Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 385) (1884 12 09)
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{ hy a sy perme a [| |) |p) RR | hy WK’ << WO (Ys SS WY ‘S shh Barware yo O/ = int it it a el ta at an a it asl. 3° — a Mail Rates. Copyright, 1834, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, December 9, 1834, re ro oa ee Wt AW INSTANT LITTLE JOKER AND THE CHAMPION WERE LOCKED IN AN EMBRACE, WHICH YREKA WELL KNEW MEANT ‘‘ BUSINESS” FOR THE INSOLENT ST. MAUR. Hoe ORE \ NY ety gh pee CHAPTER I. A BIG MISTAER, A BEAUTIFUL autumn day was drawing to « close, over a magnificent Idaho landscape, which, though mountainous and rugged in the extreme, was D gaogste to the eye, and such as an artist would go into ecstasies over, Gigantic mountains soared heavenward, met, on their tapering descent, by heavily timbered foothills; here wide canyons pierced the mighty range; deep and fathomless abysses prevailed: crystal cascades Fe Ny from ledge to ledge, sparkled like sheets of diamonds, only to swell into fiercer torrents as they surged on toward a running level. Already the early caresses of autumn’s biting breath had colored the leaves of the forest, and aH other foliage, and the dying sunlight of the warm, though breezy September day, which Opens our narrative, dwelt upon a most beauti- ful panorama of variegated coloring, produced by nature at only one season of the year. Standing out in bold relief, and visible to the naked eye at a great distance, owing to the: carefied atmosphere, a horseman was visibla,
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high up the mountain side, and out upon a plateau-like ledge, which overlooked a magnifi- cent canyon valley, at his feet—a beautiful placque of nature, a mile or two wide and many miles long, threaded by a tortuons, silvery stream, and carpeted in emerald, a veritable azer’s paradise, such as are rare enough in that Silverland. That the rich, inexhaustible pasturage was used was evidenced by the herd of several hun- dred head of cattle, which was feeding there, not far from where an odd-shaped little habita- ‘tion stood beside the serpentine stream—a struc- ture built jointly of logs, stone and mud, and ‘resembling a Mexican hacienda, from the fact that it was built low, and a roofed veranda ran entirely aroundit. _ p The horseman before mentioned, who had halted his spirited animal within a dangerously elose proximity to the edge of the ledge; sur- veyed the scene before him, long and admiring- ly, bis fre kindling with enthusiasm the longer he gazed, A whitish column of smoke curled up from the chimney of the dwelling, and by bringing a field- glass to his eyes, he could distinguish a person walking upon the veranda. A handsome fellow, this horseman, graceful of form and yet evidently a very athlete; pos- sessed of a clear-cut, manly face, in which re- posed intelligence, combined with evident de- cison of character and quick judgment. His eyes were dark, brilliant and magnetic in their glances; bis mouth, shaded by a handsome mustache, denoted firmness in resolye yet ex- ressing a happy good nature; his hair, dark- rown in color, rippled back in little waves over his broad shoulders—a magnificent head of hair, ~ any man or woman might have been proud of. Top-boots, a common suit of clothing, and a white sombrero, were the features of his attire, while a belt, containing a pair of pearl-handled six-shooters were his only bodily ornaments. A rifls was also slung to his back; while his saddle equipments and horse betokened that he spired neither money nor pains to get the best. The sun lacked an hour of sinking over the range, back of him, and for a considerable space of time he seémed loth to leave the ledge, and the cheerful panorama spread out before kim. The distant bark of a wolf, however, caused him to glance at his watch; and he picked up the al ~ 3 Sn with a last lingering glance into the valigys | tg **Cothe; Chub, we mustn’t, tarry /here any longer,” He said, wheeling the bak 1 ask send- ing him cantering, along a rugged mountain path. ‘We will not reach, our destination,’o time, if we do not hurry; and‘to miss to-night means to miss much. Soget along now, light, footed, and let’s see how we will strike tamp!” The animal plainly was,accustomed to moun- tain travel, as it was but’a few hours in reaching a mouptain mining-town, although miles from the ledge overlooking Vista, Valley. Deep down in a rugged, ei ravine, was this town—an ominous, forbidding place, where the sun stone but few hours each day, at key eight months of winter usually pre- vailed. ane Rich in precious minerals, however; was the camp’s immediate surroundings, and hence the fact that the denizens were willing fo endure the winters, that they might enrich themselves, during tbe brief summer period, when ‘‘ten- fut” snow did not interfere with their labors, with pick, pan, powder and drill.’ Red Nose, was, the name of the camp; Red Nose, with a couple of bundred’and fifty inhab- itants; Red Nose, not counted on; particularly asa‘‘ boom” town: yet willing to allow that her citizens were as “fly” as those of any other —- town along the range. a yee es It was down into this town the handsome horseman galloped, and. drew rein before the only hostelry. known.as the Buckin’ Cayuse—a cayuse, carved out of wvod, and represented in a‘ bucking” attitude being suspended above the door, ard giving the place its appellation, Red Nose, like many another mining-camp, was pretty much controlled by one individual, who held the leading mining interests and the monetary circulation, in hs own grasp. | This man was Judge Jeremiah Alvin, who xe f nade. res — . Yreka Jim’s Joker. ‘6 aid adr % wait > MURR hs be 4 He “took up” by Government process;‘all of the adjacent territory that was worth working, and then came the question—what should the new “city ” be named? A debate was had in regard to what vould be the most appropriate name, and by a singular coincidence, it became noticeable that each of those seven pilgrims was possessed of a cherry red nose, the fruits of exposure to the sun, Of course there was no other earthly cause that those seven “‘ smellers” should be painted cardinal red, except for the caresses of Old S»l, for the “judge” was.a strict temperance advo- cate, and constantly watched over his little band, exhorting them tostcer clear of the flowing bow], or quit his society forever. So, at one of ‘the atic epi suggestion, the camp was named Red Nose; and then, on con- Cition that bis six pards should forever’ abstain from intoxicating beverage, and fight against the introduction of such stuff into the town, the judge made them bis equal partners in all that pertained to the future success and financial prosperity of their pet “ locate.” Thus it was thet tre camp bloomed out into the only place on the rarzs where liquor was a dead letter, and could not be bad for love or money. — Every new citizen of the camp ,was first forced to promise not to sell, permit to be sold, or encourage the sale of any stimulants, before he could purchase a site to begin business on, or obtain any employment, whatever. The judge was boss of Red Nose, and things had to go his way, or some one would ‘‘drop,” for such citizen as showed any inclination to break the judge’s commandments was at once hauled up before a stern Committee, and not only heav- ily fined, but ordered to make himself scarce, under penalty of getting ‘‘ salivated.” So, there were no liquor saloons in Red Nose, consequently few “ jamborees,” such as form the lively side of life in many mining-towns, There were gaming-rooms, dance-houses, a “* the- ater,” and other places of the class, but nota bar, where “hard stuff” was dealt out, Not that the breath of every pilgrim of Red Nose was @ stranger to the odor of “ bug-juice ;” ‘that was out of the question. Frequently the Committee had to deal with some party, whose legs or unsteady antics pro- claimed’ that be had interviewed a bottle or derhijotn, and there were those who binted, out of TutigetAlvin's hearing, that the “initiated ” need not go without their “‘ booze” even in Red Nose town, x pe Re Two of the’original seven abstainers had had to ‘get up and get” through crooking the elbow, on the sly, and their interests in the mines, through original agreement, were transferred to Alving oo Dien a And those who believed they ought to know, claimed that there were three if not four more of the ‘‘originals” who were not above sus- icion, and whose cases were liable to come up, or an early investigation. = =. gw Then there was an undercurrent of popular feeling that Judge Alvin's days as “* mayor” of Red Nose were numbered—that as 8o00n.as, the pedple.could ifiud some fearless, independent, in- dividual who would have the courage to become ‘a candidate, they would elect him the ruler of roug proudly traced bis ancestry back to a certain | nobleman, who. came over in the Mayflower. He had been angng the first to invade the gulch where Red Nose placidly nestled; and thereby bangs a brief tale, relatively to bow the town got its name. ; ; Oy Seven men were the ‘ planters” of the camp, but the judge having very nearly all the cash, was of course the leading spirit of the party. { Ae rey ~, var al ETE FAR. COME Es WL EN 2s en remainder of, t ‘Red Nose on the free-license ticket} in spite of Judge Jeremiah Alvin and his money-bags, | __As the jadge. was hecoshing richer aid richer every, day, there were wise héads mee those ‘and rugged miners who reasoned that the judge would not feel. deenly aBerieved if the he original partners would de caught at erooking their elbows, and thereby forfeit; to his advantage, their_interest in the mines, thus makiug bim sole owner of all the mineral-producing territory, and, in fact, of all the town, with the exception of a few purchased habitations and business places which he stood ready to buy back whenever their owners should want to sell. De Tet, Up to the évening of thg stranger’s arrival in Red Nose, the people’s secret desire for a new administration had been daily growing strong- er, and the prospect was that there would be an open revolt against no license ere long, when Mr. Alvin would bave to submit to the desires and will of the people, in spite of his riches. . With which brief sketch of the situation, we will return to the new arrival in Red Nose. The single rough street of the camp was alive with citizens, as the new-comer drew rein be- fore the Buckin’ Cayuse, and evidences were plain that something unusual was occurring, or was to occur, shortly. . A bonfire bad been kindled @pposite the Cayuse, aud another further down the street; knots of people were collected, here and there; t mis ae ity * Sak ro ih pate. #: (TOON, ike eee Pe , : tbe contrary, 1 am best known ‘as Yreka oh ete rs ey eg a nia me ek oe n wee f “* ¥, 4" Tt}: i . ii > r 7 fe 2 er oP, ri Fay Me! fees iat FD, se rae ey Becca eo 8 haa NG ue —— eee 7 others were hurrying to and fro, anda general ~ state of exciternent seemed to prevail. ‘The veranda, which fronted the hotel, a two-story structure, built principally of logs, was crowded with aa aa whose attire seemed somewhat of a holiday character, aud gave rise to the impression that they were more prominent citizens than the main rabble who had to take to thé street. ' A lightning glance of the stranger took in the faces On the veranda; then, he carelessly threw | the reins upon the neck of his horse, and dis- mounted, as fine’ a specimen of well-developed mathood, as ever bad put in an appearance in that wild region. : There was an audible and perheps an eager murmur of the crowd on the veranda, and a broad-shouldered, beavily-fleshed man stepped forward. ““Good-evening; Mr: St. Maur! I assure you it is one of the greatest pleasures of my life to meet you, coming to us as you do, under such all-important auspices. Allow me—I am Judge Alvin, and it does me proud to present to you the people who advccate temperance, Boys, this is the Honcrable Charles St. Maur—Cbip- peway Charley—the great temperance apostle, who bas come to address us, to-night. Three cheers, for St. Meur!” The cheers were given, with a “tiger,” by the men on the veranda, who appeared to be representatives of the temperance element of Red Nose; while the judge’ busied himself in vigorously seizing and shaking the stranger’s and, > While the stranger looked as if he regarded the proceeding as somewhat questionable, ‘You will excuse me!” he began—*‘ but—” ‘No, we'll not excuse you!” the judge de- clared, dragging bim upon the veranda, ‘It is but.‘once in a lifetime that we people, ’way back here, in the mountains, have an opportu- nity of listening to an orator of your rare in- telligence and elocaence, and; tired and travel- stained though you are, we must insist that you benefit us beni js mortels with a speech, to- night, But, anderstanding ‘that you would be hungry, we haye ig you an bour, in which. to rest and refresh. Up with bim, boys, and bear bim to. the banquet, and sbame be to any one of you who does not look to it that he feeds for sixty minutes, without a ebance to speak. Fodder first, then the vital question!” There was certainly strong evidence that tke judge’s will was law, for the stranger was Seized by many hands, lifted to an altitude above the heads, of the crowd, and, ’mid ring- ing cheers, borne into the hotel. | ‘The ground story of the establishment wes all in one large apartinent, buf a certain portion of it was set apart for a dining-room, and here a table was groaning under its weight of frontier delicacies, prepared especially for St. Maur’s entertainment. —. sea saitay sake - Tenderly the stranger was seated at the table, and busy hands engaged ty Biting, his plate with such luxuries as mortal man seldom gets up in those rugged mountaintowns, . ... At first the stranger felt unmistakably be- dered and at loss what to do, althongh he ade several attempts to make himself beard. “But it was noise! 0 Plainly, he bad been brought there to eat, anid so, finally, with a butnorous twinkle in bis eye, he “squared himself,” and began to stow away the provender with remarkable rapidity. “It did the crowd Bond. 44 B21) lsd tae Some of the more sedate watched him with w - danced about in great glee. _ Enough for three hearty men did the stranger put away; then, when he appeared fully sutis- fied, he leaned batk in his chair, observing: © ‘Gentlemen, [ hardly know how to express” my grateful appreciation, of this unexpected and elegant pe We atey inasmuch as I don’t © happen to be the individual you evidently bave taken me for. My name is not St. Maur, but Jim, and I’ve dropped. over here to-night te stir up a little game of poker, However, as there’s nothing mean about me, suppose we all take.a smile on the strength of the mistake?” And reaching into an inner pocket of bis coat, he drew forth a quart flask of whisky and — extended it to Judge Alvin, with a ‘ ape ‘ it!” CHAPTER II. YREKA JIM'S THREAT. | i THE audacity of the stranger in having allow- — ed the deception to take place, was only equaled — by his supreme ‘cheek ” in offering to treatthe — ws c , is if * “te f manifest approt tion, while others sung and a pleasant — smile, as much as to say—‘‘It’s prime stuff; try - . 3 gens Pree, es
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ey crowd to “ hug-juice,” whose alleged motive was to prevent the introduction of the stuff into the moral and good little city. For a moment the temperance slement glared at him with surprise and rage commingled, Zividently it was hard for them to credit their own sight and bearing. “Sir-rh!” Judge Alvin gasped, drawing his portly form to a dignified attitude—‘ sir-rh/ I am astounded—shocked—horrified bevond ex- pression! What do you mean, sir, by insulting this delegation of representative citizens?” ‘* Representative, are they?’ Yreka retorted, placing the bottle on the table and gazing calmly from face to face, ‘* An’ I insulted ’em, did I?” “To be sure you insulted them, sir—insulted them as they were never insulted before!” the judge declared in hot anger. “Then durn me ef you ain’t the easiest in- sulted party o’ galoots ’ve met in a year! Don’t never crook yer wrist, hey?’ “‘Thank Providence, no!” the judge cried. “* Before you, behold a noble band of honorable men who have sworn to forever abstain from using intoxicants, and also to prohibit their ex- istence in this town, ‘You, sir, in bold defiance of our laws, have dared to insult us, as a people, nk bringing the curse of creation among us. hat have you to say for yourself?—what have you to expect of us, an outraged popu- lace? Zounds, sir! my very blood boils in my “veins!” ‘‘Tf your whole system is as fiery as the end of your nose, I wonder you are not all boiled up!” Yreka retorted. ‘As for myself, I beg to remark that this is the first oceasion this old pard "—patting the bottle—“‘ has ever been in- ‘sulted by being refused suffrage by so august a body of citizens; and as for what you're going to do about it, why I am ready to debate on that matter at any time it may become your pleasure. In the mean time I'll take a nip, for, although not a regular drinker, I feel that a bit of stimulant might do me good after my fatiguing journey, So here’s lookin’ at you!” And smiling Hanae, he removed the cork and placed the bottle to his lips. For an instant the liquor flowed from the bottle into his mouth, to the rage of Judge Al- vin, then— There was the report of a pistol-shot, and the bottle was smashed into a thousand pieces, which, together with the liquor, flew in eyery direction. A ery of surprise and indignation broke from Yreka Jim’s lips, and he sprung to his feet, and laid bold of his two revolvers, Quick as he was, however, a dozen weapons -were covering him, ere he could draw his own, “Oh! you’d better not try the belligerent game around here, sir!” Judge Alvin warned, *‘for it won’t work. _We.do not tolerate any of ~your class of characters around here, ou have broken the rules of the camp and you must abide by the penalty for the offense!” aut must?” Yreka echoed, coolly. ‘‘ Who said “Tsay so! The constitution and by-laws of the town say so! I am the mayor, sir, and own pretty near all of the place, What I do not own is owned by temperance people, and we will positively allow no whisky in Red Nose, nor any ope who has an appetite for it, You must. surrender and stand trial. You will be fined, and ejected from the town, and to return here again, means your death! So, if you were not previously aware of the condition of things in Red Nose, you are enlightened, now, and for all time!” | The judge uttered this declaration with the pompous air of a king, and waved nis hand to- ward his total abstinence flock. YrelgpJ im eyed him with an expression of dis- gust, | a! tvas not aware of the fact that this was a temperance town,” he said, “ but, had I been, it could not have made any difference; I should have come just the same, and wherever I go I always carry a flask of liquor for personal use, or in case of accident necessitating its use, As for submitting to arrest, for such a fancied grievance, I’ve no idea of doing anything of the sort.’ ‘*You surrender, or you die with your boots on!” Judge Alvin declared. ‘‘We have you covered, and shall not hesitate in the least to shoot you, providing you do not surrender, Majority is might, and might is right in this camp, and the government shal] be maintained, and its ordinances upheld, even though it, costs a bundred men’s lives. You bave five minutes in which to decide which you would rather do— surrender or die!’ Yreka Jim’s Joker. A clock, behind the bar, indicated the time~— five minutes to eight. Yreka Jim glanced first at the clock, and then at the crowd. The latter had swelled greatly in numerical count, and included nearly all of the people of | the camp, good, bad and indifferent. The faces of the prohibition element expressed their bitterness of feeling for Yreka Jim, and evidently they were quite ready to pounce upon him at a word from Jerry Alvin, There were other faces, however, of the sturdy, strong-limbed mountain miners, who exchanged low remarks to one another as they critically surveyed the sport. With bis keen glance Yreka swept the sea of faces, and knew that it would avail him little to attempt, by any bold or daring move, to escape. Full two-score of revolvers were leveled at him, and there was no reason to believe that the men who held them would fail. to shoot, at Alvin’s direction. Three minutes of the allotted time passed ere the menaced man spoke in answer to the last remarks of the judge. “You are self-appointed mayor of this town, you say!” he finally: observed. ‘‘ You apprise me that I will be fined and forbidden the town?” ‘Exactly. your stamp!” “Very good. I will surrender and pa fine and leave the camp. How much wil the fine be?” “That will be decided at a meeting of the Council. We will hold you in durance until we deliberate and render a decision. Throw down your arms!” ‘‘That is unnecessary. My word, that I sur- render, is all-sufficient. There is one question I wish to ask: Who shot the bottle from my hand?” , **T' did, sir, and you should be glad you és- caped that easily!” a ringing voice cried, and a man rushed forward, through the crowd, ‘‘I am Charles St. Maur, the man whom you were mistaken for, and a foe to intoxicants and all who use them!” As he confronted the sport, a murmur of sur- prise escaped the spectators, The two men were singularly alike! They were evidently of about one weight, and pretty evenly matched, as regarded mus- cle and sinew. In face, there was a slight re- semblance, both having mustaches alike, eyes alike, mouths alike, and each wearing bair long, down over the shoulders. Their attire, too, was of a singular character, and, seen together, they might readily bave been taken for brothers. But there was little of the brotherly, in their expressions, as they surveyed each other, Cold- ly critical, and cynical wus each man’s glance, and no words further tban had been uttered, were required to tell that from that time they were mortal foes, The arrival of St. Maur upon the scene, elicited a cry of surprise and approval, from the prohibitive element; but neither he nor Yreka Jim paid the slightest attention to this fact. Each seemed intent on “sizing up” the other. “So you are the man who fired the shot, el?” Yreka finally said, nothing in his tone to indi- cate that he was in the least éxcited. . “T am the man/” St. Maur declared, with emphasis, **And you, I suppose, come here, to work upon these people as a representative of total abstinence principles?’ “T do, sir, most assuredly!” * “ And will you be kind enough to illustrate how you ever became called to these people’s at- tention as a temperance lecturer?” “TI believe that is unnecessary. My peputa- tion as a lecturer on the evils of intemperance is wide-spread, in the Northwestern States and territories!” Yreka Jim smiled, significantly. “So I am aware,” he said, with sarcasm. “Tf Tremember correctly, you were involved in a drunken brawl in Leadville, a few months ago, and had to slope for shooting your para- mour!” ‘*You lie! You are an infernal liar!” the advocate cried. ‘*You are at liberty to utter all of that sort of thing you wish!” Yreka replied, “‘as I am at present unprepared to choke the words back down your throat. However, please under- stand this much: henceforth, you and I are enemies, and it will be conducive to your per- sonal safety to keep widely out of my path. We have no use here for men of the the = As for Judge A'vin and his temperance racket, I don’t care a cent for that, and though I be forced to leave the town, I[ shall return again, and, what is more, I, Yreka Jim, of Vista Val. ley, swear that I will rule the town, in Alvin’s stead!” It was a bold declaration, uttered with a ring- ing earnestness that no one could doubt, and naturally it created a sensation. ‘““You rule this town!” the judge cried; fu- riously—‘‘ you ?” * Ay, I!” Yreka retorted. ‘‘I came not here to meddle with your local governing affairs, sir, but on the contrary to raise a little sum of money at poker, necessary to clear up @ mort- gage due on my cattle-range, over in Vista Valley. However, sinee I see that the people of this camp are the subjects of a petty tyrant [ believe the majority of thé people will a at an opportunity to choose a leader of their own liking, so if they assent, I'll run for the office of Mayor of Red Nose, in the face of all opposition. Now, sir, I am ready to surren- der!” With an expression of disdain upon his band- some face, Yreka Jim folded bis arms across bis breast. For an instant Judge Alvin was: speechless with rage, for he was a man of wonderfully keen perceptions and at once saw that in Yreka Jim he had incurred not only an enemy, but a rival for popularity—a man who, by bis skill, daring and intrepid actions, was liable to do just what be had threatened—wrench ‘the rule of Red Nose:'town from bis (Alvin’s) grasp. For it was no secret that the judge was daily losing more friends than he was winning, and he was not altogether blind to the fact, himself. The threat of Yreka Jim and his defiant de- meanor greatly added to Alvin’s anger and also certainly alarmed him, but he showed no fear and at once resolved to crush the man at once. ‘“We shall see!” he cried, savagely—‘* we shall see, sir, Seize him, boys; and bind him!” A dozen men obeyed the order, and Yreka Jim submitted 10 the indignity without a de- mur until the job was complete, and, although standing erect, he was powerless to move either band or foot. Then he spoke: , ‘Gentlemen, I am your prisoner, and so far as I am concerned, you have it in your power to make what dis lof me you see fit. Re- gardless of what it sball be, I hereby, before you all, place my curse upon this camp under its present rule, and upon all who have been concerned in my arrest, or have to do with my further disposal. Until Irun the camp of my own sweet will, no luck will ever come to it. I have said my say, now, and you can do the remainder of the talking, if there is any to be cone!” ‘““You have talked quite enough!” St; Maur declared, ‘“‘and if I were in Mr. Alvin’s place, I’d make you dearly suffer for your temerity, as you ought to. Hanging is too good’ for you, and if I have got any influence you will get worse than that!” “Thank you! Do your werst, while you can, as my turn will surely come,” Yreka replied, calmly, A strong guard was placed over him, armed with six-shooters, while the judge, Sti Maur, and several others went one side and engaged in an earnest consultation. This detention meant no small loss, to the sport. Should he be beld under arrest until ten o’clock the next morning it meant the loss of all he had in the world, nearly! The cattle-ranch in Vista Valley, war cov- | ered for its entire value, by a mortee ge of $5,000. When Yreka and Martha McKardless [See ‘Yreka Jim’s Prize,” ‘BRapLe’s HALF-DIME | Liprary No, 872,] had bought it, they had paid down all their cash, except enough to stock the range with, and a balance of five thousand was left on mortgage, for a few months; with the | priviso that if not then paid, on three days’ grace, the ranch and all its increase should re- vert to its former owner, and Yreka would for- ; feit all that had been paid. As that sum was over thirty thousand dollars, it will be readily seen that bis failure to meet the mortgage would be a thing of disastrous im- portance. At ten, on the morrow, the last hour of the grace would be up, and the former owner stood only too ready to take advantage of the default of payment. is vain Yreka had attempted to raise the $5,000, Ready money was oer scarce —not to be had at any premium, and at last, in desperation, Yreka bad bidden Martha good- by, and mounting his horse, set off for some
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near-by mountain mining-town in hopes of be- “4 able to make enough at the faro-table to lift the mortgage. Now his plaus seemed baffled, CHAPTER III. THE JUDGE AND ST. MAUR. No delay was made, at tue conclusion of the conference of dragging Yreka Jim from the Buckin’ Cayuse to the strong vabin, which had been erectd to serve as the local j il, It’ was small, built of a double thickness of logs, and, once locked within its walls, a pris- oner certainly had but very little show of get- ting out. In this den Yreka Jim was tumbled, and left to ponder over his situation, his captors taking their departure, after turning the key on him. Then Judge Alvin made the announcement that St. Maur would not deliver his lecture un- til the following evening, after which the two sought the judge’s residence. Although constructed chiefly of logs, it was by far the most pretentious babitation in the camp, boasting of numerous apartments, includ- ing a well-furnished parlor, into which the judge conducted his guest. When the two were comfortably seated, on witber side of a table, the judge produced a box of cigars, and opened the conversation. ‘* Well, St. Maur, your arrival is a source of great pleasure to me,” he said, lighting one of ‘the weeds,” and puffing a cloud of smoke ceil- ingward. ‘As you see, there is urgent need that the people of Red Nose sball be worked up to enthusiasm on the subj-ct of probibition, be- fore it is too late.” ‘Exactly, sir—exactly,” St. Maur assented, gocionsly. “Tam glad I arrived, as I did, for readily perceive that the people are not all in active sympathy with your pet hobby, and that aman who would represent them, on license, would clearly get their vote. But, 1 understand your case perfectly, my dear sir, and am aware that for you to lose your present prestige would ee a great loss to you, in finance, in popularity and in peace of mind, Am IJ not right?’ ‘“*You certainly are. By all means, fair or foul, I mean to maintain sole power and author- ity bere.” * And to that end, what do you propose to do, may | ask?” ‘* Whatever necessity may demand. I am not a man to stand on trifles. The first and most fmportant thing is for you to harangue the crowd with your utmost elcquence, and,thus aaintain my ascendancy.” /, ‘*My mission bere is as a temperance laborer, and as I came at your invitation, I shall natur- ally aim to be of what satisfaction I can to you, _ providing, of course, the remuneration is with- n keeping of the value of my services,” “Ob, I'll see to it that that is all right,” the judge said, promptly. ‘‘ You exert yourself to , ape this treasun to my authority, and you ‘will have no reason to complain about the pay, I assure you, sir,” : *T trust not—indeed, I am satisfied, not. It so happens, however, that I strike your model young city broke to a single dollar, and so must request a loan—not pry, in advance, but a loan. ave a large and valuable diamond here, which I will deposit with you in security for the loan I must secure—of five thousand. The stone is worth seveu thousand, at: any store,” It was a heavy gold ring, with an ex'tracr’'- narily large stone setting, that scintillated bril- _ liantly in the lamp-light. . Although Judge Alvin’s money-bags were . plethoric, he was by no means a judge of dia- . monds, never having indulged in such a luxury . himself; but the appearance of the ring was dazjling and attractive, and he tucked it away in his pocket, : ‘*Oh, certainly T’l1 accommodate you, sir, _ and I believe you will labor all the more ear- _ nestly in my interests,” he said. ‘* Most assuredly I will,” the apostle declared, as he received the desired sum, which the judge procured from his safe, ‘ You will find me in- ‘defatigable in my efforts in» your interests, 1 have a plan to propose, which I think you will, after due deliberation, eagerly advocate. It fppears to me to be the most feasible of any I have yet conceived.” “Then, let me hear it at once. By the way, on the quiet, if conversation parches your throat, { have a little unfermented wine—perfectly harmless, you know—whbich I know to be an _. excellent, tonic.” And, going to the closet, the judge brought _ forth a couple of gless:s, and a bottle of Bur- gandy, from which he knocked off the neck, : _. with the skill of a professional club bartender. res: "FAs ane aa Nee ; ree ere Rte PE ote ee Yreka Tim's a; oker. The Hon. Charles St. Maur did not appear surprised, but smiled knowingly, as he poured out a glass, and tossed it off. ‘Tt is all right,” he said. ‘‘ Discreet wine is beneficial to any one, and who is better entitled toits benefits than we whose aim it is to save men from drunkards’ graves? No one, to be sure, and I am glad to find you the judicious man you are,” ‘“‘Bravo!” the judge said, filling the glasses to the brim, a second time. ‘‘ You are a man after my own heart, and I am glad we have met, Here goes! And, now tbat we under- stand each other, open your plan furnace, and let me see the light.” ‘“Of course I will. Just one more glass, thank you. It is excellent. stuff, the very thing to put one’s bead and hand in condition for work, But, before the plan, what disposal is to be made of this Yreka Jim?” “That is the all impartant question, on which I have not as yet formed a decision.” ‘“‘ Well, I suppose the committee will vote that he be fined and banished from the town.” “That mucb, at the least, as that is one of the local ordinances,” ‘* Well, then, we will consider matters from this point. Jf be is let off this easy he has sworn toreturn, He will doitif he has to do so in disguise, and he will try to organize an opposition party to elect him to rule over this camp.” ‘*T fear so!” ‘Then but one course remains for you to pursue: you must issue a notice announcing ede pend as candidate for mayor, on the pro- ibition ticket. Campaign tactics must be adopted. Lect there be two parties, Allow Yreka Jim the freedom of the camp, and to be- come the nominee on the other ticket!” * Furies!” the judge gasped. ‘‘ Are you mad, man?” ‘“By nomeans, DoasI say, and I will be a go between, and with your money, will easily win the day; then we will sweep the opposition party from Red Nose, The canvas will make plain to us just who ere for our side, and can be depended on. The others can be handled then to our liking. We can drive them from the town and pocket all that they forfeit by be- ing forced to evacuate! Ifthe thing is shrewd- ly worked we can fix matters so that you will own Red Nose, as an entirety; then, open the camp as a whisky hole and dispose of your pos- sessions to such an advantage as to realiz3, in hard cash, ten times tbeir present value. Where your possessions are to-day worth a hundred thousand dollars, they can be made worth a million in a month if you let me en- gineer the thing!” The judge looked both surprised and interest- ed, as he refilled the glasses, ‘*True!” be said. ‘‘I see that you are a dip- lomat in your way, and I am not sure but 1 regard your plan favorably. It will require most careful ex«cution, and I shall have to sleep over the matter, ere I can consent to give it the consideration it is entitled to.” After a little further conversation, Chippe- way Cuarley took his departure, leaving the judge in a very speculative frame of mind. The adder bad planted his first sting! CHAPTER IV. — VISTA VILLA. LookinG down from the mountain ledge, where we snw Yreka Jim prior to his visit to Red Nose, Vista Valley an’ the bacienda-like runch by the silvery winding stream, seemed beautiful indeed—a Jandscape fairer than one ad often encounter in that section of the Far est, But down in the valley, close to the veranda- surrounded habitation, the prospect was still more charming. ‘ The hacienda and a few out-buildings in its rear were surrounded by a barbed-wire fence, and within the inclosure was a series of white graveled walks, a profusion of flowers and sorubs, rose-bushes and young trees that had been recently placed there as improvements, The floor of the front veranda was painted white and contained flower-pots, a_ settee, while a large, shaggy Newfoundland dog lay stretched out in front of the door, as if on sen- tinel duty. -It was a bright, sunny morning, that which. followed the arrest of Yreka Jim. At the ranch birds were singing around the veranda, and not far away the herders were driving the cattle out to feed, es they galloped here and there, their merry song and shout making the. air musical, — aE Te Within the hacienda a woman’s figure flitted i he a ed ae The about; then, at intervals she came out upon the Sp and gazed expectantly to the northwest- ward, She was a pretty creature, not yet of age, possessed of a shapely figure, a bright intelli- gent countenance, and one particular character- istic that added rather than detracted from her appearance—a head of hair of the brickiest. color. Sbe was attired in a calico wrapper, and with slippers upon her feet, and roses arranged at her throat, looked inexpressibly charming. This was Yreka Jim’s wife—the heroic Mar- tha McKandlass, who in Tarpot’s magic city, pee put herself up at a lottery to save Yreka’s: ife, ‘-T wonder why Yreka don’t come?” she said, speaking more to the big Newfoundland than to herself. ‘‘if he bad won, he surely would be back, ere now, and if be did not win, he surely would hasten bis return, and not leave me to face that terrible Van Gelder, unless—” She grew pale as a terrible thought flashed across her mind. She knew that when Yreka tenderly kissed her, and rode away from the valley home, the, noon before, he was in a mood bordering om fierce desperation. His temperament was such, that he would not come back without the money, witbout a life-and-death struggle to getit. Fearless dare-devil that he bad ever been, if he could git money in no other way would he not play his life against a sufficient sum to raise the mortgage? Mev bad been known to commit such rast acts beforé! Men of means were there, ip plenty, who would be willing to risk a lerge sum on so exciting a game. : The very thought made ber feel sick, and she hastened back into the house to distract her mind over her wifely duties, but remained tor a few minutes only. on ber pretty face she soon reappeared, to a: x~ iously scan the valley again. But sbe looked in vain. The cattle bad been driven out to feed, ant the herders were coming in, by her own request. to be near the hacienda, in case of trouble, The clock on the mantle chimed the hour of eight; then, half-past eight and then, nine, At ten, the time was up, on the morgage, and Von Van Gelder could tr ke possession then in spite of anything either Yreka or Mertha could do; that was the agreement, And that he would be on hand, by or before ten, was morally certain, : One hour yet, and no signs of Yreka’s ccm- ing. Dock Martha re-entered the dwelling, and. throwing herself upon a couch, buried ber fac in ber bands, and wept, ' All hope was now gone, and she foresaw what the result would be. The home which they had bought, beautified — 14 and been so happy in would be wrested from them, and they would lose all they bad in- vested. : : n the horse-stock would have to go, to satisfy the claims of the herders, who had kindly waited upon Yreka for wages, knowing: of the effort he was making to lift the mort- — gage. They would have to go out into the world — and begin anew, then, on the three thousand dollars which Martha had in ber pocket—all Lut two of enough to send Vox Van There was vo earthly use of expecting a particle of, leniency from Van Gelder, for be bad emphatically told them that when they had bought the ranch, Ps hal He was a hard-hearted, unprincipled man of — the world, who had parted with the place ata secrifice, for ready cash, to help him square a gambling debt, a He had told Yreka that he would give him precisely seventy-two hours’ grace, after the mortgage came due, as the agreemeut explicitly ‘stated, f Von Gelder was a sort of polisher! horder- rnffian, and, although honorable enough to pay a gambliog debt, he was the last person to grant mercy to a man in his power. He had made his boast that be would bave the ranch back in his possession, and now it ‘vel appeared very probeble thet he would. Oh! why did not Yreka return? ree Over and over poor Martha asked berse!f this 4 ’ question, as the clock ticked seemingly louder, — as if in exultance over the fact that not be cheated of its victims, ' ime coul - EIOUEL ite, veka mae Ftd She raises her head and listens, : ie Anxiety deeply impressed — elder away | without a claim upon Vista Villa, as Yreka had _ named the homestead. ey th * Ry.
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| | i Can she be mistaken? No! ’tis the rapid thud of horse’s feet, and she hears them coming up the valley trail. Nearer and nearer they come, and with a glad, expectant cry she springs to her feet and rushes out upon the veranda. A map is just in the act of slipping from the saddle, at the gate. {t is not her husbani—not bold, handsome Yreka Jim, but a man enough like bim to be his ‘brother! And yet, as she staggers back and gazes at him in wonderment, he opens the gate and advances toward her, waving a number of crisp greenbacks above his head, with an exult- apt laugh, Then, overwhelmed with intense excitement, she reels and falls, ber senses leaving her, and all becoming blank, CHAPTER V. THE FALSE YREKA, Wuewn Martna recovered consciousness, she found that she was lying on the sofa, but her head had an aching sensation, and ber powers of recollection were dazed. A man was bending over her, and holding eamphor to her nose, and she saw it was Yreka —thought it was, naturally, for she had no re- membrance of any one’s arrival, or that she had been waiting for Yreka—Yreka so brave, kind and true to her. ‘“‘The money! the money!” she gasped, as goon as she could gain command of her speak- ing “epee ‘Is safe and ready, when Van Golder comes, dearest,” said he beside her, bathing her fore- head. “Lie quiet, now, till you have fully re- covered from the swoon, brought on by excite- ment and anxiety over my unavoidable delay. It is not yet ten o’clock, and I willsee if Van ‘Gelder is in sight.” She raised herself upon her elbow, and ‘watched him, as he strode toward the door. He stepped out upon the veranda, but soon re- ‘turned. ““Yes—three horsemen are approaching,” he said, ‘‘and we areallright, Martha. Give me the money, and I have enough to make up the **How did you raise it, Yreka?’ Martha asked, gazing at him curiously, as she took a roll of bills from her dress pocket, and gave it to him. “At the card-table,” he replied, briefly—to her, it seemed, wearily. ‘‘ Have you your re- volver, dear?” “Yes. Why?” ‘* Keep it ready for use, out of sight in under your aprou. If you sev any attempt at she- nanigan, do not hesitate to shoot the first one who attempts to use a tool, and Ill finish the rest,” **Do you anticipate trouble, Yreka?” ‘Hardly, aithough there’s no telling in ad- -vance, and it is best to be on guard.” “True. I amso glad you got the money. I was so fearful that you would not come. And my head feels funny and pains me, now and taen, and somebow you look changed.” “Changed? Ob! you haven’t fairly got your senses yet. Maybe I am changed—I wouldn’t marvel if I was, after the ordeal I had to go through to get the money. I shouldn’t be sur- prised if my bair were turned white, But, there, do not question me now, All is right, and Vista Villa is safe. Here come Van Golder and two men, who look about of one stamp!” A few seconds later, Van Gelder’s form dark- ened the doorway. He was a large, powerfully-built man, with a dark, bearded face, and the faultless dress of a map of the world. He entered the room, and seated himself, without ceremony. “ Good-morning,” he said. here pretty punctual.” “ Exactly!” was the cool response of the man Martha had called Yreka, but who, as the reader has already inferred, was not Yreka. ‘I ar- rived, myself, but a short time ago.” ** Ah! you were away, then, for mohiey ? and the tones of the man indicated eagerness. * Ob! yes. Knowing 1 had no mercy to ex- pect from you, I went up-country and obtained what Ineeded. And now, my dearsir, if you will receipt the mortgage, you shall have your money in full.” ** Suppose I refuse to accept the money, or receipt the mortgage?’ Van Gelder demanded, insolently. “You can doso, if youlike. Ihave gotample proof that I am prepared to pay it, and Iam also ready to eject you from the premises, either “You see I am / WMT” Vgc tet oY "eT alee oa al a NT part ageet FT hs aaa FARE pew ty Laps $i) Dw , ny : P r 7 5 re » Yreka Jim’s Joker. dead or alive, as I may choose, at an instant’s notice. Shall 1 signal my men?” ‘“No! Itis not necessary. If you have the movey I will treat you square, although I will tell you candidly that when I sold the place I expected to get it back.” ** Well, you never will—at least, not at pre- sent!” The mortgage being produced at this juncture, Van Gelden receipted the final payment. The substitute Yreka Jim then paid him the five thousand doilars, after which Van Gelder took bis departure, accompanied by his two companions. The assumed Yreka then turned to Martha with open arms, “Come to me, now, darling!” he said, ‘At last our home is secured, and there is nothing to disturb our future peace and happiness, Are you not glad?” She gazed at him, in a dazed sort of way, but did not vffer to enter his embrace. “Yes, lam glad, Yreka, but—but, why is it you seem strange to me—so different from what you ever have bsen? [cannot make you seem like your old self. I—I think I will lie down uwhile. Ido not feel right—my head—some- thing is the matter with it,” “ Allright, dear. Lie down and rest, and let Ellen attend to all the bousehold cares. I have an errand down at Nelsonville} and will take advantage of your rest to make thetrip. By- by, now, and do not worry if [am delayed, as I must get this mortgage and deed fixed up properly, and may not get back until the even- ing!’ He caught her in his embrace and kissed her, and then was gone, While she sunk back upon the couch with something like a shudder of repugnance. ‘*My God! what is it?” she gasped. ‘‘ Why is it the sight of him [ so loved this morning, now fills me with dread and horror? Oh! I cannot understand it. He seems changed and different; and—and— Oh! Yreka! what has happened? Am I going crazy?” She buried her face in her hands, and re- mained thus, _She heard some one enter the cabin, go into the bedroom, then soon come out again, and leave the house. She believed it was Yreka, and supposed he was going for some ammunition, and so did not look up, For hours she lay in a semi-stupor, and at last, when she arose, her brain was no clearer. She wandered aimlessly about the house, and every once in a while, her lips seemed to invol- untarily mutter: ‘*Something is wrong. A change has come over Yreka, and some subtle intuition warns me that something is wrong.” Later she saw one of Yreka’s coats lying on a chair—the same he had worn the day before, He bad evidently changed it for another, before going to Nelsonville. Idly, and without any particular motive, she went. through the pockets, gazing vacantly at the contents she drew forth, until— Her gazo fell upon an unenveloped letter, in feminine chirograpby, when her eyes bright- ened with eagerness, and a sudden suspicion seemed to enter her mind. She seized the letter, bore it to the light, and perused it, her face changing in expression, The letter was dated from Cheyenne, W. T., and ran as follows: “Tis said that hell hath no fury like a scorned woman's hate! What, then, can you expect from me? I am after you, but do not expect you will' be where I send this letter, when I arrive there, But, that makes no difference; I will find you and /be re- venged upon you, if [ have to follow you to the ends of the earth, Beware, cruel wretch! When I strike, you will believe the eaying, above quoted. ‘Your wronged wife, * Farrag,” Over and over did Martha read this letter, her face growing whiter and more rigid each instant, ‘*T know, now!” she moaned at last, ‘‘ why it was that his very approach was repugnant to me. He has another wife, and Iam—oh! God!— henceforth an outcast!” Then, for a second time that day, she tottered, and fell! _ CHAPTER VL. THE TERRIBLE TRIO, WHEN Yreka Jim fcund himself alone in the strong cabin, and so helplessly bound that he could scarcely stir a limb, all of his former cool- ness temporarily left bim, and his face grew stern with passion, | . cS gh hom vette at \ 5 “ All is lost now,” he gritted, ‘‘and I owe it partly to these Red Nose ruffians! True, I ought to have been more discreet than to bave shown the liquor; but, by my soul, I believe this al- leged temperance policy to be but the cloak to something a hundred per cent. worse than the liquor curse! The man Alvin is no saint, Vil agree, and it looks to me but natural that his professed enmity to liquor is to abet his inter- ests in some other scheme, If I ever get out of this den, by Heaven he shall feel the weight of my hand! Poor Martha! what will she think of me—what will she do? Van Gelder will eject her from the premises, and I will not be present to protect and comfort her unless some- thing happens different from what I have any reason to expect, for there is no probabi. ty that these devils will fetch me up for trial, to admit of my reaching Vista Villa in time 10 prevent the foreclosure of the mortgage.” The very thought of the ranch being swept from his grasp, after he and Martha bad + x- pended so wucb money on it, was galling in the extreme, and the more he reflected the fiercer grew his anger, until be ground bis teeth with intense rage. But ’twas useless, this passion. He had not been bound that he might escape; indeed, the strength of a giant could scarcely have burst asunder the bonds which held his limbs to- gether. ‘it will be a dear night’s work for the folks of Red Nose!” he hissed; ‘ unless, indeed, they ki!) me outright, and thus prevent me from striking back. Vista Villa and a happy home may be snatched from me, but—curse them !— they shall pay me back, dollar for dollar, for what I lose, ¥ swear it!” From Martha and her prospective troubles his thougkts reverted to St. Maur, or Chippe- way Charley, as Alvin had called bim, ‘*T have heard of the man before, but never dreamed that he would cross my path, Though a thorough scoundrel he has an excellent repu- tation, and his coming to Red Nose is not with- out, significance, At any rate, it is only too evident that he and I are enemies from the start, and that he will use all his ingenuity to crush me, Let him do it; if I ever get out of here, two can play at the same game! The hours dragged by, slowly, and the bustle about the town died out, by which he drew the inference that it was past the hour of midnight. The night outside, was clear and moonlit, sna the single barred window of the jail, admitted sufficient light for Yreka to form a fair idea of his surroundings, and realized that it would be next to impossible for him to escape, even were he not bound. It must have been somewhere near two o'clock, when he fancied he heard voices, outside the jail, which caused him to listen; intently, It was but a moment ere he heard a repetition of the sound, which convinced him that he was right. hat did it mean? Was the Committee, headed by Judge Alvin, coming to pay him a night visit, and perhaps make a final disposition of him? The thought was not particularly a pleasant one, and he set his teeth together hard, ees gk he heard some one tampering with the lock, for it wasa padlock and hasp which fastened the door, from without, Eyidently, whoever they were they had no keys to the jail. Tee er pA This fact, in itself, convinced Yreka Jim that * the parties outside were not Judge Alvia and the Committee, as they would possess the keys. Who, then, was it? It was a question as quickly answered, for the | door swung open, arid two persons entered, ono carrying a bull’s-eye lantern, the light of which * was partly turned on. Both persons were closely masked, attired in — rough, boots, and slouch hats, and wore pistols in their belts, The man who carried the lantern was tho shorter of stature, but well-shaped and wore h's hair down over his shoulders. If he wore ary beard, it was not visible, on account of the mask. i His companion was big—almost a giant, in size—broad-shouldered, and evidently a person of prodigious strength. A matted sun-an’- storm bleached beard flowed from behind his mask, The man with the lantern, who was evidently the leader, flashed the light about, until it fell upon the prostrate form of Yreka J said: ** Ab! yes, he is here yet,” addressing hiscom~ : ae } fn lade ion i 9! ae Re cual” , ill-fitting garments, including stogy , im, when he < —
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a ee PETA rs ee 6 ‘ panion. ‘‘ You are Yreka Jim, I suppose, sir?” “That’s the title I usually teaver under,” “Yreka replied, coolly. ‘‘ Who are you?” ‘*Yam Captain Faith, of the Terrible Trio— ‘Faith, Hope and Charity.’ My companion “here is Hope. He hopes some day to be able to make a haul, that will take him out of his present business—that of a robber and cut- throat!” “Indeed? Then, I suppose I may infer that your visit bere was made with a view of satis- fying one of the vices mentioned, eh?’ Yreka remarked, with an effort to rise to a sitting position, ‘On the contrary, no, Learning of the cir- cumstances of your incarceration, we came to do you a favor—that is, a sort of a favor. Have you any idea what fate is in store for yon, you remain here in the jail until morn- D ** Not in the least. I may be used for a bar- becue, hung up by the neck, or planted to stay!” ‘* Neither of those plans of action have been adopted. It is the intention of the Committee to tar and feather you first, and then, having bound, you so that you are helpless, send you for a long ride on a wild mustang, which has recently been captured, and brougbt here, A sure and terrible death would be the result, you see, ** Which for—the mustang, or myself?” ** You, of course,” ‘1 am not so sure about that. It just occurs to me thatI passed through such an ordeal, once upon a time!” ‘*TIndeed! Well, I dare say you would hardly survive a second experience. We have come to take you from the jail, and to our stronghold. Before you go, you may, as well know our char- acters. By honest people, we are called cut- throats and robbers, but, in reality, we are only robbers, as bloodshed cannot be truthfully charged upon us, Are you willing to accom- \ ern A us?” ‘* Do you propose to give me my liberty?” + * After a Piste to our Smonahert yes.” A ‘* And why take me there first? If I am to “\have my freedom at your hands, for Heaven’s sake let me have it at once, asa mission of the most vital importance calls me away from this vicinity.” “That will be impossible, sir. Our rules are not to be broken, nor is our resolve. You have but one choice—go with us, or remain here, as you like!” The tone of voice of the speaker was sus- picious, for first he spoke in a hoarse voice— again his speech was decidedly feminine. ‘¢ How long will I be detained at your strong- hold?” Yreka demanded, ‘*Not long; but the length of time will de- peat upon the decision of the third member of be Trio, Charity!” Yreka regarded the speaker curiously, won- dering not a little what the Trio coald want of him at the stronghold, Was it but a ruse to get him from the jail, and make way with bim? Hardly, he con- cluded, for, if so, they could take him whether he was inclined to go or not, and not stop to consult his choice. Then, what object could the two have in taking him to the. third one of this party? Captain Faith broke in upon his brief silence, ‘Come! We have no time to tarry, in order to give you a chance for deliberation,. The Queen is not one of the most patient,” “ The Queen?” ‘““Yes—Charity, You will find her a ueen?” ‘‘Then she is a woman?” “‘No—she is a lady !” “Ah! That alters affairs, Excuse me for not saying lady first, But 1 suppose you know tbat I am invulnerable against female coquetry, being a married man.” | “That’s nothing to do with our, mission. We have our orders, and intend to act in accord- ance with them.” ‘Well, I don’t see that I am to be benefited by going with you—so I might as well stay here, If I have my freedom at all, it is impera- tive that I bave it at once, otherwise [ am not 60 particular about having it at all.” ‘Nonsense! You must accompany us to see the Queen. She will not detain you long, Idare say, when she knows your wishes, Stay here, and I have already outlined what will be your fate!” ‘* Not even the prospect of that would induce me to accept my liberty, sir; but if I may ob- tain my liberty a little sooner than though I were to remain here, I will accompany you.” “You are sensible, You must permit us to Yreka Jim’s Joker. blindfold you, as the location of our stronghold is a secret, known to but the three of us,” Yreka did not object—indeed, it was useless for him to think of doing so, A thick bandkerchief was fastened over his eyes, then he was assisted to a standing po- sition, and the cords removed from abous bis ankles, ‘* Now, Hope will lead you,” the captain an- nounced—and beware! ake no attempt to es- cape, as that will prove your death-warrant!” he brawny individual who had been charac- terized as Hope, at once seized Yreka by the shoulder, and the order to move was given. The trio left the jail, and quietly passed along the single main street for some distance, when another cabin was entered, and the door closed and locked, Yreka Jim was then seized bodily in the arms of Hope and borne down a series of steps, into what was evidently an underground apartment, or cellar, Here he was placed upon his feet again, and the cords quickly and deftly replaced about his ankles, The handkerchief was next removed from before his eyes, and be was enabled to gaze about him. He was standing in the center of a large cel- lar, which was reached by way of a series of rickety steps, commencing at a trap door in the floor above. The walls of the cellar were built of plank, and a floor had been constructed of the same material. The place had little or no ventilation, but was not altogether cheerless. In one corner was a neatl y-prranged. cot-bed ; a few chairs and a table occupied positions else- where, while upon the walls were several pic- tures of a common order. A lamp suspended in a bracket from the ceil- ing lit up the room sufficiently so that all objects were clearly discernible, Seated upon a chair near where Yreka had beeu halted, was a woman-—-at least her attire so indicated, and was of rich and costly material and effect. é' Her face was masked, like the faces of Faith and Hope, but a person gazing/at her would have decided her to be young and beautiful, for there was the unmistakable pose and grace of youth and beauty in her movements, attitude and manners, Diamonds glittered upon her lily-like fingers, and pended from her shapely ears—jewels of rare value and beauty, ‘‘You are Yreka Jim,” she said, more posi- tively than interrogatively, when the bandage had been taken from before his eyes. ‘ That’s what I generally get, when I’m men- tioned!” was Yreka’s characteristic response. ‘‘TIn former days you were a road-agent sir?” ‘‘T once upon a time acquired the unenviable reputation of being one, whether I deserved it or not! But, how did you become aware of the fact, pray, when it was miles from bere where I received the distinction?” “That matters not. Your reputation is not unknown to me. A man seldom Joses bis repu- tation, be it good or bad. Of late you have ac- quired the notoriety of doing some clever detec- tive work.” ‘* Perhaps—really, I cannot say as for that, owing to my innate modesty!” ‘Pooh! False modesty, you mean. You came here to Red Nose for a purpose.” ‘“Most assuredly. I have a purpose for near- ly all I say or do, Is that not the case with yourself?” ‘‘That does not matter to you,sir. You came to Red Nose fora purpose, and that purpose was to break up the Terrible Trio!” She spoke fiercely, and her fingers closed tightly, as in anger. ‘*‘ And is that the reason I was brought here?” Yreka asked. “Tt was, to a certain extent.” ‘Then I will relieve you of your anxiety by assuring you that such is not the case. The ex- istence of your Terrible Trio, as you express it, was wholly unknown to me until your compan- ions visited me at the jail, and made known their calling.” ‘“* Are you prepared to swear that it is a fact?” “Certainly Iam. What I state positively is truth every time; you can bet your best diamond on that!” The Queen of the Terrible Trio was silent ‘a few momerts, during which time she gazed steadily at the sport through the eye-holes of her mask. 2. ‘““ What attitude do you propose to assume re- lative to the affairs of Red Nose and its people?” she finally asked. “That I have not definitely decided. IfI can — gather enough people about me, I may run for mayor.” “Then, you propose to risk the wrath of the mayor and his followers, and go boldly into the camp, do you?” ‘Certainly! They have no power to forbid me the rights of a citizen.” ae you not afraid they will string you up? ‘“‘T shall run all such risks, Fearand I never- did quite agree, and I guess there’s no negotia- tions yet toward making us fast friends. I reckon the sensible pecple of Red Nose will pause to consider, before they try to eat me alive—thbat is, of course, providing I am person-- ally present.” “Tf you ran for mayor, you would depend: upon the rougher class to support you?” “Not altogether. I should appeal to all classes on the plea of a fair, open and honst government, leaving the question of license or no license to the majority. The people alone have the right to say whether liquor shall be sold in Red Nose or not.” ‘Tn short, you oppose the monopoly and tyr- anny of Jeremiah Alvin?” ‘“Perhaps, I am not in love with the man,, and J dare say he has no tender feelings for: me.’ * You are right!” and the robber Queen spoke: with empbasis. ‘‘The more you know of him the more you will grow to dislike bim, until, when you come to a knowledge of bis true char- acter you will wonder why you did not kill him when you first met him. And now, what atti- tude do you propose to assume toward us?” Yreka shrugged bis shoulders: ‘‘That’s a pretty tough question!” he respond- ed, eying her with a searching scrutiny. ‘“‘ As an advocate of what is honest and best, one would hardly expect me to consort with rob- bers.” “Certainly not. No one has intimated a de- sire of that kind, If you leave this place at all, it must be without the least idea of who we, are or where our rendezvous is located, This will prevent you from feeling compelled to make open war against us, even though you know of our existence. As long as you remain unaggressive we pledge you our support, know- ing our ability to give it to you, in more ways than one. In braving the people of Red Nose you will be surrounded by danger, constantly, and brave though you may be, there will no doubt be times when but for assistance you would go under. That assistance shall not be lacking. All we ask of you is that you will not take your own life by seeking us—that and one- thing more!” : “ And, what is that?’ ‘“‘Tbat you will pledge yourself never to rest, until you bave wrested from Jeremich Alvin his wealth, his power and the secret of the fate of one whom you hold most dear!” ‘What! Speak cut—whom do you mean!” And Yreka’s face became pale, while his eyes: grew Jurid. ‘* Listen!” the Queen commanded; ‘I foresee’ trouble abead; I foresee a terrible fate in store’ for your wife, which will inflame you with one passion—a desire for revenge. I, too, seek re- venge, but propose to make you my instrument. Directly or indirectly, which I cannot tell, at present—this man Alvin will be concerned in. your wife’s trouble.” For a moment, Yreka stood like one thunder- struck, What did it mean? Was there truth in these predictions? Could human beings look into the future and outline what was destined to take place? “You certainly have a strong talent for guessing,” be remarked. ‘‘ You evidently are more familiar with my little family affairs than I supposed.” ‘Not at all—not at all. Inever saw you be- fore, nor your wife, but I know that you are married, and I see trouble in store for you both, ‘‘ Perhaps you can, tell me my wife’s name, then?” “Certainly, It was Martha McKandlass be- fore she married you. There was some jealousy connected with the match, it appears, but she saved your life, and won you by lottery.” Yreka could searce repress an exclamation. ‘“‘ Perhaps you can.go back into my past, and reveal that!” he said. ’ She was silent several seconds, but finally shook her head. ‘No; your past is shrouded in mystery to me at least. I could,tell you a name that was yours by right of birth, but I do not think you would care to have it mentioned, even here.
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| A rift of pallor passed over the sport’s face. * Write it on a slip of paper!” he gasped. “That is useless. The initials are sof BA **By heavens! you are infernal!” he articu- lated, his face depicting great astonishment. “Ob! po, not quite that, I am Charity, the robber Queen, and my timeislimited. You have work to do, and can now illy waste time in use- less conversation. Promise what I requested of you, and you are assured of any assistance we can silently give to you.” ** And if I refuse?’ “You will be found dead on the main street | of Red Nose, in the morning!” “Very well. I accept your proposal—or, rather, your terms, on one condition:—which is, that I find trouble really bas come to my wife!” “Ttisa bargain! I will require no oath from you; your simple word is all-sufficient. And, now, we will drink to your success, and mine; then, you shall be conducted outside of Red Nose, and set at liberty.” She took a bottle froma table, and with its * eontents filled a glass. “Drink!” she ordered, “it seals our com- pact.” He obeyed, draining the glass. She refilled it, and with a bow drank in re- turn, ‘We will blindfold you now,” she said, ‘‘ and Faith and Hope will take you hence, Remem- ber! we shall ever be near you and expect you to carry out your part.” “Very well!” The bandage was then placed over his eyes, he was led up-stairs, and out of the dwelling, From that moment he knew no more, until he awoke, upon the great ledge overlooking Vista Valley and his villa. He was no longer bound, and bis weapons and watch were intact. ‘‘Have I been asleep? Has all this been a nightmare?” he gasped sitting erect. © looked at his watch, It was two o’clock in the afternoon. “eee gradually, everything came back to im. ‘* Lost! lost!” he pasped, springing to his feet. “Ttisnodream. [ was drugged, and Vox Van Gelder has foreclosed on the ranch. Martha! Oh! Martha! where in God’s name are you?” And the gaunt crags, and sighing foliage seemed to catch up the query, aud mournfully echo—‘*t where?” Swiftly passing his hand over his forehead, as if to shut out a hideous vision, Yreka Jim uttered a cry not unlike that,of an infuriated panther, and hurried from the spot, where, the afternoon before, he had sat his saddle, and gazed lovingly down toward the villa that held the pride of his heart’s honest love. CHAPTER VII. YREKA JIM AGAIN, Rep Noss, or more correctly, the people of tbat characteristic burg, had been pretty thor- oughly excited over the incident attending the arrest and incarceration of Yreka Jim; conse- quently the camp was early astir on the follow- ing morning, for the impression was prevalent that some “fun” was in store at Yreka’s ex- pense. But, as the reader knows, Yreka did not ro- main in jail to ‘be pom upon by the commit- tee, and when the fact became know that he had taken Jeave not only of the jail, but of Red Nose, in the bargain, the excitement became tremendous. , Of course he had not escaped unaided, for the lock of the jail had been broken by outside par- ties; and nothing was more probable than that Yreka Jim was abroad, alive and active, And there was not a{person, perhaps, in all the camp who entertained a doubt but what the dashing man from Vista Valley would be as good as his word. Jeremiah Alvin '\was nearly beside himself with rage at the escape, but, having decided to enter into the scheme St, Maur had proposed, he said very little to any one, but set about pre- paring for the work ahead. Failing to find St. Maur, who left a note at the Buckin’ Cayuse to the effect that he would be absent the better share of the day, Judge Alvin employed a local painter, and the result was, a huge banner containing the following notice and mounted against the front of the botel: “PROCLAMATION!! “For Mayror or Rep Nose, ‘ JEREMIAH ALVIN, “qTHr PEOPLE'S CHOICE! : Bes, “ 5 SS OM, oA. allah init neti Yreka Jim’s J Joker. * Judge Alvin, so well and popularly known as the | friend of the laboring man, and the toe of intemper- ' ance, takes pleasure in announcing himself as can- | didate for Mayor of Red Nose on the Prohibitionist | ticket. Every honest man, and allin favor of good, moral government, and good wages, are requested to cast their vote for Prohibition und Morality!” | Another notice wus posted later, viz: | “ ELECTION} | “Citizens are notified that the first election of | Red Nose will take place on the 20th instant, for the parnose of electing a suitable man to the office as Mayor. “Let every man vote for Judge Alvin, the town’s | foremost supporter, and for Prohibition.” Sull another notice went up ducing the day: $100 REWARD! * To Whom It May Concern :— “The above reward will be paid for the arrest of aman known as Yreka Jim, on the charge of incit- | eveniug, there were plenty who were eager to ing trouble by attempting to vote anu cause others to vote for open bars and intemperance, $100 additional will be paid for information leading to | the arrest of the men or parties wo assisted said | Yreka Jim to break out of jail. t ‘JUDGE v EREMIAH ALVIN, * Prohibitionuty Candiaute jur Mayor.” All of these notices. created wide-spread at- tention, and excited various comment by tbe people. The temperance element—for there, were a number of people in the camp who regarded total abstinence as the correct thing—were en- thusiastic in their approval of the stand the judge had taken. W hatever opinion bis opponents had was not loudly expressed, for there was yet no knowing how matters were going to turn out. During the latter part of the day St. Maur returned, and he and the judge had along and confidential interview. In the evening, bonfires were rebuilt, and, taking a stand, wnich had been built for his accommodation, St, Maur de- livered a lecture upon the evils of intemperance and the good resulting. from a prohbibitionary adminstration, It was certainly an eloquent and sensible ap- peal, for the villain diplomat was a man of fine oratorical powers, and of pleasing presence; so the address was received with enthusiasm by many, and was respectfully listened to by all. Atver the address, St. Maur was\treated to a feast, similar to the one that Yreka Jim had enjoyed the previous evening. Several days passed, and Red Nose became as quiet and monotonous, as though no such per- son as Yreka Jim ever had disturbed its peace. St. Maur remained at the hotel, and ingrati- ated himself into the favor of every one he pos- sibly could. He had a clever faculty of getting acquainted, and was even more popular among the liquor men than with the Probibitionists: ‘*Oh! things are going splendidly!” he would say, when questioned by the judge. ‘‘ Numbers of the men who have hitherto been quietly in favor of license haye pledged themselves to sup- port you, and by shoving out a few more green- backs Iam confident of an overwhelming ma- jority.” And gratified over his prospective triumph, the judge would “shell out,” right liberally. hile, with the innocent old fool’s money, the cute St. Maur would mingle among the for- license men, and slip them a V once in awhile, on the quiet, remarking: ‘‘Remember! You like your nip—and mum’s the word, When you go to the polls, if you want your way, vote for Charles St, Maur !” And, one by one, with a nod of approval, these men would openly announce their inten- tion of standing by Judge Alvin! Such was the state of affairs, when, one night as the main street of the place was alive with people, and the sights peculiar to miving-camp life, a wild—a terrific yell was beard, and a horseman, or at least, a horse, was seen coming down the trail, at breakneck speed. here was sometbing so awful about the yell that the citizens of Red Nose involuntarily rushed to either side of the street, in alarm. The saddle upon the horse was not occupied by a human being, but, instead, by a half- grown black bear, whom the wild leaps of the horse had vot the effect to dislodge, The horse, however, had another rider than Bruin. Seated bareback, behind the bear, and side fashion, at that, was a man, who, from his frantic gestures, appeared to be urging the foam-flecked steed to its utmost speed. If the bear maintained a good seat, what then could be said of the buman rider, who rode as though lashed to the horse, and yet was not, nor used either band or foot to keep him upon the Horse’s glossy back? Verily, no such wild and reckless riding, had the people of Red Nose ever witnessed, and the sight awed them. ‘Twas no need to ask who the approaching dare devil was, for he was a duplicate of Char- ley St. Maur, who stood upon the veranda of the Buckin’ Cayuse, Yreka Jim was coming! Yreka Jim was coming, and ‘‘ comin’ like ’ell bent for election,” as one man declared, as he sought refuge bebind a dry goods box, judging | that to be a safe protection from flying bullets. On came the wild rider! ‘* Yreka Jim!” The name passed from lip to lip. Men tooked serious—o.bers excited, and | eager, If exci'ement was to be the order of the take a jook at the “critter,” It happened that those who looked most seri- ous, were the temperance people, who evident- Jy anticipated that sometbing was like)y to hap- pen, and they were the first ones likely to be ap- proached on the subject. Oncame Yreka Jim, with speed enough, seem- ingly, to carry bim ’way through the town ere he could check the fiery-tempered steed who bore him, There were wild and sportiye spirits in Red Nose—men, who had rougbed it through the wild West and its mineral cities, dating from all periods back to the halcyon days of 49, And the approaching spectacle seemed to fill them, as of one accord, with enthusiastic de- light, for when one brazen-throated miner ven- tured tosend up a yell of approbation, others were not slow to join him, and the cheers of a bundred or more made the welkin ring, as it never rung in Red Nose before. These cheers bad not ceased when, at a word of command, Yreka Jim’s borse reared up on its haunches, in front of the Buckin’ Cayuse, re- maining poised upon its hind feet, for several seconds, then gracefully settling down on all- fours, At the same instant, Yreka Jim was standing erect upon its back, his bat doffed, and his face pleasant and smiling. ‘* Gentlemen of Red Nose!” he cried, in a ring- ing voice, ‘‘ you will ‘perceive that I am once more with you, and this time, I am here to stay, provided no one has too many overrulis objections. Allow me—this is my trump pard, Little Joker!” And, as if thoroughly understanding the intro. duction, the bear reared up on its hind feet, in the saddle, and thus poised, gazed inquin DBly. around, with mouth open, and tongue protrud- ing! CHAPTER VIII. YREKA JIM’S JOKER, ANOTHER ringing cheer went up, that caused at least two men a pang of envy—Judge Alvin and Chippeway Charley. Unmindful of what «ffect bis words might have on those individuals, Yreka Jim, smiling, looked over the faces below and around bim be- fore he spoke, his keen gaze not missing they judge nor the temperance apostle. ‘‘Gentlemen,” he spoke up, directly, ‘fas I before remarked, I am back among you, and I have come to stay. I don’t ask your permission to do so—it does not matter a cent whether you want me to stay or not. I’m gone to linger, and that settles that! I will still further en- lighten you: ‘* You all know tke circumstances of wy first visit to your town, and the reception which I was accorded, I came here from my home in Vista Valley to see if arun of luck would not help me to a sum of money I was urgently in need of. I left behind me a true and loving wife. During my incarceration here a serpent entered my home and robbed me, not only of my wife, but I kave every reason to believe, robbed her of her life!” He paused a moment, as if to repress his feel- ings, then went on: ‘This was not all I was robbed of, but it is enough to consider at present. I know whom to accuse when Lam ready. Suffice to say that the authors of the crime were from Red Nose, and to the people thereof I Jook for satisfaction, Had I not been molested as I was, no such crime would have to be answered for. Murder has been done, and by heavens I will have re- venge! The men who ere guilty—let them tremble ! ‘*T have more to say. I have a mission to perform, and it is in connection with my ven-
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geance, I have come to offer myself to you as a candidate for mayor of your town, in opposi- tion to Judge Alvin and his hirelings.” At this there was a cheer, but it was far from a ucganimous expression. ) The cheer pleased Yreka, and gave him cour- age to proceed; **I don’t expect you will all support me, and «do not solicit your yotes with the plea that I will.give you license to buy and sell liquor, aud get drunk as often as you please; neiiner am I an advocate of Prohibition. I see tbat you want aman to take hold of the town and run it, for the people, in the interest of justice and full personal rights. I am here, fellow-citizens, to represent that kind of government. I do not propose to go from man to man, begging bis support, nor do I propose to put out money to secure votes, as your big elephant candidate is doing; but, all the same, I do propose to be Mayor of Red Nose. So letall vote for Yreka Jim who desire so to do!” And, with a graceful bow, he leaped from his horse to the street, the bear immediately follow- ing his example. he crowd did not cheer again, but involun- larily swerved to either side, to allow the sport and his singular companion the right of way. Yreka mounted the steps, and entered, the Buckin’ Cayuse, Little Joker lumbering along beside him like a pet dog. He was a fine-looking animal, with a glossy, jet-black coat of hair, and the novel peculiarity of a busby tail! Standing upon his hind feet, he was near! as tall as a man, although as yet not full. grown, and evideutly had been so trained as to develop a wonderful amount of intelligence. Ono reaching the interior of the Cayuse, Yreka stepped up to the cigar counter, and called for a cigar, at the same time waving bis hand to the assemblage. ‘Come up, gents, and smoke with your uncle, since you have nothing ’round here to wet one’s whistle with. It is my treat, and nothing is too ‘good for those who are my friends, When you all get a weed I'll show you something that will surprise you. Tl introduce to you my quadruped friend, Little Joker, whom lll back, for any sum, to wrestle any galoot in Red Nose,” Yas, come up, boyees!” cried the tough who superintended the cigar-stand. ‘‘ I’ve got tae tin right in my paws, an’ every galoot is enti- tled ter a cigar.” The invitation was not permitted to pass uo- heeded, and a goodly number of the “cits” availed themselvesof the opportunity to smoke, at the sport’s expense, Yreka Jim then caused a ring to be formed in the center of the apartment, which Little Joker promptly entered at a word of command from his master. ‘*Now, pilgrims, maybe you think a bear can’t be learned a thing or two, if rightly edu- cated by a professor—like myself, for instance. Iti endeavor to show you that Joker has gradu- ated from asenior class—and recollect, I give you this entertainment free of charge. ow, then, Joker, stand up.” * The bear quickly obeyed. ‘*Fold your paws across your breast, There —that’s right. Now, then, show the gents how you can waltz.” This order was also obeyed, the sagacious animal waltzing around very creditably. *Thav’s right. Now, Joker, can you sing us a song!” The bear gave vent to a series of whines, in various tones. ‘Good boy, Joker. Now, tell the folks about your habits. Do you smoke or chew?” A nod’in the negative. **Do you drink whisky and get drunk some- times?’ An ‘affirmative nod, and Joker licked his chops as if a “‘ horn” would be agreeable at the " present time. The crowd laughed loudly. »’ Do you ever eat any one up, bones and all, when you get drunk, Joker?” Another affirmative nod. * Well, if that’s the case, it’s a good thing I brought you to a temperance town,” said Yreka, smiling, ‘‘If you were going to select any one out of this crowd, on whom to make a meal, which gentleman would you prefer?” As if fully understanding what was asked of him, Joker turned his head from side to side, and gazed at the spectators who formed the ring. Then, with one paw, be pointed toward big suige Aeies; and opened his mouth to its fullest extent go err. ae J Yreka Jim’s J oker. Tbe judge uttered a horrified oath, and has- tily got back among the crowd, while Yreka’s hearty laugh was echoed by the spectators. **Oh! Joker’s a connoisseur of what is good, although in this instance I think be has rather descended to walrus-meat, in making the judge his choice. However, that is neither here, nor there. Joker is barmless, unless you go to mak- ing too familiar with him; then he is liable to get bismadup. Joker, old boy, can you oblige by standing on your head?” Bruin shook bis bead, and kept casting bun- gry glances toward the spct wbere be had seen Judge Alvin. * You can’t stand on your head? Well, I am surprised at you. Perhaps you can stand on your fore feet, instead of your bind ones?’ This the bear at once proceeded to do, rearing his hind quarters in the air, and balancing him- self on his fore feet!” The crowd, by this time enthusiastic, cheered, vociferously. ‘“‘That will do, Joker,” Yreka said. ‘Lie down, now, while I see if I can get up a match for you.” Bruin obeyed; then Yreka turned to his audi- ence, who, he was satisfied, were well disposed and friendly. ‘* Gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘ Little Joker has been exhibiting to you, a few of his simple tricks, and I am glad to see that you have appreciated them. You have not yet seen ail that he can do, for 1 claim for him the honor of being one of the most expert wrestlers, in America. You will observe that bis claws are dull, so that he can injure no one by scratching, who comes in contact with them, and that he will uot bite, nor give the bear Lug in a wrestling contest, I will guarantee with my life. “Tt has been my pride to train Joker, and I am now proud to say that I find it difficult to throw him, myself. That he understands the business of wrestling, in all its various details, can be proven when you see him wrestle. ‘‘Now, I have brought Joker here, with a view to matching bim against the best man in Red Nose for any sum of money, not exceeding five hundred dollars, that being the hight of my pile, just at present. Understand, however, the terms, befvure you all speak at once: ‘*T, personally, will wrestle any man in Red Nose, best. two out of three falls, The winner is then to wrestle best two out of three falls with Joker, and if he succeeds in downing the bear, he takes the stakes and the champions honors. If not the money goes to the bear’s owner.” ‘‘Tam ready to enter into that contest, sir, and my money is ready !” The speaker was Chippeway Charley—St. Maur—wko had pushed forward to the edge of the ting! CHAPTER IX. EXTRAORDINARY WRESTLING. THE excitement now grew intense! It was a well-known fact that the two men were not friends, and this was a sufficient guarantee that a match between them would be strictly on its merits. So evenly proportioned were they, and alike in muscular development, that there was no easy telling in advance who would be the vic- tor, and that Little Joker could throw either of them, seemed absurd, Yreka Jim received this acceptance of the challenge with a bow, Perhaps no one but himself knew that the challenge had been intended for the very man who bad accepted; yet, suca was the case. “Very ai sir!” he said; ‘“‘ you as well as any other man, providing you mean to let it be simply a wrestling contest for the stakes, and no more.” “When I wish to fight you I will be the challenger,” St. Maur retorted, stiffly. “Correct! You will find me on hand, any time you may cboose to name. Get yourself ready. How do yeu wish to wrestle?” ** Catch as catch can!” ‘* Which is satisfactory to me, Here, sir— you hold the stakes!” and Yreka beckoned to the cigar-dealer. The one thousand dollars was deposited in that worthy’s hands; then the men removed all their garments but pants and stockings, and stood before each other, prepared for the struggle. ; Two finer built athletes had certainly never agp to the scratch, in the history of Red Nose own, Both were broad-chested, strong-limbed, and -*, Apo a. a possessed of plenty of bard muscle, and were | — apparently as equally matched as any two men could be. Bets were freely made on every hand, but the bettors were careful not to offer any odds, “By ther silver sand-jigs ov old St. Vitus, they’re daisies, tho’!” a coarse, blatant voice cried, and pushing through the crowd came a rough, uncouth, gigantic specimen of humanity of the veriest western bullwhacker type, ‘‘Make way fer ther double-dyed distemper from Devil’s Diteh—Mambrinus Maccaw, from Saginaw, wko never as yit hed a mither-in-law, Clar tbe track fer the howlin’ hydra-headed he-up-an’-haw from Hadesville! hoopee! I’m a shadder o’ ther portals o’ death an’ demolition I am, an’ | air goin’ ter umpire thes leetle game o’ ten-pins, or bu’st a boot!’ Elbow people right and left did the giant, until be gained entrance to tbe ring, where he paused, and, with his bands upon bis hips, sur- veyed the athletes, ; in countenance he most singularly resembled the face of a baboon. His nose was ornamented with a huge wart, one of his eyes had been re- cently blacked; his mouth was huge in propor- tion, and his face covered with a bristling beard, which was sun-bleached, unkempt, and tobacco-stained. His dress was coarse and mud-splashed, and he looked as if he had just passed through a hard winter. As he came to a halt, his face expressed no little astonishment, as his gaze rested upon the face of Yreka Jim, ‘“ Waal, by ther clock-work clog ov old St. Vitus!” he ejaculated, agape with genuine sur- prise. ‘What dolIsee? Aire I ridin’ a bevel- edged mid-summer night’s dream, or aire my mentuale functions still in a normal condish? Dol perceive that which I see, or aire me cere- b’um out o’ kilter? No! caluminate my keerac- ter ef et ain’t ther same reprehenserble, riot- ous, rantankerous cuss—Yreka Jim!” The sport turned his gaze upon the tough, and an expression of recognition passed over his face. But it was by no means an expression of welcome, : ‘‘Slumgallion Sloat!” he cried. ‘I thought you were dead!” “Did ye? Waal, then, too, I didn’t, Me dead—me, the hydra-headed he-haw-up-an’-gee gerloot from Gila! Waal, I should twitter in the evening! No, sir-ee, me lark, nary a time dead! Ionly played it, thet momentuoas occa- sion, up in Wake-Up. Dead!—me? Why yer make my consumptive lungs larf. An’ ye’ve got me dead wrong, too—yer mem’ry hez dele- riously deluded ye. My name is not Sloat—no, never— “T’m Mambrinus Maccaw, i the iron jaw; ve’s yer paw, ‘An’ don’t call et a draw. But go on wi’ yer leetle hipperdrome, an’ ef I don’t play ring-master durn my ducats, Fair an’ squar’ shell this hyer contest be, an’ ary ger- loots as interferes wi’ ther ceremonies carries his gaiters wi’ him inter infirmity!” And drawing a pair of huge revolvers from his belt, the bullwhacker flourished them before the eyes of the crowd, to show that he meant to be master of the situation, “Go ahead wi’ yer circus!” he commanded, addressing St. Maur. ‘Ill see thet ye each bev the fair did by ye, an’ cuss my boots ef I won’t treat ther first man that breaks t’other feller’s neek!” ‘Ts it satisfactory to you to let this fellow be referee?’ St, Maur demanded of Yreka. ‘‘ Although none too trustworthy, I have no objections,” Yreka replied, coolly, ‘‘ Were ita matter of life and death, it would be different.” ‘Then, you may act!” St, Maur said, to the bullwbacker. ‘‘ We are ready!” ‘Then, go abead!” Mambrinus Maccaw (as we shall call him) bawled, evidently not liking the thrust Yreka bad given bim, | The next moment the men clinched, For five minutes, locked in an iron embrace, they writhed and twisted about, but neither succeeded in gaining as much as a knee-fall, It was plain that it was to be a struggle of giants. In the second five minutes Yreka got his man on his knees twice by superhuman strength, but succeeded in keeping him tbere only an instant. Witbin five minutes more, however, both men were down, and it was but a matter of time and science, when one or the other must touch floor, Maccaw said not a word, but watched the struggle with as much eagerness as the other spectators, hovering close to the contestants,
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atchful that not a vantage point should be ost to either one, The longer the struggle lasted, the faster be- came the betting, wagers being quadrupled, in numerous instances, At last there was a simultaneous yell from every watcher. By an extraordinary effort St. Maur succeeded in getting Yreka straightened out, and thus won the fall! Then, for several minutes, the room rung with shouts of applause, principally by the temper- ance element of the camp. Time was called, and after a short rest the men went at it again. It was a short and decisive round, In exactly two minutes, by time, St. Maur was flattened so deftly and forcibly as to nearly take his breath away. And Yreka did the act with the utmost appar- ent ease, which set the crowd wild with entbu- siasm, aud’ satisfied many that the sport was merely playing with St. Maur in the first round, in order to draw him on. The third tout soon began. The treatosent meted out to him in the second test seemed to have aroused St. Maur to despera- tion, and he went about the third savagely, as if ‘to win, by any means, And after a struggle similar to the first bout, he did win, but there were scores of the crowd who were satisfied that if wasa give-away on Yreka Jim’s part, in order that the temperance apostle should have a trial with Little Joker. For, no sooner was Yreka on his back than the bear arose and stretched himself with a sleepy gap, as much as to say: * Well, Pil try my hand!” Yreka arose, and bowed to the crowd. “Mr. St. Maur is entitled to two falls out of three!” he admitted, ‘‘ We will now see if he ‘can do as well with little Joker.” * We will not!” St, Maur cried, importantly. **T am not in the habit of wrestling with brutes, I won tne fall and claim the money.” ‘Not according to the terms of my chal- lenge!” Yreka responded decidedly. ‘ Unless you carry out the programme you forfeit the money you put up!” “Tl be cursed if I will! Give me the money, Taylor,” and he turned fiercely to the stake- holder, **Can’t do it, Cap, till the biz aire decided,” the man replied, doggedly. ‘The ticket war thet the ownership o’ the funds war to be de- cided through the bear.” ~ “Them’s ther fac’s o’ ther case, you bet!” Mambrinus Maccaw chimed in, ‘‘ an’ either yer wrassle ther b’ar, or yer forfut the ducats ter Yreka. A feller w’ot squeals hain’t got none 0’ my compassion, nohow,”’ The crowd, too, seemed to side against him, and witha malignant look of hatred, St. Maur turned to Yreka. Tl break * Allright. Send on your beast. his back, and your neck, next!” At a signal from Yreka, the trained bear arose upon bis hind feet, and made for his op- ponent, who stood in pose, awaiting the on- slaugbt. In an instant Little Joker and the champion “were locked in an embrace, which Yreka well knew meant ‘ business” for the insolent St. Maur. If the people of Red Nose had imagined Yreka Jim to be a mere braggart when he boasted of his wrestling bear, they were destined to see _ their mistake; for Joker justified what bad been said of him, . In five minutes from the time he and St. Maur clinched, the temperance cheat was flat upon his back, and Little Joker standing over him, Many acheer bad been uttered, in the Buckin’ Cayuse, but none that had ever made the build- ing tremble, as now, when full a bundred throats gave proof of their appreciation, Cursing bitterly, St. Maur regained his feet, and at once clinched with the bear, and a des- | perate struggle ensued. But, in an incredibly short space of time, and with a skill that astounded every one, Joker ‘had scored a second fall. Blind with rage, St. Maur sprung up, and essayed again to clinch with the brute, but this time Joker objected, for with one blow of his right fore paw, the remarkable animal struck the opponent beside the head, and knocked him clean off his feet, upon the floor. CHAPTER X, THE TREACHEROUS ATTEMPT. : Groat silver-sand jigs of old St; Vitus!” roared Mambrinus Maccaw in his delight, get- ting down on the floor and keeling over. Tork about yer Maces, wull ye—how war ————— ee moe oe —_ —— See eee ancy AY" ae TET ph AkireMees aS PME SP ier nha Ty pees. Rae ee A Palate’, f Yreka Jim’s Joker. thet, hey? How war thet fer take-’em-in-out- o’-the-wet? I tell ye, thet aire anymile exhibits ther symptoms uv who fetched bim up, an’ eddicated him. Durn my ole mule’s propensi- ties fer kickin’, ef thet warn’t wu’th ridin’ a mileyono miles ter see! What d’yer say, boys— let's whoop ’em up, an’ twitter three cheers fer Yreka Jim, an’ bis leetle Joker!” The proposition was greeted with a yell of approval, and the cheers were given with a force that made the windows clatter in their casements, To which compliment Yreka Jim smilingly bowed his thanks, “Thanks, gentlemen! Iam glad you appre- ciate Joker’s science!” he said. ‘Having dow entertained you for some time, I trust you wil? excuse us, until some future occasion.” And receiving the stakes from Taylor, he stowed the money away in his pocket. ‘*Not yet we won’t excuse you!” St. Maur cried, coming forward. ‘This matter is not settled yet, you low-lived cur! In the first place, I demand my money back!” ‘* Demanding and getting it are two different things,” Yreka coolly replied. ‘‘ Your money was fairly won, as the audience all stand ready to admit, and I shal) most certainly keep it!” “Will you? We sball see about that, You will not live to keepit, You have grossly in- he me, and you shall figbt me and Jose your ife! “T lose my life? Well, I guess not! What will I be doing while l’m losing it?” ‘*Pll show you!” the villain hissed, and with- out an instant’s warning be sprung toward the sport, with a gleaming knife in his grasp, and his face the picture of rage incarnate, A cry went up—a cry of warning to Yreka— a cry of horror at his peril. Every one knew he was unarmed, for they had seen him throw his weapons on tle floor, before the contest, and they still lay there, Yreka realized bis danger and deftly dodged the first vicious blow of St, Maur, but the in- furiated man still towered above end after him, making lightning strokes, but in his fury using no precision, Ere any one could raise a hand in defense of the spert, there were two startling incidents, one following the other, With a savage growl, Little Joker literally bounded upon St. Maur’s back, Simultaneously there was a crash of glass and a pee report, and a bullet struck the blade of St. Maur’s upraised knife, and snapped it from the handle! Thus, doubly disarmed, it seemed that the villain’s fate was sealed, for Jcker’s paws were wrapped about him in a hug that caused St. Maur’s eyes to bulge from his head. “Help! belp! mercy!” he screamed. ‘ Take the brute off!’ ** Down him, Joker!” Yreka Jim commanded, and the next instant the apostle was lying sprawl- ing upon the floor, giving Yreka an opportunity to plant his foot upon his throat. “Now, you cowardly scoundrel!” he cried, sternly, ‘‘do you comprehend what you have been doing ?” ‘‘Let me up,” St. Maur begged, gaspingly. ‘You are hurting my throat!” ‘Am 1? How would you like me to stand on it till your life was extinct?” ‘** Please let me up—I beg of you! I was wrong, and apologize to you!” the craven whined, “No one bas yet asked you to apologize, Charles St. Maur. That is not necessary, for the apology of asnake is slimy.and treacherous, You are a wretch of the most disgusting type— a cowardly, sneaking, evil semblance of man, who ought to have died when too young to know of the bad blood in your veins. I have heard of you, before to-night, or last night, and know weil whereof I speak, and I would be do- ing humanity a service were I to kill you where you lay. Lie still, or I may do it yet!” ‘* Let him up!” cried the voice of Judge Alvin, from among the crowd, “You keep still—your turn comes next!” Yreka hurled back, fiercely. ‘As for you, St. Maur, your time is up, here in Red Nose, and you have but one bope for salvation, so far as this life is concerned. Tell me where my wife is, vou dastard wretcb—surrender me the deed to Villa Vista, and swear to quit this part of the country forever, and I will give you your life, and freedom to go. Refuse!'and by the high heaven above me I will stamp your brains out, and grind them into this floor!” No longer the cool sport, was Yreka Jim. His whole demeanor had undergone a change; he was stern, dark and revengeful, The crowd stood immovable, not attempting to rescue St. Maur; indeed, there were few who would bave dared face the sport in Lis terrible anger. “Speak!” Yreka cried. ‘‘Swear by all you hold sacred that you tell the truth in revealing tome where my wife is—swear to leave this place forever, or die the deetb of a dog! Where is she?” ‘‘l know not—as God is my judge!” the vil- lain gasped, as the avenger’s foot grew heavier upon bis throat. “- Believe me or not, the last J saw of ber was when I went to your ranch and paid the muney that prevented Van Gelder from foreclosing the mortgage!” ** You did this?” ‘-I did, and I did more: I went to Nelson. ville and had the whole business straightened up, so that there is not a cent of incumbrance upon the property.” “Why did vou do this, Charles St. Maur— what was your object?” ‘That I decline to tell.” “Out with it, or die!” “It is a secret, and I'll die before I give it up!” The villain spoke decidedly, and evidently meant it, For an instant the sport was tempted to crush the life out of the man, but a second thought caused him to desist. ‘* Where is my wife?” he hissed. ‘IT do not know!” was the answer. “Tf she is not at Vista Villa, where I saw her last, I swear I have no idea as to her whereabouts!” ‘*T believe you are lying. If I find out you are, nothing will save you. Have you the deed and mortgage?” “oc Yes,” “Tf T release you, instead of killing you as I ought todo, will you give me them and swear to leave this part of the country at once and for good?” The wretch was silent for a moment, evi- dertly loth to accept such terms even to save his own life, “Tam waiting!” Yreka cried. ‘‘ One—” ‘*©ursa you! you have the advantage, and there is nothing fur me to do but make the best Tecan out of the situation, LI accepts but mind, if Lever meet you elsewhere than in this vicin- ity, [ will cut your heart out!” ‘* Where are the papers?” “In my coat. Take them, if you want ’em.” “Ob, VN do that! First, before you arise, sweer to peaceably and quietly leave these parts now and for all time.” ‘*T swear!” St. Maur answered sullenly. Yreka Jim removed bis foot from his throat, and allowed him to rise. ‘Get your garments,” he ordered, ‘and hand me the deed and inortgage, but make no attempt to pick up a weapon.” St. Maur obeyed. His face was flushed, and although consumed with passion, be appeared also to be deeply mortified, Delivering the papers, he threw on his gar- ments, and elbowing his way through the crowd, left the Buckin’ Cayuse, probably the most vengeful man who had ever crossed the threshold of that establishment. And after him, as if to mock his defeat, a number of the crowd sent hisses and caterwauls of the most tantalizing character. CHAPTER XI. A CONFERENCE OVER WINE. AFTER the departure of St. Maur, a number of Yreka’s admirers, bastened to sbake him by the hand, an action that brought scowls to the faces of the Alvin element, but they feared an further excitement and one by one silently left the place, Yreka engaged accommodations for the night, for bimself, horse and bear, and, accompanied by the latter sought his room, in quest of a good night’s sleep, as the crowd supposed. But such was not the case, Instead of going to sleep, he left Joker in the room, and drop- ping out of a window overlooking the rear of the hotel, be hurried away from the vicimty, In the mean time, burning with rage, Judge Alvin proceeded to his own residence, where, to his surprise, be found St, Maur an occupant of the parlor, the lecturer having bunted up a bottle of wine, which he appeared to be enjoy- ing. you here?” the judge articulated, in sur- prise. “By Heaven! you have nerve!” “Oh! yes, an abundance of it,” St. Maur returned, dryly. ‘‘Sit down and make yourself at home.” The judge obeyed, and tossed off a glass of wine to steady his own nerves.
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“a 10 FRE menene you had gone for good,” he de- dlared, ‘‘1 suppose you intend to go, how- ever?” “Not if I know anything about it!” and the villain showed his teeth in a diabolical smile, *‘ Do you think I would sneak away from Red Nose through fear of that mongrel cur, Yreka Jim?” “ Yet you areafraid of bim!” “T am not!” ‘Bab! have I not eyes?” “Tt matters not. Iam not afraid of Yreka Jim, as you will find out before 1 am through with my dealings with him. I intend to chal- ae him to meet me in duel and then kill im!” ‘“-You area fool!” the judge declared. ‘ He would kill you instead. He is a desperate char- acter, and his presence here in Red Nose is an omen of evil to me and my interests.” “So yowre afraid of him, too, are you?” and St. Maur laughed, tauntingly. “Yes, [ll admit [am afraid of him, Did ye hear him sic the brute at me?” ‘No, no! The bear singled you out of his own choice. The bay-window on you probably took his eye!” ‘“‘T'll have the infernal brute poisoned,” the judge blustered, ‘‘ He is a dangerous nuisance.” ‘*Oh! you furnish the poison, and I'll attend to the rest directly,” St. Maur replied, ‘And now, let’s have some more wine, [ feel like drinking a whole case, in order to get warmed up for my revenge!” “It won’t do, sir—it won’t do. You must keep perfectly sober while in Red Nose, or you will blast all my prospects. I think it will be safer for you to take Yreka’s advice, and skip ! ; ‘Bab! TIl do nothing of the sort. How is it that you are so anxious to have me go?” ‘“‘T am not anxious, but I don’t see as you have been or can be of any particular good to my interests. I have given you several thou- sand dollars to expend, and shall not see a dol- lar’s worth of benefit. I don’t believe a dozen men jhave been secured for me from the opposi- tion. ‘*Who do you “6a they have been influ- enced for, then?’ St. Maur snarled. ‘‘ D'ye mean to insinuate that I have been misappro- priating the money, sir?’ and an ugly glare entered his eyes. “T did not imply any such thing, that I am aware of,” the mine-owner responded, nervous- ly. ‘‘In fact, your words are the foundation of any suspicion I may have in that line here- after.” ‘*You hadn’t better suspect me of anything like that, if you know when you are well off!” St. Maur gritted. ‘Iam not one of the mild- est tempered men, and never fail to retaliate for an insult!” “ No one has insulted you, and let the matter drop, If you have expended the money, so be it. At any rate, I am satis- fied that it is useless to expend any more ina like manner, as | can see no prospect of getting many votes of the street loafers, And, now, as regards yourself, what do you propose to do?” “Remain here, in disguise, and watch a fa- vorable opportunity to ring in a dead deal on Yreka Jim!” The judge regarded the man keenly for a mo- ment. ‘*Have you fellows ever met before your meeting here, in Red Nose?’ he demanded, at leagth, *‘ Not to my knowledge,” St. Maur declared. ** And yet you are implacable foes!” ** Correct!’ ‘One, if not both of you, have some more important reason for this enmity than the sim- ple trouble since your arrival in Red Nose.” The judge spoke far more positively than in- terrogatively now. “How do you know?” St. Maur demanded, quickly. **T do not know for a certainty, but I surmise that such is the case.” ‘*Ob! well, as far as that is concerned, you may or may not _be right; Iam sure I am not disposed to say whether you ure or not. | dare say our antipathy toward one anotber is more sy J to involuntary aversion than anything else. “1 doubt it. of my business.” “Certainly not. Whatever may be between Yreka Jim and I, we will settle to suit cur own notion,” A bottle of wine was nearly emptied during this conversation, and so the judge arose and procured another, } Be sensible, now, However, T suppose it is none Yreka Jim’s Joker. ‘*T like you, St Maur,” he said as he returned to the table—‘‘not because I think you are smart, but because you think so.” St. Maur flushed and his eyes glittered dan- gerously. ‘* What do you mean?” he hissed. ‘*T mean that you are, somehow or other, playing for big stakes. In just what way I do not clearly see at present, but [ am satisfied that notbing but big money could keep youin Red Nose, with Yreka Jim bere ready to drop you at sight.” **You are? Well, all I have to say is that you are a big old fool. True, 1 have an ob- ject in remaining, but I am not afraid of Yreka Jim, as I told you before. If you think I am unwérthy of your friendship and trust, say so at once and have done with it. Iam not very particular whether we hitch issues omnot. My time I can employ profitably elsewhere. In re- maining in Red Nose, my motive is as much to be of what assistance to you FI can asit is to ob- tain revenge. If my efforts will not be appre- ciated I will not make them.” “They will be appreciated, sir, according to their face value. But, excuse me, if it puzzles me why you should take such an unselfish inter- est in my success! However, let that drop, and tell me, candidly, what you think my chances are of election?” St. Maur drummed idly on the table, a mo- ment, and then answered: ‘‘T don’t believe you willstand a ghost ofa show, if Yreka Jim is left to cavort around, at his own sweet will.” ‘* And, if he were dead?” ‘‘ You would probably get the office, unless— unless—” ‘* What?” ‘‘ Unless J should step in, and snatch it away from you!” es You ??? ‘‘ Exactly! I've an idea that I could draw as many free and easy votes, as you could tem- perauce votes!” ‘* Ah! then that is your game, eh?” ‘* By no means. If you treat’ me as your right hand man, you can depend upon me as laboring for your interests, I merely made the sugges- tion of what I could do were you inclined to cast me off, without a penny!” ‘‘ Ab! without a penny?’ ‘‘ Judge Alvin, I said without a penny!” The judge looked surprised—startled. His face grew atrifle Jess florid than usual, and he regarded St. Maur, bis eyes gleaming strange- “Tt occurs to me I don’t quite catch your meaning. In what way am [{ to understand that you have the claim ofa penny. I believe I have given you money enough, to liquidate all my indebtedness to you,” ‘In one sense, yes!” St. Maur returned, coolly knocking off the neck of the fresh bottle of wine. ‘In another sense, no, This world is full of stranger things than that, and if you will grant me your ears [ll relate to you a little fable, that will make plain to you wby you should:take an interest in me, and why I also am so eager and devoted.in advancing your personal welfare, Shall I bave your attention?” Judge Alvin had grown still whiter, and an expression of chagrin was upon his face—a hunted look in his eyes. ‘Go on!” he ordered buskily. ing!” “T am listen- CHAPTER XIT. . THE BULLWHACKER PUT TO TEST. ON leaviug the vicinity of the hotel, Yreka Jim was absent for several hours, when he once more returned, and joined the throng in the street, Almost the first man he encountered was the bullwkacker, Mambrinus Maccaw, who was evi- dently on nettles about something, for he was striding about like a fretted bull. The moment hespied Yreka, he made for him, and put out bis band. ‘Yreka, by gracious! Why, they told me ye war ter bed, an’ I war jest feelin’ like kickin’ me- self over t’other side o’ ther range an’ back. Sil- versand jigs uv old S*, Vitus, but Laire proud sn’ glad ter see ye. Yreeky, yeceviedduck. Put ’er thar!” And the broad hand of the giant was extend- ed, beartily. **T can’t say that. 1 am so particularly glad to see you, thougb!” Yreka replied, not deigning to grasp the giant’s band. ‘Jn truth, it occurs to me, that Lowe you a different kind of a, re- ception, than a band-shake,”’ ‘* Now don’t, Yreka, go fer me in thet aire on- Christian style, when yer know thet I'm yer friend, fram muzzle tew mud-heel. Dow’t, I —> say, fer ther luv o’ all yer aunt-sisters and un: : cles, I ain’t no slouch uv a feller, nohow, an’ am yours trewly, ’wey to bed rock!” ‘Oh! not a doubt of it!’ Yreka replied, his voice stern and uncompromising, ‘t You are a tricky, filthy, disgustjng old sardine, whom f wouldn’t trust with the rust off a pin, for fear you'd steal it. Why, some one ought to have fed vou to cannibals, years ago. Friend to me, you say, when you end two others of yourilk, tried to lay me out, up near Wake-Up?” ‘‘T swear by ther.sweat uv old St, John the, Baptist, I warn’t ’sponsible fer thet scrape, Yreka. I bed bin on a big spree—durn nigh hed ther hay-fever, ye see, an’ bein’ out o’ scabs ter git a drink o’ sody-water wi’, I ked ter de sutbin’, So, when I war inveigled inter the skeem, I j’ined it fer two-fold objects—ter raise a wafer, an’ save yer life. I did ther one, but didn’t git ther wafer. I plugged my pard, an” then hed ter play off corpus, ter keep from git- tin’ plugged myself.” ‘* A plausible lie, you rascal; that for it!’ and. the sport soapped his fingers contemptuously, ‘¢ Oh! ye needn’t believe me, ef ye don’t want- er, but yer kin bet I’m yer friend, from muzz'e ter mud-heel, all ther time. Ye neecn’t shake— yekin spit in my face—ye kin tickle me und r ther chin wi’ a cactus, an’ ye kin even offer ter shute me, but I won’t git mad—oh! sno I knows ther right sort o’ men ter pard wi’, when a feller wents ter git ter Congress; ean’ when I pards wi’ any one, I pards wi’ solid granite, wi’ lode-stone, gritan’ gold in it, an’— that’s you! But lookee hyer, Yreka, et seems yer in defickelty ag’in, an’ bev lost yer wifc. Jest tell us all ther sarcumstances, an’ by ther waltz-clog uv old St. Vitus, Ill polish ther seven sides 0’ every rock west.o’ the Mississippi, but w’ot Vil find yer red-beaded doxy, an’ re- store her ter yer arms, That’s me, an’ yer can. bet bayonets an’ blizzirds— ‘“ 1’m Mambrinus Maccaw, From East Saginaw, An’ the pride o’ my life Aire the size 0’ me jaw. I never war blessed Wi’ a mither-in-law; I gargles me throat, An’ takes me meat raw; I’m ther he-haw-an’-gee-up Mambrinus Maccaw! And the giant ¢«xecuted an impromptu flip flap, an’ seizing Yreka in a bear-like embrace, proceeded in waltz-movement down the middle of the street. i ‘‘Out o? ther way, ye durned dilaperdated galoots!” he roared, ‘‘ Git off frum ther carpet, tor heer comes ther whang-up waltzing-whirli gig from Take-Water! Fiddle up yer music, an’ take parcs fer a hoe-down. Ther howlin’ hydra-Headed he-up-an’-hbaw aire in town, an’ thar’s blud on ther dial uv ther moon,” Locked in the giant’s grasp, Yreka was whirl- ed along for some distance, ere he could extri- cate himself, the crowd laughing boisterously,. for it was really a ludicrous scene, When he succeeded in freeing himself Yreka, too, was forced to laugh, although he felt pro- voked at the giant, who was in one of his ‘* playful” moods. ‘‘Gonfound it! ve a mind to punch your ~ head for you!” Yrekasaid. ‘‘ You try any of your funny antics on me again, and you wiil regret it!” “ Me—me ? Why, you mek me larf!” and the giant put his arms akimbo, and gave vent to a guffaw. ‘‘Why, Yreka, ye leetie pe- ony, yer wouldn’t barm a hair o’ my head fur all the gold in Arizona, An’ now, my derr Yreka, I wanter ax a favor 0’ ye. Ye’r’ a purty” man, wi’ eyes like a turtle-dove an’ lips like a pair o’ roses inJuly. Wull ye fergive me fer all I’ve ever did tew yer, an’ seal ther comp: ch by imprinting a kiss upon my Grecian for — head? Come, Yreka, an’ let ther men o’ Red Nose see thet ye hev gall enuff ter face five hundred roarin’ cannons, or the furics « an enraged mother-in-law.” ** Alas! my courage faileth me at this pcint!” Yreka said, with a wave of hishand. ‘ Wicr$ Joker gets awake, and has his breakfast and « cocktail, I presume you ‘might get up an os; ewatory set-to with him!” And turning upon his heel, Yreka strode to-. ward the hotel. The bullwhacker was not to be put eff. how- ever, but danced forward, locked arms with the sport, and accompanied him. ‘““Ye can’t shake me in thet. aire style, me bloomin’ rose,” he averred. ‘J hey got ter hey a sirtifficut- frum you!” ‘ ‘¢ A certificate!’ : “ Yas—thet you'll take me fer w’ot I weigh, an’ count on me as yer por’us plaster.”
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The bullwhacker said this in a low tone, and £0 earnestly, that Yreka gave him an inquiring glance, “Tf you want me to believe that you’re a friend, say so!” “That's ther nail! Vl stick ter ye like a bur- dock burr in a cow’s tail an’ the cow a light hind-heeler!” “Tam at loss to conceive what advantage it would be to you—being my friend?” . “Mebbe, You don’t study grammar, as- Lala ae dictionary an’ common-sense, all at once. did ye a dirty deal once, an’ knowin’ yer bed rock, want a show fer doin’ ye a good turn!” * & good turn, eh?” “You bet yer whole life on that—a turn what will make ye feel so good ye kin jump up an’ kick yer socks off. I ain’t no prattling porkypine. I’ve got a brain w’ot weighs six- teen an’a half ounces ter ey’ry pound, an’ I jedge I know when I’m lookin’ bias or polka dot, ’cept when I’ve got a gallon of ‘ner best bug on board—then, I feel like hevin’ a round-to-finish, wi’ ther moon. Thet reminds me very forcibly thet my nerves hevn’t hed a ‘bracer’ sence Mary-come-hum. I axed the galoot over at ther shebang ef I ked stan’ ’im off fer a ‘bite,’ an’ he laffed, an’ allowed ther was a rivulet, a mile b’low here, where they hed free-bar, the year around. Mebbe ye hevn’t a spare drop about yer habiliments, Yreka?” “Never mind about the ‘drop,’” Yreka re- turned. ‘‘Come with me, and 1’ll sound you!” This conversation was carried on in an under- tone, and the following crowd, who anticipated some more sport, caught but now and then a word of it. Yreka led the way direct to his room, the door of which he Jocked, and motioned Maccaw to be seated upon one of the two seats which the place afforded, A tallow candle burned upon the table, and Joker bad taken upon himself to stretch himself out on the primitive bed, instead of resting on the floor, where Yreka had left him. The animal immediately arose, however, when the two men entered, and eyed Mambrinus Maccaw with a sullen growl. ‘See hyer, aire thet anymile dangerous?” the bullwhacker demanded suspiciously, declining to become seated and keeping near the door, for he was not certain but what Yreka had played a revengeful trick upon him. ‘*Oh, he does not eat any one up at this hour of night unless he is particularly hungry,” Yreka replied. ‘‘You had better go and kiss him, however, as he might take a mouthful out of you. He is passionately fond of kissing, and makes friends withevery one who osculates bim.” ** Kiss thet b’ar?’ Maccaw ejaculated, in dis- gust. “Silver sand-jigs of old St. Vitus! I'd let im eat me up clean, furst. Say, look here; w’ot did ye fetch me here fer, Yreka?” The bullwhacker was evidently getting a trifle anxious about his personal safety, for he was afraid of Yreka by great\odds more than he was of any other man he had ever encoun- tered, Yreka laughed oddly, “Oh, for nothing more than to cut yer heart out and eat it!” he replied. ‘‘TI believe ye said you were my friend, didn’t you?” “‘ Ev’ry day in a week, an’ don’t ye drop et, Yreka!” “And you’d stick by me like a porous plas- ? r ‘Better’n that, Yreeky—like black ter ther face uv a nigger!” “You would even live, die, fight and bleed for me?” ** You kin bet yer boots!” “ And about this good turn you propose to do me, providing I take any stock, in you? How about that?” P : “Why, I'll give yea p’inter in regard to yer wife.” “Very well. When you are willing to stand a certain test [ will believe you.” “What kind of a test?” “Simple and easy, and yet only one man oct of a hundred would perform it through devotion to another. Will you do it?” “Great mazourky uv old St, Vitus! Don’t yer ne ter tell a feller what it is before- an And Mambrinus Maccaw began to look decid- edly nervous and suspicious, as he saw Yreka’s right hand drop to his belt. “Not a bit of it. If you are a friend of mine, you must take it for granted that what- ever I say or do is for itie beats Go and place yourself against the wall yonder, facing me!” Laren ara - : \ Yreka Jim’s Joke. ~ tig) be goin’ ter do—shute me?” ‘*No! An appte will have to be shot off your head, before I will believe that you will provea reliable and efficient pard!’’ “Oh! ef that’s all, why I ain’t skeert—nary a time—no, sir-ee. Wd trust ter yer shutin’, Yreka, ’fore any other gerloot I ever see’d, an’ don’ yer drop it!” ** But, ’m not goin’ ter play William Tell,” Yreka declared, with a smile, ‘“Yowre not?’ echoed the giant, who ther deuce is ?” ‘* My side pardner, Little Joker! You are to put your head against the wall, and I will place an apple upon your head—I happen to have a wild one, with me. I will then put a cocked revolver in tbe right fore-paw of Joker, as be stands facing you upon his bind feet, and he will split the apple in half, without harming a bair of your head. Do this, and I will be satis- net es I can trust you, and consider you my pard! The bullwhacker put up his hands in horror. ‘‘Great oppery minny-musk reels uv ole St. Vitus,” he gasped. ‘Let thet aire animile shute at me—me ?” “* Exactly—you /” and Yreka drew a revol- ver, and cocked it. ‘No, I'll be eternally gasted, ef I do!” and Maccaw grew pale with apprehension. ‘ Why, that aire thing don’t know how ter shute, no more’n a suckin’ goat knows how ter eat hoop- skeerts!” ** Don’t you fear; Joker can shoot better than half the humans, who pride themselves on their skill. Come, take your place. I'll guarantee he’ll not touch you!” ‘*Git out! S’posin’ he hits me plum in the middle o’ ther coackynut—-what ther blazes will yer garrenty be gud fer tew me, then? Oa! no —ye don’t git this hyer hydraheaded he-up-an’- haw ter be no stool pigeon fer a b’ar—no, sir-ee, bob-tailed burro !” ‘*Put your back to the wall, and obey, or I will shoot you myself!” Yreka commanded, sternly. ‘‘ You're in for it, and if you hesitate, you’re a dead man!” Tbere was no doubting the menace in his tones, and, pale and shaky, the bullwhacker backed up against the wall, in the evident be- lief that bis time had come, Yreka then placed a small wild apple upon his bead. Appearing to realize what was wanted of him, Juker clambered off the bed,!reared up on his hmd feet, and Yreka placed a cocked six-shoot- er in the grasp of his right paw! Then, there was a moment of the most intense silence, “ Then, CHAPTER XIII. A COMPACT, CHARLES St, MAuR leaned back in bis chair, coolly lit a cigar, and regarded the judge a mo- ment in silence, before beginning the narration, evidently enjoying the old man’s discomfiture, ‘* Well, to begin with,” he finally said, ** there once upor a time dwelt in an Eastern city nota thousan’ miles from New York a rich old banker. whom we will call Abel Ardmore. Prosp*-ity bad smiled upon him all his life, up to the ripe old age of sixty-eight, which period still found him hale and» bearty. The Ardmores were the most popular family of the city in which they dwelt, and Abel Ardmore was prominently identified with several railroad corporations. Wealth and popularity, how- ever, did not. bring husband and wife the bap- price both desired, Although one child was orn to them, it was of the female sex, and old Ardmore yearned for a male heir, to hand down his name to posterity. ; ‘* But, as years passed by and no son putin an appearance, the banker and his wife concluded to adopt a son, and bring him up as their own. So, they visited the almshouse of a neighboring city, and the result was, they adopted two bright twin boys, whose parents had secently died of small-pox. The boys were but little older than their own daughter, and the trio grew up to man and womanhood, as promising as any parents could wish of their children— handsome and intelligent. ** Aones Ardmore was one of the most charm- ing of girls, and became a much sought-after belle of society. As sbe and her adopted bro- thers grew up, however, they gradually came to regard each other in a different light than as brothers and sister, and it finally became. ap- parent that Ralph and Rolfe were rivals for.the hand of Agnes in marriage. “Of course, she could not favor both, and, as in all cases of the sort—there had to be one favorite brother, This chanced to be Rolfe, gD ie who, though not nearly so stylish and band- some as his brotber, was more even-tempered, and possessec of many better traits of character, Ralph, on the other hand, had an ungovern- able temper, and was not so well-principled as his ach and was somewhat inclined to dissi-- ation, pe When the affection of the brothers for their foster-sister became known to Abel Ardmore, he was greatly incensed, and threatened to dis. inberit bis daugbter and the successful brother, should the love-affair not be broken up between them. His anger and threats bad little effect, however, Rolfe Ardmore was a man wiih @ will of his own, and as he loved Agnes devoted- ly, and she loved him, he replied that no moneyed prospect should stand between kim and a marriage. Accordingly, he and Agnes eloped, were married, and on a very primitive scale started in life for themselves, “Tt appeared to be a hard blow to Abel Ard- more and his wife; for the latter died shortly afterward, and the old man did not survive her many months. When his will was read it was found that he had kept good his threat. He had disinherited Rolfe and Agnes, and left every- thing to the reckless Ralph, ‘Not long was the name of Ardmore to remain without a stain of reprorch on it—a thing old Abel had made a lifetime’s struggle to guard against. Supplied with unlimited means, Ralph Ardmore grew to ba one of the wildest roues in the city. [He seemed to have no thought in life further than the gratification of his own desires and the spending of his foster-parent’s wealth. True, he succeeded to the presidency of the bank, but bis own short- comings gave bis clerks an opportunity to swindle him at every turn, and he finally awoke to the fact that instead of owning the bank, he owed it, ‘In the mean time, Rolfe and Agnes strug- gled through two years of marital experience, in the most frugal and primitive manner; then, when starvation looked not a Jong way off, Rolfe accepted a loan from his brother, and, dividing it with Agnes, left her and their little boy—a year-old babe—in the East, and came West, in the hope of making his fortune at gold- mining. ‘*Tn less than two months after his departure the news reached the East that he had been killed and scalped by Indians. This left Agnes alone and! poverty-stricken, at the mercy of the vitiless world. But it also left an opening that Ralph Ardmore was not slow to take advantage of. ‘¢ He offered Agnes a place in his home, and a few mouths later induced her to become his wife, Married life did not agree with him any better, however, nor cause him to mend bis ways. A son was born to them, and was but a few months old when Rolfe Ardmore returned East, alive, well, and rich beyond his most san- guine expectations, ‘‘The shock of finding Agnes wedded to Ralph nearly killed him; but, noble man that be was, he never went near them, but turned his face toward the setting sun—a stern, unfor- giving, imbittered man. ‘* A year later his own son and that of Agnes and Ralph were kidnapped from the latter’s. home, and never recovered, nor were they heard from for years, “Then, when Ralph Ardmore had _ been forced to flee from the East for attempting to- murder Agnes, the trutb finally became known both to bim and her. It came in the shape of a. letter to each, from Rolfe Ardmore, 2 ‘* He advised them that he was alive and well —which undoubtedly they had suspected, Jong: before—and that the two boys were the same, but had grown up to manhood strangers to each other; that, when they were men, they should know the story of the past, and that would be his revenge!” At this point St. Maur took time to help him-. self to a glass of wine. “These. boys!” Judge Alvin gasped, lerning forward, pale and excited—‘ their names?” ‘“‘Charles and James; but, in ‘the latter in- stance, originally Edward!” ‘No! no!” impatiently, ‘‘ their last names, I mean!” “IT can enlighten you as to that only about: the first-mentioned. He, after bis abduction, was reared under the name of Charles St, Maur! But, stop! do not interrupt me, for I am not through yet. Upon attaining my majority, k received a letter from Rolfe Ardmore—a long, explanatory letter, in which he not only opened, up the past as I have mentioned, but often re- ferred to bis own life, wild, remorseful, merei- I jess ip the extreme, He said some day there»
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12 ‘would be a time of reckoning, and it was by a letter from him that 1 was advised to come to Red Nose asa temperance lecturer. Jeremiah Alvin, you are really the Ralph Ardmore of the ast!” : The bonanza king of Red Nose bowed ;me- «chanically. “tT am!” he said, huskily. you his son, or mine?” “T will not lie to you—Idonot know. He bas never given~ me so much as a bint toward letting me know who I am. I suppose the other one bas been kept in the same obscurity— at least I judge so. But I will tell you this emuch—I believe that I am your son!” rT Why?” ** Because you are of a villainous ,disposition and I am not unlike you. Then, again—read this!” He threw an enveloped letter upon the table, and the judge snatched it up eagerly. It was without date or heading, and ran as | follows: “Onas. St. Maur:—Go to Red Nose as a temper- cance lecturer. There you will meet a person you will become interested in, If your interest does not sabsorb your prudence, work him for all he 1s worth. ‘The end is not far off, RouFe ARDMORE.” Judge Alvin’s face assumed a color between livid and pallor. “Curse him!” he gasped. ‘He is still alive ‘then, and means me no good!” ‘“‘And you—are ‘*You are guessing pretty fairly,” St. Maur ‘declared, ‘‘ He means business!” “Where is he?” “From remarks uttered by Yreka Jim, to- might, I infer that he is not far away.” “Ha! Curse him! Explain”! The judge was growing excited and vengeful. He seemed to feel power, money and popularity moving from beneath bim. “Don’t get impatient. The world was not madein one day. How is your stock of wine banging fire? This last bottle has played out!” With a grunt, the judge arose, unsteadily crossed the floor to the closet, and returned with the wine. A glass apiece was partaken of, and then ‘St. Maur went on: “Well, you will remember that Yreka Jim and I had aconfab, the result of which was, I had to give up a deed and mortgage?” “ee Yes ” ‘* Well, some time since Yreka Jim bought the wanch in Vista Valley of a man named Vox Van Gelder, dog cheap, and paid cash down for it, allexcept $5,000. Thissum was put on mortgage, the time expiring, grace and all, at ten o’clock, the day following Yreka Jim’s arrest, here in Red Nose. Knowing the circumstances, and that Yreka was short, and had come here to muke a raise, I was on hand, the next day, and took up the mortgage, which had been given by Yreka Jim and wif. Owing to our remarkable resemblance, Vox Van Gelder did not recognize ame from the real Yreka.” “Ah! Goon!” “Tt was my intention to secure the death of the real Yreka and put my feetin his shoes, but, “as you know, he wasn’t here, on my return, and the plot failed, for the time being, Now, as we wroceed, let me tell you that, from the time of getting Rolfe Ardmore’s explanatory letter, several years ago, I have not been idle. I have exerted all my ingenuity to find out where he kept bimself, and bave at last nailed my man, +k ae i and Vox Van Gelder are iden- tical. “*Tf so, and be knows you—which he must do, if he is constantly aware of your whereabouts, why did he not recognize you, then?” *“That I do not know, unless it was because of the existing resemblance between myself and Yreka Jim.” ‘And, from what you say, Yreka Jim is, in your imagination, the other of tha two boys who were stolen by Rolfe Ardmore?” “That is my belief!” The judge was silent a moment biting his lips with vexation. , “It’s a strange affair,” he finally declared, “and I cannot make out clearly what is going to transpire. If Yreka Jim is the other boy, do vou think he knows that Rolfe Ardmore and Vox Van Golder are one and tbesame ‘person?” “No. Vl bet on it that he is ignorant of the fact. Van Gelder, in dealing with him, about the ranch, showed him no more mercy than he would a _ perfect stranger—hardly as much, I fancy. e’s not a merciful man, say the best you can of him!” “Then, Yreka’s presence, here, has no signifi- stance attached to it,,in regard to the business gpertaining to Van Gelder’s maneuvers?” NE ERE Y0eka Jim’s Joker. “Frobably not. Yreka, if he is the man, very likely received the same sort of an explan- atory letter | did, and may have ferreted out more than he lets on. Indeed, his evident aver- sion to you and me, seems t» argue that he is notignorant, It is my belief that Van Gelder means to make one of the two of us— Yreka or I—or maybe, the both of us, the instrument through which be-will obtain revenge on you!” ‘**Curse him! what shall I do?” ‘*Leave it tome, Put your whole confidence in me, awd we will work together. BelI your son or not, I will fight for you, on one condi- tion!” ** And that—” ‘*_Ts that you will make me your heir!” Judge Alvin reached his hand across the table, his eyes gleaming. “It’s a bargain!” he said, grimly. ‘* You stick by me, and you shall be my heir—my son !” CHAPTER XIIl. A WONDERFUL SHOT. It was the sealing of a compact, and a glass of wine was tossed off, in honor of the occasion. ‘* Now, then,” Judge Alvin said, ‘‘as you say you have devoted some time to ferreting out matters, can you tell me what became of Agnes —where she is, and whether living or dead?” ‘*T can tell you only this much,” St. Maur said. ‘‘ After you deserted her, and sbe learn- ed that her first husband was living, she swore that she would tirelessly follow vour trail, and bide her time until an opportunity present- ed itself toruin you beyond retrieve—finan- cially, and otherwise. She, then, disappeared, to be seen no more. Rolfe Ardmore also alludes to her as seeking vengeance, in the letter he wrote me, several years ago. So, dad, you’re between two fires, that has got plenty fuel to keep them burning. You don’t know what minute you'll be taken off, and neither do I— for, mind you, I’ve got a petticoater hunting after me!” ‘* How is that?” “Oh! I got mixed upin a little intrigue with a girl, named Faith Hemple, over in Colorado— sham marriage, you know—and when [ left her for greener fields and pastures new, she got upon her ear and swore blood-an’-butcher- knives she’d hunt me down todeath. At last accounts, she was still hunting me, and I’ve an intuition it won’t be a century before I hear from her again. You heard Yreka speak about his wife being missing? Well, I left one of Faith’s letters in Yreka’s coat, while, I was at the-ranch, and I reckon she got onto it; any- how, it drove her out of her mind, and she va- moosed, and was found wandering through the mountains, near bere!” “Hal by whom?’ ‘*By myself. I captured her, and now hold her a captive.” “You do? What is your object?” ‘‘T mean to make her the instrument of my revenge upon Yreka Jim, if I do not succeed in killing bim.” Juége Alvin made a gesture of impatience. “You would not commit murder?’ he said. ‘*Ha! ’'ddo anything. Yreka will kill me if he sees mein Red Nose again, and, if I mis- take not, Rolfe Ardmore would favor such a crime. After my death, you, too, would die, and wy reka would be pushed forward as your heir, ** Perhaps! serious crime.” ‘Bah! It’s getting to bo a common amuse- ment nowadays. To-morrow is election, and if I can prevent it, Yreka Jim will not waken to take any interest in that event.” He spoke fiercely—venomously. Judge Alvin, however, shock his head, evi- dently not favoring the idea. ‘*Tt?s dangerous?” he protested. ‘“ If Yreka Jim was to be found murdered, the crime would be blamed upon you, if, indeed, I were not im- plicated in it. No! no! it won’t do!” ‘*Then, do you want the rascal elected Mayor of Red Nose to-morrow! Do you want to Jose all your power—perhaps all of your money?” ‘**No, But I bave an idea which even your ingenuity has not developed. This wife of Yreka’s—is she really insane?” +“ Yes.” ‘© Where is she?’ “Sbut up in a cave, not half a dozen miles from here." ‘‘She will be safe there until wanted?” ‘* Perfectly. Not a soul but myself knows where she is,” “Then, listen. Let things take their own course. If Red Nose goes for Yreka, to-morrow let her go. When election is over I will even But, murder happens to be a ste pssst ee ee ee x 704 \ then rule this town, and Yreka shall give me the " right to do so!” ben ensued a long conference between the two villains, the particulars of which will tran- spire later. Suffice to say the interview did not end until a few minutes before Yreka Jim’s return to the vicinity of the Buckin’ Cayuse, prior to his street encounter with Mambrinus Maccaw. And also that at least three distinct persons overheard the substance of all that passed be- tween the judge and St. Maur, neither one of the trio being aware but what they were the only eavesdroppers! When St. Maur left the Alvin residence it was inadisguise furnished him by the judge, in which he fancied his identity was secure from discovery. And let us now return to the room in the Buckin’ Cayuse, where we left Yreka Jim, Maccaw and Joker, the principals of a novel and original tableau. , The bullwhacker stood with his back against the wall, trembling as in an ague-fit, while Joker stood with the revolver outstretching the grasp of his right fore-paw. ‘“‘One! two! three!” Yreka counted slowly and in a measured tone, as if giving the word to a twain of duelists—‘‘ fire !” The next instant there was the report of the weapon, anda yell from Maccaw as he tum- bled forward upon the floor and rolled and kicked as if in mortal agony. **Oh! Lordy! oh, Lordy!” he roared. ‘I’m shot—l’m salivated, jes’ as I told ye. Ouch! hurry an’ git a doctor—oh! 0-0-0!” ‘Get up, you lying fool!’ Yreka command- ed, sternly, ‘*You were not hit at all, but Joker bu’sted the apple like a little major.” ‘The divil you say!” and Maccaw felt of his head and found fragments of the apple spat- tered over it. ‘‘Gr-at silver-sand jigs of old St. Vitus! I thort et war me brains w’ot war scatterin’ around so permiscu’s, An’ so that aire b’ar actooally slugged ther apple, eh?” and the giant gazed in unalloyed astonishment at the wonderful animal, who, reared upon its hind- feet, still clutched the weapon. ‘Yes, Joker did that same!” Yreka asserted, roudly; ‘‘and what is more, can dotit again. ut now that you have stood the test, there is no reason for me to longer ape ay lovalty unless I detect you in playing me false. Then, I'll shoot you down as I would a wolf.” ‘¢ Yer needn’t hev no fear, Yreka. Yer will find me solid frum muzzle ter mud-heel, an’ by ther pedestal clog of old St. Vitus, when I say er thing et aire as dependable as ther Rock uv Ages,” Time alone will prove that. As for the present tell me what you know concerning my wife?’ ‘“Yer bet I will. Yer wife aire crazy ’bout some letter sbe found in yer duds, w’ot was left there by St, Maur.” “Tamsoaware. But go on.” “She quit ther ranch ;and went wanderin’ thr’w’ the mount’ings in search ov some place ter lay down an’ die, Thet aire snoozer, St. Maur, he got onter her trail and overtook and captured her, an’sbut her up in a mountain cave!” ; ‘¢T am also aware of that, sir, But that point is not of much particular importance to me. What I want to enw is, where is she confined? Do you know?” ‘Great gyratin’ geesers, yes. Ireckon [ or- ter, when he caged her in ther werry same lace whar I’ve bin restin’ my shins, nocturnal- , sence I’ve bin sojournin’ in this vicinity.” ‘* Does St. Maur know this?” “Nary!” ‘And you are sure that Martha will be all safe and unharmed where ske is, until I want her?” ‘“ As snug asa bug in a rug!” “Then, let her remain there. I have learned that to-night, which convinces me that the machination of two precious rascals is liable to get nipped in the bud.” . The bullwhacker pricked up his ears. “Say, lookee byer: Pll bet ther buttons off old Neptune’s vest thet you war eavesdroppin’ a bit ago; now warn’t ye?” ‘‘Mavesdropping? Where?” ‘“Up at the judge’s!” ** And were you?” ‘Bet yer boots! Heerd ther bull interview *%wixt St. Maur an’ the judge.” ‘¢ And so did I,” Yreka replied, putting forth his hand, ‘‘ We'll shake flippers on that.” ‘You bet we will, Yreka, ye old he-up-an’- haw, an’ I’m a hydra-headed, howlin’ hi-aglo, _
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ef we ain’t got ther steer by ther horns, fer onc’t,” “‘T think so. After election is over, we will see. Now Ill excuse you for to-night, as I have some writing to do, To-morrow—providing | do not get murdered in my bed to-night, by St. Maur—we will see what we can do for elec- tion.” “Oh! yer kin bet Dll keep a eye onter ther skunk, so thet be don’t trouble yer sleep,” Mac- caw assured, {‘an’ I’ll bet a boot-leg thet aire b’ar kin lick a dozen of him, As fer myself— * 1’m Mambrinus Maccaw, From East Saginaw, An’ ther pride o' my life, Aire ther size o’ me jaw. Llive on gunpowder, An’ El Paso cold slaw, An’ I'm bevel-edged death On a mother-in-law!” Then the giant grotesquely bowed himself out of Yreka Jim’s presence, CHAPTER XIV. ELECTION, THE next day dawned bright and auspicious, the sun shone warmly on the mountain-peaks, and the air, which swept down the gulch through Red Nose town, was pine-scented and refreshing. The populace was early astir and in a feverish state of excitement, for to-day was to decide who was to hold future sway in the camp as its ruler—or its ‘‘ mayor,” as the people chose to designate the office. It was as yet but a matter of conjecture who would be the successful candidate—Yreka Jim er Judge Alvin, Both men had their backers, and the struggle for victory promised to be a spirited one. The judge was abroad bright and early, and made it a point to button-hole every man he met, “You're all right for protection toour mutual interests, of course,” be would assert, with a great amount of confidence. ‘It would be rash in the extreme for you to give your vote toa person who has no monetary influence or power to give you employment. Who ‘pays your wages? Ido. Whoowns the controlling inter- est in the camp, and furnishes you laborers with work and money? Ido, of course. Can Yreka Jim do this? Certainly not. He has not a cent invested in the town, and if you go back on me, who is to furnish you employ- ment?” lt was a strong argument, and naturally had its effect upon those who were dependent upon their day’s wages for their livelihood. And as to such as acted at all *'cffish,” the judge made no hesitation whatever iu slipping a ten or five-dollur note into their hands, so that it seemed pretty evident that he would be the suc- ‘cessful man at the polls. Yreka Jim arose late, and his appearance on the street was the signal for an outburst of en- thusiasm which found vent in hearty applause. ‘Hyer he comes, feller-pilgrims!” roarad the stentorian voice of Mambrinus Maccaw, waving his battered hat high above his head—*'hyer comes ther rose-geranium frum ther rea)ms o’ honesty! Hyer comes ther new Mayor ov Red Nose, an’ ev’ry mother’s son as don’t vote fer him orter be rid on a bevel-edged midsummer’s- night’s-dream frum_heer tex Hamville. Threé yells an’ a yoop fer Yreka Jim!” — The cheers were heartily given, and those who proposed to cast their vote for the sport gathered around him and shook bim by the hand. The polls were kept by Jake Taylor, of the Buckin’ Cayuse, whom every one allowed could be depended upon to do the square thing. As the day progressed the excitement grew more intense. Bets were openly offered, ten to seven, that Judge Alvin would win, but found few takers, until after mid-day, when the larger sbare of the camp’s votes bad been polled; then, to the astonishment of everybody, Mambrinus Mac- caw loomed up as a sporting individual, — On top of an up-ended kerosene barrel, in the middle of the street, did the bullwbacker take his stand, and by wild hoots and gesticulations succeeded in drawing a crowd around, ‘Hyer I am, ye gaupin’ galoots, the great nickle-plated bydra-headed bowlin’ he-up-an’ haw from Hadesville—the srortin’ snappin’-tur- tle, w’ot stands ready ter snap up yer bets faster’n a mother-in-law’s jaw kin work. Bet? Bet? Why, great silver sand-jigs uv old St. Vitus! I’m ready ter offer ‘any man odds 0’ RRL EEE a en Yreka J im’s J oker’ fifteen ter ten thet Yreka Jim carries ther town!” ‘We are taking all that kind of bets,” Judge Alvin cried, stepping up with a fistful of bank- bills. *‘Whatis your limit, big mouth?’ ‘Hey? what’s that ye say? Big mouth? Holy shakes uv old St. Vitus! jest yer wait, old big corpus, till 1 get thr’w’ bettin’, an’ (ll jest erbout climb down thar an’ punch brands o’ claret out o’ you. Big mouth, eh? Oh! b’ilin’ bufflers! jest wait till yer git hit by a bevel- edged back-hander from yer unctious uncle! Walk up, pilgrims—fifteen ter ten, an’ ther bank wide open, that Yreky Jimmy smuggles ther sock at this hyer el.ction by a large ma- jority!” ‘If you want to bet, I stand ready to bet you any sum from five hundred to five thousand!” the judge shouted excitedly. ‘How much money bave you got that you are making so much fuss over it?” ‘¢ Just perzactly seventeen cents!” Mambrinus declared, with a grin, exhibiting a lot of pennies in the palm of his hand, Judge Alvin would have turned away, in dis- gust, but the bulJwhacker did not give him time. He dived down into either coat- pocket, and therefrom drew two huge rolls of green- backs, encircled by rubber bands, ‘*Ho! ho! Thort ye caught ther great he-up- an’-haw a-napping, didn’t yer?” the giant roar- ed. ‘But sech ain’t ther case, I’m ther hy- pothecated ha’r-pin w’ots sp’ilin’ ter bet yer any amount ye wanter—don’t keer a decimal darn what ther figgers am, I’m a snorter, a sneezer, an a snuff-taker, an’ a favorite dish aire pud- din’. So, I’d jess as lief tackle yer crust as not!” “Pll bet you five thousand!” the judge roared, enraged to see that others had money afloat, besides himself. ‘**Go yer five, au’ raise ver five better,” Mac- caw yelled, executing a jig upon the barrel- head. ‘‘Bet you ten thousan’ ter five, twenty ter ten, a hundred ter fifty, ef ye like, thet Yreka gathers in ther electoral garter, this elec- tion!” ‘* And I will bet a hundred thousand, even, the same way!” acool voice cried, and a man stepped forward, whom Yreka Jim, who wasan interesied listener and spectator, recognized as Vox Van Gelder. Judge Alvin glared at the new-comer, a mo- ment, fiercely, receivirg alike look in return; then, with a muttered curse, he dived down into various pockets, and hauled out roll after roll of greenbacks, One thing was evident; he had not come out upon the street of Red Nose with the idea of be- ing bluffed on account of money matters, “<T wiil take both bets!” he cried, with an oath. ‘‘ Here is a gold eagle—bead or tails, for choice of stakeholder!” ‘*Tails!” Van Gelder cried, as the judge sent the coin spinning into the air, After rising upward about ten feet, the coin fell upon the hard-pan street with a sharp ring. ‘Tails wins choice!” a dozen voices cried, as many heads were craned forward, ‘Then I appoint Yreka Jim stakeholder,” Van Gelder answered. ‘‘ And I second ther motion—by ther great high horned bumper from Hidaglo!” assented Maccaw, It was not for Judge Alvin to object, although his rage was fearful. Hoe had made tie propo- sition, and must abide by the result, or run the risk of incurring the disrespect of many of those whom he depended upon to help him into the mayoralty chair. Accordingly, he deposited one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in Yreka Jim’s hands, while Van Gelder and Maccaw each surrendered their stakes of one kundred. “Gentlemen!” Yreka said, when he bad re- ceived the money, a smile playing over his face, ‘‘each man whose money I hold had better keep a watchful eye on me, or I may skip with this cash!” “ve no fear of that!” Van Gelder said, “there's not that sort of stock in you!” ‘Yas, an’ I’m not frettin’ ther fringe off my face!” Maccaw declared. Yreka sauntered over to the hotel, took a seat there, and spent the balance of the atter- noon in chatting and smoking. Not but what he was every minute on the alert, for he surmised that en assavlt might be made upon him, at any minute, by Alvin’s party, for possession of the immense sum in his keeping. About an hour before the closing of the polls, when there were yet somewhere near forty votes to be cast. Mambrinus Maccaw, after a 13 ewes a omega temporary absence made his reappearance om the street neer the Buckin’ Cayuse. His unsteady walk plainly indieated that he had been gorgiog himself with drink, Not only this, but in his arms and pockets, together, be brought with him over a dozem bottles of wine—the rich old Burgundy, which Judge Alvin had secretly, from time to time, supplied his private closet with, He had, in truth, bad a “skeleton in bis closet,” but it bad made its escape, now, and Mambrinus Maccaw was escorting it up the street, witb the dignity of the leader of a cen- teanial parade, The sight was one that to some extent electri- fied the ter hs of Red Nose; at any rate it created a wide-spread sensation, As be advanced, Maccaw waved one bottle- in triumph above bis head, and gave vent to: yell after yel , of the most ear-splitting charac- ter, ‘*Hyer I come,” he shouted, “ther great hydra-beaded be-up-an’-gee-haw, from Take- ’em-in-out-o’ the-Wet— ther bevel-edged mid- summer night’s dream, from Monkey Mount— ings. Hyer I come, thet bibulous bi-Centenniah celebration o’ ther eleckshun uy old Bacchus, in Red Nose!” When he reached the as yet undisturbed bar~ rel, from wbicb he hed made his wager with Judge Alvin, he proceeded to place the bottles thereon. ‘*Come up, ye thet hev not voted, an’ aire- thirsty, thru hevin’ bin torked tew death, fer ther great he-up-an’-haw aire ’tendin’ bar to- day, an’ before ary man o’ you tecbes a sme)i o’ this invigorator, | bev ter ye a tail tew un~ fold!” The invitation was not unheeded, and in short. order, a goodly ccngregation surrounded the bullwhacker, ‘*Now, ladies an’ gentlemen, not barrin’ ther tender sex out, ef thar’s any present,” Maccaw began, ‘‘I am beer ter let yer onter suthin’ ow importance. Every minnit I expand my )ungs,, in makin’ this matter known ter ye, I expect. ter git salivated. Ef I do, wull yer as a people, avenge me?” ** We will!” came a hoarse sbout from the as- semblage, who bad more of aneye to the row of eonee upon the barrel-top than to the giant’s. speech, “On course you will!” Mambrinus declared, juggling a bottle from thumb to finger, ‘ An” ef ye don’t, thar’s aman in this burg who will —tbat’s Yreka Jim. An’ now, all o’ yer keep an eye screwed onter Jedge Alvin, an’ I’Jb open battery. Last night I played spy onter ther judge, jest ter satisfy meself ther sort of a hairpin he was, Now, from what pears ter be ther wrangle in this hyer town o’ Red Nose, ther jedge hey hin lettin’ on he wouldn’t tech » drop of intoxicatin’ likker, ef yer wor ter give him forty milyun shekels 0’ gold.” A murmur of assent arose—a murmur that was somewhat ominous in its meaning, and caused Maccaw to gaze sbarply eround, ‘Yas, the judge let on he wouldn't give a cent fer all ther whisk in all Christendom, an” wanted ter keep yer noses all away from ther bupg-hole, while he hed bis lips glued ter a ncez— zle. An’, boyees, thet’s ther Rind cv a ha’rpin who wants, ter be Mayor o’ Rid Nose! These byer bottles o’ wine lh found in his house, an” last night I see’d him an’ St. Maur suckin” ther bibulous from ther same sort v’ bottles. An’ now, who orter rule Red Nose?’ For an instant after the conclusion of the giant’s address, there was a silence so interse that a pin’s drop might bave been heard; then as of one accord, there arosea shout, strong and hearty. uttering the name “YREKA JIM!” A rush was mace for the veranda of the hotel, where the sport was seated, watchiog the scene, In spite of bis attempt to ward them off he was seized, raised upon their bands, and berne aloft over the heads of the crowd, Revolvers glistened here and there, also, and more than one voice uttered the irquiries; ‘‘ Where's Alvin?” ‘* Whar’s the judge?” 3ut seeing the exposure that the giant had turned upon him, the ju? ge bad wisely vamosed, and St. Maur, even trough disguised, hed not followed far behind him, And when it became evident the local element was strongly against Alvin, not counting bis previous opponents, a party was organized, and sent in search of him. But his dwelling was unoccupied, and ro. trace whatever could be found of him. He had, as he supposed, done the wise thing, and lost no time in getting out of Red Nose, After the exposure, aie the comment over
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— er x oP =e —_— eee: 14 : } -Judge Alvin’s flight was over, the remaining election votes were quickly cast and Yreka Jim .got every one of thein. The count was then inaugurated and bonfires were prepared for lighting. When the count was finished the announce- ment was given forth before witnesses of the ~count, thas the future Mayor of Red Nose was Yreka Jim by a majority of 27. Taen for two straight hours Red Nose became bideous with shouts of acclamation, every man seemingly rejoicing at the victory since Mam- brinus Maccaw’s exposure of the bogus temper- ance candidate, Asfor Yreka, he underwent the handshaking aud congratulation until he was fatigued and then took advantage of an opportunity to seek his room, first delivering to Vox Van Gelder ‘and Maccaw the wager-money they were en- titled to, The victory was won end part of the sport’s compact,with the robber Queen was fulfilled. CHAPTER XV. ONLY A DREAM AFTER ALL. In stealing away from Red Nose, Alvin and St. Maur bad gone alone, but together. First they had met at the judge’s house and compared notes, and arriving at the conclusion that it was no ie healthy for them to linger in town openly, Alvin had taken all his avail- able wealth, and the twain had hurried out of the place. Their destination, S*. Maur shaping the -course, was the cave where Martha, Yreka’s wife, was confined. “That will afford us a safe place of refuge for the present,” the temperance apostle had assured, ‘‘and will give us an opportunity to steal back and get revenge.” Their flight was not detected in time to inter- cept them and they reached the cave in due time. To their chagrin, however, they found that Martha was no longer there, unmistakable evi- dences indicating that she had but recently been rescued. After deliberation the two villains, realizing that revenge was the Sag thing they need ex- pect to getin Red Nose, left the cave and took the back trail. **May all the furies seize them!” the judge: ‘hissed in his intense rage. ‘I seemed to feel this defeat impending the first time I ever saw Yreka Jim, and on him I lay the blame. He oye die before I turn away from Red Nose again. “You are right,” St. Maur hissed, ‘ but not ‘Tess him than Vox Van Gelder, and not less they than you, Ralph Ardmore. Be you my father or not, your money is of the most value!” . A glittering knife in his grasp, would have been buried in the elder villain’s breast, but for va terrific blow which laid St. Maur senseless at the feet of the man he would have murdered, while, at the same time, the judge was borne backward to the ground, and bound securely, hand and foot. Tbe forms of the two men were then raised ‘and borne rapidly away. ° . Yreka Jim, on reaching his room, threw him- ‘self upon the bed, and it required no special ef- fort, on his part, for him to fall asleep, Being considerably fatigued owing to the ex- citement of the day, he slept for several hours. When he awoke, the scene was so entirely changed, that for many minutes he was unable to make himself beliove but what he was dream- ing. ‘ Bnen, however, the sight of Mambrinus Mac- caw, and the unmistakable sound of bis voice, gave him more assurance that what he saw, was real, He was back in the cellar again, where he had been taken, after being released from jail! He was seated upon a stool, his back leaning against one wall of the room. His feet were fastened with leathern straps, and his arms glued behind his back, Near bim, sat Vox Van Gelder, in a similar plight, while, opposite him, at the other side of the room, Judge Alvin and St. Maur were seat- ed, also bound. At the table were two women, and Mambri- /nus Maccaw. One of the females, who was richly attired, and wore diamonds, was an elderly, but hand- some lady, who, in her young years, must have been possessed of rare beauty. The other woman was evidently not yet of age, and very pretty. - ‘he faces of the two women, however, were ‘stero and pitiless, in expression, and Yreka Yreka Jim’s Joker. wondered not a little what new tragedy was to be enacted, for a deathlike feeling seemed to pervade the place, It was Maccaw’s words that first caused the new ‘‘mayor” to realize his situation: “Thar, Yreka’s awake, through with this business.” _Whereupon the elder woman turned to Yreka im; ; ** You are Yreka Jim?” **' Yes, madam,” * Elected Mayor of Red Nose?” » **So it was decided,” “Do you remember of having been here be- fore?” Yreka nodded. ‘*Do you know how you got here new?” “* Not a remember,” “You were drugged and brought here. Do you recognize the man beside you?” **Of course I do; it is Vox Van Gelder.” “Do you know that he once had another name?” ‘*T have heard so.” ‘““What name?” ** Rolfe Ardmore,” “Correct. The man yonder, who has been known as Alvin, is Ralph Ardmore. I was wedded to both of these men, and am a mother to you and to St, Maur, there. Which man do you take to be your father?” Yreka nodded his head toward Van Gelder, “Is he right?’ the robber Queen demanded of Van Gelder. The man made no verbal answer, but bowed assent. The Queen then turned to Yreka. . “You hear? Your birthright has at last been established. We simply request you to witness one more act, and then Mr. Maccaw, who dis- solves partnership with us to-night, will conduct you direct to Vista Villa, where your wife is recovering in a “ocread chares. At a motion from the Queen, the younger woman drew a revolver and approached St. Maur. ‘It is needless to say that you know me,” she said, cocking the weapon. ‘‘ You deceived me with asham marriage. My day of revenge has arrived!” , He uttered a cry of store she heeded it not, for she deliberately raised the weapon and shot him through the heart. The robber Queen then arose, leveled a pistol at Judge Alvin, and fired, B _ The sun was shining brightly down into Vista Valley, and rested warmly upon a pretty ha- cienda, set down among a yard of flowers. Not far distant cattle were grazing peacefully, and herders were riding in, to the mid-day toot of a bugle. “Yreka! Yreka! you lazy, good-for-nothing fellow!” cried a pretty little red-haired woman, coming out of the house and shaking a hand- some, long-haired fellow, who was sleeping upon the veranda. ; “Come, wake up! You have been sleeping here all the forenoon, and you know Mr. Van Gelder comes for the balance on the mortgage to-day. Come, now; dinner is all ready!” The sleeper arose’ with a [EE and passed his hand wearily over his forehead. “‘Martha,” he said, passing his arm around his wife’s waist, ‘‘I have been dreaming. Oh, such a wonderful dream it was, starting from Eagle’s Cliff, up yonder! I believe it is a bad omen to our future 1 Sit down, and I will tell you all about it.” And he did. But why should we repeat it? It was a dream, and has been told, And did it mean an omen of evil to the happi- ness of those two loving hearts? Let us hope not. THE END. The Dime Dialogues No. 31. Containing twenty Minor Dramas, Extravaganzas, Burlesques, Farces, Dress and Humorous Pieces, for the Amateur Stage, Parlors, Schools and Exhibitions. All original and by favorite authors, professors, teachers and amateurs. For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pvs.isHers, 98 William Street, New York, Now, then, hurry’ BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS, Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large pages, printed . from elear, 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, Iudicrous Speaker. 3. Patriotic Speaker. . Komikal Speaker. 4. Comic Speaker. .. Youth’s Speaker. 5. Elocutionist, . Eloquent Speaker. 6. Humorous Speaker. . Hail Columbia Speak- 7. Standard Speaker. ver, af 8. Stump Speaker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaker. 9, Juvenile Speaker, 20, Select Speaker. 10, Spread-Eagle Speaker | 21. Funny Speaker. 11. Dimé Debater. 22, Jolly Speaker. 12, Exhibition Speaker. 28. Dialect Speaker. 24, Dime Book of Recitations and Readings. These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, etc. 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. Dialogues No, Sixteen. Dialogues No, Two. Dialogues No, Seventeen. Dialogues No. Three. Dialogues No. Kighteen. Dialogues No. Four. Dialogues No. Nineteen. Dialogues No. Five. Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Six. Dialogues No, Twenty-one. Dialogues No. Seven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-two, Dialogues No. Eight. Dialogues No, Twenty-three, Dialogues No, Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-four. Dialogues No. Ten. Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Eleven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No. Twelve. |DialoguesNo, Twenty-seven. Dialogues No. Thirteen. | Dialogues No. Twenty-eight. Dialogues No, Fourteen Dialogues No. Twenty-nine. Dialogues No, Fifteen. ‘Dialogues No, Thirty. Dialogues No. Thirty-one. 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo0 Pages. 20 Cents. ; For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas. Comedy. Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by voted writers; and Recitations - and Readings, new : nd. standard, of the celebrity and i interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell. DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. Beapuie’s Divs Hanp-Booxs ror Youre ie, ot cover a wide range of subjects, and are. especially adaptea to their end, Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writer. Book of Etiquette. Book of Verses. Book of Dreams. Hand-Books of Games. Handbook ef Summer Sports, Book of Civapes. Bn bipctor atin Chess Instructor. ng an z. Cricket and Football. Boor of Pedestrianism, Guide to Swimming. Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, ete. Book of Games. Fortuné-Teller, Lovers’ Casket. Ball-room Companion, Book of Beauty. Manuals for Housewives. 1, Cook Book. 4, Family Physician. 2. Recipe Book, 5. Dressmaking and 8. Housekeeper’s Guide. linery. Lives of Great Americans. I,—George Washington. | VI.—Daniel Boone. Tl.-—John Paul Jones. VIII.—Israel Putnam. T1.—Mad Anthony Wayne X.—Tecumseh. 4 IV.—Ethan Allen, XT.—Abraham Lincoln, V.—Marquis de Lafay-| XII.—Pontiac, ette. XII.—Ulysses S. Grant. Song Books. BEADLE’s Dime Sone Books, Nos. 1 to 34, containing the only Bie ey collection cf copyright songs, elo School Melodist, { Music and Words. . Joke Books. | ia Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke Book. Paddy Whack Joke Book. m. h The above publications for sale by all newsdealers _ or will be sen t- on ies ten cents each, by BEAD ‘RD DAMS. Wis oe \ SrREeEt, N. Y. : ¢ te ae
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+ 4 BY OLL COOMES, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, 81 Keen-Knuife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, 74 Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter. 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, fhe Young Outlaw Hunters, ‘208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, ‘218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Toin’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Pareon Detective; or, The Little Ranger, ‘248 The Diaguised Guide: or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, R72 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter, 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 300 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger, BS4 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 hercules; wr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webfoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. A22 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, A444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairle Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fredj or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big. Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Herm*t Boy Trapper, 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelanc:, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, BY BUCKSKIN 8AM (Major Sam. 8, Rall.) 284 Old Rocky «* Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Glant George; or, The Ang’! of the Rango. 275 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos } or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard ; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, B18 alta ng Ker-whoo} or, The Tarantula of Taos. B27 Creeping Cat, $82 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. B44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. $49 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 457 The Ranch Raiders j or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory, 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek}; or, The Three Thunderbolts. B81 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lartat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage, 414 The Daisy from Denver, 4 427 The AR ee Trailers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. 442 Bluff fil: or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE. © 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlednake, the Charmer. 175 Osptain Arizona; or, Patent-Léather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Masks or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; cr, The Mountain Vompires. B88 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. B68 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. BIE Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my if or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly; or, A Race for a Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches 3 or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Siny or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Pardsa, 517 Jim Gladden’s De —o8 527 The Jolly Purds to the Rescue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. oot erie LU; or, The Cast for a Life. HT d Weansel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. rity Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy. Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy, 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout. 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Aan Scott, the Steamboat Boy, , 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detectives or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville, 811 The Roving Sport} or, The Pride of Chuckalnck Camp, 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit madpets Vendetta. B40 Clip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes, BY JO PIERCE, B9T Bob o? the Bowery ¢ or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 wre Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom, 452 Hotapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Lawyer’s« Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. AT Zaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jack Jnggers, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. ‘588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 651 ick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. ae Naren J ack, the Office Boy Detective. 589 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. 588 ek-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, ‘ ROR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. ~ 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. Buek Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. b Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 4 amin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set, 658 Sky-Rocket_ Rob, the Life-Saver. 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 694 Spiey Jim, the Only One of His Kind. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective, BY J. W. OSBON. 69 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. = / don Gaotun Herve the Man from Hard Lucks 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. ; ¥ 64 Rewaer P a co Boy aather, a : t Veteran ective, 20 0 Der t, the the Caddo}; or, The Red and White Pards, — r tnt League; or, The M oftne Island. | My 688 Plucky Paul, Boy Prospector, stil ‘ \ MN ~¥e Xt BEADLE’S: H ALF-DIME¢ | JBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and Hia Buoy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick} or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport, 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Bréeed Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York, BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider}; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Haunted Mald of Tacs, BY OAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMB, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Groat Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick W hiffies’s I et; or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie, 85 Buck Buckramy or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Peta; or, The Wild Huntre 251 Light-house Liges or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King; or, The Human underbolt, BY ROGER STARBUOK, 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden vine ae 3 or, Loat Among the Floes, 848 Fire-Heels; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Light-house, 870 Breaker Len, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank}; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY ©. DUNNING OLARK. | 185 Captain Paul; or, The Hoy BP of the Mountains. 280 The Yankee Kajahy; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY GEORGE 0, JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. _ 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 5S Flute, tue Sinver Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detectives or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussel. BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY WM. G. PATTEN. ‘ £33 The Diamond Sport H or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 881 Dales) ware the Sport from Denver, 687 Old Hombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Spon. . 641 Dismal Dave’s Dandy Pard. : 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Violet Vane’s Victory, 682 Wild Vuleany, the Lone-Range Rider, 69R Violet and Daltsy, the ry Pards. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. BY MAJOR E, L. 8ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. B01 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Bombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Durango Daye, the Young Champion Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shel! Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothilis Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or e Captives of the Frontier, © Nat Todd} or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, 21 ‘rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The Hunted Hunter}; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood}: or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Praifie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON. 278 The Three ‘Trappers or, The Mountain Monster. 288 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp, 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Island Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Oaptain of the Cluby or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack HMarkaway in New York. BY MAJOR NENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8cout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards. 846 Rapler Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard;: or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Golden Gulch Mystery. 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The |Rea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Fages or, The Doge’s route: 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. ¥ The Sword Hunters; or, The Land ofthe ee rens niters. 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise. 200 The Boy Bedoutnss; or, The Brothers of the Plamed Lance, | 214 Wo ng, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 M ci Ta Th BS1 Hlack Nick. the Deon Rider, 895 California Joe’s War Trail, il omer the Animal King; or, Round the World, “ : ue of the Jungle. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 8 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, Me Outlaw’s Retreat. 65 Hurricane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 bp oe sg iret wi The King of the Plains, 186 Night-tawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lancé to thé Réscue. 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Firé with Fire, 184 The Boy Tratlers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider}; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail, Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trifler. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail, a8 Chingepin Dan’s Home Stretch, 98S Old Crazy, the Man Witiout a Head. 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood ; or, The Tweive Avengers, 66 Single Mand; or, A Life for a Life, 72 Mad Tom Weatern, the Texan Rayer. ‘887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete's Stoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. - 820 The Sea Sorceress; or; The Boy Shipper. BY LIEUT, H, D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Bucenneor of the Bay. 180 The Sea Traller; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, BY COL, A. F. MOLT, 899 Black Buékakin; or, The Masked\Men of Death Canyon, 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. | 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, B28 The Dandy sports or, The King Pin Coffspirator. 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, 691 Headlight HMarry’s Haul. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dicks or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island, 187 The Helpless Hand}; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seceker Guide} or, The Lost Mountain, “BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots. 478 Tangemunid, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Parda. » BY ARTHUR ©. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Parda. 621 Truthful James, the “ Pecoollar’? Man. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactua, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport, 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Manas, the Dutch Vidocg. 611 Bildad Barn cle the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Oit’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Oat’s Triumph; or, Black Tvah’s Great Conibine, 646 Coweey ey the Cattlé-Range Detective, 3 ‘ 657 Ward Hing, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremtahy the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy. the Gyp« Spy. | 699 Stvaple Sim, the Bronenc Buster. 712 The Mésmerist Sport; or, Thé Myatified Detective, MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORS. ‘ 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Rela and | ° os baker uw h ventures o aron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Tlustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sallor. His Seven Voyages, 22 F red Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robineon 008. Carribees, a 8. W, Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen, By F 8, Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rives: or, The Umecsroasa Chr. By A: C. Trona. reebooters of the Mississippi. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. woo 105 Old Ru d. ube; th Gildersleeve, Hamilton thes. 112 The Mad Wunter; or, '!heCave of Death. By Borton Saxe. | 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George levson. ‘ 128 The Youns Privateer; or, Tho Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, 148 gnace Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J, lexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel. ; By G, L. Aiken. | ed Trail, ¢ One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Mald of the Clif. lowstone, By Edward Emerson. 261 ats the Fearnaught the New Y irk Boy. 266 Kil By es Cc. D. Warren, aw, th By Captain Comatock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alired Thorne. 828 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. ple ore. By Colonel Thomes 874 Gold-Duat Toms: or, Ben's Double Match, ByG HL a dad ant re) Joe’s First Trall. oyer Monastery. 418 Billy Rombahel, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 475 The Binck Ship. By John S Warn er. 484 Comanche Dick and Win Three Invincibles, By Henry J. Thomas. S82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. B52 Artel the Athlete. By David Druld, Ml Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H, Enton, 82 The Dead Petective’s Double. By Gorald Carlton A New tesue Every Tuesday. The Half. eonts per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six conta . BEADLE AND ADAMB, Publishers, ; 98 William Street, New VYerk, — oo oe n By Joan 4. ‘ 88 The Ocean Plocthounds or, The Red Pirates of the | aM the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain 0° me Library i» for sale by ait Serene fire
Page 16
Se rey — BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. £0 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben. 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner, 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acts or, Corduroy Charlie, Dick in Leadville, Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign, Dick as Detective. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivuls of the Road, 201 Deadwoed Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant, 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tough, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B21 Deadwood 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. 861 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible 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 Dick, Jr.’s, Deflance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand, 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. 6 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Dog Detective. 481 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Di nga. 5608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks, 5%4 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, JIr., the Wild West Vidoog. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on Mia Mettle 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boaton, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, 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. €12 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit, 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincitnuati, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, €42 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. $22 Besdveea Bice 47> Guseeds eadw ick, Jr.» Among the Smugglers, $60 Deadwood Dick, Jy.'s, Insurance Ones 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, J 678 Deadwood 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollara, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 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 Billy or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Hifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miners cr, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance, 92 Honan Ohet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp, 6 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective Cinnamon Chip, the Gir) Sport. Bonanza Bill, Miner. Boas Hob the King of Bootblacks, Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, the Boy-Gir! 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 Ventril 226 Snoozer. the By Sharp; or, The Arab 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado, 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)ndiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Front Ferret. y 2485 Sierra Sam’« Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Saw’s Pardy or, The Angel of Big Vista, 255 Sierra Sam’as Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 27B Jumbo Joey the Boy Patrol; or. The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. Pd § penves oe A Ser anaet Me : ba enver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill's Bonanza. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll's Drift: or. The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. £25 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, RSO Little Qui ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’a Racket, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, she Gent trom Gopher, 86% Vrekn Aim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, B78 Yreka Jim’s Prize, BTS Nahbob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City, RXV Cool Ktt. the Kiug of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, BS5 Vreka Jim's Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nose, B89 Bievele Reny or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Warry, the Base Ball Detective, 6 Sam Siabsides, the Begear-Boy Detective, Jim Benak and Pal, Private Detectives, 8 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher, 6 Sealskin Sam, tho Sparkler. RA ba eh pel fed hill BNSC PRoOORHK KS mood is Sr Cost merce —J nist Hunter, wtective, The Life Lottery, Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, Dick’s Double; os, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost, or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats, endetta, r.’#, Chase Acroas the Continent r.» In Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” Dick, Jr.’a, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune, BEADLE’S+H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ®? The Flying Yankee} or, The Ocean Ontcast. 17 Ralph Roysy the boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 24 Diamond Dirk ioe The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier, 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midsh pman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Onptain 3 or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson sgt or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy a onl 8 245 Merle, the Middy ¢; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman utineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating F eather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 26” The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “the Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder} or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Lilly Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trall. 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Consptraters or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtamany; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, Tie Corsair. 487 The Sena Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Harrys or, The Scapegrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta. 462 The Born Gulde}; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard, 488 Ferrets Afloats or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted Midshipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue. skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rie, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Bon, 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIII, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective. 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, tne Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 607 The Rover _ Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, 617 eloee the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Rio Raiders. 644 The Hercules Highwaymun, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Wunt. 662 Buttertly Billy’s Bonanza, 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Saflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flay; or, The Tarnished Name, 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Seout. 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas, BY BUFFALO BILL (ion. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas Kings or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom Spr! or, ‘the Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Secut. 68 Border Robin Wood; or, The Prairle Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 22 Vhil Hardy, the Bons Boy. 26 Picayune ete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 80 Detective Dick 3 or, The Hero in Raga. 42 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred. 52 Black Besa, Wil) Wildfire’s Racer. 57 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 2 Will Wildfire in the W ooda. 5 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy, A ‘Trump Card sg or, Will Wildfire Wine and Loses, 4 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 9 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, itand or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge, Fred H:.' yard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, Bob Roc ett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowcd; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 ‘Tom Tanner}; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and’ His Gang, 252 Diek 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-Houndy3 oc, 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-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joes or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Levelers or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. A428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. \ 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. } 456 Billy Brick, the Jojly Vagapond, A66 Wide-Awake/ Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive,’ A479 Detective Dodge}; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Roota, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Shafp for the Sharper, 6&6 The Scerct Service Roy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Roy Speculator, 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. ® in Hard-u BY J, 0. COWDRIOCK, 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 Without a Name 424 Cibuta Jonn; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway BUly, the Bootblack Bravo. 506 Redlight Balen the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle, 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diflikilty.” 548 Mart, the iE Express Detective. 5657 Broadway Billy’« Peath Racket. ts aatane neues Nabe, aly ernie We wail e Chimney Spy; or, Broadway 's Surprise- iy 592 The Boy Pinkerton. f ‘ ny 605 William @’ 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 Cirele, 647 Typewriter Tilly, tho Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the *‘ Piseneat ” Man of Ante Bar, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisce’s Finest, 687 Broadway Billy tn Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. BY T. ©, HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, Thr Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or The Littl Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dand ack 3 or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tre” 82 Kit Marefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ; or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The Whit- 4 & Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 9 Judge Lynch, Jr.¢ or, The Boy Vigilante, & Gold Tr geer, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenges, ¥ Tornado ‘Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Cora, 8 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 98 Arkansaw ; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Re! Jezebel, 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli, the King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winchy or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetops, 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bal, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Tenor of Take-Notice, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam and Pard; or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, 886 Captain Cutlass; or, The Brccaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blasem 411 The Silken Lasso; 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 Bax, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 47%? The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 621 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 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 Shadowee. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy- Musician Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 698 Old Crazy, the Man *“ithout n Head; or, Lightheart Luke’s Clean Sweep. By Jos)" E, Badger, Jr. 699 Simple Sim, the Bronc'o Buster; or, Playing the Fool for Big Stakes. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 700 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at Satan’s Spring, By Edward L. Wheeler. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T. C, Harbaugh, 202 Blue Jacket. Bill; or, Tne Red Hot Rangere Red Hos Racket. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 708 Bronaway Billy's Brand; or, The New York Delegates Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick, Ready Jannary 12 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Making Crooked Things Straight, By Edward L. Wheeler Ready January 20, a 705 Violet Vane’a Vow; or, The Crafty Deteetive’y Grafs By Wm. G, Patten. Ready January 217. A New Issue Every Tuesday. aae ee ee ee Qa The es ie The Half- Dime Library Is for asle by #ll newsdealers, ive eents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New York, ‘ , mht Ly t j ’ + Smo ; Ps): ay - : oar Wh eae > Yan ia ft ah Ebi spycam AL Sched a Lh ‘ ; Kare