Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 368) (1884 08 12)
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\\ \ LA itty \ NX ai ees a MMO A” Se pe —— = - — a Mi ; ———EE eee SITES So : \z (aml i fa a a reser eT {i a a! i LC il Vl NSE me 82.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. ¥., at Second Class Mail Rates, Copyright, 1884, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, August 12, 1884, ‘’ Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, a Price, Vol. XV. Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. ,w 5 Cents. No. 368. 2 Pin SOLAS Ces EE SE Se PS eT Oe Re EA gs ed ES SES SR A od * a i 7 A Peta rset, ie ae aires YREKA JIM, THE GOLD-GATHERER; or, THE LOTTERY OF LIFE. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘‘ ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ DENVER DOLL” NOVELS, ETC., ETO, ) 1) = N * THER SAME W’OT STOPPED THER STAGE AND SKINNED US OF OUR HARD BARNINGS—YREKA JIM, THE GOLD GATHERER, WI’ HIS PAINT WASHED OFF [® i
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Yreka Jim, £ GOLD-GATHERER; OR, THE LOTTERY OF LIFE. A Tale of Tarpot, BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘ DEADWOOD: DICK,” SAM,” ‘* DENVER DOLL,” ETC., ETC. ‘* STERRA CHAPTER If. EN ROUTE FOR TARPOT. ‘Avy aboard fer Larpot! This aire ther last stop ’tore Tarpot City. Pervide yerselves wi’ *freshments, oF else don’t growl!” This was the stentorian order of the weather- beaten Jebu, who, whip in hand, and a pint bottle peeping from the vest pocket of hisplouse, clambered to the box of the “hearse, @which had balted a few minutes at Loop-Hole, Git as the last rays of the June sun were kis the rugged mountain-tops. n auswer to the shout, the six-in-h of spirited coach-horses pricked up their ears, snuffed the air, and impatiently pawed the ground, anxious to be off. Also, in answer to the shout, there issued from the lone habitation, which comprised the “ city of Loop-Hole,” a number of persons, who clam- bered into and onto the stage, all bound for Tar- pot, an ambitious and moderately prosperous voung mining camp down the range. ‘co, after a ‘*horse-chestnut” from his pri- vaie bottle, as an offset against malaria, old Nick Belmont, forty years in the ‘‘ biz,” cracked his whip, gave vent to a Comanche-like yell, an¢@ away rolled the stage, leaving behind a elcud of dust. A» the personnel of the passengers was mostly mixed and yet characteristic of that wild re- gion, we will glance them over as the stage rolls along toward its destination. On top of the stage was Big Blobbs, a moun- tain celebrity, who bad distinguished himself by killing seven red-skins, single-handed; Goserte Paced Frank, who had started the first cemetery in Gander Gulch, and Six-Toed Sol, whose boast it was that he had personally As planted ” more pilgrims than he was years old, and intended to clean out the town of Tar- pot on arrival there. . Within the “‘ hearse ” sat five passengers. There was a young lady, handsome of figure, who was deeply vailed and clad in mourning, She was accompanied by a smooth-faced, elder- ly gentleman, of between forty and fifty years, who, judging by the blandness of his counte- nance, could safely have been put down as having something to do with the Church, The third party, who evidently was of the set of the first-mentioned twain, was a young man of four or five-and-twenty, with a pleasant face, handsome eyes, and curling hair and mus- e All three were well dressed, and their travel- ing accompaniments, as well as their demeanor, indicated that they were fresh from the States. Fourth among! the interior passen one of those best characterized as a “ girl sport,” because of the half-and-half dress, and her evident roam- ing inclinations. She was of about the medium stature of wo- men, and possessed a gracefully molded figure. Her face was youthful, and decidedly pretty— of the saucy type of beauty it was, with a roguish expressioned mouth, dancing dusky eyes, and a wealth of wavy brown Thais that fell back over her shoulders in a disheveled mass, Her costume consisted of patent-leather knee- boots, white cloth pants, with a long-skirted hunting-jacket of buckskin belted at the waist, a white flannel embroidered shirt, with collar thrown open at the throat, while a broad-brim slonch prairie hat sat well back upon her head. Sbe wore a small arsenal of weapons in her ‘belt, and was altogether a striking appearing cee = The fifth passenger appeared to know her, for he frequently addressed her as “‘ Fan,” and again as ‘‘ Foggy.” e was a gigantic individual, fully six feet six in his top-boots, and huge of frunk and limb—a man who looked as if be might be gifted with prodigious strength, Ts was peculiar characters of the West}: In face, he was ugly and hairy, his visage eesiebdiee reminding one of that of a monster aboon, His coarse attire was ragged, mud-splashed and greasy, and the bastered plug hat he wore had probably been an heirloom, handed down by several generations. The inclination he had to be noisy and talka- tive, proved that he had not forgotten the Jehu’s warning to provide himself with refresh- ments, The topic of his remarks was confined to one particular individual, whom he familarly dub- bed Yreka Jim. ‘*Ttell yer, Foggy, thar ain’t nothin’ slow ner stingy mean, ’bout thet aire Yreka Jim, ef he do haunt ther trail, an’ et’ll be a long time afore the Vigilantes rope his windpipe. He’s jes’ as pert an’ chipper as they assay, hyer abouts, an’ durn me ef I ain’t sometimes 0’ ther fragrant belief thet he aire a speerit!” Miss Foghorn Fan took time to finish lighting a cigarette; then laughed ,heartily, as if the bullwhacker’s words afforded her a deal of amusement. ‘*Pshaw! you git crankier an’ crankier, ev’ry day, Bullfrog!” she answered, taking advan- tage of a gleam of sunshine that entered the coach, to look the young man, just opposite, square inthe face, ‘‘D’ye ’sposea real bona Jide spirit, could fetch a hearse to a halt, like Yreka Jim does? Pooh, no! Ner history don’t allow as how a ghost war ever known to speak ther English language. Yreka Jim isa clear case 0’ flesh an’ bones an’ I'll bet my best sbutin’-iron on it,” ‘* Mebbe so—mebbe so, but I’m ef I b’leeve et, sure’s I’m Benjamin Bull port a o’ Tarpot City—ther original founder o’ ther ope camp w’ot ever sold bottled hornets, het aire cock o’ the walk ain’t real, or else his hide aire tougber nor a buffler’s. Why, Foggy, didn’t a dozen o’ us sock ther plumbago at him, to’other night, fer kill, an’ it never fazed him? He jest stood an’ laffed like a tickled hoss, When we hed got thru, he waltzed up to the hearse, an’ throwé us in every consarned bullet we hed fired—fact !” “Oh! come, now, give us arest! You're the biggest liar on the range, Tarpot. If you don’t hush, you'll skeer our hearse companions.” Old Tarpot chuckled. ““Skeer ’em!” he ehuckled. ‘ Jes’ wait till Jamesy waltzes up to ther hearse, an’ inwites ’em ter pony up. Reckon thar’ll be akick on the ticket, then. Heigh-ho! “Tm Bullf Ben, 0’ Tarpot City; Ef yell hark to me, I'll be art a uitty, About a knight both game an’ bold, Who straddle’s a hoss, an’ gathers gold— A cool complacent sort of ac W’ot makes ye ‘come down’ wi'out any fuss; Purty’s a peach, an’ fly as a lark, Allus on deck ’bout the time thet it’s dark; Rides upto ther hearse, an’ raps at the door, An’ tells ye the same story, o’er an’ 0 er. It’s gold thet he wants, an’ jew’lry, an’ tickers, An’ ef ye objeck, ye’r’ chronies an’ kickers— Ye’r’ mean, an’ stingy an’ hev no compassion Fer ther widders an’ orphizts of this great nation; Then out pops his shooter, wi’ orful precision, An’ at yer resistance he laffs wi’ derision; Mi He tells ye ter rise, an’ make yer donation, Ter ther widders an’ orphints wi’out hesitation; An’ ef ye refuse ter obey his command, His iron sends ye kitin’ to that far-away land Whar life is but vapor transparent and thin, While below. reigns in triumph thet cool Yreka Jim!”’ ‘Bravo! bravo!” Foghorn Fan laughingly cried. ‘* Why, Bullfrog, you must be the poet Laura-ate!” ‘Poetry, did ye whisper—pretry? Why, Fog- gy, gal, lam ther fu’st man thet ever writ a word o’ varsification, I am, Shakespeare an’ Bobby Burns an’ sev’ril hundred other fellers Parned their trades o’ me!” ‘Without a doubt. I see yer genius is super- natural, But, I say; hey you a eucher deck? If ye have, we'll play j st ter pass away time.” **Nary a deck, Feggy. Gotso hungry afore I got out o’ Tarpot thet I) actooally eated the hull pack.” - Foghorn Fan turned to the elder eect, who was pale and anxious, because of the terri- fic speed at which the stage bowled along, and careened from side to side. “Tsay, old gent, ye hain’t got a deck about yer duds, hev ye?” she demanded, with a twinkle in her eye. ‘*No ma’am, I have not!” was the frigid an- swer. ‘‘Cardsare the tools of the devil, and handled ouly by his agents.” ‘*Phew! Ye don’t tell me. You don’t play, then?” ‘Certainly, unseemly young woman, I do not |” um-blasted . frog. Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. Fan stared, and turned to old 'Tarpot, as F for a solution of the enigma. “*D’ye hear, Bullfrog? He don’t flip! My, oh! what’s this world ever comin’ to?” ‘sDear knows!” the bullwhacker gasped, in amazement. ‘The times ’pear ter be gittin’ more an’ more degenerate, It’ll be so, after avhile, thet a feller darsen’t carry a six- shooter!” : ‘*Tf weapons and whisky were abolished from the face of the earth, there would be peace and prosperity!” the bland-faced man declared, ‘* You people are far behind the enlightened age.” Darn me, ef we aire, eh, Foghorn?” and Tarpot looked belligerent. ‘‘l reckons we aire better’n ary tenderfut, ef we do take our whisky straight. We kin lick our weight in wildcats, an’ we don’t allow no one ter walk on us, nuther, Why. dern yer picter, pardner, l’va chewed up an’ spit out bigger fellers ner you, when terbaccer war skeerce!” “Yes, and as fer bein’ enlightened, Cap, we've fergot things, years ago, w’ot yeow ten- derfeet aire jest beginnin’ ter ’arn.” Whether this fact was agreeable to the sedate man or not; was not apparent, for he remained silent, The conversation had evidently proven a source of amusement to the younger man, about whose mouth was an expression of good- humor, When the first spat had had time to die out, he glanced at his watch, and addressed Foghorn Fan, the reckless’ prettiness of whose face had evidently made an impression on him, alae. ‘Excuse me, miss, but might I inquire if you live in the mining-town called Tarpot?” he asked, ; “‘T do, sir!” the girl replied—‘“‘leastwise, I hang out there, most o' the time.” “Oh! you bet we dol” chimed in old Bull- “TJ am ther galoot w’ot founded ther; city, an’ put her on ’er taps!” “Then, could you inform me,” the young man went on, without noticing the bullwhack- er’s interruption, “if a man_ resides there, by the name of; Ichabod Impree?” ‘‘There does, sir. He owns the only quartz mine and crusher in the camp.” , ‘Thank you. Wehad learned that he resided somewhere along this range, but had not been able to get his exact location.” i ‘Relation o’ yours?’ Fan asked, giving the trio another speculative scrutiny, and forming the conclusion that the elder gent was the father of the younger couple. “Yes, y father, Doctor Wygant, and Mr. Impree are cousins!” “Ah! Then, I presume you intend to stop off at Tarpot?”’ “We do.” ‘Glorious an’ prehistoric name — Tarpot,” grunted the giant. ‘‘Ef ye purpose ter stop thar, young feller, ye may as well know, frum the start, thet I’m the big man o’ the camp, an nary galoot durst say his life is his own when I’m about. I puts down my leetle gallon o’ red- eye, per diem, an’ am a bad man!” ‘ “You look it!” young Wygant declared, with a laugh. “Yas, an’ I feel it!’ Ben asserted. ‘“‘lama walkin’ funeral, I am, an’! allers buries ev’ry galoot what I kills!” : Further conversation did not take place, just then, for the coach whirled down into a narrow ravine, deep and dark, where the walls of rock reared perpendicularly toward the heavens. The stars were out, but only faintly served to relieve the gathering gloom of by As the stage tore furiously down through this miniature canyon, the driver every now and then gave vent to a wild, resonant yell that ~ sounded weird in the extreme. The silence within the coach seemed wrought of awe, on the part of the Easterners. As for Foghorn Fan and Bullfrog Ben, they exchanged significant glances, as it became perceptible that the speed of the stage was in- creasing. ; Ned Wecduh noticed the fact, and bending forward touched the girl sport on the arm. “What does it mean?” be asked. ** Which?” ‘* The speed!” ‘“Ob! nothin’. The driver has got a bet that he carries the hearse past, to-night!” ‘Past? Past what?” Fan laughed. ; ‘‘ Why, you’re green!” she declared, ,‘‘ This trail has to divy up to a chap called Yreka Jim. He’s a road-agent, an’ you kin bet ef ye carry much gold he'll gather it in, without so much as thankin’ ye for it!” —
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And just then the “hoarse ” came to a halt, with 60 much abruptness as to nearly pitch the Eastern passengers forward — their faces, Simultaneously came tothe hearing of all, the ringing cry of— * Aalt I’ CHAPTER II. YREKA JIM AT HOME, Svucu a cry as that which reached the pas- sengers within the stage was not, to say the best, particularly pleasant tv the finer senses; and it caused the trio of Easterners to look startled and nervous, ‘What is it?” gasped the elder Wygant. ‘Ob! merey!” articulated the vailed passen- ger. “Something has broken down!” from Ned Wiykent the young man. * You bet there bas!” Foghorn Fan declared with a peculiar chuckle. ‘‘ Yreka Jim is jest ther feller w’ot has broke it, too.” ‘The road-agent?” “You bet!” The stage-door was flung open an instant later and a figure darkened the aperture. Not the figure ofan ordinary man was it, but a ghostly-looking person, clad from head to foot in a flowing ‘robe of white, with a tall pooag white hat upon bis bead; hair worn ong and as white as the driven sncw; face equally as white and deathly as the garments that draped the figure. Hardly a feature of it, there was, but what seemed perfectly at re- pose; it was the face of a young man, say not over six or seven-and-twenty, with a graceful mustache and imperial, equally as white as the hair, and eyes dark and piercing as an engle’s, Certainly a stranger apparition never was en- countered, **Good-evening, ladies and gentlemen!” a voice cried. “I trust I find you well this even- ing, and prepared to shell out a penny for charitable purposes, such as establishin’ a home for red-headed widders an’ orphans, salivated galoots, and the memory o’ bygone toughs, Yreka Jim,/at yer service, and [ wish to im- press upon your minds the fact, that my time is limited Bea, ag and I trust you will be ac- cordingly expeditious. Foghorn Fan, I will thank you for that little wad of legal tenders you carry in your watch-pocket. Also, Ben- genes Tarpot, you will confer an everlasting avor by surrenderiug the small boodle you transport in the lining of your hat!” Tarpot and the girl sport looked their aston- ishment, “See hyer!” expostulated the bullwhacker, “this hain’t no fair, durned ef itis, How d’ye know I use my head-gear fer er nachionel bank, Mister Galoot?” “Tt matters not; I know whereof I speak, always, and you will save yourself trouble if you hand, over the storage of the aforesaid crab-cage without delay. Be lively, all of you, for I have no time for parley! hen I have no other pressing engagements, I really don’t mind tarrying for a chat with you, but to night it’s out of the question.” And as if to enforce the fact, the gent of the trail shoved a cocked six-shooter into the view of those within the stage. “Heer’s my boodle!” Foghorn ‘“but you can go your. last ace luck to whoever robs me /” * Bad luck isan unknown quantity!” Yreka Jim declared, ‘‘ Never believed init. Come! come! be quicker in there, Pan out your i ter before I blaze away! I don’t wanter leave ay dead men ‘round byer to-night, because m private cemetery is nigh about full. Than ou, Tarpot—great head! Thanks, Fair Fog- orn, your substantial kindness shall ne’er be forgotten. Now, then, you other passengers on the interior, be more rapid with your dona- tions, or I shall be in duty bound to spatter some 0’ yer brains against the windows. I have four medals fer dead shooting, and I allus kee my app’intments, You, Aaron Wygant, for over your pocket-book. [ft is altogether too plethoric, for a man of your slight physical stature!” The elder Easterner uttered a cry of astonish- ment as he heard his name uttered. “Who are you, sir, that dares to demand my money?”.he cried, fiercely. ‘‘ Who are you that amiliarly uses @ name unknown in these rts a Who?’ Yreka Jim echoed. ‘ Well, my dear Wygant, that does not concern you. You are en- tirely too inquisitive for an exemplary Chris- tian, while [ have too many personal compunc- tions to inform you who I was, ere life left Fan cried that it’s bad my mortal clay, some years ago, at Yreka Gulch, and my spirit returned to the United States to gather gold. But come! you overtax my patience. Will you be more expeditious, or shall I clean out the coach? It’s money or your life—so take your choice!” “This is robbery! This is an insult and an outrage!” Aaron Wygant expostulated. ‘Of course it is!” Yreka Jim agreed; “but, allee samee, it aire a combined spiritual an’ livin’ reality. Ah! worlds of thanks! I shall ne’er forget your kindness, for ’pon my soul ’tis a fat purse, and the widders an’ orphans will shed bucketfuls of tears of gratitude. Let me see, Idare say A have a purse, with a few ducats in it, Miss Madeline. Please to pan out; and you, too, Mr. Edward Wygant—then I will excuse you for this time, and you can pursue the route of your inclinations, heralding to the world the tidings that pa liberally contributed to Yreka Jim’s charitable fund for the support of the widders and orphans of the order 0’ played-out pards!” Terrified beyond expression, through having read of the brutality of many Western road- agents, the Wygants dared not refuse to give up their valuables for fear of incurring personal violence; while as for Foghorn Fan and Bull- frog Ben, they had been too long in the aurifer- ous regions not to know that it was always more conducive to good health not to parley with a gent of the trail who carried six deaths within the grasp of his right hand. Therefore, Yreka Jim, the ghostly Apollo of the Tarpot trail, received what he askéd for without an attempt being made at resistance; then slamming shut the door, he bade Jehu to “sit up and git,” and bimself faded from view as though he were in truth the spiritual indi- vidual he claimed to be, Needless to say, Belmont made haste to put his six-in-hand in motion, and the ‘hearse ” rolled away toward Tarpot City. It was by no means the veteran rein-manipu- lator’s first experience of the kind. More times than hea had fingers and toes had bis stage been halted by the white Apollo of the Tarpot trail; time and again he had tried to run the gantlet, but each time without success, for some invisi- ble ppt invariably brought the flery six-iu- hand to a halt. Time and again had volleys of bullets been fired full at the gay and festive Gold-Gatherer, but without the least apparent effect, as they served not to check his advance, or hinder him in accomplishing his purpose, and only elicited a wild guffaw of derision, Thus, bad not only Belmont, but mary others, come to regard the singular corpse-faced road- agent as a supernatural visitant, and he held that portion of the trail a regular point of at- tack upon stages. Those who had refused to yield to his de- mands had serious, if not fatal, bullet-wounds to thank him for, and even Belmont had a number of scars to convince him that, be Yreka Jim spirit, or otherwise, his six-shooters were not of the ethereal pattern, But, to-night, Jehu Belmont, on obeying the Gold-Gatherer’s order to *‘ git up and git,” had launched upon him a surprise, in the shape of a discovery. His pose, bike assengers, who, until within a moment before, had sat just behind him, had rey quietly and mysteriously disappeared, here, or bow, it was not easy to explain; nevertheless, Big Blobbs, Freckle Faced Frank and Six-Toed Sol were among the miss- ing, and the stage rolled on to Tarpot without em, CHAPTER III. THE GATHERING OF A STORM, CONSIDERING that Tarpot City was a moun- tain-loeked town, miles from the nearest rail- way and telegraphic as well as commercial cen- ters of the Far West, it was, in many respects, a wonderful camp. Deep down in a mountainous gulch or pocket, where the sun only shone a few hours in the middle of the day, access was obtainable only by the perilous dug-way stage trail, or may be a bear-path. . It was the abode of a motley horde of human beings of many kinds and characters, who had assembled there to delve for gold. Gold! gold! gold! That was their one all-absorbing hobby—the ruling desire of their being. They worked for it with pick, pan and powder; they gambled for it; they fought for it, stole it, and even murdered for it. Next to gold, the greatest scramble was for wiisly, while provender came is for third place. Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. rm a Outside of its own immediate precincts, the fame of Tarpot City was not extensive, for, although there was plenty of mineral for the mining, it was no “boom” in any particular sense, There were from two to three hundred inbabi- tants, and they of the “fly ” and heterogeneous sf peculiar to nearly every mining-camp, "he abodes were as various in design and ma- terial, as were the characteristics of the citizens, and the one main street, which contained all the business the camp boasted of, was ever a scene of excitement and turmoil. Among the places of resort were thea post-of- fice, which occupied the same tuiluving as the only grocery and general supply store; the Quartz House, the main saloon, hostelry and gaming-house; and the street itself, which was ever the scene of some sort of a “circus,” or dis- turbance. ‘ The “Quartz” as it was familiarly dubbed, was a famous hang-out for the rougher element, as well as for the traveling public, and though comparatively a young building, it had seen many a hard time, a fact that was evidenced by blood-stains upon its floors, and its bullet-pierced doors, window sashes and furniture. Tarpot City, in fact, proudly claimed that she could point toa bigger ‘‘ casualty ” list than any other town of her size west of Denver. The mining interests of the camp were chiefly controlled by one individual, and abod Impree. He was a fine-looking man of middle age, or @ trifle past, who had come to Tarpot with but a meager capital, and bad been fortunate to such an extént that, little by little, he had gained control of all the immediate valuable mining territory, and was, by large odds, the largest pro- ducer of the camp, such other claims as existed being of comparatively no account. Those of the denizens of the ati camp who worked at all were employed by Impree,. who, until within a recent period had been re- garded as a ‘square man” to deal with, and the wealthiest in the mountains, Then, suddenly as the gathering of a cloud upon a summer’s sky, a spirit of dissatisfaction had sprung up~—increasing little by little, until public sentiment seemed strongly against the mine-owner. To what this was due was not apparent, al- though those who pretended to know assumed sedi ree had not served them right, without vouchsafing any further explanation. Impree had paid good wages, and promptly, and associated with bis employes the same as though he was one of them—until recently. Then he had made a change. ° When he first came to Tarpot his family only consisted of a young daughter, who was very retty and had since grown to be an even pret- ier young lady of sweet sixteen, who was the idol of nearly every “ galoot” in the ig That Impree should be content with his charm. ing Idyl, every ore stood ready to declare; but they reck’ed wrongly. A couple of months before our story, the capitalist had returned from a flying trip East, accompanied by & fashionably dressed woman, whom he had announced as his bride, She was at once tabooed as haugbty, supercili- ous and ‘‘stuck up,” and 1 quiet vote passed through the miners’ ranks that she wasn’t o welcome addition to Tarpot’s populace, Idyl Impree at once announced her dislike for the new mother-in-law, and left her father’s home for good, independently refusing his sup- port, and earning her own livelibood by startin a rifle-range at the Quartz, where she receiv liberal patronage. This did not serve to increase publie favor to- ward the new Mrs. Impree, and as, when on the street or out for a morning ride, she gave not the slightest notice to any one, the general dis- like for her also seemed to turn upon Impree, who, said the miners, ‘‘had no sort o° biz ter bring sech a proud petticoater to Tarpot’s howl- in’ city.” Mre tours was a woman of perhaps thirty —a queenly sort of beauty, who was plainly not in her place outside of a grand home and fash- ionable surroundings. Whether with her dainty ways she had worked'a spell upon ber hitherto genial hus- band, could not be said for a certainty; one thing was sure. His manner greatly changed toward his employes: he was seldom seen with a smile upon his face, and no longer appeared to care to associate with the miners, as formerly; when forced to speak with them, he did so surlily and briefly, and bad, for little or no offense, discharged several from his service, AP this, perbens, was what caused the origin. is name Ich-
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& and growth of the spirit of dissatisfaction which existed at the date of our romance. It had been imminent for several days that trouble was brewing, and the fact became better illustrated at the close of the day upon which Yreka Jim had stopped the stage as. previously related. When the six o’clock whistle of the great ore- mill pealed forth its announcement that the day’s work was done, a crowd of miners and roughs began to gather around the offlce of the Impree Mining and Milling Co.—althougb, in fact, Ichabod Impree was tbe only part of the “company ” that existed. The looks of the men were not such as might inspire the idea that they were about to tender Ichabod Impree a complimentary speech, or a serenade; on the contrary, each visage wore a dark, dissatisfied expression, and it was very easy to comprehend that some importance at- tached to the gathering of the crowd about the office, where, at such ao hour, Mr. Impree and his dwarfed clerk; McCarg were usually en- gaged in closing the day’s business. Then, too, the ringleader of the party, who was also gang-boss of the quartz mine, and named Jim Cephas, was considerably under the influence of liquor, and, evidently, just in the mood for a disturbance. This fact became more fully apparent, when he strode up to the offic+ door, and gave it sev- eral heavy kicks, yelling as he did so: “Come out hyer, Ichabod Impree! Ye’re wanted !” ay aD CHAPTER IV. WHEREIN LYNCH LAW PREVAILS Tue kicks upon the door brought Mr. Impree to the offica window, when, for the first, ap- parently, he became aware of the state of affairs outside. He quickly left the window, and appeared in the doorway, hat in hand. He was an intelligent-looking, well-preserved man, well dressed, and, at a glance, one likely to create a favorable impression, almost any- where. “Well, gents, what is the matter?” he de- manded. ‘' Who kicked upon the door, and what appears to be the difficulty?” ‘*| kicked yer door, an’ ef I takes er notion, I'll kick it'ag’in!” Ceplias declared, boldly. ‘ It war a premonishun thet we war hyer to see yer! “You need not have taken so much pains to emphasize the fact, sir,” Impree declared, with a slight frown at his foreman’s bluntness, ‘‘If you are here to see me I suppose you are pre- pared to make plain the naturs of your errand.” “You bet I aire!’ Cephas acquiesced ; I’m ther spokesman o’ this parcel o’ galoots, an’ ther boys all. votes ther same ticket thet I do, you bet.. Eh, fellers?” There was a murmur of assent. Mr. Impree' scanned their visages, and failed to find one that wore a pleasant expression. ‘‘ Ye heer ther verdict?’ Cephas interrogated, ‘“Ther boys allers drinks ther same brand o’ bug-jiice I do—the amber-tinted sweat o’ Satan’s breath. An’ now, yer wanter know ther why, wherefore an’ whichsowever o’ this hyer caucus, eh?” “ I do.” ‘““Waal, ye see, I come down ter git me bloomin’ walkin’-papers, an’ fetched me pards along, ter witness ther transaction!” “T don’t understand: you, sir!” “Oh! yas yedo. Ye can’t pull no film over my lamps—oh! no!” ‘But, I insist I am in the dark, sir, as to what you are driving at. What do vou mean?’ “‘ Jest what I said. My name is Jim Cephas, I chaw railroad iron when I git mad, an’ I’m heer ter take me discharge!” ‘*But, I still do not understand. Who has mentioned such a thing as discharging you? | Not f, Iam sure.” ‘But, ye hev!” ‘You are in the wrong. You are the last man I should think of discharging.” “Can’t help thet. I war told I would get me walkin’-papers, to-night, by you, an’ I’m arter ’em. You an’ yer wife aire one, an’ I calcylate what she sez cums from yer lips!” ‘*Then you are wrong. Did Mrs. Impree apprise you that you would be discharged, sir?’ “She did.” ‘‘For what reason? She certainly must have a cause!” ‘Waal, ye see, she come a-struttin’ about the moutl o’ the shaft, wi’ her head kerried high’s a saa ch an’ lukin’ like she was a pile better than ther country itself; when I told ber ter be | know your only other alternative. jJeeorful or she might walk off inter the hoel. | She fired up like a settin’-hen, an’ sed as how she allowed she knew how ter take keer o’ her- self wi’out any o’ my assistance, Thet set my narves ter buckin’ ag’in’ one another, an’ I jest told ber as how she needn’t try ter skate on her ear; then she danced off like a branied burro, an’ sed she’d hev me discharged, an’ we boys aire heer arter the dockyments!” There seemed no room left for doubt but what the last words of the gang-boss. were meant to convey a threat, and Mr. Impree realized the fact, without any parley. ‘Well! well!” be said, his cheeks flushed a trifle, ‘‘l am sorry anything like this has happened, boys. I am also surprised that you should pay any attention to so trivial a mat- ter. ‘“Oh! ye call it a trivial matter, do ye?” “Of course. You should know that I man- age my own affairs, and I don’t allow any one todo it forme. What my wife may have said really is not of the Jeast importance!” “But yer see it is/” Jim Cephas argued. ‘€ We aire all citizens o’ this camp, boss, an’ we reckon we're as gud as they grow, byerabouts. Ef we ain’t it is funny!” ‘* No one has made avy distinction that. am aware of, sir!” ‘* But, we know better. Ther fae’ o’ the mat- ter aire, ye hedn’t no business ter git married, an’ turn yer purty gal out on the world. Thet war enough ter set us'ag’in you, alone, Then, when we see’d ther sort o’ woman ye fetched among ‘us, I allowed we didn’t like it, real much, nohow. We see’d she war a’ristocratic, stuck-up hen, an’ we ‘lowed we wouldn’t let ber play it grand over us, ner we won't, you bet! hen, too, sence you've spliced ter her, ye cal- culate yer old associations ain’t gud enuff. Ye reckon ye’r’ a peg higher ’an w’ot ye was when ye uster ter slip up ter ther bar, an’ whoop et up fer ’em assarved ye. Thecussed petticoater hes been raisin ructions, ginerally; an’, ’twixt you ’n I an’ ther boys, Ichabod, thar’s got ter a change. Either you’ve got ter give the new Mrs. Impree the grand bounce or your bizness days in Tarpot’s geelorious city aire arrived at a finis!” Impree heard; he could not well help hearing, when Cephas spoke fiercely, and fast. So the mine-owner now kyew what was the actual object of the gathering of miners. **But, boys! boys! this is all entirely unex- ected, and inconsistent. Your claims that I eld myself aloof from you through any proud feeling or influence on the part of my wife, is untrue, Family cares, of cvurse, have mainly absorbed the spare moments I formerly spent among you. ou have the same places in my hearty esteem that has ever beén yours since my coming to Tarpot, and I trust you will act with your usual good sense and let this foolish matter drop!” “ Let’er drap, hey?’ Cephas gritted. * Waal, I reckon not! Let ye hev a reg’lar Jobnny Bull time o’ it, hey, wi’ yer Mrs, Stuck-up fer queen? Ob no! that won’t work in no sort o’ barness, We never ‘lowed a Chinaman in Tarpot, an’ we ain’ goin’ ter bev no Mrs. Queen Impree, you kin bet! She ain’t of our sort, She’s p’izen ter us, same as water is ter’ a Taos cowboy, She has got ter go! D’ye heer?—she has got ter take up ber abode in some different metropolis than our bloomin’ burg o’ Tarpot. Hain’t them ther sentiments, pards?—don’t I spout ther solid fac’s by. ther shovelful?”’ ** Ye do—ye do!” responded the crowd. ‘‘We don’t want no satin-finished ladies in Tarpot, wi’ their nose forty degrees to the squar’ inch.” ‘Oh! course not! Idyl aire ther style o’ stock we votes fer, ah’ we allus elects our can- derdate, by a large majority. But ther new- fangled Mrs. Impree aire in ther wrong pew, an’ must air her fineness in other lattytoads, Them’s facts sworn to an’ registered.” And the nods of approval from the crowd poved that Cepbas’s philosophy was to their iking. Mr. Impree now saw that it became him to exhibit more firmness than he had done, or an insurrection was a certainty. Hard customers were the majority of the crowd who looked upon Cephas as a leader, and, once thoroughly aroused, they were capable of almost any mischief. ‘“See here! I will hear no more of this sort of threatening talk!” Mr. Impree cried, sternly. ‘“‘T am not supposed to care whether my choice of a wife is agreeable to others or not as long as I am suited, I hire you men to work for me and expect you to mind your own business not mine, If you do not choose to do that you As for one or a dozen of you saying that my wife shall not Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. (a5 REPRE Be SE eS ee ae 6 a ae ae Ss a Se tS ie ee ee te a SE EEE ee | every man,.an reside in Tarpot—why, you are consummate asses.’ **Ob! wé:aire, hey?’ Cephas hissed. ‘Of course you are! This town is a free town, and no one or a bundred men can run it while I have an interest bere.” “Ye don’t say! S’posin’ you’re put beyond power o’ hevin’ anything to say—what then?” ‘‘-You act and talk without good sense, sir. For once and for good, I command you to dis- perse, and let me bear nomore of this nonsense, or you can consider yourselves discharged from my employ.” “We kin, hey?” ‘You can, certainty. I will employ no one of a mutinous or belligerent disposition.” ‘* An’ ye won’t give yer new Mrs. Impree the G. B.” ‘Certainly not!” ‘‘Then,; ye kin jest bet yer dough is mud!” Cephas declared, savagely. ‘‘ We don’t allow as yer’ ther boss o’ Tarpot, anyhow, an’ef ye won’t do the fair thing by us citizens, yer fate be on yer own bead. Stand and surrender, or we’ll riddle ye wi’ bullets!” Cocked weeny were therein the grasp of they now ranged on a level with Ichabod Impree’s breast. For him to try to escape, meant death, as he saw by the unanimous expression that they were ready to shoot at an instant’s notice from Cephas, their leader. ut, on the other hand, what would be the result: if he surrendered? He had no time for deliberation. came a step closer, snarlingly: ‘* Come, boss—will ye surrender or won't ye?” he demanded, savagely. ‘What do you propose to do?” the capitalist demanded in return, ‘‘To what insults am I to be subjected if I submit to this mob-law wer? “Oh! you'll be properly keerd for, you bet! We ain’t no half-way gacots, ef our back is humped. Ain’t thet so, boys?” The miners merely nodded assent. Mr. Impree looked the crowd over for an in- stant longer, then folded his arms across his breast calmly: ‘‘T am here, gentlemen of Tarpot!” he said, in a ringing voice. “ Although Ihave never done you aught but a good turn, if you have any just grievances against me I am at your dis- posa wy Cephas There was astinging expression of rebuke in his words that caused even Jim Cephas to hesi- tate as if ashamed of himself. His bull dog brutality of nature, however, sdon asserted itself, and be uttered a hoarse yell, as if angry at himself for his temporary weak ness. **Hurrah! Seize him, boys!” he roared. ‘¢ He’s our mutton!” The miners did not need a second invitation. A dozen of them rushed forward and laid hold of the mine-owner, and in less time than it takes to tell it, his hands were securely tied be- hind his back. He was then led away toward the Quartz House, in front of whose broad veranda there grew a large cottonwood tree with buge out- spreading branches. By the time the crowd had reached it, Jim Cephas had possessed himself of a noosed lariat, and burled it so that the noose settled and tL. » 4- ened about Ichabod Impree’s throat. 7 The mine-owner grew pale with anxiety and alarm, while the crowd looked more grim and savage than before, ‘‘ Now, boss!” Cepbas cried, as Impree was halted beneath a convenient limb, ‘‘I reckon ye comprebend what’s in ther perspective fer you, don’t ye?” “T realize that you are a bloodthirsty set. of ruffians!” Mr. Impree cried, coldly. “No, we ain’t nothen o’ the sort!” Cephas de- clared, ‘‘We hain’t got nothin’ ag’in’ you, no more’n we ever had, ’cept ’we’ve made up our minds that your wife, Clarice Impree, can’t livehyer in Tarpot. She’s a snake—she’s p'izen to the very air, an’ like the Chinese, she must o, You say she sha’n’t, an’ we say she shall, bat’s where we disagree!” “ Well!” ‘‘Well, we don’t wanter do ye no harm, but bizness is bizness, ye know, every time. Tarpot ain’t no small shakes ov a town, but it ain’t big enuff fer to hold us toilers of the pick an’ pan, an’ that aire critter ye imported from the East, We hain’t got ro horticultural halls fer sech a flower ter flourish in, no more we baye, an’ aside that, she’s a rank weed w’ot’s usurpin’ the rights o’ our pretty little mountain’ pink—yer own darter, Idyl!” 4 » DAY ne : , - y ’, ¢ —- My i. Ser, Pe Maes oe es = nee a SAG Tee a Ba
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‘Tt is not true. My daughter is a hot-headed and unreasonable child, and left my roof of her own accord,” **On course she did! an’ right she war in doin’ it, you bet! She couldn’t grow alongside a big sunflower, w’ot absorbed all o’ yer affecksbun, as well as yer coliateral too, an’ she was wise in quittin’ ye. We pards o’ Tarpot ain’t graduates 0’ Christianity, IL allow, but, durn my boots ef we don’t stand solid ter a man, fer Miss Idy]l, an’ a man w’ot allows sh’s not a queen might as well order his coffin-plate engraved. ‘Y’er’ an | ornery mean man ter deal with, when a woman gits ye under her thumb, Ick. Imbree, an’ we aire ashamed o° ye, fer yer darter’s sake, So we hev made up our mind, thet ef ye refuse ter bounce the fine lady up at yer shebang, an’ restore Idyl to her rights, ther best thing we kin do fer the moral precepts o’ the risin’ gen- eration o’ Tarpot is ter give ye a h’iste.” | ‘Your lengthy parley is out of place!” the | mine-owner replied, ‘‘As I told .you before, one or a dozen of you. cannot run my business, I can die, but 1 cannot be forced to do contrary to what are my conviction of right. Hang me if you dare—the curse of heaven will descend upon you if you do!” ‘Then ye won’t bounce yer new wife frum Tarpot City?” “T will not! I would be committing an un- pardonable sin to think of putting away from me the wife I honorably wedded. You should be ashamed of yourselves to propose such a thing!” ‘““Waal, I guess not. Shame ceases to be a ‘ vartue in a case o’ this kind. Boys, throw the shoe-string over the limb, an’ lay hold, ready fer the toot o’ my bugle. Now, Ick. Impree, yer ain’t sech a fool as ter hang, aire ye, when thar ain’t no use o’ it? ll you’ve got ter dois —say ther word thet you'll send yer wife to some other part 0’ this hemisphere an’ we’ll call it square.” Not a word did Ichabod Impree utter in reply. His face was sternly set, and his eyes glowed with a light of firm resolution. Inasmuch as he had always been regarded as aman of strong personal peculiarities, bis un- yielding nature caused Cephas to utter a snarl of rage. “Yo see, boys!” he cried. ‘‘The durned galoot aire mulish, an’ would rather choke than givein. So beit! Ichabod Impree, ye’r’ goin’ on a long tip. but ye can chew on the plug 0’ consolation that the pards o’ Tarpot will see that Idyl gits ber rights. Ready, boys—no skim-milk, now—one!—two!—three !” Simultaneously with the word “ three,” the men laid back on the rope, and Ichabod Impree was drawn into mid-air, For an instant only, however, f There was tbe sudden ping of a rifle, the whiz of a bullet; the Jariat broke above the vic- tim’s head, and he dropped to the ground, in- sensible. At the same moment a horseman cantered leisurely up. CHAPTER V. IDAHO ED, THE SPORT. THE rifle-shot which bad cut the lariat, evi- oo dently had been fired by the horseman, for he YY carried a handsome rifle in bis right hand as he iy cantered leisurely up to the spot. He was of good form, a trifle above the average hight, and seemingly of great muscular aes strength and activity. ee In face he was handsome, His features were hy full and clearly chiseled, and a trifle sun- tanned; his eyes were dark, magnetic and pierc- ing; his mouth firm, but rather pleasant of ex- et pression, He sported a graceful brown mus- a tache and imperial, and bis hair, worn long and heavy, was of the samecolor, He was attired in citizen’s garments, except for, a pair of top- boots upon bis feet, and a jaunty sombrero upon his head. His white flannel shirt was open at the throat; he wore no belt and possessed no visible weapons, except the rifle he carried in bis right hand, His borse was a spirited animal, with a fiery eye and clean limbs—a prairie thoroughbred. ; ' There was an expression of cool uncencern ae. upon the stranger’s face, as he rode up to where Ichabod Impree lay, white and insensible, upon the ground. ‘* Howdy, gents!” he saluted familiarly. ‘‘ Am lin time tobe in at the death? If so, please pass around yer pie.and cake!” Jim Cepbas uttered a furious malediction, while the crowd scowled darkly, ‘Yer jest a leetle too flip,me Mary Ann! What d’ye mean by shutin’ down our pris- ener?’ Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. 5 “What! did J drap him? Why, bless your bones, my man, I aimed ter see if I couldn’t plug a hole thru his liver. Didn’t hit him at all, eh? Well, Pll be blowed! Verily, the days of my shootitativeness are on the decline!” ‘You'll cussed soon find out they aire, ef ye come monkeyin’ around this burg!” Cephas warned. ‘* We aire bad men, w’ot hangs u our stockin’ hyerabouts, an’ we kills ev’ry med- dler what comes around.” “You do? Well, that ain’t so bad. I ain't much pure unmitigated affection fer tramps myself. But, Isay, I reckon the old gent yon- der bas croaked, eh? Looks asef he couldn’t hev been a werry stiff-necked galoot. reminds me that this is about the time o’ day when I wet my bugle. If you gents’ inclina- tions are in any way arid, come along and drink wi’ yer cousin from Idaho,” The miners exchanged glances, and as of one accord, looked to Cepbas for a decision. As for the bully, he eyed the sport a moment, at a loss whether to refuse the invitation or not. ‘Dunno but yer p’izen aire as good as any one’s, stranger, but I opine thet we allers wants to know who we drink with,” he finally growled. ‘Why, of course! Should I turn up my toesin Tarpot’s magic city, it is my special request that you erect a marble fac simile of Cleopa- tra’s needle over my grave, and emblazon upon it, in fire-gilt letters, ‘Idaho Ed, the Man Who Never Took a Bluff,’ ” ‘““Reckon you think you’re bigger and bet- ter’n common folks!” Cepbas was in prime condition for a quarrel with whosoever he could draw on. ‘*You bet I do!” the sport replied, good-na- tured!y. ‘‘Any galoot what ain’t got any better opinion of himself than that he’s com- mon, ain’t no good, I’m fer salivatin’ him, you bet! I calculate I’m every inch as good as any pilgrim that ever wore cowbide, and haye got the sand to back it, Any galoot as is on the square, an’ hain’t mever waded more’n knee- deep in blood, is as good as I am, and is wel- come to share ‘sweat’ wi’me at the Quartz House bar. So, all in favor o’ ‘boomin’ Bac- chus, in honor o’ Idaho Ed’s arrival, will make manifest by coughing out their eppnval.: There was a general grunt of acceptance— general except Jim Cephas, He remained silent, and looked sullen and ugly. ‘“What! Won’t you join us, pard?’ the man from Idabo demanded, bending forward in his saddle, ‘tAre we to be deprived o’ the ex- quisite pleasure o’ hearin’ the bottle hornet gal- lop down yer inclined plane, me festive Cephas?” “ How d’ye know my name?” the bully de- manded, his teeth going together with a savage click. ‘““How does an astronomer read the stars, and know the names of all the planets?” was the smiling answer, ‘‘Cephas are you, tho’ I’m blamed if I con tell you bow I came to know the fact, Cephas are you,a man with blood in his eye, and it has done me proud to ask you to irrigate your thorax along with me. Will you do it or not!” ‘Et I want whisky, I'll buy it!” the bully re- plied, with savage emphasis. ‘I allow I don’t keer to drink with you!” “Indeed! you’re, as unruly as a Mexican burro. Dolunderstand you to say that you won't drink with me?” **'You bet! Iwon’t drink with you.” ‘But, I say you will, Gents, just slide de- murely into the Quartz, put yer suirt-fronts to the bar, and drink to the health o’ Idaho Ed! I will undertake to make Jim Cepbas drink with me! What was this? Force Bully Jim to drink with him, did the stranger say? The crowd stared. They were not quite sure they heard, or understood, If they did, what did it mean? Could miracles be performed? Could ugly Cephas be forced to imbibe? Tbe crowd were quite willing to witness the experiment, at the pain of forfeiting their own beverage; consequently, not a man moved from his tracks. As for Cephas, he uttered no audible expres- sion of the stupendous surprise he plainly felt. He stood stock-still, and glared at the man from Idaho, his rage and astonishment knowing no bounds, As for Idaho Ed, he sat his saddle, as smiling and composedly as though so extravagant a boast had never passed bis lips. The expression of his dashingly handsome face, too, betrayed no lack of confidence. His keen maguetic gaze dwelt steadily upon the An’ that | dats villainous face of Jim Cepbas, triumph- antly. Cephas’s form suddenly underwent a spas- modic tremor, and be broke loose from the spell that seemed to be gaipin control of him. ‘*Cuss ye! You'll make me drink, will you?” he roared, giving full vent to bis fury. ‘‘ Ye’ll make me drink, hey? Waal, I guess not. Thar’s no twenty men in Tarpot. kin do thet, ye dirty loafer!” **Do you really believe that? Why, lam so sure [ can make you drink, that I’d be willing to wager something on it!” Idaho Ed declared, calmly. ‘ Are you of # sportive turn of mind, my friend?” “Tl bet make me drink!” Cephas quickly cried. ye’r’ not all blow, put up or sbut up!” ‘*T will not win money from you!” was the quiet answer, ‘‘ You're a bard case, Jim Jephas, and I doubt if a cent you possess is not blood-stained. I/ll tell what [I will do, I per- ceive that yonder man, whom you attempted to lynch, is not dead, e bas bada narrow es- cape, and should not be touched again. If I make you walk into the Quartz House, up to the bar, and drink in my company, will you and all the crowd, promise that the fellow Shall not again be molested?” ‘¢Yes! yes!” the bystanders yelled, excitedly, and in a chorus. ‘‘ That’s fair enough, Cephas!” Cephas chuckled, ‘“‘T reckon it is!” he assented. fail?” ‘“‘Tll give you a hand at hanging the man, and five hundred dollars in cash, and submit to a coat of tar and feathers!” There was a yell of excitement at this. “Hurrah! That’s the ticket,” cried a dozen who believed the sport could not do as he had said be would, ‘*I’'m agreeable!” Cephas returned, somewhat mollified at the prospect, as he firmly believed, of achance to get revenge on the sport for his audacity. ‘Very well!” Idabo Ed said, gathering up the reins. ‘* You all understand, Ef I can’t make Cephas come in and drink, I'm ‘a loser, Now, then, boys, foller me, and put yer bosoms tothe bar. Mr, Cepbas, I dare say you will be pleased to honor us with your society!” As he spoke, the sport slipped from the sad- dle, and waving his hand to the crowd to fol- low, ascended the step to the veranda of the Quartz House. The crowd followed. So did Jim Cephas, close ir the tracks of the man from idaho! Into the bar-room, the sport ied the way, and up to the bar, without looking behind him; but, by the complacent look of satisfaction on his face, it was evident that he was aware that Cephas was in his rear, “ Set out the bottle and glasses, for Idaho Ed treats, to-day!” he cried. ‘Give us yer best, now—somethin’ that'll soothe, as it slips down!” A string of glasses were set forth, and the bottle passed to Idaho, who poured out a swal- low, and placed the bottle back upon the bar, It was instantly seized by Jim Cephas, who had crowded up, alongside the sport, and he poured outa brimming gees and to the utter astonishment of the crowd, and without waiting for any one, tossed it off at a gulp. A cry of wonderment went up, and the miners stared at the man from Idaho, with con- siderable doubt and suspicion. Really, they could not credit their senses, But a moment before, literally, the ugliest and most unruly customer in Tarpot’s tough young city had refus d, positively, to drink at the stranger’s expense; yet, on the following in- stant, he had entered the Quartz, ee uF to i ye five hundred dollars ye can’t Ke “But, ef ye the bar, and ‘‘ downed ” bis ‘‘ p’izen,” like a little major. “Why, hello!” Idaho Ed cried, suddenly, “£ thought you weren’t going to drink with mef You see, gents,” to the crowd, “ that our friend Cephas has really more good sense than he lets on. He couldn’t stand the pressure—he had to come to time. This isa free bar, boys, so help yourselves, And look vou out, Jimmy me boy, and see that you get your share.” Jimmy was doing that same, too, right beau- tifully. Every time the bottle passed his way, he poured out a liberal potation, and the pros- pects. were that he would get more than his share of the liquid lightning, of which same no other bar than that of the Quartz House could set out a worse article, Seeing that Cephas was likely to get many seas over, before he backed away from the bar, Idaho Ed turned away, and directly left the Quartz House.
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.. Ona reaching the veranda, he found that Icha- bod Impree had been removed from beneath Judge Lynchb’s tree, to his office, up the street. **Oh! he'll be all right in an hour or two,”a miner volunteered to inform the sport. ‘‘ He’s a plucky cuss, is thet same lehabod Impree, an’ I alow no one in ther camp ever give him credit fer hevin’ so much grit.” And, thereupon, he proceeded to explain the ‘*leetle defickelty,” which had been the prime cause of the mine-owner’s mid-air suspension, to which Idaho Ed listened, with manifest in- teres& CHAPTER VI. THE IDAHOAN IN TROUBLE, THE stage that Yreka Jim had stopped, rolled down into Tarpot City, about ten o’clock that night, and unloaded its passengers in front of the Quartz House, ’neath the light of the late rising moon. ; Idaho Ed stood on the steps of the hotel, and curiously eyed the quintette of passengers. Whether he was expecting any one in par- ticular or not was not«to be detected by the stolidity of expression of his face. He regarded the Wygants narrowly, the same as he did Foghorn Fan and old Tarpot. None of them paid any attention to him, however, but euatered the hotel to make ar- rangements for their accommodations for the night. A strange glitter appeared for a moment in ‘the Idanoan’s eye, as they passed beyond the range of his vision. “They are here!” he muttered, what it signifies?” That remained to be learned, He knew it, and that only time could de- velop the cause of theW ygants’ coming to Tarpot. Down the rugged main street a dim ray of light shone from the crack ’neath the door of Ichabod Impree’s office. No one was on the street in the vicinity of the office; therefore, it was apparent tbat all interest in the speculator’s welfare had suddenly abated. ‘“*T wonder whether the rope did him any serious injury!” the sport muttered. ‘ Egad! It is to be hoped not.” He walked down the street, past the office, arr then turned and retraced his steps. Everything about the office was quiet; there were not evep the sound of voices on the inside, ‘*Perhaps be has been removed to bis resi- fence!” he mused, ‘‘I judge the large house down yonder is where he hangs out, If he has been taken there—” He did sot finish the sentence, but entered the saloon part of the Quartz House, which, together with the gaming-room and Idy] Im- pree’s rifle range, tormed a distinct portion of the hostelry. Tbe miners were still ranged along the bar, two thick, drinking long and deep “ hummers” “9 = health of The Man Who Never Took a uff. Jim Cephas bad imbibed just enough to make him hilariously good-natured, and was singing, dancing and cutting up all sorts of didoes. The change that had coms over him in the last few hours was certainly remarkable. The barkeeper, a surly-looking individual, spied Idabo Ed immediately on his entrance and bawled out: ae Lookee hyar, ye long-haired chap; I wanter “Well, sir, what is it?’ the sport asked as ha stepped up to the bar. ‘“‘T guess ye know!” was the blunt reply. ‘« Ye ordered up free bar, didn’t ye?” “Tf my memory serves me right, capt’in, I did that same!” the sport replied, ‘Course ye did! Ain’t it about time ye show’d whar the profit is comin’ in?” ‘Oh! you're afraid [ ain’t responsible, hey? Why, bless you—hbow much is the tariff?” ‘* A hundred and twelve dollars!” ‘* Phew! the boys are light drinkers. Here’s five bundred, an’ when Idaho Ed runs fer mayor of Tarpot, we'll hev_another spill. Drink up the change, gents. Money is as free as good nature wi’ me!” And throwing down a note of the denomiaa- **T wonder tion uamed, he walked on toward the shooting- gallery, which occupied one side of the long room. She was neatly but dress, which showed o figure to advantage. A bunch of wild flowers were arranged at her throat, and another in ber luxuriant wealth of hair, which was as fine as silk, becomingly banged, and of a dark brown color. A prettier face Idabo Ea was sure he bad never encountered; a gloriously girlish face, happy of feature chiseling, health-tinted, and piquantly lighted by a pair of dancing blue eyes, that had the essence of fun and mischief in them. One had but to study her face to read her generous and loving nature, and the Idahoan paused to drink in the pretty picture before he approached ¢lose to the counter. There were several bystanders, who were try- ing their hand at target practice, and some of the shots were so wide of the bull’s-eye, that Idyl joined with the others in laughing at the poor marksmanship. ‘Why, I can beat that shot, Mr. Jones,” she laughed, on one man failing to hit even the target. ‘‘I am afraid you wouldn’t make a very great soldier.” “Oh! you never mind. I’ve years to learn in, and I don’t know where I can get better criticism than at your hands,” Jones gallantly replied. ‘*Try your luck, sir!” Idyl Impree said, ad- dressing [dabo Ed. ‘ Three shots for a quarter, and a cigar for every time you ring the bell.” ** Indeed!’ Ed said, stepping up. ‘I suppose he guarantee the cigars to be imported Henry ‘lays? ‘Oh! no, sir,” she replied with innocent earnestness, ** You see, sir, I could not make any profit by giving away bigh priced cigars. The miners say, however, that these do very well, and will keep gnats away of a warm night.” ldaho smiled. Her speech was artless, her manner candid. She was evidently unconscious that the re- commend of her cigars was savory of a spice of facetiousness. ‘* Well, if you give a cigar every time the bell is rung, I should think you would not make much either.” * Oh, but you see, the bell is not rung, on an average, more than about once in twenty shots.” ** So? cents. it not?” “*'Yes, sir.” “Correct! I will try and ring the bell, once out of eighteen times with a rifle.” He was handed a repeating-rifle, and raising it to his shoulder he fired, without scarcely tak- ing aim Ping! went the bell. Agaiv and again did the rifle speak, and each time the ring of the bell responded, When one rifle was empty he seized another, and finished his score without a miss. During the performance the bystanders had increased largely in numbers, ang the scoring of the eighteenth successful shot elicited a shout Ig a ‘“*D’ve see him—d’ye size him? He's or the shoot!” 4 **He’s a corker!” *€ You bet!” “ Wouldn’t like ter hev bim blaze at me!” Such and kindred remarks were to be heard on either side, showing that, while there was nothing extraordinary in the run of shots, the spectators were of the opinion that the sport could do more if necessity required. ‘“ Why, I had a wonderful run of luck, didn’t Tt?” Idaho observed pleasantly, as he handed the rifle back to the young gallery-tender. ‘‘If you had such customers as me right along, you’d need a cigar-manufactory at hand.” ‘‘Tndeed I would, sir. Here are your cigars.” “*Pshaw! I do not went them, lady. Keep them in reserve until the man that looks like me comes along.” And turning, he was about to saunter on to the gaming-table when be found himself con- frouted by Ambrose, the bartender, who looked savage enough to eat somie one, and held a bank- bill between his fingers. ‘‘Say, hold on—lookee heer, me friend!” he cried, roughly. ‘‘ Ive gota little bone to pick py attired ina dark her petite but graceful Well, here is one dollar and fifty That entitles me to eighteen shots, does The range was fenced off by a rope railing, | with you!” and about thirty yards in length. At tbe lower end were two bell targets; at the end nearest the bar was a rude counter, across which Jay the rifles, which in turn were presided over by a young woman—or, more properly, a girl of about seventeon years. ** Have you?” Idaho returned calmly. ‘* Well, what's the matter now?’ He saw a crowd of scowling, bearded faces behind the whisky-dispenser, and knew some- thing bad gone wrong. * Matter ?’ Ambrose bellowed, with an oath. Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. ‘Well, I should snicker ef there ain’t evoug. the matter. Yer may be a purty gud-lookin’” galoot, I allow, an’ as fly as they make ’em, but et won't work—no, sir-ee, bob-tail hoss!” “What won’t work?” ‘“*Oh! ye needn’t play up innercent. Mebbe I don’t look as intellergent as sum hull families, but yer bet Bill Ambrose knows his biz, every time. Mighty liberal wi’ yer cash, wasnt ye— ‘cash jes’ as free as gud nature,’ hey? But, when ye come any sech purty waltz movement over this byer snoozer, he’ll bey ter be old, blind an’ walk on stilts!” ‘‘If you will bave the kindness to elucidate more clearly, wecan perhaps comprehend you!” the sport said. ‘ Otherwise, step aside, and al- low me to pass!” Let you pass? Waal, I reckon not, Ther soil o’ Tarpot Gulch aire peculiarly adapted ter the plantin’ o’ posieslike you. Ob! you’rea pink, you are—a reg’iar hyacinth, too, wi’ a tuberose throw’d in. But, allee samee, ye can’t work the racket on Bill Ambrose. This hyer five hundred dollar Williamette ye tried ter pass on me, aire counterfeit!” Counterfeit!” Idaho echoed, his face chang- ing in expression. “Yas, counterfeit! Tarpot ain’t ther biggest city in the kentry; we hev neithcr railroads, nor telegraph, but, now an’ then, 1 allow, we hev a man who kin tell beans from potatoes, right pert. This bill 7s :: counterfeit!” “Tf so, sir, it isthe first I was aware of the fuct,” Idabo Ei replied, still composed. ‘‘I re- ceived it as good money, and of course passed it as the same, not having taken the pains even to examine it, Will you permit me to look at it?” ** Waal, I guess not!” and Ambrose thrust it into his pocket, with a malignant chuckle. ‘We'll just keep that fer evidence ag’in’ ye. This matter o’ slingin’ around counterfeit money ain’t no light offense. "You're arrested an’ will hev ter answer!” ‘* Who said I was arrested?” Idaho Ed cried, @ dangerous glitter entering bis dark eyes. “T said so, an’ I’ve got the backin’ fer ail I say, you bet!” ** What’s all this about a five hundred-dollar bogus bill?’ demanded a voice, and Aaron Wy- gent pushed bis way through the crowd, ‘‘Ican perbaps tbrow some light on this m: tter!” Then, as he saw the man from Idaho, he stop- ped short, and uttered an ejaculation of sur- prise, “It’s "bout a gud deal!” Ambrose retorted, hoarsely. ‘This hyer party galoot txied ter pass the bill cn me, but I war sharp enough to discover it, and not let bim escape!” “Let mesee the bill!” Wygant cried. “ Cover the fellow, and shvot him, if he makes a move!” This was a needless order; a dozen revolvers aiready covered the spcert, grasped by men who" thought no more of taking a human life than swallowing a glass of whisky. “Heres the bill!” and Ambrose produced it. ** Any greenhorn can tell it’s bogus.” ‘¢ The same! the same!” Aaron Wygant cried. ‘Gentlemen, I had this identical bill in my possession not over six hours ago. I first got possession of itin a business transaction in which I got bit to thisamount. I was too honest to pass the counterfeit, but always carried it among my other money. Between five and six, hours ago the stage, en route for this place, was attacked, or rather stopped, by a road-agent, and I, with others, was forced to give up what cash I hadin my possession, This bill was among it!” A cry of astonishment rent the air. ‘*This man here looks exactly like the in- dividual who stopped the stage, except that the robber’s face, hair and beard were snowy white.” ‘“‘-Yas, an’ may gelorious Tarpot City never be proud o’ its namesake!” cried Bullfrog Ben, swaggering up, “ ef this galoot heer hain’t ther same w’ot stopped ther stage an’ skinned us of our hard earnings—Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gath- erer, wi’ his paint wasbed off!” ‘The same, withou' a duubt!’ Aaron Wygant added, ‘ This counterfeit note is clear cnough proof!” And then and there arose an anpry, vengeful murmur, and the prospects fer the cool gent from Idaho looked rather dubious, if one mgbt be pardoned for remembering that the citizens of Tarpot bad no particular love for road- agenis! CHAPTER VII. IN THE RING. ‘Yas! ye’r’ Yreka Jim, an’ ye’r’ jest ther last rose 0’ summer w’ot we want ter see!” Bill Ambrose declared. ‘*Thar’s a notis stiekin’ up
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a : | ee ee ag’in’ the Quartz House offerin’ two hundred dollars fer yer capture, an’ we've got yer at last. Fine game you’ve been playin’, ain’t it? Thort ye c’u’d rob stages an’ fling yerself around generally, eh? But ye got beautifully left.” ‘‘Gentlemen, allow me toinform you,whether it does any good or not, that you have made a singular, and at once, a ludicrous mistake, I am not Yreka Jim, but Idaho Ed, and I can prove it!” ‘‘Bah! pooh! nonsense!” snorted Ambrose, ** Ye’r’ a sucker!” “TP 1l show zn how much of a sucker I am, Tinsist that I am not Yreka Jim, the road- agent, and I will not submit to arrest as such!” “Oh! ye won’t, eh? Then you'll git salivated, that’s all!” . “Tf you are not Yreka Jim, sir, how came you in ssession of my counterfeit note?” Aaron gant demanded, sternly. ‘That I decline to say. The note was received by me for honest money, and not knowing it to be bogus, I passed it. As for Yreka Jim, I am not that individual. I have not seen him lately and donoteven know him to bealive. There you have the truth of the matter, all in a nutshell!” “To let you tell it—yes, Perhaps the citizens of Tarpot won’t take kindly to believing your simple word. The evidence is complete, against you, and if you know when you are well off you will own up, without delay!” ‘Indeed! You seem to have fallen into an office of authority al] at once, Aaron Wygant!” the sport retorted, his eyes glittering. ‘‘ How did you get your papers, so soon?” The Easterner looked uneasy, and regarded the sport sharply. “How do you know my name, sir?’ he growiet. evidently not relishing the sport’s owledge. Idaho Ed laughed. “That’s easy enough!” he replied. ‘A man who carries a placard affixed to the seat of his trowsers, advertising bis name: and business, is to be known anywhere!” With a snarl of rage, the old gent tried to reach and look behind him, in quest of the offen- sive card; while comprehending Ed’s waggish- ness, the crowd gave a yell of laughter. They were not taken sufficiently off guard, however, as Ed had hoped, to give himanytbing like a show to se ia Realizing the sell that had been upon him, Aaron Wygant’s face indignation, “You think you’re smart, don’t you?’ he growled, ‘‘Some o’ the smartness will get taken out of you, however. Where’s the balance of money you robbed me of?” “ An’ mine, too!” bellowed Tarpot. ‘Ther widders an’ orphints hain’t got nary a claimon me, an’ I want my shekels back, or by the great limpin’ Socrates, Tl raise ructions wi’ yer camp,” ‘¢-Yes, and I believe I also have a little claim to put in,” Ned Wygant added, stepping for- ward, “Do you recognize thischap as Yreka Jim the road-agent?” Ambrose demanded. ‘*‘ [should say that the resemblance is singular- ly striking, except that Yreka Jim had a ghost- ly face, and white hair and beard?” Ned replied. ‘‘That’s easy accounted for, A little flour will make all thet whiteness. Tain’t no use o’ arleyin’ ther matter, boys. This galoot is reka Jim, the road-agent, an’ he’s ours. Hyer comes Foghorn Fan. She'll chirp in a vote, too, I allow!” The girl sport, who was well-known in Tar- pot—admired and yet feared by all—sauntered up, puffing leisurely away at a cigarette, while her keen gaze swept the faces of the crowd, until it rested upon that of the man from Idaho, ‘“*Hillo, thar, Foghorn!” yelled Bill Ambrose. “Jest trot yer pedals this way. D’ye know this hyer galoot? Ye war on ther stage to- night, I allow!” “*T was!” the girl responded. ‘‘ What of it?” “Waal, hain’t this the chap that stopped the ‘ hearse,’ an’ made ye pony up, fer the benefit o’ the widders an’ orphans?’ Foghorn Fan took a good square look at the accused sport, and then shook her head. “‘T reckon not,” she said, ‘This man looks a good bit like Yreka Jim, but ’tain’t him, just ashard, I’ve seen Jamesy several times, and Pve got his photograph down fine, you bet. No. This chap ain’t Yreka Jim!” “Bah! Git out! Ye’r’ lyin’, Foghorn, We all allow this ere sport aire purty hefty on gud looks, an’ all thet sort o’ thing, but this ain’t no time fer mashin’. This galoot aire charged wi’ Yreka Jim, an’ shovin’ the queer, an’ we're goin’ ter hang him!” rpetrated amed with “‘Can’t help that,” Foghorn replied, coolly. ‘“‘Ef ye hang this chap, ye won’t be hangin’ Yreka, that’s a dead sure thing?” ‘*Git eout! Ail ther passengers ’cept you agree it’s the Gold-Gatherer; so the odds is ag’in’ you, anyhow,” ‘* Tt don’t make any difference. I’m bettin’ I kin prove ’tain’t Yreka Jim.” “ee ow ?? ** Well, how long hes this chap been in camp?” ** Since about the time ther six o’clock whistle blowed, over at thercrusher, He then rid inter camp an’ prevented the boys from hangin’ Jack Impree.” ‘“-Ye’r’ sure about this?” “You bet!” ‘Well, it war jest half-past six, by my chro- nometer, which keeps time wi’ ther best of ’em, when Yreka Jim halted the stage ten miles from Tarpot, an’, invited us to shell out our shekels, Ef ye ken explain how the prisioner got from Tarpot to the scene of the stage rob- bery in half an hour, ye kin make it more prob- able that the two aire one!” The crowd uttered a murmur Of surprise. It looked plain enough now that Idaho Ed was able to prove an alibi,” “Waal, that’s yer say fer it,” Bill Ambrose growled. ‘‘But, ther boys hev named me sheriff 0’ this town, an’ I don’t believe all I hear. Anyhow, be ther galoot Yreka Jim or no, he’s guilty o’ sbovin’ the queer, an’ that’s a enal offense, Tharfore, he’s got ter swing. ain’t them ther sentiments, boys?” ‘Hurrah! yes!” the crowd cried. ‘‘ Hestuck his nose in at ther other ‘bee’—let him stick his hull bead in this time!” The proposal seemed to meet with approval, and the crowd surged a few inches nearer to the sport. ‘* Guess you'll surrender now, won’t ye?” Bill Ambrose chuckled. ‘‘ Things don’t look so gilt- edged hyer, as they mought, fer ye.” daho did not reply. His searching gaze roved over the sea of faces restlesslv; his fea- tures had a set, stern look, and his eyes a deter- mined expression. His gaze and that of Foghorn Fan met for an instant, and he knew that the girl was his friend; but, what could she or he do against such overwhelming odds? “Come! We ain’t goin’ ter wait all night, cuss ye! Aire ye goin’ ter surrender peaceably or shall we salivate ye where ye aire?” snarled Ambrose, “Salivate him ?” cried Jim Cephas, lurching forward, full up to the neck with bad liquor. ‘Waal, neow, boys, ther cuss what salervates him dies wi’ his throttle-valve screwed down, He’s square, is ther galoot from Idaho, an’ as long’s J run this hyer town, he’s welcome ter the best in ther Jand, you bet!” ‘* Gentlemen, I wil] not surrender!” Idaho Ed cried, suddenly lifting a pair of cocked six- shooters from his boot-legs, and holding them ready for use. “If you want a funeral hyer in Tarpot I'll be one o’ the bearers.” ‘*Yas, and I'll help to plant the first galoot that fires a shot!” Foghorn Fan cried, in a ring- ing voice. “This chap ain't Yreka Jim, and Ill take the responsibility of nailin’ every man who offers to shoot!” For an instant there was a dead silence in the room, Fifty men stood with drawn weapons, glaring at the sport, who returned their stare fearlessly. Fifty men stood ready to pet out the light of his lamp of life, as it were, and yet hesitated! Were they afraid to begin the battle? Tt would seem so, Idaho Ed broke the silence. _“T have told you Iywas not Yreka Jim, and it has been proven to you. The counterfeit I am blamelesy for. Now, then, if there is an five men who feel personally aggrieved, I'll meet them, hand to hand, with knives, to settle this trouble, If I go under, so be it. If Icome out on top, I am free to come and goas I please, without any more of this sort of molestation! Is that not fair?” A murmur of astonishment ran through the crowd, Five to one, in a hand-to-hand knife conflict! Was the stalwart Idaboan crazy? “D’ye mean it?” Bill Ambrose demanded, in- greduionaly and secretly admiring the sport’s grit. “‘T mean it, providing I have assurance of my freedom, and decent treatment, if I win, so long as I may chouse to remain in Tarpot!” “Hooray! It’s a bargain!” bawled Jim Cepbas, steadying himself against a table, to prexeny losing his equilibrium. ‘‘I run this yer town, an’ w’ot I say gors !” Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. i —————————— nee — ‘*-Ye’r’ a liar!” shouted old Bullfrog Benjamin, ‘*T run this hyer burg, myself—I, ther great gelorious Tarpot, arter whom we aire named. Founder o’ ther burg am I, an’ curs’d be the gerloot w’ot sez I ain’t ther boss, around these parts!’ The proposition of the sport was bailed with delight, by the crowd, in general. Such a con- flict, was even a greater treat than a Judge Lynch soiree, The crowd was scattered, and a large ring roped off in the, middle ‘of the great gambling apartment, on the floor of which more than ane drop of blood had already been spilled. Idaho Ea stepped into this ring at once, ready for the struggle. He had thrown off his coat, and bat, and now grasped a formidable hunt- ing knife, in bis right hand. His face was set and stern; it was plainly evident that he had no intention of losing! ‘‘Tam ready, sir!” be announced, turning to Bill Ambrose, ‘‘ Pick out your five men, let ’em loose in the ring, and then, count three!” A murmur of wonder again passed among the crowd, Noman of such nerve ever before had dis- ported bimself within the precincts of Tarpot. Even the oye Ambrose looked astonished, and went about selecting his men, hesitatingly, as if he felt rather ashamed to put so great odds against a man as brave as the Idahoan, Foghorn Fan watched the proceedings eager- Me Are you confident?” she asked, in an under- tone, as she leaned over the ropes, and touched the sport, ‘‘ Perfectly!” he replied. tighter places than this!” He smiled at her, good-naturedly, and then took time to glance toward Idyl Impree, He saw that she was very pale, and that she was locking up her weapons, and making hur- ried preparations to leave the room, She eyi- cently had no desire to witness the bloody con- flict. Ambrose was not long in choosing his men. Five muscular and perehsroser a ruffians soon stood within the ring, facing Idaho Ed, armed with knives of various patterns, ‘All ready?’ Ambrose cried, ‘It’s kill, or git killed, boys. WhenIcry three, go fer him.” There was a pause, A silence so intense, that a pin-fall could have been heard. Then as Idyl Impree hurried across the room, toward the door, Ambrose cried: **One!” Each man placed his right foot forward, “ Two ” “Three! Go!” “ve been in CHAPTER VIII. ABOUT A WILL. Axpovut the time that Bill Ambrose’s stento- rian voice uttered the all-important word three,” Mrs. lchabod Impree sat in the parlor of the cosey home her husband had mauy her mistress of, on bringing her to Tarpot. The appointments of the parlor were all mod- ern, and a lavish expenditure of monéy had contributed to make it a place of beauty, that would have done credit to,many an Eastern home, Mrs, Impree was a tall, finely formed woman of thirty or thereabouts, with a stately bearing, acoldly handsome face, blonde hair and lil complexion, and the air of one born to queen it over a wealthy man’s home, There was Pha about her to betoken that she had not always lived in luxury; she dressed with careful taste, and was plainly well-fitted tor the position she occupied, The Impree home was at the lower end of the settlement, and consequently, somewhat iso- lated from the spot that had witnessed the at- temnvee lynching of the mine-owner. rs. Impree was engaged in looking over the evening mail, and appeared to dwell particu- larly, over the contents of one letter, It was a man’s hand-writing, and ran as fol- lows: “Dearest CuARIcE:—By the time this reaches you, I shall be nearing the place of your residence, via stage. ‘Notwithstanding that one fatal move of: yours has raised a barrier to our future happiness, T trust you will be glad to see me, for Iam confident that you still love me, although you are another's wife, * Have you made out as well as you expected, when you married my relative? “Sincerely, I hope not, for then I shall believe that may changes bid fair for some day winning you. * But I can tell you more, when | see you, ‘Yours forever, until death do us * AARON art, YGANT,”
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of (>. 8 7 Yreka J im, the Gold-Gatherer. TO I er eee eg An Such was the communication that Mrs. Im- ree held before her, and read and re-read, un- il it seemed as if she must have every word en- graven on her mind. Her face too, wore a strange expression— partly of eagerness and padners, at the tidings, it would seem; partly of cynicism at the con- ventionally lover-like character of the letter. **T wish he had not started so soon,” she mur- mured, a slight frown coming to her brows. “It might spoil all my plans. Still he may be of help to me,” She hastily put the letter in her pocket, as there came a rap on the hall-door, and her own colored servant thrust his black head into the room. ‘* Fo’ de Lor’, missus, did youh hear de news?” he cried, his eyes literally as big as saucers, and rolling in excitement, “No, Julius. What, now, has occurred?” Mrs. Impree asked, languidly. ‘* Why, youh see, missus, dar’s been trouble up in de town. De miners dey bab a congregat- in’, an’ pass res’Jushums dat you’s a nuisuancein de town!” ‘* A what?’ Mrs. Impree almost screamed. ‘*A nuisuance,mum. Dey say you’sstuck-up an’ high-heeled, an’ dey hain’t got uo sort of use fer you, an’ you’b got to git up an’ skin out!” ‘* Why, Julius, who told you this extraordina- ry yarn! Some one must have been trying to put up a practical joke on you,” ‘Deed an’ gum, no, missus. I jes’ hearn all "bout it, up-town. Dar ain’t no sel! about it, fo’ suah!” “ Sure?” ‘‘Dead sure: Ef you don’t shoulder youh Sarahtoga an’ strike fo’ home-base, de chaps dat calls ’emselves galoots, is goin’ to rotten-aig you!” ‘*Mercy! worse and worse! I shall appeal to my husband!” **Dat won’t dono good, honey. De gen’men dat calls ’emselves galoots, dey, dey peeled to youh husband, too, ter hab you bounced from de town, an’ when he refused dey hung him up to a tree.” Mrs; Impree put up her hands in righteous horror, “Did it hurt him?’ she inquired, with doubt- ful anxiety. ‘* Hurt him?” echoed Julius, in open-mouthed amazement at her apparent ignorance on mat- ters of such vital importance—‘‘ hurt him? Well, I should cackle! Jes’ youh git yer froat in de noose once, an’ see if de collar don’ fit dog-goned tight. Guess de boss would hab gone on a thru excussion to Canaan only dat he was shot down, an’ took to de offis an’ resur- rected.” ‘Then, he is not seriously injured?’ ‘OSpect not; leastwise, not dead. Done keeps hisself locked up in de offis, howebber.” rs, Impree picked upa novel from a table near at hand, and began to turn over the leaves. ‘* You can close up the house for the night, Julius. If Mr. Impree chooses to stay away from me until this late hour, he can as well seek lodgings at the hotel.” * Yes’m. Dar ain’t no danger we git de dose ob tar 'fore mornin’, is dar?’ , ‘* Of course not, you stupid!” Julius bowed, and took his departure, nod- diog his head knowingly. ‘ Yes, dar’s one t’ing shore!” he muttered. “De missus am _ slingin’ herself scrumptious since she cotched dis fine home, an’ she don’t keer no mo’ fo’ de boss dan an alligator does fo’ strawberrum short-cake, Jes’ bet dis chile knows a thing or two, an’ I’se shore ob one t’ing —dat de marriage life ob Ichabod Impree and wife won’t be werry harmonious.” And he was right. The hour was nearly eleven when he formed the opinion; at that same time the light still shone through the crevice io the door of Icha- bod Impree’s office. A man stood without the building inan atti- tude or listening. He was ordinarily dressed, wore a full, brown beard, and was in no wise more particularly noticeable than a score of other every-day citi- zens of Tarpot. An eagerness about his demeanor, however, showed that he was concerned to know what was going on within the office. There was no stir. or sound of conversation, to indicate that any one was within; yet, he seemed posilive that some business of import- anc- was being transacted. Up at tbe Quartz House there was a general commotion; but the prowler had no eyes in that direction. He hung around the office persistently. . Now bis ear was on a level with the crack under the door; then his gaze was applied to the key-hole. The minutes that sped by, and grew into hours, seemed to have no effect on his pa- tience, As the time passed, the sounds of revelry gradually subsided up at the Quartz House, the main street became deserted, and Tarpot City slum bered, Still the prowler kept his vigil outside the office, as if determined not to give up, if forced to stay there permanently. He was rewarded at last, however. The hands of his watch had not long before indicated that it was two o’clock A.M., when the door of the office opened. The watcher had just time to dart around the corner of the building when a’man left the office and walked away. He was a slender, spindle-legged individual, wearing a swallow-tailed coat and the air of a man who, by profession, wrestled with Black- stone, The prowler allowed him to get a short distance from the office; then stole swiftly after him, The man soon turned off the main street, and made for a cabin on the outskirts of the camp. Before he reached it, however, the heavy grasp of the pursuer fell upon his shoulder, and caused him to face about. ‘‘ Just tarry a bit, if you please,” the noctur- nal prowler advised, exhibiting a cocked revolver. ‘I’ve got a little business to transact with you, my man, and you will find it good for your health to keep quiet and civil. What’s your name?” ‘*Dionysius Dodge!” the captive promptly but nervously answered. He evidently stood in mortal terror of the strong-handed interrogator and bis six shooter. ‘Dionysius Dodge, eh? Well, now, that’s a clever name to tote around; too good, I should say, for the man. By the way, Mr. Dodge, what is your vocation?—a lawyer, I presume?” “T am a lawyer,” the little man replied, regaining his dignity to some extent. ‘‘I am not only a lawyer, but the only lawyer in Tar- pot. itdinesn spare the mark, then!” cried the man with the revolver. “ But that is neither here nor there. What was you doing in Icha- bod Impree’s office, up to this late hour?” ‘That does not concern you, sir.” “*Dowt it? Now, I rather reckon you’re wrung. Just you tell me what you was doing, or Pl blow your brains out!” and the revolver- hammer came back to full cock with a danger- ously suggestive click. “Stop! Don’t shoot. some business!” ‘Oh! was you? What kind of business?” “Writing, sir, writing.” ‘What were you writing?” Dionysius hesitated, asif loth to divulge the secret. **Come! no monkeyin’ around the bush, you man!” he of the revolver cried savagely. ‘‘I’d just like to perforate you.” ‘*But 1 never did anything to you.” ‘‘Tucky for you, or you’d have been dead long.ago. Come, be brisk! I’ve iio time to, fool away!” ‘‘Well, I was drawing up a will!” Dodge blurted out. ‘*I reckon Td catch it, if it was known I told!” ‘*TIndeed! Impree’s will?” “i Yes !? “ What’s he makin’ it for? Does he expect to peg out soon?” ‘IT don’t know, I am sure. He ame very near getting hung to-night.” ‘*So I am aware. More scared than hurt, I presume,” ‘* Neither. He was not particularly injured, and is far from the man to be easily scared.” The man of the revolver coughed as if he did not exactly coincide with the barrister’s ideas. He reached in his pockets and drew out a handfu’ of gold coin. ‘“‘Here!” he said, extending it. ‘‘ You poor devils ought to be rewarded for the amount of lying and cheating you have to do, to get a living. Now, tell me about this will. Who gits the boodle, when Ichabod Impree turns up his toes?” ¥ The new Mrs. Impree gets the lion’s share of I was transacting it. ‘“What is the estimated valuation of what Ichabod Impree will Jeave behind, at his death?” ‘He recently refused a hundred and thirty thousand for his mining interests; then I be. lieve he has some twenty thousand in cash.” ‘‘Hum! And so thenew Mrs, Impree gets the most of this?” ‘* Three-quarters.” ‘* And the girl, Idyl, gets the remainder?” **Not much!” “ What?’ “Miss Idyl gets about what old Mother Hub- bard’s dog got. When the estate is settled up, she will get one solitary dollar toward buying her a wedding-dress!” ‘*The man of the revolver uttered a maledic- tion. ‘““The worst I ever heard!” he ejaculated. ‘But who gets the remainder?” “Mbe least one that would naturally be ex- pected—Yreka Jim, the road-agent!” Diony- sius Dodge declared, drawing himself up im- portantly. ; If the information was surprising to the man with the revolver he did not betray it. He regarded the legal light of Tarpot, a moment, keenly and then turned abruptly and walked away. CHAPTER IX. ‘¢TOP O' THE HEAP,” To return to the Quar’z House. As the voice of Bill Ambrose rung through the great gaming-room, pronouncing the important battle-signal, ‘* Three!” the five men with one fierce yell bounded toward where Idaho Bd was standing; but be moved forward almost as quickly as they—quicker, even, for a flying and almost incredibie leap took him over their heads! Then the moment he touched the floor it was to wheel; his knife flashed through the air with lightning rapidity; four screams of pain, and the four men who had entered the ring fo kill the sport dropped their weapons to leave the ring in borrified haste. The fifth man, seeing this, dropped on his knees and threw up his hands in an appeal for mercy. Idaho regarded him an instant in piteous con- tempt, then motioned him to follow the example of his comrades, It was not a bloodless battle, but it had cer- tainly been won in aa almost incredibly short space of time. And Idaho Ed was the victor! Only four swift blows had he struck, but they had been effective.. ' Four right arms bad been rendered unfit for use by the rapid knife-thrusts, and the four owners now engaged in holding the injured members with their left hands, while they danced and howled with pain and rage. The excitement in the room fora few minutes was tremendous, but Idaho Ed retained bis com- posure. “Gents!” he ejaculated, ‘‘I presume you're willing to call it quits wi’ me!” There was a shout of assent from the majority of the miners. Evidently they bad seen enough of the sport to regard him as more valuable asa friend than as an enemy. ““Yas, I reckon we'll hey ter jet up on ye fer now,” Bill Ambrose growled regretfully, **’ca’se ye didn’t take water on ver own brag. Mind, tho’, ye’re a ’spicious cbsracter, an’ ef ye cut up any more shines hyer in Tarpot we won’t stop fer parley, but yank Pk up instanter!” “Your warning is duly appreciated,” Ed said, stepping from the ring and putting on his coat and bat. ‘* You will find me an éasy mortal to get along with, if you don’t try to tread on my toes, A chuck under the chin will always win me over quicker than a kick on the shins.” The wounded duelists had left the saloon to get their arms attended to, and the place soon became quieted down to its regulation order. Idaho purchased a cigar and then went and sat down by a card-table to enjoy a smoke. He had sat there but a few minutes when he was joined by Foghorn Fan, who made herself free to occupy the chair opposite bim. ‘““-Scuse me,” she said, lighting a cigarette, “but I saw you looked rather lonesome like, and I tho’t mebbe you wouldn’t mind answering me a few questions.” ‘** Certainly not, if they are of a nature I can answer.” ‘‘Oh! you bet they are! 1 jest wanted ter ax you if you don’t think you’re runnin’ a good deal of risk?” ‘* How do you mean?” ‘¢ Why, in hangin’ round camp,here, Of course you stand first, so fur as victory is concerned, ut ye’r’ ju-t as likely ter be popped over any minute as not.” “a t t % { t ey a a
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——Za I guess the galoots count it safest to let me alone.” ‘Don’t fool yourself, They may be kinder meek an’ quiet fer a few hours, but you'll find that they’re wolves, every inch of ’em, They like money, ye know, an’ the reward aire a big temptation.” ‘“The reward?” «s Yes.” ** Ah! I think I comprehend. You mean to in- timate that the people still believe me to ba Yreka Jim.” ‘ **'You bet!” ““Pshaw! Don’t you think your explanation fully dispelled that idea?” ““No! It might have carried weight with a certain few, but the gang, as a whole, bold firm grip to the notion that you and Yreka aire one and the same person,” “Well, if this be true, they can keep right on thinking so, for al [ care. How do you feel about the matter? Perhaps you believe I am Yreka Jim?” ‘If this was an age o’ miracles, I’d bet my last cart-wheel you are. But as nothin’ short 0’ a miracle could hev put Yreka Jim in two dis- tant points at the same time, I reckon it’s purty straight that there aire two o’ you that looks just alike,” “Very likely. I think I shall have to writo this festive gent of the road for his photograph to see how great is the resemblance between us!” Foghorn Fan did not reply, but gazed at the sport keenly. She was evidently trying to study out the problem:whether Yreka Jim and Idaho Ed were one and the same, It was not an easy problem to solve, however. ‘*So you think I am in imminent danger of getting sa‘ivated at any minute, eh?” the sport went on. Yes. ‘Who by?” ‘Well, that depends. Bill Ambrose is a treacherous cuss and wiil bear watching at any time, Then there’s Jim Cepbas, he’s another /mean skunk. You'll be apt to hear from him when he gets sober. He’s everybody’s friend when he’s b'ilin’ full o’ whisky—everybody’s enemy, when he’s sober.” “Ob! I guess Cephas and I will get along all », right. ‘itll be a wonder, if yedo, You know he belongs to the Black List?” “Or rather, [ do not know, the Black List?” **T hardly know myself, more than that it is a secret order of desperadoes or adventurers who are pledged not so much to one another’s interests as to the accumulation of a big sum of money which in the end is to be divided among those who remain in the order at a certain date. The society numbers a dozen. There is a weekly meeting and a drawing of lots. If it falls to you, you either have to pay in a certain amount of money within a given time or be shot, If you are able to buy off, well and good; the or- der is just so much richer. When a cuss who is selected by lot can’t fork over his ransom acom- mittee ends him. When one drops out that way a, new member is by some method pressed in or pore to keep the order up to its regular mem- bership. Tdaho Ed listened with interest. He had heard something concerning a similar order, up in the ‘territory to the north, “Who get’s this blood-money?” he asked, thoughtfully. “‘T douw’t know. I reckon_it’s divided up among the other members, as I said, at the end of a certain time,” i A ae you say Cephas is a member of this so- Who or what is ciet «Thats the calculation, although no one krows for certain.” “Are there any others you would be likely to z Peo ? NB Be nike Oo ak ee TWe afm : ra Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. “Think sc? Well, I don’t. know about that. | own face betraying expressions both of curiosity and surprise. When be was through, she drummed on'the table a moment, idly, and then looked at him, | Searchingly. ‘‘ And so you, a stranger to me, want me to do that?’ she domanded, without specifying what, “I do!” Idaho Ei declared, eagerly. ‘Do it, and you need have no fear but what you will be properly rewarded.” ' “Very well. I wuidoit, upon one considera- tion?’ “* And that is—?” “That you will own the truth, shame the devil, and acknowledge yourself to be Yreka Jim, the road-agent!” ‘*Tt’s a bargain. I am that somewhat dis- tinguished gentleman! The place where the stage was robbed is accessible, from Tarpot, in ten minutes’ rapid ride, by a crdss-cut route. wasin Tarpot, ten minutes after I robbed the stage!” CHAPTER X. MURDER! ALTHOUGH the hour was late, when the man with the revolver somewhat forcibly inter- viewed Tarpot’s legal light, Mr. Dionysius Dodge, the events of that night were by no means ended, An hour, perhaps, after the attorney’s de- parture from the Impree office, the shadows of dark forms once more hovered around it. As early as daybreak, the next morning, a miner in passing the office, noticed that a light was still burning within, as it had burned early the previous evening. Thinking it rather curious, he continued on to the Quartz House, where, over his morning ** bracer,” be annonnced his discovery_to those citizens who were up with the birds for an ‘ eye- opener ” at the Quartz House bar. ‘“Yas, there’s a light burnin’, sure!” the miner, Dutton, declared. ‘It luks kinder quare to me, bein’ asIck, Impree never made a practice o’ settin’ up all night, before, I reckon we orter take it onter ourselves ter in- vestigate!” ‘Jest w’ot I’m bound to see done!” declared Bum Bowler, one of the ‘‘ cast-iron” of Tarpot. ‘‘Pm fer investergatin’ anything that promises fun an’ guzzle.” Several others assented, and at least a dozen miners soon left the hotel, and repaired to the office, where, sure enough, a line of light could be detected shining in under the door, ‘*Come! open up in thar!” Bum Bowler cried, pounding on thedoor, ‘‘The sun isrisin’, ther birds aire twitterin’, an’ Tarpot aire as fly as ever!” ‘*You bet she aire, espeshually old Benjamin Tarpot, ther originator and founder!” chimed in the bullwhacker who was one of the party, Bowler’s rap upon the office door elicited no answer; nor was there any sound indicating human presence within. 1 ‘ ‘ Reckon ther boss went hum, an’ fergot ter put out the lights!” Bowler commented, ‘‘ fer thar don’t appear to be any one on the inside,” ‘¢Mebbe suthin’ has happen’d. Mebbe the boss has croaked, thru ther throat deficulty,” a miner suggested. ‘Break in ther docr an’ see!” suggested another. A short consultation ensued, the upshot of pectin was that it was decided to break in the oor, This was an sary. job, as was proven, when several of the men threw their force against the coor, and it flew open with a bang. Within the office, upon tho table, the lamp was burning brightly; but this was not what riveted the attention of the investigating com- mittee, and caused a simultaneous ejaculation of surprise to escape their lips. The sight they beheld was well calculated to startle and horrify. Sitting upright, in arm-chairs at the table, were two headless bodies. The one, evidently, was that of Ichabod Im- ree, the mine-owner—the other that of Skin cCarg, Impree’s dwarfed clerk. The mine-owner’s arms rested upon the table, and in his right band was an affixed pen, below which was a sheet of paper. The dwarf’s hands bung limp and nerveless by his side. Murder most foul plainly had keen committed, and the mine-owner and his clerk were the vic- tims. The beholders stood for a few mioutes, awed and horrified, beyond expression at the ghastly. ” a sight. Bum Bowler was the first to break the silence, ON ‘‘By thunder, boys, this is the toughest thing yet. Some o’ ye go an’ rouse the town!” Several of the party started off in myd haste, to spread the tidings; the othe:s entered the office, and looked about, The floor was blood-stained, in many places, but otherwise, there were no signs of a strug- le, ; The heads belonging to the decapitated trunks, were nowhere to be found; nor was there any evidence that the murder had been committed for money. The burglar-proof safe in which Impree kept his money and papers was securely locked, and what few papers lay upon the table were of no importance, nor served to throw any light upon the tragedy. The news of the murder spread like wild-fire, and half of Tarpot’s populace was assembled about the office, in an iscredibly short space of time. News of the crime was borne to the Impree residence, and broken to the bride widow,, whereupon ske went into hysterics, ana fainted, When the report reached the Quartz House, Idyl Impree had just got out her target rifles, and was cleaning them up, preparatory to be- ginning business, for the day, ) She appeared to be in rather depressed spirits, There was a weary expression about her eyes, proving that she had not vested well, during the night, On hearing of the murder, Idaho Ed was the first one Who was thoughtful enough to break the news to her. He approached her stand, wondering how he could best break the sad news, without violent- ly shoeking her, ‘¢ Good-morning, Miss Impree!” he saluted, doffing his hat, ‘‘I trust to find you feeling well, this morning?” ~ “ Usually well, thank you. Pardon me, but I scarcely expected to see you looking so welll” ‘‘I daresay not. It wes the general expecta- tion, I believe, that I would be a subject for a coroner’s inquest, this morning?” “Onl yes. J was almost sure you would be killed. [could not bear to witness the fight, and so I hastened from the room,” “So I noticed. I was sanguine of victory, or else I should not have proposed the contest. Then, too, you know, it was necessary for me to distinguish myself enough, to acquire a license to remain in Tarpot, By the way, Miss Impree, it becomes my sad duty to break to you an bepag tamer 2 of news, I trust you will nerve yourself to be strong; for, even though affliction comes to us all, at different periods of our life, there is noone Seeks by giving away to excessive grief. We are com- manded not to mourn, and in this respect, as well as others, we sbould all steel ourselves to obey the Divine laws!” ; A wave of pallor swept the roses from her cheeks, and she clutched the counter for sup- rt, em My father—” she faltered. “Has been foully murdered!” the sport fin- ished, gravely. ‘‘I beg of you to be brave, Miss Impree, and not give way. I took it upon myself to break the sad news to you, trusting you might not be so badly shocked as if you had been. apprised by some rough, well-mean- ing, but blundering miner, The truth is terri- ble, in this instance, ’tis true, but I hope you will be brave, and bear up under the affliction like a brave woman,’ He was forced to pause, hardly knowing how to furtber express himself, and fearing to say more, lest it make matters worse. With a face almost carpe like in the intensi- ty of its whiteness, Idyl heard him yea ye Tears did not come to her relief, but 1t was plain that she was suffering untold grief. “Go on!” she gasped, in a choked voico— ‘tell me all!” - Idabo did 80, explaining how the headless bodies had been discovered in the office, with no clew to point to the identity of the guilty erson. : cen. ” He oceupied several minutes in discussing the affair, and by the time he was done he was aware that be had, to some extent, tided her over the first shock of her horror and anguish, When he had ceased speaking, she gazed steadfastly at the floor for a few minutes before. she spoke, hos Mi ay very grateful to you, sir,” she finally said, “for telling me of this unexpected calam- . ity. Strange though it may seem to you, I knew nothing of the attempt to lynch Ichal Impree, until I left the Quartz last night, a Sr. 4 inf
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10 shocked me beyond expression, and in truth, I was not unprepared to hear that he had been killed. Of course I am deeply grieved—more than words can express—but, as you say, it is not the part of a brave woman to give away en- | tirely to one’s feelings. Have you any idea as to the pore of this terrible crime?” “‘Tf I have, I shall not spread it broadcast at | Seren but quietly work to bring the atrocious ends to justice. You speak of your father as [chabod Impree, I take notice. I infer by that that you hardly look upon him as a parent.” She bit her lip an instant, as if undecided how to answer him; then a firmer expression came upon her face. : “Until he brought home the new Mrs, Im- | pree, I regarded him as a kind and loving pa- rent. When she came, all was changed. We could not agree, and she used her influence against me. Finally, she declared to me that he had told her I was not hischild atall. I | left, then, leaving him a note, explaining what she had told me. As he never asked me to come back, or even “eee to me, I have naturally eoncluded that I was not bis child, and have never looked upon him since as a parent.” “You, then, believe that your father did de- clare that you were not his child?” ‘Yes, might have doubted, had he been as kind to me after marriage as before, but he was not.” “There might be a possibility the letter you left for him did not reach him.” “ Not likely; for, even had he not received it, if 1 was aught to him would he not be apt to in- quire into the cause of my leaving?” ““Tt would seem so, at least. Have you al- weys lived with him as his child?” ‘* Yes, ever since I can remember.” Idaho was silent for a moment. His face wore an expression that one could not easily interpret. *“*We shall have to look into the matter, in conjunction with the mystery of the murder. Miss Idyl!” he said, deliberatingly. ‘‘Itis my candid opinion that you are Ichabod Impree’s daughter, and there is some trickery and fraud on foot to cheat you out of both name and for- tune,” **Do you really think so?” ‘*T do, indeed.” ‘*Oul if it only were so! But, I cannot bring mvs+if to believe it.” ** \Wijl you go to the house?” “Tf there ig a funeral, I shall certainly at- tend, es a mourner, Farther thaa that, is for the new Mrs. Impree to arrange!” CHAPTER XL A DAY OF BULLETINS. Never in the history of Tarpot City had sensation or excitement equaled that caused by tbe murder of Ichabod Impree and his business clerk, Skin McCarg. Not only was the crime shocking and hor- rible in all its details, but there were no clews to follow in ferreting for the murderer. Among the first who reached the office, after the news of the murder became current, was Aaron Wygant and son. The former at once made known bis relation to the deceused mine-owner, and expressed the profoundest grief at bis untimely fate, ‘*This is a terrible crime, gentlemen,” he said, addressing the crowd, “and although I hear that a number of you were concerned in an at- tempt to visit lynch-law on my deceased rela- tive, I believe there is not a man of you but what will say the parties or party who com- mitted this awful deed ought to be hounded down to death!” There was an audible expression of assent. The enormity of the crime seemed to have | caused a revulsion of feeling among those wild spirits, that a few hours before had boen : in an ecstasy of delight at the prospect of see- ing Ichabod Impree’s corpse dangling in mid- air. “Yas, we allow et’s a dirty mean trick!” Jim Cepbas declared, having somewhat recovered from his last night’s debauch. ‘‘’Cept he war 48 orvery stubborn as a Texas steer, Ick. Im- as war a first-class feller, an’ whoever had a and in this job orter be toasted over hot coals, When i vocabulate I represent ther sentiments 0’ the boys!” Aaron Wygant, being a relative of the de- ceased proprietor, was rather looked to to make all arrangements; accordingly be had the ré- | mains laid out in the office, to be kept there until furtber arrangements were made for burial. Tt would not he wise to take them to the mine-uwner’s residence, he argued, as Mrs, | a | Six-Toe Impree was greatly prostrated over the shock, and more serious results might ensue. Among the miners the excitement ran high, and loud and fierce were the threats against the author of the tragedy. A subscription was started by Idaho Ea, toward raising a reward,.and it met with im- mediate favor. A paper was tacked up against the door of the Quartz House, and all who wished to help along the cause were invited to attach their signature to the paper, with the amount of their donation set opposite, and hand over the cash to old Tarpot, who had unanimously been elected treasurer, he having, singularly enough, a reputation for honesty. Idaho, in starting the subscription, headed it with one hundred dollars, and in so doing, did more toward ingratiating himself in the re- gards of the people than any other course he \‘ould bave adopted. Foghorn Fan came next, with fifty dollars, while the smaller sums flowed in fast, and there was a prospect that the sum would be swelled to a thousand dollars or more. About noon, while old Tarpot had slipped into the hotel, for a ‘“‘ bummer,” the following notice was posted on the door, just below the subscription list. Who placed it there, or how, without being | discovered, was a puzzle no easier of solution than the mystery overhanging the man whose signature was appended. “ NOTICE. “Tt having come to my notice that Ichabod Im- ; pree has been foully dealt with, and believing the author of the crime hangs out in Tarpot, I do, on my own account, cffer a reward of one thousand dollars for the arrest and execution of the murderer or murderers. Three of your former citizens, who do service under my flag, in behalf of the widows and orphans —Jamely: Big Blobbs, Freckle-Faced Frank, and Sol, also contribute a hundred dollars apiece, in the way of an offer, and we'll hand it over to the man who brings the murderer of Ichabod Im- pree to justice, YREKA JIM, The Gold-Gatherer.”’ When the citizens of Tarpot came to feast their eyes upon this notice, there was another sensatiou, in earnest, Old Bullfrog Benjamin became a much-ques- tioned person, but, for the life of him, he could not explain how the notice had come on the door, nor who had placed it there. Within an hour after it was discovered, still another notice occupied the door. -It ran thus: ; ‘* $500.00 Reward. The citizens of Tarpot will pay the above sum for the capture and delivery to jus- tice of the outlaw who calls himself Yreka Jim. “ By order of CoMMITTEE.”’ So that, at all events, the festive Gold Gath- erer’s manifested interest in the murder case had not won him a place in the hearts of the miners of Tarpot. Among others who viewed the Lulletins were Idaho Ed and Foghorn Fan. The girl seemed to have formed a strong ad- miration for the sport—as, indeed, ’most any young woman of a susceptible nature must have done—and sbe sought his company asa sort of partner, which, in fact, she might be considered. “The racket don’t seem to work!” she said, addressing him, in an undertone, ‘ They ain’t werry partial to Yreka Jim!” **So I perceive,” he replied. ‘‘It seems that IT must hang on to Idaho Ed while I salubriate in Tarpot. I was in hopes I could work it so as to introduce myself, in fying colors. It is not exactlv safe, however, I think, though, that I have effectually made myself distinct from the Gold-Gatherer.” ‘** Mebbe, Time will develop, es to that, What do you think of the murder?’ ‘Without answering vou, allow me to ask you what you think of it?” ‘*T don’t think much about it, for the single reason that | don’t know what to think.” ‘*Haven’t formed any idea at all, 1 suppose?” ** None in particular.” ‘Did it strike you that any of the members of the Black List were concerned in the crime?” “T hardlv believe it, Not Cephas, at any rate. I should say.” ““Do you suppose Cephas is captain of the band?” ** Possibly so—-yet not likely to be. He is not smart enough to be at the head of such a clique, although no one really knows what the organi- zation is for. If it is not in the road agent ** (Signed) business nor a nest of counterfeiters I can’t see Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. anything in it except money—thbe big pile that is to come from the sums that are paid in by those who draw the pay-or-die number,” Idaho Ed then related to her what he had learned from Idyl’s lips. ‘*Humph!” the girl sport said, drumming on the veranda with the gold-headed walking- stick she carried. ‘‘I always thought it queer about her, though I never tried to pry into the matter.” ‘**Don’t it look as if the new Mrs. Impree had been working up a new case of shenanigan, eb?” ‘‘It bas a savoring that way. Investiga- tion all around might open up some startling facts.” ‘* My idea, exactly! The turn of these miners of Tarpot in a body against her suggests that there must be something disparaging about her. We will watch and wait, and while you are about it, it may vot come amiss to casually ob- serve the movements of this new relative who bas turned up—Mr. Aaron Wygant, of New York.” It was a day of bulletins. During the afternoon, Aaron Wygant posted the following ou the botel door: * NOTICE, “The employes of the late Ichabod Impree, de- ceased, are hereby notified to. go to work, as the death will necessitate no ntoppnee in the mines, and business will be transacted by the widow Impree or her authorized agent.” This notice posted, there remained but one space upon the Quartz House door, and a poster to fit it was soon fortbcoming: “ NOTICE. “This is to certify that the miners of Tarpot do positively refuse to go to work until the latest will of Ichabod Impree is produced and they know who they’re working for. This is bizness, an’ the orphan shall not suffer, Jim CEPHAS, “* Mine-boss.” ———— CHAPTER XIL A CALL ON MRS, IMPREE. PreEviI0vs to the posting of the notice for the men to resume work, Aaron Wygant had paid a visit of business and condolence to the widow Impree. f He found her seated in the parlor, engaged in sipping a glass of claret, magnificently dressed, and looking little, like a person who had re~ cently fainted, or who was excessively grief- stricken. She bowed with a faint smile, and motioned her visitor to a seat. “The widow Impree, I believe?’ Wygant said, bowing low, and emphasizing the word widow significantly, ‘*The same, sir,” she replied. ‘‘ You are Mr. Aaron Wygant. You bave greatly changed since last we met.” “* Have 1? 1 was not aware of that. Ihave grown younger, I dare say,” with a smile, “ Age has not made you appear much older than when we knew esch other in better days,” Clarice replied, arching her eyebrows and show- ing her teeth in a pretty smile. ‘‘ Those were ploasant times, Mr. Wygant.” “Indeed they were, Clarice! and I have sworn that the vows we then mutually ex- changed should yet be consummated. ‘At lest the looked-for time has come!” ** Don’t be too sure of that,” she demurred. “Pooh! no ccquetry, now. But tell me of yourself, after 1 lost track of you. That is nearly—let me see—” . ** Allow dates to pass unmentioned, please” she interrupted, ‘1 pass for thirty here. Do you not tbink tbat is sufficient?” ‘* Well. so mote it be!” he said, dryly. ‘But goon. The last I beard of you—” **] was discharged from a metropolitan bazar for complicity with the cashier in embezzlement. I was young and giddy then.” , ‘*And pardonable. My heart was with you in your trouble, as I wrote you at the time.” ‘Well, it was a dampener on me, and I wes buffeted about for a time, at the mercy of the fares. Finally, I made the acquaintance of a gentleman who helped me to a position in the General Post-office Department at Washington. 1 beld that position a long time, and then re- signed, and married my benefactor, Ichabod Impree.” **T marveled mucb when I heard of the match. But I have kept track of you since, and opportunely am here to claim my old place in your regards. i suppose you have formed 6 suspicion in, regard to the authorship of bis horrible taking off?” a ‘ ‘
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“No! no! I dread to think anything about it, and try not to. I have no idea who com- mitted the awful crime!” “Thbave. You have heard of Yreka Jim, the road agent?” “ Yes.” “ Well, I believe he did the job.” “Pooh! Why should he? He and Ichabod were personally unknown to each other,” “That may or may not be. I still cling to the belief that the robber had a hand in it, What about property matters?” **That!” and she flung him a legal document. *“T found it to-day, in a pocket of Ichabod’s + eat You see it leaves everything to his irl. “Who, I believe you wrote me, had taken leave of the parental roof?” “Yes, She considered herself mistress when I came here; but I quickly convinced her of her error. We had a number of sharp spats, and I finally apprised her that she had no claim upon him as a father, as he was nothing of the sort— that she was of unknown parentage, and so forth, That was enough. Sheisa high-spirited gitl, and at once packed up her effects and left. then warned Ichabod that he must draw a line between. myself and her—that he must either give her up and never go near her, or else get rid of me!” ** And he chose you?” ‘* Yes—decidedly.” “Ts there a later will than this?” ‘*T do not know. I can hold a third, at least, you know.” “Bah! whatis that? We must have all, or nothing!” « We ?” “Yes, we! I am entitled to a share, and we may as well pool our issues end enter into gen- eral partnership.” **T am not so sure about that,” “T am. With me as your right-hand man, there will be no insurmountable obstacles, Without me you might not be’ able to hold a cent. Perhaps you are aware that the miners of Tarpot do not regard you any too kindly?’ **T have received an intimation to that effect. I cannot understand why, however.” ‘* Well, one evident reason is, they don’t know how to appreciate a cultured, fashionable lady, with such tastes and style as you display. Whether the poor devil loved you or not I don’t know, but you are aware he tried to kill me, and had to leave the country to escape pun- ishment.” ts Yes.” ‘* Well, Dion Drew is in Tarpot’” ** Mercy !” ‘He is here, and knows you. It is through his influence, to a large extent, that the miners are down on you. He is known as Jiri Cephas —the rough mine-boss,” ‘*This is new and startling news, indeed. That map Dion Drew? It seemsincredible. I it is he why has he not sought me out?” “Never mind this. Ichabod Impree is dead, and some one must inherit his possessions. D -- stroy this will and we will make another, if necessary. Or, if still a later one turns up, in favor of the girl, why—” “ What?” ‘We'll prove that she is not bis daughter, but another is!” Mrs. Impree turned pale. “What do you mean?” she demanded, gasp- ingly. ‘I mean that if yow cannot inherit the for- tune, Madeline shali! I have brought her with me! She sprung to her feet, excitedly. ae have not!” she cried, greatly exasper- ated. “T have,” he calmly declared. ‘‘ You peed not be coucerned, huwever. She knows noth- ing. * Are you sure?” “Perfectly. Sue is all right. I can fit her into the gap, with ease.” The widow drew a. breath of relief, but her eyes wore a strange, hunted expression, They conversed together, for some time lon- et and when Aaron Wygant arose to go, be said; 35 Vey well, I will order the men to go to work. If no one interferes, things can move along without any bother about a will. If not, you can rely on me lo be prepared—of course, in consideration that you will now marry me!” ‘““When everything is settled I will become your wife!” the widow declared. The relative-from the-East then took bis de- rats, and the notice was shortly afterward ng out to public gaze, zreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer. aids ~ How it was received, the reader is already aware, The spirit of admiration for the widow was not on the increase among the rough denizens of Tarpot, and the prospects were that work in the Impree mines would not commence, for some time to come—not, at least, until it was definitely known who was the murdered mine- owner’s heir! CHAPTER XIII. A CASE OF THUMPING. Tue day after the murder dragged slowly by, and night with her dark shadows once more hovered over the town of Tarpot. As usual, the street in the vicinity of the Quartz House, donned a holiday appearance, apd was thronged; for night was the only time when the camp was practically in the hight of its glory, The main topic of conversation, as may be supposed, was the murder of Ichabod Impree, and who was to succeed him. ‘*Oh! his new wife will capture the boodle, on course!” a miner declared. ‘ He was dead gone on her, an’ dassen’t say his soul war his own!’ ‘“ Ef she gits the boodle, she'll git the rope along with it,” Jim Cephas growled. ‘* Now, no high-minded petticoater, like her, ken boss me, ner them as loves me, By all natteral right ther gal, Idyl, aire ther owner o’ the mines, an’ Um ino fers’portin’ her claim,” ‘* Allow me to say that I believe your views are right, and I heartily indorse them!” Idaho Ea supplemented, coming up in time to overhear the words of the mine-bcss, “Ye do, eh?” growled old Bullfrog. ‘‘I reckon you'll find it healthier ter walk in ther path o’ public opinion than out o’ it. ’Tain’t bin made plain yet, what ye’r’ doin’ heer in Tarpot, and some people w’u’d mighty well like to know.” “That is, it would do you proud to know what fetches me here, to Tarpot?” “You bet!” Bullfrog nbese tingly, replied, ‘Well, if you all want to know, I wi!l con- fess that Iam a detective, and I amin this part of the country to secure the man I have been accused of being—Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gathber- er! So, if any of you should happen to get your clutches upon the festive galoot, just bring him to me and I'll give you a thousand dollers!”? “Counterfeit, same’s ye give Bill Ambrose, I s’pose,” tauntingly. ‘By no means—all good money. That coun- terfeit has been redeemed and destroyed. And, us I was saying, boys, lam in favor of inaugu- rating a campaign for securing to Idyl Impree, the murdered speculator’s daughter, her rights!” “T allow we're all o’ ther same turn o’ mind, cr at least, near all!” Jim Cephas declared. ‘- Ef ther gal bain’t been provided fer, by ther boss, his fate war gud enough fer him,” ‘‘T was not personally acquainted with Im- pree, but it looks probable to me that he must uave made some provision for her,” Idaho said, gradually feeling bis way into the good graces of the miners. “If not, as you intimate, be must have been a very unnatut'! parent!” ‘‘That’s what’s the matter. Yer sound as a nugget on that p’int!”” Cepbas agreed, ‘In fact, you'll find me generally sound on all good points!” the re observed, with one of his genial smiles, ‘* Now, if you'll purchase stock, at par, on the strength of that, you’ll not get left. But there is something I want you to know: the widow Impree will not temely sur- fender the property, as I dare say she will be prepared to establish the fact that sbe is really the heiress, In this matter I have no doubt she will havo the co-operation of a certain gen- tleman who has recently arrived in Tarpot, But, I’! tell you what to do,in case you so wisb, Elect me your leader, in the matter of establishing Jdyl Impree’s rights, and we'll carry the point or bu’st, in the attempt!” The men who had gathered around exchanged glances, and of one accord looked to Jim Cepnas for the answer, A singular, uninterpretable expression shot atiiwart the bully’s rugged features; then, he pd vance toward the Idahoan, and put out his ann, ‘*Shake, on that!” he said, gruffly. ‘‘So fur as the gal is concerned, we'll look to you as capt’in, Tl tell ye. tho’, so’s thar won’t be no misunderstandin’—I don’t, personally, like you, and except for the girl, ’m free to declare my- self vour enemy.” ‘* Yes?” “ You bet! If you carry the p’int in favor o’ the gal, we’re with ye, tooth an’ toe nail; fur- ther’n that I ain’t carryin’ no purtic’lar amount o’ stock in you.” “Very well. I admire your frankness, at least. Now, I’ll tell you mv plans, and I think you will agree with me: We'll wait upon the orphan in a body and tender her our sympatby, and apprise her that we intend to stand by her in securing her rights. Toen, we will notify all interested to produce the last wills and tests- inents of Ichabod Impree, Very likely, there will be one or more presented, and we will pass upon them according to the best of our judg- ment,” This proposition was greeted with approval, and soon afterward over two-score of men, headed by the Idaho Apollo, entered the Quariz and presented, themselves at the rifle-range, where Idy]l Impree still remained, Off came every hat as the sport doffed, his. own and stepped forward. ‘*Miss Impree!” he said, ‘tin behalf of the citizens of Tarpot Ihave the honor of addressing you, to express the rublic sympathy with you in this hour of effliction, The citizens who have thus appointed me to represent tbem, wish to apprise you that they stand ready to uphold your claims in regard to the deceased Ichabod Impree’s estate, and you may rest assured that justice will be done, in your betalf.” Tears of gratitude glistened for a moment in Idyl’s eyes, and she tried to speak, but could not, until after several attempts. “Tam greatly surprised, and also very grate~ ful to you, gentlemen, for your interest in my behalf!” she finally said, ‘and shell:not soon forget your kindness, 1 hoye 1 sball ever be able to merit your friendship, but I beg you will not go to any trouble in regard to Ichabod Impree’s estate. As I apprised Mr. I’aho, I have no claims upon the property. Befcre I left the Impree roof, to come amorg you for the purpose of honestly earning my own living, I was told that I was not bis child, Of course, it is painful tome to make you acquainted with this fact, but I hope, though nameless, I shall be entitled to no less of your respect than though I was Ichabod Impree’s daughter.” With a flushed face but brave heart she faced the audience, and u tered the words, which could but have caused ber great pain, For amoment the rude men of Tarpot were silent; then, asof one accord, they flung their hats into the air and sent upa yell that made the building tremble, ‘‘Bravo! bravo!” rung forth. ‘‘Long life and success to Independent Idyl, the Queen 0” Tarpot!” It was scme moments ere the enthusiasm waned sufliciently for any one person to be heard, ‘* Bravely spoken, Miss Idy)!” Idaho Ed then said heartily. ‘‘I wish you to remember, how- ever, that it has not yet been proven that you are not Ichabod Impree’s daughter.” ** You bet it ain’t!” roared Jim Cephas. “ Did Ick. Impree tell ye ye wasn’t bis’n?” ‘*No. His wife aid, however.” Cepbas uttered a curs, “‘She’s a snake!” he declared. ‘Ick. Impree allus spoke of ye as his darter, an’ nary a man of us ever heerd him say different, An’ fer thet woman to make sech an accusation aire a durned shame!” * On course—-ev’ry time!” agreed the crowd, “Gentlemen!” interposed Aaron Wygant, stepping forward, “I most sincerely and heart- ily admire your interest in this young lady, whom I have never bad the honor of meeting before. Iam in duty bound to apprise you, however, that Ichabod Impree was not the hon- orable man you all believed bim.” ‘He wa’n’t, hey?” ‘‘He was not. You are aware—some of you, at least—that I arrived in Tarpot last night, Though a relative of the deceased, I came not here as an ordinary visitor, I had been hunt~ ing him for years!” 4 . “ Tndeed !” was Idaho Ed’s exclamation. He-was watching the Easterner narrowly. «Yes, I had been hunting Impree for years, T will tell you why. Years ago he parted from bis wife and came West. She wasthrown upon the world with a child in ber arms, and our of pity 1 took her in and cared for her. She soon took sick and died, however, and the child was left on my hands. I reared it, and since that, mother’s death, have sought for my relative, determined that he should support and eare for bis offspring. Well, in time, I made a singular discovery. A fortune was left to Imprce, pre- viding be was the father of a legitimate child. Did he get it? Yes, Did he come back and re- claim his own child? No. He adopted a child frum a poor-house, and represented it as being
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- Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatiiercir bis own, in order to get the fortune. This adopted child he reared as his own!” ‘“* And, accordingly, I suppose J am that one whom he took from the poor-house?” Idy] said, with a calmness that would hardly have boen expected of her. ‘* You are!” Aaron Wygant declared. ‘‘It is an unfortunate truth, whieh there is no getting around, The real daughter of Ichabod leantes accompanied me to Tarpot, and is now here at the hotel. Whether there has been a will made or not, or what disposition has been made of Impree’s wealth of course I know no more about than yourselves, But, one thing is certain: widow Impree was correct when she apprised this young lady that she was not Ichabod’s daughter!” Idyl smiled faintly. “Very likely. I am not in the least disap- pointed!” she remarked. “Though a _ poor- house waif, I at least have a good name, and a wide world before me, in which to work for an honest living.” There was another burst of applause at this. **You bet, an’ don’t yer fergit it! This hyer ebap hain’t got italltosay. Ick, Impree allus told us ye war bis daughter, an’ as he aire dead, | opine we’re takin’ his word fer a heap lot more than we aire this stranger’s!’”? Jim Cephas declared, resolutely. “Exactly!” Idaho Ed assented. ‘You see, Mr. Wvgant, the matter of Impree’s death and the settling-up of his estate, admits of a grand opportunity for fraud, and we people of Tarpot propese to have a square deal. Ain’t that it, oys? *“You bet!” was the cborused response. ‘““What do you mean?’ Wygant demanded angrily. ‘Do you mean to insult me by insin- uating that 1 would speak a falsehood, or scheme for sordid gain?” “ Well) ef you wouldn’t you're an exceptional individual, and ought to have a statue erected to your honor. I don’t know that you are con- cerned in any villainy, Mr. Wygant, but Ill tell vou fairly that I believe you lied infamously in the story you just related for the purpose of cheating Idyl Impree out of ker birthright!” Aaron Wygant’s face flushed with rage. ‘*You are a liar yourself!” he cried. ‘* You’re a@ liar, a coward, a puppy, a thief and a—” A single circumstance did not permit him to finish what was in his mind to say. That cir- cumstance was embodied in the gripe of Idaho Ed’s right hand, which clutched the Easterner by the throat, and suddenly sbut off his wind; at the same time the sport’s left palm hit Wygant a sharp whack, first on one cheek and then on the other: The relative of the deceased mine-owner suc- eeeded in tearing himself loose, and uttered a yell of pain and rage, “Curse you! curse you!” he cried, shaking his fist at the sport. ‘I'll have revenge for this —Tll! cut your heart out and trampie it beneath my feet!” then he turned and scurried from the bar-room, followed by hoots of derision from the crowd, who, but for Idaho, would have fol- lowed and lynched bim. “Let bim go!” the sport said, dryly. ‘‘He ain’t long for this town!” CHAPTER XIV. A HARD-HEARTED DETECTIVE, LATER that evening, as the widow Impree sat in her parlor buried in deep thought, she had a caller. She had neglected to light the lamps, evidently preferring to mask her reflections under the cover of darkness. The windows were open, as was a door, which opened upon the street. The first apprisal she had that she was not alone was when a slight cough attracted her at- tention. She looked up, with a start, and then a horrified cry pealed from her lips. Seated in a chair, a few feet away, was the same ghostly-looking individual who had _ stop- d the stage, early the previous night—Yreka im, the Gold-Gatherer! In all respects he looked the same as when he had held the stage at bay—white, unearthly, and yet handsome, His keen gaze rested steadily upon the face of the terrified widow, a faint smile hovering about his mustache-shaded mouth. As for her, she was unable for a moment to utter more than the one cry. She was paralyzed with horror. She knew she was alone, none of the servants being about the premises. She feared this man before her more than any other in the wide world—not because he was Yreka Jim, the road-agent, but because she iknev bim! The teat sight of him made her desperate. Stealthily her band crept toward the folds of her dress: a moment later a pistol was leveled toward the Gold-Gatherer’s heart, a jet of flame shot forth, accompanied by the report of the weapon. Did Yreka Jim throw up his arms and utter a dying groan? No! A cool laugh broke from his lipsas he sat there, undisturbed! “Try it again, madam!” he said, sarcastically. ** Aim more directly at my heart.” The revolver dropped from her grasp, and she uttered a gasp of exasperation. “Curse you! Why are you here?” she faintly articulated, ‘““Ah! I see you know me?’ he observed, calmly. “*I did not think you would know me!’ ‘**Know you, Edward Hamill? Doyouthink [ could ever forget you?” ‘** Well, that depends. Should I succeed in taking you back to Washington, beauteous Clarice, I dare say you would have good cause and nlenty of spare time to remember me.” ‘You shali never take me back!” she hissed. ‘“‘Oh, yes I will!” he replied, confidently. “I tmoust, you know. The Government could never think of parting company with you, you know. You’re too valuable—too Gangerous to be al- lowed to roam at large!” “Edward Hamill?” ‘Well, madam!” ‘Why have you hunted me down? Why, like a bloodbound, have you pursued me? Did I ever wrong you? No, few years agol met you, and loved you. I’d cut off my right hand to do you a good turn, even now, after you have so relentlessly baunted my every movement. A’few years ago you loved me—” *““Whoa! Steady up there a bit or you’ll run a wheel off. Did I ever say I loved you?” “No, but you eannot deny that you were in- fatuated with me!” “Bah! Iwas younger then and fresh in my profession. You were pretty, and rather at- tracted me, or else I would never bave allowed vou to slip away during that thieve’-nest raid in New York. I quickly saw that you were too wicked for redemption, and when I learned that, instead of being a giddy girl of nineteen, you were nearly if not quite old enough to be my mother, and were the mother of a girl more cv poe of my own age, I was disenchanted; it was, literally, a sour mash!” She bit her lips with anger. ‘*T am not old!” she cried. ‘‘Iam nearly as young as you are, and I love you with a devo- tion grown ten-fold stronger than then! How can vou be so merciless?” “We will not discuss the question of age. As to mercy, Ido not dabble extensively in that. It’s a quality that detectives must needs banish from their stock in trade, if they expect to suc- ceed in the profession. You see, the fact is, Clarice, I had no idea of hunting you up until a few months ago. I had a mission, out in this country, when I received orders to hunt you up, here, in regard to the alleged crookedness during yom employ in the Post-oflice Depart- ment. 0, really, I cannot help being here after you. “Oh, E!ward! why will you not be.merciful on me? You can as well as not. I will give you money—ay, the whole wealth of my Icve if you will spare me and make me your wife.” Yreka Jim laughed oddly. “*T don’t want your love, It’s too antique. I wouldn’t give five centsa ton forit. My duty is my duty, and when I get ready, back to Washington you go with me. Am sorry for you, but you have brought it all on yourself.” ‘““T won’t go! I won’t go. I'll escape you!” The Gold-Gatherer smiled. 1 “T rather faney not!” be declared. ‘Try though you might, you could not get a mile from Tarpot without being intercepted.” She eyed him steadily a moment, a wicked glitter in her eye. ** Well, all I've got to say is that you area fool!” she finally said—‘‘ not a common fool, but the biggest kind of a fool—a fool of fools!” ““So? I was not aware that I was so foolish - 3 that, lassure you. In what way am la ool? *‘ For thinking I would go back to Washing- ton, to submit to imprisonment, Why, I’d poi- son or shoot myself, first!” ‘Use poison, then. Unless you were to take daily practice at target-shooting, you would never be able to harm yourself with a pistol. In what other particular line do I resemble a fool?” ‘*You’re a fool because you are so blind that you cannot see it would be immensely to your advantage to make terms with me!” ‘Bosh! There you are again, off on that marriage scheme. I tell you, Clarice, I have no use for a woman one year older than myself, let alone one who is a veteran.” ‘*T made no reference to marriage. I would- n’t have you if every bair in your bead was hung with diamonds!” she flashed back. ‘* How much money would you make by taking me back to Washington? ‘Five hundred dollars, in money, and thou- sands of dollars, in reputation!” ‘*Nonsense! ‘Your reputation is sufficient, The pay is-small. You have found me, here in Tarpot, but you have not found me a poor woman. As the relict of Ichabod Impree, I come into a magnificent fortune. You shall not even attempt to take me back to Washing- ton. J will buy you off!” * Ob! will you? Are you not rather prema: ture in making so forcible a decleration? Would it not be advisable to first consult me?” ‘No! Foolish though you may be, in many things, you cannot refuse a competency, Name your price to leave this place and let m« alone, and you shall have it!” **By no means, Clarice, stand me no better than when you worked your wiles on me,afew yearsago. In the first place, I don’t believe you inherit any great amount of the Impree property. In the second place, the united schemes of yourself and Aaron Wygant shall all foll through. Thirdly, there is not enough gold in Tarpot to change my mind, once I have made a resolution,” He arose then, as if to depart. * So you will not be merciful?” she interro- gated, as he moved toward the door, * Not-a mercy!” ‘*Then, beware! He who spurns the appeal of a would-be repentant but serves to rekindle the fires of hatred in her veins. Beware, I say, Edward Hamill!” ‘*T will try to accommodate you, in this re- spect!” be retorted, and left the house as quiet- ly as he had entered it. CHAPTER XV. ; A GHASTLY JOB, Tue town of Tarpot slumbered but little that night, for its pulse beat too wildly, consequent upon the succession of unusual events that had occurred within the last thirty hours. At midnight the town was apparently as wide-awake and lively as earlier in the evening, the street being thronged, and all the saloons and dance-houses in full blast, Foghorn Fan stood upon the veranda of the Quariz House, smoking a cigarette. The ex- pression upon her face was not one of the hap- jest. . As she leaned against the post which helped to support the roof of the veranda, her head turned occasionally, and she shot a sidelong glance through the open casement into the bar- room—or more correctly, on beyond the bar, where, at the counter of the rifle-range, Idaho Ed stood in earnest conversation with Idyl Impree. ‘He is deeply interested in her!” was the thought that brought to her an exquisite sense of pain. ‘‘She is as much interested in him, too, as he is in her! Oh! how [could wish it were not so!” She was, evidently, jealous of the sport’s at- tention to the orphan. A wild waif of the wild West was Foghorn Fen. Whosbe was, or what bad caused her to lead the romantic existence she did—the un- natural, dangerous and reckless life—no one knew, or took pains to find out. There were plenty of her characteristic type —fiktures, as it were, in each, or nearly each, mining-town. Each one, by some cause, had been self-banished, as it were, from the haunts of refined civilization; each one had a powerful cause for this banishment, and in nine cases out of ten, the secret of that cause never leaked out. Foghorn Fan was one of this class. She was a beautiful girl; she was educated and accom- I see you under- plished, although she had fallen into the habit © of using the rough vernacular of the border; she was perfectly virtuous, kind-hearted, brave, and yet susceptible. In Tarpot, this latter fact had never occurred to her until the coming of Idaho Ed. He was a man after ber own cherished ideal. She bad admired bim at first sight; then, as their acquaintance had developed, she was satisfied that she had a stronger feeling for him than mere admiration, Did he?—would he reciprocate it? | fr I SS eee —— | | | = ee pas SF mt ol, ae Noe >
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Yreka J im, the That was what she was wondering, as she stood there, occasionally watching him, and the pleasant face of Idyl Impree, “We are rivals,” she mused, biting at her cigarette until she had exhausted it, and had no choice but to fling it away. ‘She likes him —so do I, She has no more right to him than I; she has no more attractions to win him than I. Why, then, does he prefer ber society- to mine? Is it because she dresses differently, or because he believes, by establishing her claim of inheritance against the [mpree estate, that he will not only win her but a snug little for- tune also? Pshaw! [ don’t believe he is that kind of a maa. If I did, I’d not regard him in the light I do! One word from my lips in private to her would be enough to set her against him. Would that be right? No! no! Alls fair in love or war, ’tis said, but if I can not win him fairly, [ll not resort to any other means,” it was a brave resolution, and had the sport known of it, no doubt it would have raised her much in his estimation. He came out upon the veranda directly, and paused where she was standing. ‘This seems to be rather an all-night town, eh?” he observed, pleasantly. ‘*More so than usual, to-night,” she replied. “The murder of Ichabod Impree seems to have caused a fit of sleeplessness to overtake the peo- ple, or else there is something brewing, which I am more than half inclined to think. What it is, however, I haven’t beén able to conceive!” *“Oh! I guess there’s nothing particular on foot. If there was, we would see some actite manifestation of the fact.” “Well, maybe not, but I shouldn’t bea sur- prised if there was an outbreaks, or a seusution of some sort, before morning,” ‘* Directed at me?” ‘Very possible.” **Oh! well; I guess I can take care of number one. If not, I trust I can look to yow for as sistance!” * You bet, if I’m areas i “Thank you. I should be proud of such a de- fender as you. Tomorrow, I believe, things willwome to a focus in regard to this Imprée prop «ty business. I shall issue’a call for settle- ment in behalf of Idyl Impree and the people. if there are any wills in existence they must be produced and proven then.” ‘* A good idea, But what do you think of this new heiress business?” “Tt’s a humbug from the word go, as I hope to be able to prove.” Taking leave of her, Idaho Ei sauntered away down the street. When he reached the imme- diate vicinity of the mining office, ho paused and darted keen glances around him, There was, to all appearance, no one else in the neighborhood, and the crowd up at the Quartz House were not looking that way. Stepping to the door of the office the sport roduced a bunch of keys and soon had the ies opened, Without hesitation he entered and took the recaution to close and lock the door behind im. Within, all was intensely dark and silent, The air was close and had a deathly odor that was not the pleasantest to inhale. To Idaho Ea, however, this fact evidently had no terrors, Hs» ped about until be found the table with the amp upon it. Siriking a match, he soon had the lamp lit, it giving forth sufficient light to thoroughly illuminate the room. The two bodies lay upon the floor, covered with a sheet, all except the headless necks, which protruded, grim and ghastly. : After a good look about the office, taking note of all its various appointments, Idaho Ed turned his attention to the bodies, “ Here’s a clever little piece of detective work —to ferret out the murderer of these two men. Ihave already formed a suspicion, but it will be safest not to deal with that sort of evidence, entirely.” He removed the sheet from over the bodies, and proceeded to go through the pockets of the dead mine-owner, with a systematic deliberation that was suggestive, to say the least. The contents of the pockets, which were a few unimportant letters, did not seem to give him the satisfaction he desired, ‘Perhaps it was an unreasonable suspicion!” he mused; “yet, what caused it? So seldom does an idea forcibly strike me, that I must not pass this one without full investigation. Idy] gave me a solution, and self!” He then set to work at removing the clothing from the mine-owner'’s body. It was not a par- Tl at least satisfy my- ticularly pleasant undertaking, for, courageous as the average man may be, he is not, as a rule, fond of handling the dead, Idaho Ed‘ seemed not to mind the job, how- ever, for he svuck to it until he had the body stripped to the waist. He then made a careful examination of the inanimate trunk, as if in search of some scar or blemish. But, there was none to be found—not even the faintest trace of one. When he had satisfied himself on this point, the sport restored the garments, and covered up the bodies as he found them, “There's something queer about this. Icha- bod Impree Aad a scar on bis breast, below the left luag, the result of a bullet-wound he re- ceived in the war, Even Idyl agreed that this was probable, as she had heard him speak of an- noyance from the old wound, just before a storm, This trunk has no evidence of ever having sus- tained a wound, and therefore, in accordance with my original suspicion, is not the body of Ichabod Impree!” Not a man in Tarpot would have given the least credit to the suspicion, except him with whom it had originated. Few keener sleuths than Idaho Ed were to be found in the West, and experience had'served to make him what he was, He well knew that Clarice Impree, nee Celeste, a character of New York and Washington ecri- minal society, was a bold, dangerous, and de- signing woman. Aaron Wyganut, too, was not altogether un- known to him, and he made no hesitation in elassing bim with the widow, as a suspicious and dangerous character, Taking into consideration Wygant’s arrival in Tarpot, the night of tbe murder, and putting this and that together, he had arrived at the conclusion that there was a large opportunity for united and ingenious scheming, and large chances that, if Ichabod Impree was dead, they —Wygant and Clarice--were concerned in the renee or else Ichabod Impree was not dead at all, The more he thought over the matter, the firmer became his conviction that Impree might not be dead; hence the visit to the office. **No! Ichabod Impree, you’re not dead, and I'm glad of it!” the sport muttered, ashe pre- pared to leave the office. ‘‘ Wherever you are I will find you, and wrest the truth from your lips, or tear the tonguefrom your mouth, It is of double interest for me to find you, now that two human snakes are scheming against the fair girl, Idy]!”’ Blowing out the lamp he left the office. As he was trying to find the key-hole, so as to relock the door, a voice hissed close to his ear: “ You are wanted !” At the same time a heavy blanket was thrown over his head, and an overpowering weight, as of many hands, bore bim to the ground! CHAPTER XVI. THE LOTTERY OF LIFE, Frew men in Tarpot possessed more strength, or a better knowledge how to use it, than Idaho Ed; but he found himself unable to resist the power that bore him downward and pinioned him to the ground, struggle as he might In less time than i: takes to tell it, he was bound hand and foot, and the blanket over his head pre- vented his making any cries heard, had he attempted to raise an alarm, which he did not. He was then raised and borne away. As near as he was able to judge, he was carried between half a dozen men. Where they were taking him, of course he could form no idea, It was full half an hour ere the cap- tors halted, and he was deposited upon a rocky floor, which caused him to draw the conclusion that he was in some cavern or subterranean passage. He was left lying for some minutes ere he was raised and placed in what he judged was a rude arm-chair, The blanket was then removed from his head and he was given the use of his eyes. The scene which met his gaze was not exactly cal- culated to be soothing to a person’s nerves. He was seated in, or rather bound in, a large, rudely- constructed arm-chair, in the center of a large apartment, hewn out of soft rock or shale. Around the sides of this room were a number of doors leading into other apartments. Also, there were rude setters, on which were seated eleven men, elad in black gowns, with hoods drawn over their heads, and masks concealing their features. Near the sport was a long table, and at this was seated a twelfth man. Ed needed but one glance to convince him that he was i- the presence of the Black List, of which Fog- horn Fan had told him. The man at the table was attired the same as the others except that the mask which concealed his features was red instead of black. Upon the. table was a wheel. such as is used by the wheel-of-fortune men, containing numbers be- 13 tween the snap-pins. This wheel, however, was smaller than usual, and the pins were so arranged that there were but twelve spaces upon the wheel. Scattered upon the table, before tiie hooded indi- vidual, who was_ evidently the leader of the gang, were cards, numbered from one, to twelve, Idaho Ed saw this much, before the leader rapped. upon the table, which signal caused the other men to arise and gather around the board, The chief also arose, and directed his gaze at the sport. * Prisoner in the chair, are you aware of the char- acter of the august body in whose presence you are?” ; ““Treckon Iam!" Idaho replied, coolly.‘ You're a bloody gang of cut-throats, and dub yourselves the lack List.” aT are the Black List. You are Idaho Ed?" am, “You are likewise, Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gather- er?’ “Correct, again!” * And also, a detective.’’ “How do you know?” “That matters not. Itis known tous that you are a detective. Furthermore, I can tell you what brought you to Tarpot.” “Surer”’ The sport was as calm and collected as a preacher before prayers. ‘* We are sure. Abouta oer ago, a pard of yours named Yreka Jim, came down into this country ta hunt down an outlaw named Murdock, who had murdered his family. Did he not return within six months time, it was an agreement between you that you should follow him, and hunt him up; if he was dead, to avenge his death!” “Well?” ‘Well, Murdock belonged to the Black List, at the time your pard struck this vicinity. and, know- ing his mission, it-was, one of the first acts of the order to work him, and to arrange things that he should secure a respectable Plenting |" The news caused a rift of pallor to flit across the sport’s face; then, a compressure of the lips deno- ted that a spirit of vengeance had entered his heart, The chief went on: . * Yes, seeing that he failed to meet his order obli- tions, we had to plant him, and I suppose we shall have to serve you likewise. But that is unimportant, now. This town of Tarpot was originally started by twelve men, who were utterly dead-broke and desperate, myself being one. By mutual consent. we formed a secret order—or association—the sole object of which was money; in other words, all of us being desperate and reckless spirits, we agreed upon a Lottery of Life among ourselves by a fear- ful oath. It was to exist for a specified time only, and at the expiration of that time was to disband. To-night is the time set for the expiration of the order, as originall agreen) “In arranging this lottery, it was designed to have one weekly drawing; until the Jast ‘drawing of the order. At each drawing one member must draw his death-warrant. On yunder wheel are twelve numbers. When the wheel is whirled, the indicating finger must surely stop upon some distinct number from one to twelve, inclusive. Before the wheel is whirled, these twelve cards, bearing numbers from one to twelve, are shuffled and dealt to the mem- bers, The wheel is then whirled, and after a num- ber of revolutions the indicating finger points to some number. Whoever has a card bearing the cor- responding number is, as we say, drawn for death. Do you understand?" ‘*Go ahead!” “Well, upon being thus drawn, the elected man hasa chance. If heis lucky enough to possess, or can obtain one thousand dollars, he pore it into the treasury, and the drawing is off for that night. When the number falls to some one who has not that sum of money, he is forced to take his own life in the presence of the order—after which he is re- spectably planted in our little cemetery, whose few graves attest the fact that only five of our order have been so impecunious as to be unable to pay the ransom, or so poorin friends as to find no one to pay it for him; and as we have had the lottery weekly for the stipulated time, just one hundred weeks, you can see that our treasury is now heavy with gold and greenbacks; for when one had to drop out we always had another quite ready to take his place, in order to stand his chance for the last grab or division of the whole accumulated sum, “On the seventh hundredth day, as I have said, the order was to cease to exist, after the following lan: The twelve members then living were to meet, or the last time, in this council-ehamber., One out- sider was to be drafted, who should be decided by vote. You were the man chosen!” Idaho Ed nodded assent, not knowing what else to do. It was all a queer affair to under- standing, Did this society propose to make him one of their victims as a kind of final sacrifice or blood-offering? What did they want of him, anyhow? The chief went on: “The last drawing of the lottery takes place to- night, and in the same manner as is customary, ex- cept that it is to be continuous and when one man drops out, unable to pay the fine, no new one is substituted. Such as drop out have the choice of shooting themselves or being shot by you!”’ “ By me?” ‘Exactly. You will be required to turn the wheet and act as executioner.” “T reckon you'll have to excuse me from part in this villainous transaction!’ Idaho declared, ‘T’ll have nothing to do with {t!” ‘On the contrary, you will. Itis your only choice,
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Refuse, and you will be shot where you sit. I will give you just five minutes to choose!’ He drew a watch from a pocket in his gown, and laid it upon the table in front of him. At the same instant, the other members of the Black List each drew a revolver and leveled it at the sport. Idaho Ed had been in many dangerous positions, but none where life or death depended so surely as now. He had but the one choice—to accept. To refuse meant death. **T reckon I'll have to come to time.’ Ed then as- serted. ‘‘ You have the advantage too immensely for me to do otherwise,” The chief, making no answer, removed Idaho’s ‘weapons from his person, and pushed the table con- taining the wheel toward him. Ed’s right hand was then loosened, so that he could use it to whirl ‘the wheel. ‘*Gentlemen,” the chief said, “we will now pro- | «eed to business. Are you all ready?” There was a murmur of assent—a sullen rumble of voices that was horrible in its suggestiveness. “Would you allow me to make a suggestion?” the prisoner suddenly asked, as an idea flashed through his brain. es ari the chief ordered, “What I have to suggest, then, is this: It is ap- parent that you men are not personal enemies!” “ We are not!” “Then, why this needless butchery? Let the first drawing take place as originally designed. Then, removing the number drawn, insert a blank card. Eleven of you run a chance of drawin He who draws the blank leaves the place without ransom, but never to return. Then remove /is card, add another blank and the rest of you have an additional chance of escaping the forfeit of life or money. Whenareal number is drawn that man must pony up his thousand before he leaves or blow out his own brains as that poor wretch lying there had to do,’’ and he pointed to the silent form which the men had drawn to the side of the room. “The last man of course takes the pot.” This proposition was greeted with approval by the men, and after a few moments of reflection, the chief signified his assent, and dealt the first round of twelve cards. Each inan looked at his card, to ascertain its num- ber, and then lay it down, fice downward. ‘Whirl the wheel!” the chief ordered. Noting that each of those desperate wretches clu:ched a cocked revolver, little wonder that Idaho Eu shuddered, as he laid hold of the fatal wheel, end sent it spinning around and around, on its axle Thirteen pairs of eyes were fastened upon it, as its revolutions became slower, and the sound of tho snap-pin became louder. Siower—slower; then, the wheel became motion- less, and the finger pointed to the hour of ten, Without a comment, but with a mechanical sort een the twelve men turned and glared at each other, There was a hush, of an instant’s duration; then, one of the men placed the muzzle of his pistol to his temple and fi He had no money for his ran- som; so fulfilled the bond without hesitancy. He fell, with scarcely a groan *“The cards!" the chief said hoarsely. The “ten” card was discarded, and the other eleven, with a blank, were shuffled. So the lottery proceeded. When by chance any number was drawn the man holding that simply put up the $1,000 ransom and withdrew—a new blank being inserted in the pack, Singularly enough the number drawn did not once fall to the chief, so that when the eleventh one left the den the chief re- ‘mained, master of the situation—the owner of all ‘that horribly gathered hoard! CHAPTER XVII. FATHER AND SON, As number eleven hastened from the chamber, the chief turned and faced Idaho Ed, who sat at the wheel—not defenseless, however. A cocked revol- ver was in his hand, which he had secured from the table, and its aim was directed at the chief, “Stand!” Idaho cried, his face firm in expression, and his eyes glittering. ‘‘It is our turn to come to settlement, now. Put down that pistol or lll blow your brains out, without an imstant’s hesitation!”’ There could be no mistaking this earnestness, and the chief evidently knew it, for with a muttered execration, he threw his weapon on the table. * That's right!" Idaho declared. ‘* When Yreka Jim commands—even though he be the second of that illustrious name—it is always advisable to be sensible. Take a chair, now, and be careful not to make any suspicious moves with your hands, lest I misconstrue your meaning and plug you plum through the noddle.”’ The chief obeyed. It was with him as it had been with the sport, not long before—he had no choice but to obey. When he was seated, Idaho took the opportunity to re- lease his other hand, and then tossed a cigar upon the table, and lit one himself. * Smoke, and take things easy, while we con- verse!’ he ordered. ‘* There’s nothing I like so well as a good smoke just before I have to killa man, It puts my nerves in tip-top order. Now, my friend, since we are all alone, suppose you elucidate as to the title you were known by among these men?” “I was called Red Rowell!” was the answer, as the chief disdained to accept the cigar. ‘Red Rowell, eh? Quite a fantastic name—real romantic, too. I suppose you adopted the name this blank. i with a future view of adding it to the list of noted bandits and cut-throats?” ns “It doesn’t matter to you why I adopted it.” “Oh! but it does! Imay some day turn historian, and it would be losing, mayhap, one of the most in- teresting chapters in my book not to work you up. Let me see: How would a titlein red ink and top- boots go, something like this: ‘Red Rowell, or Ichabod Impree’s Lost Head!’ Don’t you think that would be quite striking, especially the head- less suggestion?”’ A low curse escaped the villain’s lips. “Enough of this nonsense!” he cried. “If you og pea to,rob me, as robber you are, go ahead and e done with it!” *Oh! but I don’t! I’ve been exerc'sing my elbow by turning this wheel, and my charges for services will cover all your blood-money. By the way, Icha- bod, that was mean of you to give the folks of Tar- 90t such a shock by representing yourself defunct. Why, I had the honor of calling upon your widow, and she was so overwhelmed with grief that I was afraid she wouldn’t survive the shock—she loved | you so—you know!” ‘This sort of talk is useless. What do you pro- pose to do?” “Kill you, directly, maybe. But, take off the mask, [Ichabod—take it off, | say!’’ and the sport’s revolver looked persuasively at the chief over the table. ‘I know you, you see, and there’s no use of your making a marat-yrqs carnival out of yourself!” Another curse escaped the chief, and the mask ‘was torn away with a jerk, It was indeed the face of Ichabod Impree, dis- closed to view. “Ten thousand devils seize you!’’ he gritted. “ How did you discover my identity?” “ By intuition, and the knowledge that your moral orecepts had been twisted in sad shape years ago. Vhat was your idea of playing the ruse on the peo- ple of Tarpot, Ichabod?” The mine-owner glared savagely at the sport, then answered: “ Well, wh object was two-fold: First, because I knew that the time was at hand for closing the ac- counts of the Black List. Assuming that I might be among the doomed, I. desired that my name should not be disgraced, and so killed myself be- forehand. Hadit come to me to shoot myself to- night, 1 should have so disfigured my face as to have made it unrecognizable.”’ ; ‘“The other reason?”’ ‘‘T suspected my wife of being even more of an adept in baiey than myse f. She exercised a power over me that I had not the ability to counteract. In o' der that she might not try to force me to do some- thing I did not want to, namely—to disinherit my child!” ‘“ Ah! then, you did not disinherit her?” “No. I made a will, which is now in the hands of ' Lawyer Dodge, the night I placed the dead bodies in tue office,” “And left all to Idyl?”’ ‘““No,, Two-thirds to her—one third to you !”’ “Ah! you did?” And a dangerous glitter entered the sport’s eyes, “i did, Perhaps you thought I was not aware of the fact that you were my own son, by my first mar- riage, but [knew you and knew you were hunting me down!” ‘* And what for, I suppose?”’ “Yes. It was to force mé to take back the cruel words I spoke to your mother when I deserted her, Oh! I know it all. God knows I have been a bad man, but I cannot help it now!” “Ichabod Harr i!l, you have been a curse upon the face of the eart):!’ iin know it, 1 know it, boy. You need not tell me of it 1 ‘*Halyou hate to hear of your misdeeds, do you? I don’t wonder! Do you not often see hell yawning before you in your dreams? Gods! but I have a mind to bore a hole through your rotten heart, as you sit there! 1am my mother’s eh offspring of that angelic woman whom you so basely deserted, declaring that your marriage with her was but a sham! The foulest, blackest lie was that, ever ut- tered by the lips of man!” “Tine! true! I acknowledge it all. She was my wife, and you are my son, She was good, true and pare but the devil had me, and I deserted her. ay God forgive me for that, if He never forgives me for sught else!”’ ‘‘] was told the story of your wretchedness. and my mother’s death, when I grew old enough to understand, and I registered an oath to hunt you down, and force you to own the truth.” , , BR will not have to force me. I own it will- ng Mee “Tt is well you do, Villain though you are, you are yet my father, and I want not your blood on my hands, But, what of this girl—this Idyl Impree?” “She is my daughter. I married ain, after your mother’s death, and Idyl is the child of that marriage.” “How did your second wife die?”’ “Of consumption.”’ Idaho was silent a few minutes; then he related what Aaron Wygart had stated and claimed. “It is utterly false!’’ the mine-owner declared. “Tt is but a scheme of his and Clarice’s to work in his own daughter. I acknowledge that I know Clarice told Idyl she was not my child, and [ made no effort to correct the matter. The reason was because I feared to doit, I learned, not long after my marriage, that Clarice and Aaron Wygant had been lovers. I also learned that the woman was treacherous and dangerous, and when she threat- ened to ruin my home and my child, if I did not publicly disown her, I both feared for my life and Yreka J im, the Gold-Gatherer. es ee SRE SESE OPE SOIT TORSEDTRORTSVIA WUSIES SOMBRE Hare ST a a eee a SE | aia for Idyl’s safety; so chose the lesser of two evils, ; knowing that I could so provide for Idyl that she would be all right after my demise, and sustained by the people, who all love her, that she would do well and be rid of the she-devil. her step-mother.”’ “Who were the men who escaped from this room to-night?” * All except two were common miners, The two were Jim Cephas, my mine-boss, and old Ben Tar- ot!” ‘Did they know you were Ichabod Impree?”’ ““Cephas did not. Tarpot, I know, did, as he was one of the first of the black List. His tongue never wags any one detriment, however!”’ Idaho Ed finished his cigar before he spoke again. ‘This blood-money of your infernal order—what shape is it in?”’ “In greenbacks of large denominations. I have thus changed it, from gold, from time to time, as it is easier to handle. Only what has recently been paid in is in gold or nuggets.” **Go get it!” The erring father obeyed promptly, and soon laid three goodly sized packages of notes and one heavy bag of gold before the sport. “There is the money. Do as you please with it, Only give me money enough to pay my way to some place where I can begin life anew, under a new name, and I will ask no more.” “This money I would not touch a dollar of!” Idaho declared, ‘It is poisoned—cursed by the lives that have accumulated it. Idyl shall not haveit, You shell not have it. See! this shall be its fate!” He would have thrust the packages into the flames of the lamp, but Impree sprung forward, “Don’t! don’t!” he cried. “Give it to the town of Tarpot, as some expiation for the curse I have put _upon it,” ‘*Right! Tarpot shall have it, to build a jail to hold Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer, whenever he is apprehended!’’ the sport said, dryly. CHAPTER XVIII. WYGANT’S PLOT. Earty the following morning Lawyer Dionysius Dodge sat in his sparsely-furnished office in deep reflection. The subject of his thoughts was not exactly of a business character, as the term applied to his cli- ste: but of a business character as applied to him- self. The fact was Dodge was in a bad strait. The meager stipend he acquired from his business would not make a man feel rich, and such as it was, the disciple of Blackstone was wont to risk it at the faro- table over at the Quartz House. As luck was a luxury unknown to him, he always came out broke, and his inner man often became the victim of his folly—he had nothing to eat. Such was the state of affairs this morning, when his stomach felt as if it had never known the mean- ing or usefulness of provender, and his ket-book was as flat as though the Light of Asia had stepped upon it. As the student in technicalities was not a priv- ileged character in Tarpot business circl s, so far as credit was concerned, things looked decidedly blue, and this was the fact that he was dolefully turning over in his mind, when there came a rap upon the door, and Aaron Wygant entered, without waiting for an invitation. “Good-morning!"" he said_ briskly. Dodge, the lawyer, I ac ** Av your service!’ Dionysius replied, dipping his pen into ink and hitching nearer his desk in antici- pation of a job. **What can I do for you, this lovely morning?”’ “Much, perhaps. I presume you do not recog- nize me?” “No, sir—can’t say I ever saw you before.” “But youhave. Ihad the honor of a nocturnal interview with you.” “ Aw—you’re the man with the revolver?” ‘“‘Tam. I called to see you in reference to settling up the Impree estate.” ‘Ah! yes, yes—I see! I see ‘““Make no mistake but you see right. If you are able to take a hint we may be able to make a bargain.”’ ‘A bargain—ah! yes, hr Proceed, sir.” ‘“‘Well, in the first place, you made a will for Ichabod Impree?” ‘*T did, sir.” “ And the terms of that will—”’ “Teft everything to his daughter, Idyl. Ah! yes —all to his daughter, except one third, which goes to Yreka Jim.” : ““The devil you say!” Wygant cried hoarsely. ““Why, confound you, sir, you told me that two- thirds were left to the widow, and that the girl was disinherited.” **T told you this, sir?” ‘* Most emphatically you did.” ‘Then most emphatically I prevaricated, a habit I have sometimes when Hg at night.” “Curse your infernal hide, you’re lying to me now! | Let me see the will you drew up for Im- ree! ‘Not for the world, sir. That would bea breach of legal faith. The gentleman for whom I drew the will is dead, and I shall hold the will and attend to the matters as its custodian.” “ Will you? Allright; youmay. But you'll need a coffin if you don’t come to my terms!” You've got to add “Your terms?” ‘Yes, my terms. to that will. forgery.” | *“Ah!no, Sure enough, pyhas are the additions? “You're ane Additions, you know, are no!
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\ \ Yreka Jim, the Gold-G&therer. 15 “These, Following the clause devising two-thirds of the ey. to be tmpree, write this: ‘ The girl known in Tarpot as Idyl Ao ee is not Idyl Impree, nor my legatee. The realIdyl Impree will be pro- duced by her temporary guardian, Aaron Wygant, and it is to her my bequest is made,’ At or near the close of the will add: ‘And I do bereby further- more appoint Aaron Wygant sole executor by this codicil, with full power to sell, convert into cash and distribute to my heirs the value of my property, he retaining a reasonable fee as co:apensation for his services.’ These little additions, you see, can easily be made, and it will be a ten-strike for you.’ “ But this is wrong, sir.’ * What's that your business? so that you get paid well, you need not care,” “How much will you give?” he asked, as his bread-basket gave a twinge, and threatened to col- lapse altogether, ‘I'll give you a thousand dollars; half down, now, and the other half when you read the will in public from the steps of the Quartz House at noon, to-day. % ‘“*Tt’s a bargain. Give us your money!” “Remember! vo trickery now! death-warrant, if ron attempt anything of the kind.” “Til fix it all solid. All I want is the cash, so that I can get a good square meal—then I'll go for your job like a toad for June-bugs,”’ Believing he could rely upon the impecunious shy- ster, Wygant paidvover the money and took his de- parture, * Allis well, now!” he muttered. ‘‘ Madeline shall succeed to the property, and once I get control of it, I'll take care not to lose it. The charming widow— she can go to Halifax, then!” CHAPTER XIX. CONCLUSION. Ir was toward noon when Idaho Ed made his 3p enaed at the Quartz House, for the first time t at day. Fanci He was looking in usual good spirits, and bore no traces of the strange adventure of the previous | night. He found Foghorn Fan upon the verandu, where she was engaged in reading a notice, which had been recently posted, and that ran as follows: “NOTICE: ‘Notice is bereby given, that I, Dionysius Dodge, attorney and counsellor-at-law, of the town of Tar- t, will, at twelve o’clock, noon, to-day, read, pub- icly and aloud, from the steps of the Quartz House, to the people of Tarpot, the last will and testament of Ichabod Impree. deceased, dictated by him and executed by me, a few hours previous to his death)’, “What do you think of it?’ Pan demanded, turn- ing, at the sport’s Sreranet: * Nothing, in particular,’”’ Idaho replied, after glancing it over, ‘It is the original will, no doubt, unless the shyster has been bribed to change it. At ay rate, it is now a certainty that Idyl will have her rights. * Ah! then, you have learned something?” **Yes. My trail ends in Tarpot. I have found that father whom I privately told you I sought!” * And got the truth from him? Oh, I am glad for your sake—I suppose, now, it will not be long ere wedding-bells will ring in Tarpot?”’ “Hal ha! Hadn’t you better wait until I have secured my bird, first?”’ “Oh! you need not play innocent. eyes!”’ “Deucedly pretty ones, too, but they are cross- .,.28 this time—don't see things as they are. You think I have been captured by Miss Ydyl, Con- sidering that she is my own half-sister—” re ay your half-sister?” the surprised girl inter- rupted. **My own half-sister; nothing more or less.” ** Then, you are Ichabod Impreé’s son ?” ‘* Yes. unhappily, yes!” “Then he is not dead?’’ in new surprise. “Not dead, though he ought to be, But, not a word. of this. Ichabod Impree Hannill, will never trouble Tarpot again, as a citizen, After seeing that my sister is established in her rights, I, too, shall hie myself to other fields,” “Tam sorry to hear that.”’ “Are you? Why?” She colored, as she felt that he was gazing intent- ly into her face. **Oh! I don’t know, I am sure,” she replied, en- deavcring to speak lightly and buoyantly but mak- ing a dismal failure of the matter, ‘tI have been much pleased to know you, even though our ac- quaintance has been of short duration.” “T am glad to have made a good impression. I am not a stupendous success, as a lady’s man, and generally make so many blunders that the weaker sex have a holy horror of me.”’ *Pshaw! I don’t see anything of the sort about you. Ialmost— Do you think Idyl will have any trouble in getting her property?” ““No trouble whatever. But answer me; why are you sorry I am going away?” She flushed, w confused, and turning hurried away. preferring anything rather than remain under the scrutiny ot Idaho's laughing eyes. I have got A big crowd was in the street, facing the hotel, when the hour of noon arrived. Every one was eager to hear the terms of Ichabod Impree’s will. Upon the veranda, when the lawyer made his ap- arance, were Mrs. Impree, Idaho Ed, Foghorn San, Aaron Wygant, his son, Ned, anda tall, fragile- er Nb girl, who leaned upon Ned's arm, pale as It will be your | Tdyl Impree stood in the doorway. Dodge was punctual, and after a bequest to the crowd to preserve silence, he read the opening of the will, until he came to the bequests. *'To my daughter, Idyl Impree, who has always resided with me, in Tarpot—’ ; “Stop! stop!’ Wygant almost screamed, spring- ing forward. “It is you who had better slow up!”’ Idaho warned, jerking him back. “The jig’s up, Wygant! Your effort to ’vy Dodge didn’t work. Your attempt to cheat Idyllmpree out of her birthright is unsuccess- ful. I, sir, am her own half-brother. Your own son, Villain, has gone back on you. He declares the young lady there to be this woman's own child.”’ Wygant turned and glanced at his son like an en- raged demon. ‘Tt is true, father,’ Ned said, calmly. ‘* Madeline knows all, and we both agreed not to become a party to the fraud, Madeline may have no home, but she shall have a loving husband. That was enough. The frowning miners now seeing the man Wygant and the woman Clarice in their true colors, uttered a growl and then moved forward in a body. ** Seize the cuss!”’ the cries. “Not yet, boys!’ cried Idaho. “Idyl wants no rights if they are to be won by any more bloodshed. Give them each a horse and start them, You can see ’em out of town as an escort of honor; then come back here and drink to the good health and long life of Idyl, the Queen of tend “sal “Hurrah!’’ was the yelling response, and almost before the man and woman were aware the mob had seized them. Two miserable mules were brought forward and the victims mounted. Then they were started down the pao, aigirsp at a full gallop—the crowd yelling and howling at their heels! Tarpot had never had such a cireus. Almost everybody ran in the ridiculous cavalcade; even Foghorn Fan and Dodge had to follow a‘ter to see the fun, while Idy], as if to shut out the sight of it all, retired to the deserted rifle-gallery, to be seen no more that day. When the crowd returned from having escorted Wygant and the widow beyond the precincts of Tar- ot, Idaho El was nowhere to be seen, Search ailed to find him, and the people were greatly amazed thereat. But he had left behind such a good record that all who drew up to the bar and drank to Idyl’s health and happiness voted him “the Boss Boy o’ the Hills,’ as Cephas characterized him, and at the mine manager’s treat the crowd also drank to Idaho Ed’s memory. Dodge took charge of matters for Idyl, and she was acknowledged the sole possessor of her father’s possessions, while Cephas, for his devotion to her interest, was made the superintendent of the mine and works. Ned Wygant wedded Madeline, and was installed “String ’em both up!’ were in the office as cashier and secretary at a good rata — Madeline and Idyl becoming good riends. A few days after this series of singular incidents, the citizens assembled and elected a “mayor,” to run the town in better shape, and on his first day in office, he was electrified to receive the blood-money of the Black List by a mysterious messenger, to- gether with the following: “Dear Srr:—The inclosed is for the purpose of building a jail in your town, sufficiently strong to hold me, should you ever get your claws on me, “Yours, pro bono pulblico, ‘Yreka JM, alias Ipano Ep, * The Gola- Gutherer.” The same messenger also placed in Foghorn Fan's hands this communication: ‘Dear Lapy:—I did not bid you adieu when I left Tarpot so suddenly, because, although I have no doubt of your love for me, I only too well realize that our paths through life should lie widely apart; it will be better for you if we never again meet. But it rests with yourself to choose, TpaHo.”’ As the pink disappeared from Tarpot that very af- ternoon, it may be safe to conclude that she followed the messenger to the handsome Yreka Jim, the Gold- Gatherer, or Idaho Ed, the Detective, both of which names and callings he apparently still chose to re- tain and pursue. THE END. THE 1 Latua Rooxn, Sy Thomas Moore..... eeieSee) 200 2 Don Juan. By Lord Byron..... ..........00. - Oe 8 Parapise Lost. By John Milton. ............ 10e 4 Tae Lavy or rue Laks, By Sir Walter Scott.. 10c 5 Lvomwse. By Owen Meredith,................5. 10¢ 6 UNDINE; or, THE Warer-Sprrit. From the German of Friederich De La Motte Fouque.. 10c¢ For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postage paid on receipt of twelve veuts for single numbers, -ouble numbers twenty-four cents. ADAMS, VICTOR 4ND CO., 98 William street, New York. BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. Each volume costains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collec- tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-four volumes, viz.: 1, American Speaker. 13. 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, Jolly Speaker, 12. Exhibition Speaker. 23 . Dialect 5 aaa ay 4. 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-one books, viz.: Dialogues No. One. 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“ 1 os BEADLE’S+H ALF-DIMEs | IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Bulfaly Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The ..santom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 3 ne, the Heroine, 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act: or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign, 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. U 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick, A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. B09 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, ‘The Terrible Vendetts, 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York} or, A “Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr 448 Deadwood 458 Deadwood 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood 471 Deadwood 476 Deadwood 451 Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Deadwood 600 Deadwooa 608 Deadwood 615 Deadwood 522 Deadwoed 529 Deadwood 584 Deadwood 589 Deadwood 644 Deadwood 549 Deadwood 554 Deadwood 661 Deadwood 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood &S4 Deadwood Dick, J 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnuatl. Dick, Jr., in Nevada. : Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Diek, Jr.’4, Insurance Case. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr. (un Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, 695 Deedwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Dedsdwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The oe Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance. 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 6 Watch-Eye? or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, Jacek Woyle the Young Speculator. Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. Bonanza Bill, Miner. Boas ob the King of Bootblacks, Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. Captain Ferret, the New York Detective, New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps. Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 9 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloguist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp: or, 7 he Arab Detective. 286 Apollo Kill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Save’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sain’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joey the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 25 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 299 A Ne. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. £08 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved.Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia. B80 Little Qu!ck-Shot or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, tle Bowery Blood, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim. the Gold-Gatherer} or, The Life Lottery. B72 Yreka Jim’s Prize. B78 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, B89 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, Sam Slabsaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 7 enk and Pal, Private Detectives. 3 anta Fe Sal, the Slasher. 6 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. Big Round-Up. Racket at Claim 10. Corral; or, Bozeman Bill, Dog Detective. Dick, Jdr.’s, Big verance, Jr.’a, De ea na ee a ee BRAS ROOK HS mond Orme COST rece » = ed BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, 1% Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 7S The Boy Duellst; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Sea-Devil} or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Septetn 3 or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 216 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pluck. R22 Grit, the bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ¢ or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman utineer 3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Gold Ship ” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pear), the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sen Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Bemto, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail. 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WIII, the Boy Phantom, 898 Seawailf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator ; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtsaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Dunean Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The. Sea Ralder. 441 The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 Haphazard Marry 3 or, Tne Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard WIHll: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Wiil’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat: or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Back Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ¢ or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted Midshipman, 5611 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BAll, the Comanche Shadow. 526 Brothers tn Buckskin. 530 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Bue:.skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIL, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. BS0 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective, 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 691 Delmonte. the Young Ses. Rover. 449 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Rio Raiders, 644 The Hereules Highwaymun, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’«s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Saflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower? or, The Freedooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout. 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texns, 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, Tne Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket | 207 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. BY BUFFALO BILL (Mon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kanaas King; or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 leadly-Eye, the Unknown Socut, ; 68 Border Robin Hood ¢ or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 22 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. Picayune Pete 3 or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, Detective Dick ; or, The Hero in Rags. Handaome Harry, the Boothlack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoronghbred. Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods. Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy, A Trump Card ¢ or, Wil! Wildfire Wins and Loses. Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 8 The Hidden itand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner: or, The Biack Sheep of the Flock. 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “ Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ;: or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, BET Wide-Awanke Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jofly Vagapond. A466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Roote, the Rey Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, bE The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kids or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkananst or, The Wolfin the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or; Harry Hale’s Big Beat. SR Raw SONWIwAwOeS 5 es 6 6 z z z 8 \ ‘ t s rn ~ ‘9 ee ee ip sp pect pele wei armcile a ‘ / at ose sets getup ee ce BY J. ©. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Witbou: » Name, 424 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the age Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight aalohs the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Breedway. Billy’s ‘ Difikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William O’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 640 Barebrek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Typewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest”’ Man of Ante Bar, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy In Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in_Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. ] BY T, ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Nights or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or The Littl: Hunter. 47 Nightingale ant or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tralt. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.j or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gol Tri er, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom} or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw 3 or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 20% Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet ; or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Rei Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Toe Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apolic, tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Fong pte Dans; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Bie Benson; or, The Queen of the La‘so. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam and Pars; or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass} or, Ihe By ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Basso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar. 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. AT? The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret.J 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 621 Dodger Dick's Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 5838 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 553 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows, 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Parda. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower- 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy: Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri; or, The Mystery of the Mountain League. By Wm. G, Patten. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or, Caging the Cormorants, By T. C. Harbaugh. 216 Deadwood Pick, Jr.'s, Still Hunt; or, The Second Round in San Francisco. By Edward L. Wheeler, ’ 717 Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike’s Grand Catch, By Jo Pierce. 718 Light-Heart Lute’« Last Trail; or, The Gold Crater’s Secret. Hy Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 719 Pawnee Bill’« Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnapper. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand; or, The Gamin Detee- tive’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. By’. C. Cowdrick, 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenbee. Ready May 19. 222 Nendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Borders By Edward L, Wheeler. Ready May 26. , 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone; or, The Border Beagle’s Secret Mission. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready June 2d. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library 1s for asle by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. -