Mr. Trumper. Now, my man, I want a straight answer, or I'll have a po- liceman in here before a cat could whisk her tail. Who stole that will?”’ The culprit started, while a look of nervous dread passed over his face. “Tt wasn’t me,”’ he hastily ejaculated. ‘ I had— What are you talking about, anyhow?” he angrily continued, as he recovered his wits, “Won't do, Jake. You've F ies: your foot in it,’” answered Dick. He saw, indeed, from the admission of the frightened rogue, that he was on the correct track. ‘‘ You stole it, you hound, You. and your black-mouthed partner, Hiram Boomer.” “Hiram Boomer?” ejaculated Harry, in deep amazement, “That's the chap, my boy. The cat's out of the bag now. Now, my charmer, who kept that paper, you or Hiram?’ “‘T know nothing about it,”’ was the surly answer. “ Hiram’s his own boss.” “And yours too, it seems, See here, my duck you'll not get much more out of Hiram, let me tell you that, He’s going for his innings. Let him once t what he's after, and he'll toss you over likea id crust of cheese. If you had the wit of a cat you'd see that, It’s my notion you'll find it to your advantage to go back on the man that’s ee ee o back on you. Anyhow I’m not the sort of ¢ ie to ploy with. You've got two roads before you. you fight shy Tl Sage te in Cherry Hill as sure as your name’s Jake. If you put that paper nm my hands I'll pay you down a thousand de and let. this burglary trick slide. Here’s the game. Make e yl mind like lightning, for I'm not the sort to ang fire.” By the workings of the prisoner's face it was evi- dent that he was debating this matter in his mind. Dick’s keen eyes rested on him like those of a pger onits prey. There was not an expression of the eee countenanee but its meaning was clear to him. ake was evidently wavering. “A bird ie the hand is worth two in the bush,’” suggested Dick : “ don’t see no bird inthe hand,” answered Jake. ‘It’s easy to talk "bout paying, but I'd sooner have the cash than the promise.” 1 ae ‘““Name pose. apinny exes Dick, sharply. ‘No se beating about the bush. “ Five pandred in hand, and fifteen hundred when the job’s done. I won’t touch it for a cent less.” “ Hiram has the paper, then?” “T ain't, anyhow.” “You know where to lay your hands on it?” “°Tain’t going to be so easy. Is’pose I can rum- round. But he’s a suspicious coon, If he finds what I’m arter there'll be a holy old row. But anyhow, if you come down with the fodder I’m your hoss. I'm ‘bout tired of playing second fiddle to Hi- ram Boomer.” Dick turned quickly to his companion with a look: of keen intelligence. | _——
Page 14
7 14 * You hear tkat, ? The cat’s out of the bag nov, tai! and all, and all the Boomers and Trumpers in creation can’t put it back again. The will was stolen, and this fellow was in it. Now look here, my man I’m not going back on you. ov see that you've not got a fool to deal with. ring me the Fe and you get the money, fair and square. But if yon try to play me foul I'll = youlikearat, I’ve got my spies on you, andi a sign of playing false [I'll snatch you bald-headed. Do you take that in, Jacob?” The villain looked cowed by the keenness of his captor, He could not but see that tricks would not pay with this wide awake individual. “ When I say a thing I mean it,’’ he declared, with an effort to look honest, ‘Five hundred down and the balance when I fetch the paper. Say that’s a ain, fork over the needful, and I’m your man.” “A bargain it is,” answered Dick, quickly, as he seized his hat. ‘“‘Come with me. You shall have the cash instanter. Strike while theiron’s hot ismy x Wait for me, Harry. I'll be back inside an our.” Dick, with an alert step, led his heavy-browed companion from the hotel, and a Ninth street toward Market. Reaching the latter street, he ‘ sought John Blossom’s store, Jake still following. “Mr. Blossom in?”’ asked Dick, smartly, of one of red clerks, who failed to recognize him in his spruce attire. “Yes, sir. He is in the office.” “Engaged?” * T think not.” “ Allcorrect. Ill dive in. Come ahead, Jacob.” Mr. Blossom was seated writing at his desk. He looked 4 with an air of annoyance as the two visit- ors bolted into his private office, without the cere- mony of knocking. But his brow cleared when he mecognised Dick, who made no bones of helping him- self to a chair. be om to see you, Mr. Dashaway. Wait one mo- ment.” The merchant continued to write, while Dick bal- anced himself easily on his chair, and his companion stood awkwardly against the door, holding his hat with an effort to appear respectful. “There, that’s out of the way. Now, how do you do? And what’s in the wind?” he Spry as a young mustang,” rejoined Dick. “But you ain’t og! done with the pen yet. Write me a check for five hundred dollars, payable to bearer.” ‘““Why?” cried the surprised merchant. ‘ On _ what account?” “On my account,” answered Dick, briefly. ‘‘I wouldn't ask for it if I didn’t want it.” *“ But Iam notin your debt. Why should I hand over money at your asking?” “TI won't force you, you bet,’ answered Dick, uickly rising. ‘‘ Come, Jacob, that dog’s dead. I'd ve you know, Mr. Blossom, that I’m asquare man; from head to heels. When I go into a job I goin for all there isin me. li want this check in your interest. If you don’t choose to give it without a bushel of reasons for receipt, that ends the game. If you doubt me, then marry your daughter, where you will. Come, Jacob.” “Hold, there!” cried Mr. Blossom, hastily spring- ing oe “ Come back here! Let me know what's all this about.” “Tt’s about the size of a five-hundred-dollar check,” answered Dick, curtly, from the doorway. “ ‘0 you cantankerous spitfire! Come, come I’m not afraid of you. Here it is.” He snatched up his pen and hastily dashed off the required check. “Here’s the document. But you have a regular highwayman’s style of demanding it.” That’s a way we have in the West,” rejoined Dick easily. ‘“ But it isn’t a highwayman’s job, for all that. Here you are, friend Jacob. I’ve knocked Tia down twice in our short acquaintance. Let is plaster up your hurts.”’ **Gan’t take that,” rejoined the surly rascal. “*They’d kick me out of bank, or snatch me, if I offered it. Cash in hand is the stuff for this chicken.”’ * Shouldn’t wonder,” returned Dick. ‘ You don’t look like the sort that swings that kind of dust. Hand it here. Illcash it. They won't kick me out of bank.” The reckless fellow drew a purse from his pocket, and counted out five hundred dollars on the table. “There’s your dough,” he said with a laugh. “That’s my stake from Hiram Boomer. Going to make friend Hiram pay for his own salting. Take your provender, Jacob, and make tracks.”’ e villain’s eyes glittered as he saw the pile of crisp bank notes. He seized them quickly, and was about to dart hastily through the door, when his progress was arrested by a strong grasp upon his shoulder. He turned somewhat fearfully, to meet the eyes of Dashing Dick, which were fixed upon his heavy face with a keen and threatening expression. “Not so fast, my cove, I know you, but maybe you don’t aie know me. I tell you what, hoss, if ‘ou’re thi g to play foul on me you'll find it the hardest tree to climb you ever tried on. I’ve gota hundred eyes on you. You can’t wink cross-eyed but what I'll know it. Play square, and [ll play fair. But try to trick your uncle, and into Cherry Hill you goon the jump. Do you take?” ‘Tam not going back on you,” answered Jake. “* You pay too well for that.’ she then. And don’t go to sleep on this game. The minutes count.” “YT can do it in a week,” answered the villain, as he hurried away, as if in fear of his prize being taken from him again. Mr Blossom looked up at his strange visitor with an inquiring glance. He hardly ventured to ! 4 I only want to let | I see | Dashaway of Dakota. ory are to what purpose his cash was to be de- voted. Nor was Dick in any hurry to inform him. He seated himsel easily astride the chair, fixed his eyes upon the doubtful face of the merchant, and coolly inquired: “ What's afloat? Any new game turned up?” ‘‘Nothing, except that Jeremiah Bunce is pushing me hard. e demands that the marriage shall take place in a week from to-day.” ‘Whew! He’sspry. Did you give in?” “Thad to. He was positive. It was ruin or con- sent.” ‘“ Well, see here,” returned Dick, half angrily. “I’m doing my best for ow’ John Blossom, but it isn’t sure that I'll succeed. The business must go on, to keep these fellows quiet until we are ready to show our hands. But suppose we fail. mnbpose the hour of the marriage comes and our game flum- micks out. What's to be done, then?” “The marriage must go on,” answered the mer- chant, with a very downcast face. ‘‘It will be that orruin. It must go on.” ‘““Not by a jugful!” roared Dick, indignantly. “Not by the full of a catamount’s hide! Why, hang your old buttons, before I will stand by and see your sweet daughter sacrificed to that wretch, I will kick Hiram Boomer into the middle of next week, and you after him! Ruin, isit! You make a terrible splutter about your ruin, but would let your daughter go to ruin at race-horse speed! I didn’t think you were such a confounded old jackanapes! Keep quiet now. Notaword. I’m not in the humor to be played with.” Dick walked the floor energetically, segs J and growling. At length he paused before the shame- faced merchant, and fixed his eyes upon him with a queer expression. ‘*You bied like a hoss, John Blossom. Kee quiet now, and [ll tell you what’s to be done with your five hundred dollars.” CHAPTER XIV. A SWAP ALL AROUND. Harry Eartn’s face was burning with rage, dis- may, and twenty other feelings, as he burst into Dashing Dick’s room with the exclamation: “You have cheated and deceived me! You have lied to me! She is lost, lost! I will kill myself! I cannot live in despair and disgrace}”’ Dick lifted his eyes coolly from the paper he was reading, and fixed them with a humorous expression on the excited speaker. ‘Private theatricals, Harry?’ he asked. “ You did that well. Let’s hear you try it again.” “Do you mean to insult me?’ cried the angry lover, owes, up ina fury. ‘‘ You have made a fool of me say. She is to be married to that wretch, and I am to be abandoned to despair.” “* There’s many a slip ’twixt cup and lip,’ my jolly youth, Sit down and cool yourself off. Hiram nasn’t caught his bird yet. And he won't catch her while I'm about, Look at me, square in the eye, Do I look like a half-and-half? By the blue blazes, Harry Earle, if I didn’t know that you were a love- sick jackass, I would kick you out the window for calling me a liar to my face!”’ ‘But the hour is fixed! She has consented! She treats me shamefully! What am I tothink? You have not got the palber that was to save her!” “And I'm afraid I won't get it,” rejoined Dick, ** Jake Trumper is acting on the square, but he has not found that interesting document, so far, We'll have to wait till the last minute.” * But if it isnot found then?” “It’s no marriage till the bride says yes to the preacher. She’s got to take the man for better or worse. Hiram’s all worse, so she needn’t take him. Come, you hot-headed boy, you’ve got yourself in astew about nothing. You want a breath of fresh air to blow away these vapors. Let’s take a walk and cool off.” Into the street they went, and Dick led Harry a dance through the length and breadth of the city at a pace that kept the younger man at a half-trot. It was a free Dakota stride, and no mincing city walk. Harry was gasping for breath when at length they came to a halt. “There. Ifancy you’ve hada breather. Now go to your business, if you_have any, and keep the gin s out of your brain. I tell you Hiram Boomer shall not have her, if Ihave to marry her myself. That ought to satisfy any reasonable creature,” “ But I don’t want either of you to have her,” gasped poor Harry. ‘All right, you love-struck ninny,’’ laughed Dick. “Tt’s between you, me, and Hiram. She can take her choice. But you’ve got to get yourself up tasty, for I'm a dreadful taking chap with the girls. Now got out with you, and don’t bother me any more. ‘ meet you at the wedding at sharp two to-mor- row.”’ He hurried away laughing, while Harry stood with a very dubious face, not quite sure whether this was jest or earnest. The day passed. The next day dawned. Jake Trumper had not yet come up to the mark. He needed to be very cautious, as he informed Dick, in his search for the document, for Hiram had kept closely at home during the last week, and gave him no chance for a fair search among his peners. ‘To-day is his wedding-day,”’ said Dick to his gpent. ‘“He has got to peg out or lose his bride. ou keep an eye open, my hearty, till he leaves his that tiram ve ty . i k f hes t sent you to look for an important paper, that he needs, They won’t sus on strike like fire for this point.” tions to the agents ‘Two o'clock is the h Do your prettiest, Jaco , and hang me if I don't add To ' 7 - 7 2 -_ another five hundred out of my own pocket to the reward.” **Tll do it, if it is in the wood.”’ “Good for you. Streak out now. Go for Hiram like a dog for a marrowbone. I’m a generous soul, you bet,” he laughed, after Jake had hurried away, ‘A chap might think my pocket was bursting with cash. But there’s nothing like an extra feather to your arrow. when things are ina tight place.” At two o’clock that afternoon an interesting group was collected within the parlor of John Blossom’s showy up-town residence. Among them were the merchant himself, looking very blue; and Jeremiah Bunce, with a highly satisfied expression of counte- nance. Before them stood Hiram Boomer, dressed expensively though somewhat loudly, and May Blossom, as pale as the white dress in which she came to the sacrifice. The bridegroom was undoubt- edly a handsome fellow, but the look of gloating satisfaction which he cast upon the bride revealed the low instincts of bis brutal nature. There were two or three other persons present, but no bridemaids or groomsmen, as it was intended, for obvious reasons, that the marriage should be strictly private. Inthe background stood two other persons, unobserved by the principals in the cere- mony: Dashing Dick, with his easy, reckless face, and Harry Earle, half lost between hope and do- spair. rt It is all over,”? whispered the dismayed lover. “Your man is not here. Oh! what shall 1 do?” ‘*Do nothing but keep cool,”’ answered Dick, “I’m here, at any rate. It’s queer if I don’t out-boom our Boomer.” The minutes passed on. As the hour of two struck, from aneighboring clock the minister step- ped forth from an adjoining room, ready to proceed with the ceremony. He viewed with a wondering eye the party before him, the triumphant faces of the two villains; the pallor of the bride, who looked ready to fall; and the aspect of terror and despair on the face of the father. The quick sense of the minister saw that something was amiss here. But these people knew their own business, and it was his business to pro- ceed with the ceremony. It went on slowly. THe seemed to be purposely protracting it, asif to give the parties a chance to retract if they wished. There came the sound of steps and whispers behind the wedding-party, but no one looked around except the merchant, who caught a quick sign of encouragement from Dick. “Do you take this man to be your wedded hus- band, to love, honor and obey, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, un- til God do you part?” ‘ The voice of the minister rung in rich solemnit through the room. It was the critical moment. All waited in suspense for the answer of the pale bride. But there came a sudden and most unexpected in- terruption. “Just hold it at that for one minute,” demanded the sharp voice of Dashing Dick, ‘*There’s more than Hiram havea claim on this young lady, and I’ve sworn sbe shall have her choice.” e pushed for- ward, dragging Harry with him. Y A look of fury burst into the face of the bride- groom as he saw who bad made this interruption. ‘*You here?” he ejaculated in a rage. * Hold your hosses, Hiram,”’ returned Dick, easily. “I’ve a queer fashicn of dropping down where there’s rascality going on. You're a gay coon, but you can't snatch up ripe apples in this town without somebody else wanting a hand in it. Here’s three good-looking fellows in a row—Hiram Boomer, Dick Dashaway, and Harry Earle. I’ve promised that the young ‘lady shall have her choice, and by Jupiter she shall, or there’ll be quest ructions. Here we are, Miss May. Pick out the man you want to ey and by the Rocky Mountains you shall have The distressed girl looked up with a quick flush of hope. The berger of her face gave way before a rosy glow. er eyes beamed as she sprung im- pulsively forward, and flung herself into Harry’s arms, crying out: ‘*My own love! My true love! Oh! you are in time to save me! I will have none but you!” It need hardly be said that this sudden scene created a deep consternation. The minister started back in alarm. Hiram rushed toward Dick with clinched fist and burning face. Jeremiah flew to the merchant in a hot rage. A sudden gleam of hope shone on Mr. Blossom’s face. “Hold hard, Hiram,” cried Dick, as he warded off the intended blow, and caught his antagonist b. the collar. ‘‘ What ails you? Ain’t I dished as we as you? She’s picked out Harry Earle. It isn’t my fault that the girl has her own fancies. We've got to give in.” ‘Never! I will never give her “up!” exclaimed Hiram, making a wild rush to the bride, who was sobbing in the arms of her lover. But he forgot that Dick had a hand on his collar, and he was suddenly brought up in his mad career. The infuriated bridegroom now turned hotly to Jeremiah, as he wildly yelled: _ s your bargain! Make him give me the girl! or, by the Lord, I'll make it hot for you!” Jeremiah cried in almost the same words to the merchant: i ‘Keep to your bargain, or it will be hot for you, and he significantly touched his breast-pocket. Mr. Blossom paled and trembled, as the full mean- ing of the villain’s words came upon him. He was about to speak when he was prevented by Dick. “Maybe some else might make it hot for the pair of you,” he declared. “I’ve been counter- mining your game, you villains, and it's my put in now,
Page 15
—_ } ad i rca +——____ = j ——$—$—$——$$—$—$—$—$———— ‘What do you mean?” they cried in simultaneous rm. “Til tell you that in short meter, Excuse me, reverend sir,” he addressed the minister, ‘‘ this is a squeeze all through. I've gota little story for your ears. In the first place, in his younger days John Blossom has done some sad trick. Let us say for- gery—only for illustration, you know. Let us say that this man, Jeremiah Bunce, has got hold of that forged paper, and is using it as a squeezer. In the next place, this man, Hiram Boomer, has the squeeze on Jeremiah. So he makes a written contract with Jeremiah to let up on him if that individual will force John Blossom to give him his daughter for a wife.”’ **Tt’s a lie!’ yelled Hiram. such contract!” “ Softly, Hiram,’’ answered Dick, with an easy wave of the hand. ‘ You won it from me at faro, eh? Maybe not. I’ve a notion that was only a copy. I happen to have the original safe on hand.” The discomfited villain fell back with a muttered oath at this sudden revelation of how be had been tricked. ‘In the third place,” continued Dick, ‘‘ we come to m’s squeeze on Jeremiah. There was a certain old gentleman made a will, in which he left a neat little property to Jeremiah. Maybe he afterward found out Jeremiah, for he made another will, in which he left the same property to Harry Earle, our young friend here. But somehow, after his death, lon last will disappeared, and Jeremiah became the eir.’ “ That is a slanderous lie!” cried Jeremiah, though with a pale face. ‘There was no such will.’ “Softly, Jeremiah,” continued Dick, in his sarcas- tic tones. ‘‘ That will happens to be still in existence, Two friends of yours, Mr, Hiram Boomer and Mr. Jacob Trumper, of course unknown to you, took charge of that document, Mr. Boomer hung to it. And, your reverence, that will is the squeeze which Hiram has on Jeremiah.” _ It is a false slander!” cried the two accused men in a breath. ‘ You cannot prove a word of it!” .* Maybe not. nize this paper.” ‘ He held a broad sheet of parchment before their astounded eyes. At that instant Hiram perceived the face of Jake Trumper in the rear of the room, and he cried in dismay and rage: ‘Ha! traitor! This is your work, is it?” ‘“*Jist so, Hiram. Ifound there was more money 0 lena side the fence,” grinned the undismayed villain. ‘*Now see here,’ continued Dick, easily. ‘I’ve took this little game in hand, and I’m going to put itthrough. In the first place I intend to offer a square swap. Let Jeremiah hand over that inter- esting paper to Mr. Blossom, and he can have this document. What do you say to that, Harry? Will you trade the property for the girl?” “Yes, willingly,” said Harry, in delight. . It was like pulling out his eye-teeth as Jeremiah slowly drew the cherished paper from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Blossom, whose eyes glows with eagerness. But Dick had him by the hip, and there was no retreat. ; “Is that the genuine hoss-fly?” asked Dick, of the excited merchant. ‘There ain’t no nigger in the wood-pile?”’ “No, no! Thisisit! Iam safe at last, thanks to ou!’ and he tore it in hurried eagerness into a aundped fragments, ‘‘So to the winds goes my long ead!”’ “Here's to you then, Jeremiah,” said Dick, handing him the will. “I’m solidInjun. When I say a thing it’s as good as sworn to. And now, friend Hiram, there’s another little document. As long as you won this interesting contract from me at faro, I calculate it’s your property. Isuppose I needn’t ask you to give up the girl. I don’t believe youcould be dragged with wild horses to marry her now, But as long as you’re at hand, and the minister ayn you might as well wait and see her married to Harry Earle, since she prefers him to two good-looking chaps like you and me.” ; ! : “I'll be shot if I will then!” cried Hiram in a to the door, followed “You can't show any raze, as he stalked furious] by his fellow villain. ‘And Ill be even with you yet for this day’s work.” : ‘Jolly, my lovely,” exclaimed Dick. ‘“ That’sthe kind of gruel Iwas weaned on. Name time, place and weapons. I don’t know anybody I’d sooner salt than you.” A laugh broke from the lips of the reckless fellow as the discomfited rogues disappeared. ‘*Quess they’ve got their porridge,” he declared. * And now if you two turtle-doves want to get mar- ried I don’t know a better time. Whatdo you say, Mr. Blossom?” ‘*Yes, yes! We must save all danger of any other Scene like this!” . As may be imagined the lovers were not backward to consent. And in ten minutes they were made one in the law. They turned to Dick with faces heguatng with gratitude. Tae : at can we ever our kindness?’ exclaimed May. 5:10. Hae ‘I told you once,” cried Dick gallantly. ‘‘I only take one pay from pretty girls.” “Yes, yes, lremember,” cried the blushing bride. “ And here it is, with interest.” She flung her arms around Dick’s neck, and press- ed a dozen warm kisses on his li * Bless your sweet eyes, if you go on at that rate I'll have to opena bank account,” he laughingly exclaimed. ‘ Never calculated on such compound interest.” Perhaps we may as wellend our story here. As for the But I fancy the courts would recog- eof Dashing Dick of Dakota it is but half | Dashaway of Dakota. told. Some day, perhaps, we may give our readers some further chapters from his active history, but cannot do so here. It may be said, indeed, that John Blossom did not forget the debt he owed him, and that he not only paid the full amount promised to Jake Trumper, but he made Dick easy about his hotel bill for some time to come. There is no happier little nest in the Quaker City than that inhabited by the mated turtle-doves, Harry Earle and his dear little wife, and there is no face more welcome in that nest than the laughing | visage of Dashing Dick of Dakota. THE END, The Best Weekly of Popular, Entertain- ing and Useful Literature Pub- lished in America! Its Unrivaled Corps of Contributors, almost all of whom write exclusively for its publishers—embraces the following authors of world wide repute— Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Albert W. Aiken, Ca pt. Fred. Whittaker, eo Mayne Reid, Joseph K. Badger, Jr., Edward L. heeler, Charles Morris, Oll Coomes, C. Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver, Buckskin Sam, Major Dangerfield Burr, T. C. Harbaugh, Philip S. Warne, William R. Eyster, Anthony P. Morris, Lavnce Poyntz. Each and all of whom give to BEADLE’s WEEKLY their very best productions in all the varied fields of Border and Wild West Romance— Adventure, Exploration and Sport— City Life, Character, Courts and Ways— Detective and , Shadow’ Revelations— Stories of the Great Deep, etc., etc. So that each and every number is overflowing with reading of the most interesting and exciting nature; while in its Special Departments, covering all the needs, and adding to the general interest and usefelness of the popular journal, BEADLE’s WEEKLY is the paper of all others for your weekly reading and entertainment, Beadlo’s Weekly is Published at the Following Rates: For Four Months.. BG WS POO oss ccd SW adey ant : Two ye veer LOX OhO- YOGES wos Hokas VAs coat ell les 5.00 Single Copies)... i. .cceeeees vebouss Wikseedes 6 cents Supplied by all Newsdealers BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, 98 William street, New York. Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Waoa, Esra! and 59 other Songs. 2 Caprain Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 Tue Gatysporo’ Har and 62 other Songs, 4 Jonnny Morcan and 60 other Songs. 5 (iu Sree You Wits A FrEaruer and 62 others, 6 GrorGr THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs. 7 Toe Bevis or Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 YounG FeLian, You're Too Fresw and 60 others p Bax rh GIRL ae 65 other Songs. ‘Mm THE GOVERNOR’S ONLY Son and 58 o : 11 My Fan and 65 other Songs. Piel ee 12 Comin’ Toro’ Tun Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 Tae RoOLLIcKiIne IrtsHMan and 59 other Songs, 14 Oup Dog Tray and 62 other Songs. 7 Mais Caknety ees 59 other Songs. 6 In TH1s Wuratr By anv By and 62 other 5 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. ah arn 18 I’m THE Boy THAT’s Bounp To BiazE and 57 others 19 Tos Two ORPHANS and 59 other Songs. . 20 WHAT ARE THE WiLD Waves SayINnG, SISTER? and 59 other Songs. 21 InpienanT Potty Woe and 59 other Songs. 22 Tne OLD ARM-CHArr and 58 other Songs. 23 On Conry Istanp Bracn and 58 other Songs. 24 Oty Smion, THE Hot-Corn MAN and 60 others. 25 I’m i Love and 56 other Songs. 26 PARADE OF THE Gus RDs and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo, Hrave, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 "Twit NEVER po to Gin ir up So and 60 others. 29 Buve Bonnets Over THE BorprrR and 54 others, 30 THe Merry LAvGHING MAN and 56 other Songs. 31 Swerer Foraxrtr-me-Nor and 55 other Songs. 32 LertTLe Bany Mine and 53 other Songs. 33 De BANso AM DE INSTRUMENT FoR Me and 58 others. 34 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 85 Just Tro PLease THE Boys and 52 other Songs. 86 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 others. 37 Ko.torep Kranks and 59 other Songs. 38 Nit DrsprranpuM and 53 other Songs. 39 Tuer Girt I Lert Besryp Me and 50 other Songs 40 "Tis sur a Lirrtr Fapep FLower and 50 others 41 Pretry WaiLHEeLmra and 60 other Songs. 42 DaNncrnG IN THE Barn and 68 other So: 43 H. M.S. Prvarore. COMPLETE, and 17 other Songs. Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on re- ceipt of Sir cents per number, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pur 98 WiLu1aM STREET, EW York, 15 BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collec- tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers for the season of 1853 embrace twenty-four volumes, viz.: 1, American Speaker, 18. School Speaker. 2. National Speaker, 14, Tudicrous Speaker. 3. Patriotic Speaker. 15. Komikal Speaker, 4. Comic Speaker. 16, Youth's Speaker. 5. Elocutionist. 17. Eloquent Speaker. 6. Humorous Speaker. 18. Hail Columbia Speak- 7. Standard Speaker, er. 8, Stump Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 9, Juvenile Speaker. 20. Select Speaker. 10, Spread-Eagle Speaker | 21. Funny Speaker. 11. Dime Debater. 22, poly Speaker. 12, Exhibition Speaker, 23. Di t ae: %. Dime Book of Recitations and Readings. These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, ete. 75 to 100 Declamations and Recitations in each book, Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em- brace thirty books, viz.: Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Sixteen, Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No. Three. |Dialogues No, Bighteen. Dialogues No, Four. Dialogues No, Nineteen, Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Six Dialogues No, Dialogues No, Dialogues No. Dialogues No, Dialogues No, Eleven, Dialogues No. Twelve, Dialogues No, Thirteen, Dialogues No, Twenty. Dialogues No, Twenty-one. Dialogues No. Twenty-two. Dialogues No, Twenty-three, Dialogues No. Twenty-four, Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No, Twenty-six, DialoguesNo. Twenty-seven, Dialogues No, Twenty-eight. Dialogues No. Fourteen |Dialogues No. Twenty-nine. Dialogues No. Fifteen. ‘Dialogues No. Thirty. 15 to % Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Right. Nine. Ten. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo0 Pages, 2 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by noted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new :nd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof, A. M. Russell, DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. Brapir’s Dum Hanp-Books ror Youna Propux cover a wide range. of subjects, and are especially adapted to their end. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Book of Games. Gents’ Letter-Writer, Fortune-Teller. Book of Etiquette, Lovers’ Casket. Book of Verses. Ball-room Companion, Book of Dreams, Book of Beauty, Hand-Books of Games. Handbook ef Summer Sports. noe of Crequet. Meters ibremene hess Instructor. ing an . Cricket and Football. Book of Ped Guide to Swimming. Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, ete Manuals for Housewives, 1, Cook Book. 4. Fam Ebgsician, 2. Recipe Book. : |® Recetas g and Mil- 3, Housekeeper’s Guide, linery. Lives of Great Americans I.—George Washington. | VII.—David Crockett, Il..-—John Paul Jones. VITL—Isragl Putnam. Ti.—Mad Anthony Wayne X.—-Tecumseh, IV.—Ethan Allen, XI.—Abraham Lincoln, XI1T.—Pontiace, ° V.—Marquis de Lafay- ette. ier) VI.—Daniel Boone, Song Books. Brapux’s Dare Sona Boos, Nos. 1 to 38, containing the only popular collection of copyright songs, Melodist, f School Melodist, ' Music and Words. Joke Books. Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke Book. Paddy Whack Joke Book, The above publications for sale by all newsdealers or will be sent, t-paid recei rice, BEADLE & ‘ADAMS, §3 Wiruutans ate a id XI1.—Ulysses S. Grant,
Page 16
BEADLE’S | HALF-DIME | LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dick, THe PRINCE of THE RoaD Jack Hoyle. By Edward L. Wheeler. | 229 Crimson Kate. By Col. P. Ingraham. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Black Schooner. Roger Starbuck. | 230 The VWankee Rajah. By C. D. Clark. 2 Yellowstone Jack. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. The Mad Miner. By G. Waldo Browne. 231 Plucky Phil. By T. C. Harbaugh, 3 Kansas King. By Buffalo Bill. The Hussar Captain. Col. P. Ingraham. | 232.Gold-Dust Dick. By E. L. Wheeler. 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain | Gilt-Edged Dick. By E. L. Whceler. | 238 Joe Buck, of Angels. By. A W. Aiken. Mayne Reid and Captain Frederick Whittaker. | Will Somers, THe Boy Derncrive. Morris. | 234 Old Rocky’s * Boyees,? Buckskin Sam. § Vagabond Joe, THE Younc WANDERING JEW. | Mustang Sam. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 235 Shadow Sam. By Charles Morris. By Oli Coomes. Double Number, 10cts. : | Whe Branded Hand, By Frank Dumont. | 236 Apollo Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. 6 Bill Biddeon, Trapper. B y KE. S. Ellis. Cinnamon Chip. By Edward L, Wheeler. | 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain 3 or, 7 The Flying Ya nkee. By Col. P. Ingraham. Phil Hardy, Tur Boss Boy. By C. Morris. | THe Mysterious Rancuero, By P. Ingraham. 8 Seth Jones. By Edward 5. Ellis. Kiowa Charley. By T. C. Harbaugh. | 238 Whe Parson Detective. By Oll Coomes. 9 Adventures ef Baron Munchausen. Tippy," Texan. By George Gleason. | 239 The Gold-seeker Guide; or, Tae Los? 0 Nat Todd. By E. S. Ellis. Bonanza Bill, Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Mountain. By Captain Mayne Reid. The Two Detectives. By A.W. Aiken. Picayune Pete. By Charles Morris. | Cyclone Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler. 2 Gulliver’s Travels, By Dean Swift. The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. Aladdiny or, Tae WonperrcL LAmp. The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) ree} ae Roy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. The Double Daggers. By FE. L. Wheeler. Wild-¥Fire, Boss or rue Roap. By Dumont. Whe Young Privateer. By H. Cavendish. Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Wheeler. Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. The Golden Hand. By Geo. W. Browne. The Hunted Hunter. By Ed. 8, Ellis, j; Boss Bob. By Ed. L. Wheeler. Sure Shot Seth. By Oll Coomes. Captain Paul, By C, Dunning Clark. Bill Bravo and His Bear Pards. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Two ‘ Bloods?®., By Charles Morris The Disgzuised Guide, By Oll Coomes. Sierra Sam. By Edward L. Wheeler. Merle, the Widdy. By Col. P. Ingraham. Giant George, By Buckskin Sam. Old Grizzly and His Pets. By Captain “ Bruin’ Adams, wrerwprwbdvre 0 1 2 3 1 5 6 7 8 9 Milo Romer, By Capt. 0 1 2 3 1 5 6 7 8 The Frontier Angel. By Edward S. Ellis. Night-Hawk Kit. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. | 2 Sierra Sam’s Secret, By E. L. Wheeler. The Sea Serpent. By Juan Lewis. The Helpless Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid. | 2 Bred. Whittaker. Nick 0? the Night, By T. C. Harbaugh. Blonde Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. 250 Midshipman Mutineer. By Ingraham. Diamond Dirk. By Colonel P. Ingraham. Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harbaugh. 2 Light-house Lige. By J. F.C. Adams. The Bo Captain, By er Starbuck. Blue Blazes. By Frank Dumont. 2 Dick Dashaway. By Chas. Morris. Cloven oot, By Edward L. Wheeler. Solid Sam. Bydldward L Wheeler. 2 Sierra Sam’s Pard. By E. L. Wheeler. Antelope Abe, THe Boy Guipe. Oll Coomes, Handsome Harry. By Charles Morris. 2 Whe Half Blood, By Edward 8. Ellis. Buffalo Ben. By Edward L. Wheeler. Sear-Face Saul, Oll Coomes. 2 Captain Apollo. By T. C. Harbaugh. The Dumb Page. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Dainty Lance, THE Boy Sport. By Badger. | 2 Young Kentuck. By Capt!Mark Wilton, Roaring Ralph Rockwood, tHE Reck- Captain Ferret. By Edward L. Wheeler. | 2 The Lost Hunters, By Capt. Adams. LESS RANGER. By Harry St. George. Silver Star, THE Boy Knianr. By Coomes. | 2 Sierra Sams Seven, By E. L. Wheeler. Keen-Knife, By Oll Coomes. Will Wildfire, By Charles Morris. 259 The Golden Harpoon. By R. Starbuck, Bob Woolf, By Edward L. Wheeler. Sharp Sam. By J. Alexander Patten. 260 Dare-Devil Dan. By Oll Coomes. The Ocean Bloodhound, §. W. Pierce. A Game of Gold. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 261 Fergus Fearnaught. By Geo. L, Aiken. Oregon Sol, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Lance and Lasso. By Capt. F.Whittaker. | 262 The Young Sleuths. By Charles Morris. Wild Ivan. By Edward L. Wheeler. Panther Paul, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide, By Wheeler. The Boy Clown, By Frank §. Finn, The Hidden Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh. Ned Wylde, THe Boy Scour. By Texas Jack. Death-Face, tHe Derectrvz, By Wheeler. Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. Black Boss, Wit Worms Rate; or, | 964 Whe Floating Feather, By Ingraham. Eagle Kit, tHe Boy Demon. By Ol Coomes. 265 Whe Viger Tamer. By Capt. Whittaker. The Sword Hunters. By F. Whittaker. | 266 Killb’ar, the Guide. By Ensign Warren, Gold Srigeers THE Sporr. T.C. Harbaugh. 267 Khe Buckskin Detective. By T ©, Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. woo ick of Deadwood: or : The Phantom Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. ing ot 4 a By Edward L. Wheeler. ’ Harbaugh, Dick Darling. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. Mike erry. By Charles Morris. 2€8 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. By Rattling Rube, By Harry St. George. Fancy Frank ot Colorado. Buffalo Bill. Edward L. Wheeler. Old Avalanche, By Edward L. Wheeler. The Lost Captain. By Whittaker. 269 The Gold Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham. Glass Eye. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. Black John, tHe Roap-Acent. By Badger. Omaha Oll, By Edward L. Wheeler, Burc Bun‘ier, THE Trapper. C/E. Lasalle. The Boy Rifles. By Archie C. Irons. The White Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr. Ye ret L. Wheeler. The Black Giant. By J. ¥. Badger, Jr. | 979 Blizzard Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton. Will Wildfire in the Woods. Morris. | 271 The Huge Hunter. By Edward S. Ellis, Bittle Wexas, ou ps CPOE Seas B 272 Winkskin Mike. By Oll Coomes. Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne. 5.) F 2 Billy Baggage. By Charles Morris. Per nambe | Oe, / Sy Wiwengi: Weeder. Wickory Harry. By Harry St. George. 274 Jolly Jim. By Charles Morris. Asa Scott, THe Steampoat Boy. By Willett, | 275 Arizona Jack. By Buckskin Sam. KAKI AannnahiG. Shhh bi bm CotocCtetoweets cobonononormwminorns ee ms nee ere a eee Se rad DIATOM HOODIA RWW HOODIA e Oe ra 4 heptane heed prem geet Ned Hazel, By Ca yr C. Adams. Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 49 é - Deadly-Eye. by Bufraio Bill. Warne Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. 276 Merle Montes Cruise. By Ingraham, Nick Whifiies? Pet. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. A Trump Card. By Charles Morris. 277 Denver Doll. By Edward L. Wheeler. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. By Wheeler. Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. 278 The Three Trappers. By Major Carson, Thunderbolt'Tom. By Harry St. George. . Dandy Rock’s Rival. By G. W. Browne. 279 ioe THE Rivix Kina. By T. C, Captain & mp Bers By Philip &Warne. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate. By Col. Ingraham, The Boy Runaway. By Lieut. ‘Perry. 281 Denver Doll’s Victory. By Wheeler. nin dolicary = vada. E. L, Wheeler. | 982 The Typo Detective. By Edward Willett, Bob Rockett, tHe Bayk Runner. Morris. | 283 Indian Joe. By Major L. W. Carson. The Sea Trailer. By Lieut. H. D. Perry. | 284 The Sea Wlarauder. By. Col Ingraham, W. Wild Frank. By Edward L. Wheeler. | 985 penver Doll’s Decoy. By E. L. Wheeler Little Hurricane. By Oll Coomes. . The H Ch rris. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot; or, Tam The Moy Eratlors, By eigen, 5 nA 7 Witp Men or Buzzarp Bar. By Mark Wilton, 59 Old Hickory. By Harry St. George. 60 The White Indian. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. 63 The Red Brotherhood, W. J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Warricane-Bill. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 66 Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. 67 Patent-leather Joe. By Philip 8. Warne. 68 Border Robin _ Hood. By,Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifie. By Edward L. Wheeler. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. aa etowmere Riek. by Ot ame: Evil Eye. By Frank Dumont 287 Billy Blue-Eyes. By Col. P. Ingraham. 72 Mad Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton. be ; : 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck. By Wheeler. week Teepe. BY hes Moule 288 The Scalp King. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, 74 HWawk-eye Harry. By Oll Coomes. 75 Khe Boy Duelist. By Col. P. Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, THz Crow-KILLer, Ey A. W. Aiken, 77 Corduroy @harlie. By E. L. Wheeler. 78 Blue Dick. By Captain Mayne Reid. Ned Temple, tae Borper Boy. Harbaugh. | 289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charles Morris, Bob Rockett, raz Cpacksman. By Morris. | 290 Little Foxfire. By Oli Coomes, r. Dandy Darke. By Wm. R. Eyster. 291 Turk, the Ferret. By E. L. Wheeler. Buffalo Billy. By Capt. Taylor, U.S. A. ’ . : Captain Kit.” By Lieut. H.D. Perry,U.S.N. | 292 Sancho Pedro, tue Boy Banprr. By 79 Sol Ginger, Giant Trapper. By A.W. Aiken. Captain Mask, By Philip 8. Warne, Major E. L. St. Vrain. Sy Light ud Hob. By Edward L. Wheeler. Budulo Bills Ber. By Captain Taylor. | 293 Red Claw, rae One-Evep Trarrer, By 82 i EP aot. By T RS Harbauch . Deadwood Dick’s Dream. By Wheeler. Captain Comstock: 83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes. Shadowed. By Charles Morris. 294 Dynamite Dan. By T. 0. Harbaugh. 4 Idyl the Girl Miner. By 4 L. Wheeler. oe —_ = eg 295 Fearless Phil; or, Taz Kine or Quartz- Buck Buckram, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Jar autre adel Nae SE ; vue. By Edward Willett, Featherweight. By Edward Willett. SODA ON OOM OWN HOC DED HOD DDH WNWMH OOM QUE NOH OC MAO Ce ON OO MAE DOr ON OO DEO WN MOSCOW mm ee ee ne ee ee ee cm ee —e ee pemad from fee med fe ed pe jo a fa el el ef ft pd fd fel me lf fed fd fe fd jm fl fl rsd fm jl fd fs fp SOOO SSS GS OO WW WW HWW WM Mak ak ahaha aka FFE yt UU hn she ihe in shee phn phan hee bh he OO 0 9 GO G9 60 G9 GOS GORD NO NO BO NTN VO ODN NT ae dt 8 85 86 Dandy Rock. By G. Waldo Browne. BR Bedouins. By Whittaker 296 Denver Doll’s Drift. By E. L. Wheeler. 87 The Land Pirates, By Capt. Mayne Reid. | 39) ane Block Hills Jezebel. By Wheeler - . 2 Lie ttt J Wheel THOROUGBRED. By Charles Morris. eadwood Dick’s om. By Wheeler 2 PNtnda ¢ Chet. Be bared 1 Wheeier 5 306 Bere a One tacteah, Morris | 299 - Ko. 1 the, Dashing Toll-Taker. 35 n ; is 207 Navajo Nick. . C. Harbaugh. . Wheeler. 94 Tianhe ack. "By AO Garetegt. 208 The Boy Hercules, By A ag Spot! 300 The Sky Demon; or, Rarmsor, THe 95 The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col, Hazeltine. | 209 Fritz, tHx Bounp-Boy DETECTIVE. ecler. arr. By Oll Coomes. 96 Watch-Eye, Tar Suivow. By E. L. Wheeler. | 210 Faro Frank of High Pine. By Eyster. | 91 peadville Nick, Taz Box Sport. By Maj 07 The Outlaw Brothers. By J. J. Marshall. ois roan en Sees, Be atts Morais tr. El st Viain : Dy { (4 . - od 28 Fob nocd. oy Prot ee eaeeY towne, | 213 Fritz to the Front. By E.L. Wheeler. | 302 The Mountaim Betective. By T.C. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A | 214 Wolfgang, tar Roper or THE RAINE. Harbaugh. STRANGE STROKE FOR LiseRTy. By Wheeler. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 303 °Liza Jane, THe Girt Miner. By EF, L. 101 Jack Harkaway in New Work. By | 215 Captain Bullet. By T. C, Harbaugh. Wheeler. Bracebridge Hemyng 216 Bison Bill. By Col. Prentiss Ineriham. | 304 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Benrro, Tar 102 Dick Dead-Eye. By Col. Ingraham. 4 Cate Seer ess bbe hog pcan: Boy Buaier. By Col. P. Ingraham. , saa ee eae Eee aioe be Weeolar | 219 Despard, the Duelist. By P.S. Warne. | 305 Dashaway, of Dakota 5 or, A WESTERN 105 Old Rube, Tae Hunter. Capt HH. Holmes, | 220 Tom ‘Tanner. By Charles Morris. Lap IN THE QuAKER Crry. By Chas. Morris. 106 Old Frosty, Tue Gur. By T. CG. Harbaugh. | 221 Sugar Coated Sam. By E. L. Wheeler. 306 Neck-T ie Ned, Tae Lars” THROWER; OF, 107 One-Eyed Sim, By James L. Bowen. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport, By Ingraham. Tar Dva-Ovr Parps. By Major Henry B, 108 Daring Davy.’ By Harry St. George. 223 Ozark Alf, Kina or Tam Mountain. By Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By Edward Willett. A nen! issue every week. age FR open oo5 Samm ME Local By Banos Morris. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all a a ey ers Steed. of Fhe Freire. + 226 Snoozer,. THE Boy SHARP. By E.L Wheeler. | Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on 111 Whe Sea- he By Col. P Ingraham, * | 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper. By B. £merson. eee of six cents each. tADLE & ADAMS, 312 The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe. 228 Little Wildfire. By Ol] Coomes. Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.