Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 850) (1893 11 07)

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mit ee ma 3 $2.50 a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, HE HAD BEEN SECURELY BOUND BY THE UNKNOWN INTRUDERS, AND NOW THEY HAD SET FIRE TO THE SHANTY AND BEAT A RETREAT, November 7. 180. B cents. — Vol. COUT Caleb Cinders, THE NEW YORK CASTAWAY. BY JO PIERCE, AUTHOR OF ‘BUCK, THE NEW YORK SHARPER," ‘por 0’ THE BOWERY,” “ THE VAGABOND DETECTIVE,” ETC., ETC., ETC. ! CHAPTER I. SOMHTHING STRANGELY FOUND. CALEB CINDERS was a product of the City of New York. Every section of our tar-extendé country bas at least one article to which i potate with pride as a notable ry > or product. aturally, the Manhattan Island city cannot in- dulge in the vast Wheat-fields of Dakota, or the forests of Washington Territory, or, as far as is known, the gold supply of the West. Its chief product is in the line of human beings, and of these it has a large supply. Among the many thousands who go to make

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2 = up the population of the metropolis, Caleb Cin- ders was a factor, It was the city of his birth, ani it suited him well. He was a boy with a history, asd the history was as simple and un- pretentious as himself, Hiis father had died when he was an infant, anihis mother was left with two children, the List of whom was a girl six years older than Caleb. Afterward, the widow married again, aud, like Maud Muller, many children played at her door. There were six by the second mar- riage. Caleb was the unfortunate of the flock, The second husband took a fancy to his step-daugh- ter, and a violentand groundless dislike to his step-son; and, asa result, the boy grew up with irrefutable evidence always '*s!ure him that the favors of fortune were not dispensed with strict impartiality. The step-father was not rich, but he had money enough and some to spare, aud his own children had all the necessaries of Jife and a good many of the luxuries. Unfortunately, he could not give them brains, and, though all were still your g, they were vain, shallow, supercilious and. mean, as Caleb knew to his cost, They ig- nored Caleb, at times, and would have abused himif they bad been big enough, As it was,a complaint from them usually caused the step- father to abuse him for them, Caleb's sister never lacked for anything, and, when still young, she was sent to a girls’ semi- nary in Massachusetts to obtain a finished edu- cation, Before h‘r graduation Caleb had ceased to be a member of the family home, Rebelling against repeated injustice he had, greatly to his step-father’s relief, begun life for himself at the age of twelve, and became his own master... When he was fourteen his sister veturned with a graduation diploma in her hand and fine clothes on her back. Caleb called to see her, He came with coarse well-wornclothing and toil-hardened hands and bis plebeian appearance gave the fair graduate a thriliof horror. It was dreadful,she thought, that such a Common person should be her bro- ther, and she requested him to obtain better clothes, He, at that time, was working for his board, his lodging, and a bonus of one dollar a wéek, Not having the money to buy fine garments, he told her that she would have to take him asshe found him, or not at all. She decided not to take him at all. A few months later she was married, but Caleb did not attend the wedding, or had he seen her since. At the time when our story begins Caleb was fifteen years old,and as much cast upon hisown resources as though he were anorphan. Scorned by his sister, and hated by his step-father and the offspring of the second marriage, he had but one friend among those of his own blood—his mother! Seasons may come and go, kingdoms rise and fall,and the world change as the helmsman, Time, directs its course, but a mother’s’ heart knows but little change. When forsaken by all the rest of the world, a mother may be relied upon, TSaleb’s mother loved him, believed in him, prayed for him, and would have helped him if she could, ‘She had always done her best to shield him from harm and abuse, andall that he was he owed to her when he went out to fight the world at the age of twelve. After that she could give only sympathy, love and encouragement, but it wasa good deal, and she had less cause to worry over him than be- fore: he seemed to be doing well ina humble way. Misfortune had not crushed hisspirits; on the contrary, he wasfull of life and good-humor, and, being both bright and honest,.he bade fair to achieve success in the end, ; Tor the time being he was in the servico of Irving Proctorham, a wealty New Yorker. The latter’s residence was well up-town, where the progress of events on Manbattan Island had not turned the neighborhood into a human bee-hive, and he had some land anda good many fruit ani ornamental trees around his house, He had a man to care for the grounds, and Caleb Cinders was an assistant. Caleb’s real name was Lyons, but it had among many of his acquaintances, been lost sight of. Among his other duties he had to care for the furnace, and some fanciful person given him the nick- name of ‘*Cinders.” It stuck to him, and he usually claimed it as his own when asked for his name, One afternoon Caleb had been away on an er-" rand, Whenit was done he returned to Proctor- ham’s and went about his next jub, In order to do it he had to enter a certain part of the stable, but, when he tried to do so, he ET, Caleb Cind ers, the New York Castaway. found the connecting door locked. This sur- doctrine an’ Jeffersonian principles, an’ I feel prised him, for it was out of the ordinary course | ashamed. Wal, my Seep aes shall be returned of events,so he looked for Jason Timms, the | ter your home-base, but man-of-all-work, to gettbe key. Jason was not to be found. Next, Caleb inquired for Mr, | Proctorham, and was told that he was absent. ‘*Pretty kittle o’ fish!” commented young Cinders. ‘‘ How kin 1 do the job ef I can’t get in? There’s a maf’matical problem fur you, | Caleb.” Meditation satisfied him that there was only one course open to him, By using a Jadder he could ascend to the loft window, aud, from there, reach the desired quarter. ‘* Pl do it, too,” he decided. ‘* Might get red of it, but what’s the use? It’s got ter be done some time, an’ it won’t do any good ter put it off. Ill go up!” He found the ladder, leaned it against the side of the barn, ascended: to the window and enter: d the loft. This, like the lower floor, was divided into two parts, separated by a partition and a door. A fresh surprise awaited him—this door, like that below, was locked! ‘*Wal, this is sort o’ queer!” he observed, aloud, ‘Somebody has taken a heap o’ trouble ter shut things up tight, but here’s the key, Wonder ef Bluebeard has been here an’ fixed up a lot o’ scarecrows?” Smiling at his fancy he unlocked and opened the door. He had never known this particular door to be fastened in the daytime, but the fact that it had been locked on this occasion was not strange enough to cause him to look around critically, He entered briskly, thinking only of his er- rand, and then recoiled as he almost run up against anotber boy. He stopped short and stared in bewilder- ment. ‘* Jim Cricky!” he ejaculated. The other boy was much younger and much smaller than he, being alittle fellow who did not look to be over five yearsold, and he made a most melancholy picture just then. His face was un- naturally lengthened, his mouth bore a piteous expression, and his eyes were red with ene: He seemed just ready to weep again, but delayed the shea to stare at.Caleb, AndCaleb was greatly surprised. Thesmall boy did not belon to the Proctorham household, nor had Cale ever seen him before. If he had been a tiger, nis presence would not have taken the larger boy any more by sur- rise, Prt Wal, I'll be chewed!” Caleb ejaculated. “Say, did you blow in here?” ‘They took me in,” replied the small boy, with a sob, ‘* Whoi—the sparrers?” ** The men did.” ‘What men?” **T don’t know.” ‘* Got locked in by accident, hey?” ‘*No; they did it on purpose.” ** ‘You don’t say so!” There was a trace of skepticism in Caleb’s voice, and a good deal more in his mind. Every naturalinference led him to doubt the statement. Why should any one lock the ey in there? If he had not possessed an-innocent, honest face he would at once have been set down by Caleb as a liar of the first magnitude, As 1t was, the larg- er boy was doubtful. , **D’ve live around here?” he asked. *¢T don’t know where I am,” was the quaver- ing reply. ; Then how'd you get here?” ‘““T went oution the street, and some men grabbed me and put mein a wagon, and brought me here.” .** Where d’ye live?” ‘¢Upin the street where the lame boy lives.” Caleb shook his head. ‘oTain’t hardly exact enough, my’ frien’, What's yer name?” *¢ Allan Garland,” ** Got any fathérs or mothers?” *¢)’ve got one mother.” ‘* Everybody ain’t got so many as that. So some men bbed you an’ brung -ye here, artis ‘you holler, an’ kick, an’ raise a rum- us “*T told them I didn’t want to come, and I cried, but they wouldn’t let me go,” mournfully explained Ailan, as the tears began to course ra- pidly down his cheeks again. * Remarkable case, b’jinks! Here me an’ the other tax-payers 0’ New York hire all the big men we kin find ter he perleecemen, an’ pa them bang-up wages, but a youthful citizen kin be kidnapped right under our n an’ locked up in a stable, ’Tain’t’cordin’ ter the Monroe | ' possess the necessary facts. wd ee ee, re -he didn’t know abductioned him, ingnant him ve got ter find out where "tis, first-off.” Caleb undertook to gain this information, but succeeded only poorly. Allan was too young to He stated that his father was dead; that his mother was named Mrs, Garland; that they had lived until recent- lyin a remote place, the name of which he could not tell; and that they had lived since coming to New York in a street where the houses were very big, and where there lived a lame boy, al- so, but what the naine of the street was he could not tell. In brief, there was no clew except his own name and his mother’s, Caleb could not imagine why the boy had been’ locked up in the stable loft, or who had done it, but he was determined to see Allan out of his trouble. It did not occur to him to take bis companion to the nearest police-station, but, accustomed to rely on himself, he now acted according to the usual rule. ‘*¢ Teil ye what I'll do,” he said; ‘‘in bout two hours I shall be done with my day’s work, an’ then I'll put yeall right. Ef I Jeft here afore the usual hour I'd ketch a blowin’ up, for Irving Proctorham is a mighty hard man ter git along with; but when I’m off duty we’ll jest strike out fur your marm’s house, You'll know it when you see it?? ‘*Oh! yes!” cried Allan, brightening up. ** Jes’ so! Sartain! [ thought so,” Caleb agreed, cheerfully, ‘“‘Them eyes 0’ yourn is bright as a real diamunt ring, an’1 s’pect you're a clipper when you ain’t off yer feed. Know how ter feel fur ye, for 1 was young, myself, once, Come on, my frien’, an’ I’ll help ye out 0’ your diffikilty, sure pop!” CHAPTER II. A DANGEROUS ENEMY, THERE was something very cheerful and en- couraging in Caleb Cinders’s manner, and the small boy’s heart swelled with gratitude and joy. Small as Caleb himself was, he looked to Ailan like a rock against which he might safely lean, * Caleb had already formed his plan. His com- panion must have a refuge until such time as he could start out, and this refuge could not be on the Proctorham premises, He did not believe that the house-servants would be willing to receive Allan, and if they were, there would be troubleif Irving Proctor- ham learned that a stray boy had been taken in. The master of the place was a severe and selfish man who had no sympathy to give to any one. After considerable trouble Allan was assisted down the ladder in safety, and then Caleb took his hand and they started to leave the grounds, But they were not to get away without trouble. They were moving toward the street ‘along a winding, tree-shaded path when a form loomed up in their path which was larger than botu boys, combined. t was Irving Proctorham! Cinders knew ai the start that there would be trouble. A stranger on the grounds was the austere gontleman’s pet horror, and a stranger in charge of a hired youngster like Caleb would a to him like a red flag to an ill-tempered vine, The first thing Mr. Proctorham did was to » iook astonished; the next was to scowl like a irate. Then he sharply demanded: ** What's this?” ‘*Tt seems ter be a boy, sir,” quoth Cinders, tryin to be ver lite and pleasant. . ‘ What is he doing here?” ‘*He’s goin’ out.” _ ‘‘ How dared you bring him here at all?” ‘OT wa'n’t me who did it. ’Twas somebody else, an’ they shut him up in the stable; but he couldn’t feel reconciled ter being eithera hossor an ox, 80 he wanted ter gitout—"> ‘¢Shut him up in the stable! Who did it?” ‘*T don’t know—” | Boy, how dared you go near my stable?” Mr, torham flung out the inquiry with a good deal more of noise than was necessary, and the scow! on his face was so alarming that Allan, instead of answering, nestled closer to Caleb and began to cry again. | “Didn't I tell ye somebody brought him?” quiere, returned Cinders, ‘He didn’t. come hi é “Did you bring him?” ‘Hey I lost the roodiments o’ the English language, that I can’t make myself understood?” demanded Allan’s champion. ‘‘Some men that an’ there he here an’shut him up in the stable; ) | |

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would ’a’ stayed ef I hadn’t climbed upa ladder, got inter the loft an’ helped him.” ** Why did you climb up a ladder?” ** Becuuse the doors was locked.” ** You found the stable locked and went in by aladder,eh? How dared you do that? Don't ou know that was a penal offense? It was Fueakien and entering, boy.” Caieb was beginning to lose Lis usual good huznor, ‘*Seoms ter me you’re hard ter suit!” he re- torted. ‘' D*ye want this young infant ter stay locked up in that measly hole?” ‘*[ want him to stay away entirely, and 1 want you to know your place!” retorted Proc- -torham, as intemperatelyas before. ‘‘ You had no more right to enter my stable as you did than you would have to enter my sleeping-room at night.” ‘¢ if you remember, you tol’ me ter do a sar- tain job, Mr. Proctorham, an’ the only way fur me ter do it, when I found the stable locked, was ter get the tools jest as I set out ter do.” ‘*That is no excuse, and I cannot tolerate such work, You are no longer in my ser- vice!” “ec He Q”) ‘*T discharge you!” “Oh! you do!” ‘*Yes, 1 do! And, what is more, the police shall look into this case, I will say, frankly, that I do not believe a word of your story. That unknown men could bring a boy here and lock him up in my stable—even if they wanted to, which they certainly would not—is absurd, IT shall call a policeman and give you both in charge!” Caleb was dumfounded. He knew that Proc- torham wasa hard man to deal with, but this was more than he had expected. “Is this the way you deal .with your hired help?” he returned, quickly. ** You are no longer in my service; I have dis- charged you; but | will say that when my hired help descend to robbing me, they get arrested. I will call a policeman at once!” He started down the path to the street, while Cinders, still holding Allan’s hand, looked after him in bewi/derment. It would nottake long to callan officer, and then, plainly, the two boys would be arrested. Little Garland was crying harder than ever, for stern and savaye nose Proctorbam had frightened him almost out of his wits; but, after a moment, a flush of indignation Colored Caleb’s cheeks, and a sparkle of defiance showed in his eyes. fs Hey us arrested, will he?” cried the youth. ** Wal, mebbe he will, but he’s got ter ketch us, first. We will run, that’s what we'll do!” ‘* He will stop us if we go that way.” ‘* We ain’t goin’that way; 1 don’t know of a worse place ter hide than in the streets. Mister Man thinks be’s got us foul, an’ that we can’t et out no way except the way he’s gone. We'll pi him! Come on!” Pirasping Allan’s hand tightly he hurried him along toward the rear of the grounds. There was a high fence at that point, and an intricate area beyond, and a person of mature years would have despaired of escaping by such an avenue; but to a boy all places are open and ca- pable of being traversed. Caleb did not intend to get locked up, The ladder which had once before been so use- ful to him was’again brought into use, He leaned it against the bigh fence, and after con- siderable trouble he and his charge reached the other side. Théir troubles were not over, for other houses and other yards surrounded them, but Cinders ‘knew of the nooks and crevices as well as the cats and dogs of the block did; and, after a surprising scramble through holes end hedges, over fencesand through fences, they reached the next street. ‘*So fur, good, but we ain’t safe yet,” the guidecommented. ‘‘Weare now reg’lar cast- aways. Weain’t cot no heavin’ seas an’ rollin’ billers under us, like nautikel sailors hev, but we're castawaysin the big city o? New York. You're lost, an’ I’m out o’ a job. Melancholy sittervation! How a philanthropast would weep fur us—ef he had time! Come on, feller- castaway, an’ I’ll show ye a harbor whar we kir sane anchor fur a period o’ time!” The “‘ Castaway” had not beenfconfining his efforts to words, but while he spoke ia the whim- sical fashion peculiar to him, bad been hurrying Allan — He had decided to take him to the same place before considered as a refuge, and the journey was not mi In New York men have strange bed-fellows, —————$

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» 3 At > is . 4 A moment later and he was clasped in the Juady’s arms, while the gentleman came forward more moderately, ‘*My friend,” he said to the coal-dealer, ‘it appears that we owe you a great debt of grati- tude,” ‘* Be you the boy’s father?” asked Peach, ‘No; but this lady is his mother.” ‘* Well, I'm right glad to hear it. So it’s here that she lives?” ‘No; she livesa mile away; but when Allan ‘was known to be missing she came here to ask myaid, The child wandered away—” ** He don’t say so!” ia) No?” ‘* Says he was kidnapped.” “Is it possible?” ‘Pears like it,” ** That is strange—but come inside, and let us hear your story. Our thanks are in order, and I do notthink you will find us ungrateful.” “*T guess not; but itain’t me who deserves the gratitude or can tell the fullest story. Here’sa young man, Caleb Cinders by name, who has done it all, and who—” *Draw’r it mild, Mr. Peach,” suggested the Castaway. ‘*Don’t you dispute me, Cinders!” retorted Peach, shaking his whip at Caleb in mock men- ace, ‘‘ I don’t allow any person to dodge credit for his good deeds. Sir,”—to the stranger— ‘‘7’m in a hurry an’ bate ter stop; an’ this lad «uo tell you all I know and more,” ** Then we will excuse you, my dear sir.” And so it came about that Peach mounted to his seat and drove awuy, while all the others en- tered the house, Allan had recovered his usual spirits, but clung fast to bis mother, and she, as soon as she could think of wok apa «Aye the boy, showered the Castaway with grateful thanks. The gentleman, however, while he showed sincere relief, looked at the practical side of the question, Cinders was given a seat in a fairly-furnished parlor; and he accepted the situation as philo- sophically as though he had been in Horace Peach’s coal-shed, ** Now, young man,” said the stranger, ‘‘ we will, first of ali, introduce ourselves. This lad is Mrs, Claribei Garland, Allan’s mother; and am Alton Norway, a family friend.” » ‘* Mamma iikes him real well!” put in Allan, with the embarrassing frankness of children, Mrs, Garland blushed; Norway smiled, glanc- ed at the comely widow, and continued: ** Now, Allan, tellus how you were lost,” The boy made tho statement in detail, He had been «allowed to go out on the porch of his mother’s house, and, when an Italian camealon with a hand-organ anda monkey, he had fol- lowed to the corner. There he bad been seized by two men, placed in a cab, driven away, taken to Proctorham’s and locked up in the stable, The men had been rough men, with beards, which was all the description he could giveof them, Caleb was then called upon for his story, which he gaveix plain terms, but without any effort or intention of making himself a hero. He won Mrs, Garland’s hearty thanks, which was very pleasant, asshe wasa charming lady who, obviously, had not seen more than twenty- five/years of l.fe, Alton Norway. was, perhaps, three years her senior. Norway meditated deeply for awhile, and then broke forth withthe sudden question: “Caleb, what do you think of Proctorham’s conduct in thismatter?” ““He acted mean as p’ison!” Cinders de- c ** Do you suppose he thought a mere child like Allan to bea thief ?™ ’ ‘* He was a crank ef he did,” ‘* Tt seems suspicious to me,” ** Mie, too!” ““In what way ” “*T can’t see,” declared the Castaway, ‘‘ why total strangers should lock him up in the stable, unless Proctorham told ’em to,” Norway turned to Mrs. Garland. **Do you hear that, Claribel?” he asked. ‘What do you mean?” “Simply that this affair is very strange. Me should Allan be abducted? You are not wealthy,and no large ransom could bee ted. "You will remember that, a few months ago there was a circumstance which, I told you at the time, was anattemptto get your childaway. Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. Now, another, bolder effort has been made. W bat was the object?” Norway spoke gravely, solemn)y, and Mrs. Garland changed color and trembled percep- ibly. ‘* What do you think?” she asked, faintly, ‘You remember the mystery in your own life?” be Yes.” **T think you will do well to let me investigate it, now.” Surely, you don’t think—” “J cannot help thinking that this bold out- rage of to-day is very suspicious. As long as you stayed away from New York, all was well; as soon as you returned, the circumstances changed. I may be wildly imaginative, but I cannot help thinking that the same powers that darkened your own youthful days are again at work, Moreover, I suspect this Irving Proctor- ham. Consider how absurd it would be for the kidnappers to lock Allan up there unless Proctor- ham was in the plot!” ‘¢ He shall not get my child again!” cried Mrs, Garland, whose mind ran in a parental, rather than an analytical channel. ‘*T think that the charge of robbery was a sudden thought of Proctorham’s, to get an ex- = V4 get Allan again in his clutches!” Norway added, ‘*Shouldn’t be a tall s’prised,” agreed Cinders, witha nod. ‘‘The way the gent broke out was amazin’, an’I hey thought all along thar was a loose screw.” W hile they talked Norway had heard the door- bell ring, but bad paid no attention to the fact. At this juncture, however, there was a knock at the parlor-door, and a servant appeared, a troubled look on her face. ‘*}f you please, sir, there’s a gentleman—” She was pushed aside, and a man abruptly entered the room. Hepausedandswept a glance around, and Allan uttered a cry of terror and elung tightly to his mother. Caleb Cinders started up in was not unmixed with trepidatiou, monious intruder was Proctorbam! CHAPTER IV. THE EVIL GENIUS CLAIMS THE BOYS. THERE was a brief, ominous silence. Proc- torham looked an and ugly, as much as though he intended to crush every one present, If he had taken a careful look around the room, he might have read in certain faces there, it is ible, that he would not have everything all isown way. He did not wait. He leveled one finger to- ward Allan, and vehemently addressed Allan’s mother, ‘** Woman, put that child down!” he ex- claimed, ‘‘ You do not know the viper you are Poa He is a precocious and dangerous = Mrs, Garland turned very pale and had no voice to speak, but Alton Norway took two long steps and reached Proctorham’s side, “You scoundrel!” he cried, in an intense voice, ‘‘ how dare you intrude in my ouse like a rioter?”’ Proctorham quickly removed his hat, ‘*f beg your pardon, sir, if I have been too abrupt,” he answered, with a good show of po- liteness, ‘‘I meant no harm, but my feelings carried me away. Allow me to say that you do not—cannot know the two boys whom I see here, . They are old, cunning thieves!” — ere ree stolen from you?” ** What have they taken?” ** A watch which I left in a vest, hung up in my stable,” ‘**Do you mean to say that yonder child, who is scarcely more than.an infant, is a thief?’ Norway’s voice rung out indignantly, but Proctorham retained his mask of politeness, ‘* He is much older than he looks, and has had a long schooling ix. crime by one of the old pickpockets in New York. My dear sir,I do not blame you for being deceived; his appear- ance is very deceptive. You de not know his history as I do, or you would not have taken him into your house. His father dieda death of violence; his motheris even now serving time in Sing Sing as a thief and an ally of burglars who did murder |” The boldness and directness of this charge al- most took Caleb Cinders’s breath andl but it eas the very opposite effect upon . Gar- She ceasei to cower back and tremble for Allan—she arose with the boy in her arms, and, confronting Proctorbam with the dauntiless front of an old-time heroine, and the indigna- rise which he uncere- tion of a slandered woman, retorted in a clear and ringing voice: ‘Sir, Jam the boy’s mother!” As quick as the lightning’s flash did Irving Proctorham’s manner change, and the change was as radical as that made by a cyclone. One moment he was erect, pold, confident and im- ressive; the next he wasa dumfounded, speech- ess craven, Mrs, Garland’s declaration appeared to take bim wholly by surprise,, He started back as though he had received a blow; his eyes dilated with alarm; his belligerent hands fell nerveless by his side; his color began to come and go fit- fully; and, in every way, he betrayed the deep- est surprise and consternation. Caleb Cinders felt like dancing a jig. It flashed upon that astute youth that his ex-em- ployer had ‘‘ put his foot into” it in the worst way. Unquestionably he had not suspected that Allan had found refuge with his own relatives, and this made it look as though he had known where the Garlands lived, and had thus been be- trayed into a fatal error, ehad not imagined that the mother would be in a house a mile from her own home, After a little while he began to recover his wits, to try to hide his dismay and command his voice, but he stammered and talked at random when he spoke, ** Are you—did you—did I understand you to: say—to Say you were his mother?” rs $ : am his mother!’’ coldly replied Mrs, Gar- na, ‘* And you, scoundrel, have made yourself liable to prosecution for libel by saying that she was a convict in Sing Sing!” sternly added Nor- way. epcktetial pulled out his handkerchief and, mop d his perspiring brow. a There is a mistake—a great mistake!” he protested, feverishly. “You are right, sir!” Norway retorted, ‘*It’s a different boy.” ** Indeed!” - ** A case of mistaken identity.” ‘¢ When did the mistake begin?” ‘““When I saw him on my premises, and thought that he was a boy named Tom Huse,” ** Perhaps you can explain how he came te be locked in your stable?’ ‘* That is very mysterious,” **Ts it so to you?” ** Certainly—of course, The boy Caleb told me about it, but I did not credit it then. Locked in my stable, was he? Odd, decidedly!” Proctorham was beginning to recover his coolness, and he was acting very we'l the part + baat clearly, he must assume to get out of his Norway was not deceived. He understood a good deal and suspected more, and feltsure that the visitor was a scoundrel who had overreached, himself, If he had acted on impulse Norway would have accused him, anidriven him frem the house, but the young man was shrewd, as well as clear-sighted, and having an object up- on which to turn the suspicions of an old case, he was disposed to go carefully on and reveal nothing. If there was ground for his suspicion, the’ best wey was to let Proctorham think they were deceived. ‘*There must be some explanation of the fact,” guardedly answered Norway, to the last remarks, **] remember that Caleb said the child was locked in the loft, Possibly the guilty persons thought we would mot Ro there, ourselves,” ‘*You may be righ ve ‘‘That is undoubtedly it,” Proctorham de- clared, with the air of a man who had solved a mystery. ‘‘I willinquire if suspicious persons have been seen around my premises, and report the result. This, however, does not excuse me for my violent conduct here. Madam, I am. deeply ashamed!” : He had turned to Mrs, Garland, but she had lost her voice once more, Norway warned her with a gesture, and answered for her: ** Mistakes will occur, sir.” ** But I was tively brutal.” -*We must allow something for impulse.” ‘* You see, I followed the coal-cart, and, learn- ing that it stopped here, and believing that this r child was Tom Huse, the thief, I made a lunder for which I am ashamed—shocked! I dare not ask forgiveness, but I do regret it deeply. Ths ker was preparing an way 0 and Saveay ebineradated him, To cate - him that he was freely, fully forgiven would be to overdo the matter, and betray the deception; —— eS ft ad a ~~ ee fi, = P ~~ +See wine 2 Sa ie i \ “Vi > DG sy, ¥ : fs * ye We a Ab! i we qs re *) ’ uJ via . a % a: 4 > = ti £ gi a

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% ’ 6, nm 7, _ est, intelligent and — = ene a = —~wo + a ee _ paw agen Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. 5 s0 Norway adopted,a middle course and paritely, . but ratherceldly, assured him that no one cou ‘be expected always to be right. And so, after a good deal of talk, and another apology, Irving Proctorham got out of the house as a skillful and cunning man can, even when he feels upset, Norway saw him off, and then returned to the rlor. ‘‘Oh! why did you let him go?’ Mrs. Garland demanded, holding fast to her child, ‘*T could not detain him, Claribel.” ‘¢He spoke falsely; I know he did. Even when he was apologizing, he looked at Allan in away which made me shiver!” “There was a lurkin’ devil in his eyes!” This verdict came from Caleb Cinders. The Castaway had been very willing to let others do the talking, and had kept well back—so far back that, ke correctly believed, Proctorham had actually forgotten him, in the trepidation dhd dismay of his blunder, The visitor had gone without a parting refer- ence to Culeb, and it was simply because he did not think of him. **- You agree with mo?” cried Mrs, Garland. “IT do, mum!’ Cinders asserted. “And so do I,”added Norway. ‘‘It was be- cause I thought as you do that I used him so well. Wecould not have him arrested, certain- ly; and it was well to blind his eyes to the truth.” ‘‘ Thema’s the figger!” the Castaway exclaim- ed. ‘'I ketch on ter your scheme, an’! must say it’s the proper caper. Goin’ ter fool him, ain't ye?” : ‘*T wish to hide the fact from bim that I see through his pretensions and hypocrisy.” **1o it, mister; do it! I’m clean down on him sence the way he cut up.” ie And you, my boy, are out of work, are you not? $ Ag jeg speakin’, ’m a castaway; but T shall op up ter the surface like a wbale fur breath, can’t be downed jest ’cause he’s showed me the door,” ‘* You have lost your place by protecting my child, and 1 will see that you don’t want!” de- clared Mrs, Garland, earnestly. i ‘tT echo that statement,” added Norway. ‘¢ You have done nobly, and we should be most ungrateful to overlook the service.” ‘© Oh, that wa’n’t nothin’,” Cinders cheerfully asserted. ‘‘I kin see how yer feel, but what else could I do? Was I goin’ ter see a small infant abused by mean skunks? Wal, I should ‘say not!” Your modesty is to your credit, but weshall insist upon helping you. Some proper situation shall be obtained for you.” F ‘Ef itll be an accommodation ter you I presoom I'll take it, though I’m used ter lookin’ -out fur Cinders, myself.’ ** We'll speak of it later, And now, Claribel, what about the wystery in your own life?” CHAPTER V. WHO WAS SHE? Mrs. GARLAND'S expression became grave. ‘* What about that mystery?’ she asked, re- plying to Norway. ** | have pointed out that, I believe, wisely or foolishly, as the result may show, that I suspect ed recent troubles spring from the old ones. nile you were away all was well; since you came to New York, however, twoattemptshave been made to kidnap Allan. A _presentiment onmy part that something-would occur ma influence my judgment, but I cannot but thin all is off one piece.” = Norway paused and glanced at Caleb Cin- ers, ‘‘Want me ter adjourn?’ asked the Casta- way, good-bumoredly, “No,” Norway replied, acting upon a sudden impulse, ‘‘I may need a shrewd boy like you et, and ‘your noble defense of Allan satisfiesme hat you are of good timber. I think we can rely upon you,” y “ Bet yer life! I sort o’ like this crowd!” Caleb looked around and nodded his approval several times in a highly humorous ngs The boy had ly impressed Norway. Plain and ill-clad though he was, he had an hon- mial face, and the young man believed that he had found a rough dia- mond in Proctorham’s cast-off employee. Norway was a man of discrimination and sound common sense. Born in a town of New York State he had come to the ory at an early age, when the death of a relative there left him gooey which brought in an income sufficient ‘te support him in a modest way. Maving mo extravagant tastes, he was satis- fied with the income, but not to live in idleness. He became a literary writer on a scale which would not be popular with, or pleasant to one of less substantial nature. He was a frequent visitor to the large libraries of Gotham, where he read books on substantial subjects, found de- light in them, and shaped his literary career therefrom. He may be termed a general writer on scien- tific and abstruse subjects. Moreover, he had studied human nature as be found it inthe metropolis of the New World, and had found nowhere a more interesting sub- ject than in the boys of every-day life, He had, therefore, a double object in making friends with Caleb, and his judgment told him that the Castaway was to be trusted. ‘¢ Wethank you for your good words, young man,” he answered, ‘“‘and, if you continue in your way of thinking, you will find me ready to aid you.” The speaker turned to Mrs. Garland and con- tinued: “Let us speak of your early,life, Claribel. Your first recollections are of along railroad journey, at the end of which you were received by a man and his wife in Oxford county, Maine. They told you that you were thenceforth to re- gard them as your’ parents, and se call them, and you were kindly reared in their home, As you grew older you questioned them, and was told that, when they adopted you, it was from an orphan asylum in the City of New York.” ‘*'True,” observed Mrs, Garland, with a sigh. “They knew absolutely nothing about you further than this, not even the namesof your parents. They had several times reported to the secretary of the asylum, and when you be- came old enough to thik seriouslyyand to ex- press yourself in words, you, also, wrote, and asked for information as to your parentage,” ** Uselesaly |” ‘¢-Yes, You were answered kindly, but your all-important a was totally ignored. Twice, subsequently, you wrote again and asked the same questions: ‘ What was my early bis- tory? WhoamI? Whowere my parents? In- variably, these questions were passed over in the reply; not a reference was made to them.” Caleb was growing interested in this history, Poor as be was, he seemed to be richer than Mrs. Garland—be had a name, and she had none, Practically, he had never had any parents, but she did not even know the names of hers. ; He felt sympathy for her. ‘*Yoar last inquiry,” pursued Norway, ‘‘ was made six years ago, and, when that failed, you abandonéd the attempt and resolved to give it no more thought. e latter determination be- came useless when you arrived in New York; you were on the scene of your early life— probably, in the city of your birth. You could not help thinking of it again.” ‘*More than that,” Mrs, Garland added, ‘‘ I resolyed to go in person to the rooms of the so- ciety, and make a final request. Several times I set a day, but I never had courage to go.” ‘*Exactiy. Now, I have never encouraged you, in the past, to pursue your investigation, for it was clear to me that there was something in the books of the society, in the record made when you were received, that was unpleasant, or so regarded by them, If your case had been of the ordinary kind, your inquiries would have been fully answered when they made reply to your letters.” ‘*] realize that,” ‘Unless we infer that the society was the ac- complice of knaves who were wronging you-— and we will not do tbat until we are compelled to—we must believe that they were acting for what they thought your good.” “Then they make a great mistake!” declared Mrs. Garinisd. “They do not. know what it is to be ignorant of one’s parentage, and then have the information refused by the only per- sons who could give it.” r ‘*A man who deals with tho public,” an- swered Norway, with an air of disdain, ‘is not to be judged like other men, His blood is like ice; his heart like a stone; his head like a piece of machinery. Give the ordinary man an office . and he loses all human feelings, We boast of our country, and it isa grand one, but all our officials, from the intermediate class down to the doorkeepers, are useftil to the public in a degree only because the public compels them to be—not from human feeling. I know them!” This charge was not made with any evidence of ill-feeling, but was the result, pure and sim- ple, of the speaker’s contact with the persons he described, During his business life he had met with a RI, Awd Ase 4 oY : * ris : Ry Ae pistes Olney fs Woh Nets eset Pe ie ey deal of discourtesy among petty office- olders, and his experience was not an isolated case. ‘¢ With all due respect for the judgment of the gentlemen whose books contain the records of thousands of unfortunate children, I think that they have no right to withhold informa- tion. I think tie law would compel them to 2ive it, and common decency certainly requires t. The record is there; what right have they to withhold it?) In Heaven’s name, who has a better right to the record than the person of whom it is an abridged history?” ‘‘Thar is some mighty measly institutions dealin’ in children, like it was hossflesh, in New York,” observed Cinders, sagely. “The high, position of the society which fig- ures in this case saves it from all such suspi- cion,” Norway freely admitted. ‘‘It does a work really noble, caring for poor and homeless children, many of whom are orphans, and find- ing homes for them with good families. It is only when they say to an adult that his, or her, record is not to be revealed that theyerr. Of course the motive is all right, in one sense, for they assume that unpleasant things had better remain unknown, but they carry it too far.” ‘‘ Suppose you go Were, aus Mrs, Garland, ‘t and they refuse to show you the record?” ‘*T shall demand the right to see it.” ** And what if they still refuse?” ‘tT shall consult a lawyer, to see just what our rights are.” ‘“Vhat’s the figger!”’ Cinders exclaimed. *¢ And I am sure that,if it came to such an extreme point, a judge, with affidavits properly slaced before him would give an order requir- ing the society to open its books to us.” ‘This frightens me!” declared Mrs, Garland, shivering. ‘SBe at ease, Claribel; I do not anticipate that we shall have to resort to such extreme measures, for I positively know that it is the custom of nearly all our institutions of like kind to allow any person to read the record, on ap- plication, when he or she has reached years of maturity, be the record good or bad,” ‘You'll fetch ’em!” was Caleb’s expressed opinion, ‘*T shajl certainly try, and, what is more, I shall investigate Mr. Irving Proctorham.” ‘‘Tamafraid of that man!” exclaimed Mrs. Garland, clasping her child closer in. her arms, ‘* Do not fear; we will take measures to pro- tect Allan. Mystout servant, Benijah Ames, shall at all times be near to guard him.” Some further conversation took place, and it was decided that Norway should set out to look up Mrs, Garland’s past the next morning. In the mean whileit was thought prudent that she and Allar should remain at Norway’s, With due care it did not seem that the child could be taken away, forcibly or otherwise, Besides two servants, there would be a faithful protector in Norway’s aunt, Mrs, Lencourt, and the combined force ought to be enovgh, Caleb Cinders did not object to staying in the house. He had not spoken idly when ho said that he liked ‘‘ the crowd” into which he had been cast by chance, and, as he was homeless, he was willing to put himself at Norway’s dis- posal for the time, } He was shown to a good room and told to make himself at home, and, in a ready but modest way, he did so. ‘ The night passed without any occurrence out of the ordinary channel, but when the family met at breakfast it was with the understanding that an eventful day was before its members, CHAPTER VI. \s WOMAN WHO WANTS MONEY, Wuern Norway was ready to start on his er- rand be asked Caleb if he would like to go, teo, There did not seem te be any yecessity for the Castaway to remain at the house, and Norway saw that, accustomed as the youth was to out- door life, confinement was growing obnoxious to him. Cinders caught at the chance, and made ready. ss rd think that I need not caution you further,” observed the master of the house to Mrs, Gar- land. ‘‘ You will understand the necessity of ane Allan in until I return.” **T do, indeed.” nS And not let any sa ay message deceive you. If Proctorham is real Seapine: te get the boy, he may send word by some one pretending to come from me, aud ou to intrust Allan to the messenger. Do not do this under any condition.” eC one

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$ Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. ** Rest assured, I will not allow myself to be deceived by any such trick.” ‘‘Then we are ready to go.” Despite this assertion Norway hesitated, and it was plain that he was not wholly at ease. Neither was Claribel Garland. A crisis was at hand in her own affairs, as well as in her child’s, and, lacking the strong nerves which some women have, she was nervo1s and apprehen- sive, What would the near future bring forth? Norway finally aroused, spoke to Caleb, and they went out together. The Castaway at once experienced a feeling of exhilaration as he got in motion, but his companion was thoughtful and silent for some time, Then he threw off the mood and talked in the kind way which was so natural to him, questioning Cinders as to his past life, and showing marked interest in the account, ‘*He’s about as good as they make ’em!” thought the Castaway, with great satisfaction. ** Ef thar is ter be a fight, I’m with him fur the whole war!” In due time they reached the charitable in- stitution, the location of which need not be stated definitely, and the boy was left outside while Norway went in. The latter saw two good-sized rooms which were connected by a double-door, and a young man sat at a desk in the further one, He arose politely when the caller appeared, and the case was soon stated concisely to him. He had but one question to ask, and this was rather superfluous in view of the information already given. Was the object of inquiry now of mature years? Being assured that she was, herself, a mother, he unhesitatingly took down a time-discolored book and opened it before the visitor’s eyes. Norway had become elated by such rapid rogress, but he was doomed to disappointment. andwiched in between many other similar re- cords was the brief entry which certified that Claribel Moer was received at a given date from . the Department of Out-Door Poor, and sent to Maine, three days later. After this was a record of each occasion she had written back to them, as she grew older, and nothing more, Norway’s face had become downcast. ** You see how it is,” announced the represent- ative of the society ; ‘‘ the child was really never in our keeping, and was with us in noshape over three ores so you will have to apply to the office of the Out-door Poor, It is at the corner of Third avenue and E!eventh street.” Norway was aware of that, but he disliked to give up the quest there, He had mcre confi- ence in the society than in the department to which his quest now took him, He remained in conversation for some time, but finding no more was to be learned, went out and rejoined Caleb. **Tam going to Third avenue,” heannounced, ‘but not in the best of spirits. Ihave a feeling that [am going to meet with a discouraging ex- perience, On the whole, I think that you need not accompany me there, for my movements are very uncertain. How would it suit you to go where you please during the forenoon, and meet me at my house at one o’clock*” : ‘* A prime idee!” the Castaway agreed. ‘*Then take this dollar and amuse yourself as you see fit.” Cinders did not know whether to accept the money or not, but Norway overcame his hesita- tion by thrusting it into his hand, and then they separated, he Castaway had no very clear idea of what he would do to occupy his time, so he wandered on aimlessly. One moment he thought that he would call upon his mother, but the notion was speedily discarded, **?Pain’t goin’ ter do until I kin carrya better report,” he degided, ‘‘ She’s had worry enough over me, an’ ef them amiable kids of her second husbaxd’s learn Pm out o’ a job ag’in, wouldn't | they jest howl with joy! Wal, they would be welcome, but I don’t want to worry my ‘poor oli mother, She’s stuck to me through thick an’ thin, an’ I wouldn’t hev her think I’m a bad egg fur all o’ Madison avenue as a bridal pres- ent ter me!” : Occupied with these thoughts Cinders strayed on until he was aroused to active life by a scene peculiarly one of the big city, First of all he saw a number of childrenin the street, gathered at one side, and then he discov- ered that they were grouped around a collection _ of household goods, The latter were arranged in a neat, compact row ou the extreme edge of the sidewalk, and it needed no explanation to see that it was a case | of ejectment. Somebody could not, or would not, pay rent, and the result was that he, or she, had been put out against her will, probably by process of law—put out against her will, for it was evident that the exiled tenant was a wo- man. She was there in all her grief and desolation, a gray-haired, slovenly-looking person, who, sitting on the very i» of her ejected goods as though it were her last earthly resting-place, wrung her hands and whimpered in a style ve amused the grinning children around er. Curiosity is ever activein the youthful breast, and Caleb Cinders went closer to see her. He was the largest boy present, and the mo- ment that the old woman saw him she broke out in eager words addressed to him. ** Little boy, won’t you f° to your mummer an’ get me some money? 1’ve been throwed out in a heartless way, Deary me, deary me! an’ me so old an’ good, Always kind an’ helpful to others, an’ now come to this!” She wiped away her tears with her apron, whimpered some more, and, as the crowd in- creased, addressed its members collectively, ** Won't somebody get me some money? I’m good old Mother Beck, an’ ev’ry one speaks wellonme. Never hurted nobody,an’ kind an’ helpful to all; an’now I’m throwed out in my old age because I had no money to pay my rent. Deary me, deary me! it’s hard lines for an hon- est old soul!” ‘* Honest!” retorted a scofling voice from the crowd, ‘* How long is it since you sailed under the alias of Mrs, Huldah Joy ai ‘““Who’s a better right?” returned Mother Beck, her manner less amiable than before. “‘It’s a poor person that can’t have two names,” ‘* It’s a suspicious one that has to have two!” “Go away, you trash! What is it to you? Huldah Joy was an honest woman—I’d be hon- est ef my name was Smith. Deary me! I had money when my name was Huldah Joy! Yes, yes; I had rich triends, then!” ‘* What crime did you do for them?” ‘““Hey? What’s that? Crime! Nobody ever dared ter say a word ag’in’ me afore. The rich folks give me money because I was good an’ bea yes, an’ he’d doit ag’in ef I could see im! Mother Reck stopped her whimpering, and a cunning, peculiar gleam a red in her eyes. “ Hol*she added: *'T'll bet that I know how ter get my rent paid i She gave a final dig at her eyes with the apron, blinked several times, grew cheerful, and, glancing around, fixed her gaze on Caleb Cinders. “ Little boy,” she cried, ‘‘ I'll give ye a dollar ter run an errand fur me!” ‘Thank y® mum, but I ain’t in the biz,” Cin- ders replied, ** Pll pay ig good money, good money.” “Tf you’¥e got money, why didn’t you pay your rent?” asked a skeptic in the crowd. “*T ain’t got it now, but I'll git it. WhenI send the message, the money will come.” ** Blackmail money ?” The gleam in Mother Beck’s eyes became a blaze of anger, as it were, and she caught up a fire-poker which was near at hand and flung at the audacious speaker viciously. ** Liars!” she shrilly proclaimed; ‘‘ all liars! You think it cunnin’to abuse the old woman, but she knows more than all of you! Deary me, deary me! if only brains was money !” The melancholy fact that brains were not money set the old woman to whimpering again. In the mean whilo a hansom cab had been coming through the street, and fastapproaching the scene of Mother Beck’s harangue. A crowd had been steadily gathering to hear the woman talk, and the hansom cab would soon find its progress checked. Its occupants were a lady and a gentleman, both of middle age. Once more Mother Beck addressed Caleb. ‘** Little boy, won’t you go the errand fur me? Won’t you go to the rich man? He will give you money, for he dassen’t refuse, Ho! I'd tell what I know about the rich lady,ef he did!” The cunning sparkle reappeared jn her eyes, but, just then, the hansom cab bore Mown upon the crowd, which piled rather roughly upon Mother Beck’s goods toescape. The old woman turned angrily, but flushed with joy as she saw the occupants of the cab. One moment she looked doubtful; then she almost screamed: ‘¢ There they are! Give me money, or I will tell your’ secret!” Caleb with breathless interest; the man in the cab was Proctorbam! CHAPTER VII. THE MYSTERY OF MOTHER BECK. Tue Castaway was spellbound, for events had come with a rush. In a vague way he had noticed the approach of the hansom cab, bnt had felt no interest in it until the old woman had her sudden attack of violence. It had been a study to see Mother Beck’s face. Her geze had fallen upon the occupints of the vehicle by chance, and only as upon the cause of the disturbance, but her expression had changed like a flash. Wonder succeeded anger, and doubt followed but almost delirious joy came in the track of all others. Her bony hand shot out, one finger pointed straight at the hansom cab, and the words were flung forth with great excite- ment, The uniformed ramrod—otherwise called a fhau—who occupied the lofty seat, and had the vaxt honor of being the driver, had been about to order the crowd to make way, but the words died away on hislips and he gazed in surprise as the wild words sounded from the pile of household goods, Caleb had made no mistake. The man in the cab was Irving Proctorbam, and he and the lady ‘who kept him company mechanically turn- ed their heads as their driver had done, They saw a peculiar sight. In her excitement Mother Beck scrambled to her feet, but not to plant them on the sidewalk, She stocd on the pile of household goods, her hand stil] stretched out, and her wrinkled, un- pleasant face working oddly as she towered above the crowd. ‘* Here I be! she cried; ‘* don’t overlook me, You know me, an’I know you! Iremember you well, Deary me, deary me!—it’s a long while sence you come ter me, most respected madam, but Mother Beck don’t forget. I did your work, an’ I did it wal!” She might have been a madwoman, but ap- pearances did not indicate that Proctorham and his companion thought her to be such, Caleb Cinders’s gaze was riveted upon them, and he saw the richly-dressed lady change color and impulsively grasp her companion’s arm, but Proctorham’s expression became positively furious, ‘* Drive on!” he shouted, to the driver. The latter gorgeous individual had allowed the reins. to slacken, but he gathered them up, tight! again, ‘Make way!” he cried, swinging his whip to- ward the crowd. ** Don’t ye do it!—don’t ye dare ter do it!” shrilly warned Mother Beck. Evidently the driver at least had no fears, and he was about to force his way through, but the old woman leaped from her perch with the agility of youth, elbowed the obstructing per- sons aside and reached the hansom cab, She thrust her hideous face forward as a con- tortionist might, and the lady recoiled. ‘“‘Stand back, or I will order my man to drive over you!” Proctorham angrily ex- claimed, “Do it, if you dare; do it, an’ ull the world shall know what I can tell. Velvet-faced lady” —here her voice changed to a whine—‘‘ you re- member me, don’t you now, deary ?” She leered amiably, but the startled lady in the cab feverishly, yetfaintly; replied: ‘*No, no; I don’t know you; I never saw you before!” ** No?’ cried Mother Beck, the violent side of her nature showing again. ‘‘ Well, I think I a make myself, understood! I think 1 kin te ae . Caleb Cinders saw Proctorham’s lips move, and felt sure that something was said for the old woman’s private ear; then that gentleman spoke in a voice audible to all: ‘War be it from me to refuse the claims of worthy sufferers, What, my good soul, did you say was the trouble?” I’m fired out o’ my home,” Beck meekly an- swered, ; ‘Infamous! What was the reason?” ‘*T had no money ter pay the rent, yer Honor,” . **And such things really occur in our t, wealth-teeming city! Melancholy fact! Wor. thy woman, what do you owe for rent?” ‘Twenty dollars, sir; bless your kind soul!” ** Here ’s your money, with enough left over to pay some one for carrying your goods back. I bring your case heforethecity authorities, and see what can be done for you.’ “Bless you, sir!’ mumbled Mother Beck, as. she gathered in several crisp bills. Once more Proctorham’s lips moved as he. made a low-voiced speech, inaudible to the 9

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then he turned his head to the crowd; and driver. ‘*Go on!” he ordered, peremptorily. Mother Beck drew back; the Jehuin buttons cracked his whip; the crowd mace way, and the hansom cab rolted down the street. Caleb Cinders could not answer for any one else; but he knew that the latter part of the scene had been a fraud ia which Proctorham and old Mother Beck were cqually anxious to act a part. He had not had any charitable impulse until he was frightened into it, and the old woman had been belligerent enough until his first low- spoken words had made such a sudden change | in her manner, The plain English of it was that she had demanded hush-money and got it. ‘Guess Proctorbam has been up ter mean capers afore!” thought tho Castaway. other Beck chuckled as she watched the carriage roll away. “The ol woman ain’t dead yit!” she affirmed, for the benefit of the crowd. ‘'Ho! perhaps 1 shall leave my pretty room, my dear room; an’ then, ag’in, perhaps I sha’n’t! Ha! I'll have my goods an’ chattels back in there within an hour!” _ ‘Don't that money burn your fingers?” asked a scoffer, , The old woman stopped short. ‘*What! what!” she exclaimed, ‘‘ Why should it burn my fingers?” “ Ain’t it blackmail?” ‘“‘ Walse! false!—all lies!” shrilly declared Mo- ther Beck, as she shook her fist at the speaker. ‘The poor, dear lady was once sick with small- x,an’ I nursed her through, an’ she was grate- ul!” This gauze-like explanation produced a gen- eral smile, for she had never been known to help any one, but as there was no scofling re- ly, she trotted briskly away to arranye, it was be ieved, for the return of her goods to the old roo m, **Sort of a tough, ain’t she?” asked Caleb, of a boy near him. ‘* Reg’lar screamer!” ‘* Know her wal?” ** All I want ter.” *« Know the folks in the harnsome cab?” “ No.” ‘¢She bled him,” ** You bet she did!” ‘¢ What fur, d’ye think?” ** Don’ know,” Plainly, nothing was to be learned in that quarter, but Cinders was not discouraged, He elt an interest in old Mother Beck, and wanted to know more about her, If there was to bea fight between Norway and Mrs. Garland on one side, and Irving Proctorham on the other, it would be a very excellent thing to get @ clew to another misdemeanor in which Irving was concerned, The Castaway next tried a woman. ‘¢ So Mother Beck will be with ye longer, eh?” “¢ Ves—more’s the pity !” ** Ain’t she a good neighbor?” ‘*Ts a burglar a good vm, ae al ‘* Dye mean she’s a burglar?” ** Don’t ask me!” and the woman shook her head solemnly. ' «I'd sorter like ter know.” **You had better not. ’Tain’t fur children ter know, and I can’t tell ye! She’s lived here along time, an’ I never knowed any good on her, She was a woman who drinked a good deal, but never worked, an’ had penty o’ money at all times,” ‘¢ Where'd shé get it?” “She had it; don’t ask me where she got it. A good fifteen year she’s lived here, always vette axed always drinkin’ an’ never workin’. Ef she hadn't drinked we’d never ’a’ known what ter think; but when she did drink she talked, an’ she let out that she’d done a job for rich folks, sometimes, an’ was livin’ on what they had paid her.” ‘¢'That’s odd!” commented Caleb. _ “Odd? Guess ye don’t know rich folks, Why, ef the real life o’ the rich was made open, New York would be so in the soup that ev’ry parson here would sell his diplomer fur a mess 0’ potash, like him in the Bible, an’ go ter Af- rikay ter bea missionary an’ eat cannibawls— be eat by them cannibaw!s, J mean!” ** Yes; but about Mother Beck ?” “Oh! yes, Wal, about two months ago her way 0’ life changed, an’ we wa’n’t long in seein’ that she was, at last, short o’ cash, She went out ev’ry day, but not ter work.” ‘* What fur, then?” Cinders asked. ‘* Ter tramp the streets an’ look—look—look! Look tur what? Lord knows, I don’t; but } : ete oe re ruihc "eeseaneateecathécrmee core Oe she’d go on the streets where the big-bugs live, an’ peer inter the face of ev’ry one she seen in a carriage, or on foot, an’inter the winders 0’ the houses,” ‘* That’s funny!’ ‘*No; her money had give out, an’ she was lookin’ for the ones who had give it, so as ter strike them again. That’s my notion, An’she went out day after day, day after day, tor weeks an’ months, always huntin’ her game.” ‘** Did she find it?’ inquired the Castaway. ** Not unless it was just now,” and, with this | significant remark, the woman turned and en- tered the house, CHAPTER VIII. WHAT THE RECORD CONTAINED, AFTER leaving Caleb Cinders, as before described, Alton Norway went at once to the oftice of the Superintendent of Outdoor Poor. The building is at the corner of Third, avenue and Eleventh street, and is one of the Jegst pre- tentious of the many in which the city vusiness of New York is done, Norway had never been there before, but he discovered that the entrance was on Eleventb street, and promptly entered, Once inside, he saw ascene so novel to him that he mechani- oy, paused. e was in a large, slightly-oblong room, where a good deal of business was being done. One end, and a portion of each side at the connecting points, was rendered private by means of a sort of counter, surmounted wilh a wicker-work iron fence, the whole being 10t pone that seen in the sacred precincts of a anh, In one corner a man sat engaged upona book, or set of books, but, as he was all alone, Nor- way decided that be was merely the book- keeper. Behind another part of the ‘ fence,” and near the door, was a man who was talking with a ragged person through a pigeon-hole, and behind the ragged person was a line of other ragged persons, ; It was a dismai line, for the \ ppt of Poverty wasuponall. Some were men and some were women, but all looked to be poor and wretched, Some of them had an arm ina sling, and others had bandaged heads; and one woman hada baby in her arms, It was an eloquent, but a sorrowful picture. These were the unfortunates for whom the De- partment was organized, and they were apply- ing for aid from the city. Perhaps every one could have told a story pathetic or thrilling enough forthe columns of the daily press, and one—the woman with the baby—brought Nor- way’s errand Oe gd to his mind. oe probably, Mrs. Garland had once been left ere, The melancholy line was constantly rein- forced by persons who came from the further side of the room, and there, Norway soon ak ie: was the man with whom he must eal, The space occupied by the Department ex- tended beyond the large room, and the visitor saw a passage leading to an unknown region with three or four steps to reach it, the ground floor of the remainder of the building being higherthan that of the first room, n one side of the passage was a small room which looked like an office, and between this office and the large rcom was an opening, waist-high, like a big window. By thia open- ing sat the superintendent, busy with appli- cants, Seeing that he must await his turn, Norway continued to use his eyes. Hesaw that when o rson entered, he or she went first to the super- intendent, where be was kept some time in con- versation, and when the point was passed, went to join the melancholy line, where numerous questions were asked and the repiies recordéd, The whole room was plain, old-fashioned and almost forbidding, and the close, unpleasant air and line of unfortunates had a depressing effect upon Norway. Never before had he seen such a collection of wretchedness, and he began Ss ee the condition of the poor of New or. . He wished, too, that the rich of the city would deign to take one look into that room, As others pasged on }:9 Crew nearer to the offi- cer in charge, To reach bin cne}ad to ascend the three or four steps before rientioned, and then stand on a sort of broad stuir with a wood- en protection against a fali at his back, and a policema n at his left. The particular policeman whom Norway saw was young, plump and good-looking, Clearly, he was not a victim of poverty. At last Norway stood on the broad stair with \ "yt *,) r ee ee ae 2 eo i ok SN ar alas tees Up- wards of twenty years ago, among the Ao children this Department sent away to homes, was one, Claribe! Moer, who was sentto Oxford county, Maine, to be adopted by worthy people there, This was done; a generation of time has passed; the child is now a woman, and she would like to ascertain what she does not yet know-——w ho she is!” The suverintendent listened attentively, but did not offer auy remark, ‘* Beyoud the fact that her name, real or fic- | titious, was Claribel Moer, she knows nothing | of her early life. When she went to Maine she was so young that she could tell nothing to her adopted parents, and all recollection of the old life soon died away. Knowing that your books | must have her record she respectfully requests you to allow me, as her representative, to see and copy it,” ‘*Can you give the exact date when she was sent to Maine?” briefly, asked ‘the impassive superinte ndent, ; ‘It is all on this paper,” Norway returned, as he handea over the article named, ‘* We willinvestigate. Take a seat!” ‘*' Take a seat!” echoed the handsome police- man, as he pointed to a Kelt near the broad stair, Norway *‘ took a seat.” Le felt grateful that he was not asked tu stand in the melancholy line, < The policeman was given the paper the visi- tor had brought, and with this he passed behind the iron fence to the man whom Norway had picked ont as the bookkeeper, The document was left there, The bookkeeper—he may have been called a secretary, or any other lofty name; Norway never learned—took the paper and went to the Third avenue side of the room, Rows of books, the records of the Department for many years, were there, and, affer some search, he selected one, carried it to the desk aud began to examine it, The visitor watched him narrowly, being by that time in a state of nervous suspense, Hop- ing, as he did, to be more than a friend to Mrs, Garland, some day, her interests were his, but ° ) he had no selfish or unworthy motive. Whatever the records might reveal, she still would be the woman ke had selected for his wife, and she was not responssble for her early history. After turning the Jeaves of the big book for some time the employee found the proper piset drew a sheet of paper closer to him, and to write upon it. Norway watched with fresh interest. How much was there to copy! How mucbh.would the record te)l? There was encouragement as the bookkeeper continued to write kopldiy for some time; there wust be considerable.on the records, At last the work was done; the big book was closed; the guardian thereof took the copy and started toward his chief. To reach him the subordinate had to pass Norway, The latter looked wishfully at the Picton and at its bearer, hoping that it would be handed to him, but, with an icy composure, the man passed on as though he had not seen the supplicant by the wa . The paper was received and examined by the superintendent, and then the plump policeman made.a beckoning gesture and Norway went to the broad stair again and confronted the arbi- ter of his fate. He was at once speared through and through by an attentive gaze. ‘¢ What relative are you of this lady?” asked the superintendent, touching the paper with his finger, ey am an intimate friend; and,” Norway frently accec, seeing that be must give good reasors, * L expect her to be my wife soon, Pe) taps the explanation bad a marked effect, for (he official at once assumeda very matter-of- fact, soctbing air, ** Well, we are not able to give you much in- formation, as the record isincomplete. ’ She was received by us at the date you gave,and sent away almost atonce. She was left with us by her mother,” ‘“Was she permanently given up?” Norway eagerly asked, ‘The mother never came back,” . : ‘* What was the mother’s name?” egan ‘¢1¢ was Huldah, and she was of Jewish par- bay Saat _“ And the father’s name—” bE iy: 7 Wy ‘ Sr ss. ee <=

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(oS Se eee EP mae : we : rf DAR AR IG, et RENE ie Mapes tmp mae s a a EO IS OE ‘3 o ve ts = Sem he < wits yfew i hak a a NT i ee! -agrgt m4 oe 8 Ts not given. Her name is down as Claribel Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. sion, trying to dispel the grave look on Clari- | pants, and he regarded them with mechanical bel’sface, ‘‘ [feel sure that there is something | curiosity. in the records, and we will have it if such a | It was thus that he chanced to see an interest- thing is possible. First of all, I shall consulta | ing pantomime, lawyer who is a personal friend of mine. Heis | On one of the cross-seats sat an elderly lady himself employed in one of the city depart | who was richly but modestly dressed, She had oer, ** (Sn’t that singular?’ Nerway asked, dubi- Guay. ‘* Records were very incompletely.made at | that time.” | Dy something had been kept back, It was not ted, with a trace of fiustration. ‘‘My hand- os " hard to surmise why this had been done, ** Better do it right off,” bag was on the same seat, and [ may have taken * ‘dee! By What was known about Mrs, Garland’s early ‘* We will have lunch and go immediately.” the wrong one—” a ( life—or, at least, what was 'told by the record ‘* Surely such a woman as Caleb describes her ‘* Gammon!” eH mee —was not favorable; andit had been thought | to be cannot be my mother—at least, 1 think As the Castaway made this terse interruption vet: oF best to keep all such unfavorable information | not!” Mrs. Garland hesitatingly observed, the lady succeeded in opening the bag. sh | Se Bs secret, ‘‘ Decidedly not; but you will'see that there is} ‘* This is not mine!” she cried. ome Ga Norway, however, was not ready to admit | more to it, if anything, By following Caleb’s ‘¢ Tol’ ye so!” MAUR. Paiute.’ defeat. course of reasoning we are, perhaps, rushing to Tho lady sprung to her feet. ; ‘a “T will go further!” he thought, resolutely; | wild conclusions, but if it should prove thatshe| ‘‘I bave valuable papers, and they are lost!” : 4 Ry ‘*T will apply to the Commissioners of Charitie | was the Huldah who carried you to the charity | she exclaimed, Ce ‘ie us iy and Corrections, They are the head of the | department, and that Irving Proctorham had ‘6 Not ef we head off this p’ison pilferer!” es) ede a ert Department, and I may be able to convince | an interest in the case, we can see at once that The thief was evidently an old hand, and he . “) eer them that every person has a moral right to | she was not your mother, thovgh sho may so | kept his composure remarkably. Now that the oy! a a what is known about herself.” have represented herself.” alarm was given he could not get away with Lees} Dee Small events often prove irritating, and so This statement greatly encouraged Mrs, Gar-| the plunder, and he knew it. The next best VA, i is tho superintendent had thought it necessary to The former felt that they were doing a good He raised his hat politely. Ae eh explain a simple word was not flattering to the | deal of eG ae guessing, and that it might ‘‘ Madam, it is quite possible that { have taken fe et young ‘man’s mind, end in total disappoitment; and the conscious- | the wrong bag, though I assure you that it was. i at hed He was not in a cheerful frame of mind, | nessrendered him silent and thoughtful. Cin- | amistake. You will notice that they are much \ yin 4 AA either, when he reached home. ders was not taken that way. Having the im-| alike, Allow me to examine the one you hold, ae BM Caleb Cinders was there ahead of him, and | petuous spirits of youth, he was confident that | and if it proves that [ have accidentally ex- \ “§ ‘ nothing had occurred to disturb the house- | they were going to run the mystery to earth at | changed, I shall be as glad as you to make it , th hold. Allan was safe, and his mother was} once. ») right.” fa iy 18 - contented. } Being at ease mentally the Castaway devoted ‘That won’t save ye from the Tombs, mis- ne ae Norway told his story in the presence of Mrs. | his time to using his eyes, and managed to see | ter!” Min) ia - Garland and Caleb, about all that was going on in, and outside, Sospoke Caleb, readily, and the thief turmed Be oe hs ‘ "We are mot defeated,” he said, in conclu- ! thecar. The latter had only a very few occu- ' upon him ina rage. ay } BR ‘* As some information was gleaned, it must ! ments, and, consequently, would not cvre to | be tht applicants for aid were questioned then as they are now,” and the young man indicated the melancholy line, the 1nembers of which were going to the pigeon-hole ono after another to be ut through the mill of interrogation; ‘‘ Such ing the case, why did the officials of that day asce:tain that the mother was named Huldah, and that she was of Jewish parentage, and yet learn'ne more?” “*Tt was owing to a loose system.” ‘* And the mother’s surname is not given?” » “ No.” ¢ - Or the date of the child’s birth?” ’ ‘* And there is no clew to the father’s iden- tity?” ~ “There issnot. Our city departments were net then so attentive to tcchnicalities—by which I mean the points peculiar to their busi- ness.” Norway experienced & sense of resentment that the superintendent should feel it necessary toact as a dictionary, but passed over the cause of offense, ** Will you allow me to see the paper?” indi- cating that which contained the copy of the record, ‘* [ have told you all there is.” The superintendent stirred in his seat as though the interview was at an end; the plump liceman stirred as though the subject had, in is opinion, reached an end of necessity, if not of justice. Norway, alone, was irresolute. CHAPTER IX, CALEB CALLS FOR A HALT, CONFLICTING emotions beset Norway. He felt sure that he had not been given all the in- formation which the records contained,.but he was uncertain how to proceed. _What were his rights in the case? He did not know, and this laced him at a disadvantage. He certainly edamoral right to.all that was there; if he had been sure that he had a legal right, he would have demanded to see the record. As he was not sure, he thought it best to adopt a moderate course and not arouse any prejudice against bis cause, e asked some further questions, but gained no light. Others were waiting to see the superintendent, and, as it dawned upon bim that he was block- ing the wheels of the city government, he passed slowly by the plump policeman, down the steps, by the melancholy line of poverty- stricken ay "epeiemmral and outof the building. The fresh ‘air was a great and welcome change from the stifling atmosphere of the room he had just left; it reinvigorated his body, but there was nothing to exhilarate his mind, He had failed in his quest, and the failure was annoying—he was next to positive that had the superintendent’s manner. The latter had not been curt, harsh or ungentlemanly, but had adopted a course such as one would use to soothe and pacify a child. It had produced the rs) ite effect upon Norway, and the fact that take charge of a hostile campaign; but he will | tell me what the law allows you.” ‘*Tsitbest to gofurther?” Mrs, Garland asked. ‘Why not?” **T am afraid of the result.” Ordinarily, | would not urge you, but, in / view ot the suspicions which Irving Proctcrham | has put mto my mind, { really think we had better persevere.” ** We will do so, then.” ‘“Wemust know whatisin therecord. It is absurd to suppose that if your mother brought you to that place they would ask her first name and her nativity, and not learn the last name or her husband’s name,” ‘¢ T/did not catch her name,” ‘¢ Huldah,” ‘* What’s that?” The question, quick and excited, came from Caleb, He had been waiting patiently and si- lently to tell Norway of his new encounter with Proctorham, Like Mrs. Garland he had failed to understand the name at first, but if now pro- duced a marked effect upon him, as the questién showed, Norway turned in some surprise, ‘‘ Huldah Was the name.” ‘opwalu’t Huldah Joy?” “The last name was not given. you know a Huldah Joy?” /** Heerd the name ter-day; J did, b’jinks! it was a false name fur a sartain Mother Beck, a woman who was paid fur a secret, an’ has been trampin’ the streets ter find her banker ag’in; an’ she has jest got some money out 0’ Proctor- ham!” ‘*T don’t understand,” ‘* Nor me!” ‘£I mean that I don’t underste«nd what youare endeavoring to convey. Explain!” **So I will, short order, fur I think it’s p’ison suspicious!” And then Cinders rapidly told the story of old Mother Beck, giving a very clear account of how he found that woman expelled from her room to the sidewalk, and how she had made a raise from Irving Proctorham, f He did not forget to tell how, according to a neighbor, Mother Beck had lived for years on the proceeds of a secret. ‘* And this old-woman was once called Auldah J A i thoughtfully replied Norway. es Why? Do ‘* There are probably a good many ‘ Huldahs’ in New York,” observed Mrs, Garland. ‘¢ The name is not common.” ‘* Tf you think Proctorham was theevil genius 0’ this lady’s early life, an’ there was a Huldah init, I presoom it might not be lost time ter look arter this Huldah who so skeered Proctor- ham that she got money out on him!” This terse presentment of the case by Caleb could not,but be impressive, and Norway quick- ly replied: “We will look to Mother Beck.” land, and she was decidedly hopeful when they went to lunch, When the meal was finished Norway and Caleb went to the Elevated Road and took a down-town train. in her possession a small hand-bag which she pad put beside her on the unoccupied half of the seat. She was deep in meditation. Back of her,on the long seat, was a youu man whose arm rested on the back of the shor seat. Civders was first led to notice bim by thefact that he was regarding the lady close- ly; and then the Castaway discovered a peculiar fact. Tho young man carried a band-bag pre- cisely like the lady's, and, while keeping a very innocent look on his face, was slowly and cau- tiously lowering it into the seat which she occu- ied, Caleb was on the alert at once; he would not have been a true, wide-awake city boy if he had not become suspicious. Lower sunk the hand-bag without being noticed by thelady. Whenit reached the seat the man released his hold and as cautiously grasped the lady’s hand-bag; then his arm be- gan to rise, holding the ill-gotten property. Cinders sprung to his feet. ‘* Stop, thief!” he cried, hurrying forward. CHAPTER X. A MISSING WOMAN, Tur words were of a nature to create excite- ment on any occasion, and they did so now. Every gaze became fixed upon Caleb Cinders as his clear command ‘‘Stop thief!” rung out in thecar, Tho interest did not die out when the Castaway paused in front of the stranger, lev- eled an accusing finger at him and indignantly added:. ‘* You give that lady’s property back, you measly critter, you!” The purloined hand-bag was in the strauger’s lap, and he tried to look innocent, ‘ Are you drunk or crazy?” he demanded. ‘¢)m sober enough an’ sane enough fur you!” coolly declared Cinders. ‘‘ Give that hand-bag back!” ‘This is my hand-bag.” ‘* Not much, it ain’t; it’s the lady’s.” The lady, after the first natural start, had shown commendable calmness, and she quietly observed: ** My hand-bag is here.” Ske pointed as she spoke, but Caleb’s answer was ready. * Look inside it, an’ see! I say that his light- fingered nibs has swapped one on ter you jest like it. Tho lady changed color and made a clutch at the hand-bag, but the stranger fairly bristled with anger and assumed indignation. ‘What do you mean By such an infemus charge?” he demanded. ‘I have a good mind to smavch you. Do you know who I am?” **No; Lain’t acquainted at Sing Sing!” Cin- ders retorted. The stranger flashed a glance toward the lady and saw that she was opening the hand bag. There may have been a mistake,” he a‘mit- way was to use his wits and get outof it, Alton Norway and the only other adult male passen- ger were at hand, and only great good luck could save him from being turned over to the police

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® ‘©T gmash you—” ‘¢ Exeuse me, but you willdo nothing of the kind!” sternly put in Norway. ‘ This lad is with me, and under my protection.” ‘* Then teach him civility.” ** Judging by ap rances, he needs no teach- er. He has done himself great credit.” ** Gentlemen, let us settle this without useless talk,” requested tho lady, quietly. ‘‘I find that this second bag is mine, and in good condition. Ido not claim the second; if this—this person does, he has only to take it and go.” ‘¢- You won’t let the critter off, will ye?” cried Jaleb, “ce Yes.” ‘* He ought to be arrested,” urged Norway. *¢] decline-+o appear against him in court.” ‘*' You only do me justices, madam!” affirmed the thief, ‘‘amd— But excuse me, here is my station!” He was afraid that she would be induced! to change her mind, and, as they slowed up, be was one of the first at the gate. Silencereigned in the car, but all mechanically watched him . leave the train. When their way was resumed, the last chance of arresting him vanished. “‘['m afraid it’s a mistake,” mechanically re- marked Norway, j ; “So ’tis, b’jinks!” Cinders agreed. " ‘‘T am sorry if I have disappointed you, and it is quite possible that I am wrong, but I have i a horror of appearing in court. No doubt the if man was a villain, but, as he did not accom- a plish his p , 1 preferred to let him go. That he failed is due wholly to this bright-faced young man.” She looked at Caleb Cinders, noted his ap- pearance more closely, and then added: ‘*Tam ‘about to leave the train, but I would : like to talk, at some future time, with him who f., has saved me from the loss of important pa- ti pers, My lad, will you call upon me, a few US aan days later?” ‘ ‘I shall be pleased ter,” the Castaway re- plied. ‘*Then take this card; it has my name and address upon it, When you come I will reward you properly for your very valuable service which I am not able to do now on account of want of money.” | “Dont mention it!” the boy quickly re- i a quested, “7 will mention it later.” * gent in a hansom cab, an’ we suspect he had her move off som’ers on p se.” _ A sudden idea came to Caleb Cinders. When | after the adventure with Proctorham, she of a fine wats or, re it i aie is rainy Alaina Sis A Sika ihe Sod. "PRs, \ made off with the assertion that she would make arrangements to get her room back, and move her goods in again, she had gone in the same direction previously taken by the hansom cab. Was it possible that Proctorham had again seen her, and had ber move elsewhere on pur- pose to have her disappear? She had used her tongue freely, and might be dangerous to him. ‘*Did you know the man who moved her oii ? continued -Norway. No “But can’t you suggest an we can get trace of her? friends—’ ‘*T doubt it! She never had company, an’ ef you can find any friend o’ hers here, Dll go treat. Mother Beck was a neighbor we can part with just as well as not!” **Did ye ever hear her called by any other name?’ asked Cinders. SIN O¢7” ‘* Somebody called her Huldah Joy, when sho was settin’ on ber property in the street.” The woman shook her head. ‘Never heerd the name. But, laws! old Mother Beck wouldn’t be above havin’ a dozen names; I always kept my spoons hid when she was around!” This evidence of good feeling in the tenement house did not bring a smile to the face of either visitor. The old woman’s disappearance was a severe disappointment, They had formed great hopes, and believed that money would lead her to talk freely, but she had vanished just when discoveries seemed to be in order, As there was no reply, their informant sud- denly broke out with fresh information. ‘*T wouldn’t like ter Lave Mother Beck’s con- science, nohow, Long years she lived here, do- in’ nothin’, but havin’ plenty of money; an’ we all understood it was the fruit of some ugly deed. She run short, though, an’then she was wild. She’d lost sight o’ her rich money-giver —so we think—an’ she set out ter find him. For weeks she did nothin’ but tramp the streets in the fash’nable quarter, an’ look fur him, but she never found him. I’m glad she had ter get out!’ The speaker gave her head a jerk, shut her mouth, and stood on record as religiously op- posed to old Mother Beck, CHAPTER XI, THE BLOW OF A CLUB, . FURTHER questioning failed to develop any- thing of interest, so Norway and Caleb Cinders left the house, ** Whera now?” the latter asked. ** Our one bope seems to bein finding the man who took Mother Beck’s goodsaway. Accord- way by which he must have ing to what we have been told, this was done, |. not in a furniture-van or express-wayon, but in a truck. We must visit every possible place around here,” ‘* Them’s the idea!” Caleb agreed. “Away we go, then, We'll interview the first policoman we meet, and ascertain what stables are near.” ‘* We'll ran the old lady down!” cried the Castaway, confidently, ‘*T hope so.” ** Of course we will. Never say die!” This was good advice, but Cinders’s sanguine spirits were destined to receive a’ severe shock, hey acted upon the plan marked out, and made all possible inquiries, but not a man could they find who had moved an old woman’s household effects that day. They visited stablesand stop- ped¢eams, but all to no effect. The right man had disappeared as Foy ly as Mother Beck herself, and they could only conclude that, wishing to blind her trail, she had mopped some strange driver and thusac- complished her object. : By the time that their useless labors were concluded the afternoon bad worn away, and they saw that they would have to let the missing woman rest for awhile. Norway looked at his watch, ‘I have just about time enough to catch my lawyer friend, who is employed by the city,” he observed, ‘‘and as I want to learn just what my si are in investigating Mrs. Garland’s early life, I think I will call upon him at once, You can go on home and meet me'there later.” ‘* All right,” Caleb agréed, ** You can say that I will soon be home,” “Pll doit.” They separated, and the Castaway took a train of the Elevated Railroad for up-town, On the way he got to thinking of hisunceremonious departure from Irving Proctorhbam’s house, He had left there his whole worldly possessions, iat i i a te Beil Pali ip ee SL, Uf

Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. 9 —— and, though his connection with Norway bade fair to soon make him better off than ever be- fore, he did not like the idea of abandoning any- thing on his late employer’s premises, The desire to take his effects away became a passion, and he resolved to go there at once. It was not likely that Proctorham would dare to do anything against him, and, in any case, Cinders did not hold him in awe. In order to reach the house he had to pass Horace Peach’s coal-yard, and, although it was ast six o’clock, he knew that bis friend would e there; so he concluded to call on him first of all, He had not miscalculated; Peach was there, poring over his accounts, and his face was as striped as a zebra’s where he had meditatively vated his fingers across it and left coal-dust in ars. ‘* Hullo, Tom Thumb!” he cried, ‘‘ be you still alive?’ ‘* See any evidence that I’m defunet?” ‘*No; but I s’posed old Proc had you before now,” ‘* He will gofur big game first, an’ you are Laeey ye know.” “TE he comes around here,” declared the coal- dealer, ‘Ill sprinkle bim, an’ then roll him in that dust!” ae he pointed to a black heap of powdered coal, ‘‘Td like ter see it done, b’jinks! It’s owin’ ter him that I’m a castaway right inthe heart o’ New York. I had a promisin’ career ahead ov me asa boy-o’-all-work, but he nipped it in the bud, an’ come nigh nippin’me, too. He ain’t been ‘round, has he?” ‘* Not aay!” ‘¢ He owes me up’ards 0’ sixty cents in wages.” ‘Sue him!” cried Mr. Peach, forcibly. “Draw the money right out o’? him! Han Proctorham! He’s no good, an’ he comes 0’ ba blood!” “Say,” exclaimed Cinders, ‘‘d’ye know his folks?” ** Not intimately.” ‘‘T never hev seen anybody but his own fam'ly ‘round his premises—no relatives, I mean,” ‘* He’s got a sister; a Mrs. Lydeckton.” ‘¢ Where does she live?” “T don’t know.” ‘* How did Proctorham get his money?” ‘ His father, Burr Proctorham, was rich, an’ I s’pose it come from him. The old man was rich, miserly an’ cranky, an’ there was no great good will between him an’ bis son,” ‘‘Was there ,other heirs besides him an’ bis sister?” ‘¢ Never heerd of any. Why?’ ‘*¢’'d like to look inter his affairs.” ‘¢There’s an old man down on Bond street who worked for the Proctorhams years ago, an’ I re¢kon he knowsthemalllikeabook, His name is Ben Brown, and he lives near the Bowery. I don’t know the number, but everybody around there knows old Ben.” ** Pl callon him,” ‘Tf there’s a secretin the .am’ly he can tell it. So you ain’t going back to Proc’s?” ‘Tm going fur my clothes an’ things;” and then Caleb explained the errand which had taken him to the vicinity. Peach shook his head and oped the idea, Darkuess was falling, and, at that hour, he did not think it prudent for the boy to venture on ~ Proctorham’s premises alone; and he did not want to go with him, for, if the rich man saw fit, to be ugly, he could kill Mr. Peach’s trade in that vicinity. As for going there, he might not touch Caleb, but it was taking a risk with- out any good cause, the coal-dealer thought, The discussion lasted forsome time, and, when Peach had carried his point and the Castaway had promised not to go that night, anyhow, darkness had fully fallen. Peach arose and put away his account-book,. ‘¢ Let’sgo home, Cinders,” he suggested, yawn- ing. “TI ain’t had any supper, and there wont be no more customers, ter-night,” ‘¢T thought I heard a footstep,” / “Fancy, probly, though it may be them Crooks boys are prowlin’aroundag'in, They’re the bother o’ my life!’ : The boys mentioned were mischievous young fellows who were always playing tricks upon everybody, and the possibility that they were prowling around caused Peach to step quickly to the door of the shanty. Caleb was following more moderately, but something made him stop short, As the coal-dealer reached the threshold there was the sound of a blow, and then he fell across the aperture and Jay without sound or motion, eratetiatetas only a eS Le te a et

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The Castaway paused and‘looked in wonder, He had seen nothing, and only.the sound which had preceded the fall remained as.a guide. What hadit been? What hadcaused it? hat was the matter with Horace Peach? The boy stared at the darkness with a momen- tary feeling of alarm. Was there an enemy outside? Nobody likes to deal with a secret foe, lf ons was at hand, what was his pur- pose Caleb looked arcund for a weapon, but the single light was burning low, and he did not dis- cover apy. He took a forward step, and again paused in doubt. ‘The black expanse without was not in- vilting. He could not leave Peach uncared for, and ba again madea forward move. Reaching his motionless friend, he seized his legs and be- gan to pull him back, The act hastened the catastrophe which had been impending. Two dark forms suddenly whisked into view, revealing the presence of as many men; and then they =n, over the coal-dealer’s body. Cinders leaped backward, but he was speedily shown that he was not to escape so easily. Straight for him the men made, and he saw that one held some kind of club or sand-bag in his hand. *< Do the little hound up!” one of them cried. There was no room in the shanty for running, so Caleb adopted the only course open to him. Lowering nis head, he made a sudden dive to ssthem. One tried to seize him and failed, ut the other was more fortunate. Down came the weapon he held; the bo sharp pain in his head, and then sciousness, How Jong this condition of affairs lasted he never knew, but it could not have been a great while. He recovered his senses, and with their return came perfect clearness of mind. He re- membered the last scene at once, and began to struggle. It was a vain attempt; he found himself held down by some power stronger than himself, He was in utter darkness, and all appeared cor- respondingly silent, but the stillness was sud- denly broken, **Ts all ready?” asked a voice. ** Yes,” some one replied. ‘** Then let us get out.” ** Are you sure the boy is fast?” “Yes.” ‘¢ The dickens would be to pay if he escaped.” ‘¢ Never fear; he’s safe as pie, Itseems rough to make the old coal-dealer go under, too, just to fix the boy—but there ain’t any help for it, Come on,” Footsteps sounded—a door closed—there was a little rattling outside—then all was still. Suddenly, however, the darkness began to grow less. Caleb looked and saw a steadily-in- creasing tongue of fire, and its light revealed a pile of fine wood. The truth flashed upon him, , He had been securely bound by the unknown intruders, and now they had set fire to the shanty and beat a retreat, CHAPTER XII, THE CASTAWAY’S FIGHT FOR LIFE. As he fully realized his peril, Caleb Cinders experienced a feeling of horror, Death by fire is certainly something to appall the stoutest heart, and that was what menaced him. He struggled flercely, but the result only went to show how firmly he had been bound, He could not call for help because of the bandage which had been passed over his mouth, and, if it had been out of his way, he might not have made himself heard in the coal-yard, with the shanty door closed. The blaze increased, lapping the light kin- dling-wood greedily, and the interior of the shed became as a as though a lamp was burning. It revealed, too, Horace Peach’s mo- tionlessform., Caleb would have thought him dead, but the ropes upon his arms and legs showed that others had not thought so. Caleb writhed like a tiger in battle, as he tried to burst his bonds, Unless Providence di- rected some gaze early to the place, the remote shanty was likely to be one mass of seething flame before help came. For it to come at that hour would be no ad- vantage or benefit to Cinders. His career would be ended. Thefire gained with startlingra idity, wroge it was not a whirlwind-like spread of flame. It was as brisk as it was dangerous, and would have absolute control, He called to Peach, but there was no reply. “*B’jinks! I’ve got ter depend on my own ef- experienced a | e lost con- ’ forts, an’ I don’t soe as I’m wal fixed fur the ! battle. Couldn’t be no more helpless ef I was | a toothless baby. | ‘cast away’ fur good an’ all ef you don’t look out! Despite the fact that he fully realized his danger, the boy remained clear-headed in his eril, and looked eagerly for a way out of it. | What could he do? He had tested the cords which bound him, and found that they were not | to be broken. What other way was open to him? He was lying on top of the big desk, and this, as he well knew, was fastened to the wall, Prob- ably his enemies had tried it and found it se- cure before binding him to it._ This was not encouraging, but he could cee no hope except to force it away from its position. If this could be done he could, perhaps, reach and open the door. He began to work on this plan, and squirmed around until, after much labor, be got his feet against the wall. Not much time was left for him to work in; the fire bad spread beyond the kindling-wood, and was taking hold of the shanty. This was old and dry, and when fairly in the grasp of the flames would burn up in furious haste. Already the room was full of smoke, and he began to choke and cough. A good chance was given him to put out his strength and press the desk away from the wall, | but.as the resistance all came upon the cords which bound him, it was at the expense of | physical pain. This he did not heed—ignoring the pain, he pushed with all his might. Not long had he been at it before there was a | gratifying response. The desk began to shake, and there was a creaking sound which told that ' the nails, or screws, were giving way slightly. With the smoke curling around him, and the red light growing stronger, he held grimly, | courageously to his task, and one end of the desk moved clear of the wall, | Collecting all his strength, he gave a final great push. There was sound of rending wood, and then { ! the desk fell forward and toppled over on its side, This meant a good deal to Caleb Cinders for he wasin such a position that he was afraid the fall would actually break his neck. It did not have this effect, but he went down with a shock which almost stunned him, .He struggled afresh, however, and then fol- lowed an unexpected discovery. He had done more tban to break the desk away—the fall had caused his bonds to slip over one end of the desk, and they now hung loosely upon his limbs, Hope sprung to the front, and he hastened to get clear of them altogether, He | could then reach his pocket-knife, and he drew | it and began to slash away at the cords. — | It was not long before he leaped to his feet, i free from all impediments, The way of escape was at last open, but he did not turn to the door. Instead, he ran to | the sink and turned 6n the water. He was de- termined to fight the fire, and subdue it if such a thing was possible, It took a long time, it seemed, for the pail to fill, but he stood gasping and coughing until it was done, Then he repeated it with a second pail, and began to shower the flames. It was a’ hard, brave fight that followed. Any one less resolute would have despaired, | but not Caleb Cinders. Just as be saw that victory was in his freee, a faint voice arose, and he discovered that Horace Peach was conscious. It was a short | task to release him,and then the coal-dealer gave his aid Before long the last vestige of fire was gone, | and the weak, blackened amateur firemen grasped hands in’ congratulation, When the | flames were raging, Cinders had not dared open | the door, knowing that the breeze would fan the fire; but it was now done, and the fresh air was very welcomé to both. They stood in silence for some time, enjoying ‘‘ Wal, this beats me!” Peach finally observed. ‘*Strikes me we've beat it /” Caleb replied. ‘““We! Tain’t had much band init; you’ve did it all. Cinders!’ and here the coal-dealer seized the boy’s hand, ‘' I’m proud of you; I am, by sixty! You hev done work that stamps you a hero. I’m as gratefulas you please because you saved my life, but that ain’t much com- we to the glory you’ve spread all over yer- self! “That's not glory, but coal-dust!” facetiously returned the Castaway, as he rubbed off some of the black smut. ‘Never mind; you'll be President, yit!” pow ene Say, Cinders, you'll be | Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. rg ES = **T believe you.” ‘“*D’ye know, Caleb, I hey an idea ’twas you they come ter do up?” ‘*T know it was. I beerd them talk, an’ one said it was pretty rough ter kill you jest because I must be put out o’ the way.” ‘* That settles it. But who set them on?” Cinders shook his head. ** You say!” Peach pointed toward Proctorbam’s house, ‘*T don’t reckon you want to go there alone, after dark, ter get your clothes, now!” Tt was asking a good deal of common sense to believe that a man like Irving Proctorham was the instigator of a murderous deed, or that he would find it to his purpose to usé auch desper- ate means to get rid of one so young and pov- erty-stricken as Caleb Cinders, bnt what else could be inferred? Some one had tried to do the work: who else would have any wish to wipe the boy’s name out of the list of living persons? ‘*You’ve got to be careful now, my lad,” gravely added Peach. ‘*'That’s about so.” ‘Tf I was you, I’d stay in-doors.” ‘*Wal,I aint a-goin’ ter!” the Castaway de- clared, stoutly. ‘‘l won't make no hermit 0” myself, jest ter please them who hateme. I’m goin’ ter be all the livelier. I’m little, but that’s. only all the more reason why I must be right on my muskle. Hide? Not much! On t’other hand, I’m goin’ ter run them chaps down an’ see them inside a prison-cell, b’jinks!” For some time longer the two talked on the subject, and then, when all had been said, and. their faces and hands well washed, they separ- ated. Peach decided to stay there over night, to watch his property, so Caleb started alone for Alton Norway’s. He kept his eyes wide open as he went, deter- mined not to fall into any new snare. It was not a pleasant feeling to know.that secret ene- mies were endeavoring to take his life. CHAPTER XIII. BEN BROWN’S FAMILY NOTES. CALEB reached Norway’s house in safety, and eneountered that gentlem&n at the door, He had expected to find him at home and wonder- ing why his young ally did not come, so the sur- prise was mutual, They went in and found Mrs. Garland in a very uneasy state of mind. Their prolonged absence had led her to fear that some harmhad_ .- come to them. ‘*T can easily explain my tardiness,” observed Norway, ‘‘and I presume that our young friend can do the same,” 4 ‘¢ Rather!” the Castaway grimly replied. ‘¢ Have youhad moreadventures?” asked Mrs, Garland, anxiously. ‘* Not at all, but I have been trying to get light in dark places, When I left you, Caleb, I went at once tosee my lawyer friend. He said that his long legal experience as what may be termed aspecialist had injured his knowledgeof general law, but be was of the opinion that we could properly demand and get all the informa- tion in the Department’s books. Of course it could be refused us, but our recourse would be, in such a case, to a judge, before whom’ we could lay our claims in the shape of affidavits.” ‘¢ That looks favor’ble,” Cinders commented. ‘* But we do not want to go tolaw.” “Pm afeerd you will have ter.” ** It is notimprobable, When I left my legal friend I went at once to the house of one of the Commissioners. I found him a very pleasant gentleman to talk with, and have an Spppine: ment to meet him at his office to-morrow, at half-past ten.” \ “Then he is going to let you see the books?” exclaimed Mrs. Garland, eagerly. ‘¢7 don’t know,” Norway doubtfully replied. ‘¢ He said that he would first look at the record himself and then decide.” ““T bet ag’in’ you!” declared Caleb, with a nod, hs ‘¢-You may be right; I confess that I am not over-confident, As well as I was used, there ‘was much in the Commissioner’s manner to dis-_ courage me. Hesaid that in his opinion it was often to keep unpleasant facts from those who had gone out from their Department under such circumstances.” “Can the truth be worse,” asked Mrs, Gar~ Oe * be ek ye cot yeas z 4s Oa os rl <a . a tke, ee ea i~ Ps We. ~ 7

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Y ee ~ had begun to build ho land, quickly, ‘‘ than what my fears will sug- gest it our request is refused?” ‘* Just the question I asked, but it made no impression.” “Putting other possibilities aside, I shall be- lieve, in case of a refusal, that one of my parents was a great criminal. Can the truth be any worse than this suspicion? 1s not the truth al- ways better than suspense?” er tremulous voice and her nervously- waving hands showed how deeply sxe was agi- tated, and Norway declared that the truth should be known if it was within the range of possibility. ‘*Tf necessary, we will go to law!” he de- clared, ** ve got a new racket,” observed Caleb. * What is it?” **Man down on Bond street who used ter work for the Proctorhams years ago, an’ must know their hist’ry wal. Been advised ter see him!” On being questioned, he gave full particulars, as far as he knew them, and it was decided that the ex-servant should be seen the next day. fast of all the Castaway told of his narrow escape from death by fire, and a genuine sensa- tion followed. Both Norway and Mrs. Gar- land leaped to the conclusion that/the attempt on his life grew out of the recent events, and each mind found the finger of suspicion point- ing to Irying Proctorham. | : he subject was discussed in all its bearings, and thea the household retired for tae night, Caleb Cinders was weary, and he slept as only young personscan. If unpleasant dreams haunted his rest, he did not remember them in the morning; he awoke feeling refreshed, and ready for more adventures, He found Mrs, Garland cheerful, and Norway in a determined mood, The latter had found that Caleb was a person to be trusted with any delicate mission, and when the Castaway asked permission to investi- Bate the Bond street clew, while Norway went to call on the Commissioner, his ally unhesitat- ingly agreed to the plan. t the proper hour they started down-town. They separated at HKighth street, for it was there that Norway left the Elevated Railroad train, but Cinders rode to Houston, and then walked back to Bond street. Peach had described the Bond street party as an old man named Ben Brown, who lived near the Bowery at an unknown ‘number, but who was well known in that vicinity, The Casta- way eda the latter statement true, for the first nies oa of whom he inquired unhesitating- ly Pay out the house where Brown lived. inders was soon in that gentleman’s room. Brown proved to be a little, dried-up old man who spoke in a squeaky voice, and did not hesi- tate to talk freely, “Know the Proctorhams?’ he answered, when qi “tioned. ‘Wal, I should say so! Worked .or them, boy an’ man, a good many ear, Old Daniel Proctorham was alive when went there, though his son, Burr, was then fifty years old. Daniel died, and so did Burr, finally, an’ then come Irving, Burr’s son. Three generations, an’ I knowed’em all. Yes, es! or How many children did Burr have?” “ Three lived ter grow oe There was Irving an’ his sister—her name’s Mrs. Lydeckton now —they live in New York, Then there’s another son, Ethan Allen Proctorham, who’s out in Californy.” ‘¢ When did he go there?” “Thirty year ago. He run away from home, Ethan did, after a quarrel with his father. He went ter Californy an’ married there; an’ he’s got four sons an’ three daughters, an’ four chil- ren has died. The sons is named Ethan, Rich- . ard, John an’ Waldo, an’ the girls is Amy, Mary an’ Martha.” Ben Brown certainly appeared to have the testy history at his tongue’s end. “Where. was them children born?’ Caleb asked. ** In Californy.” -** How old was their dad when he left here?” ‘‘He run away right arter his seventeenth birthday.” ‘* An’ went right to Californy?” “cc Yes. ” *¢ Ain’t he never been back here?” ‘* No,” Here was a disappointment for Caleb, As soon as he heard of Ethan A. Proctorham he s upon him, but this information was decidedly against his theories. He hesitated, and Ben Brown went on, glibly: Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. ‘* Ethan was a fine boy; the best of all the Proctorhams, His father was mean, an’ miser- ly, an’ cranky; an’ Irving was even meaner. Ethan couldn’t stan’ the gang, an’ he jest ups an’runaway. Ginerally, boys who run away make a big blunder, but he got out o’ bad com- any, acy Did he get his share o’ his father’s money?” Ben chuckled, ** Guess you didn’t know Burr Proctorham?” ** No, { didn’t.” : ‘* He didn’t have no money.” *¢ But Irving is rich.” ‘He ain’t got so_much as folks think, an’ what he’s got come other ways. Burr was s’posed ter be rich, an’ he did have a few thou- sand dollars, but not any great pile. He was a miser, an’saved some, but he was the poorest business-man you ever seen. No; he never had much money. Irving’s goods an’ chattels come from his mother’s side 0’ the house.” ‘* Who was she?” ‘A Beckwith. She come of a good fam’ly an’ was a fine woman, I never knowed her fam’ly, though, but they was New Yorkers.” ‘*“Wea'n’t there any other heirs?” ‘*Trving Proctorham must ’a’ been est, for he got the money.” ‘*1d like ter know more about the Beck- withs,” ‘““T can’t tell ye, but Irving’s mother had a relative—mebbe a niece, though I don’t think she wasso near—who evuld tell ye all about the Beckwiths, Her name is Mrs, Catherine Richardson,” ‘* Who?” cried Caleb. ‘“ Mrs. Catherine Richardson.” The Castaway drew a card from ais pocket, It was that given him by the lady on the Ele- vated Road, whom he had saved from being the victim of a thief, and he believed that he re- membered the name, He now looked at the inscription on the card. ‘* Mrs. Catherine Richardson, No.—, Lewing- ton Avenue |” If this wasa coincidence, it was remarkable, ‘“« Where’bouts does she live?” he asked, ‘* Up-town, som’er’s—on Madison or Lexington avenue, I s’pect.” Caleb asked several more questions, but soon satisfied himself that Ben Brown had told all that would be of interest, so he arose to go. Just then the loquacious old man bestirred bim- self and inquired why his visitor wished to know all this, The reply he received did not reveal any- ao and, hurrying out, Cinders was soon on the Elevated Road again, and bound up-town. His destination was Mrs. Richardson’s house, ** Whethershe’s the same one or not it’s worth the near- tryin’,” the Castaway thought; ‘‘an’I’m goin’ straight to her. Jemima! wouldn’t it be jolly ef I’ve struck the trail, an’ kin have sech a kind old lady ter help me!” Youth is sanguine, and, cool as Caleb usually was, he began to get in a fever. Reaching the house, he rung the bell. CHAPTER XIV. WITH A REVOLVER UPON HIS KNEZ, Cates CINDERS was a natural admirer of charming things, and he was duly impressed when, in response to his ring, one of the neatest, most rosy-cheeked and hep servant-girls imaginable appeared at the door, He removed his hat with a aeacetat sweep. “Mrs. Richardson in, mum?” he asked. ‘No, she isn’t, sir,” replied the pretty girl, with a twinkle in her eyes. ** Ts she out fur long?” ‘* Well, for some hours, for she left word that she would not bo home to lunch,” ‘*That’s bad!” **Do you want to see her on business?” % paige that. D’ye know where she went?” 0. ham? The pretty girl grimaced. “No, DPveheard her mention them—one of her relatives married into the family—but she won’t own any relationship, She don’t like them!” ‘*Shows her good sense. Is Mr, Richardson in the house?” ‘* Why! he’s been dead ten years!” ‘‘Oh! ’scuseme, Any children?” ‘“No. Are you the census-taker?” The pretty girl spoke with a spice of sarcasm, but Cinders coolly replied: **T be, mum,” ay, has she relatives named Proctor- 11 **'You look like it!” *¢ Blood will tell!” The Castaway lifted his hat again, and stirred up his luxuriant hair with four plump fingers. ‘* Wish I knowed where Mrs, Richardson has gone!” he added, wishfully, ‘* Perhaps I can tell,” remarked a new voice, and another servant appeared at tho door. ‘* Just before she went she wrote on a card. She meant to take it with her, for after she got into her carriage she observed to me; ‘ I’ve for- gotten my card, but it don’t matter!’ Here’s the card now.” She bad taken a bit of pasteboard from the table and now extended it to the spas ay Several words were scribbled in pencil upon it, and he read as follows: **Mrs, Beck, No. — Greenwich avenue,” Caleb looked up in surprise. ** Who is Mrs, Beck?” ** Don’t know,” ** Hver hear of her afore?” ac No.” Cinders had—at least, the resemblance be- tween the name and that of “ Mother Beck” struck him very forcibly. Could it be that the old woman had removed to Greenwich avenue and was the same whom Mrs, Richardson had gone to see? He stood studying the card until the pretty girl became impatient, ‘* Well, are you ‘in’ for thirty days?” she asked, pertly. ‘*t No; they let me off easy fur turnin’ State’s evidence ag’in’ you!” retorted Caleb, as he handed back the card. Then he raised his hat again—thero was a tremendous fund of polite- ness in our Castaway—end bowed low as he added: ‘* Ladies, £ hev the honor ter wish ye good-day! May yer shadders never grow less!” Then he walked down the stoop and away from the house, ‘*T’ll be chewed up, individooally an’ collec- tively, ef I know what ter think o’ this!” he muttered, ‘Gone ter see Mrs, Beck, has she? Who’s Mrs, Beck? Is she my charmin’ frien’ who set on her household goods, or ain’t she? Anyhow, Mrs. Richardson is the Mrs, R, I wanted fur ter find, an’it strikes me as odd thet she’s gone ter see Mrs. Beck. Wal, b’jinks, I’m goin’ ter do the same! Wish I had a vehicle— harnsome cab or coop—fur I'm gittin’ ter be a perdiguous trav’ler,’ Not having the coveted vehicle he bad to rely on the means open to him, Norway’s liberalit had given him plenty of terete cre b and th helped him along so well that, after using two cars, he finally found himself at the corner of Eighth avenue and Fourteenth street. He trudged along toward Greenwich avenue, which is but a few rods below, Jackson Square was clad in its brightest green, and several children were enjoying themselves in that little oasis of city life, but parks and recreation had = charms for the persevering investigator en. It was not many minutes’ walk to the number which he had found on the card, The house, like speek hye on the dingy avenve, was of plain brick, and had seen its best days. iting before Caleb Cinders saw his first day of ife, There are some houses in every city that seem to have the character of their occupants spread upon the very building-stones, g or bad; but others are of that rusty medium which gives no clew, and they may shelter saints or sinners, : Such was the case with the Greenwich avenue ouse, No stylish carriage stood at the door, and Caleb concluded that he was not to see Mrs. Richardson, but he hardly had expected that he would; it was the magic of the name ‘‘ Beck” that had brought him there, — After using his eyes for awhile, he walked for-- ward and pulled at the door-bell, A small boy with a distorted face soon an- swered the summons. , ‘*Mrs. Beck in?’ briskly asked the Cast- ome “ es, ” ‘* Tell her a gentleman wants fur ter see her.” ** Come in!” The boy was as mechanical as a machine, and there was no cause to snspect that he had am emotion of hisown, If the calmness was genu- ine, his stoical air would indicate that Caleb at ta have asked for a lady-bug, or the Queen. of ngland, without causing him surprise, Caleb entered, and the boy closed the door. Then he turned his face toward the stairs. ‘* Come up!” he briefly directed, “Has Mrs, Beck lived here long?” asked Cin-- ers. :

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~ eS ee Se Mae a 12 The reply was not intelligible. ‘* Hey?” questioned the visitor. The taciturm boy muttered something out of which Caleb distinguished the words “ last night.” Whether they aprned to Mrs. Beck he could not tell, but they cheered him somewhat. By this time the second floor was reached, and, as he turned around the balusters, tho Castaway had view of the hall-room at the fur- ther end, There stood an aged woman, and he felt a thrill of delight as he saw that it was, in- deed, Mother Beck herself. He was about to utter her name when the guide pushed open another door. ** In there,” he tersely directed, It was a large, rather cheerful room, and Caleb walked in without delay. “* Sit down!—come pretty soon.” With this encouraging statement the boy of few werds closed the door, shutting himself out, and the adventurous Castaway was alone, He was im high spirits over his success in running down Mother Beck, but he assumed a dignified air and sat down like a substantial citizen. Until he had seen the object of bis uest, he had not dared to believe, really, that the two Becks were one, but now that he was ou the scene, he began to ask himself how he was to deal with her. What questions was he to ask? Really, he had no proof that she knew any- thing about the case which interested him so much, and as Proctorham had spirited her away, it was to be presumed that she was under the influence of that evil genius and his money. Would she be likely to divulge her secrets freely to a person as young as her present visitor? , Caleb was still wrestling dubiously with this conundrum when the door again opened and seme one entered. It was not Mother Beck, but a man, and the boy felt a thrill of uneasi- ness as he recognized the fellow who had tried te rob Mrs. Richardson on the train. The man sat down deliberately. ** You’ve dropped in, I see,” he observed. ** Yes,” Cinders admitted. *¢ What do you want?” “‘T want to see Mrs. Beck.” **T represent her. State your business!” The speaker’s manner was cold and calm— as cold as ice—and there was a gleam in his eyes which the youth did not like. **7T had rather see Mrs. Beck,” was the reply. ** You can’t see her.” Curtly making this announcement, the man drew a revolver and laid, it upon one of his knees. ‘You have got to deal with me!” he sig- nificantly added. ‘*Do you talk with guns?’ uneasily asked Cinders. ‘*WhenlI run up ‘against such a meddling sneak as you,I do! I’m on to you, you cur! You're the fellow who tried to get me arrested on the Hlevated Road.” Caleb was alarmed, but his apprehension was not of a craven sort, ** Didn’t you deserve it?” he retorted, ‘* No matter; you beat me out in a job I was anxious to do, When you stood eying this house, a fow minutes ago, I saw you, in return, by chance, as I looked down through the blinds. hen you rung the bell, I at once told the boy to adit you—otherwise you would not have got in—and here you. are! How do you like it? ‘¢ The person I want ter see,” Caleb distinctly announced, ‘‘is Mrs, Beck—” ‘You won’tsee her! You will deal with me, and don’t you think that I will fail to deal with you! I’ve heard of folks being trapped, before now, but you have walked’ in on your own ac- cord. Now you’re here, you will stay: If you try to ge eut, this ‘barker’ will stop you!” He raised the revolver and deliberately.cocked it, eter rt CHAPTER XV. FRESH DISAPPOINTMENT. Wuen Alton Norway set out for the office of the Commissioners of Charities and Correction hé went very well clothed. The fact that the superintendent bad thought it necessary to turn to a human dictionary, and explain his words according to dictionary methods, still rankled im Norway’s mind, and he hoped that it would not be repeated. Although he had been dressed as a well-to-do New Yorker generally was sorties business heurs, he thought it best to show the officials that if, as appeared to be the case, they bpd so ee a _ < — Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. long dealt with the poorer classes that they did | thought Norway, ‘‘is given careful attention. not expect any applicant to understand ordinary English, and mistook all for the more ignorant ones, he, at least, was able to wear good clothes, There was no unworthy motive in this resolu- tion; it was partly because his pride had been | Now to see how these high city officials are im- ressed by the case of a lady who wishes to ow who she is!” he second Commissioner sat down at the table. «Are you a relative of this lady, sir?” he hurt before, and partly because he knew that | asked. good clothes did have distinct influence: went with a tall hat and a cane. He saw the influence of these before he had | | The scene he had before witnessed was being re- | been long occupied in his work. Reaching the building, he entered promptly. eated, There was the same melancholy line of ull, broken-limbed, maimed, ragged and suffer- ing unfortunates at the station of both the | srintendent and the subordinate officer. ‘ Heaven pity them!” he thought, It was a gratifying feeling to believe that their wants would be duly regarded by the pro- su temporarily from his mind. As he could see no other possible place he de- cided that the Commissioners’ office must be | somewhere beyond the passage be had seen on | his previous ‘visit, redig he marched in that | direction without a wordtoanyone . As he ascended the short line of steps and passed tho’pile of applicants he saw the plump per officials, and he proceeded to banish them | | but he / ‘*T hope to be her husband soon, sir,” was the frauk, but grave reply. ‘*Is this why -you wish for a copy of the record?” Norway understood the insinuation. ‘ The event I have mentioned, sir,” he quick- ly replied, ‘‘ will not be influenced by my in- vestigation—it cannot be. My purpose is fixed,” ‘*T judge that the lady occupies a good posi- tion in hfe?” ; ‘¢ She has enough of worldly goods, and is re- spected by ail who know her.” ‘** Do you think she would be happier to know the particulars of an unfavorable past?” ‘“T believe that where information has been so stoutly denied’iv the past, the most un- favorable facts cannot be worse than what one would naturally imagine under such?circum- stances,” - ‘*It is my opinion, and in this the superinten- dent agrees with me, that where a record is not policeman look at him doubtfully, but be did | pleasant, no good can be served by makin not pause. In the passage he encountered a | young man who seemed to bea clerk, or book- ) keeper of some sort, and he asked for the office | of the Commissioner at whose dwelling he had called.” ‘*T have an appointment with him,” he added. ‘The visitors’ entrance is by the other door” —indicating a second passage, where Norway saw a dozen men standing around—* but,” con- tinued the young man, regarding Norway’s tall hat, ‘‘ you can go in here.” @ indicated a door near bis elbow, and then himself opened it. Norway was thankful forthe favor. Was it due to the appointment mentioned, or to the tall | hat! He never knew. Entering the sacred region beyond he found | himself in a room which, for an office, was of good size, It had a decided air of business, and seemed to be the quarters of busy men. In the center stood a desk-table about ten feet long. Upon this. were papers by the quantity, all | showing more or less orderly arrangement. Only two of the Commissioners were present, The President of the Board occupied a chair at the head of the table, and was conversing with a stranger on business, The Commissioner in whom Norway was especially interested was moving idly about, Norway had only had time to take in the gen- eral aspect of the office when the other visitor ae by the second door. en Norway addressed the Commissioner, ‘*T presume, sir, that you remember my call- ing at your house?” ‘Ido. Sit down, sir!” was the business-like, but not ungracious direction; after which the it known, Of course we are willing and 234 to make known all reasonable matters, but why divulge secrets which cannot but cause unhap- piness to those concerned ?” The very air was full of an unfavorable deci- sion to come, and Norway was correspondingly downcast. He was earnestly regarding the grave presi- dent of the board, and, though that official showed a decided disposition to let his fellow- Commissioner settle a case he had begun, Nor- way was about to appeal to him when the sub- ee derted a glance at his chief and briskly ‘* However, we are disposed to deal well with all, and this case shall have my earliest atten- tion. To-day-we are very busy; so busy that I cannot stop to examine the record,’ I must ask ou to excuse me now, and leave your address, instead. I will look at the record, and write to you within a day or two,” Norway was dissatisfied, hut what could he do¢? To insist upon seeing the record would not only turn the Commissioners against him, but, no doubt, he would be ejected promptly. All he could do was to rely upon the promise he had received, and resort to threats when more harmonious measures had failed, At the same time he bad no faith in the prom- - ise ; he believed that it was the intention to tire out the investigation and the investigators. He 9 further, making as strong a plea as he could for his cause, and then left his name and address and took his departure. The Commissioner saw him to the door. *¢ You shall hoar from me in a day or two,” he repeated; ‘‘I will use you as one gentleman speaker turned to the President of the Koard, | should another,” ‘* This gentleman,” he proceeded to explain, ‘has called upon me in regard to one of the children in the care of this Department man years ago, but now grown to winnauesd. Acting for her, he wishes to make a copy of the record concerning her, as found on our books,” The president listened attentively, but said nothing. ‘*The lady in the case,” pursued’ the last aker, ‘‘is ignorant of her parentage, and of all facts relating to ber early life, although she several times made inquiries in the past.” ; The president maintained a thoughtful si- ence, ‘* Let me have the name,” added the Commis- sioner, ‘‘ and I will see the superintendent,” Norway made a few remarks which he tried to make appropriate, and gave the gentleman a slip. of paper on which was written Mrs. Gar- land’s childhood’s name and the date when she was sent by the Department to Maine. The Commissioner hurried out and’a new ap- | plicant was admitted by the second door to.see the ews He was a young man who spoke English with a strong German accent. He stated that he was studying forthe medical tgs and wished for additional facilities see the workings of tho hospitals of New York and the cases therein. He received courteous attention, and was re- ferred to a snitable person, with instructions to return if not successful, He was bowed out just as the subordinate Commissioner entered. ‘* A man who wishes for medical knowledge,” And with this promise ringing in his ears Nor- way went out—cut through the passage and the big room with its melancholy line, and out to the street again. ; He did not go ina very agreeable mcod, *¢ Delay follows delay !” he muttered, ‘t Where willit end? I suppose that I must be patient, but I disiike to carry this news to Claribel!” There was no help forit, and he went home and made his report. It was a sad disappoint- ment to Mrs. Garland. ; ‘*T am the only person known to be living to whom the record relates, and it is refused meby , those who have only the coldest. blooded interest possible!” she exclaimed, bitterly. ‘¢ Remember the Cornmissioner’s promise,” re- plied Norway ; but hisown manner was dejected. Caleb Cinders bad not returned. They wait- ed for him, hoping that he would bring good news, but he did not come. Noon came, and still there was no sign of their young ally. By that time Norway had grown anxious, re- eee that cne attempt had already been made on the boy’s life, and he started for Bond street. There he learned that Caleb had come and gone, so he went home to wait egain. Tt was a long wait. The afternoon passed and evening came. Every effort to find him was a failure, and Norway had grown very much alarmed. He decided thatif there was a change by morning, he would notify the po ce. The night passed, and morning came, Caleb did not return. { a aE

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% ee ea ee ‘ro ae v Ny As ; val si ‘ a ‘eL} . a, PP, > } CHAPTER XVI, DIRECT EVIDENCE AT LAST, CALEB CINDERS looked into the muzzle of the leveled revolver with more composure than was to be expected. ‘*Say, ef you’re goin’ ter do any shootin’, spose you give me one o’ them!” he suggested. ‘*-You will know it when I do!” his enemy re- plied. ‘** Ain't afeerd o’sech a little chap as me, be you?” * Not a particle.” *¢)hen get another shootin’-iron, an’ le’s fight a duel!” The Castaway did not make the proposition with any idea that the man would agree to it, or because he really wanted to fightasindicated, but it was his nature never to be put down by. adversity. ** You are to be shut up; that's te figure for you,” announced the thief, ‘‘ You have been doing a good deal of leg-work, lately, and it is time for you to pull up short. Your address for the next few weeks, or months—unless we decide to dump you into the North River—will he right here, e have a room well suited for a rison-place, and there you will stay!” ‘TI protest!” declared Cinders, stoutly. ** All right; do it!” as Lemme out, or Pll hey the perleece after ou. ig: How’ll you get to them?” Tl find a way.” ‘©When found, make a note of it. I think I can hold you fast. Now I'll take you to your Elba, and let me say that you are not to cut up any tricks by the way. I don’t bear you any good-will, and had Jost as soon nail you as not. If youtry torun, or raise your bazoo, I will yank the trigger bere. Are you ‘ on?” ‘+ ])'ye reelly mean ter keep me here?” “ Yes. ” *¢'You’ll be sorry !”” “That’s my biz.” ** Strikes me that I’m interested, too.” *¢ You don’t hold a vote.” **T may, later.” “Tf so, do me up all you can.” “Thank you, I will; an’ don’t ye forget it. Ef you keep me here ag’in’ my will, you will ‘see the liveliest circus around here, later, that ever showed on this globe, b’jinks!” Caleb spoke boldly and indignantly, but did not succeed in making an impression upon his enemy. That person arose, Hf Sag a side-door, turned his revolver upon the boy and laconical- ly commanded ; “ Go in!” There was no help for it, and Cinders went, slowly and sulkily enough. It proved that the room was what was known as a ‘“‘dark” room —that is,it had no window which opened to the outside world, air being obtained by a transom, . Light was almost wholly lacking, and Caleb could see nothing when he first entered. All this was so obnoxious to him that, despite the revolver, he turned defiantly toward the door and his captor, but the latter was not in a mood of delay. He had stepped back, and the door was already closing: It banged to, and the Castaway was alone, Hesat down in a chair, somewhat disconso- late, but as level-headed as ever, ‘«Bjinks! Herel am ag’in, high an’ dry on a horstyle shore, Captervated, incusserated an’ held ag’in’ all law an’ order, I desarve the name ‘Castaway’ now, ef ever, fur I’m tremenjusly shipwrecked, Nobody won’t ever find me here, an’ I guess I’m in fur life,” He shook his head in a melancholy way which was mostly assumed. 5 He might feel dismayed enough iater, but, “just then, he was taking it in a serio-comic mood. After awhile he arose and looked around the’ ‘room, The only point which possibly could be termed weak was the transom. Caleb thought he could squeeze through that, but finding iron bars on the further side, decided that any weak- ness there was not very manifest. Once more he sat down. He studied how to beat his enemies, but gained no idea. In this en hours —how many, he had no means of telling, but he felt sure that eve- aaling smite beat hand. Anyway, it was a long and wearisome wait, ge a quantity of food was put inatthedoor. He tried to inter- view the feeder, but failed—he retreated promptly. It was half an hour later than this that the er heard voices. They were not from the - ¥oom where he had talked with the man with the revolver, but on one side of his prison, there I eee boarded over and closed, but not cut off by any partition. Such things, Caleb knew, were not uncom- mon, and he had known amiable women to | | of wriggling, and finally stood on the other listen at such points to learn their neighbors’ business. The Castaway now resolved to profit by ex- perience given in the past—he went to the door and listened eagerly. Muffled voices came to his hearing, but the words were fairly dis- tinct. ‘*T tell you that you’ve made a mistake!” de- clared an unseen speaker, ‘* W hat else could I do?” asked a second voice. ‘* The boy was dangerous,” ‘You did right to nab him—” ‘¢ Then why do you complain?” ‘‘T refer to the woman. Great Scott! you will have the liveliest row afoot ever heard of. Such a woman as Mrs. Richardson cannot dis- appear without a general howl!” ** Let them howl!” ‘* Be sensible!” “So I will, Proctorham. Well, to face the matter fully, they can't trace her here, for she dismissed her carriage at Tiffany’s, sent the driver to get one of the horses shod, and came here by car. Nobody saw her enter that knows her.’ ‘*She may have told her driver she was com- ing here,” ‘* From what I learned by skillfully question- ing her, I think not.” ‘Or it may be known at her home,” **You are bound to look on the dark side, Proctorham,” “I’m bound to look out for my precious self. Mrs. Richardson is a woman who can wield a good deal of influence, and if she gets loose, now, * so may as well check your trunk for Sing Smg. Are you sure she cannot get out of this house?” ‘*Dead sure!” ‘* Ts she bound?” ‘* No; but her prison is secure.” **T must leave it to you to look to that, and to hang to both her and the ath As for Caleb Cinders, make no bones with him!” ** What shaJl I do?” **Can’t you pot him in a bag, and throw him es “ op acy mee ‘*Tt might be done, possibly. **Then do it!” The rattling of a chair followed the last words, footsteps were audible briefly, and then all became silent, The men had gone. ' ** Humph!” Cinders muttered, ‘'So I’m ter be put in a bag an’ throwed in the river? That’s cheerful, b’jinks! Ain’t heerd anything so con- solatin’ sence some time previous ter no time, But I ain’t in yet, an’, Proctorham, old chap, I’m onter you!” Proctorham’s hand did, indeed, show plainly in the case at last, and Caleb felt that, if he was clear of the house, he would be equipped for the fight better than ever. ut he was not clear, He looked wishfully at the transom, and then drew the table to the locked door, mounted upon it, and tried the iron bars which shut him in. . They did not seem to be particularly strong, and the ends were buried in ordinary wood, ‘¢ fof I had time I could cut my way out,” he muttered, thinking of the sharp knife in his pocket, After much meditation he put the table back where he had found it. o begin: work at ioee would be reckless, for he might have vis- rs, He sat down and endured another period of idle, painful waiting. At last the house Tecame perfectly silent, and the distant sound of a striking clock conveyed to him the fact that the hour of eleven had come. Then he put the table under the tran- som and began the task of cutting away the bars. A less a ge spirit would have despair- ed, for, keen as his knife was, it was not of a size suitable to the work, and he had to labor in the darkness, Caleb Cinders, however, was not one to be beaten without a struggle, and he began to cut at the wooden frame bravely. Hour after hour the fight went on, His hands, hardened by toi] though they were, grew blistered, and bis legs and head ached, but he was making gress, Five bars had been in the way, and it required an hour and a half to get cise of the first, but the others came a little uicker. Ps Finally the last wag removed, and just then he heard the clock strike four, Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. had once been a door, which, later, had been | eee ee ee ———— 13 Day was fast approsehigs and not much time remained for work. He rested only a minute or two, and then made the attempt to crawl through the tran- som. This he accomplished after a good deal side. He found himself in a room filled with rub- | bish of various kinds—boxes, boards, and odds and ends—but there was no window, and the only door was that which led to his late prison- room, A ladder-like stairway led to the floor above, however, and he began the ascent promptly. ‘* Don’t know what in p’ison I shall find,” he ee ‘but I’m in fur the war, Never say ie! CHAPTER XVII, THE FINAL STRUGGLE, Tut Castaway’s first view of the floor al ve was encouraging. He saw a window, with a faint light shining in, and the relief it gave him was great, ‘* B’jinks! that’s the pootiest sight I’ve seen in anage, Cinders,old man, thar may yit be balm in Gilium fur you— Hullo!” He had made a fresh discovery; he saw evi- dence of other light than that of nature. It was the dull gleam of gas through a space three feet long and eighteen inches iateieteariy, an- other transom, with a cloth curtain, Caleb had an idea, and he found a chair placed it by the door, mounted upon it, pushed. the curtain aside and looked cake the tran- som. He saw a lighted room, and there sat Mrs, Catherine Richardson, wrapped in an un- romantic bed-spread, keeping a solitary vigil. His heart bounded with joy—he had found his companion prisoner, But how wes he to reach ber? Of course the door was locked. He ran his hand down to find the knob, but touched a key, instead. It was im the lock! His face flushed with joy, and, without stop- ing to form any plan, he erste turned the ey. Anvther moment and he had the door open, and had entered the room, Mrs, Richardson started up with a startled, air, but he made a quick, warning gesture, ‘Don’t speak above a whisper!” he cried anxiously. ‘I’ve come ter rescue you, but et them p’ison critters hear any sound, our name is Dennis!” The lady was looking at him in bewilder- ment. ‘* Say, you remember me, don’t ye!” he added, **-You seen me on the train, when the feller tried. ter rob ye of the hand-bag.” ‘¢T doremember you,”? was the quick reply, ‘**but why are you here?” ‘““Ter rescue you. Jest believe that, an’ ('l] aoe) ye out ina jiffy. You’re a pris’ner, ain’t ye $e"'¥ oe ‘* What fur?” “Tt is the plot of an enemy named Irving Proctorbam—at least, I think so.” ‘* Why does he want you shut up?” ‘*T am trying to get facts which will deprive him of ill-gotten money.” ‘* Say, tell me about it, quick!” urged Caleb. ‘*T may be able ter help ye!” His excitement was eye aud some im- pulse led the lady to confide in him, ‘*Twenty years ago Proctorham inherited egg which ought never to have been his,” rs, Kichardson explained. ‘‘It appeared, then, to be bis rightfully, for the only nearer heir—a little girl—had seemed to die. Seemed to die, I say; but, after many years, I have be- come convinced that her death wasa sham; that he substituted another young’ girl for her, and. that she did not die at all.” ? ‘* Where is she, now?” ; “‘T don’t know, but I think thatanold woman called Mother Beck could explain,” “Was the child named Claribel?” ‘*No; it was Eveline Vincent. She was my cousin’s child, and a relative of Irving Proctor- ham’s mother, which is why he inherited the property when little Eveline seemed to die. But why do ycu ask? Do you know of her?” Ka erly Mrs. Richardson asked the question and, having come close to the boy, she stood trembling with strong emotion, ‘+ Let me ask one more question,” replied the Castaway. ‘‘Hev you any idee what become o’ that small heiress?’ “T have heard a rumor—Which I am trying: to verify or disprove by seeing Mother Beck—. that she gave the child to some orphan asylum. Heaven knows what became of it after that!” \

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14 Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. i — ———— in great excitement. ** You?’ “ Yes,” ardson bad been heir to considerable property. After her, the heirs were Irving Proctorham | and his sister, Mrs. Lydeckton. Coveting the | ‘Do you really mean it? Do you mean it?” | property, they had formed a scheme to make it | tremulously demanded the lady. | be believed that the child was dead. Really, | **1 do, fur sure!” Mrs, Lydeckton gave it to Mother Beck, alias | ‘* But where—who—” Huldeh Joy, who, carrying ittothe City Out- | “J know a lady—she’s a woman, now, ye | door Poor authorities, had represented it to be | see, an’ a mother, but she was a child twenty | her own child ard left it there. odd years ago—who was an orphin asylum girl, She had told a false, unfavorable story as to an’ sent *way down ter Maine ter be cared fur; | its parentage. an’ she’s tryin’ ter find who ske was; an’we| ‘Thischild, we need scarcely say, had lived to think Mother Beck put her in the asylum, an’ | become the Mrs. Garland of our story. ! that Proctorham was in it—” After mary years Mrs, Richardson, who had | Mrs. Richardson interrupted hisrapid speech, | been a relative and valued friend of the child’s | | / | | “Take me to that girl, and I will reward you | mother, had gained a clew to the facts, and it well,” was this which led Proctorham to abduct little ‘“She was put into the asylum by a Hul- | Allan and shut him up inthestable. He had —) ; planned to decoy Mrs, Garland away, later. ‘‘Huldah Joy! The same; the same; old Mo- Mrs. Richardson was overjoyed to find Clari- wwe Beck once went by that name!” bel, and the latter at last knew her real name. ‘We sin’t found that the asylum records | In their satisfaction they did not forget that all ive only the firat name—Hu!dah—but we hope | this was due to a youth named Caleb “ Cin- er findoutmore. But, great Scott! we’re let- | ders.” tin’ valerble time go ter waste. Foller me, an’ ‘we'll get out ef we kin!” Caleb hurriedly added an explanation of the situation, and the need of caution was seen by Mrs, Richardson, as well as himself. They left the room, and began an effort toget out of the house. They dared not strike a light, so Caleb had to feel the way, and go very slow- ly, but, fora time, luck was with them, They nally reached the lower hall, and saw the gray light of early morning struggling in throug narrow windows beside the door. But when they reached the door, it was found to be locked, and the key not visible. What was to be done? Cinders looked out and saw two policemen pepe at. a slow pace, but, just then, Mrs. ichardson uttered a cry of alarm. Her com- panion turned, and the sight which he saw was a startler for him, also, The man who had be- come his jailer was at the head of the stairs, looking down in amazement; but as Caleb turned, he uttered a fierce exclamation and came rushing dov n. The Castaway realized the danger, and saw that a crisis was at hand which uid soon be gettled one way or the other. Turning, he dashed his foot through one of the long lights of glass, and then his voice rung out shrilly in the cry: “Help! help! Perleece! Help!” The coat-tails of the two officers had just dis- | has a good business chance. appeared, but.Caleb had no fear that the He gives promise of having a career which would let the disturbance go uninvestigated. | will put his envious relations wholly in the He uttered one more yell, and then made an | shade, Irving Proctorham and his sister, Mrs. Ly- deckton, were not prosecuted. The attempt on Caleb’s life atthe coal-yard had been made by the rich man’s tools, but he hed never author- ized such extreme measures. It was alsoheand his sister who had caused Mother Beck’s remov- al after the latter sew the evil pair in the han- som cab. Despite all these things Mrs. Garland was re- luctant to prosecute them, and, when they had handed over the property they illegally held, they were allowed to go on condition that they leave the country. They went to Paris, lived three years in great poverty, and then both died of an epidemic disease. The thief who had captured Caleb was gent to arse as were the men who fired the coal-shed, other Bek, to drown her sorrows, drowned herself in whisky and died in squalor. Norway did not again go to get a copy of the records, but when, five months later, he was married to Mrs, Garland and started on a tour of Europe, no werd had ever come from the Commissioners who had promised to write ‘in | a day or two.” ‘ Caleb is,no longer called ‘* Cinders,” but is known by his proper name, Lyons, His ser- vices were duly appreciated, Norway took him in charge, and he is now at school. When his education is completed, Norway will see that be agile leap to one side as the angry thief tried to THE END. seize him, Mrs. Richardson screamed, and a blue-coated man came rushing up the steps. Ped a Reapy NOVEMBER 14th. SS “ Break ae — soe peng th é ‘ Cinders added this fresh cry, but the revolver + looked ugly, and he suddenly sent out his Beadle’s Half-Dime Library, No. 851, strong arm in an accurate blow. It took effect ee ° knocked clean through the window. The Tie-To Sport: The appearance of the weapon seemed to set- tle vee ee the ig a of oe ig gtd OR, had knocked in vain, but a glance throug e ° ° P 5 window had partially eveaion the state of af- High Hustling at Sinners’ Flat. and it flew open with a crash. BY WILLIAM R. BYSTER, They did not come any too soon. Caleb’s — enemy, almost maddened by his ill-luck, had | A Wild West story of unusual interest, in which | sprung at the boy, grasping at his throat, and | two sports play leading parts as do also Giant x Fair D ine; Billy Jingles, always appearing in very dangerous for the ey oy Wt but ac the nik of times Geotain rant Guyod ines from Mrs. Richardson, added to what was visi- champion; besides: photographing incidents and life ble, satisfied the officers how they ought to pro- | at Sinners’ Fiat, forming altogether a most interest- The thief drew a revolver, on the thief’s wrist, and the revolver was fairs. They flung themselves against the door, his superior strength might have made matters Jim, the Saint from Side Ace, and founder of the ceed, and one used his club and promptly knock- | ing work, which will be read with interest by thou- ed the thief down, sands of readers who are admirers of Mr. Eyster's ‘* That's the figger 1” Caleb cried. ‘‘ Hang to popular novels, the critter now!’ ti ** What's up here?” tho blue-coat demanded, “More things,than I kin telliu a month; but you jest gous this chap an’ old Mother Beck an’ we'll hev an explanation, It’s the biggest riot sence the war, but we’re on top. ell | 752 The Suspect Sport of Daisy Drift. stay, too, fur the rogues are all down like ten- | 626 Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective. » | 612 Sheriff Stillwood, the Regulator of Raspberry. pins. Now, Mrs, Richardson, fur Mother Beck!” | 51° ine Dominie Detective. 5 iels, the Society Detective, An hour later Alton Norway’s anxiety in re- ne nee 4 Shadow. ft rd to Caleb Cinders was relieved by the lat- | 565 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective. "s appearance, but the fact that he was ac- | 557 The Mountain Graybeards; or, Riddles’ Riddle. companied by an elderly lady in an agitated | 519 Old Riddles, the Rock Ranger i i 499 Twilight) Charlie, the Road Sport. x Pepe aticare careed pers 473 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective. 452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas. Motber Beck had béen alarmed into a confes- | 436 Kentucky Jean, the 8 Bs from Yellow Pine. sion, and this, coupled with what Mrs, Richard- | 422 Blue Grass Burt, the Gold Star Detective. son and Cinders knew, had been enough, 390 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta Jobn's Jubilee. ine , Beadle’s Dime Library. BY J. Cc. COWDRICK. 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. | 117 Dashing Dandy; or, The Hotspur of the Hills, 142 Captain Crimson, the Man of the Iron Face. 156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo. 175 Wild-Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress, 185 The Phantom Mazeppa; or, The Hyena. 448 Hark Kenton, the Traitor. BY FRANCIS JOHNSON. + 25 The Gold Guide; or, Steel Arm, Regulator. 26 The Death Track: or, The Mountain Outlaws. 123 Alapaha the Squaw; or, The Border Renegades, 124 Assowaum the Avenger; or, The Doom of the. Destroyer. 135 The Bush Ranger: or, The Half-Breed Rajah. 126 The Outlaw Hunter; or, The Bush Ranger. 188 The Border Bandit; or, The Horse Thief’s Trail BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY,. 82 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster. 126 The Demon Duelist; or, The Leagu> of Steel. 143 The Czar’s Spy; or, The Nihilist League 150 El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen. 157 Mourad, the Mameluke; or, The Three Sword- masters. 169 Corporal Cannon, the Man of Forty Duels, { 236 Champion Sam; or, The Monarchsof the Show 262 Fighting Tom, the Terror of the Tourhs. : 382 Spring-Heel Jack; or, The Masked Mystery, BY DR. J, H. ROBINSON, 13 Pathaway; or, Nick Whiffles. the old Nor’west Trapper. 17 Nightshade; or, The Robber Prince. 22 Whitelaw; or, Nattie of the Lake Shore. 87 Hirl, the Hunchback; or, The Santee Sword- maker. 58 Silver Knife; or, The Rocky Mountain Ranger. 70 Hydrabad, the Strangier. 73 The Knights of the Red Cross; or, The Granada Magician. 163 Ben Brion; or, Redpath, the Avenger. BY NED BUNTLINE. 14 Thayendanegea,the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet, 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover, 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privatver. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot SPY. 270 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 361. Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. BY PROF, J. H. INGRAHAM. 113 The Sea Slipper; or, The Freebooters, 118 The Burglar Captain; or. The Fallen Star. 314 Loefitte; or, The Pirate of the Gulf. 816 Lafitte’s Lieutenant; or, Child of the Sea. MISCELLANEOUS, 6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler. 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover, 10 Vidoeq, the French Police Spy. By himself. 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Marryatt. 82 B’hoys of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegians. By John D. Vose. 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont. 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. J. F: C. Adams. 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. . By epic? gy Albany. 78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainger. 102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken. 110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth. 138 Rody the Rover. By William Carleton. 140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker. 144 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. By Victor Hugo. 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel. 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief, 158 The Doomed Dozen, By Dr. Frank Powell 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 190 The Three Guardsmen. By aezeneee Dumas, 261 Black Sam, the Prairie underbolty By Col, Jo Yards. 275 The Smuggler Cutter. By J.D. Coneuy. 312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor- ris Redwing. 330 Cop Colt,the Quaker City Detective. By C. Morris. 350 Flash Falcon, the Society Detective. By Weldon . J. Cobb. 853 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, By John Cuthbert. Fe 366 Be Telegreph Detective. By George Henry orse. 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F. Hill. 500 The True-Heart Pards. By Dr. Noel Dunbar. 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. W bon. 534 Green Mountain Joe; or, The Counterfeiter s Cave, By Marmaduke Dey. 542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives, . F. Holt. ; 545 Hustler Harry. the Cowboy Sport; or, ao | pet Shark’s.General Delivery. By Wiliam G. atten. A new issue every Wednesday. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, SES ee a Ye.

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Se a IN ee . ar i. 4+ ad % BY OLL COOMES, Old Kit Bandy, Detective. 246 Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 168 Kit Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger. 208 Kit Bandy'’s Catchy or, The Boy Hercules, 422 Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Buby Sam,the Boy Giant | 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; «r, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur, 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ban. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pards or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattledy or, The Infant Giant. 795 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind, 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatile; 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 Drep; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete, Keen-Knife. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Kuilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. Other Novels by Ol] Coomes, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young W andering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Muatanger. 658 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. Zi Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 peyeere Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Kanger; or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shot Set » the Boy Rifleman. 248 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 175 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom's Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. ‘290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Bey Ranchero. 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Poy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedfoot Fred 4 or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewall Bob,.the Boy Trojan. 6562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper, 652 Don Barr, tle Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. W778 Highland Marry, the Wizard Rifleman. BY T. ©. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick e’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 Tho Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. AT? Nightingale Nat; or, Toe Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trats. 82 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-face, 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 489 Judge Lynch Jr: or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Tr ager, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 198 Arkansaw ; or. The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade, 231 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re! Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tne Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apolie, tne King-Pin of Bowie. R67 The Buckskin Detective; or, The King of Road-agents. 279 Old Winch}; or, Tie Buckskin Desperadoes. ‘294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 316 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. $86 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderbolt’s Secret, S50 Cool Sam and Par; or The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. BS6 Captain Cutlass; or, the Brccaneer’s Girl Foe, B96 Rough eo | or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. an ae gpa F aye ot, 34 aie of Ranch Robin. felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gan - 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler, ena ceorew dark A486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Myster> of Room 21. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon,” 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Fellx Fox’s Hunt. At? The Exceisior Sport; or, The Wasbington Spotter, A499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Whart-Spy Detective. $21 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. S88 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 658 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq; or, The Gang of Three, 678 The Two Shadows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Game. G82 Dodger Dick’s Drop; or, The Man from Jerseys 694 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Pards; or, The Lucifer of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. — 1 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy ihugh, the Boy Musician Detective, TOl Photo Pates 3 Fred, the Camera Sharp. 15 Wid BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old’ Rocky's ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant George; or, Phe Ang? of the Range. b+ 4 neue Sacks oe 7 at George’s Pard. he Larantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt, B18 Ker-whoop, Ker. ; B22 Oreaniee vat. er-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos ad Tonkaway. t. 157 The Ranch Raldera: ov 1 ort 861 Suap-Shot, the Boy iy Si a daa a 875 Chlota, the Oreek’s or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank te the Front. , 892 ee and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Larlat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 14 The Paley from semvere e ree Tratlera; or, 0) Rampage. d Pint bp or. _ Linx of the ate gy ae © Lone rt or, Bell 4 Gache Onrl, the Chico Qinnte” * beCbee ee = n_ ” BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Giri, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 7% Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angela and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, 498 Taos Ted, tne Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Half-Breed Detective 518 Cool Colorado in New York; or, The Cowboy’s Fight. Bi GEORGE O, JENKS, & Git Thar Gwuney the Unknown, Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective, 5S1 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 5YM Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Dan’s Double Play. 616 The Ocean Detectivet or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, 779 Lron Hand, the Charmed Detective BY CHAKLES MORRIS. 118 WII! Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, 152 Black Beas, Wil) Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildfire In the Woods, 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 A Trump Card ¢ or, Wil) Wildfire Wins and Luses 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Hand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’a Fight for Life, Dark Paul, the Tiger King. Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, ‘om Tanner}; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 5 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot TraiL Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. Jolly Jims Job; or, The Young Detective. The Water-Hound; or, Bhe Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaxer City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyers Blizzard, W Ide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret, Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 6 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, Detective Dodge ; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor, Roots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, The Secret service Boy Detective. Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold, Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck, 587 Old Huckes & the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man Without a Past. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 Little Li mouing's League; or, The Mystery of tne Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan's Oath; or, Keckless Roy, the Regulator, BY J0 PIERCE, B97 Rob o’ the Bowery ¢ or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’ Shadow; or Luke’s Legacy. A772 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Pointa Phil, the Pavement Prince, 509 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective, 616 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerte. 526 North River Nat, the Pler Detective, Odd Pardy; or, The.Keener’s Huge Hustle. 81 Oast-Of Cale, the Scapegnnt Deliv RY PHILIPS. WARNE. 6f Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Waptatn Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Lesther Joe's Defeat. 219 Deaspard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vompires. 888 A A pi Boy 3 or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Ontcasts of the Glen. 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Chemy or, Caught In His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly; or, A Race fora Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches : or, Old Jumbo’s Cares. 481 Little Ab Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the wTines. 480 Three Jolly Parda; or.The Pets of Paddy's Flat. 517 Jim Gladden’s Peputy; or, The Jolly Pard’s Cam 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescues or, The Jack of Hearts. B47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man D: see heviet Lik “ The Cast fora Life. d ensel-top, the Man with'the D 598, Keen Clem, the Ranch Inep, “a 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy, Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. byt Cen ap i ea Pg ceers Scont. appy Harry’s Big Finds or, The Beautiful Jescdel. 664 Cheeky Charley the Special. ’ ign. own. Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY JOSEPH k. BADGER, JR, Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. Black John, the Koad-Agent; or, ‘Tie Outlaw’s Retreat, Murricane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. Mustang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plaina. Night-Lfuwk cits or, The Daughter of the Ranch, Dainty Lance the Boy Sport, Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. ‘The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, Deadly Dash} or, Fighting Fire with Fire. The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmaska, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. The Black Rider; or, The Horsg-Thieves’ League, Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide & The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Laat Trail, Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 5 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. Chineapin Dan’s Second Traltl. Ohincapin Dan’s Home Stretch, § Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. Silverblade, the Shoshone, Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay, Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beag!e’a Trall, Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Paré BY EDWARD WILLETT. Axa Scott, the Steamboat Boy; or, The Mississippi Pirates, Featherweight the Boy Champion 0} the Muskingum, Ozark Alf’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlawa, The Typo 1 eteetive ; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quarteville. 1 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckalack Camps Nemo, the Setectives or, Kit Renyon’s Vendetta, Olip the Contortioniat: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY JACK FARRAGUT. Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Fort The Sca Sorceress; or, The Boy skipper. BY LIFUT. i. D. PERRY, U. 8, N. The Boy Kunaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, The Sen Tratler; or, A Vow Well Kept. Captain Kit; on The Mystery of Montauk Point, RY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, Blue Dicks or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 7 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's leland, The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribttlom. The Gold-sceker Guide! or, The Lost Mountala, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR OU, 8. A. Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Gulde. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lanso, 270 Blizzard Ben}; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tendertoot, BY MAJOR E. L. 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit, 801 Leadyille Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 KRedtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince, : 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quarsette, 52 ‘lombatone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “ Sand.” bY Durango Dave, the Youny Ohawmien Wrestler, 8T1 Kingbolt Chria, the Young Hard-Sheli Detective. 880 Avalanche AM, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD &, ELLIS, 6 Bill Blddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, e Captives of the Frontier, =30 Nat ‘Toddj or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. ‘Si vne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Minera; or, The Exichanted Island, 182 The Hanted Hunter; or, The Strange Horsemaa, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Platns, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairle Man, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Worse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reta and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Ornusoe, (27 Llustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sallor. His Seven Voyages. 22 Fhe Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crasoe, By Juan ow is, 88 The Ocean Bloodhounds or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By Vv. Pierce. 86 The Boy Olowny; or, The Arena Queen, By @ 8, Finn. BS Ned Wylde, the Koy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rides; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Trons, 95 The Rival Rovera; or, The Freebooters of the Misalealppte By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Mood, the Outiawed Ker}; or, The Merry Men of Greene wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, By Captata Hamilton Holmes. 118 The Mad Muntery; or, |heCave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texans or, The Young Champion. By George erpaon. 128.The Young Privateers or, The Pirate's Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of & Friendless Boy. By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger ef the Ye)- lowatone, By Edward ereon. 261 Fergus Fearnanught the New York Boy. By @. L, Aiken, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; 7, Davy Crockett's Trail. By Ensign C. D, Warren, 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff, By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadvilis, By Lieu tenant Alfred Thorne. ’ 828 The Sky Detectives or, 4 Boy's Fight for Lifeand Hones, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the oad Rover} or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buptitue. 865 Raltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective, By A. P. Morris. B74 Gold-Dust Tom: or, Ben's Double Match, By@ H. Moree, 876 Oallfornia Joc’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monastery. 418 Biily Bombahcll, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Wiathrop. 475 The Black Bhip. Ry John 8 Warner, 484 Comanche Dick and Hix Three Invinelbles, Henry J. Thomas. B82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. BS2 Artel the Athlete. By David Draid, 585 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By Ul. Enton, 682 The Dead Yetective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick, Mone, tne Arizona Detective; or, The W! Urko» Pass, By Wl) Lisenbee, 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of the U.S. Seeret Serviee Corps. : A New Iseuce Every Tuesday« The Half-Di Lib is for sale by all Fo Dye ped poy fervent no hte BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, Now York By 2 oO eet uyeat te Seek i . i ai 3

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Published Every Tuesday. BY 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood Deadwood >» Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 7 Deadwood Deadweod Tt Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Peadwood Deadweod Deadwood Deadwood 205 Deadweod 217 Deadwood Deadwood Gold-Dust Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood £62 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 421 Deadwood 480 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 4445 Deadwood 458% Deadwood 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood ATL Deadwood 476 Deadwood 481 Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Deadwood 500 Deadwovoa 508 Deadwood 615 Deadwood I H22 Deadwood 529 Deadwood 554 Deadwood 589 Deadwood 544 Deadwood 649 Deadwood 554 Dendweod 561 Deadweod 567 Deadwoed 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwoed S84 Deadwoed 590 Deadweed 595 Deadwood 600 Deadwood 606 Deadwoed 612 Deadwood 618 Deadweod 624 Deadwood 680 Deadweod 686 Deadweed G42 Deadwood 648 Deadweed 654 Deadweed 660 Deadwood 666 Dendwood 690 Deadwood €95 Deadwoed 700 Deadwood Dick Z04 VDendweod 710 Deadwood 716 Deadweed T22 Dendweod 728 Deadwood 0 Deadwood 76 Deadwood 82 Deadwood TST Deadwood 792 Deadwood 797 Deadwood 802 Deadwood 807 Deadwood 812 Deadwood 816 Deadwood 822 Dendwood R28 Deadwood 884 Deadwood 840 Deadwood 845 Deadwood 852 Deadwood z 04 Deadwood 87 zg ‘ BEADLE’S*H ALF- DIME*[_ IBRARY. EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadweod Dick Novels. Dick, the Prince of the Road. Dick’s Deflance; or, Double Daggers. Diek in Disguise; or, Buffal, den Dick in His Oastle. Dick’s Bonanza; °:, The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll, Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 ne, the Heroine Dick’s Laat Aets or, Corduroy Chariie, Dick Leadville, Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign, Dick as Detective. Dick’s Deuble; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Lanse; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Diek ef Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivals of the Road, Dick’s Wards or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, Dick’a Doom? or, Calamity Jaue’s Adventure. Dick’s Dead Deal. Dick’s Death-Plant. Pick. A Romance of Roughs and Tougha, Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Death Trail, Diek’a Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, Dick’sa Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’s Ducata; or, Daya in the Diggings. iek Senteneedy or, The Terrible Vendetta, Dick’s Claim, Dick In Dead City. Dick’a Diamonds, Dick in New, Yorky or, A “ Cute Case.” Vtek’a Duaty or, The Chained Hand. Dick, Jr.3 or, The Crimson Crescent Sign. Dick, Jr.’a, Defiance, Jr.’e, Corral; or, Bozeman Bi) Jr.’a Doge Detective, Jr.» in Deadwood, dr.’*s, Compact. Jdr.’s., Inheritance, dr.’s, Digginga. Jrva, Deliverance, Jr.'s, Protegee. r.’«, Three. dr.’s, Danger Duckes, dr.’s, Death Hunt, {n Texas. Jr., in Chicago. Dick, Jr., After the Queer. ack in the Mines, Dick, dr. {nx Durango} or, Gathered In.” ‘4, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. Jr.'s. Dazzle. Jr."s. Dollars. Jr at Danger Divide. » Jr.'s, Drop. Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot, Diek Jr., in San Francisco, 6. mie? ort Dare Daya. ok, res Dick, dr.’a, Double Device, Dick, Jr’.«, Deaporate Venture, Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, Dick, Jr.’a, Royal Flush, Dick, Jr.’a, Head-off, Dick, Jr.’a, Rival. peeks 9 Na mma ek, dr.’a, Scoop. Dick, Jr.’a, Proxy. Dick, Jr.’«, Clutch. Dick, Ira, Nigh Worse, Dick, Jr., at Devil’s Guleh. BY WM. G@ PATTEN, ve Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. Rosebud Rob on Mand; or, Idyl, the Girl Miner. Kosebud Rob's Reappearance;s or, Photograph Phil, Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip, Denver Dol), the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee's Surround Denver Doll's Vietory; or, Skul! und Crossbones, Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. Denver Doll’s Pritt; or, The Road Queen. > rekn Jim, the Gold-Guatherers, or, The Life Lottery, Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. Yreka Jim’ Ronats or, The Rivals of Red Nose. Yreka Ji i New Roley or, Bicycle sen. Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter Serra Sam, thy Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, Sierra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints. Sierra Sam’s Pard ys or, The Angel ot Blg Vista. Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterioua Miner. Kangaroo Kit’e Rackets or, The Pride of Played-Out. Death-Fuace, Detective; or, Lifein New York, — 69 The Boy Detectives or, Guid Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Araba and Angels, 117 Gilt-Kdged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 16! New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 201 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co.,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Mat Warry, the Base Bull Detective, 426 Sam Slabafdes, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak aud Pal, Private Detectives, 26 Oleven Hoof, the Bulfalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures. 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludaoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Billy or, The Red Rifle Team 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bows Bob the King of Bootblacka, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 1T7? Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scampa, 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love, 286 Apealle Rill, the Trai) Torntido; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 209 A Nw. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Lige Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Quick-Shots or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 858 Firat-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. £288 Cool Kit, the King of Kida; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Scalekin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. B89 Tom-Cat and Purdy; or. The Dead Set at Silver City. 422 Tom-Cat’a Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan's Great Combine. 646 Cuptuin Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 5668 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Silver Sporty; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee, 688 Saffren Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Ha by Hana, the Dotch Vidocg; ot, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 646 Gower Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective: 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahy, the Plains Detective, 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Bimple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Meamertat ®ports or, The Myatified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansans Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 778 The Ruatier of Rolling Btone, 785 Lone Hand Joe, the Cominittee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the Hieh-Kicker from Killbuck, | 88% The Doctor Detective in Texas, , oe BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas Kings or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy t or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye., the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY J. ©. COWDRICK, Brondway Billy Novels, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 514 Broadway Billy’« Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case, 586 Rroadway Billy’s ‘Difikilty.” Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. Broadway Billy's Surprise Party. 5 Broadway BIlly3 or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. Broadway Billy’s end Act: or, The League of Seven. Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco, Broadway Billy’s Beat; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, 7 Broadway Billy In Clover. Broadway Billy In Texas; or, The River Rustlers. 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport: or, The Jubilee of Jacktown. 66% Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out. 698 Violet and Dalay, the 4 Pards, 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, Tho Crafty Dotective’s Craft, 724 Violet Vane’ Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Ont. 780 Violet Vane’s Verdiet; or, The Game at Coffin City, T41 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidooq; or, Sport vs. Sport, THO Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Strugg'e. 768 Violet Vane’a Visions or, The Fiery Hand of Fate, 449 The IMamond Sport; or, The Double face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One, 581 Daisy ware the Sport from Denver. BRT Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, Ainong the Vultures, 619 The Rov srany Detectives or, The Double Grip Witness 641 Dismal Dave's baudy Pardy; or, The Clue to Capt, Claw 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 714 Old Misery the Man from Missourt, 774 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective, 789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective, 886 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. BY OOL, A. F. HOLT. 817 Wideawake, the Train-boy Detective, 811 Headlight Harry’s Flyer; or, Duke Derby. 78 Headlight Rarry’s Hazard. : 91 Headlight Harry’« Haul; or, The Railroad Parda, 27 Headlight Harry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge, 59 Headlight Harry’s Meritage. 94 Wendlight Harry’s Hunt; or, The Cache of Gold, S00 Black Buckaking or, The Masked Men of Death Canyom, 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King; or, The Doomed Six, 485 Little Lightieet. the Pilot of the Woods. $28 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, MIATAD * pec elles sta E iy act ae Sa 708 Brondway 711 Broadway 720 Brondway 85 Rroadway 88 Broadway 58 Rroadway 62 Broadway 69 Broadway 75 Broadway 88 Broadway 86 Broadway 90 Broadway 796 Broadway 800 Broadway 805 Brondway 810 Broadway 415 Broadway 821 Broadway 826 Broadway S88 Broadway 889 Broadway late tetete tess te 860 Stlver-Mas B69 Shasta, the Billy’s Brand. Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. Billy’s Full Hand: or, The Gamin Detective, Billy’s Business, Billy’a Curtous Cane. Billy'in Denver. Rilly’s Bargaing or, The Three Detectives, R Vy, the Retriever Detective. Bully’« Shadow Chase. Billy’« Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. Bttly’s Teamy or, The Combine’s Big Pull. Billy’« Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. Billy’s Queer Bequest. Billy Batled, Billy's Signal Billy’s Wipe Billy’s Bank Racket. tilly’s Bluff, Billy Among Jersey Thugs. Billy’s Raid. Billy’s Big Boom, ne Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys. old King or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without « Name, 424 Cibuata Jonny; or, #d-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 806 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolv 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or The Double Case 5S The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Raacals Out. 615 Fightine Harry 640 Bareback the Chief of Chained Cyclone. Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Tyvewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. oonlight Morgan, the “ Pisenest ’’ Man of Ante Bas, wake “ atid. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 2 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Deteetive by Destiny, 7 Dick Doem’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 4 Dick Doom; or, The Sharps and Sharks of New York, & Dick Doom iu Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, Dick Doom in Chiaago. Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. Dick Doom’s Clean Bweep; or, Five Links im a Clue Dick Doom’s Death Clue, Dick Doowm’s Diamond Deal. Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot, Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. Dick Doom’s Big Haul. Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s Fizat Trai, Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Remegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard., Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. Buck Tayler, the Comanche’s Captive. Buck Taylor's Beys; ur, The Red Riders of the Rio Granda, Pawnee BIII, the Prairie Shadower. Pawnee Bill; wy Carl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bills Pledges or, The Cowboy's Doom, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. Redfern’s Curlqua Case; o1, The Rival Sharps. Redfern at Devil's Beneks or, The Sharp from Texan Redfern’s High Mand; or, Blue Jacket. Redfern’s Last Trall; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Midshipman. Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailor. Red Ralphy the Shadower, or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. Butterfly Billy’s Disgulae. Rutterfly Billy, the Pony Express Rider, Butterfly Biliy’s Man Hunt. Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. Kent Kingdon; or, The Owls of the Overland. Kent Kingdon'’s Shadower 3 or, the Card Queen. Kent Kingdon’s Duels or, The Surgeon Scout, Kent, Kingdon's maeone | et The Buckskin Avengor. 645 Lalitte Rua Downy or, The Buisaneors of Barrataria, 650 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging 6on. 555 Lalfitte’s Confession; or, The Creole Corsair. 5620 Buckskin BID, the Comanche Shadow. 525 The Buckskin Brothers in Texas, 580 The Buckskin Bewers; or. The Cowboy Pirates, 535 The Buckskin Revers: or, The Prairie Fugitive. $640 The Buckskin Pard®’ Gacets or, Captain Ku-Klax. 508 The Royal Midday; er, The Bhark and tie Sen Cn 507 The Royal Middy’s Luck; or, The Hunted Midshipman, 611 The Royal Middy’s Foe. 450 Wizard Wl: or, The Boy Ferret os New York. 454 Wizard Will's Btreet Bceuta. 474 Wivard Will's Pard; or, Flee 4858 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, 429 Duncan: Dare, be Boy Refugee. 488 Duncan Dare’s Plot; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Duncan Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Raider 441 Duncan Dare’s Becret: or, The Ocean Firefly. ~ 402 Isodor, the Y eung Conspirater; or, The Fatn! League, 407 Inodor’s Double Guanes or, The Boy Insurgent. A12 Isodor’s War-Cleud Orwise; ox, The Wild Yacbteman, 216 Bison Bil, the Prince of the Reina. 222 Bison Bill’s Clue; er. Grit, the Bravo Sport, BOA Dead Bhet Dandy’s Dilemma. 808 Dead Bhot Dandy’s Double; or, Keno Kit, 14 Dead Bhot Dandy’s Deflances er, The Boy Bugier. 07 Dead Bhet Dandy’s Chicfs or, The River Devective, 245 Merle Ménte’s Leap fer Life. 250 Merle Monte’ Mutiny 3 er, Brandt, the Baccaneer. 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. 26 Merle Mente the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “ The Gold Ship” Chase, 20 Merle Monte’s Fate ; or, The Pirate's Pride. 284 Merle Monte’s Pledget or. The Sen Morauder. 197 The Kid Glove Sports or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Bport’s Deom; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 825 Marlo, the Cewboy Coaster, 7861 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Bhadow 686 Orlando, the Ocoan Free Flag. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Bhot Keout. 602 The Vagabend ofthe Mines. BYT The Texan Detective; or, The Black Braves. 5Y1 Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover; or, Tha Avenging Sallor. 5680 The Outcast Cadet of False Detective. oy the Flower Girl. ¢ Ferrets Afloat. o. 495 Arizoua Joe; er, The ‘ard of Texas Jack. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revelver Ranger 468 Neptune Nea, tle Boy Coaster; or, Pirate in Spite, 462 The Railer Boy Wanderer; or, The Born Guide, 446 Haphazeard Harry: er, The Sea Bcapearace: B98 The Red Clasped Hands; or, ‘The Boy Lieutenant, 887 Warpath Will, the Traitor Gnide, BRB The Indian Pilet; or, The Search for Pirate Island. £77 Bonodel, the Buy Rover} er, The Flagiess Schooner. RAT Billy Blue-Eyes, ef the Rio Grande. 287 Lene Btar, the Cowboy Captain. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowbey’s Triumph. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 111 The ®ea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smuggier ; or, The Cruise of the Vixen, 25 The Boy Dnellat; or, The Crulse of the Sea-Woll, 62 The Bhadow ®hips¢ or, The Rival Lientenanta. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery ef the Yellowstone. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccanver; or, The Fugitive Yacht. @ The Flying Yankee} or, The Ocean Outcast. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 841 Prince Charlie, the Cat’s-Paw Sport. By Marms nke Dey. 842 The Actor Detective In Chicago; ee, Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 848 Dan, the River Sport; or, Foiling the Friseo Sharp. By Harold Payne. 844 Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. By J. C. Cowdrick, 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, High Horse. By Edward L. Wheeler. ; R46 Buck, the New York Sharper. By Jo Pierce. 847 Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. By Col, Prentiss Ingrabam. 848 Clip, the Battery Ferret; or, Jack Jeffers’ Fou! Play, By T. C, Harbaugh. 849 Broadway Billy’s €100,000 Snap. By Cowdrick. 850 The Grand Street Arab. By Jo [ierce. 851 The Tie-To Sport; or, High Hustling at Sinner’ Fint, By Wm. R. Eyster. 852 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, at Devil’s Gulch, By Edward L, Wheeler. 858 Dick Doom’s Trump Cards, By Col. P. Ingrabam. A New lesue Every Tuesday. ‘The Half.Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, hve tonta per copy, or sent by mat! on recaipt o1 six cents each. BEADLE AN» ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, Now York