Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 812) (1893 02 14)
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- = : "ais J = = = s Ws 79) 4 nbd k away, te see ve a \ \ NY . \ WEA WN f i ere Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office, it ht at os ue at Copyrighted 1898, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, February 14, 1893, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No, 812, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK; 5 cents, Vol. XXXII. le he= \ | | | . , io ph | THE ROUND-UP at ROUNDABOUT: The Romance of Rival Clans, MN BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETO, CHAPTER I. WHY ROUNDABOUT REJOICED, Iv was a great day for Roundabout, The camp had outgrown its baby clothes, so to say, and had just been put into its first pants, It was now a‘ city ” with a mayor; and when a camp reaches that stage it is only a step fur- ther to full growtb. Roundabout was ‘“' getting there with both feet,” as one good citizen re- A WOMAN'S PIERCING SHRIEK DOUBLY STARTLED THE AWE-STRICKEN CROWD. . marked, ‘My GOD! IT IS THE HEAD OF MY FATHER!” FOLLOWED THE SHRIEK. A peculiar name for a city, you will say, per- Tue —_
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2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. haps, but it was the best they could furnish, At the time of the election of the mayor it had been proposed that a new name be given the eamp, but the names suggested could not sup- plant the old appellation around which the affec- tions of the people had become entwined, One worthy cit had proposed calling it Lyn- donia, he having something of the azsthetic in bis make-up; but no one seconded his motion, Said one man: ‘‘ We ain’t no doods hyer, ar’ we? What we want is a big-caliber name—a full-grown name wi’ whiskers on et.” Various names were suggested, good, bad and worse; but not one of them seemed to strike the popular fancy right, so, it was voted to retain the old ‘‘ handle ” till such time when a better one could be thought of, The camp had come by its name in this wise: A party of prospectors, coming out upon one of the chffs which overlooked the valley pocket on one side, had considered it a likely spot and decided to go down and investigate; but, they were so long in reaching the bottom, and had to make so wide and ‘tortuous a detour, that, when they decided .to stay, they were all in favor of calling the place ‘* Roundabout,” But, to get back to the point of starting, It was in‘leed a great day for Roundabout—a red-letter day, and the letter of the very bigge3t and reddest kind at that, The new fire-engine was expected to arrive, and all manner of work at the camp—pardon, _ city,—bad been suspended and the place was in full holiday dress for the occasion. Some months prior to the time of our story there had been a great fire in the camp, a fire that had well-nigh wiped the place out of exis‘- ence entirely; but, the mineral wealth being there, the city had sprung quickly up again like the fabled phenix from its ashes, Theu, when it had been declared a city in fact, and a mayor elected, it was proposed thata fire- engine—the real article, gilt-edge, double-action, and all that sort of thing- should be sent for, in order that the city might be better able to cope with the devouring element in case of another conflagration. And, not only so, but the aequi- sition of a fire-engine would cause Hustleville to turn green with envy. Hustleville, by the way, was a camp that stood rival to Roundabout. Both were in the same gulch, and not a mile apart, but were separated by a closing in of the rocky walls on both sides until only pass ige room remained, This narrow passage from one camp to the other was called the ‘* Choke.” The spirit of rivalry had existed ever sinca the time when both camps had endeavored to get the post-office and it had been awarded to Roundabout owing to the fact that Roundabout was the older place and the first on tho trail, wine the two camps were barely frien ily to each other, For some time, having the post-office, Round- about was in the supremacy; but, Hustleville grew rapidly, and when, finally, owing toa slight misunderstanding among some of her denizens one night, material was furnished wherewith to start a cemetery, the Hustlevillains claimed the palm; off-ring the argument that a cemetery was better than a fourth-class post-office by long - odds} Secretly, Roundabout admitted this to herself, and the point was all the stronger and the thorn in the flesh all the deeper owing to the fact that there was no room in Roundabout for a ceme- tery. Roundabout bad the smaller half of the pocket, even though the better, and all the ground was needed for more enterprising use than to store away dead men in. When, after a time, there arose need for such a placa, — it was that the said thorn in the flesh was elt. It was on the occasion of the death of ore Stogy Stiver, so called, who came to an untime- ly end by committing suicide—as it was humor- po reid tat the fact being that he contracted the Speedily fatal ailment of a bullet in a vital part by calling a bad man of the campaliar, As Stogy had never been of much account anvbow, mothing was said to the bad man for his prompt action in defending his veracity, and he got off the more easily owing to the fact that the camp Ale loss to know what to do with the de- unct, There was, positively, no place in Roundabout ‘where a cemetery could be started, and yet, little as they had cared for Stogy in life, Stogy dead was deserving of a decent burial; so, the only thing to be done was to carry the body over to Hustleville and ask permission to bury it there, And that they did. The good citizens of ! _ . The citizens of thes3 camps, it may be said in the rival camp, after thinking the mutter over, decided that it would cost their neighbors just twenty dollars to bury in their ground; and their ultimatum was—the payment of the said | twenty dollars or carry the body home. It was | a bitter pill, but the case was urgent and so the money was paid, After awhile, however, Roundabout came up on top again with a newspaper, the Roundabout Rustler, and for atime held the lead. Hustle- ville, however, soon hustled around and set up a printing establishment of its own, and one day sent a horseman over into the rival camp to distribute sample copies of the Hustleville Hustler, They were just as good as their neighbors, they allowed: and they allowed, too, that their camp was still a little in the Jead, having a green and thriving cémetery, even if the other camp did contribute to it. And so stood matters at the time of the fire, after which, for a considerable while, Hustleville cer- tainly did hole the better hand, Now, however, Roundabout was about to rise supreme! With a fire-engine, and a regularly organiz>d fira company, where would poor benighted Hustleville be? That was what the ‘‘ Hustlers ” were ask’. And that was just what the **Rustlars” were going to have;it had been ordere:]; it was expected to-day ; ani, everybody wa3 crazy wild accordingly, explanation, were called by each other more after the name of the respective paper of each camp than by the name of the camp itself. The good people of Hustlevilla had objscted, to the point of fighting, to being called Hustlevillains —soon corrupted into ‘‘ Hustle, villains!” and the men of Roundabout, not being particularly fond of the designation Roundabouters, were willing to compromise, The street was full of people, and every Rustler was known by the broad expanse of smile upon his face, Hustlers were there in goodly number, too; but they clearly were not ‘tin it.” They stood around with their hands in their pockets, look- ing on. here was a considerable number of men on horseback, waiting to dash out and meet the coming freighters as soon as the signal of ap- proach was heard, while hundreds on foot were ready to full in line with tbe procession, Mayor Gadzooks was ona prancing charger, looking the happy man he was, bowing grace- fully to every woman who would favor him with a look; while Mayor Kreeps, of the con- temporary camp, saw it all, with a feeling of envy iu his heart buta Jook of the utmost disdain upon his face. “Ye think ye ar’ doin’ somethin’ smart, I s’pose,” Kreeps sneered, when he had proper op- portunity. ¢ ‘¢ We ar’ goin’ ter do somethin’ tall, ef that’s what ye mean,” Gadzooks retorted, ‘* You ee, won't he able ter reach us with a lightnin’- rod,’ ’ ‘¢ Think we won't, hey? Vl bet we'll ’clipse. ye inside of a month so bad ye won’t know what’s happened. What’smore, we won't have ter have a clean-out by fire to give us an idee, either.” ‘**No; you'll take pattern after us, same as ye dil when ye started that. wabble-kneed newspa- per over there, But, go ahead, an’ welcome to ye; ef it’s a fire-engine, we bavé ther satisfac- tion of knowin’ et can’t be a finer one than ours, unless ye plate it wi’ gold and silver.” ** Havea care how you asperse the Hustleville Hustler, Mayor Gadzooks,” the editor of that sheet spoke up. ‘' We can hold our own with the Roundabout Rustler, we are vain enough to boast.” “Something you can’t do and pever have done, sir,” cried the editor of the Rustler. “We originate; you imitate, We lead; you follow, We barvest; youscavenge.” , é “Sir! PH handle you without gloves in my next!” “T wouldn't handle you without gloves for any consideration, sir.” “Do you mean to imply, sir, that—that— that— What do you mean toimply, you ras- cally knave?” “1 don’t mean to imply anything, you sneak- ing-varlet! I mean just what I said.” . There might have been trouble, for these two men did sometimes get into that unholy occupa- tion vulgarly designated a ‘‘scrap”; but just then the signaYof the approach of the freighter was heard. The signal was the report of & gun, away up at the head of the gulch beyond the pocket, and as soon as it was heard the horsemen dashed away in that direction; and, Editor Sneed, of eee eee ee the Rustler, being one of them, the promising prospect for a free fight was nipped in the bud, ** Lucky for him he was called away,” observed Ejlitor Dubby, of the Hustler, to those around. ‘**T was just on the point of jerking him down from his horse and giving bim what he has been itching for a long time now,” No notice was taken of that, however, Every- body was too excited, and the crowd was bastep- ing away in the direction the horsemen had taken to join in the triumplial pageant. Every eye was turned toward the pass, now, where the coming freighter would first be seen, and every heart was filled with eager an- ticipation, Hustler as well as Rustler, but chiefly the latter. It could not be denied that the possession of a fire-engine by one camp was a blessing to both; for, should a fire occur in Hustleville, the Rustlers would be only too glad to rush over there to show what they could do, A quarter of an hour passed; then the horse- men up at the head of the gulch were seen to wave their hats and a cheer was soon borne along on the breeze. In another moment the Ieading horses of the freighter appeared, and the whole host of Rustlers cheered, Team after team the horses came into sight, each animal bedecked with flags and plumes, until ten teams had appeared, and then was seen th» massive wagon withits preciousload, There was the fire-engine, all gleaming and glittering in its dress of polisbed brass and flashing nickel! And the way the Rustlers did let themselves loose then was exhilarating to behold, The escort of horsemen led the way, then came the freighter with its ten teams, and after that the cheering and dancing populace, The Rustlers were the actors; the Hustlers the audience—being not in it, There was a drum, a horn, and any number of kettles and pans with which to increase the din, and in this manner the grand p“ovession came into the camp, colors flying and band playing, and finally came toa halt before the Union Hotel, where nine rousing cheers and a whole den of tigers were let looge, Verily, it was Roundabout’s greatest day! CHAPTER II. THEIR BLOOD-CHILLING FIND, THE new fire-engine was certainly a thing of beauty, something its possessors might justly feel proud of, and if they were over enthusias- tic there was an.excuse for it. Feeling so good themselves, they could not hold malice toward their neighbors, and the hand of fellowship was offered right and left without stint until‘the men of Hustleville were made to feel that they were not entirely out in the cold in the great demonstration, The wrappings had been removed from the machine up in the pass, in ordei' that it might be brougbt into camp in all its glory of red paint and bright glitter, but it still remained to take it down from the wagon, set it up, and give it a trial. eee important. part of the day’s business yet remained to be performed, accord- ing to the programme, Yes, a regular programme had been arrunged. A platform had been set up in the Square in front of the hotel and principal places of busi- ness and resort of the camp, and speechmaking was now next in order; the nine managers, the mayor, the editor and cther leading citizens be- ing billed to take part. After that would come the unloading and setting up of the engine, and its trial, and then a dinner at the hotel, to which the leading men of the rival camp had been invited—-out of cour- tesy? Perhaps so; but, the Rustlers were not cverlooking any opportunity for ‘rubbing in” their claims to superiority, and this was certain- ly one not to be neglected, By tbe time the cheering had subsided the speakers had taken their places upon the plat- form, and Onway Woodworth, manager of the Grub-stake Mine, stepped to the front to ad- Gress the assemblage, : What he had to say was brief and to the int, P'He congratulated the camp upon its valuable acquisition, urged upon the mayor the selecting of a company froni the best material the camp could furnish, and asstited the people of Hustle- ville that if a fire occurréd in their camp on the other side of the Choke the boys from Round- about would respond gladly to their call. Then followed Etitor Sneed and others, and lastly Mayor Gadzooks, who ended his address with the o vation: ** And now, feller-citizens and neighbors, seein’ that we havea reg’lar hummer of a fire-ingine hyer, I want ter know ef et ain’t bout time we kicked ’gainst payin’ a tax of twenty dollars on
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. every plant we make in ther graveyard at Hustleville, Seems ter me et’s time ter kick. A grave is a necessity, oncet in a while, an’ so is a fire-ingine; and if ther tax is kept up on ther grave we'll have ter put a tax on our ingine, that’s all.” That was greeted with cheers and numerous remarks from both sides, but it was no time then to settle the matter, for everybody was eager to see the engiue tried and willing hands were already preparing to unload it, There was one man in the crowd who had been a city fireman some years before, and to him had been intrusted the experiment, If he proved his claim, and the trial was a success, it was altogether probable that be wouli be made captain of the company, so he was eager to do his best. It took some little time to get the heavy ma- chine safely off upon the ground, but it was ac- complished finally, and the ex-fireman set to work at once to put it into working order. Meanwhile a water-tank on wheels had been brought to the scene—being one of a pair which the citizens had constructed while waiting for the engine—together with the necessary fuel for starting up the fire, The crowd was packed closely around, giving the workmen only just enough room to move about in comfortably, and hardly that, and everybody was eager to see the start made, They wanted to ‘see the thing go off,” as they expressed it, That was,what they were there for. Finally the last screw bad been turned and the last nut adjusted, and the engineer—this fireman, by the way, held a post as engineer at the mine—announced that he was ready to fill the boiler and start up the fire; which announce- ment was greeted with a cheer’ and the crowd fell back to give him plenty of room for these necessary finishing touches, The boiler was filled, the pumping hose made fast to the tank-wagon, and the engineer then unwired the door of the fire-box to put in the re, When he had got the door opened he looked in, and the next instant sprung up and staggered back with face as pale as death. ‘Good heavens!" he cried. ‘* What a find!” ** What is et, Rube?” damanded the mayor. ** A man’s head, as I live an’ breathe!” ** What! You can’t mean et, shorely!” ‘* Look in and see for yourself.” ‘‘Hang me ef thar ain’t!” he exclaimed. *¢ How in mysteries did a man’s head gitin hyer? An’ whose head is et, anyhow? Come out o’ hyer, stranger, till we take a view at yer!” To display his nerve and bravery under the circumstances .(he mayor reached in his arm and brought the caput forth by its scalp-lock, but instantly dropped it to the ground, The sight of it was too much even for the mayor’s nerves, ; At the hideous sight the crowd fell back, filled with instinctive horror—all fell back, save a young girl, who, as if moved by a resistless im- ulse, su idenly pressed forward as if to see the ace of the dead, Tnev, even before the mayor could gain suffi- cient nerve to lift the ghastly find from the ground for the inspection of the crowd, a wo- man’s piercing sbriek doubly startled the awe- stricken crowd, ““My God! It is the head of my father !” followed the shriek, And staggering back as the crowd now surged forward, the girl fell fainting into the arms of women, who caught her as she fell, “Et’s Little Maggie!” ‘‘She has fainted!” was shouted. “ Little Maggie” cried Manager Woodworth, coming forward, ‘Then the poor child has found her father in a horrible way.” ‘*That’s what she has!” the mayor agreed, ‘** How in ther name o’ wonders kem his head in hyer? And who put etin hyer? This thing bas got ter be looked into!” The crowd, spellbound till now, echoed the mayor’s declaration to a man. Little Maggie, as sho was called, was a pretty waif, eighteen years of age, who had come to the mines about three months prior to the opeu- , by of our story. he was in search of ber father, she had told the citizens—had been looking for him high, low and everywhere; but, being out of money then, would have to seek employ for a time before searching further. The big-hearted mayor of the camp befriended her at once, and the citizens responding to his call, put a shanty up for her and furnished it. There they installed her, and she set about mak- ing her living by doing washing and mending oS ioe the miners, And, so she had continued to ate. She was respected by everybody for her sim- ple purity, and thus it was that the mayor’s aa to avenge the crime was hailed so eartily. Cried one man: “You ar’ right; et bas got ter be looked inter, Mayor Gadzooks. Ther cuss what's killed ther daddy of Little Maggie has got ter answer to this hyer camp with his life,” “*'You bet he has!” another citizen approved, “and we'll have him hunted down, ef et takes a month o Sundays ter do et.” “’Twon't take no month o’ Sundays if we kin git the right hound on the trail, an’ Deadwood ick, Jr., is jest that hound; what say, boys?” ‘“* You bave struck the bull’s-eye,” approved Manager Woodworth. ‘If any man alive can solve the riddle, be is the man,” The proposition was hailed with assent by the whole crowd, for the name of the famed Prince of the West was familiar to them all, Several women had by this time gathered round the fainted girl, and in response to their efforts she soon regained her consciousness, Her first act was to put her hands over her eyes, as though to shut out some terrible vision —the terrible sight which had been the cause of her fainting. ‘“*Did I—did I see—it ?” she asked, ‘“‘ Or, was it a dream?” ‘* There, there, don’t think on’t,” one woman tried to soothe, ‘‘ You was mistaken, 0’ course, "bout et’s bein’—” ‘*No, no; I must see it again; I must know the truth, I could not be mistaken. Let me see it—I must know—” The mayor had been pressing his bc toward ber. the head still in bis hand but held behind m, ‘*Can ye stand et, miss?’ he asked. ‘‘ Hadn’t ye better wait?” ** No, no; let me see it and be sure!” The mayor allowed her to look again upon the dead features, and as she did so a shiver ran over her, and with another cry she covered her face with her apron, ‘Tt is he! itis he!” she sobbed. ‘‘ It is the head of Joel Meadway, my father, that [ have looked for so long. Who can have taken bis life in so horrible a manner? Men of Roundabout will you help me to solve this mystery and avenge the crime that has been done?” “‘That’s what we will, gal, an’ you can bet on’t,” declared the mayor. ‘‘ But, bave you any idee who could ’a’ done et? Had yer daddy any enemy who might want him out of ther way for any reason that you know on? Ef ye know anything o’ that sort, now is ther time to say et out,” ‘*No, no, Ido not think he had any foe, sir, As I have told you, he was mildly insane, but harmless, when he wandered away. I cannot imagine why he has been killed and his head sent here, unless it was out of pure wantonness by some heartless villain, Oh! it is horrible, horrible! Will you please seo that the head is buried, Mr. Gadzooks?” The mayor promised, and the young woman went away to her shanty, accompanied by two or three women, her neighbors, The mayor made his way back to the platform then mounted it, and said: ‘“‘ Feller galoots, the findin’ of this hyer cabeza has somewhat throwed a dash of cold water over the events of ther day, and ther more so sence et has been recognized as the head of the daddy of our Little Maggie. But, sence et’s somethin’ we couldn’t in no wise help, we'll carry out the rest of the programme jest ther same, After that, I want to announce, thar will be a funeral in good style fer this dead man’s bead, to which I want this hyer camp to ‘tend in proper manner out of respect fer our leetle protegee.” So, the rest of the programme was carried out, the engine proving a grand success, and likewise the dinner that followed the trial. Then came the funeral, as announced, and the head was interred in the cemetery at Hustleville —free of cost, That done, a meeting was held to take measures toward solving the mystery of the severed head, and the voice of the meeting was—that the reat detective, Deadwood Dick, Jr., be sent or and the case placed in his hands, ‘And that, accordingly, was carried out, the first steps be- ing taken immediately, CHAPTER IIL PRESENTS SOME PASSENGERS. THE evening stage made its roundabout way down through Rocky Gulch, and on to Rounda- bout, with an unusually full complement of passengers. When the Jehu drew up ava stopped before the Union Hotel, bringing Lis four animals around with a graceful swing, he sung out: “Flyar we ar’ again, Rustlers! An’ hyer’s the biggest load I have brought in fer a dozen weeks, How did ther ingiue work?” “Oh, bully!” he was told; and further re- marks were exchanged while the passengers were alighting. ¢ One of these was a woman, a good-looking little body clad in what seemed to be balf-mas- culine attire, S>e wore a skirt to her shoe-tops, but the upper balf of ber person was fitted ad- mirably witha jacket and vest of bronze velvet. A hat of the same was upon her head, and a white shirt-front with dainty tie and collar added to the general good effect of the outfit, A diamond flashed upon her tie, another upon one of her fingers, and a beautiful gold chain spanned her vest. Sbe looked the sport she evi- dently was. om Another passenger worthy of notice was a man, a fellow with long hair and a pensive ex- pression of countenance, Ho was attired in black, wearing a frock coat of extra length, now shiny and seedy with long use, which was buttoned high up in the neck as if to conceal the fact that its owner wore no ** bYiled” linen, Standing in rough and rusty boots undera silk bat of ancient pattern that had long ago lost its shape and sleekness, the fellow looked a personification of the shabby genteel. A stubble of beard covered his face, wituess in itself that the man was suffering with an acute attack of hard times, With the other passengers we have nothing to do—at any rate nob just at present, The woman mentioned was evidentiy traveling alone. She had paused to look about for a moment upon alighting, but getting her bearings quickly, so to put it, she started for the hotel. Yhere was an air of snap and busicess about her, something brisk and refreshing, and it was as plain as the nose on a man’s face that she was no tenderfoot, but perfectly able to take care of Number One, She entered the bar-room without any hesi- tation, knowing from experince, evidently, that there she would find the office as well, and ad- vancing straight. to the bar confronted the clerk in a manner that showed she was quite at home there or anywhere else. “Got a room that will fita chap of my size?” she asked, resting her fists on the bar as she put the question, “Well, I guess so,” was the answer, ‘‘T take it by your looks that you want somethin’ that ain’t no slouch, hey? ant the best we've ot?” : ‘Not particalar about that, so long as it is clean and comfortable, I don’t goin heavy on style when I’m looking for sleep quarters; what I’m after is solid comfort, every time.” * Well, I can fix you out, then, at.” “Allright, Flip me your quill and [ll jot down my name for you,’ The clerk, smitten and smiling, handed out a pen, and with a free and easy stroke the woman penned the words: “ Fly Fan, of Frisco.” “ Ply Fan, eh?” the clerk read. ‘ That’s a name that fits your looks well enough, any- ” Ow, _ “ And I’m just as fly as I look, too, you bet!” was the saucy retort, ‘* But I don’’ put up with any nonsense, so don’t make any mistake on that point.” With that, and a jerk of the head to give it emphasis, she turned away and coolly surveyed the idlers about the room, at the same time taking note of the others who entered, passingly. Meanwhile, what of the other? When he had reached the ground, climbing awkwardly down from the top of the “ hearse, he struck an attitude—something of a Wild Oscar pose, and flinging back his flowing hair with a flirt of the head, exclaimed, * Methinks all nature bids me welcome here |”? ‘A poick, by darn!” cried one man, “Yes, an’ et sticks out all over him,” said another. : “ Say, rather, a child of Nature,” the stran- ger mildly corrected, : “A dear leetle child you be lange * Does yer Mammy yer ““ Scoff not,” the poet chided, ‘I mind not ” one fellow know ye
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SO ey pe eat ee paneeaer rs Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. You look only upon the outer man.” With two fingers of his right hand thrust un- der the lap of his buttoned coat, the other hand behind him, one foot slightly advanced and his head thrown back, he looked like a caricature of Ajax defying the lightning, in a longtailed frock coat, The crowd was amused, “ By the way,” recovering from one pose to strike another of equal grace and beauty, ‘* am I right in supposiug this edifice to be an hotel?” “Can’t ye read ther sign—Union Hotel?” was demanded, ‘* Ha! now I see it, and I am made aware that my supposition was right. But, is it strictly first-class?” ** You bet!” ‘* Because, no plebeian abode will do for me you know, And, have I been oe tyes informed that you have a newspaper here?” ‘* You have not been led astray on that point,” spoke up Editor Sneed, promptly. ‘‘ There is oue pewspaper here—one only, and I speak for Hustleville as well as for our own city.’ “« And that one, sir, isthe Hustleville Hustler,” chimed in Editor Dubby, of that sheet. ‘“ contemporary has well said there is but one; bis own flimsy apology for a newspaper is a disgrace to the press at large. If you want the news, buy the Hustler, sir!” ‘The stale news,” cried Sneed, ‘* You will get nothing else there,” ‘Hal I am in good fortune!” cried the poet. ‘Perhaps I can get a place on the staff of each as poet laureate, I will call on you to-morrow, gentlemen, at your respective places of business, if I mistake not in supposing you to be the editors of the papers in question.” ‘¢ You needn’t darken my door,” cried Sneed, ‘+ T want no poetry.” * And as I never accept anything once declined by my contemporary, you needn’t call on me,” Dubby assured. The poet’s chin dropped to his breast, and he stalked sorrowfully off toward the hotel and entered the bar-room. Many others had gone in by this time, to learn what they could about the new arrivals, and now many more followed, eager to see more of this eccentric character and maybe expecting some fun, It was just after Fly Fan had registered and turned away with her parting remark to the clerk. j The self-proclaimed t strode to the bar and taking up the pen the female sport had laid down, ded forthwith to register without let or hindrance, This was what he wrote: ‘ PHILEMON TENNISON, Poet. ** Poetry on tap, exceeding fine, And only twenty cents a line!” ‘See here, what are you about?” cried the clerk, seeing the pen running on and on. ‘*T have done,” said the poet, humbly, laying the pen down, ‘I could not resist the tempta- tion to insert a sample of my inspiration,” ‘*Sample of your aaa pall gingerbread! You have spoiled that page, now, with your fooliybness! I'll yom it against you in your bill. You had no business to do it.” “Your pardon I humbly crave, dear sir,” with a meek and lowly bow, ‘“ But, as I said, the temptation overcame me. When I[ have a pen poised in hand, and the virgin page is before me, it is impossible for me to resist. I am willing, however, that you put it in the bill, as you suggest.” ‘And Dll put it in strong, too, What kind of a room do you want now?” * What kind of a roomdolI want? Why, I want the best, to be sure, sir, In the words of the bard— “Van wants but lit'le here below, But wants a good deal of it,’ ‘* However, it isn’t a question of my want, but of what you will supply. The fact of the matter is, sir, [am lacking the plebeian where- with called cash, At the present time [ am minus the—” “Great Scott! You don’t mean to say you’re broke?’ “So a more vulgar mind might term it, sir. i will call ita state of temporary impecu- n ty. : ** And yet you had the gall to prance up here and slam your name down upon this register! And not only that, but a lot of rubbish es! Sir, l’ve a notion to take you out and set the dogs on you!” Don’t be angry, dear sir—don’t be angry, I the trifles ot life. I am all soul and inner peace. | beg of you!” the poet cried. ‘' It is bad for the health to give way to choler, Let me explain my case before you condemn me. Verily, I thought my name alone would be sufficient guarantee of good faith, till I could redeem it with the legal tender.” ‘* Worse and worse! You are askin, that’s what you are, and the sooner you get out of here the better!” ‘* You wound a tender spirit,” the poet cried sadly, placing his band over his heart and roll- ing his eyes. ‘‘ You can never know the pangs you have caused me in my soul,” ‘Pll cause you pangs somewhere else, if you don’t get a move on you,” was the hot rejoinder, for the clerk was truly mad. ‘‘ You'll find that you can’t come here t> Roundabout and do just as you please, no matter what you can do any- where else. Come, I mean biz!” bs Bay hold your horses a minute!’ spoke up the girl-sport, Fly Fan. ‘' Give the poet half a show, It’s one on you, anyhow, seems to me, How much will make him solid here for a week?” The price was named, and the girl tossed a coin to the irate clerk, ‘* Take that,” she said, ‘‘ and try and cool off. Don’t mention jt, sir,” to the poet, ‘ You can repay me when you get afloat again.” ‘Fair lady, accept the honest thanks of a humble bard,” cried the poet, bowing low before her, ‘* With my first earnings here I will repay your gracious loan. Thou, sir,” to the clerk, *behold me once again a man!” The clerk grumbled something to himself, while he made the change for the girl-sport, while the others present indulged in a littlo jest- ing and joking, at his expense, which, of course, did not add to his good temper, This badinage had not yet subsided when something of a thrilling nature took place, A man who had entered quietly sprung suddenly forwerd, caught the girl sport by the arm, and in a loud voice cried out: “Ha! you jade! I have got you at last, have I?” CHAPTER IV. AND NOW A FIGHTING POET, THE room was all excitement in a moment, To the amerygent of all, the man was no other than one Aaron Prestley, chief owner and manager of the Minnie Mine at Hustleville. Who and what was this woman to him? That was the question that came instantly to each mind. For tte moment no one moved or spoke, re Y ial apparently waiting for some one else to lead, The poet was the first to take action, and ho did so without delay, At such a time, seconds seem minutes, and it was not probable that more than a single second elapsed before the poet acted, 6 did so even before the woman herself could speak, for she had sprung back, making an effort to get away, staring at her captor in momentary alarm, In that bricf moment the et was to her rescue, “Sir” he cried, laying hold upon the mine- manager’s arm with a grip that made him loosen his hold noe the girl’s wrist, ‘‘ what means this? This lady has just rendered me a service, and I will not see her abused, much less Var woe What do you mean by your words? “ Come, answer me, and answer quick, Or the floor V’ll wipe up with you slick!” That tickled the crowd, and all laughed, The poet did not look as though he could master the weakest man in town, in a fair scrimmage, ‘*Remove your hand,” cried the manager, *¢Tf you don’t you'll repent it. I donot have to answer to you or any one else concerning my doings—” * You make a mistake there, my dear sir,” the poet interrupted. ‘‘ You have got to answer to me for this bit of your doings, for this lady bas befriended me and I am not going tostand by and see her abused. Just explain what you mean by es yon have ssid. And, in the mean time, let go of her arm entirely. ** And do it quick, or you will rue it; What I’ve said I’ll do, I'll do it.” As he ne his gr p tightened upon the man’s arm, and with a wince of pain the manager let the girl’s hand drop, ‘Yes, I'll explain what I mean,” he cried. “Tt means that I have just found this woman, my wife, who ran away from me a couple of ears ago; and it means, too, that I’m going y. to take charge of her now in spite of you _not noticing the interruption. Further- o of me: instantly you will find yourself at full length om the floor!” *1ll take my chances of that, in the defense and all the rest of the crowd here, more, it means that if you do not let of woman fair,” responded the poet, ‘‘ Lady, what say you to this man’s charge?” ‘*T say it is false!” the woman cried, with ac- cent of keenest scorn, ‘‘ I never saw bim beiore in my life!” ‘* How sayest thou?” the poet demanded, ‘I take the word of the lady, every time.” “‘T say take your hand off my arm!” cried the manager, now flushed with rage. With a savage jerk he tore himself loose. ‘“ What I have said is true,” he criec in rage. “This woman is my wife, and I am going to have her in spite of all she says to the con- trary, and in spite of you, too, Out of my way, you scare-crow |” ** Don't drive too hard over rough places,” the- poet warned, ‘* You may spill your load if you do. I have been called the fighting poet, and. I'm going to carry out the little job I have un- dertaken here; that is, to defend this lady who has befriended me. Did I not do sol would not: be worthy to be called a man, sir—a man! “Tm here to do my little best Defending beauty in distress.” “That’s right, Poet!” sung out one man, ‘* We are all hunky on that !” ** And he’s only a bustler, anyhow,” reminded another, whether the poet could understand the significance cf that or not, his man, Aaron Prestley, was a comparative stranger at Roundabout, He had been at Hus- tleville not more than a couple of months at most, and very little was known about him. It was known, though, that he was a stern, hard mau with his men, and that he had a wilk that was hard to bend. Furthermore, he had displayed his prowess asa fighter. On one occasion he had overcome the admitted. “bad” man of the camp in a very brief time, and since then had been left pretty severely alone. Hence, his action on this occasion was a. pat egy and it looked as though the poet would suffer. The men who had called out to the poet were more eager for a little fun than anxious for the poet’s personal safety. “You are here to get a broken back, as you. will mighty soon find,” the angered man cried, “T tell you this woman is my wife, and 1 want that to settle it. She got up on ber ear and left me a couple of years ago, as I said, and I haven’t seen her since, Dll show her now, though, that she won’t do it: in.” ‘* Better not jolt yourwagon too bard,” the poet: mildly advised, ‘* The lady’s under my protec- tien by force of circumstances, and there she wil! remain till you can prove your claim, Now, what are you going to do about it?” The woman had placed herself behind the poet, thus showing by her action that she ac- cepted the protection offered, whether it would amount to anything or not, and all the crowd looked on eagerly to see the outcome, As for the mine-manager, he was placed in a ition from which he could not now draw ck without discredit to himself, ‘What am I going to do about it!” he cried, fiercely. ‘‘ V’ll show you in one brief minute, curse you!” at which threat he leaped forward, dealing a savage blow at the poet’s nose. The poet did not get injured, however. With asweep of the arm he brushed the blow aside, and the mine- manager collided with him at full force, breast to breast, in an unexpected man- er, ‘* You will find that you have run up against something solid, sir,” he said mildly, as he gently pushed the man back from him. ‘tI am not called the fighting poet for nothing, Now you had better listen to the voice of the bard and go a little slow till you are sure you are right, * As the sage unto the student said; Be sure you’re right, then go ahead.” “Who the deuce sre you, anyhow?” the man- ager fiercely demanded. ‘* Philemon Tennison, sir, at your service,” was the answer, and with hand upon his breast the poet made a bow. “And by what rigkt do you take it upon yourself to interfere between man and wife “ By the right that the lady has befriended me, and I won’t see her abused, in the first place; and then, what you claim is denied b her. You will have to bring the proof, and think the good citizens of this camp will bear me ane ie, what I say. No proofs, no claim al- owed,
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; } el? 8 3 Hi. ! .** but I don’t think I am. x on, ‘Roundabout stands ready to defend this jady, Mr. Prestley, until you can prove your ¢laim to her by right o’ law.” “Which he can never do,” the girl sport de- ¢clared. ‘I do not know him, never saw him before, and if heis honestin what he claims, he simply mistakes me for some one else,” “By heavens, [ am not mistaken!” the man retorted, ‘‘ Don’t you suppose I know you, Mary Graves?” ** Tt is stiil more clear that you do not, sir, for er is not my name, never was, and never will e |” ‘Then what is your name?” ‘Tam known as Fly Fan; and, you will find that I am tly enough to take care of mysel!, too. While i thank this gentleman for his inter- ference in my behalf, yet I want to tell you that Iam well prepared to deal with such a fellow as you. If you don’t believe it, just try your game on again, that’s all.” This was said with such admirable insistence, that it brougbt a cheer from the crowd, ‘*Well, it is just possible that I may be mis- taken,” the manager admitted, to himself and the crowd as well; “but, I don’t see how two persons could look so much alike, For the pres- nt I’) have to halt, but all the worse for you if I find { am right.” ‘¢ As fine a display of horse sense as I ever saw!” avowed the poet, with a burst of enthbusi- ‘asm. ‘* You have done the proper thing, under the circumstances, sir. I feel quite proud of ‘you. It is quite an art to fall gracefully, when @ fall is bound to be the next thing on the pro- gramme, It isn’t every man can tell at a glance when heisina horn, I congratulate you, sir.” And the post went so far as to hold out his hand, but the manager disdained to notice the proffer, ‘* No credit is due you, anyhow, and you meedn’t take any,” he snapped. ‘* And you, my lady, look out for me if I find you are the person I take you to be,” “ And you, my man,” the spirited girl retort- ed, “look out for a snag if you run up against me again, that isall. Does that sound anythiug like your lost Mary? Whether it does or does mot, it means business, Sir,” to the clerk, * Vl go to my room if you please.” Her request was like an imperious order, and the clerk hastened to conduct her to her room, “* Now it is just barely possible that I may be wistaken,” remarked the mine-manager, then, I believe that woman is my wife, and.if she is I am going to have her iin spite of your teeth, men of Roundabout.” ‘** Don’t see bow you will get hor, if she ain’t willin’ to go,” suggested Mayor Gadzooks, **She’s under the protection of this city, now, and I think we can hold herif she wants to be held. See?” ' “No use talking that way, sir; if she is mine and | can prove it, the law will give ber to me, and [ll have her, Has that stage gone on to ‘Hustleville yet? 1 hope not.” But, the stage had gone on, and the discom- fited manager set forth to walk home, not even ‘waiting for his muil at the post-oflice, No sooner had be left the room than Editor Sneed, of the Rustler, went up to the poet and took his arm, ** T want to talk with you, sir,” he said, ‘* Now that the editor of that rotten sheet be- yond the Choke is not by, I'll make a proposition to you. I do want a poet on my staff, and you ae just the man I want. What do you say to t? ‘“‘Tf there is foci ie it, sir, I am your poet.” ‘* And there is. ou come on and show me what kind of work you can turn out in our next, and we'll come to terms. With a fire-engine and a fighting poet, | am of the opinion that Hustleville won’t be able to hola up its head at a . Poet Tennison was then given the story of the rival camps, CHAPTER V. PRESENTS A PAIR OF ROGUES, ONE passenger*who had come by the stage on this same night went with it over to Hustleville, If Hustleville was denied the privilege of a post-office it did havea stage the same as Round- about, and there the stage put up over night, Hustleville had its hotel, too, one cailed the Rocky Gulch House, and when the stage drew up and stopped before that hostelry the men- tioned passenger alighted there and entered. He was a person above the medium height, dark-browed, with a close-trimmed mustache, and had a pair of keen and searching eyes, cal- | Tatar ats Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. ph pen aed PO, SPREE I ORE RL ET TES A TAS LS NT eh a 4 -That’s what’s the matter,” cried the mayor, ~ who had come in in time to bear what was going culated to make a timid man quail before his steady gaze, He was neatly clad in a business suit of a dark color. Entering the hotel he singled out the landlord at a glance. ‘Sir, is Mr. Aaron Prestley stopping here?” he made inquiry. ‘** Yes, sir, he is,” was the prompt information given, ‘* Where is he just now?” ** 1 guess he has gone over to Roundabout for his mail, sir.” “Hal then I would have met him by getting out there, But, no matter, for I suppose he will be back here again shortly.” i ‘“'No doubt he will; he don’t often stay over thar, sir.” ‘** Well, have you any room for me here?” ‘** Yes, plenty of it.” “Then [jl just register and take something to eat while I wait.” The landlord was willing enough he should do that, and pushed out the book and dipped a pen for him, The stranger wrote: ‘“ EpMUND MURTAGH, Chicago,” Making his terms with his host, the stranger went into the dining-room, and was still there when Prestley reached the camp. ‘* Man hyer to see you, sir,” said the landlord, when the mine-mavager entered the bar-room. * Who is he?” ‘Name is Murtagh—” © ‘* Ha! he is here, eh? Where is he?” ‘Takin’ his rations jest now.” **Tll step in and see him,” And he did so, ** Hello!” the new-comer cried, when he en- tered the room, ‘' Here you are, eh?” ‘Yes; and you are here a little sooner than I expected. What has brought you ahead of time?” ‘* Business.” * As I could bave answered myself.” ‘* Well, ’'m. about done here; suppose we go to your room, or mine, and talk the thing over a little.” “Tm with you.” They had shaken hands on meeting, more business-like than heartily, and now Prestley led the way to bis room above, When they had entered there, and the door had been closed after them, they took seats and entered upon their conversation in low tones, **- You asked what has brought me here sooner than I expected to arrive,” s:id Murtagh, then. ‘*Ves, so I did, I didn’t look for you yet awhile.” ‘*Well, I am here because the business has gone so as to make it proper for me to appear upon the scene, Is the girl here yet?” “Oh, yes; she is here,” and the mannger smiled rimly. of Good! What do you know about her affairs?” “As much as anybody else, I guess. She is as pure as an angel, and makes an honest living doing mending for the men,” m 8 she heart whole and fancy free, so to put ** Yes, far as 1 know, she is,” “Ther 1 am in luck, truly. If [can cnly win her regard at sight, that will be balf the battle won, won’t it?” f Tt will.” ** Still looking for her father?" ‘* No; she’s found him at last—” shy eye him? I happen to know that he is ead. ‘‘T would naturally infer that he must be; she found only his head,” ‘* His head! Great Scott! what are you driy- ¢ qQ” ing at? ‘“ Well, his head came here to-day, sight of it she recognized it and fainted,’ How came the head of sand at ‘¢ Explain—explain, Joel Meadway here?” ** Well, our neers camp received a fire- engine to-day, and when they opened its fire-box there was a buman head—” ‘* Joel] Mead way’s head!” s Yes,” ** Wonderful!” “It was taken out, and was recognized as I have said, That’s the long and the short of it, and so I was not surprised when you said Mead- way is dead,” “* Should think not, after that. But, there is something horrible about this, on my word. And, mystery of mysteries! how came his head there ? This is something that gets ahead of me, ‘* You are playing it well, I must admit,” ‘* Playing what well?” ‘* Innocence.” ‘Curse you! do you mean to infer that I know anything about it? 1 wan’ you to under- stand, Prestley, that I am avove such business as that.” “But, it works to your advantage to have Meadway out of the way.” “T admit it; but, that is not to say that I would kill him and cut off his head and send it here, is it?” ‘* Maybe not,” ** Positively not. I happened to know of the man’s death, and having the information, have come here to look after the girl, That is all there is in it so far as I am concerned.” ‘* Well, ’ll have to take your word for it, I suppose,” ‘* Curse you again! I guess you will. If not, if that won’t do, Pll back it up with proof!” ~ ‘* Proof for what?” “ Why, that Meadway is dead, that he died a natural death, and that he has been decently buried,” ‘**Then how came his head in the box of the fire-engine?”’ “*T tell you that is what puzzles me. How should I know how it came there? I only know what I know; no more,” ‘* What do you know, then?” “Tl tell you one thing, and that is—that I don’t like the manner in which you put your questions. If you suspect me of any evil in this matter, let me set you right, bere and now, am out of it,” ‘* Well?” ‘' You know that I have been interesting my- self in the search for Joel Meadway, for, in order that the estate might be settled, he must be found, or proof of his death established.” ** Exactly.” “T have looked everywhere, and was about to give it up when the thought came to me to turn my attention exclusively to Chicago,” ‘*T understand you.” ‘*You see, that having been his home, nat- urally, in bis weak state of mind, he could be looked for to return there, perhaps seeking his former residence and former business occupa- tions.” ‘* Clear enough reasoning, I think.” “ As it proved. Ihad bis old baunts watched and finally got on track of him as he ap red there, He was sick, ragged and miserable, but it was he. My man followed him with the ob- ject of learning where he was stopping, but on the way the unfortunate man was run over in the street. ‘‘He was taken to a hospital, and when my man bad located him he came and reported to me, and | went there. The man was unknown, but I identified bim as Joel Meadway. The reeord can be found there at the hospital all straight. Te was fatally injured, and in a few days died, and was decently buried. ‘Ibat’s the whole of the matter, so far as I am concerned in it. ‘*Then, with that proof of bis death, I came here—for what purpose you know, I was com- ing, anyhow, but not quite so scon, aiming to be on hand when the girl came of age, iv order to make sure of her hand, if possible. Now that she is an heir, whether of age or not, [ am bound to bave her if I can, with your help. li not, then will come the real scheme, of which you already have the outline. What do you think about it all, knowing the girl?” * i think you stand a slim chance of winning ? er. “ Why so?” ‘* First, because you are not the sort to catch a girl’s eye; next, because all the bloods of the canip have laid siege to her heart without mak- ing the slightest impression upon it,” “ That won't binder me from making a try at it, anyhow. If I find it’s no use, then we will have to fall back upon the scheme. If the real Maggie Meadway hasn’t got the good sense to recognize what is best for her, then we will find a Maggie Meadway that has, that’s all.” * ** And the real Maggie—” ‘Ob! she will disappear. I can’t understand about that head business, though, How and why came it in the box of that engine?” ‘“Tf you have told me the truth, it is a mystery, as you declare,” ‘And whe eee I lie to you about it? Are we not in this thing together? I would not try to deceive you.” ; “That is all right; I can’t swear to it. But, see here; now that I am helping you I am going to call on you to help me carry on a little game of my own, Will you do it?”
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* That’s not it. I have just run up against my wife, and shedisowns me. I want proof that she is just who I declare her to be, See?” “Oh!” that’s simple enough. She is the woman, of course; I know her well, You want to, lay claim to her again, eh? All right; just call on me to identify tbe property for you. Ha! ba! ha!” Their talk ran on in that vein for some time, being livened by some drin't which they present- ly sent for, and when finally they parted com- pany it was with a good understanding between them... A more rascally pair of conspirators it might be hard to find any where. CHAPTER VI. TROUBLE IN THE SILVER, AFTER supper at the Union Hotel the fighting poet retired to his room, where, for a consider- able while he busied himself with writing. Any one looking in upon him casually might have thought he had his muse in harness and was exercising it around the Parnassian arena ata lively canter; but, such a supposition would have been erroneous, Mr, Tennison was not writing poetry, but let- ters. He wrote several, some of good length, and some were sealed and inclosed within other let- ters, all stamped and directed, When he had done, finally, he went down and out, and learning where the post-office was located, quietly dropped his letters in when no one was near to observe the action, That done, and the hour being still early, for a 9 ie aed he wandered around to see the sights, the chief resort of Roundabout, of an even- ing, was the Silver Saloon, and as he passed it the fighting poet—so to call him, was drawn to enter upon hearing the strains of a lively polka. As he entered, he caught up tbe tails of his long coat and the step of the music at the same time, and away he went down the floor, fling- ing his heels like a frisky young colt just let out to play, greatly to the amusement of all beholders, his long hair beating measure upon his shoulders, ‘© Ho! ho! ho!” laughed one man. poic caper, wull yer!” ‘* Fle’s a dandy, ain’t he! Seo ther fling of his hoofs, will ye? Jest git onto ther grace of his step!” .“ Et?s a wonder he wouldn’t take a pardner wi’ nim. Hyer, Slickery Sal, you jest prance out thar an’ couple up wi’ him, an’ show us what ye kin do together, Tl bet he'll fling ye!” The woman addressed, in no wise afflicted with over modesty, obeyed the directions promptly. Out she went to where the poet had the floor all to himself, and as he came around her way sbe flung berself into his arms and caught the step with him and away -they went, The other dancers had stopped to look at the lone poet, and now they got out of the way to give the couple plenty of room. The woman claimed to be the best dancer in the camp, and was in great demand at every dance; she now set about proving her claim, having a partner who was her equal, Into it they went, seemingly with heart and soul, and by the time they ended Slickery Sal was doing some pretty tall kicking, to theamuse- ment of the crowd in general. When they stopped the crowd cheered, ** Next to poetry,” spoke the poet, making his bow, ‘‘is music and the dance. I move in harmony with the dulcet strains; my soul ex- pands and my muse disports herself wantonly to the rhythm of the air, “Away. away, dull care, away, Nor trouble me just now; I’m here for fun; ‘tis just begun; Let me dance like a kyloe cow.” Like a cow?” exclaimed his late partner. “¢ You ar’ the best dancer in this camp, and ’m what says so.” “Not to speak soar gy of myself,” rejoined the poet, “I will say that [ am good at anything but my main hold lies in poetry. Thanks, fair lady, for the pleasure of the dance. If you have enjoved it half as much as I, you are repaid,” **Ob! that’s allright; didn’t look fer pay, you know.” “And by my beari—when it grows—I fear me you would look in vain if you did, just now, I am what one might vulgarly term down at the heel. But, V’ll rise on fhe wings of the sunrise, soon, for I am to be poet laureate on the Round- about Rustler. Vl put youin rhyme among my first efforts, Slickery Sal. ** See ther —— TPs ee YS we FR Ee ee ee Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. ‘*T think I’m helping you pretty well asit is.” | “Oh, I'll sing you a song that will tickle your heart, That will make tears of gladness, down roll; I will put you in rhyme in rhe bang-upest time, Tili your feelings you cannot control.” Ti e crowd cheered and laughed, enjoying this immensely, Just then, however, another actor appeared upon the scene, a bullwhacker with bleared eyes and tangled bair. This was one Knocker-out Jeems, so-called, the fellow who killed Stogy Stiver, as mentioned incidentally further back, And by the look in his eyes now he was Jooking for further gore, ‘* What's that ye ar’ goin’ ter do?” he cried. ‘“‘ Who is et ye ar’ goin’ ter do all that ’ar with? I want ye to know that I, mvself, Knocker-out Jeems, ther boss of this hyer cit, have got some- thin’ ter say to that. J had this byer gal booked fer that dance, an’—” “But, that was only an extra fling,” inter- posed the woman, Slickery Sal. ‘I hayen’t forgotten you, Knocker-out,” ** You jest hold your jaw while J talk, ef you please,” cried the blusterer, ‘*‘ My bone ter pick is with this hyer long-haired scarecrow, an’ ’'m goin’ ter have it out wi’ bim, you bet. When I have my gal booked fer a dance, you kin bet I’m goin’ ter have that ar dance or know ther rea- son— **But, he didn’t dance with me; I up and danced with him,” the woman tried to make him understand, for sake <f peace. ‘* Never you mind; I know what I am about, I guess. tell ye, Mister Man, ye have got ter take another kind o’ dance wi’ me, right hyer av’ now, an’ then we’ll see how ’bout all that poltry stuff ye will write "bout anybody. Peel yer coat, now, fer I’m right up on my muscle ter fight fer my rigbts.” ‘*My dear, good sir,” cried the poet, abject- ly, ‘‘ you are going to mara pleasant occasion, You are going to do something for which you will be sorry, I feel sure you will. Don’t let us have any hard feelings, If [have done anything amiss I crave humble pardon for it, and am will- ing to take water in the biggest kind of gulps rather than get into trouble. “Tig dogs’ delight to bark and bite, For ‘tis their nature to; But ’tis a thing, you hear me sing, Men hadn’r ought to do.” ‘Waugh! That's all dishwater stuff, that is. You ar’ afeerd o’ me, that is whar all ther pain is— : ‘*T admit it, sir—I admit it; you are enough to frighten anybody. Please do not let us get into any difficulty here, now; it is out of place,” ‘* Nota bit et ain’t! Et’s jest in place, every time. You have ’sulted me’fore all ther com- pany, takin’ my gal when it was my turn ter dance, an’ now ye kave got ter take me whether ye want to or not,” ‘¢ Well, if I must I s’pose I must, that’s all. What shall it be—waltz, polka, or mazurka?” ‘*iv’s goin’ ter be a double-time schotish, that what et’s goin’ ter be, an’ don’t ye fail ter ketch onto et, either. Come right in, now, an’ we'll git into swing fer et. Come right on, I tell The buliwhacker was now advancing, his arms up and his big fists cutting the air. ** Really, sir, really, I had rather not; I have no desire—” ‘*T know ye ain’t no desire; that’s what’s ther matter; but I have, an’ that is all that’s re- quired,” “You do not know, sir, what you are about todo, My sou] runs more to poetry than to the fistic art, and you cause my gentle muse to tremble at your coming. The pillar of song within me totters to its base—” ‘Yas, an’so will you, in about one second. Put up—” They were up. He referred to the poets fists, and as he spoke he let out a reminder from the shoulder as a hint that the poet must defend himself, The blow amounted to nothing, however, for it was brushed aside easily and the bullwhacker turned half around at the same time, when the poet gave him a gentle kick, * Do not do that again,” he warned. “I do not care to have dirty fists thrust under my nose, My sensitive soul turns sick at the thought, You had better drop the matter, sir, before it is made worse. Exercise faith, Be- lieve that you are satisfied, and satisfied you are without further trouble, ‘*Who probes a sore increases pain, Who stirs a stink makes more; You try that trick on once again, Tl land you on the floor.” me Ae lg OSes ee dees Cae The crowd whooped at that, too. The bullwhacker, however, bellowed in a loud = voice, and wheeling, made for bis tormentor like a raging lion. ‘ , He closed his eyes as he came, and with his arms working like the rods on a speeding locomo- tive, plunged forward blindly with the intention of doing desperate and terrible things. — To his surprise, however, he kept right on plunging, for he did not fail in with his victim at all, but collided with the wall, which was close at hand. ' ’ At which the laughter of the multitude enraged him the more. ~ He wheeled about witha snort. . There stood the poet, with arms folded, ap- parently just where he had seen him before, — *¢-You should look where you are going, sir,” the poet warned, mildly. ‘*‘ When you makea charge like that you ought todo it with your eyes open,” “Tl close your eyes, that’s what I'll do for yours!” the whacker howledin hisrage. ‘* You'll find in a minnit thet this ain’t no fun, even ef ye think et isnow. Waugh!” “T have not thought it fun, sir; you seem to be enjoying it, however. Don’t let me spoil it for you.” ‘© Spoil nothin’! Waugh! Waugh!” and in he plunged, but the next moment took a header in ‘the direction of the wall from which he had just advanced, hoa The fist of the poet had met his proboscis with force, and he was sent over upon bis beam’s-ends, so to put it, and piled up in a heap on the floor after butting the wall with force enough to have broken his neck, : The crowd hooted and cheered uproariously. ‘‘T told him to take care,” asseverated the poet, meekly, ‘but he would haveit. I am not responsible, I hope, “T have been called the fighting poet; | Perhaps this man will come to know it,” The big bully, growling like a tiger, was un- tangling himself, and the next moment, when b+ got upon his feet, he appeared with a revolve in hand and shoot in his eye. CHAPTER VII. HOW THE TROUBLE ENDED, KNOWING che character of the man as they did, the crowd was immediately filled with con, cern for the safety of the fighting poet. A dozen different voices shouted warning t: , him at the same time, and half as many made move forward to balk the enraged whacker in his mad intention, : Quicker than these, however, was the action of tue poet himself, and as soon as the warn- ing had been sounded and the move for in- terference made, if was seen that neither was necessary. . ‘¢ Wkoap!” cried the poet, and his arms at ful. length presented a pair of glittering revolvers straight at Mr. Knocker-out Jeems’s bead, The bully stopped short, his eyes staring and his mouth open, the weapon in his hand only half raised, ‘* Look out where you drive,” the poet cau-. tioned. ‘¢ Here’s a terrible snag just ahead of ou. ‘* Put up them weepins, blast ye!” the baffled ruffian cried, ‘* With pleasure, sir, when you have put up yours. lam always cocked and primed for just such emergencies as this, and you had bet- ter not try it on again with me or something may drop. **T am meek and I’m lowly in spirit and mien, I’m as mild as a zephyr of morn; I’m a lamb, I'm a kit'en, when all is serene, But alive when you tread on my corn,” Again the crowd greeted his nonsense with applause, and the bullwhacker, seeing that he bad the worst of it, thrust his revolver back in- to his belt, ““That’s boss sense,” cried the woman with whom the poet had danced. ‘‘ Better let it drop, Knocker-out, since it was my fault, anyhow, and not this man’s, He seems ter be boss of the *easion.” ‘ ‘Bf I let et drop now et’s only ’cause I bave ter do et,” the man growled. “Wise man tosee and own it,” the poet re- marked, ‘‘ Some men can’t see when a thing is right before their eyes. Now, I’m willing to let it pass and be good friendsif youare. What do you say to that? “ Come, let us bury the hatchet down deep,, The war-club sink into the mud; Come, let us cover contention a hea’ e Nor thirst for each other’s b-ludd.
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4 oo eae ee —— Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, H Again did the poet’s doggerel foolishness tickle the throng, and even the bullwhacker had to smile, Just then, too,a new-comer upon the scene lent aid in restoring peace and saving the bad man of the camp further defeat and disgrace. The new-comer was Fly Fan. ‘‘ Hello!” she exclaimed im a cheery way, ‘what's the trouble bere? Not ina pickle, are you, Poet? If so, one good turn deserves an- other, and Pll try to belp you out. What is it?” “Oh, it is nothing, fair lady,” assured the poet, bowing. ‘‘Justa little misunderstanding with this gentleman regarding a dance, that is all. It isall over now, I trust, and I have just offered him the right hand of good-fellowship, Will you accept it, sir?” *“*T ‘reckon I mought as well,” said the bull- whacker, sheepishly, ‘' Et would be a durn shame to kill a poic, anyhow. Ill let upon ye this time, but see that ye don’t do et again,” He gave his hand, with that, and thus they nade up while the crowd renewed its laughter, The trouble ended, the music struck up, and the bullwhacker claiming bis turn with Slickery Sal, away they went in the dizzy whirl of a wab- bling waltz. “Do you dance, fair lady?” asked the poet of Fly Fan. “T can fling my feet a little, you bet,” was the prompt response. ** And would you crush me with the weight of your scorn were I to ask you to dance with me?” ‘© Of course not. I’m out for a little fun, and I’m going to have it, so just catch on if you want me to make your head swim.” The poet bowed his thanks, and they joined the dancers, The on-lookers could not but admire Fly Fan, whose every movement was full of grace, and the other women in the place looked upon her ith envy. She was hardly of their kind, however. Her ée was fresh and fair, with nothing of the zns of dissipation so common to the female tabitue of such resorts in your Western camp, At the ending of the dance she and the poet parted company, the poet making her a bow that might have caused the shades of Chester- ald to pale with envy. No sooner had they parted than no less a per- gage than Onway Woodworth, the mine- pager, was at the girl sport’s side, **May I have the bonor of the next dance vith you?” he politely asked, The girl gave him a searching glance, , ‘“Woho are you?” sheinquired. + “My name is Woodworth; ’m manager of he Grub-stake Mine at this place,” ‘A mine-manager, eb? ell, I don’t mind; % you'll have to let me rest up a little, first.” ‘Certainly; let’s sit down here. Shall I call or wine?” : “‘ Not for me, sir, I never touch it.” ** You are a queer one,” **T am a fly one,” “T can’t understand you, though.” “Yes you can, top; I’ll make you understand *Tam here for a little fling of innocent fun; sothing more and nothing less, That’s all there is to it.” “T must say again you are a queer ove, I take it you are something of a sport; am I right?” ‘Well, I am as fond of sport as the next one, lagree with you; thatis, innocent sport. Now there was my dance with the poet; that was just ~ fun alive for me.” ; “Say, though, was there anything in the charge that fellow made against you at the hotel?” “What fellow?” 5 “Why, Prestley, of the Minnie Mine,” “You mean the fellow who wanted to claim me as his wife?” “ Exactly: you know well enough.” * All there was in it was in bis mind, sir. I never saw him before in my life, that I’m aware of, ‘* Yet he seemed positive about it,” “ Can't help that, he was on the wrong track, sure, I’m not his lost Mary, by a long ways. I’m neither lost, strayed nor stolen,” Pi Then do I understand that you are a young lady? “) Do I look to be an old one?” “Oh, come, now, you know what I mean, ** Tell me, then, and let me know whether you are maid, wife or widow,” ** And how. would you know I had told you the truth? It’s just as well to say nothing, and let you settle it in your mind to suit yourself.” ‘** But, suppose I made a mistake?” **Oh, that wouldn’t matter; I could stand it if you could, Just call me Fly Fan, and let it go z that. But, say, do you want to amuse me “Tm willing to try it, if you’ll tell me how I can do it.” “*Wasy told. Ihave heard something about a severed head that was found here to-day. Will you tell me all about that?” x With pleasure, far as there is anything to tell, ‘¢ Then please do so, and you'll find me a good listener, I always take interest in anything that is horrible,” The mine-manager then gave her an account of the case as he knew it, “Well, that’s the queerest ting I ever heard of,” Fly Fan commented, when he had done, sh And who is this young lady wko recognizeil it? ’ “fT have told you all there is to tell about yer. ‘‘And you have interested me inher. I be- lieve Til drop around and see her to-morrow, and see if I can be of any use to her.” ‘** You will fiod ber just what I have said of her, a pure and innocent little thing; one who works hard in a plain and homely way. I hard- ly know whether she will take kindly to you or not, ‘“* Why so?” ‘* She 1s careful of her company. None of the girls who frequent these places can come near her, She has made friends with some of the married women of the camp.” ‘*Good for her. Bat, shell take to me fast enough, I'll bet on that. Virtue is quick to recognize virtue, you kuow.” This was said so bewitchingly that the hard- headed mine-manager scarcely knew how to take it, He was already more than captivated by the beautiful incognita, ‘‘T hope that will be the case,” he rejoined, “but if she hears yon bave spent the evening in the Silver Saloon [ am afraid she will doubt ” ** Want to bet something on it?” ‘* No; I hop? you are right,” “Thank you, But, what is this you tell me about a detective having teen sent for to ex- amine into the mystery? Who is the detective to be?” ‘* He is called Deadwood Dick, Junior.” ‘Ts it possible! ‘Then I stand a chance of meeting him here if I remain,” ‘*T take it you desire to meet him,” ‘You are right, and I don’t deny it. I have, heard a good deal about him, and I hope he won’t disappoint me,” ‘“*T can tell you one important thing about him, if you do not know it.’ ‘And what is that, pray?” ** Ho is married,” “Oh, that is nothing to me. I suppose you are the same, yet I do not hesitate to passa pleasant moment in your society.” ‘* And maybe you are the same.” “Pll leave you to guess that for yourself, sir. I’m ready for our dance, now, if you are.” The music bad ju-t changed to an enticing air, and the mine-manager promptly led his godcrag chance acquaintance out upon the oor. Woodworth was a man past tie prime of life, but he was a gay old buck, as cne man made remark, and could dance quite as well as a good many of the younger ones, and the dance went off nicely, When it was done he bad some further conver- sation with the girl sport, and when, finally, she spoke about returning to the hotel to retire, he insisted upon seeing her safely there; a privi- lege which she accorded him, If she had set out with the express purpose of captivating him she could not have succeeded better, CHAPTER VIII. A STRANGE INTERVIEW, _, ON the following morning the camp resumed its wonted every-day tenor. The holiday had been a success in every way, save for the one gloomy feature of the funeral, and everybody had enjoyed a good time, ead-off. work, owing to their baving celebrated too largely. it was pretty late in the forenoon when Fly Fan made “ber appearance. Having been up late cn the previous night, she bad evidently seized the opportunity for indulging in a late “beauty ” sleep in the morning, When she appeared on the street she looked as fresh asa lark, and was as neat and tidy as she could be, And she set out for a little walk up the valley in the direction of the pass, alone, and on her return made inquiry for the shanty occupied by Littls Maggie, She was shown to it, and knocked at the door, Tt was opened to her by the pale-faced little lady, whose eyes showed plainly the much weep- ing ste had done, * Are you Little Maggie?” Fly Fan asked. ‘That is what I am called,” was the answer, sadly. ‘* And you do sewing ?” ‘Yes, when I can get it to do.” “Well, would you mend the lining of my jacket for me? I could do it myself, but have nothing to sew with,” ‘*T will mend it for you, certainly. Come in,” ‘ So, Fly Fan entered, closing the door after er, She then took off ber dainty jacket, the vest coming with it—being a part of the garment, Underneath was disclosed a perfect body waist to ber dress, and she looked a}] the more sweetly womanly without the coatand vest. The neat collar, tie and white bosom became her well, Tao j.cket, though new, showed a rip in one of the lining seams, and any one of a suspicious turn of mind might have thought it had been ripped on purpose, Perhaps it bad! “Sit down while I merd it,” the young girl invited, ‘It will not take me so very long.” ‘Yes, Pll sit down, Miss Meadway,” the girl sport assented, ‘for I want to talk with you while you work,” ‘*You knew mny name?” “ Nothing strange about that, since it is known to everybody here.” ‘* No, of course not,” “You look as though you have been weeping. I have heard of your sorrow of yesterday, and being a woman myself I can sympathize with ou, : ‘*Tt was all a terrible shock to mae.” ‘* Yes, it must have been, But, are you sure it was your father’s head?” Oh, yes, there could be no mistake about that, [would have known his face anywhere and under any circumstancer.” ** And what will you do now?” ‘*T have been trying to think whattodo, I will remein here till I have laid by some money, first of all,” , ‘You are making money, then?” ** Yes, quite fast, for the men will insist upon paying moe big prices for my work for them, whether or no,” ‘*Which is very good of them. And then, when you have saved some money, what do you think you will do? Have you thought it out “T think, but I am not sure, that I will go to Chicago, where I must have some relations liv- ing, if I can find them.” ‘* Your father’s people?” ‘No; my mother’s,” ‘*Then had fe: Pocket no relations left?” ‘Not one, I believe. He was the last of the family; or at any rate so I always understood,” ** And has he left you nothing?” ‘* No: he was very poor,” ‘* And he was out of his mind, I have heard,” ‘Yes; his business troubles turned his mind, Poor papa! Te was once very rich indeed,” ‘* Ts that so?” ‘Yes; but, somehow, it all got away from him, and I do not think he ever understood how it was,” ** Was his property in Chicago?” ve Yes,” ‘“*Tell me about it, Miss Meadway, I am in- terested, and I may be able to befriend you in some way.” ** But, I do not know you.” ‘*Do I look like a person you could trust?” “You look to be good and true; I certainly hope you are,” **1 will tell you this, that I have never done anything yet that need cause an honorable wo- man a blush.” The eyes of the girl sport met those of the sew- ing girl frankly and fearlessly as she said this, * you a maid?” “Tow that’s my secret, sir,” laughing. ‘ If I to tell you all about myself there would be . More mystery.” ‘ The mines opened for business as usual, though | and for a moment their gaze remained stead- they were short-handed from the fact that a | fast. ; good many men were hardly in fit condition for **T am sure I want to believe that,” said the \ . were) | naa SKS “3 7 REE ae: § a y 7 ty ei ee i RS) EF fal 2 5 bas Me ins wr a ea ey Sy ee he hk ?; hae Biggs gh PPR UR Ge clive t Sawhey Bye ys rake
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8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. Fs re ee SEM Dj acreage ay sewing girl, dropping her gaze upon her work. ‘‘ There is some reason, then, why you cannot do so?” ‘*T have heard about you this morning. The women—I don’t want to hurt your feelings, I am sure, eee women do rot speak well of you,” ‘They have heard that you danced in the Sil- ver Saloon last night with the rough men,” ‘* They bave not been misinformed; I did do that.” ‘* Ani yet you say you have never done any- thing to be ashamed of. I would not enter the doors of such a place.” , ** And you are right. Neither would I, did I not have business there, anil were I not well rotected. What I witnessed there made my eart sick within me, I cau tell you truly.” ** How am I to believe that?” ‘*T may be able to convince you; indeed, I think I cin.” “st How ”) The girl sport leaned forward and said some words in a whisper—words which caused the other to start and stare at her. ** Is it possible?” she exclaimed, ** Yes, both possible and true, Miss Mead- way.” “Then I will trust you, and will tell you what you have asked,” “ Do so, and then, as I said, I may be able to be of service to you— yes, I am sure I can be,” ** Well, the story is short and simple. My father, woen I was a child, wasarich man in Chicago, Suddenly his wealth was swept away from him, and alm:st. immediately on top of that calamity my mother died. I can just re- member these events,” ** Poor child!” “Taking me with him, my father wandered away;and together we roamed far and wide, I his only companion and he my only friend and protector in allthe wide, wide world. We were everything to each other in those days, and, in- deed, till the end came when he left me suddenly in one of his mad spells—for be was out of bis mind, as you say you bave heard.” ‘Yes, I know that, dear.” “Tt was atacamp further west than this, or further north; anyhow, a long way from here, He had been worse than usual, and suddenly he disappeared and I never saw him again until I saw his dead face yesterday.” —~ . She broke down and wept. **And you are sure there was no mistake about your recognition, are you?” the girl sport again urged, ‘Oh, I am very sure on that point. Do you not suppose I would recognize beyond doubt the dearest face in the world to me?” ** T cannot doubt it.” Well, that is all, then; that is the whole story.” , ‘Tf that is all, then, will you permit me to ask ‘some questions of you?” “Why, yes, certainly; and Ill be only too glad to answer them, for now 1 am sureI may trust you.” **'You need not doubt me, though others may do so, Did you ever bear your father mention any names in any of bis mad musings? That is to say, the names of any persons who had wronged him in the past, or against whom he held a grudge?” ‘Yes, I heard some names come up when he would sit and brood, but he was never able to tell me a connected story.” ‘Do you remember the names?” ** Yes; the name Pelmont was one that became very familiar to me in that way,” ‘* But, you never knew who Pelmont was?” oe No,” ‘“* Well, Tam going to make a strange proposi- tion to you, Miss Méadway.” ** And what is that?” ‘“*T must see this dead face, the face of the ged you are sure was your lost father. See ere, do you recognize this?” The girl sport took a card photograph from her pocket as she spoke, and held it before the girl’s eyes. “Mercy! Jt is my father !” - $s ae this is the same face you saw yester- ay ‘*'Yes, yes, yes!” “Then I am puzzled, utterly, and I must see that face for myself. Wiil you bring it to pass so that I may?” ‘“* How can I doit?” ‘“*Very easily. Every man here is your friend, and the mayor would do your slightest bidding. Tell him you must see the face once again, to be quite sure of the identity, and have them take it up.” ee SS a ee a a a a a aE Ea ‘It is horrible! I do not know whether I could stand it or not! I will do it, though, though it kill me.” ‘*T would spare you if I could, but I do not see the way. What I want most to do is to take a photograph of that face, to compare it with this photograph at my leisure.” ** Well, well, 1 will do it. I will do it this afternoon.” “Good. 1 will be hrre— No, that will not do, either. I tell you I will be on hand at the Cemetery, T do not believe it was your father’s head at all, Miss Mcadway.” CHAPTER IX. THE POET'S QUIET *‘ LAY.” THE ae poet had in the mean time been conducted to the office of the Rustler, by Editor Sneed, where be was informed more in detail what was required of him «n the steff. ‘* First, be must uphold the honor of Rounda- bout to the best of bis ability, at the sume time disparaging the rival camp of Rustleville and the contemporary sheet publisued there, Then he must puff up local advertisers, and slip in a —_ word here and there for paying subscri- ers, Tne poet set to work at once, and in a little time bad dashed off enough of his alleged poetry to fill all the available space of the next issue of the paper, and more, And while be was thus engaged, the editor was writing up the events of the previous day, plodding with bis task slowly and laboriously. “Well, there you are,” said the poet, when he had done; ‘‘ enough to do you for one issue, If any of it won’t do, let me know and I'll put it through the mill again, I desire to please, you know.” The editor had laid down his pen, and.he glanced over the effusions of his new man. “Tt will do, it will do,” he presently said, ‘‘ We'll knock them out this time, sure enongh. I’m going to give vou a puff as soon as I get this leader off my hands,” } “ All right, but don’t rubit on too thick, if you please. I’m modest, you know, ard can’t stand it. Afterward, after the paper is out, I mean, if I am killed for my rbymes, please see that I’m laid away under the willow’s shade, “Oh, give me a chamber about six feet, And four or five feet under ground; ’ And stow me away in a bodt-box neat, -Then round up on top a neat mound.” ‘‘'Ves, Pll sea to all that,” the editor prom- ised, laughing. ‘‘ But, little danger that you will come to grief, for the worst men around will respect you after the showing you made last night.” ‘tT hope they will.” “If you are going out, now, and you shouid get hold of any newsy news, don’t fail to make a report of ir.’ ‘Oh, no, I won’t miss anything of importance. Being on your staff, I'll do all Ican to make the Rustler rustle, you can bet.” So, the poet went forth from the sanctum, leaving the editor to the task of finishing his great leader, while the one typesetter of the es- tablishment picked pi. He sauntered idly about the street for a little time, but presently turned his face in the direc- tion of the Choke and bent his steps toward Hustleville. He was going to see the rival camp. Arriving there, he was recognized by some who bad seen him on the previous night, and who now pointed him out to others, and he was an object of much interest. Making his way to the Rocky Gulch House, he entered there. And there the first man he fell in with hap- pened to be Editor Du bby, of the Hustler, ‘“*Hello!” that gentleman greeted, ‘‘ Have you tired already of that miserable place on the other side of the Choke? Have you come over here to get into good society and be somebody ?” “Well, not exactly that,” was the slow re- sponse. “I have come over to take a look around, that is all.” * And T don’t believe you'll go back, if you have good taste and know a good place when you se it,” , ‘* What is your chief attraction here?” ‘Our chief attraction! Why, sir, are you not aware that the Hustler is published here? Do you not know that we have the only cemetery in the gulch?» What can Roundabout show tocom- pare with these?” ‘¢ That’s a poor joke, if you mean it for one.” ‘¢Yoes, I suppose itis, But, I am a stranger here, suppose you take me out and show me around a little.” **1)}] do it willingly, Come on.” Mr. Dulbby led the way, and conducted the stranger first to his cflice, where he told of the merits of his p»per in glowing terms. Then followed a visit to the cemetery, and the guide pointed out the graves ove after another, giving a brief history of each sleeper therein and stating the cause of each one’s demise, With only two exceptions, every one of the “plants” bad died with bis bcots on—accounted somewhat of an honor, ‘¢ And where’s the grave of that head?” asked the poet, ‘ “‘Rigbt overthere, It wasn’t a full size plant, you see, and we made up a mound in proportion in the form of an ant-bill.” ‘* Looks as if he had been planted standing up, and the bole badn’t been quite deep enough, don’t it? Whatdo you think about that case, any- how?” ‘Don’t know what to think about it. I’m not going to bother my bead much with it till the detective gets here, Then maybe something will be done, but I doubt it.” “Think he won't ba equal to the case, eb?” ‘1 don’t see how he’s going to be, do yout” “No; but that don’t signify anything. like you—can't puzzle my brain with it. “Tf it were poetry I'd gs it; As itis, Tam not in it.’ “You can make up rhymes the easiest of anybody 1 ever heard of. Wish I could do it, I tried to get up a verse or two once about Roundabout, but after working on the thing, for half a day T gave it up.” “What was it stuck you?” p “ Why, I couldn’t find anything to chime ia with Mavor Gadzooks,” ‘Tg that so? Why, seems to me that ought to be possible, Let’s see if I can hit something off-hand: “There is Mayor Gadzooks, He never had spooks. ¢ He’s a gentleman right upin G; Though his cordial he takes, He has never seen snakes, An all-around Rustler is he.”’ * Well ('m darned! Why couldn’t I think of had spooks? Bot, blast it, your stuff is all in favor of Roundabout; I wanted somethin? that would show ’em up bad.” “Well, that’s so, I allow.” *¢ Tel] you what Dll do.” ‘¢ What's that?” ‘“You come to my sanctum and, write up a few verses that wil] make ’em sick over there, and T’ll give you a dollar.” ‘Sir! Think you tbat you can buy pearls of great price with trifles? That is almost an insult, sir! Would you thus cheapen my talent? By my beard—when it grows! but li shake the dust of your camp from my feet—” “There, there, don’t get roiled: that shows how little I know about poetry. Vill make ita dollar and a half—” ; ‘‘ Worse and worse! But, sir, you are too late, anvhow, forIam engaged up n the staff of the Roundabout Rustler, at a salary worthy my hire, so I could not serve you anyhow,” “You are on the Rustler! I thought Sneed laughed at you last night when you tried to engage,” - ‘*He says that was only a bluff to get you out of the way,” | ‘* Curse him for the double-faced villain he is. Pil tell you what, I'l] pay you just double what he has offered you, if you will come with me,” and 1 don’t care how much it is, either,” ‘¢ Not now, sir, not now; 1 sball first have to break off with him honorably. "You can see how it is, Then, anyhow, maybe I'll be hanged at short notice when the paper comes out, if the citizens are not prepared for the poetic gems it bas in store for them, “Wor I’ve handled some things with a caustic pen, With vinegar and gall for ink; It may take ali right: if it doesn’t, why then, I shall get a hemp necktie, I think.” ‘ I’m ‘‘ But, say, do me one favor,” ‘© What is that?” “Just repeat that what you got off about Gadzooks. ) jab, and I'll pay you for it besides.” “Impossible, sir, Gems once dropped are gone foraye, You'll have to rake it out of your memory if you want to make use of it, By the “Drawing cards, I suppose, though I have | way, I find it is dinner time; do you think they'll never seen them. I suppose all who are drawn to the cemetery come to stay, do they not?” feed me at the hotel here?” ‘*T neant to ask you to dine with me, butnow Ill twist it somebow to give him one |
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bang me if I will. You have cast your lot with the Rustlers, and you had better get back to them again, for you might get a deadly dose of poison here. I wouldn’t disgrace my paper with any of your rotten verses anyhow!” “ My dear sir,” cried the poet, ‘‘ you do not know what pain it givesme if I have injured ou by word or actof mine. I hoped at least to te friends with you. I freely pardon you for the abuse you heap upon my poetic gems, Let us make up and be friends, good sir, or— “*T shall weep aloud in my anguish sore, And madly Vl tug at my hair; Or I'll plunge my soul in the flowing bowl, And go gunning for reptiles rare.” In spite of himself, Editor Dubby had to laugh, and he said: ‘*A man couldn’t be mad with you if he wanted to, for you are the dryest cuss I ever met, There goes the gong; come and take din- ner with me, anyhow.” ** Mean it?” “ Yes,” ** All right, I'll do it, and [ll give you a puff in the Rustler next week in spite of rules.” So, having made up, they went together to the hotel, where the editor escorted his distin- guished guest into the dining-room, where the other hungry boarders were already gathering round the board, The poet seemed to be taking particular note of them all, and was quietly interested in Aaron Prestley and Edmund Murtagh, especially. The conversation was general, and the poet pi a it once in awhile with a gem of dog- erel, ** By the way,” he presently asked, when there was a pause, ‘‘basany of you gentlemen ever heard of a man named Pelmont anywhere in these parts?” He was looking at the mayor of the camp as he put the question, but he was eying all the others as well, and he noted that Edmund Mur- tagh looked up quickly and fixed his eyes upon bim, **No, don’t think I ever have heerd of a feller ’ that namo,” the mayor said. ‘* What for a looker was he?” *€Oh, a youngchap; I met him once at another camp and took a liking to him,” Murtagh removed bis gaz» with a look of relief. CHAPTER X, SCORING A SECRET POINT, Tux fighting poet, needless to say, had been playing a quiet part, hiding bis real object un- der his innocent nonsense, He had now gained a point, yet no one was the wiser, for nothing in his outward manner re- vealed anything of his inward thoughts, He ‘was what he seemed, a mildly mad rhymester run to seed, After dinner he was on the piazza, having parted with Dubby of the Hustler, whv had ex- ‘cused himself, having work todo; when Edmund Murtagh accosted him, ‘So, you are a poet, eh?” he said, ‘*T am so called,” was the mild response, ‘* Well, you’re the first one I have ever seen.” * And do I meet your ideal?” ' The poet assumed his prettiest pose, as he ask- ed that, and awaited the verdict. **- Yes, I guess you do,” was the return. ‘‘ You bave the long bair, the languid air, and the shabby appearance in gensral—not meaning any insult.” “Tnsult! You have paid me a compliment.” ‘*But, I wanted to ask you something, Sir Poet.” ‘And what is that? You haye only to put the query.” “What about that person whom you about at the table?” ‘You refer to Pelmont?” ="Yios,’ ‘Why, nothing about him,except that I should like to meet him again.” ‘What sort of a fellow was he? I have known paren by that name, and maybe I have known him,” ‘Likely enough, sir, Why, he was a young chap, rather a wild one, too, and one who ‘was free and easy when under drink- for he ‘was a drinker, But, a good-natured fellow withal.” **No, hardly think I ever met him, then, Dov't happen to know where he hailed from, do on? “No, I do not, sir.” “That's all, then; guess the fellow was never known tome.” Some further remarks WES when Aaron Prestley came asked exchanged, then, p, and the pair were Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. es about leaving the piazza when something drew their attention, This something was a party coming toward the camp from the direction of the Choke, There were two women and quite a number of men, ‘Hello! what's the meaning of this visit?” cried the Mayor of Hustleville. ‘* Who are they?” asked Murtagh. ** People of Roundabout, I take it.” **So they are,” cried Prestly, ‘There, Mur- tagh, is the gir! !” he new-comer at the camp gave a frown as he looked at the mine-manager, and the latter bit his lip. All of which the poet noted, while he did not appear to do so, “Yas, et’s ther gal they call Little Maggie,” said the mayor, ‘* Wonder what it is brings ’em over hyer to-day? They was here to bury ther gal’s daddy yesterday; or anyhow his head.” ‘* And they appear to be heading for the ceme- tery,” suggested the manager. *'That’s so, an’ 1 reckon I'll make et my busi- ness ter find out what they ar’ after to-day,” And with that the mayor set out to meot them. The poet stepped apart from the manager and his companion, and appeared to be deeply inter- ested in watching the coming party. “What do you suppose it means?” he heard Murtagh ask, ‘*T don’t know,” was the mine-manager’s re- sponse, ‘* We'll have to wait and see what they do.” “Yes, I suppose so, They are here on busi- ness of some sort, however, that is plain enough.” ‘*So I think, too,” ‘Suppose we walk out that way,” Murtagh suggested, “All right, and that will give you a chance to get a look at the young thing you intend—” A nudge from the other caused him to stop in what he was saying, and Murtagh cast a look in the direction of the poet, who was intently watching the coming visitors to the camp. “‘T believe V’ll go with them,” the poet re- marked, as if speaking to himself, ‘I always like to learn the news, and now that I am on the staff of the /tustler it ismy duty to beon the lookout for items for my paper,” And with that be set out, the others right af- ter him. ‘* What's that you say?” demanded Prestley. * You are on the Rustler?” ‘©- Yes; I hold the post of poet laureate on that journal, sir; a post which I hope to fill with credit to myself and honor to the concern,” Youll fillit with something, I have no doubt. I'll be anxious to see the next number.” ‘You will find it a perfect souvenir of poetic pearls, I assure you.” [don’t doubt it, sir.” The mayor was just ahead of them, and pres- ently he met the party as they came near to the cometery- “What d’ye want hyer?” Mayor Kreeps de- manded, ‘“We have come on a little matter o’ busi- ness,” answered Mayor Gadzooks, ‘* We want to dig up that head again fer another look at et,” “ What's that for?” * Well, you see, it’s like this: Sence yester- day this hyer young lady bas been thinkin’ over et quietly, an’ she wants another look st et when she’s more calm ter be sure thar ain’t no mistake,” ‘Wasn't ye sure yesterday, miss?” “T thought I was, sir, but I want to be very sure. I hope you will not refuse me,” Prestley and Murtagh had come up by this time, as well as the poet, and they heard all that was said, “No, I don’t reckon we'll refuse ye,” an- swered Kreeps, ‘‘ but we want ther people of Roundabout to understand that they don’t own no share in this hyer sammytarry, even if they do bury in et—free gratis fer nothin’ now,” ‘*Oh, that’s understood,” averred Gadzooks, “We don’t own no more here than you do in our new fire-ingine,” ** Ar’ you think that fire-ingine is someshakes, don’t ye,” ‘* Well, we jest do, neighbor,” ** An’ 1 spose we’l] never hear the end of et, till we get somethin’ that wil! put et out o’ sight, an’ that’s what we ar’ goin’ ter do,” ‘* What are you goin’ to get?” ‘* You'll see,” “Yes, I s’pose we will. But, we'll talk that over some other time; we ar’ hyer on business now, as I said,” . i They passed on and entered the cemetery, which wap iuclosed in a neat fence which the proud citizens of Hustlerville had built around it, There they went straight to the little mound under which the severed head reposed, and one of the party proceeded to dig for it, the others standing idly by in waiting. Little Maggie did not look up, but stood with her back to che worker, Her face was pale and her fists clinched; that it was a trying mement for her, all could see, Fly Fan was there, armed with a peculiar littls box, as it looked to be, and she talked with the orpbaned girl in low tones while they waited. The poet in the long black coat stood silent, watching the proceeding like a gaunt raven from some Stygian shore. What his thoughts were, . none might guess. He was not watching the worker only, however, It took some little time to get down to the box and lift it out, but it was done finally, and the head was removed and set upon the Bie in plain sight of all, : ‘* Now, miss,” urged the Mayor of Rounda- bout, ‘‘take a good look at et this time, an’ makeup your mind. I¢ will be foolish ter take et up again, ye know. Brace yerself, now, an’ look,” Little Maggie was seen to shiver, and it was a moment before sho obeyed, Then she turned and looked for some seconds at the dead face—steadily, her own face almost as pale, \nd while she looked, Fly Fan, standing a little back from the others, aimed her peculiar little box at the hideous object and something was heard to give a slight click. She had photographed it! The girl took plenty of time looking upon the dead features of the face she had once decided was that of her father, and finally turned sadly away, covering her face with her hands, ‘* Ar’ ye done?” asked the mayor, not un- kindly. ‘* Yes, sir: I am satisfied now,” ** An’ ye ar’ sure et was your father?” ah do not see any chance for any mistake, sir. The poet, who wag slyly watching Murtagh and Prestley, saw a look of momentary exulta- tion upon the face of the first mentioned. “Then bury the head again,” the mayor di- rected, “ We’re much *bliged ter you, Mayor Kreeps, Ther pore leetle gal wanted et done, an’ nobody could refuse her, ye know,” ‘No, that’s so; I wouldn’t refuse Little Maggie,” The girl had started back toward tho gate and Fly Fan followed quickly after her an caught up with her, ** Your heart is almost broke, poor child,” she murmured, “Yes, yes, for now I am sure it is my father’s I was sure before,” “But, hearken to me, Maggie; I am just as sure itis not your father’s head, Yes, I mean it. I donot understand the mystery yet, but I mean it. Itis not the bead of Joel Meadway.” ‘Oh, if I could only be sure of that!” ‘‘ Have courage, and it shall be made plain to you ere long. Meantime, breathe not what I have spoken, but let it be thonght that the ques- tion is settled for all time, ard thatit was indeed bis head that was found,” ** Yes, yes, I will keep silent; and it will be easy to do so, for it will take much to convince me that you are right. . Only one thing will con- vince me.” “And that will be to have your father re- stored to you alive and well,” ‘*- Yes, yes. Nothing else will convince me,” “Then do not despair, my dear!” And 80 talking, they made their way back again to Roundabout, the poet returning with the party and entering the office of the Hustler, CHAPTER XI. PROPOSAL AND COMPACT. Tr was later ip the day, and Little Maggie was . busy with her sewing and all alone in ber shanty, when thers came a rap at the door, There was nothivg surprising about that, for she had callers at all hours of the day, so she bade tha applicant come Ib, The door swung open, and Mr, Edmund Mur- tagh entered, “ Good afternoon, Miss Meadway |!” he greeted, doffing his hat and making her a polite bow. ** Good afternoon, sir!” she responded, civilly. “Tam told that you do mending, and have come to see if you would do some for me,” . “Yes, Ican do it, sir; but I] cannot promise Seis d faye *G “> part - “cLa} : ope Wet ¥- haar ‘a ees rads
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10 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. to have it done to-morrow, forI bavea good deal of work on hand just now.” ‘*Oh, that does not matter: any time during the week will answer me, Here are the things in this bundle, and f{ will leave it with you and call again for it in a couple of days.” “Very well, sir.” ‘* But, that wasn’t all of my errand, Miss Meadway.” She looked at him in a questioning manner, **No; I want to talk with you a few minutes, if you do not object, ‘You are the child of Joel Meadway, I believe.” ** Yes, sir.” ‘* Well, your father was once one of my very best friends.” “Indeed! What is your name? Maybe I have beard bim speak of you at some time or other in the past.” ‘* My name is Edmund Murtagh.” ‘ No I do not think I ever heard your name, ‘* Well, that does not signify anything, for I am told your father went out of his mind,” “* Yes, that is true, he did.” “Tf you will give me leave to do soI will sit down for a minute or twe while we talk.” “You may do so, sir.” “Thanks, Now, Miss Meadway, I saw you for the first time over at Hustleville awhile ago, and I was interested in you at sight, and the more so when I learned who you were.’ She did not respond, ‘Yes, for your father was’a man I loved and respected,” **T am glad to hear that, sir.” “It is the truth. Now tell me, Miss Meadway, what are your circumstances? Is there anything I can do for my old friend’s child?” “Thank you, but I am doing nicely, sir. I need no help from any one, for lam making a good living and more besides, I thank you very indly for your interest all the same.” ‘Ahem! You are welcome, of course. But, miss, that is not what I am trying to get at yet. I am a blunt man, and you must excuse my bluut ways. When I saw you for the first time to-day I had an interest in you—a keen interest, I will say, and then when I learned your name I was interested all the more,” * You told me that before.” “ Yes, but I have not told you all yet. Do not look uneasy now, for I am here as a friend with only the best intentions toward you. When I saw you, said I to myself— There is the one little woman in the world I can lové, and if I find she is a good body and worthy of me I'm going to try to win her, "No, no, do not interrupt me, please, put hear me out, That was just what I did say to myself, and that was before I knew whoor what you were. Then when I came to learn that you were the child of my old friend, and that you were all alone in the world, I made up my mind to come here and offer you my protection in the most perfect way possible, ‘* Miss Meadway, I am well off in this world’s goods, and [ bave a name not to be ashamed of. I loved you at sight, as 1 bave told you, Now, for the sake of the friendship between your dead father and me I[ want you to be my wife, and I will be both father and bus- band to you. Whatdo you say? But, I won’t press you for the answer so soon; just think it over, and when I come again you can tell me, You'll find those clothes don’t need much mend- ing; that was my excuse for coming here, just to break the ice, you know,” The girl had been staring at him with dilated postage lips parted, but had been unable to 8 ° *“*Why, sir, you bave amazed me,” she now gasped, **T don’t doubt it, I don’t doubtit a bit, Miss Maggie; but, just think itover quietly and then give me my answer,” “Tcan give you the answer now, sir, just as well—” ** No, no, I will not bave it now: I want you to take time to think it over carefully, The offer I bave made you is an honorable one, and ou will find that I am a true and honest man. f you can bring yourself to marry me, I will take you away from here at once and give you a home with every comfort. Now, now, do not say a word, but take plenty of time to think it over, Ido not want you to refuse me, of course; neither do I want you to consent too hastily, Just think it over till I come again, and then let me know your decision. Good-afternoon.” He had bowed himself to the door as he fin- ished, and with that he opened the door and was When the door was closed after him the girl could only stars at it blankly for some time, She had considered herself little more than a child, and such a proposition from such a man had fairly taken away her breath, ‘‘T was never so frightened in my life,” she said to herself, and she trembled as she said it. ‘*Tt may all be true, what be has said, but I fear him. His face does not please me,” Great was her relief when the door opened again in a few minutes and Fly Fan came in. ‘* You have bad a visitor?’ she asked. ‘* Yes, and a big fright, too.” ‘* Your face shows it. What happened?” “ Why, tbat man asked me to marry him!” ‘* Rather sudden, I should think.” ‘* Yes, indeed! Why, I would not think of such a thing, even were | old enough to marry.” ‘You are near eighteen, are you not?” ** Yes, quite near that age.” ‘And many girls marry younger, though I should think twenty-two ntedty young enough. But, I am not here to begin a philosophical argu- ment, You never saw this man before, did you?” “ Not before I saw him at the cemetery.” ‘* And what excuse did he make for his sudden offer?” ‘Oh, he said he loved me at sight, and when he learned who I was he made up his mind to marry me if he could; saying my father and he had been dear friends,” ‘That was it, eh? Let us see, then. He was at the cemetery when that head was taken up, but he did not make any demonstration over it, did he? If you recognized itas your father’s, why did he not recognize it?” ‘*T never thought of that.” ** And what answer did you make him?” .“* He would not let me make any; he told me to take time to think about it, and not answer in haste.” “ Generous of him, was if not? And what is your answer going to be?” “It is going to be No, of course, I would never marry him under any circumstances, for he has an evil face, LI could not love him, even if I owed my life to him for any cause.” ** And you will tell him so, of course.” ‘Yes; I shall send back his bundle un- opened, and request him not to come here again, If he comes, then I must speak very plainly to him. f T hat’s a good plan, but it must not be carried out. ‘Why not?” ‘Because I want you to work it another way,” ‘Why, what can you mean? [ cannot under- stand you. Surely you do not expect me to say yes to him!” ‘* No, not at all; but you can delay a little, and so keep him ina state of uncertainty. Mend his garments, if they need it, and when he comes just put him off for some days,” ‘But, that is deception, and I do not Jike it.” “Tt is not half so bad as the deception be is playing with you. After whatI bave told you lam sure you ought to trust me,” “Yes, yes, 1co trust you, and will do as you say. **Good. Then, too, such a plan will be the better for your personal safety. While he thinks thereis a hope of your giving willing consent he will not be likely to use force.” ‘* What? do you think he would try that?” “Tam sureof it. But, keep these things very secret for the present, Miss Meadway. We must work carefully, and no one must suspect. I would not have told you anything, but I had to win voor confidence somehow,” “Well, I will be guided by you and will do just as you say; but, I have one great reason to doubt you still.” ‘* And what is that?” ‘““Why you told me you felt sure it was not my father’s head we saw to-day; I am sure it must have been,” *“‘T cannot blame you for your belief, for the face was near enough like your lost father’s to deceive you. But, I will tell you more, now. positively know it was not your father’s head.” ““Oh! how do you know it? If that is only true!” “TI see I must give you what you ask, and knowing I may trust you, I will do so,” And with that, Fly Fan told a brief story ina low voice, _ When she had done, the face of the little sew- ing girl was bright with hope renewed. ‘Ob! I am so glad—so glad!” she cried. ‘Now you may tell me to do anything you will and I'll do it, for I am sure you are my friend. hope you will, So, play with Mr. Murtagh as I have said, and let him think maybe you will not refuse him, and so hold him off for a time,” “* Yes, yes, I will do that; I will do anything in the hope of again seeing my father alive and wel], You may trust me now, fully. I will do my part.” CHAPTER XII. THE POET LET LOOSE, On the following day the current issue of the Roundabout Rustler made its appearance, and everybody waseager togetacopy. On the previous evening the publisher had made a liberal scattering of flyers announcing the good things the paper had for its readers, and in that manner had whetted the public ap- petite. ‘ He had boldly boasted how far supericr Roundabout was to Hustleville, now, having a fire-engine; and how altogether beyond reach it had grown by the acquisition of a real, live poet; and not a common, every-day sort of poet, either, but a fighting poet. In proof of his claims, be simply called atten- tion to the Rustler. ; , So, when the paper appeared, it met with ready sale, and a man was found who, for ample consideration, was willing to take the risk of carrying a supply over into the rival camp. The editor’s leader was a whooper. | He recounted the great day’s celebration upon the arrival of the new engine, and asked Hustle- ville why it did not wake up and keep abreast with the times. Then it told of the advent of a fighting poet, and boasted of having secured bis services upon the Rustler, , Did space admit the quoting of tle editorial, it would be found highly spicy reading. This was merely an editorial, however. On the first page vasa full report of the do- ings of the great holiday, and many items of local interest, with here and there something from the pen of the fighting poet. It was the first time either of the papers in the gulch had ventured into rhyme, and across the top of the first page was this line— ‘Don’? Fart TO READ THE POETRY IN Tus Issun!” And the first sample that fell under the eye of the reader was this— “ ROUNDABOUT. ' “ Oh, a rollicking place is Roundabout Cit., With its whole-hearted citizens all; There’s no other city around about it, Can bold a light to it at all. And we have a mayor of whom we are proud, He's a man just as big as he looks; He’s a tall rustler. proclaim to your crowd, His first name is Gilbert Gadzooks, We have a hot«l here that cannot be beat, The Silver Saloon is our boast; If you’re fond of dancing come try us a heat, And pay your respects to your host. We have a post-office, as you all know, And now a steam fire-engine too; . Oh, we are the peapie, and that’s why we crow; Vell crow more befcre we are through, And we have a newspaper right up in style, One that is wel worthy thename; | Just look it well over then ante your pile, That we're on the Rustle for fame.’ That seemed to strike the worthy citizens right where they lived, so to express it, and they were repeating the jingles to one another every where, The fighting poet was voted a howling success, right from that time, and the whole camp was his for a song—literally. ¢ 4 To quote all his effusions were impossible, One other ran thas: “SLICKERY SAL. “ Our Slickery Sal is a mighty fine gal, From fetlocks right up to her ears; She’s without faults when you take her to waltz, |} She’s a daisy for one of her years, ‘ She’s a dandy, you bet, and you never will get, Far ahead of her in a fast reel; Sheis light on the toe, and she whirls about so, That you don’t catch the clink of her heel.” Everybody was amused, and tke papers went off like hot cakes, much to the delight of the proprietor, But, there came a reaction by any by. Over came Editor ome from Hustleville, mounted upon a mule, and he looked as though armed to do desp‘rate carnage somewhere. He halted before the door of the Rustler building, and called out: ad — pO ey Re ha a a ie ae ay gone, ** Yes, you may trust me fully, Maggie, and I *¢ Come out here, you low-lived apology for a P : i " - te ay EP Ee Se ES Ne ek oe ew aa TERE ti — = nf FEN ERR
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oor bunch of pica pi, you! till I shoot some oles in you to Jet in some sense! And where’s that poet? I’m on the trail for poets to-day, and I want him.” The first of Editor Sneed that was seen was the tube of a long rifle that came around the side of the door, and the editor followed it up. “Here [ am, neighbor,” he said; ‘‘ what’s wanted? What's the meaning of all this abuse you have heaped upon me?” ** What’s the meaning of it! what’s the meaning of this!” ‘*The meaniog of what?” “This verse about my paper!” * Well, read it out.” “And be laughed at for it! enough what it is.” ‘Tam not aware that anything has been in- serted, sir, that calls for apology from us.” “You don’t! What do you call this, then? Just listen!” And he read a couple of verses the poet had made up in ridicule of the Rustler, The crowd laughed when he had done, but it was no laughing matter for Dubby, and he de- manded satisfaction or blood, then and there. He had come there for one or the other, and meant to have it, And while he was howling, over came the proprietor of the leading saloon of the rival camp. He, too, set up a wild protest, and before he lad done others had arrived. ree they demanded was the blood of that poe To this time that worthy had kept out of sight, but now he appeared, and with his cool and leisurely manver confronted the worthy deni- zens of the neighboring camp of Hustleville. 54 What is it?’ he asked, ‘* What is the mat- ter?’ “Enough is the matter, that’s what et is,” cried Mayor Kreeps, he too having been pricked by one of the doggerel darts. “You complain of the verses I have written for my employer? What would you have mo do? Should I take pay from the Rustlers to write poeta, for the Hustlers? Put yourselves in my place. “‘That ain’t got nothin’ ter do with et,” cried Kreeps. ‘‘ You done et, and we means ter git ne Sa eric if we have totake et out of your @ “ But, see the injustice, gentlemen. Had I been on the staff of the paper beyond the Choke, would I not have reversed things? Do not con- demn me; I wrote to suit the ideas of my mas- ter. ea now you'll choke fer a fact, to satiafy us. “Can’t I beg off?” the poet cried. ‘ Can’t you let me down easy? Can’t you find anything of consolation in what I have penned?” * We'll let ye down with a jerk an’ a run,” cried Mayor Kreeps. ‘ Find anything o’ conso- lation? blast ye! Do ye think lines like these hyer ar’ likely to console anybody? I want to know You know well *** So, our respects to Mayor Kreeps, Who, when he doesn’t Kreep he sleeps.’ ** What does that mean, anyhow?” And so they raved, one after another, each quoting something the poet had said about bim, while the Rustlers stood by laughing, ready to defend their poet to the last if need be, That was just where the poet had tho best of it, too; he knew he wis safe; the men of Hustle- ville would not dare do him bodily harm. ' “Good friends, good friends,” he cried at last, **¢o home and keep the peace, and in our next Vl do you all proud, “I'll do the very best I can, To say good things of every man.” ~ So, seeing they could do nothing, with that they had to be satisfied, and taking hold upon that promise as their excuse for letting up, they gave the poet a lease of life in which to redeem himself, This issue of the Rustler had made a bit, and the Hustlers were sore enough over it and they could not hide the fact, Said one man: **Et wouldn’t been so bad, but he rubbed et _ ona leetle thicker’n we could bear et. An’ then ther way he crowed up Roundabout made us fee! ot all ther more. I hope he’ll do better next ‘* But, gradually their anger cooled, and after they had visited the saloons with some of the boys of Roundabout, they felt better, and began to enjoy tho thing in the right spirit, There was one jingle in the paper, however, that few if any could understand, even if it —————————— Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. Cad 1l ne meant that it should be understood ull, And that was this: “TO THE LOST HEAD. “Tell us whose head it was, now if you can, Te)l us who put it there, down in the pan. It isa mystery, vexing us sore; Who cut it off 0° him who the head wore? Vile were the plotters, viler the plot: Sure is their fat to be, like it or not; Vengeance is after them, hot on the trail; See how they quake with fear! See how they quail!” That was something that made the citizens of both camps wonder, and none was able to under- stand it in the full. True, they all knew it meant the head that had been found in the box of the new engine; but, what did the poet know further than that? There they were puzzled. It was along about stage time when Aaron Prestley and Edmund Mortagh came over to the city, and finding the poet on the piazza of the hotel they accosted him, “Say,” said Prestly, ‘‘ we have been reading your dashes in the Rustler, and they have taken well it seems; but, there is one nobody can understand. What were you trying to work off about that severed head?” ‘‘ Why, gentlemen, was it not plain enough?” ‘Tt is not plain at all; nobody can get onto it, You hint at a plot and a murder, and all that,” ‘* Ah! now I see where you are puzzled, You have allowed nothing for poetic license, The poet, as you know, is allowed to revel in the renlms of imagination, and so round up the measure of his verse, That was what I did, Nothing in it when you look at it in the right light.” ‘Then it was Just jingling nonsense, like all the rest?” **To be sure. I hope you do not take me fora seer, who can read the stars, do you?” CHAPTER XIII. COMING OF THE DEPUTY. WHEN the stage came into Roundabout that evening it had aboard a passenger of some im- portance, as was speedily found, This was the night, by the way, on which the arrival of the great detective, Deadwood Dick, was looked for, provided be had been able to set out at once upon receipt of the sum- mons, And this being so, there was an unusually big crowd on hand. All of Roundabout and a goodly share of Hustleville were on hand to see the stage come in. ‘* Hillo!” cried the driver, as he drew up in bis usual artistic fashion in front of the Union Hotel, ‘* what has broke loose hyer? Been havin’ a hangin’-bee to-dsy?” ull, no, not zackly,” somebody responded ; thin ar’ hyer ter see ther stage come in, that’s all. “ An? ye ar’ ‘* You bet,” ‘Might think ye was lookin’ fer a prince, or somethin’ like that.” ** An’ so we ar’, too,” spoke u zooks., ‘* We ar’ expectin’ ther West.” * Ther who?” “Ther Prince of ther West; that is ter say, Deadwood Dick, Junior,” The passengers were alighting, and just as this was said a young man of somewhat striking presence was seen, He was well-dressed, and one who had a keen pair of eyes and who carried himself with something of a cool air. The driver jerked his thumb in the direction of this man, saying: ‘*T wouldn’t wonder a bit ef ye’ve got him.” The mayor stepped forward, ‘** Pardon, sir, but ar’ you Dendwood Dick?” *“Thave not that honor.” wasthereply, ‘TI am, however, Deadwood Dick’s deputy, with letters of imtrocuction to the mayor of this camp and to the manager of the Grub-stake Mine ” “Then you ar’ the man we want ter see, | am mayor of this city,” ** You call it a city, eh? Well,a city it is, then. I suppose this is your chief hotel.” ** Et ar’ no slouch, sir, Comerightin, This way, Manager Woodworth; hyer is our man— not Deadwood Dick himself, but bis deputy.” The mayor led the way, the detective follow- ing him, and the whole crowd making effort to get at least one glimpse of the man who repre- sented the great detective. He was a curiosity to their eyes. in out in full force, I sh’u’d say.” Mayor Gad- rince of ther ** You kin register, of course,” said the mayor,. when they gained the bar-room, ‘‘ but your stay here will be at our expense. We are men of blood, hyer, and we know how to do the right thing. Et mougbt be dilferent.over at Hustle- ville; but we ar’ Rustlers byer,” “T opine ther men ©’ Hustleville ar’ jest as white as you be,” chipped in the mayor of that camp, ** Rival camps, eh?” observed the detective, with a smile, , ‘Not at all, sir,” spoke up Editor Sneed. “Our city is so far ahead that no chance for rivalry is possible, There is a good deal of envy from the other side, however.” * Jealousy, eh?” “That's the word, sir.” “Tt is not so!” cried out Editor Dubby. ‘We stend at the bead, in real and true merit, We have a newspaper, the best citizens, the best of everything else, and a cemetery to boot, A camp that can’t show a cemetery, isn’t much of a camp, as any fair-minded man will say.” “An apology for a newspaper, you mean,” shouted Hiitor Sneed. ‘It cannot approach the Rustler. And then, too, we have a fire- engine here, and a poet—a real live poot, and a fighting poet at that! Sir, that little one-horse camp on the other side of the Choke is not to be compared with this growing city. Why, weare the acknowledged leader in every—” “Not by a—” “There, there,” interrupted Menager Wood- worth, ‘let it drop. This gentleman does not want to hear any more of this; besidis, we have more important business onhand, Let it drop.’” ‘“ Wise words wisely said,” spoke up Poet. Tennison. ‘*This is no time to fling dirt, good citizens, Sir,” advancing and extending his hand to the detective, ‘let me welcome you here in a worthy way. Iam the poet of whom mention has been made, much to my blush, “We welcome you with heart and hand, We'l! treat vou like a king, You'll find us here a kn'ghtly band; You hear me what I sing.’ The detective had given his hand, evidently not wanting to offend by refusing it, and the poet let it go as he ended, ‘*That was well done,” the detective declared, ‘** Citizens, have you got many more fellers cf this kind running at large here?” ‘* No; he is the only one,” said the mayor, ‘* Because [ was going to say, if you have any more like him you will soon require a lunatic asylum,” This was greeted with howls of laughter by the men of Hustlerville, and the poet struck an attitude expressive of supreme indignation, ‘See my good intentions come to naught!” he cried, ‘ Verily, and by my beard—when it grows—this is more than I can tamely standt What then willI do? [ will go quietly and sit down, ‘* Worl am struck silly and ulterly floored; My pins knocked from under me quite, I'll go hang my harp on the wiiler awhile, And keep still for the rest of the night.”’, And, while the room rung with laughter, be went quietly and took a seat, No one could imagine that there bad been an object in all this; that when the hand of the poet had clasped that of the detective a closely folded note had adhered to the latter’s palm. ‘¢*T didn’t mean to cffend you, sir,” the detec- tive made half-apology; ‘it was only in the way of a joke I said what I did.” The poet sadly shook his head, making no re- sponse, ‘“ Well, encugh of this,’ spoke up the mine- manager, ‘Register, sir, and have your sup- per, and then we will lay before you the busi- ness for which you have been called,” ‘Yes, I will Co so, sir; and while I am regis-~ tering you can read the Jetter I bear from Mr, Bristol—that is, Deadwood Dick.” As he spoke he drew a letter from bis pocket and handed it to the mayor, The mayor was the only one who bad intro-~ duced hiniself asa person in sutbority as yet, and it was but natural the letter should go to him. Furthermore, it was addressed to the mayor, The detective turned at once to the register, then, and took up the pen, and the mayor pass- ed the letter over to Mr, Wood worth, saying: “‘ Hyer, you can read better’n I can; you opem ther dockyment and let’s bear what ther great. Richard has ter say. I reckon it’s all right, seein’ as be has sent a man in his place.” “ Yos, it is all right, of course,’ The manager took the letter and tore it open and as soon as he had drawn forth the sheet it contained, read aloud: ws
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om i) ee ae ar = Peay = . _ - - = * Bristol City, ——, 18—, “To Mayor Gapzooks or Rounpasovur, MIngE MaNna- GER’ WooDWORTH, AND OTHEPS:!— “Your summons has b en received, and finding it impossible to answer your call owing to press of other business, I send a man in my place, one whom ou may trust fully with whatever business you may Tare in my line. Give him as full an understanding of the case as possible, and then trust a‘lto him. it iu isa case that can be solved, he willsolve it for you. “Yours very truly, “RICHARD M, BRISTOL,” “That speaks high fer you, sir,” declared the mayor, addressing the detective, who had now registered. ‘Iam glad Mr, Bristol can so well recom- mend me, He does not mention my name, I find My name is Dolan Hardy, I recently left the regular service to attach myself to Mr, ‘Bristol’s staff.” This was true; thereader may remember the man, figuring in a previous story under the mame of ‘*‘ Mickey McGee.” ‘*And we are glad to welcome you here, Mr. Hardy,” said the mine-manager. He shook hands with the detective, and some dntcoductions followed, after which the detective went in to supper. . While he was there the others discussed the situation, where the interview with the detec- ‘tive should be held and who should be present, and ‘so forth, and it had not al! been settled when he returned. ‘* Now, gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘1 am ready for Bs aA business,” “All right,” responded the mayor. ‘We have decided to take you to the newspaper office where we can hold our meetin’ in somethin’ of ‘private.” “Best way, I think. Take me where you “please,” ** But, we ain’t decided jest who should be ‘there, an’ thought we'd let you say as to that.” *¢ Very well, As I understand it, there are ‘two camps near together here,” *¢ Yes, so thar be,” “Then, why not choose some of the leading men of each camp? That, it seems to me, would ‘be proper.” ** Well, we don't ’bject to that plan; leastways I don’t, ef nobody else kicks about et.” ** That’s all right,” agreed Woodworth. ‘'Se- ject your men, Mayor Gadzooks.” ‘And don’t slight the Rustler,” spoke up Editor Sneed. ‘* Well, they ar’ soon choosed,” the mayor re- ‘marked, ‘* You, manager, and Mayor Kreeps, and Manager Prestley and bis friend hyer; and Sneed, and ther poet, and myself, and Dubby, thar—that is to say, ef you twonewspaper chaps won't fight,” ‘* We will bury our differences for the time,” promised Sneed. ‘“*Wull, then, that’s ther jury, so ter call et; sso, come along.” ** Ts it understood that I am in this thing, gen- tiemen?” inquired the fighting poet, humbly. “Yas, ter be sure,” assured the mayor. ‘* We wouldn’t slight you, ye know; youar’ a bull team in yerself, even ef ye do spout verses.” “That is what I wanted to know. Didn’t want to push myself forward, you see. But, Tm in it only asa silent partner—a passenger, as it were, for the occasion. “For my harp is dangling on the bough Of the weeping willow tree, My muse is having ths blues just now, And here’s what’s left of me.” CHAPTER XIV. GIVING THE DEPUTY THE CASE. THE poet, while duly respected for his rowess, was liked for his even temper and for ibis easy flow of nonsensical jingles, which bub- bled forth on every occasion, The crowd laughed at his last-quoted effort, and the poet followed the others of the chosen few who left the room under the mayor's guid- ance, Straight to the office of the Rustler the party “went, — there Editor Sneed made them feel as much at home as possible, . “‘ Now,” said he, ‘‘ be at home, gentlemen, an‘ let us get at this business in a business-like way.” f ’ Wand ther detective is ther head of ther meet- in’,” said the mayor, Gadzooks, “That being so, I will take right hold,” de- ‘clared the detective, ‘‘ Now, to begin with, just give me the history of the case for which ‘you have called me,” Thereupon Manager Woodworth told the story of the day’s celebration, and the finding of the severed head in the fire-box of the fire- engine, and of its recognition by Little Maggie, as known to the reader, ‘* T suppose there is no. doubt about that re- cognition,” the detective observed, after think- ing awhile, ** No, it was positive,” said Woodworth. ‘*She’s doubly sure,” put in Gadzooks, ‘ fer. she-had et dug up after et had been planted oncet, ter look at et again.” ‘* Ha! that is the case, eb? That shows there was a slight doubt, at least,” ‘*But, she was sure ’nuff after that,” said Gadzooks, “What made her doubtful?” * “Well, we don’t jest know; she thought et over all night, 1 reckon, an’ was not satisfied.” ‘That must have been it. There seems to be no doubt, then, that the head was that of the missing Joe Meadway.” ** Thera does not seem to beany doubt,” agreed Woodworth, ‘That is one point fixed, then. Now, gentle- men, where was this fire-engine received from?” ‘Tt came from Chicago,” answered Wood- worth, * At a guess, how long would you think that head had been severed from the body?” ** Possibly a couple o’ days; that was what we set et down ab,’ ‘¢ Then it is plain that it did not come with the engine all the way from Chicago, but was put in it on the way somewhere,” ‘That looks reasonable,” Sneed, ‘* Now, has any one questioned Miss Meadway about the matter?” ‘*- Yes, I have,” answered the mayor, **Does she know whether her father had an enemy?” **S ye don’t think he had any.” * And she knows of no reason why any one should kill him?” ‘6 No,” 3 ** And least of all, why his head should be sent here, It looks like a mystery, true enough,” ‘ That is what we call it here.” **And it is one that may never be solved, for there does not seem to be much of a clue, if any. “How do you propose going about it?’ asked Mr. Murtagh. ‘*Why, I shall have to set out and trace the course of the engine in its journey here, and sea what I can learn.” ** A slow process,” ‘True, but the only one open to me,” “And right here I want to say a word for Rustleville,” spoke out Manager Prestley. ‘I have talked with the mayor, and we want tocay for our camp that we are ready to aid in this matter allin pur power. Weare willing to let all our differences rest till this murder mystery is solved.” “Then you think it was a murder?” asked the detective. **T don’t see how it could be anything else,” said the manager. ‘ agreed Editor A ‘*Tf suicide, the head would not be cut off.” “ Unless afterward, of course, The man him- self did not put his head in the box, that is true,” **Then you think it may not have been mur- der?” asked Woodworth. “Tt may uot have been; whocan say? The first and only thing to be done is to track the machine and learn all we can from that source, and then we my be able to see light ahead.” ‘*Weoll, we hope you will find out the truth,” ** And,” said the mayor, ‘don’t let expense stand in your way. Make up your mind to win regardless of cost, and we'll back you,” “That is what Mr, Bristol always does, gen- tlemen, and Iam his deputy. ll bring the case out if it isin my power todoit. We stop at nothing when we undertake a matter.” “Then you hold out some bope, do you?” asked Woodworth, ** Not a great deal, yet, but still I think I may be able to bring the thing out straight.” Do you see apy clue to work upon, sir?” in- quired Murtagh, **Only the clue that we happen to know where the engine came from, and it will be possible to trace it.” ‘And you think it impossible that the head could have come through from Chicago?” “You must remember I did not see the head; you have heard what others have said about it, ‘Well, gentlemen, and you, Mr. Detective, I have something to make known to you—some- thing which I have seen proper to hold back till now. “ Fre 3 ee a po ieee es | pee a earl ore As BE era ee a ne Rew an Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. ™~ ee TE ete, seentintiiinnn earner They were all interest. — “What may it be?’ asked the detective, quietly. ‘*T have mentioned it only to my friend Prestly here, The fact is, I happen to know when and where Mr, Meadway died.” ** You do?” “ce Yes,” : There was great interest displayed now by all save the poet, who sat as he had declared him- self to be, an idle passenger. “Tell us what you know, then,” the detective invited, “T will do so because it is my duty and _ be- cause I want this mystery cleared up. Joel Meadway was a dear friendof mine, gentlemen, and I have been interesting myself in the hunt for him.” ‘* Hal now we may be coming at something.” ‘* Yes, asI said, Well, I found him in a hos- pital in Chicago: sick, or rather suffering from the effects of an accident, and there he died, Before he died he gave me his hand and told me he wanted me to wed his daughter, if I could bring her to marry me, and so become her natural protector through life.” ** And did he die there, in the hospital?” asked the detective, ‘*-Yes: and was respectably buried.” * And when was this?” The man gave the date. ‘* Impossible that this can have been his head, then,” the detective asserted, boldly. ‘It would have been far advanced in deeay when it reached bere, It would have been discovered by the smell,” ** But, might it not have been brought, had the body been embalmed?” “Hal that is po:sible. Was the body so fixed?” ‘*T am not prepared to say; the thought came to me, thatisall. It must buve been something of the kind, for the daughter here positively rec- ognized the head as that of her father.” “* Might I be allowed a word?” spoke up the poet, just there, “*Cortainly,” leave was given, ‘*' You say Meadway was your friend, sir: did you recognize the head when you saw it when it was dug up? **T do not pretend a keen scenter to be, But this is a thought that has just come to me.” It was seen that Mr. Murtagh moved uneasily under this question for a moment before he gave his reply. . ‘* Well, I would not swear to it,” he said, ‘* You see, gentlemen, knowing as I did that Meadway had died in Chicago, and had been buried there, I was at a loss to account for how his head could have come here, I was in doubt —would be in doubt still, only for the fact of the daughter’s being so positive,’ ** Here is a nice point,” said the deputy detec- tive. ‘! The daughter bad not seen her father in some time—quite a long time, in fact, while you had seen him quite recently, yet you let your- self be guided by her recognition,” “Here is a suggestion,” said Mr, Murtagh, thoughtfully. ‘* And what is that?” ‘* There is one way to prove whether it is real- ly the head of Mr. Meadway or not; and that is, up. “True, and [ had thought of that; and then, if we find the head has been severed, that will make the mystery all the deeper, Who would do such a deed as that, and with what objectin © view?” ‘* That is the point that is puzzling us all,” de- clared Mr. Woodworth, * What I have told you, gentlemen, bas been told in private,” said Murtagh. ‘ My desire is to win this Jady for my wife if I can do it, ac- cording to the promise I made her father, It must be kept still from her, if possible, I am anxious to have the mystery solved, none the less. i “‘ What doyou suggest, then?” asked the detec- tive. “Going direct to Chicago, and taking up the trail there, where I know positively it properly begins,” J “ T believe you are rigbt. Now I havea clue to work upon, and it may be only a short case after all, Iwill do allI can to sift it to the bottom.” “And if need be, I will go with you,” said Murtagh. ‘I am willing to do ailI can in the matter, no matter what‘it be. Still, 1 had Lia remain here to look after the young ady, : ** No doubt.” by going to Chicago and having the body taken .
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.* | . | ‘*T feel it to be more my duty, under the sad _ ed this girl for his wife, and hesought to win ber | regard above all other argument, circumstances.” ‘* Yes, remain by all means, I will set out to- morrow morning, and will return were as early as possible.” “ And that seems to settle the business for the time being,” observed Woodworth, ‘Can we do anything more, Mr, Hardy?” ** Nothing more, so far as 1 can see now,” the detective answered. this matter as secret as possible, however, till we are done with it, for new developments may crop out ere we get through.” father to me: ‘Edmund, take my child and make her your wife, and so prove your friend- ship for me, She will not refuse you.’ ” ‘My father said that?” “Yes, You see, I would not have told you, for that would make it appear as though I wanted to force myself upon you anyhow, That is not the case, AsI told you, I loved you at sight, before i knew who you were,” “Yes, that is 80; and, you told me, too, that you meant to make me your wife, if possible, no matter who [ was; and that was before you had learned anything about my father’s child. Sup- pose [had not been she, would you then have disregarded your promise?” Tt was a question that made the wily rascal pause a moment before be made reply to it, “‘ Now, you are roughon me,” hesaid, “ You force me to confess a weakness, I tell you candidly it would have been a severe struggle, Maggie, for your sweet face captivated me, It would have been a severe struggle, and I must admit it,” He was playing a bold stroke. No matter bow he gained the object, he want- So, after some further remarks, the conference | I do. ended. “Well, I will give you the answer in two weeks from to-day, on one condition, which I will name,” CHAPTER XV. ‘*That is a good while, Maggie. I hoped it AFTER AN INTERVAL. might be in a day or two, But, I gave you s leave to make it any time you pleased, and so be On the following morning the detective took | it. What is the condition, however?” his departure. “That you remain away from me during all He left behind him something of a general | that time.” feeling of great disappointment in the public ‘* Ha! that is rough, and no mistake,” mind, * But, you will agree to it, will you noi? They had looked for something—they hardly | Your coming here again miglt create a talk, knew what; but, for one thing, they bad ex- | you know.” ted Deadwood Dick himself; and accerd- ‘* Well, since I cannot help myself, I agres to ingly, hud expected one of his famous denouw- | it, I would agree to anything to swe you. It ments, i is understood, though, that at the end of the Still, looking the matter squarely in the face, | time named you will not disappoint me.” they did not see how the detective could have ‘“*T will notdisappoint you; you shall bave the done anything more than he had, even though it | answer then, at latest. If before, you will be had been the great Priuce of the West in person | notified,” instead of only a deputy. Thecase was one that ‘‘Ha! then you give me a hope that it may would require time. ’ not be two weeks! ith that hope I will now Roundabout went on in the even tenor of its | take my departure. Make your answer favor- a ; able if you can, Maggie, dear,” n the day following the departure of the de- With that he took his leave, tective, Mr. Murtagh called at the shanty of When he had been gone a few moments the Little Maggie. door of an adjoining apartment opeved and Fly She opened the door for him and greeted him | Fan stepped forth. pleasantly, * Wail. how did I do it?” asked Little Maggie. At sight of her face his hopes rose, and he took | ‘Splendidly!” was the approving word, the offered chair in high spirits, “You did it even better than I hoped you “ Well, I have mended your garments, Mr. | could,” Murtagh,” the girl said. “I did not find very ‘* But, how I hated to play the pert before much work to do upon them,” him! I hate the very sight of bim, andit was ‘No, I know they were not badly in need of | all I could do to hold back my anger when he ad- your art, Maggie, but they gave me the excuse | dressed me as he did.” for co:ning here, and so they served me well, “Tt was the better way, however, for now we What is the bill?” : have him safefor the time you have limited, ‘Oh! it is hardly worth anything at all—” and before that is up the detective will be back “Don’t say that; I won’t have it so, Here, | again with all the proofs needed.” here’s five dollars—” They talked for a little time, and Fly Kan “No! No, sir! I cannot accept it, Mr. Mar- | then took her leave, going out by the rear way. tagh. Just pay me a quarter; that is all I will take for the service, and it is not worth| The days sped swiftly by. that.” Our present romance might easily be made a “Well, well, you shall have your own way | double-number, by setting forth all that took about it, dear. And now what about the im- | place, but that must not be, | dahon matter? Have you taken time to think The rival camys kept up their rivalry, and in it well over? If not, do not answer in haste,” the next issues of the local papers went for “There was something I wanted to ask you, | each other hot and strong, and the fighting poet Mr. Murtagh,” was in it, as before, in favor of Roundabout, ‘* What is that, dear?” The circulation of the Rustler had doubled “T have heard it said around that you gave | since he had been on the staff, nearly all o my father a promise that you would wed me, | Hustlevilleo buying the paper in spite of all the and so protect me.” home sheet could say, in opposition, and his doz- “Well, well! how did that reach your pretty | gerel jingles had in some instances been set to ears? I would have kept that from you, for I | tune and become popular songs. wanted to win you on my own merit, if I could, He, the poet, bad had one or two little I didn’t want you to feel in any way bound to | fracases with tough eustomers from the rival accept me,” camp, in which he had come off more than the It was said so frankly that she could hardly , victor, and his name had not suffered in con- doubt his sincerity. sequence, Ho was popular and well liked, ‘*T believe you said so, and I wanted to know | in spite of his fong coat and solemn mien, but, whether it is true or not. You must tell me,” he was not always solemn, for he could un- ‘** Well, I cannot deny it; it is true, Said your bend to suit the occasion and be as jolly as any- | { | “I would advise keeping | ** it is honorable of you to confessit, anyhow,” she said, her eyes seeking the floor as she spoke, ‘* T can only confess the truth,” he declared, ‘* Well, I hope you will give mea little more time to consider, Mr. Murtagh. I do not want ba answer you till I bave weighed the matter ully.’ **Certainly, certainly; take all the time you want, How long till you will give me the final answer? Don’t let me hurry you, you know, but you must know I am anxious, loving you as body. Fiy Fan was still there, and it was whispered around that Manager Woodworth was struck on er, Certain it was that he lost no opportunity of being in her company, but she beld him at a cer- tain distance in spite of himself and all that public opinion might say or think. By this time it had become well enough estab- lished as a fact that Fiy Fan was as trua as gold, and that she was a woman who would stand no nonsense of any kind. She wasa mystery, and no one knew any more about ber than bad been known at first. That she had been able to make acompanion of Littl Maggie was all the cre- dential her character needed, There had, too, been one fire in the camp, and the fire-engine bad been tested in actual practice. The fire, which might have proved a bad one, was nipped in the bud, as it was said, and even the citizens of Hustleville had to ac- knowledge that the engine filled a positive want grandly. And Hastleville, in order to come up with its rival again, was quietly making arrange- ne a Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. | ments for an electric light 1%: lant, with which they hoped to eclipse and dazzle their neighbors mst effectually. So, as Said, to recount all these things in detail would make our story of double lengtb; but, let us keep to the main facts of intere-t. Finally, one day, a letter was received from Detective Hardy, stating that he bad finished. the business and announcing when he would re- turn, This, naturally, raised a good deal of interest: in the camp, and on the night when he was look- ed for the whole city and half of Hustleville were on hand to meet the stage. They were not disappointed. When the stage drew up the detective sprung out, and was greeted heartily by Mayor Gad- zooks and others, The crowd was impatient, and could not wait. quietly ti!l the business was made kr own to them: after it had been privately made known to the leaders, 80 One man in the crowd sung out: ‘* What ’bout ther head, Mr, Deputy Detective? Did ye find out anything bout who done ther deed f” ““Thave found outall about it, gentlemen,” wasthe reply. ‘If your mayor is in favor of° calling a public meeting, | will tell my story so that all may bear it,” That proposition was greeted with a perfect” storm of applause, and it was immediately ap- parent that the crowd was bound the maycr~ should order that very thing, It was just what. they wanted. ‘* What d’ye say, mayor?” they urged at once.. ‘We'll put up ther platform byer while ther detective gent eats bis supper!” “That's what’s ther matter! That’s what we want, ma’r! You might jest as well say yes an’? be done with et.” ** All right, boys, that’s what we'll have, then,” the mayor agreed. ‘ You set ter work and put up ther old platfo:m, and after supper we'll hear ther story; that is, if ther gentleman don’t ’bjeck to tellin’ et that way.” ‘*That will just suit me,” said Hardy, “It will satisfy your people better than anything else, and I promise you that I have something to. say that will interest them, Go ahead, boys, and build up your stage, and as scon as I have filled up the inner man I'!l be with you. I’m as. hungry asa bear.” CHAPTER XVI. | THE UNMASKING, d NEVER worked the citizens of Roundabout with more vinr and enthusiasm than on that. occasicn, Every man of them put his shoulder to the’ wheel, and by the time the detective had fir ished his meal, the platform was ready. It was the same one, by the way, that bad’ been used on the occasion of the great demon-- stration in bonor of the new fire-engine, and. was calculated to hold a number of porsons,. Mr, Murtagh bad followed the detective to the dining-room, eager, as he admitted, to learn what had been accomplished, but be did not. make out very well. The detective told him the: dead man had heen taken up, and that it had: been found that his head was missing, Farther than that, however, he put the ques-- tioner off, saying it would be far easier for him the det« ceive, to make one job of it when he told. tne story to the public, So, Mr. Murtagh had to be content, eager as he was, and his eagerness was not to be con- cealed from the close observer, Supper dene with, the deputy detective made his appearance, and he was greeted with a cbeer,. and invited to get up on the platform and get. down to business at once, With » smile the detective bowed his willing- ness, ard inaking his way through the crowd, mounted the steps to the platform, wtere he looked upon the sea of eager faces that sur- rounded him, remaining for a moment silent, Then he said: “Citizens of Roundabout, this looks rather lonesome for me, here on this pletform all alone: I want company. Mayor Gadzooks, you and some of oad friends come up here with me And, furtber, I would like to have Miss Mead- way present, if she will come, Is there any one who will bring her?” **'Yes; I will,” spoke up Fly Fan from her place in the crowd. dot Sky els thd and oe ‘bear her com- é platform as well, if you please, You—Mr, Woodworth, Mr, Prestley, Mr. Mur: tagh—all come up and take seats, Tavite whom ayo mayor, while we wait for the young. ha p iE tell a La, 4 tytn , \ is i I ‘)
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The mayor mentioned names, and in a few moments the platform was comfortably peopled, among the rest being the two newspaper editors an the poet laureate of the Rustler. Ina lictle while Fly Fan came back, bringing Litue Maggie with her, and together they mounted the steps and took seats, it was noticed that the fighting poet held a prominent place, The deputy detective had taken his seat, and he now rose again and stepped forward to tell his story. ‘‘ Citizens,” he said, ‘‘I have performed the work that you gave me to do, and am here to report the results, I have found that a murder ‘was done, and it was the head of the victim that came bere in the box of the fire-engine. ‘*T went from here to Chicago, and guided by the information given me by Mr. Murtagh here, visited the hospital where, as he said, Mr. Mead- way had died. There I found the record, straight and true; and the next thing to be done was to disinter the body and learn whether the head had been severed from it or not. “We went to the place where the body had been laid to rest, and had it taken up. On open- ing tbe coffin, true enough, the head was miss- ing! It had been severed, and there were marks on the box and on the coffin to prove that it had been taken up and the head severed from the trunk after it had been buried. That, it would seem, was all the proof neaded to establish be- yond all doubt the identity of the head found ere, * _had further tests to make, however. I had with me a photograph of the head that came in the box of the fire-engine, and show- ing that to the men at the hospital I asked them if they remembered it as the face of Mr. Mead- way. They were struck at once with surprise, declaring emphatically it was not the same face at all. Here, then, arose a complication; if it was not the same face, which person bad been mistaken in the matter of identity—Mr. Mur- tagh, or Miss Meadway?” As he put the question, the speaker turned to Murtagh. That worthy was somewhat pale, and a trou- bled look was upon his face. What did it mean? “There was positively no mistake on my part,” he declared. “Very well, sir,” the detective accepted, ‘I went back again to the cemetery and made a thorough search around, with the help of the man who attended that part of the grounds, and presently, at some distance from the grave, we discovered where a sod or two had been taken up and replaced. We dug there, and under the spot we found a man’s head, which, strange to Say, was recognized by the people of the hospital as the head of the man they bad buried under the name of Meadway. A strange affair, is it oot, Mr, Murtagh?” He turned again to that gentleman, who was not only somewhat pale, but decidedly white, ‘Why, what’s the matter, sir?” the detective asked, to draw the attention of alltohim, ‘* Are you ill? You look like a ghost.” "No, no; there’s nothing the matter with me,” the man declared. ‘*Go on with your story. It was the horror of it all that made me feel faint, that was all, sir.” ‘*Oh! Well, to continue, I had a photo- graph taken of that face, and set about dis- covering who the person was, if possible, At the Police Headquarters I got a list of all the men who had been reported missing about that time, and with my photograph in hand I made a canvass of the addresses given, and finally I discovered the one I was seeking. The photo- graph was recognized as the likeness of one eter Ruckler, a man who had disappeared from his home suddenly and had never been heard of again, So, you see, gentlemen, Mr. Murtagh must have been mistaken after all, for several persons positively identified the head as that of Ruckler.” “IT was not mistaken,” cried Murtagh, ** Don’t you suppose I knew my friend?” “It certainly appears that you did not, for Ruckler and Meadway looked nothing alike; be- sides, I happen to know that Mr. Meadway is alive now.” ‘What! Meadway alive! Ha!lha!ha! Why, sir, you are an ass, that is what you are; you are no more a detective than the poet here is one. Miss Meadway here has positively identi- fied the bead as that of her father. How Joel Meadway can be alive without his head is. more than I can understand.” “That would be impossible, of course; ke is not alive without his head, for he has it upon his shoulders intact. As to my being an ass, per- Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-o haps I am; but when you compare my detective ability tu that of the poet here, as you call bim, youdome proud. Gentlemen of Roundabout, allow me to introduce my respected chief, Deadwood Dick, Junior, who will now address you, doing fuller justice to the subject than I can possibly render.” He had laid a hand upon the shoulder of the poet, as he spoke, and now that worthy rose and made a bow, | “Since my identity has been made known to you, gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘I may as well cast off the mask and appear in proper person before you. Even as he spoke his face took on a changed expression, and with a sweep of the hand he re- moved the wig of long hair from his head, and, lo! there he was, the redoubtable Richard! _The cheer that went up fairly made the gulch ring. Could it be possible that the Prince of the West had been playing such a role among them for so long a time, unsuspected? For a couple of minutes or so nothing could be heard save the shouting and cheering in wild confusion, and during that time a silent panto- mime was performed upon the platform. Eimund Murtagh was seen to rise and move as if to leave the platform by the rear, but Fly Fan, the girl sport, sprung up and placei a re- volver to his head and detained him. Tho next moment Deadwood Dick turned and placed handcuffs upon the man’s wrists. The excitement went beyond all bounds, Fina !ly, by urgent motionings, Deadwood Dick ‘brought the crowd to something like order, and began to address them, Eager to hear, they became quiet again, and he said: ‘* Fellow-citizons, I have been playing a little game of deception with you, as you are now aware, and I beg your pardon, It was all in the way of business, however. By your leave I will tell you all about the strange case, ‘““By a strange combination of circumstances, I was here when you sent for me, as you are now aware, By the same mail I sent letters to my aides, and the result is what you have seen, Mr. Hardy came to yon, bearing a letter from me, although that letter had been written right here in the Union Hotel. ‘ Thad come here with my wife— Gentlemen, let me introduce Mrs, Bristol, who has been known to you for some time as Fly Fan,” Kodak Kate gave Dick her hand and bowed to the throng, amidst another wild and prolonged cheer. ‘*We came here,” Dick resumed, when he could be heard, ‘‘in the interests of a matter of _ which this case of yours has turned out to be a art. It is a strange complication to say tha east about it. Wecame ‘here in the behalf of Joel Meadway, ** You show surprise, and well you may, all things considered. Let me give you the facts of the matter. Mr. Joel Meadway came to Bristol City awhile ago to see me, telling mea stranze story. Irecognized that he was not right in his mind, but at the same time I was able to per- ceive that there was some foundation of truth in what he told me, ** He was, he said, a wronged man. He had once been rich, but had been cheated out of all his property by a rascally twin brother, and thus beggared, This twin brother was a villain, and became the willing tool of some sharpers, and, taking upon himself the identity of his brother for the occasion, bargained and sold all the property. When Joellearned what had been done, as he soon did, he fought the case, but lost it: Witnesses were brought to prove that he was the man wha had sold the property, and as the consideration had been great, there was no redress. The twin brother was unknown, and the unfortunate man was unable to prove that he had a twin brother, “‘His great loss wrecked his, mind, and he ‘wandered f rth after the death of his wife, tak- ing his jittle girl ;with him, and bis despoilers proceeded to enjoy their ill-gotten gains, squandering his wealth with lavish hands, Here it might have ended, but it came to their knowledge that their victim had another and even greater property in his own right, of which neither be nor they had known anything at that time, and they laid their plans for getting hold of that as well. But, the twin brother had meantime become lost to them, and they could not again work their scheme in the same manner. So, they thought of another plan, By the death of Meadway the property would fall to his daughter, so it was arranged that he should be put out of the way and then one of the plotters would seek to marry the girl. ff. | —— Sn hw a ‘‘ Two of the rascals are Edmund Murtagh and Aaron Prestley bere— No use your deny- ing it, for we have the proofs. And there are others whom it will be easy for us to find and arrest, now. We did suspect Mr. Woodworth, too, but after shadowing him closely, as my wife has been doing, we find that he had no part in it, but is an honest man as the average goes, ‘* Now, how did the scheme work? First, they wanted to prove the death of Mr, Meadway, They had him in sight, as they believed, but, as it happened, it was the rascally twin brother, They provided a subject for the hospital, whom Murtagh identified as Joel Mealway, and when he died he was buried under that name. Then the body was taken up and the head severed and hidden elsewhere. ‘‘Oh! it was a hideous scheme, and they de- serve all the punishment that can be justly given them. They deserve no mercy, and they will get none,” CHAPTER XVII. THE END. SHouTS were heard in the crowd for the lynching of the rascals then and there, but Deadwood Dick stood ready to defend them, ‘‘ Let us have none of that talk,” he orderad, sternly. ‘‘The law will deal with them all in due time. The days of lynching are past, in a camp that lays claim to being under the laws of the land.” ‘* Give us ther rest of ther story, then,” cried out one man. ‘* Yes, I will carry it forward to its ending. When the sham Mr, Meadway bad been disposed of, then it was necessary that proof whould be shown the daughter of his death, and not only her, but all interested in her, flow was it done? Henry Meadway, the brother, was killed, and it was intended to bring his head here secretly and leave it in the camp to be discovered, ‘* At the place where the murder was done, however, fortune favored the assassin, for on a freight car, near the spot where the murder was done, was found the fire-engine that was coming here, and tbe head of the victim was put in the fire-box of the engine and the body hid away in a secret place. Investigation had been provided for, you see, Murtagh would tell what he knew about the death of Mr, Meadway in the hospi- tal, and if the body was taken up it wculd be found that the head was missing. ‘*How and why such a thing bad been done, would, they believed, be a mystery for all time, but it would be known clearly enough that Meadway was dead, and then the daughter would be heir to all his estate. You see the scheme now, do you not? Murtagh has been working to marry the girl, and then he would pay the other rascals their proportion of the profits, But, thanks to the clever work done by Mr, Hardy, in whom I am well pleased, we have nipped their game in the bud, so to say, and it has come tonaught, Joel Meadway is at Bristol City, alive and well.” ; ‘“Three cheers for Deadwood Dick, his wife, and ther hull combination!” one man proposed, And they were given with a will, The crowd could not contain itself at all, so great was the excitement of the hour. ‘¢ Further,” Dick concluded, ‘* you will recall that Mr. Prestley thought he recognized my wife as his, and we have had time to investigate that matter. We have discovered his poor, wronged wife, living in a wretched condition ina camp up in Colorado, where he deserted ker, and if he has any property I mean tosee that she shall have ashare of it, She hassent us her photo- graph, and there isa strikirg likeness between her face and that of my wife, enough to warrant the mistake he made, ‘What can I say in conclusion? This man Murtagh, whose right name is Pelmont, J shall hold for murder, for he it was who killed Henry Meadway, taking him to be Joel, Also Prestley, who was an accomplice in the business, And the others will be arrested in due time, for we have found them out and they shall not escape us. It has been an eventful case, and it was a well-laid scheme and one that might have been successful; but, as it seems, Providence took a hand.in the play against the villains, and they have come to grief. It is a case in which we are not going to take the credit to ourselves, except so far as it belongs to Mr. Hardy. ‘* So, good citizens, if I have deceived you for a little time, forgive me. I was bere on busi- ness, as you can now understand. And, no harm bas been done anyhow. I want to offer an es- pecial apology to the citizens of Hustleville for — anything I may have said in that crazy poe of mine—so-called—that did not fit them It was allin the way of fun, you know. And,
Page 15
concluding—do not attempt to interfere with my prisoners, boys, for that will only make trouble for somebody, and it may be the means putting another green mound or two in the lanting-ground at Hustleville; so don’t attempt It, anybody.” ‘Don’t reckon any of us will do that!” sung out Knocker-out Jeems, ‘ Ef [ had knowed et was you, Mr, Deadwood Dick, you bet | wouldn’t sassed you like J did.” That raised a laugh, and Dick and his aides, with their prisoners, got down from the stand, The rest of that night was spent in a jubiice time, in which both cainps took parton the best of terms, and Dick an1 his wife were royally en- tertained. On the following day they set out for home, their prisoners with them. Later on the vil- lains were duly convicted and sentenced, as they Prana tobe. And it was a clear case against them, The meeting between Little Maggie and ber father was an affectionate one, as can be im- agined. Mr. Meadway, with the help of Dead- wood Dick, secured his rights, and with them his reason came back again, and he is now bappy in the love of his faithful child, The rival camps, by the way, are about to be- come reconciled. They have grown t ll they are cramped for room, and the Choke is to be bl isted out in order to give the towns room to expan), and it is likely the place will becoma cn: city under a new name at an early date. Deadwood Dick is well remembered there, and, a3 it is not a long distance from his own city, he gets over there occasionally. Dick has had to organiza something of a regu- Jar detective agency, of which, of course, he is the head and chief, with his noble wife only sec- ond to himself, Dolan Hardy is his right-hand man, 80 to call him, and properly so, for Dick can trust him in any emergency. Then, too, there are the boys, Billy Bucket and Johnny Smile, who have been met in previous stories, to say nothing of the venerable, reliable Old Ava- Janche, the *‘ Original Great [njun Annihilator.” An almost irresistible combination, of a verity. Long may they live and flourish! THE END, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library, BY JO PIEROE, BYT Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom, A452 Wotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or Luke’s Legacy. AT2 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 604 Five Polnta Phil, the Pavement Prince. 509 Jack Jagygers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerte, 526 North River Nat, the Pler Detective. 638 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Filcker, the Stable Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystety. 55d Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 669 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. B77 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set. 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Lite-Saver, 688 Saltpeter Sol, the Now York Navigator 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of. His Kind : 206 Tom Thistle, the Rond-House Detective. 717 Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 726 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport’s Kid. 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-W atch, 765 Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol. 271 Foxy Fred’s Odd Pard; or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle, 781 Cast-Off Cale, the Scapegoat Detective, RY GEORGE ©. JENKs. 486 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, K 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledee. 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadholi, the Kid Detective. HSL Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. BYS Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Dan's Double Play. 616 The Ocean Detectives: or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, Re ne mifener pt Lan | Medel Toughest Tussle. warry the Thoroughbred; or, Be ory i @79 Lron Mand, the Charmed Detersive ain cy Brey fice BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe: or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captain Arizona; or, Petent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Lesther Joe's Defeat. 219 Despard, the Puelfat; or, The Moantain Vempires. BRs A Tough Roy; or, The Dwarf'’s Revenge. REB Little Tornado; or, The Ontcasts of the Glen. BIR Little Jingos or, the Queer Pard. ‘BSS Little Oh-mys or, Caught in His Own Trap, AO1 Little Shoo-F ly: or, A Race fora Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ¢ or, Old Jambo’s Curne. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale ofthe ines. ee Three Jolly Pards: or, The Pets of Paddy’s Flat. 17 Jim Gladden’s Deputy; or, The Jolly Pard’s Campaign. 527 The Jolly Pardsa to the Resene; or, The Jack of Heurts. BAT Sandy Andy} or, A Good Man Down. (B56 Lartat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life, 74 Old Weansel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. : 9 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma HI the Blue-Coat Scout. ‘ 648 One Ohavie Big Find; or, The Beautiful Jezebel 664 Cheeky Charley the Special. 15 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, Il The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. ZY Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 N A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 47 New York Nat. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Fourdling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective 518 Cool Colorado in New Vork: or, The Cowboy's Fight. BY CHARLES MORKIS, 118 WII Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Mardy, the Bows Boy, 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemna, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer, Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, > The Hidden Mand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 7 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglera, 18? Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner}; or, The 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 Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyers Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Jack, tho River-Rat Detective, The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond, Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive, Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor, Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, The Seeret Service Boy Detective. Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansnsy or, The Wolf in the Fold, > Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives, The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, PAINS Saenen hk pt th os om creo? x BY OLL COOMER., Old Kit Bandy, Detective. Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Roy Knight. Kit Bandy In Texas; or, The Young Muatanger. Kit Bandy’s Catchy or, The Boy Hercules. Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Glant Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, the Contaur, Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ben. Kit Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Infant Giant. Kit Bandy In Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind, Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatle; or, Saddle King Sam, 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide, Jack Drew, Detective. 158 Jack Drew, the Nemesis, or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon. 182 Jack Drew's Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pew. Keen-Knife. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. Other Novela by OU Coomes, Varabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. The Dumb Spy. ‘ ; Lasso Jnek, the Young Mustanger. 5 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eve Warry the Young Trapper Ronger. 88 Rollo, the Roy Ranger; or, The Meiress. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Roy Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom's Castle. 2Z2N Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 2BR The Parson Detectives or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disentsed Guides or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairiy Ranger 2T2 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Tittle Foxfire, the Roy Spv; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle. £00 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules: vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webtoot. Mose, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedtoot Fred 3 or, Old Polar Saul.) 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Baal, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nela, the Big Rov Mountatreer. 7S Wighland Warry, the Wizard Rifleman. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 1& The Rea-Cat: or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Denghter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Mxprese Rider. 120 Lance and Lasno ¢ or, The Children of the Chaco. 159 The Lost Cantaing or, Skipper Jabex Coffin’s Crulee. 200 The Boy Hefentacs or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance 214 Wolfang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World, 265 The Tieer Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. BR1 Black Niek, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe's War Trall. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Glanta of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luek. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. : 564 Powder Pil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man Without a Past. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 Little Lichtuing’s Leagues or, The Mystery oftne Island ot ea errice nena at ° old-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 55 Gold Dust Dan's Oaths or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator, 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone duck; or, The Trappers 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane BL; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Liawk Kit; or, ‘lhe Vaugiier of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance In Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pardsy; or, Dainty Lanco Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestini City, 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 219 The Black Ridery or, The Norse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist 4 or, The Strange Guide B55 The Kine of the Woods: or Dante! Boone's Laat Trall, 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Tratler. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Tratl. 688 Chincapin Dan's Home Stretch, 69S Old Crazy, thie Man Without n fend, TOS Licht-Heart Lute’s Lemacy. TIS Light-Heart Lute’« Last Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beag'e’s Trall. 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Aan Scott, the Steamboat Boy; or, The Mississippi Pirates, 199 Featherwelght the Boy Champion of the Muskingum 228 Ozark Alt’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws, 2k2 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville, 811 The Roving Sporty or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp. 822 Nemo, the Detectives or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, 840 Clip the Contortioniaty or, Tha Montana Vigilantes, BY JACK FARRAGTT, B15 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Fort, 820 The Sen Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIFUT. I. D. PERRY, U. 8. N, 176 The Boy Runaways or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Tratler: or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kits or, Tho Mystery of Montauk Point. RY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance, 7Irates BY EDWARD &, ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Khir) vet . & Seth Jonesy or, The Captives of the Frontler, 10 Nat Todds or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, 2: vne Frontier Angel. ? 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 152 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Nuge Hunters or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky # ** Boyeors or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ¢ or, Giant George's Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Ginnt George's Revenge, 807 The Strange Parad; or, Little Ben's Death Hunt. 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whooy} or, The Tarantula of Taos, S27 Creeping Vat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fredy: or, The Tonkaway’s Trost, $44 The Fighting Trio} or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway, 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, een The Ranch mations or, The Sioge of Fort Pargatory. Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chista, ne Oreek} or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Randera Billy or. Frio Frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. aia Little Lariat; or, Pecan Peto’s Big Rampage. The Dalay from Denver. 427 The Three Tratleray or, Old Rocky on the Rampage 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx o} the Leona, 455 Little Lone Siar: or, The Bolle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The W1ld-NMorse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker, ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulllver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladdiny or, The Wondertul Lamp. 16 Robinson Orusoc. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Satlor., His Seven Voyages, 22 The Sea Serpents or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By 8, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By & 8, Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texan Jack, 61 The Boy Fifvexs or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Licut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Groen- wood, By Prof, Gildersleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmen. 112 The Mad Hunters or, | le Cave of Death, By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George Gleeson. : 128 The Young Privateers or, ‘the Pirate's Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, ; 148 Bharp Samy or, The Adventures o1 a Kriendless Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Duaky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yol- lowatone, By Edward Emerson, 261 Fergus Fearnanght the New York Boy, By G. L, Alken, 266 KillWar, the Guides or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail, By Ensign C.D. Warren, 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the clin, By Captain Comatock. BIT Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. f 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Hono:, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother's Re- venge. By Ned Buntline, R65 Raltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective, By A, P. Morris. 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match, By @ H, Morse, 876 Callfornin Joe’s Firat Trail, By Colonel! Thomas Hoyer Monastery. 418 Billy Rombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles. By Henry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest, BS2 Ariel the Athlete. By David Druld, B85 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By U1. Enton, 682 The Dead Wetective’s Deuble. By Gerald Carlton. 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urko» Pass. By Will Lisenbee. 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of the U, 8. Secret Service Corps, A New Insane Every Tucnday. The Half-Dime Library 1s for sale by al! newsdealers, five cents per scopy, or rent by mat! on receipt ot alx conta earch. ADLE AND ADAMS. Publishers, 08 William Btrect. New ork Paes Lie
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BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Pri BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela, 1 Dendwoed Dick, the Prince of the Road, ae peseweud pice t tp or, vpable Daggers. endwoo sk in 3 or, Buffal. Be Sb Weadwood Dick ia Mis Onstle.. 42 Deadweod Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick In Danger; or, Omana OIL. BZ Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Dendwood Dick on Deck; er, Calamity 3 ne, the Heroine seGlbeanend Dik talenivilie, re 104 Dead wood Bick’s Dev tee; or The Double Cross Sign. cndwee ck as Detective, 129 Dendwood Dick's poubles or, The Gorgon’s Guich Ghost. eadwo ck’s Mome Base; or, Blonde Bill. 483 Beudwced Bick seein as Filed Pe cnadweo ecko cadwood: or, The Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwoed Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, air poadweed | ne opie ots ‘emt Jane’s Adventure. adwoo ck’a Den eal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Rough and Teughs, Bs ected Bits poaiogcast = yet te F k’s Den rail, 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deals; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, B21 Deadwood Dick's Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats oat penawses Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. as Wanteet Giketiaie i eee 405 Deadwood Dick in Bead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwoed Dick in New Yerk; or, A “Cute Care,” ABO Deadwood Dick’s Duat; or, The Chained Hand. rir pend wong Aah a Mise Crimson Creacent Sign, ead woo ck, dr.’a, De . 458% Dendwood Pick, JrJs Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Bir Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«. Racket at Claim 10, pit peed wand packs 5 Sito gD or, rt gga Bill. ? endwoo c r.’s °o teet le 481 Beadwood Dick: Sr., in Deadwood. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. A496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings. 508 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, 15 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee. H22 Deadweod Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 629 Dendweed Dick, Jdr.’s, Danger Ducka. 544 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Death Munt, 639 Deadwood Dick, Jre, in Texas, 614 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., the Wild West Vidoeg 5649 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on tfis Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadetphia, 672 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Chicago, 578 Deadwood Pick, Jr, Afloat, HS4 Dendwood Dick, Jr., In Denver. 590 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree. ta posewesd micke gros * Boeiseenbss peur endwoo ck, Jr., at Coney Island, 06 Deadwood Dick, Irs, Leadville Lay. 612 Dendwood Dick, Jr., In Detrolt. 618 Deadwood Pick, Jr., In Cincinuatl, - 624 Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 686 Dendwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Buffalo, ia pesenons mee ore he Chsee Across the Spnpreane Coe Rend wood: Rise Ji Urghenes Gases 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., (n Durango: or, “ Gathered In.” Shi Tradeoca atin Uses one : 3 ‘ a e. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 605 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Drop. 204 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt, 722 Deadwood Pick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 228 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise, 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal. 740 Dendwood Dick, dr.’s, Deathwatch. ZAT Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’«, Deathbiow. ZhS VDendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, 764 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand, 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s) Deteat. 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection, 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days, TSTZT Deadwood Dick, Jr., Detied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device. a 4§ awese tains q Wey srompevese. Lester enadwoot ck, Jr’a, Diamone ce. $07 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Royal Flush. ' gY WM. G PATTER. 829 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of Jncktown, 668 Violet Vane’a Victory} or, The Jasper City Clean Out. 693 Violet and Dalay, the Posy Pards. 705 Vielet Vane's Vowrt or, The Craity Detective’s Cratt, 24 Violet Vane’s Vengeance; or, The WipeOut. ‘ Hiet: or, The Game nt Coffin City. ware the Sport from Denver. 587 O14 Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, Among the Vultures. 619 The Boy Tramp Detectives or. The Double Grip Witness 641 Diamal Dave's Dandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective G82 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, P14 Old Misery the Man from Missouri, 274 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say -Die Detective, 789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 806 Cowboy Steve, the Ranch Mascot, BY COL, A. F. HOLT. 678 Headlight Harry’s Wazard; or, The Lightning Express atective. et Headlight Harry's Maul; or, The Railroad Pards. 27 Menadlight Harry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge. %59 Weadlight Harry’s Heritage. ht Harry’s Hunt; or, The Cache of Gold. tn; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, nife-King; or, The Doomed Six. the Pilot of the Woods. The King Pin Conapirater, BY BUFFAL® BILL (len. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kanens Kings; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. Bs Peadty-Fve. the Unknown Secut; or, The Banded Brotherhood N order Robin Heed; or, The Prairie Rover. 368 Faney Frank of Colorado}; or, The Tepper’s Trust, 794 ce of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELFR, Rosebud Rob, the 8 t. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight, Sa seseeud Fon. on. cisnd; or, Idy}, the Girl Miner oxebud Rob's Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinkanon Chip. Denver Doll. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones, 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 868 Yreka Jim, tl Goldgache Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gntherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. ras 885 Yreka Jim's eerers or, The Rivals of Red Nese, BS9 Yreka Jim’s New Kole; er, Bicycle Ben, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, Detective Fritz. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter. i Sierra Sam, 244 Slerra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister's Devotion, 248 Slerra Sams Secrets or, The Bloody Footprints, 255 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Ange! of Big Vista, 255 Sierra Sain’s Seven} or, The Stolen Bride. 5 Kangaroo Kit, 884 Kangaroo Kits or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangareo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out. Detective Stories, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Aribs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Oxaptuin Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detctive, 226 The Arab Detective 3 or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 201 Turk, the Boy Ferret. B25 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Hat Marry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsides, the pegeer bey Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. Other Novela by E. L. Wheeter. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza BIL, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Seamps. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Liby’s Love. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone K1¢t, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Koy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 "Liza Jane, the Giri Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shot 3 or, The Dead Face of Daggersyille. 858 Firat-Claas Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 878 Nabob Ned3 or, The Secret of Slab,City, BSE Cool Kit, the Kirg of Kits; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son's Vengeance. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler; or, The Tribunal of Ten. BY J. ©. COWDRIOK. Brendway Billy Novela, 490 Broadway Billy. the Bootbiack Bravo. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Cleaing a Stranze Case. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Difikilty.” 557? Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 5679 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Btily; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Acti or, The League of Seven. 669 | ps Rael filly Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 675 Broadway Billy’s Beaty or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy. in_Texas; or, The River Rustlers. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. ; 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal, 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Wand; or, The Gamin Detective. 785 Broadway Billy’s Business. 788 Broadway Billy’s Ourlous Caac. 758 Broadway Billy tn Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives. 769 Broadway et the Retriever Detective. 775 Broadway RBilly’s Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’s Bengles; or, The Trio’s Quest. 786 Broadway Billy’sa Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pull. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. 796 Broadway Billy’s Queer Bequest, 800 Broadway Billy Baffled. ; 805 Broadway Billy’s Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway Billy’s Wipe Out. Other Novels by J. ©. Cowdrick. 860 Sllver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, B69 Shasta, the Gold King ¢ or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta Johny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Dewey Dude, 506 Redieht Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve. 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. &21 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer, or, The Double Case, 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Warry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Reth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest ” Man of Ante Bas. RY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triads or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Bleck Dan’s Great Combine. 5646 Captain Cactur, the Chaparral Cock; or, Joah’s Ten Strike. 568 The Dandy of Dodges or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Stlver Sport; or, Josh Pepper mint’s Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Wana, the Dutch Videcq; or, Hot Times at Rownd-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Cowney Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Meuntebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective, 676 Stanal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypry Spy: _or, The Mystery of Two Lives. 699 Straple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. 212 The Meamerisat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tens, the Mad Prospector. 745 Kaneaas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 728 The Ruatler of Rolling Stone. TRS Lone Mand Jee, i 801 Kent Kirby, the ee Committee of One. gh-Kicker from Kiitbuck. | 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, . Detective Dick Doom. 72 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, 77 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 84 Dick Boom; or, The Siarps and Sharks of New York, 88 Dick Doom In Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, eiededey 808 Dick Deem’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue. 808 Dick Doon’s Death ¢ Fa Praca 7 Dashing Charlie. 749 Dashing Charlie; er, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s Firet Trail. 756 Dashing Charlic’s Destiny: or, The Renegade’s Captive, 760 Dashing Charlie’« Pawnee Pard. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buck Tayler; (Buffalo Bill’s Cowboy Chief, A97 Buck Taylors King of the Cowboys % y 387 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. Pawnee Bill. Pawnee BUI, the Prairie Snadower. Pawnee Bill; or, Curl, the Mad Cowboy, Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. Detective Redfern, Redfern’a Curlous Case; 01, The Rival Sharpes. Redfern at Devil’s Ranch; or, The Sharp from Texas, Redfern’s High Mand; or, Blue Jacket, Redfern’s Last Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, Red Ralph. Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Midshipman, Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailer, Red Ralph, the Shadower, or, The Freebvoter’s Legacy. Butterfly Bil y, (Buffalo Bill's Pard. Butterfly Billy's Dinguiac. : Butterfly Billy, the Pony | xpress Rider, 656 Butterfly Biliy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza, Kent, the Card King. Kent Kingdon; or, The Owls of the TE Kent Kingdon’s Shadower 3 or. the Card Queen. Kent Kingdon’s Duels or, The Surgeon Scout, Kent Kingdon’« Doom; or, The Buckskin Avenger, Lafitte, the Pirate. Lafitte Run Downy; or, The Buccuneers of Barrataria.. Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. Latitte’s Confession; or, The Creole Corsair, The Buckskin Brothers. Buckskin Bill, the Comancha Shadow. The Buckskin Brothers in Texas. 580 The Buckskin Bowers 3 or. The Cowboy Pirates, 585 The Buckskin Rovers: or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 The Buckskin Parda’ Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klux, 2 The Royal Middy. tit: awe pasar rept 3 2 = Shark ay the Sea Cat. DOT e Royal Middy’s Lucky or, The Hunted Midshi bn Sli The Royal Middy'aloes Wizard Wil. 450 Wizard WIIl; or, The Boy Ferret 0: New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta. 474 Wizard Will's Pard; or, Flora, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard WHll’s Last Case; or, The Ferrets Afloat. Duncan Dare. 429 Duncan Pare, the Boy Refugee. 488 Puncan Dare’« Plot; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Dnnean Pare’s Prize; er, The Sea Raider. 441 Duncan PDare’s Secret; or, The Occan Firefly. The Young Conspirater, 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League... 407 Isodor’s Double Enanes or, The Boy Insurgent. 412 Isodor’s War-Cloud Crutfee; or, The Wild Yachtsman. Buffalo Bil, 216 Rison Ball, the Prince of the Reins, ) 222 Bison Bill’s Clue; or, Grit, the Bravo Sport, Dead Shot Dandy. 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s Dilemma, BO8 Dead Shot Mandy's Double; or, Keno Kit, 814 Dead Shot Bandy’s Definnce; or, The Boy Bugler. 607 Bead Shot Pandy’s Chici; or, The River Detective, Merle Monte. 245 Merle Monte’s Leap for Life. 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny + or. Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Island, 269 Merle Monte the Cend 7 276 Merle Monte’s Orutee; or, “The Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’« Fate; or, The Pirave’s Pride. 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge; or, The Sea Marauder. The Kid Glove Sport. 19% The Kid Glove Sport; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid G@leve Sport’s BDvom; or, Buffalo Bill, Pony Express Rider, Other Novels by Colonel Ingraham. 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl] Shadower. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 61% Ralph, the Bead-Shot Scout. 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines, 597 The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos, 591 Delmonte.s tie Young Sea Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor. 5bRO The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. A905 Arizona Joe; or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack. AR? Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Saflor Boy Wanderer; or, The Born Guide. 446 Waphazard 3 or, The Sea Scapegrace. 898 The Red Clasped Bands; or, The Boy Lieutenant. B87 Warpath Will, the Traitor Guide. | B88 The Yedien Pilot: or, The Search for Pirate Island. 877 Bonedel, the Buy Rover or, The Fingless Schooner. 287 Billy Blwe-Eyes, of the Rio Grande. the« 229 Crimeon Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 111 The Sen-Pevil 3 or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smuggier ; or, The Cruise of the Vixen. 2h The Boy Puelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll. 62 The Shadow Ships or, The Rival Lieutenanta, 24 Diamond Dirks or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 17 Ralpk Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ovean Outcast. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 811 Puke Derby, the Tromp Card; or, Headlight Harry’s Flyer, y Col. A. F, Holt. Jr.'s, Wend-off; or, The Round-up ab B AL 812 poseyeos Diek oundabowt, By Edward L. Wheeler. By Col. P. Ingrabam. 818 Dick Boom’s Diamond Deal. Ready February 21. The Half- Dime Library ' for nale: by all newadealers, five cefits per copy, or sémt by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorke