Deadwood Dick Library (v. 3) (1899 09 27)

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Copyr ght 1880-1886, by Beaale & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 180% M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, | Issued Weekly. Ts $ Suiliva Sealy zs Price 5 Cen Y | il] 10, " 7 pd s (Jumes Sullivan, I ropzietor,) ne Atte 0 5 h 0 29 Sept. 27, 1899. 379 Pearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year. ‘ Cs = | <— py EpwW.LWHEELER.

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EDWARD L. WHEELER'S DEADWOOD DICK, JR. NOVE IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Price 5 Cents per Copy. 443 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Crimson Crescent Sign. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral. 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dog Detective. 481 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance. 500, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege. 522 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 529. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks. 534 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Texas. 544 Dedidwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeq. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr , on His Mettle. 554 Deadwood.Dick, Jr., in Gotham. 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr.,in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr}’s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smug- lers. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case. .666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. 678 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s; Discovery. 684. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dazzle. , 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars. > 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 704 ae c Dick: ate oh 710 ‘vood Dick at San Francisco. 0 a 5 pains ers, M. J. TV 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded. 1011 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Duteh Pard. 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Four. rs oF sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, de. per copy, by the pul CO), BI) PEARL \SPREET, New York Crry, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Disguise. 34 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Watch, 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Blow. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. 464 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defeat. 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Resurrection. 782 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. 987 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Double Device. 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Ventur 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 807 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Royal Flush. 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-Off. ¥ 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. 822 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Scoop. 834 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. $40 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, High Horse. 852 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Devil’s Gulch. 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Hole Hustle 863 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Bombshell, 870 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Mexico. A 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decoy Duck. » 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Siiver Pocke’ 891 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dead-Sure Gam¢ 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drive. 904 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s} Trade-Mark. — 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top. a 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double-Decker, 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Dollarville. ; 934 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Flush Flats. 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Shake-Up. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Right Bower. 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Gold Dust. 971 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Oath. “4 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Doom, _ 980 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Best Card. 992 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Gold Dust. — 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Play.

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Copyright 188(-1886, by Beadle & Adams, Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., a8 second class matter, Mar. 15, sys, ae = M. J. IVERS & CO., Pubiishers ae ; ¢ . No 99 Issued Weekly. (James Sullivan, Proprietor,) ¥ Price 5 Cents, Vol I} 5 ‘ Sept. 27, 1899. 379 Pearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year, . “f os ~ = Sa aaa te easiest era ss <a e a —f —

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*f ms a Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. - me | $$$ $$$ rere BOSS BOB, THE KING OF BOOTBLACKS; oR, The Pawnbroker’s Plot. A STORY OF PHILADELPHIA, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, 4UTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK,” ‘‘ ROSEBUD ROB,” ‘‘GILT-EDGED DICK,” ETO. CHAPTER I. BOSS BOB, THE KiNG OF THE BOOTBLAOCKS, “ «Sure me name it’s Maloney, Faix. I’m thin an’ bony, And tha d—’s own crony, Sez Mistress McGrady— Too! la! de la, toodle de da-a-al’”’ In the clearearly gloaming of a Junemorning, these words were sung out, in a rollicking, boy- ish voice, which was tinged with the broad brogue of the Emerald sod. Then, after a slight pause, there came another outburst of poetry and melody— “Black yer boots! black yer boots! e ’em neatly shine, Dust yer collar, pull down yer vest, All fer half a dime. An’ if ye aren’t satisfied Whin I hev partly done, Gi’ me a dime an’ the toe 0’ yer boot, An’ then ye’ll see me run.’ The time was two o'clock, morning. The locality was the. Market street bridge, which forms one of the several links connecting East Philadelphia with its western sister. Everywhere a myriad of street lamps shone, but only feebly lit up the extreme darkness. Through its wide channel the majestic Schuyl- kill crept silently away toward the ocean; a few lights only were seen upon its surface. The bridge was deserted, but few pedestrians being abroad, and it was yet an hour ere the tinkle of the first car-bell would be heard. The puff of a locomotive in the yard of the Penns: emails Railway, announced that a iate train had just arrived, with a cargo of human freight—visitors to the great Centennial, A man left the Pennsylvania passenger depot, sachel in hand, and strode eastward. 4 He had come in upon the delayed excursion train, but chose not to remain in the depot until morning, as hundreds of others did, nightly, during the great Exposition. A few steps down Market street brought him to the bridge. At the western end a grim figure stood against a pillar, but the silver star upon his coat betokened his calling—Mike Moriarty, regular, at your service. he stranger advanced midway across the river; then paused, set his sachel upon the bridge, and wiped the perspiration from his brow as he leaned against the railing and gazed over into the river. ; ; The night was sultry, oppressive, A heavy vapor hung over the lower districts of the city; an uninviting stench of sulphurous smoke came from the gas-house on the southeastern shore. ‘*T almost wish I’d remained in my sleeping- car until morning,” the stranger mused, gazin into the dark waters of the silent Schuylkill. “Tt is so different here from what I deemed it. | I am in a mighty city—how much larger, I wonder, than Toledo? Ah! the city the Cen- tennial! A thrill passes through me when I poe fact, and eagerness drowns trouble, ello! It was at this moment that the rollicking snatch of song was heard, Weirdly strange it sounded, in the dead of night, yet Oliver Morti- mer listened, eagerly. He was an ardent lover of music, be it in the crude or refined state. ‘Footsteps were coming nearer, from the east- ern side, in a shuffling sort of gait, ene time to a whistled accompaniment of ‘‘ Muldoon the Solid Man,” Suddenly a figure dove out of the darkness, and then: “Black yer boots? Make ’m shine, Costs you but a half a dime. Touch yer corns up like a feather, Make a mirror of your leather!” ‘Shine ’em, mister?” ‘* Well, I don’t mind,” Oliver Mortimer 1e- lied, aren ng into the light, shed by a gas asi ‘“* Mind that you do a good job. though.” “Shure, an’ it’s niver an ondacent job ye'll see me lave at all!” and the youth went upon his knees before his customer, with alacrity. He was a strange-looking fellow, to say the least, and Oliver Mortimer surveyed him, with a twinkle of amusement in his gray eyes. No_ boy, evidently, was this manipulator of the blacking brush, for he was nearly a man in stature, though it was hard to judge of his years, because of the smut and grime upon his keen face, the eyes of which resembled lumps of ¢oal- a ae ts ged and ill-fi is garments were ragged and ill-fitting, the pants baitte several sizes too large, and the coat as much too small, and they, , seemed to have inherited some of the grime that was upon his visage. A remnant of what had once been a ‘nobby” silk cap was his head-covering, the ‘‘ scoop” be- ing turned up a la Dutch comedian, And could the face have been sufficiently washed, Oliver Mortimer concluded the boot- black would not have been unhandsome, “Cum down ter see ther elerfant, hev you?” the “shiner” demanded, as he polished away. “Yes, I did come for that purpose,” was the eply. if Test got in on ther excursion?” S “Tho’t so. Stranger, ain’t ye?” “T am, true enoug! 3 “From Bosting?” 3 *“No; from Toledo.” “Toledo? Phew! I tho’t sure you was frum Bosting, by them mutton-chops 0’ yourn, Them Bosting chaps calculate they’re a pe; higher’n we citizens 0’ Phil’y, but they ain’t. They've 06 ‘oulchaw,’ but we've © got ther elerfant,” liver Mortimer smiled. . Paes a, Ui gaa ees eo ens ean

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: Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. Pe He saw that his yoluble “ black ” Was disposed to be talkative. : ‘*T suppese so,” he replied. visiters here, now?” ‘You bet. Huckster cart-loads of ’em, Never been here afore?” “ee No.” “Then ye wanter look out, There’s more ‘peelers’ here than I ever see’d afore.” ‘* More peelers?” ‘*Yes—light-fingered kleptomanyacks, \ ‘con- fiders,’ ‘cribbers’ an’ ‘grabbers.’ “Most ginerally, onless it rains. The ’arly worm ketches the bird, sez the poet, an’ I most allus makes a half a dollar afore I dine.” “Ar you well acquainted around town, then?” “Ar I? Well, I reckon! Nondescript an’ I knows every corner an’ rat-hole frum north ter south, an’ east ter west. Ef thar’s any one ye want to find, jest mention his or her signature, an’ deposit yer collatteral, an’ here’s what'll guide ye.” ; Oliver Mortimer laughed, outright. ‘Perhaps you know Morton Prescott, then?” he said, amusedly. “Prescott! Prescott?” repeated Boss Bob, ausing to scratch his head. ‘‘Let me see— hears a big importin’ establishment down on Second street, don’t he?” “Yes, that’s the man.” “Then I twig him—course Ido! He’s purty square sort of a rooster—a little close wi’ his collatteral, but no -h-o-g, fer all. Luks kinder .. dewn in the mouth, lately. His paper ain’t - worth much, I guess—financial embarrassment, | ’ A you see”*—and the King of Bootblacks brushed away industriously at a aes nod, Oliver Mortimer whistled slowly. This street Arab was a mystery to him. What he did not appear to know was seem- ingly very little. } ‘Come down to see Bob went on, volubly. ‘No, not. exactly. I expect tomeet an Eng- lish barrister here—Colonel Rutherford by me. : “Oh!” Bob accepted, and became suddenly mum. And as the Toledoan did not manifest any further disposition to continue the conver- sation, little more was said. The boot soon shone like a mirror, and Boss Bob’s tools went into his box. ‘Heer’s my keerd, mister,” he said, as he reached it forth, at the sametime receiving a nickel. ‘‘Ef ye evyer come my way, ye’ll ginerally find me or the Nondeseript thar, after midnight. Mornin’ to ye. *Good-merning,” Oliver Mortimer said, seiz- ing, his sachel, ani pace on. oss Bob, in his crouching position, gazed Morton on biz, I s’pect,” -after him until his footsteps became inaudible, long after he had disappeared from view; then he seratched his frowsy head, and arose to his feet with a sigh. “Heigh-ho! thet’s the way et goes. Jest as I was gittin’ interested in that chap, he’s off like a skyrocket. Hello! he’s dropped something! Nondescript?” The figure came forward quickly—a burly, thick-set youth of seventeen years, whose face nely resembled the countenance of an ow], the eyes being large and round, the nose hooked and a hairy substance covering the owl-sha) Ace, Like the bootblack king, he was poorly clad, and looked as if he had slept in a coal bin. Where the Toledoan had stood, something white lay upon the bridge. “Pick it up,” Boss Bob said, directing the Nondescript’s attention to it. The youth promptly obeyed. “Keep it, and give it to the chap who jest waltzed off,” Bob said. tne N descript nodded, his bi : i e Nondescript n s big eyes growing brilliant in Shei iereenier ett “ Allright. Come along, then, We'll see how mattets look up at the Pennsylvania.” ‘Did you memorize The Nondescript stowed the package of papers ~ he had picked up in an inner pocket of his rag- ged coat; then, with their boxes in hand, the reairip oe tare made their way across the bridge to the West Philadelphia side, and to the Penn-— sylvania depot, two squares above. A glance within the spacious waiting-rooms of the depot revealed a scene at once iar and suggestive of what a people will endure for the sake of satisfying their curiosity and desire see. A hundred or more people of both sexes and all ages were there, eagerly waitin dawn of their first eventful day at the Centen- nial—many of them as yet unprovided with a stopping’p ace during their stay. ere sat an aged couple, whose years numbere e refractory boot, with. : for the —

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i 4 Boss Bob, the King of Bootb'acks, fortune, and prepared him for a harder life ed close upon four-score years and ten; they had come thousands of miles to see the ‘‘ show,” and, wearied by their long ride, had fallen asleep, with their heads pillowed together. Here, a fidgety couple, many years younger, whose’ troubles have just begun, evidently. judging by the suspicious way they regarc their neighbors in the next seat, and hang upon their pocket-books. In their estimation, cetelt black-mustached stranger is a pick- pocket. Here is a young married corple, from the extreme rural ‘ deestricts,” who are munching their first Centennial peanuts. ‘ ** Black yer boots, make ‘em shine, Only costs you half a dime; Touch yer corns up like a feather, Make a mirror of your leather!” “Shine ’em, mister?” coca neow, I don’t know. How much, d’ye 5a, X Five cents! Jest let me tackle them daisies 0’ yourn, senator. I'll make’em shine like a ‘ forty-dollar diamond, so theyll reflect a hull mirage of ther Centennial grounds.” “Pshaw! Ye don’t say?” ““T will, darn my buttons! When ye want ter comb yer hair, all ye’ll have ter do is ter look at yer feet for yer fortygraff.” “Wal, go ahead. Five cents ain’t much ter lose, when taller brings eight cents a pound.” And the shine was satisfactorily performed in a jiffy—and a dozen more; for, where was the man who wanted to tread upon the great Centen- nial aisles with unpolished feet? A wearied mother paced the floor, with a fretful babe in her arms. ‘Say, missus,*here’s an antedote fer that youngster!” and from the pockets of Boss Bob came some rather mussy candied sweetness; but it sufficed to quiet the child and make the mother thankful. ““Come, Nondescript; no more tin here, Away we go for a fresh lay!” CHAPTER II, ALBERT ALBERTS, AND HIS TERMS, Upon the first day of January, 1876, several months prior to the opening of the Centennial, Morton Prescott stood upon the steps of his mammoth wholesale importing and jobbing house, on Second street, a ruined man. “Once a millionaire, but now no richer than the common day-laborer, from which position he had once before sprung to wealth and afflu- ence. For five years he had been a prominent merchant, a popular citizen, and had honorably _ occupied several positions and city offices of _ trust; his philanthropy had often been the sub- ject of remark, and yet he had amassed large “wealth—just how much nobody ever knew, but som thing over a million, said the wise ones, All had gone well, and he had prospered, and ' rejoiced in having one of the largest trades in his line, in the sturdy Quaker City, until he was - drawn into the toils, consequent upon first les- sons in gambling in stocks. ! ___ Of course he lost—not only once, but time and again, for he was attacked with the same in- _ fatuation ‘i that has bled many a man of a round | afterward. To be sure, he still retained possession of the mammoth importing house, but both that and his magnificent residence on Oxford street, near Broad, were mortgaged for their full value. Some there were who knew nothing of this stress of affairs—many, indeed, in so great a city, for the papers had failed to expose the calamity; but his paper was not wanted in financial circles, and business men, in the main, pay eee Prescott as a poor man. ving his office upon this foggy, cloudy New Year's mernins when a vapor pregnant with excitement, tin horns, flags and gunpowder seemed to hang over all objects, the merchant walked down to Market street, and through that crowded thoroughfare to Broad street, giving little heed to the gorgeous display of flags, bunt- ing and patriotic decorations that an enthusias- tic pepe conte their homes and build- with, ings with ‘At Broad and Market he took a cab, and gave the directions, and in less than twenty minutes was landed before what he had once been proud to call his home, Mounting the steps and ringing the bell, he was 5 ape y admitted by a colored man-servant, “Where will I find Pearl and Sylvia, Hag- att?” the merchant demanded, throwing off his great-coat, and brushing his long beard before the pier-glass, ‘OSpect you'll find ’em in de library, sah,” ras replied, respectfully. ‘‘Show you up, $a )? “No, I can find them myself, I guess,” the merchant replied, ascending the stairs, An elegantly appointed and furnished place was the library, and here Morton Prescott found his wife and daughter. Pearl, the latter men- tioned, was a charming maiden of seventeen summers, of winsome manners, and refined ap- pearance, in which haughtiness or cold vanity was not to be found, Petite of figure, and graceful, she possessed rice chiseled features, rose-tinted with happy ealth—hair that shone like golden glimnmer— eyes whose sparkle was like the diamonds upon her fingers. A stylish dresser and accomplished in conyer- sation, music, and drawing, Pearl Prescott was a daughter of whom the merchant had just reason to be proud. Sylvia, Morton Prescott's second wife, was also young, having seen only four-and-twenty years of life, but, unlike her step-daughter, was vain, supercilious and arrogant. The merchant had found this out to his cost, but he submitted to her petty tyranny without remonstrance. A tall, magnificent blonde, of comely propor- tions, pretty face, and magnetic presence, she was universally admired by men and envied by women, Some said that her antecedents were obseure, and that she had only married Morton Prescott for his money and position; others said she was the daughter of English aristocracy and the heiress to an earldom; but Morton Prescott, — perhaps, was the only man who knew the truth or falsity of either report. ; 5 She dressed gorgeously and queened it in so- ciety, and few took pains to inquire into Se , eesrex Ligee, ye . a

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antecedents, having unlimited faith in the say- ing, ‘‘ Gold, goodness and beauty go together.” Both ladies were seated in the library, read- ing, when the merchant entered, but looked up, in ect into his pale, haggard face. “ All is lost!” he re lied, faintly, in answer to the interrogative look. ‘‘I ventured my last, and lost. e are paupers!” An exclamation came from both ladies, and Pearl was by the merchant’s side in an instant, her arms around his neck, Ohl papa, you really do not mean what you say? “ Every word of it. We are penniless—and just when the grandest chance of my career of speculation dawns before my gaze.” ‘Tell me how you mean, papa?” ‘** A report from London has just reached me, of a coming crash in silks and laces, A leading house is going to ‘drop bottom’ within ten days, and their stock can be bought at a tre- mendous sacrifice. It makes me wild when I realize that the chance must slip by me. There is now an active market here for silks and all foreign importations, and although the prices may not advance materially, the coming Expo- sition will increase the sales to fabulous figures, and were I now in the same financial condition that I was two years ago, ’d send to Schofel, and have him lump off the entire stock, low cong so that I could thribble on the net profits ere. And rising, the troubled merchant paced to and fro, excitedly, across the floor, his brows knitted perplexedly. ‘Oh! papa! If vou only had the money, or could raise it,” Pearl said, clasping her hands, prettily, and studying the figures in the plush carpet upon the floor, ‘‘If—if you could only mortgage the—” “ Mortgage!” the merchant exclaimed, shar dyes Bye my child, everything is already mortgaged—this house and contents, the ware- house—everything!” “Have you no further credit, Morton?” the second Mrs. Prescott languidly inquired, from the depths of the great easy-chair. = ‘*No credit—no nothiug!” was the despairing reply. ‘My paner would not sell for twenty- five cents on the dollar, to-day.” ‘*Oh! dear! what shall we do? It ae ee ‘or Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. 5. threshold again, Sylvia, I will kick him outw the street!” the merchant declared, angrily. Then he turned to Pearl. “T see but one way out of the dilemma;I — know of but one course of aid, promising suc- — cess in securing this bonanza of the year,” he said, with thoughtful graveness, born of des- peration. oy ‘‘ Ah! tell me, then, if there is hope. If ITean be of any use, command me, and I will not re- fuse!” the girl said, eagerly, earnestly. “You promise this, my child?” a “J swear it, if necessary!” Pearl replied, — bravely. § “Then, I will tell Nee of whom I propose to seek relief— Dr. Alberts!” j ; Papa!” in alarm. “Nay! do not interrupt me!” the merchant replied. “I know what you would say—he is an unscrupulous Jew, of whom many dark re- ~ ports are circulated. But I do not fear for this. He is the only man in Philadelphia with whom I can deal on credit. He perhaps has ac- cess to nf6re ready cash than any other man in the city, for he not only owns countless Libs es j ties, but is treasurer and banker for many Jew- ish firms. He may be a modern merchant of Venice, but I shall deal with him as cautiously _ as I would with a rattlesnake. I will go at once. and learn what terms I can make with him} “‘ Oh! papa, I fear to have you deal with that man, € is unprincipled—a villain. Twice he has insulted me in the street by stopping me, and declaring his ardent admiration of myself. Once you are under obligations to him, will his unwelcome attentions not turn to actual perse- cution?” “No! I will see to that. As a Jew, he can neyer enter my house. On the street I willsee — that he never insults you. If I can get half a Soares of him, in clean cash, I am once more made. An hour later, in the di pawnbroker’s shop of Dr, Albert Alberts, Morton th stood before that personage, and made known — his wants. : Alberts eyed him sharply with his keen, gray eyes, that seemed to be the mirror of an eyil soul. : He was a thin, wiry fellow of thirty-five, with - swarthy complexion, an extremely large nose and mouth, pearly-white teeth, gray eyes, and black hair as straight as an Indian’s, despite his Jewish origin. He dressed richly, however;and there were four rings of gold set with onds and other rare jewels upon several fingers of his os two hands, : ~ “ You want haff a million of tollars, eh?” he = repeated, when Morton Prescott had made known his errand. ‘ You want haff a mijlion of tollars, andt you pe Morton Prescott, t’e Second street merchant?” 3 ne Exactly. I am known to-day in financial - circles, as a ruined man. I have gr oe enough - money in my Deck to purchase a good cigar— such as I to smoke.. And, now, when to- tally wrecked of fortune, a chance looms up be- fore me to make money. A half a on aees 3 | dollars will set me upon footing again—square rs

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eee ° Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. a us up the mortgages upon my estate, and give me a full hundred thousand toworkupon. You have money—you must help me!” ‘‘T must, Mister Prescott?” “You must, sir.” “Vell, I take your word for it. What securi- ty can you give?” “None. I have nota dollar’s worth of actual property in the world.” ‘An’ yet you vant dem haff million, all de same?” ““T do—I must have them.” Alberts scratched his head; the gleam in his eyes was very cunning. ; “T dream apout dose,” he said, with a grim chuckle, ‘Two minutes I come back.” Then he entered a room in the rear of the shop and locked the door. In just two minutes, by a shelf-clock in the store, he reappeared, bearing in his hands a small, iron-bound box and a bunch of curiously- wrought keys. **Mister Prescott!” he said, ‘‘ you ish an hon- est mans. I don’ vas like to see you go rob some hank, an’ go to brison for it, SoT helps you. Here ish von paper; it reads: “* PHTLADELPAIA, Pa., Jan. 1, 1876 “* This is to certify that my father, Moron Pres- <ott, of said city and State, has, in my presence, on said date, borrowed of Albert ‘Alberts, One Half Mil- dion Dollars, in U. S. Currency, the same to be paid back to said Albert Alberts, by said Morton Prescott, in my presence, at the pawnbroker shop of said Al- bert Alberts, upon the 10th day of September, 1876, at one minute before twelve o’clock, A M. “* But if, by any way, shape or manner, said Mor- ton Prescott, of first part, fails to comply with the terms of this agreement in paying back the loan. principal and interest, I, Pearl Prescott, daughter o sald Morton Prescott, do solemnly swear to deliver self and person up unto said Albert Alberts, in ristian marriage, at any time said Albert Alberts mae order, after twelve o’clock, a. m4 September 10th, 1876. To all of which I do agree, and affix hereunto my senate, on this, the first day of January, 4. D, 1876. “« *Signed, CHAPTER III. PHARL’S DECISION—THE MORTGAGE SIGNED. *“You takes dat to your young, daughter,” Alberts said, with a villainous smile, ‘and if she is willing to assist you so much ash I am, she vill come pack mit you, an’ sign t’e leetle agreement, See?—an’ den I gives you dis half million tollars, shust like it was your own, undil der tenth of Sepdember!” ** My heaven, man, you are asecond Merchant ete,” 1? U of Venice!” the speculator gasped, faintly. He - scheming =m had heard every word uttered by this crafty, German-Jew, and the significance fill- ed his heart with a great horror. ‘If I should find it impossible to meet my obligation on the pwecise day and minute thereof, you—you—” “T foreclose mine mortgage, you pet!” was the prompt reply, there being a spice of devilish triumph in the man’s tone. Morton Prescott took a turn about the little pie laboring in a state of great excitement. It was the most astounding thing he had ever heard of—this proposition of the Jewish man of ‘money, and, yet— _ Toaccept the terrible terms seemed the dis-. t tressed merchant’s only salvation, in a pecuniary sense. ‘With the half a million, Schofel could pur- chase the ‘crash’—ay, with a quarter million or less, perhaps, and with the remaining quarter I could redeem the mortages against my resi- dence and warehouse. Then, if the cargo reached me about the first of July, { am confident I can get at least thrice what it cost me, and thus pay off this Jew-devil’sloan. But, will Pearl consent to the terms? She said if I could use her, to do so! Ah! Heaven! I’d see her dead before Alberts should ever lay claim to her!” Thus the merchant mused, as he paced to and fro, ee the meanwhile watching him like a hawk, ‘Vell, Mister Prescott, vat you say? he de- manded, finally, jingling the keys he held in his hand, ‘Can you find von easier way to raise haff a million?” ‘*No; nor a harder one, for that matter,” the merchant replied, grimly. ‘‘ Give me the paper, and I will see my child, If she is willing to risk the sacrifice, I will come back. If not, you may put your money: box away.” “Very well, Mister Prescott—I look for you pack, to-morrow morning, accompanied py your sharming daughter. Good-tay!” * Good-day, sir,” Morton Prescott said, as he left the office, and once more emerged into the festive New Year’s scene. Crowded were the streets with eager sight- seers, but the merchant elbowed his way along, and in half an hour, stood before his daughter, in her private sitting-room. “Pearl, you promised I might command you, did I n to use you?” the merchant said, gravely. : : “Yes, papa;” yet there came into Pearl’s brown eyes a light of surprise not unmingled with alarm, . “Then read that,” Prescott said, extending the Jew’s paper. “ That will tell you upon what terms I can borrow a half a million, and it now remains for you to, or not to, append your signature—just as you believe may be for the best.” With hands that perceptibly trembled, Pearl Prescott received the document and bore it to the light that she might read it. _ The merchant watched her gravely, anxious- ly, hopefully. From a roseate tint of health the shade grew to the hue of the white, waxen lily upon Pearl’s face; her eyes assumed an expression of un- utterable horror and loathing, as she read; the paper dropped from her nerveless grasp to the floor, as she turned to the father who was awaiting her answer. - “Father, I said you might use me. Tell me— will you pay that borrowed money back when it comes due?” “Good God helping me, I will. If I cannet make the amount out of the London crash, I will raise it some other way. You shall be re- deemed!”

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Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. @ tennial year. To-morrow will do as well for this business.” Accordingly, they waited upon Albert Al- berts, M. D., on the following morning at ten o'clock. The German-Jew was behind his counter, a me smile upon his homely features, he paper was duly signed and delivered; then the Jew unlocked the iron box, and in clean gold and greenbacks, counted out one half million of dollars, and laid them at Morton Prescott’s disposal. “There ish your monish—here ish my pay, perhaps,” he said with a sinister smile, and a nod toward Pearl, who shrunk away in terror. ‘*T pid you. good-tay, Mister Prescott! Von happy ew Year, Miss Prescott, for yester- da; ter that day, Morton Prescott deposited his loan in different banks; and a cablegram flashed across the Atlantic to Gustave Schofel, 62 Strand, London: : ““Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars deposi- ted in ——, ——-. —— Banks, by me, subject to your order, Catch the crash. Moron Prescort.” And in ten days came back: “T have caught it for $100 000, The clearing up will not admit of the cargo touching your port be- fore August. : ~ ScHors..” August! : Usually a dreamy month in staid old Phila- delrhia, but not so this Centennial year. * Black yer boots, make ’em shine, Only cost you half a dime; Touch yer corns up like a feather, Make ’r mirror of yer leather.” “Shine ’m, mister!” : Down upon his knees went the King of Boot- blacks, nor did he ‘let up’ until he had per- formed a round twenty shines. . It was early in the forenoon— moreover, it was Jersey day! Long before daylight had spread its cheerful- ness over the City of Homes, the street cars be- an to bear loads of living freight westward o! and the steam cars bore their invoice of “Jersey” folk from every nook and corner of the State of sand and watermelons, And, long _ before the turn-stiles began working, to admit the 67,000 visitors of New Jersey’s famous day, throngs of people were ne eee on the outside of the inclosure, upon Elm and Belmont avenues. Bootblacks now had their harvest before the ei were open—not a few, but a swarm of hem whose numerical count could not be esti- mated—a dirty, ragged, impudent, dare-devil, irrepressible army of them, of whom an artist ment make a study for a hundred genre pic- res. As a rule, the most successful of these Cen- tennial artists were the class who were the ‘“‘sassiest,” cheekiest, and toughest, although the pale-faced, intellectual lad yonder, whose apparent timidity announces that this is his first attempt—he will catch not a little patron- age of those people who—proudly may it be _ said—are ever scaring up subjects of charity and compassion. There is e not much “fight” in | the boy, but the doubtful, sad expression in his brown eyes fights its way to the tender heart of humanity better than or words could do, Trace that lad, at the conclusion of his weary day’s struggle with fortune, to his home—what a revelation might we not exhume? <A pale but intelligent-looking mother sits in a cheerless apartment, and plies a weary needle, when even the pangs of hunger may be gnawing at her vitals; she has no money —no husband whose strong hands may support her—only her little bey! But the fire of patriotic enthusiasm burns strong in her bosom; she came to see the Centennial—has seen it—will see more of it; for, within those great acres of exhibitions, she is carried away with admiration and wonder; what she sees there of God’s great works amply repays her for what she suffers from want. “ Black yer boots, make ’m shine, Cost you only half a dime.” “Shine ’em, mister. Jest let me wrassle wi’ them shapely quaits o’ yourn, an’ ef T can’t make ’em luk like a forty-dollar mirror, I'll set up ther peanuts, you bet! Tell ye what I did once, mister, ef it’ll be any inducement, an’ ye needn’t believe it ef ye don’t wanter. A feller he telegraffed ter me thet thar war a feller down in Jarsey who hed never hed .his feet -blacked—that is, his boots, ye see, He'd allus been a a up on watermelons, salt-water clams, shuck eyesters, an’ sech like, an’ his feet war so big thet et cost more fer blackin’ ter give his boots a good decent shine, than ther sale o’ his hull crop o’ melons cum to. So this feller who telegraffed me, he took compassion on ther Jarseyman, an’ offered me fifty dojlars ter go down an’ shine ’em, bein’s I ar’ ther Kin and High-Low-Jack o’ this purtickler branch 0’ industry., Waal, ter cut a short story long, as ther novelists say, I packed my kit an’ waited on thet Jarseyman. = “Result: absence from this moral hemisfear of a hundred pounds o’ Bixby’s best, an’ six brushes. But, you hain’t no Jarseyman, stran- ger; no, sir-ee—not you! An’ your pumps are suggestive o’ aristocracy an’ refinement. Tiles knock the price clear down fer this time, and charge you only half a dime. Take it in time an’ it comes in rhyme. Shine’m, mister?” ite Of course the speaker was Boss Bob. He had cleare a tall, richly-dr and aristocratic-looking stranger, who had paused before the great main entrance to the Trans-Continental Hotel, to look about* him. : At first a frown of annoyance came upon the — : handsome face of the man, who was clearly a foreigner, and he raised his formidable walking- stick, threateningly. But as the irrepressible king of the brush rattled on at a rapid rate, not spparenity the least disposed to ‘‘ give it up so,” the cane gradually slipped to the stranger’s side a a faint smile ‘came to his mustache-shaded ips. 7 45 The faint smile increased to a broad one by the time Boss Bob had paused for breath, and — the stranger’s shapely but dusty boot went for- — ward upon the box. oneae eee “Black away, my lad,” he said, with some- AS = 2 ay a quarter, square, from the finish of one job, and planted himself in front of

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8 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. thing like a chuckle. ‘‘ You’ve at least learned your ek Sao L ala Give my boots a first-class shine and I’ll pay you a first-class price—the London price, pine way.” “ Bet I will!” Boss Bob replied, settling to his work quickly, ‘‘So you’re a London rooster, be you? Know’d ye warn’t no Jarseyman by ther size o’ yer feet an’ float o’ yer jibboom. Tell a Jarseyman fur’s I can see im. That acka- line nose an’ Rochambeau tater-trap o’ yourn ar’ better’n a family history. Little French mixed up wi’ yer Brit, ain’t there?” “Yes, a trifle, [dare say,” was the reply ““T know’d it,” Bob declared, elated at’ his victory. “I sed you wasn’t no clam-fatted Jarseyman the minnit I spied ye. I’ma purty good. hese ginerally, an’ when I twigged yer main-topsail, an’ reefed yer yard-arm ter ther breoze, sed I to myself that ain’t Grant, Bedle, Hartranft, ner John Wannamaker, ’case_ his lower jaw’s too clean; but sez I, that feller’s name is Colonel Rutherford.” . The stranger gave a sudden start, and gazed at the bootblack in great surprise. ‘* By Jove,” he said, aftera prolonged whistle. '* How in the name of common sense did you learn my name, boy? I deemed my presence unknown.” “Then, you're the colonel?” ‘Of course I am. Tell me, where did you ever hear my name?” “That's for me ter know an’ you ter guess, I *gpect,” the king replied, with a chuckle. “There! the turn-stiles are open; I must go,” the colonel said, hastily. ‘‘ But I must see you again, boy—where?” “T ginerally have some visitin’ cards about my duds,” Bob said, and at last fished out a dirty slip of paper from one of his pockets, upon which was rudely scrawled in penciled chiro- graphy: Ties : Boss Bob, Schuylkill River, Bines & Scheaft’s Coal’us, Bin 12—Hard—Large Nut. Squeal ‘Keno,’ in falsetto voice.—B. B.” +3 CHAPTER IV. BOSS BOB MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. THE next minute the stranger had seized the interesting card, and was gone, with the crowd, Rising to his feet, with his “kit” in hand, Boss Bob gazed after him. “Well, now, ef that ain’t ther tallest sorter coon I ever see’d. Never paid me a Centennial red, he didn’t, fer all I twigged his signature, an’ give him a reg’lax London polish. An’ he sed he’d give me London pay. Ef that’s ther sort 0’ collatteral they’ve over on John Bull’s side, I want no more of it. But, maybe he’s honest, an’ absent-minded. Seen sech coons afore this, Say, Nondescript?” The boy approached from where he had just . fnished a polishing job. - “Ve see’d thet fureigner I war jest shinin’?” the King of Bootblacks demanded, The boy nodded, “TI thort ye did. Know who’t was?” _ The boy shook his head in the negative. “Well, Nondescript, thet was Colonel Ruther- ford from Hengland. He be an aristocrat, thot. snoozer be, an’ if ye twig his jib, ag’in, jest ac- cost him, five cents’ worth, on my account, 9 fe Mebbe he fergot all about ther collatteral— mebbe! These’ere distinguished inderwiduals gineraliy hev hull huckster cart-loads of it stored fig eres their minds.” A train had just arrived from New York, at the branch depot, upon Elm avenue, antl people were pouring from it into the street, to join in the restless, surging tide of humanity that streamed continuously through the busy turn- stiles into the Exposition. Men, women, children—from nearly every State and Territory, the New J roe (i to-day, of course, Laer , Swarmed in a mass that even the policeman found hard to break. ‘Hello! something’s the row over yonder,” Boss Bob said, grasping the Nondescript by the arm, and pom toward the main entrance to the grounds. ‘‘ Let’s take a look.” Across the street they sprung, and soon form- ed one of a circle of curious persons who had formed a sort of ring around an irate Yankee, whose voice it was which had attracted the at- tention of Boss Bob. A brawny six-footer was the stranger, with an undisputable Yankee face, the lower part of which was covered with a thick stubble of sandy beard; the nose was extremely long, the eyes brown, and now flashing; the mouth indi- crously large, the corners being stained with tobacco-juice; the hair long and tangled, and of a towy color. A subject for an artist was th> stranger, as he stood in the center of the group, swinging his clinched fists about in a free manner—a typical greenhorn clad in homespun, stogy boots, and a battered, old-fashioned “ plug” hat, while he wore a flaring red necktie about his Mle and a full-blown poppy in his button- ole. A. titter of amusement escaped Boss Bob as he saw the countryman, and he nudged the Non- deseript shyly. ** Look out, now, pard; heer’s a greenhorn, in distress, an’ mebbe we'll hev some fun. If he’s half as green and gawkey as he looks, he can be sold out, dog cheap.” : “‘T wanter see that. darn-nation mean skunk who stole my ten dollars,” the countryman vociferated, excited to such a pitch as to be up- on the point of erying. “I say I want tew fasten on tew him, Tve been robbed, feller- citizens—boldly robbed in broad daylight, arter comin’ all the way down heer ter visit this plaguey Centennial, Oh! ye needn’t laff; thar ain’t nothin ter laff about. Ten dollars ain’t picked off frum every gooseberry bush, not by a long shot, an’ I jest wanter get a grab at thet ornery skunk who stole my ten dollars—that’s what ails Sarah Jane. My name’s Joshua Ever- green, if yer want ter know who I am, an’ I’m a citizen o’ Plunkit, Vermont. An’ my pair 0’ Kesar steers is a-goin’ ter take ther prize at he Live Stock show, tew boot. An’ I didn’t come down heer ter be imposed on, or Jaffed at. Mebbe I luk a leetle green, an’ my eddication hain’t so prime as sumo’ you city chaps, but, when ye cum down tew the solid facts, I’ll bet I ean lick any one o’ ye, with one hand tied ahind’ my back.” 7 : ang “Oh! ther chap’s warmin’ up,” Bob observed to the Nondeseript, ‘‘ Guess he’s got ther mus- sieges th ort id a Se

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~ Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks.' 9 ele ter back what he sez, too, by ther looks o’ | hain’t got much stamps alon , but, dad’s got lots his statter.” up at Plunkit, an’ he’s fattin’ five shoats ter “Tell us how you came to lose sir?’ a clerical-looking man said, addressing the Yankee. ‘‘ Perhaps we can find it.” ‘‘Of course ye could, if ye was a mind tew,” Joshua averred, confidently. ‘* Ye see, I hedn’t no change ter put inter ther turn-stile, an’ so I asked a spruce sorter chap if he could change a bill fer me, an’ he sed if ’'d wait rigbt here two minnits, he’d take the bill an’ git it changed fer me, An’ heer I've stud, half an hour, and the dirty mean skunk hain’t come back yet!” A murmur of significance escaped from the lips of those of the spectators who were native Philadelphians. There was no doubt in their minds but what the man from Vermont spoke the truth, for this was no unusual occurrence. “Pll bet a hoss I know who the snoozer was, who bled the Evergreen-horn,” Boss Bob said, from his position. “‘He’s bin hangin’ around here, doing the accommodatin’, every day fer a week, an’ I know it.” ** Ah! you’re the young man we want to see, then,” the gentleman said, who had first mani- fested interest in Joshua Evergreen’s behalf. 2 ne sort of a person is the man you refer “Oh! he’s a gallus ’coon, an’ don’t ye fergit it,” Bob assured, eying his interrogator, sharp- ly, and making him out to be a clerical party, of five and forty—one of those benevolent souls ever in search of somebody to comfort and assist. ‘‘He’s a tall, slim feller, w’at never was brought up on eyesters an’ salt-water -clams. His nose ar’ thin an’ peaked, like as ef he was blessed with a mother-in-law, an’ his mouth would make a good target fer a Gattlin gun. He wairs goggles, sumtimes, over his eyes, an’ sumtimes he don’t. He dresses like a clerk in a milliner store, an’ walks wi’ a cane, wot’s got a statter of old Neptune on ther handle-eend. That’s the chap I mean, nr cab) his hair in the middle, an’ calls himself Chawles Augustus Rothschild Fitz Noodle, when he’s in a hurry, addin’ in seven more, when thar ain’t m0 cops our money, near.” , . “Tswar if that ain’t the very skunk, young feller,” Joshua Evergreen declared, excitedly. “Had a squeaky voice, didn’t he?” ‘““Ves—a falsetter voice—a cross twixt a Thomas cat’s an’ a'cat-fish vender’s,” ‘““The very chap, by hokey! I say, sonny, did - you see that feller?” take ye inter the show, free 0’ char; “ Rackon I did, while ago. Used to know him when he slept in the next coal-bin to me, on warm nights, but he’s graddywated since that, an’ every time we meet, he tries ter poke ther planet o’ Jupiter wi’ his nose. ’Stonishin’ what money will do!” “Then, if you think you know the man why not assist the loser, here, in hunting him up, and handing him over to the authorities?” suggested the clerical party. “pose I might; Evergreen-horn hes got heaps o’ collatteral, fer instance.” 5 “By gol! that will be all right, sonny,” the Vermonter declared. ‘Jest you show me that ‘skunk who tuk off wi’ my ten dollars, ee ‘e, an’ bu the soda water, too—gosh hanged if won't! butehber, too. { aiwt no hog, on small matters, an’ fT ginerally try ter do the square by a feller, even ef I have ter give him my terbaccer-box,”” And here the Yankee grinned broadly, at his supposed facetiousness, : ‘Well, come along, Josh,” Boss Bob said, with a grimace, as he one up his kit. ‘Trot along wi’ me, an’ we'll waltz down around the Rialter, an’ see if wi’ a leetle figgerin’ we can’t spot his nibs.” And away went the bootblack and the long- geared Vermonter, through the crowd, the voice of the former ringing out in his favorite ery— “ Black yer boots. make 'em shine, Costs yer only half a dime—” ‘“Who is that fellow?’ asked a thar as the twain strode away—‘‘he with the ghb tongue, and the blacking-box?” “Oh! that’s Boss Bob,” the clerical man said, with a peculiar smile—‘‘ a bootblack by profes- sion, and, unconsciously, perhaps, one of the most expert, detectives we have. There isn’t scarcely a place or a policeman, in the city, whom he does not know, or that does not know him, and the same with the heft of our rascals. He is, though but a mere youth, an acute reader of human nature and faces, and by a seeming natural gift, a ‘spotter’ of no mean order.” “Then, why does not some one give him a lift, to a better position?” was the inquiry. “Tet him alone; he will raise himself to a position of prominence, and be all the better for it. He is now the right pare the right place, pfor his profession admits to places where detectives are most needed—the streets and drinking saloons. The ‘city fathers’ are not unmindful of his existence, or of its value, and the great secret of his worth is that he has no fear or reverence for mortals here below.” In the meantime Bob and his new friend pro-_ ceeded down through Elm avenue toward the eastern terminus of the grounds, where the crowd was nearly as dense as at the main en- trance. ¢ “My gosh! what swads an’ swads o’ folks!” ejaculated Joshua Hyergreen, as he and Boss ob elbowed their ny along. ‘‘ Who'd ever thort the country’d take sech a puke, jest for one show? I wish dad an’ mam could see all. these folks. We used ter think ther coun fair was some pumpkins, up at Plankit, but 2 be gum-blasted ef this ain’t bigger nor two or three fairs!” =. “Oh, you bet!” Bob assured, with a quizzical smile radiating his dirty countenance. ‘But this hain’t no shakes ter what ther next one’s goin’ ter be. Ther hull site o’ Philadelphia ar’ point ter be used fer ther grounds, an’ all ther | ouses roofed over -and turned inter one build- ing—that is concern, *Spect Philadelphy is purty near as big as Plunkit, eh?” ; “Well, I guess not—leastwise thar’s only a’ postomis an’ tavern. Hellow| what's the rip, now? 3 They had reached the eastern end of the fence fronting upon Elm Avenue. SP : ef Iam nominated president 0’ the

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= .proaching, with doubled fists. 10 Boss Bob had seized the arm of his companion, and pointed a few feet distant to’a foppishly dressed swell who stood apart from the crowd that streamed by. “His face was a peculiar one, being somewhat feminine in feature, the complexion rather sal- Jow, mouth large, nose thin and ked, and eyes shaded by a pair of green goggles, His attire was rich and stylish—a summer suit of white duck, and a silk hat upon his head, in addition to a liberal display of jewelry, made his appearance quite natty. ‘There! that’s Chawles Augustus Rothschild Fitz Noodle, from Bosting!” announced Bob. ** Does he look like the feller who skipped the tra-la-la-loo wi’ yer X?” - . evan that’s the same mean skunk, sure’s reachin’!” Joshua declared, excitedly, ‘ Jest et go my arm, and see me go up and boot him once. Tl wake up his ijees a little.” “No, no!—that won't do!” interposed Bob. * You dassent boot a chap, here, like you do up in Plunkit, ef ye don’t want a night in the sta- tion ’us’. There’s a policeman, who will help you out.” And as he spoke Bob motioned to number 836, of the City Police, who approached quickly. ‘* Well?’ he said, interrogatively, ‘“‘ what now? Another greenhorn robbed, or lost?” “Yes; this chap’s out an X, through a ‘con- fider,’ and so we've tracked and spotted him. and now ef you'll Pt jerk him, we're all right.” ““Very well. If the loser is sure of his man, point him out and Tl lift him,” the officer said. “Thar’s the mean skunk,” Joshua declared, pointing out the swell. ‘‘ He’s the very skunk Boss Bob, the Kizg of Bootblacks. in accents wild. ‘‘ Weally thisis a fwightful— a horwible mistake!” : “Come along with you,” number 836 replied, . ‘Yecan prove yer case, when he get fore his Honor.” “Stop!” a voice cried. no further. Dat mans ish not a ‘ confider,’ an vouch for dat!” ‘ CHAPTER V. COL. RUTHERFORD AND ALBERTS—THE PAWN- BROKER AND BILL HEART-EATER. THE party who had interfered came forward now, and not only Boss Bob, but the officer recogni him as Dr. Albert Alberts, the pawnbroker and wealthy money-lender. He was dressed in the hight of fashion, and walked with a cane, the gold head of which glittered with settings of costly diamonds. “Dot vas an innocent man, an’ you must not arrest him,” he repeated, in reply to the offi- cer’s stare. ‘I am Dr. Albert Alberts—I half monish—I go bail for de shendlemons.” ‘* Well, sir, the place to arrange that is before the judge of the police court,” No. 836 replied, ‘Dis insult must 5 sternly. ‘‘ You'll find alee friend there, to- morrow morning, for a hearing. Come along, prisoner.” And August Fitz Noodle was forced to obey as he was no match for the burly officer in point of size or strength. Alberts made no attempt to follow; on the contrary, he turned angrily upon Boss Bob and Evergreen, who stood by. ‘You cause der arrest of dot shendlemans?” he Coneneess savagely, of the young boot: that promised to get my bill changed, but didn’t ¥ blac: come back, gol darn his picter!” ‘¢ And he calls himself Fitz Noodle!” Boss Bob added, ‘‘He’s otie of the hossiest confiders in the city.” “T have suspected this lay, for several days,, but hayen’t found him in the act. But, Pll take him now, however,” the officer said. And, walking softly up to the fop, number 836 clapped his broad hand upon the shoulder of ve individual, with the grim announce- ment: “Young man, you must come along with me. You are my prisoner. No objections, now, or TPll put the nippers on ye!” ‘“The ‘ confider ? wheeled around with a sharp oath, but instantly changed his demeanor to that of a cringing, frightened coward. “Heavens! what do you say, may deah man— arrest me?” he gasped. “Why, my deah sir, bis have made a mistake—a fwightful mistake, assure you! Weally, Iam not the party you have taken me for. I am from Bosting, my deah man—right from the Hub, which you might infer by my culchaw.” ‘““Ye'r’? a darned liar!” Joshua declared, ap- “Youre the gosh-hanged skunk who tuk my ten dollars an’ run off wi’ jit.” “Yes, we twig yer nibs,” Boss Bob added, witha sare “ You've got yer figgerhead inter a deefikilty, Mr. Fitz Noodle. er culchaw don’t do ye no good, now. Off ter ther ju; you go, onless ye fork over Evergreen-horn’s “Spare me! spareme!” Fitz Noodle protested, “Yaw! yaw! I arrest him mitout a varrant, yust for sdealin’ ten dollar from dis mon!” Bob mimicked, grimly. “Den petter you look out,” Alberts declared, in a rage. ‘I haff young vagabond like you taken up an’ sent mit der House off Correction.” “Oh! x do, do ye, darn yer picter, put in Joshua, doubling up his fists, in high dudgeon. ‘“‘ Well, now, see heer, my Hebrew friend, if eou don’t want me ter git up an’ boot ye, ye adn’t better sot a paw on this boy. My name’s Joshua Evergreen, frum Plunket, Varmont, an’ IT reckon I’m’s good’s IJuk, ev’ry day in a week, an’ twice on Sunday. I’ve got a pair o’ mus- cles hyar on my arms as big as a couple goose eggs, an’ ef ye go ter stickin’ yer nose inter my bizness, I calculate I ain’t afeard ter knock ther spots clean offm you, an’ a dozen more jest like ye. Now, what do yeow say?” ; “Oho! so you vas one ugly cusdomer, eh?’ Alberts observed, an angry flame in his fiery eyes. ‘Vell, vell, you lets me alone, an’ dot prisoner und I gift you ten dollar, all de vile.” “Oh! no ye won’t, Capting,” Boss Bobb inter- posed. ‘‘Ye can’t buy us out cheap, nary a time. If that ‘confider’s’ one o’ yer buzzom pals, ye’d better drap his acquaintance afore you get gugged yerself. Ye remember thet night up at hur Chambers’s?” e German-Jew scowled darkly, and his teeth went grating together. ; “T pay you for dat, sometime,” he growled, turning away. ‘“‘Idon’d vas fo’get you, all de | vile.” ‘ ;

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= f Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. _ “Ha! ha!” Bob said, turning to Josh. *6 Ther way ter get shut uv a reptile is ter sling ‘an old slug at him, I tell ye. Wonder what Fitz Needle is to him, anyhow? ’Spect they’re cin’ inter partnership in sum sort o’ deviltry. ow, cum along, Josh, an’ we'll skip down ter ther station~us’, an’ we can enter a complaint ag’in’ the confider.” “But whar’s my ten dollars?” Joshua de- imanded, anxiously. ‘‘Oh! his nibs has got it now, an’ his ‘honer’ will finger it next. You'll never get fat on that X ag’in, you bet! Tell yer what, ther great city aim’t no place like et is in ther country ter turn greenhorns loose. Take a fel- ler o’ my statter an’ good luks, who hes a card o’ interduction ter all these big guns, and whom experience hes taught ter twig ther son-of-a guns, an’ he can git along very well. But let a greeny cum ter town, an’ nothin’ but ill-luck an’ misfortune greets him. Hain’t ye got no collaiteral besides thet ten dollars, wich ye ain’t got? No bonds or mortgages?” ‘Not a darned cent, I swow, ’cept my re- turn ticket ter Plunket!” “Well, don’t worry yerself inter a premature ‘tomb. [ve got a little capital laying around loose, an’ I won’t let yer starve.” “Hf I could only find whar uncle Mort lives, T'd_be all hunk,” Joshua declared hopefully. “Ve see, uncle Mort he’s rich, and puts on lots © style, an’ I know he’d be ea ter see me, seein’s I jest cum down from Plunket on pur- pose tew see ’em an’ fetched a roll o butter along in my sachel fer ’em.” i “Now don’t put no great dippendence on yer city relates,” Boss Bob said, nodding his head, sagely. ‘ ke Pm any jedge o’ wharf-rats, they- *re a mighty oncertin set, especially ef you’re in from ther country, an’ hain’t got lots 0’ style an’ collatteral. Know’d sev’ral instances whar ther country cousins didn’t find ther folks ter home.” “Yow don’t say!” Joshua replied anxiously. “Well, now, I'll be gum-blasted if they can git rid o’ me soeasy. Mebbe I am sorty green, like, but I ain’t no gol-darned fool, ef I did come from the country. No, sir-ee! I’m jest goin’ ter hunt up uncle Mort’s folks, an’ pay ’em a visit.” Feeling it his duty to assist the country stranger as much as he could, conveniently, Bob conducted him to the station-house at 39th street and Lancaster avenue, where a complaint was entered against Fitz Noodle, to be trans- ‘ferred to the Centra] Police court on the follow- ing morning, when the hearing was to take place. Then Bob loaned his country acquaintance a dollar, and left him to pursue his search for his city. relations. Having reaped his principal harvest for the day, the young boot-black then trudged on down into the old city, to finish out the after- noon. Albert Alberts sat in his office that same after- noon, engaged in smoking a cigar, and reading a German paper; when the door opened to ad- mit a tall, distinguished-looking personage, of rich attire, and a genial countenance, prominent “ment, as he had no lawful heirs. 11. features, of which were a pair of handsome brown eyes, a classical nose, finely-shaped mouth. and a golden-hued mustache that-was heavy, and. the ends curled. His form, too, was noticeably - well proportioned. He might have been five and thirty years of age, but looked considerably ae ‘“Good-morning,” was his brisk, business-like salutation. “Do I behold Albert Alberts, M. “Yaw! dot vas me,” the Jew replied, eying ~~ his visitor, sharply. ‘‘I am Albert Alberts.” ~ “Then you are the individual I seek, I pre- sume,” the stranger replied, seating himself without invitation. ‘‘ My name is Rutherford— an English lawyer and counselor, by profession. I have a card of introduction to you from — Schauss and Co., bankers.” ; “Yaw! I see,” Alberts replied, ES cael the card, with an approving nod. ‘‘ You come to see me on business.” * Bxactly. They stated that you were widely preteen here in Philadelphia, and would be able to assist me, they thought.” i “Dot isn right. If I can helb you, I do so mit pleasure,” the pawnbroker replied. ‘‘ Tell me vat you want of me.” “ Well, you see, I am prosecuting the search for heirs to a great English estate, which has — lain in disuse until it is on the eve of being out- lawed and confiscated by the Queen. ‘There are — several heirs thought to be living in America, _and I am in search of them.” “Ah! if you haff no more definite clew ash dot, you no find ’em.” “Perhaps not. But the case is like this: Years ago there was an old British aristocrat named Lord petty. Rutherford—a very miser, — they say; at least, he amassed_a monstrous for- tune in lands and moneys. But, being an old bachelor, on his death his wealth must all go to — the commonwealth to be handled by the Govern- — This being — against his notion, he set about to dispose of his roperty by will. A will was made as follows: — To an old tenant’s youngest child, whose name was Sutherland, he bequeathed one quarter of — his total wealth, the will to be kept a secret un- — til the old man’s death; if the heir to the first quarter was blessed with children, the estate — was to be entailed to the youngest child, and so — on through each successive generation; but, — understand you, this was only to be a gift in name, as none of the heirs were to touch a pen- — ny’s worth of the Bo es until one huni red years after the date of the will, when the then. youngest existing heir of the first legatee of the — first quarter was to receive the quarter due him, minus interest, which was to be left out. The ~ said interest was to go to the attorney who had i charge of the settlement of the estates, which — were all to be converted into money one year previous to the expiration of the hundred years, said money to be held in possession of the attor- ney, or his heir-deputy, until the heirs to the — fortune should be found. Ree: “The second quarter was bequeathed to an 5 old poacher’s son by the name of ortimer; the — third to a gardener’s son named Elston, ani the fourth to a hunter’s son named Preston, al}

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12 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks, . . under the same provisions and stipulations as regards the first quarter.” ‘Dot vas a strange vill,” Alberts said, a glit- ter in his eyes. ‘‘ You haff the monish for all de heirs?” “Yes. aboard my private steam yacht, in which I crossed the Atlantic. [am the grand- son of the son of old Jervis Rutherford, to whom Lord Derby Rutherford confided his legal affairs, in 1776, and the settlement of his estates,” “Der name is der same. perhaps?” “No; the two Rutherfords bore no traceable relationship to each other.” “How much does the whole fortune amount to?” Alberts asked, his eyes glittering greedily, and a perceptible nervouseess in his voice. “1 do not know, hardly, for it is a fabulous sum. A year ago, when my father died, he closed up the affairs, and placed each heir’s por- tion in an iron sirong-box, respectively, direct- ing me to take charge of them, and find the heirs. That is my errand, principally, here in America.” “Vell, how furder you haff traced dese heirs?” Alberts interrogated. “Down to the present generation. The Hll- stons are all dead, and there are no heirs to their portion. The Sutherlands are somewhere in America, as are the Prestons and the Morti- ‘mers; but where, I am unable to say.” ‘¢ An’ vat, den, you expect of me?” “T want you to keep an eye out for any so- named parties, as you may be able to strike them quicker than I. J will call again, some other time, and see what success you have. If you discover any of the rightful heirs I will pay you liberally.” “Allright. Yust'giff me some of der names and I vill be watchful—on account of your in- troduction by Schauss & Company.” “Very well. The first quarter was bequeathed. _to Duke Sutherland. He died and left a son _ who may be living yet; if so, aged about seventy years.” The second peas ae was left to Ethelbert Mortimer; he died leaving a son named Wal- - eross. Him TI believe to be dead, leaving a son; name unknown, The third quarter was left to Arnold Eliston; all heirs ce pera to be dead. The fourth and last quarter of the fortune, was left to Sefton Preston, who died, leaving a son, named Ralph Preston, who died young, leaving -ason by name Morton Preston, yet supposed to be living, “Allright. Thaff take’em down. Goot-tay, - Mister Rutherford.” You vas a relative, “Good-day. I will call again, within the - month.” _ And rising, Colonel Rutherford took his de- parture. After he had gone, Albert Alberts rubbed his hands together, an exultant smile flitting across his sinister countenance. “VYaw! yaw! Mister Rutherford, you come “to me and I helb you, maybe, but Talso helb my- self. You was a rich goose, and I pluck your feddors, all de wile. You make me your agent; vill see apout dose. Dis vas von valuable case, nd I giff it my attention. I haff got some poys vat help me. Ihaff you shadowed. I play 4 one hand, and‘I vin de game, maybe.” Night dropped its somber mantle once more as the City of Homes, but the streets knew no rest, Tramp, tramp, tramp went the thousands of pedestrians through its streets—some still sight- seeing, despite the fatigues of a day at the ex- position; others seeking their lodgings—business men, loafers, visitors, policemen, all mixed up in a jangling mass, c At the corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets, Albert Alberts stood in a shadow cast by an awning-—stood there and watched with eager gaze the crowd as it passed by. What is his business, we do not pretend to know, but judging by the expectant expression upon his countenance, he is watching for some one. “He always po along this side of the street at about this hour,” the pawnbroker mutters, with manifest rep roa a “T would not miss him to-night for fifty dollars.” In clear, unbroken English the Jew now eae instead of his broken accent, which evi- ences the fact that he is not unable to speak correctly. A habit, probably—his broken speech. The minutes wing by, laden with the peculiarly exciting scene; still the shadow upon the pawnbroker’s face tells that he has not yet seon. his man. “Strange!” he mutters again. ‘‘I hope they’ve not nabbed him on old scores, Ah!” e stepped suddenly into the thickest of the crowd, and tapped a man upon the shoulder— then retreated to his first position, The man followed him—a burly, roughly~ dressed chap, with a countenance that an excess of liquor had made red and repulsively sinister, what with the coarse, heavy black mustache, and the fiery bloodshot eyes. A typical pirate or brigand was he, in appearance, from head to foot. ‘“ Well!” he growled, gruffly, eying the pawn- broker, none too ovine ty “ What d’ye want of Bill Heart-Hater?” ‘* Much,” Alberts replied, blandly. ‘‘ You ish der very man’s vot I want to see. I haff pen looking for you ash much ash yon hour, Come down here.’ : He led the way down a pair of stairs that de- scended from the strect into a dive that was then known as Noonan’s Varieties. The first apartment entered was a bar-room, with chairs and tables strewn about. : At one of these tables, in a retired corner, Al- berts seated himself, an1 motioned the other to follow his example, which he did. ‘Now den,” the pawnbroker said, lighting a cigar, ‘‘ ve will proceed to pizness,” CHAPTER VI. AN INFAMOUS SCHEME—HUNIOE. THERE was a special emphasis upon the Jew’s word, ‘‘ pizness,” meant to carry weight to the auditor, ‘Well, go ahead,” the other replied. ‘‘T am Bill Heart-Hater, an ex-pirate from the high seas, an’ I'm generally to be commanded fer a a

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Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. fair stipend. But, if ye’re goin’ ter talk wi’ me, jest shake off them ‘ash’ and ‘ishes,’ an’ cum down to old United States dialect.” The pawnbroker smiled. **- You no like der goot old speech of der fader- land, den?” he said. . “T allow not,” Heart-Eater replied. Then I will speak plain English. The other is somewhat of a habit, and then, you know, comes natural. Ihave been anxiously waiting to know about the Sea Breeze?” “Tt left Liverpool yesterday.” “ The devil you say?” ‘*No—the ship Sea Breeze, laden with goods for Morton Prescott, Philadelphia. It could not ~ be detained longer, although I spent every thous- and you gave me ter hinder it. Prescott kept ther cable hot wi’ telegrams, and they finally had to pull out.” ‘Prescott is worried, then?’ the Jew asked, eagerly. Somewhat, I reckon, for ef ther Sea Breeze ain’t in soon, itll be hot fer him, and don’t you fergit it.” “Yes, it will be interesting,” Alberts replied. ** How long before the Sea Breeze will be due?” “Let her make her fastest time and she can- not shove her nose into Pier 26, Delaware, be- fore September 10th, at one o’clock!” The pawnbroker rubbed his hands gleefully. “Dot ish goot!” he muttered. ‘* Dot ish goot. He no raise der monish—den I take the girl. But, how ’poud it—if der ship should get in be- fore dot time?” “He is saved. A gang of retail dealers stand ready to take ther cargo off of his hands for ready cash.” The Jew uttered an oath. “Den dot ship must not touch port previous to the eleventh of September,” he said, fiercely. “You hear vot I say, Phil Heart-Hater?” ** Treckon I ain’t deaf,” the ex-pirate replied, witha chuckle. ‘I shall hev to choke off yer Ad though, ef yer don’t cheese thet old clo’ rogue, . “Den I stop,” Alberts returned. ‘‘The ship Sea Breeze must be delayed in some way, So as not to reach the harbor.” “You want me to stop her?” asked the ex- pirate. : “Yes! yes! You are the very man for the job. Will you do it?” ‘* Yes, for a thousand dollars, spot cash!” You are a fool, I not give you that.” ‘* Odds is the diffrence ter me. For a straight thousand I will scuttle the Sea Breeze in Dela- ware bay. Even if she don’t sink, itll delay her. No thousand—no seuttle!” ‘“Then, mebbe [ send you to Moya for past offenses,” the pawnbroker suggested, with a sneering coolness that caused Heart-Eater to darken. “You'd better not try it,” he growled. “If you want fight, you'll git licked. I hold as - many points ag’in’ you as oe do ag’in’ me, if Ae a few more. How high do you value the girl? { “At one million of dollars.” _ a “Phew! I never see’d ther piece o’ feminin- ity I'd sive one million cents fer.” “The girl’s a beauty. She has education, 138 social position, refinement, and admission to all the highest circles of metropolitan society. That I have not got; with her as my wife, I could have it. e would loosen my purse-~ strings, and make me so peruies a man that the world would forget that I am a Jew.” ‘“Bet yer sea-boots they wouldn't fergit it so long’s ye Seal yer ‘ish’ and ‘ash and ‘ dot’ and ‘dose,’” Heart-Eater confidently declared. “Or till ye git rid o’ the smell o’ garlics and onions. An’, ef ye want yer _ueranoes loosened, 11 do et, cheap as anybody.” “Yaw! yaw! I know; you hft ’em too much!” Alberts replied with a chuckle. “ Put, Iam no hog, ifam a Jew. Ve will take some visky to gargle our throat; den I propose some- ares to you.” ’ ‘* No whisky for me—nothin’ less’n champy,” the ex-pirate growled. ‘‘T’ve made a half-gallon of old benzeen sick, to-day, an’ now T’ll change off, jest fer ther fun uv it,” ithout demur the pawnbroker ordered and pe for a half-dozen of champagne, in pint otitiles. They were seon served by a waiter, and the two men—the conspirator and his tool—each . finished one before they conversed further. “Now, then, I’m ready to receive money pro- pee eart-Hater said, smacking his flabby ips. ‘‘ Hf ye’ve got any paying cash jobs, jest toss ’em at me, right i ‘ ‘Vell, I tell you vot I do,” Alberts said; after a moment of meditation. ‘* You vonce dell me, Phil, vot you haff a fortune comin’ to you ofer in England.” “ Yes, but it Il allus be comin’, I reckon, fer I Le ce all clew ter it, long ago,” the ex-pirate replied. ‘Put maybe I helbs a to get dot fortune, Phil?” Alberts suggested, cunningly. ‘‘ You say vot your father’s name vas Elliston.” . : es, thet was his name.” ** An’ you pe Hllston’s only heir?” “Humph! I was ther old man’s son, but not — much uv a heir. All ther old cuss had when he flopped his last trump, was sum ragged togs, an’ an empty tobaccer-box.” “ Vell, den, Phil, how much how to git dish fortune?” : “Tl give you six inches o’ steel, if ta don’t drop that gabble,” the ex-pirate growle fly. “Den, I stop!” Alberts said, “This fortune of yourn, Phil, is awaiting a claimant. The hundred years is now up, and you can have it, freely, if you only know how and where to get i ” you giff to know “Cuss you. How do about it, you infernal Jew “ Oh!'T find out,” “ An’ ye can tell me how an’ where ter lay my claws on it?” ‘Tf you do shust as I want.” ‘Look out fer my knife, youinfer—” “Oh! I forgot again,” Alberts - apologized. el bil yen do just as [ want, Bill Heart-Kater, I git that fortune, and place half of it in your possession.” ene “What in the devil will ae do with the other half, then?” Heart- Phe know anything « L ater demanded, — Z erimly. ; “Oh! I keep for you de odder half—the other

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14 . a? es Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks, half I would say—tili you get old. Maybe you need it, then.” “Oh! you’re an accommodatin’ cuss, you are. And if I don’t agree to that?” “ You get none!” “Cuss ye! Well, I Rt ea you've got it all yer own way, and I’d better take half, than none. Shove out yer proposals.” “Very well. I want you, first of all, to hunt up a fellow whose name is Rutherford. He is tall, blonde, handsome, Then, I want you to find out whereabouts his private steam-yacht lies, about the harbor, and report to me. He is a ‘fat goose,’ and if you can ‘sample’ him, per- haps you can make a raise, and share 16 with me, ind you don’t harm him, though.” “ Black yer boots, make ‘m shine Only costs you half a dime, ‘Touch yer sins up like a feather, Reflect yer natur’ in yer leather.” With a sudden curse Alberts wheeled around, to find Boss Bob just passing, boot-blacking out- fit in hand. “Satan take the boy!” he growled, turning to Heart-Eater. ‘‘He’s always around. Do you suppose he overheard us?” “What ’f he did?’ the ex-pirate demanded, dashing the neck off his second bottle of cham- e. ‘* He’s only a young urchin.” ‘But as keen as a razor, as sharp-eyed as a lynx, and as quick to hear as a deer.” ae “Never mind him—go on with your proposi- tions.” “Well, next, I want you to see that the Sea Breeze does not touch this port before Septem- ber 10th, After that, I may have another slight job or two for you to do.” “ But when am I ter git the cash!” ‘When I am dotie with you.” “That may be never.” *Youerr. When I get the young and ac- complished Miss Prescott, I haff—have—nothing to do with such men as Bill Heart-eater.” **See here! Dye mean ter cast a slur on ther pirates o’ ther high seas?” ** No, no slur at all.” “Ye'd better draw in yer bow-line. I’ve made better men than you walk ther plank, I tell ye. Is this all?” ‘At present, yes. I will leave you to enjoy the rest of the champagne. When necessary to my interests you may find me at my office, and ished hen rising, the scheming Jew left the dive. Not so with Heart-Hater. To have left without finishing the remaining bottles of champagne would have been, in his estimation, a great sin. Moreover, he had a Rica capacity for ea rarene. drink, which he ok every opportunity available to test. The contents of the third, fourth and fifth bottles found passage down his throat, and at last, when ho had finished, his head dropped forward upon the table. Ho was overcome— drunk! Not far away Boss Bob and his strange com- peace, the Nondescript, stood secretly watching _ him, while they smoked a a ; “here! that settles his hash!” the Ring of Bootblacks said, as the ex-pirate went off into a 4 a doze. ‘‘ Now, you stay here, Nondescript, or hereabouts, an’ when he trots home, you trot after him, an’ memorize his palatial abode. It may be useful fer us ter know heerafter. D’ye understand?” The o.her youth nodded; then Bob turned away, and as he once more emerged upon the street his peculiar cry was heard, familiar to ee day, no doubt, to many a Centennial vis- itor— 3 “ Black yer boots—make 'em shine, Only costs ye half a dime!” Albert Alberts was at home, later, that same evening. No common home either was the abode of the wily pawnbroker. It was one of the princely residences to be found upon Green street, Philadelphia—a stone and brick structure of castellated appearance, the magnificent exterior of which was but a foretaste of the interior. Everywhere was the evidence of wealth—luxurious and costly furni- ture, grand pictures, rich carpets, artistic hang- ings and fresco work—everything in the shape of art or ornament that a heart could desire, or a fancy crave, was there, showing that, villain though he was, the pawnbroker prince had a rare and well exercised taste, which his abundant means could well afford to gratify. In a private parlor, sacred to his tread, the pawnbroker sat, in an easy-chair, while his slippered feet rested upon an ottoman, and a marble wine table at his right hand contained many choice brands of liquors, in decanters. cigars, glasses, and pipes and tobaccos, all ot the choicest kinds. His head was bowed forward, resting upon | his hand, and it was evident that he was buried in deepest thought. That his senses were keen- ly on the alert, however, was manifest by the quick raising of his head, as a footfall was faint- ly audible on the soft carpet. “ Hiunice!” he articulated sternly. ‘* Yes, Eunice!” came the reply from a finely- shaped and handsome young woman who stood before him, clad in the costume of the streets. “TI wonder that you are able to pronounce my name, without pausing to recall it, Albert!” “Ah!” The pawnbroker’s manner changed from sternness to bland demeanor. ‘Why say you so, my dear Eunice?” “ Because you have so long neglected to call upon me, that I thought you had quite forgot-. ten that such a person existed as me. Do not ‘my dear,’ to me, Dr. Alberts; I will not toler- ate it.” ‘And why not, pray? Are you not mine— betrothed from the cradle, by an agreement be- tween our respective parents?” “Exactly! Do you remember what is the forfeit, if either you or I should back out of the contract?” * Ah! no; I really have forgotten about that. I—I—ahem!” “JT have not forgotten, Dr. Alberts,” the maiden replied, growing momentarily more ex- cited. ‘‘ No, indeed, I have not forgotten. The wronged never forget. My bl is just as pure and high as yours. am of Hebrew de- scent—you are the same. By that fact we

Page 17

Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. oe me oe should be bound together by a strong tie. The forfeit, sir, of whichI spoke, is ten thousand dollars, to be paid by the one who backs out, to the other!” “So much? Well, what of it? I do not think that I have given verbal dissent to our union.” “You have not? What am I to infer, when I receive no more visits from you? You have not darkened my door since about the time of the opening of the Centennial. What is the rea- son? ‘** Ah! you are sensible, now, to ask that,” Al- berts replied, good-naturedly. ‘‘ Business! busi- ness, my dear—a great amount of business alone could keep me so long from your side. Day and night I have labored, until to-night, I am forced to seek my home, from sheer fatigue.” “You lie, Albert Alberts—you lie like the base villain that you are! Think you I do not know the reason why you have not come? If so, you err, most strangely. I know the one and only reason. How? Bah! I am no fool— leave it to me to find out. You expect to fore- close a mortgage soon upon the person of a pretty Christian girl; you sit here at your ease, nights, dreaming over the victo ou expect to achieve, Do you ever think of Eunice Res- sauer? No, indeed, no! She, in such moments, has entirely dropped out of your thoughts. But, beware, Albert Alberts! You should know me well enough to know that I would never let gout haxe her—no! no! no! a thousand times, no “ Hunice! Eunice!” the pawnbroker exclaimed, anxiously; ‘‘calm yourself, my dear girl. You are wild—excited—” ’ “Stop! do not interrupt me. Hear me out, and then I will go. Iam not wild; I know just what’ I am saying. I have been gathering wrath, for over a month, and making it ready to convert inte vengeance. All I require isa moment's notice to pour that vengeance upon you. I have said you should not have the Christian girl—more, I have sworn it! Death shall be my agency of prevention, She shall not die, she is not to blame. It is you who shall die, unless you let her free. Remember—such is the oath of Eunice Rassauer!” Then, turning, with a face flushed with indig- nation, the Hebrew girl swept from the room. ‘When she had gone, Alberts poured out a glass of Rhine wine, and swallowed it at a gulp. “Ve shall see!” he said, grimly, returning to his dialect; ‘‘ ve shall see apoud dis bizness! It Jakes two ter settle such questions as dose.” CHAPTER VII. BOSS BOB TO THE FRONT AGAIN. * Papal” Pearl Prescott See her father in the grand hallway, as he was about to quit the mansion, on the evening of the second day of September —stopped him by barricading his passage with her slight figure. ae Well, my dear?” the merchant kindly inter- ited, as he stroked her soft, luxuriant hair. - Papa, come in here, if you can spare me a moment;” and she threw open the library door, and entered, the merchant following. ‘‘ Now, ro; 15 tell me,” Pearl said, a wild, anxious look in her eyes—‘‘ tell me if the Sea Breeze has yet arrived? I cannot nee wait without knowing, For the last month I have been growing anxious, by noting how troubled you look at times, but un- til now have refrained from asking you.” ‘No, the Sea Breeze has not arrived,” Mor- ton Prescott replied, gravely. Ss A faint moan came from Pearl. “Tt is as I have all along anticipated,” she said, attempting to be very brave, when in truth her heart was sinking, ‘The ship will not touch the port in time, and I—I am lost!” a y Heaven, no!” the merchant replied, pac- ing the floor excitedly. ‘‘ Something will yet turn up, I hope, to rid you from the claim of the scheming Jew!’ “Ah! if the Sea Breeze does not come home, how will—how can anything turn up? Can yeu get the money to ck the loan?” “‘T fear not, unless the ship arrives. As soon as she touches her prow in port, I can board her, and dispose of the whole cargo within ten minutes, at reasonable figures. But unless she arrives previously to one minute to twelve, it will be im ible for me to raise a dollar, ex- cept by mortgaging this place again, and that _ would not satisfy the demand.” At this juncture a servant entered. “A bootblack, sir, at the door, who wants to see Mr. Morton Prescott, sir,” the worthy said, bowing. ‘‘ Shall I bounce ’im?” “No, Lawlor; show him in,” the merchant replied, after a moment of thoughtfulness. Then, after the waiter had gone, he turned and answer- ed Pearl’s surprised gaze. “My views have changed somewhat, you see,” he said, with afaint smile. ‘‘1 am in a pros- pect of coming down to the level of bootblacks, and may as well acquaint myself with their ways. “The ragamuffin, sir,” announced the voice of Lawlor, and the next minute a person was shoved forward into the room, and the door shut after it, The person was Boss Bob, dirty and ig as ever, and Ge a with his even dirtier-looking blacking kit; which he forthwith deposited up- on the sofa, while he dropped confidently into an easy-chair, And the merchant and his pretty daughter, standing a short distance away, gazed at the street gamin in undisguised astonishment. ‘¢ Bvenin’ to ye!” Boss Bob said, not Spree: ently the least discomposed at the situation. “Ruther cheeky, ain’t I, ter take possession in this shape? But then, ye see, it’s pardonable, ’ca’se I've been head over neck inter bizness ever since daylight. ’Spec you'r Morton Pres- cott, Eskwire, ain’t ye; an’ that purty young lady is yer darter?” : “T am Morton Prescott—yes, sir; and the young lady is also my daughter,” the merchant replied, aaa j ‘Tho't so, I did! “You two look as near alike as two peas. Tho’t I’d meander down this way, and call in, jest fer fun—ter see if ye didn’ want ter engene a purfessional detective, Ain't — purticular about: ther good re Ske kin have that gratis. Ali I’m after’s collatteral!” : pe ™ rtation I make

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‘chief ma: * familiar to moe. 16 Boss Bob, tke King cf Bootblacks. “Do you pretend to call yourself a profes- sional detective, then?” the merchant demanded with a smile. “ Yes, I reckon I'll adopt ther thing, since I’ve hed ther luck to git a recommend from Stokely. Didn’t use ter aspire ter a posish above blackin’ boots, but since I’ve see’d Grant, and all ther other big. guns paradin’ theirselves around heer at ther Centenyal, I’ve jest made up my mind ter rise, too. ain't goin’ ter shake off wi’ ther boots tho’, till I strike a permanent job. *T'won’t be long afore I'll be as big, an’ fat, an’ corpulent au’ high-toned as all these fust-class roosters, fer I'm goin’ ter cum down ter eyster an’ clam- bake diet. So, ef ye think ye hain’t got no openin’, jest tip us yer tongue, ter thet effeck, an’ I'll meander off.” Morton Prescott laughed, lightly, and even Pearl’s eyes flashed with amusement, for both saw that their visitor, although a street Arab was more than his terse, illiterate manner of speech would seem to indicate, “Well, I don’t know that I have much need for the services of a detective,” the merchant replied. ‘‘ What caused you to think I might need one?” . On! it kinder popped inter my noddle. Ye see, when a feller gets onto the verge of a precipice, an’ can’t see no way out ’cept by ther sacrifice 0’ a life, he needs a friend an’ a lettle help purty bad.” “A very truthful bit of logic, my youn friend. But have you any idea you coul furnish the requisite relief?” “Dunno about that; might, an’ ag’in I might not. Wouldn't be much afeard ter tackle ther case, ef I had all 0’ ther p’ints jotted down.” “ What is your name, sir?” “Boss Bob, fer short. There’s anuther name 0’ Maloney hitched onter me, but I don’t take to it kindly, ’Mongst ther b’hoys, I’m ginerally called ther King © Bootblacks, because I gin- nerally ‘corner ther market, an’ monopolize ther traffick o’ sech guns as Stokely, Hartranft, Dom Pedro, ’Lysses Grant, an’ in fact all ther ates an’ ‘way ups.’” ob, eh? I think your name is not un- I have heard the Chief of Police speak of you.” “Yas; they all know meas well as they do “ Boss - their ‘clubs’ when their hand is flush.” ‘Well, sir, since you seem to have gained some insight into my affairs, suppose you tell E ee what you do know?’ the merchant said. Boss Bob seratched his ‘peeled’ head a mo- - ment, asif trying to determine what was best todo; a finel out, shaped head, it was, too, large and well developed. ‘* Well, ter come down to solid facts,” he said, after a moment, “I heerd down on ’Change, thet yer financial condishun wazzent_prime. Thet was along sum spell ago. Next,I found I was secreted in Albert’s pawnbroker _ shop, last New Year’s, a-watchin’ fer deposits o’ 4 stolen goods, when — yer ga’ mad, it did, fer I know’d w’at a rusty customer rf es ie you cum in, an’ barg’ined off ter thet Jewsharp. That made me thet Alberts war, an’ sez I ter myself, sez I: ‘Il keep my eye peeled till this peach rinens an’ mebbe [ kin git a bite. So I've kinder spotted ther Jew ever since, an’ caught him in several other gum games.” ‘* Ah! you are more valuable than I at first deemed you, boy,” the merchant said, eagerly. * BA else do you know relative to this busi-~ ness ‘*T know that unless you are ‘flush’ wi’ col-. lateral about one minute to twelve o’clock, eight days after to-day, yonder gal is a goner, sure’s preachin’,” “Alas! I am in no danger of getting money enough to repay the loan,” the merchant groan- ed, and he began to pace and fro. ‘‘ What is to be done?” ‘Well, thet ‘depends,’ as the old woman said, when she pointed to her husband, who was per- forming on a perpendicular tight rope, down at Moyamensing. Ef ye want ter make an engage- ment o’ my perfessional services, Pll endeaver ter give ye a lift.” “Of course—of course! If you can and will assist me out of my dilemma, I will be your humble servant, forever.” “Nixy! thet ain’t what I’m after,” Boss Bob” averred, shaking his head, “TI kin get lots o’ jobs, if I'd take me pay in friendship an’ all sech lollygag. Tell ye what it is, boss; P’ve stubbed my way through ther world since I was big enough ter pick up cigar stubs an’ sell ‘em, an’ I never found a better an’ trustier friend than solid collatteral. You folks who waz brought up in luxury an’ illegance may hey a warm admiration fer so-called ‘ friend- ship,’ but, ef ye hedn’t but a shilling or two, blame me if you, wouldn’t find yer so-cad friends scarcer than teeth in ther back uv a saw. Solid cash an’ plenty o’ cheek ’ll carry a feller thru the world in better shape than a huckster cart-load o’ hot-house friends, Ain’t them Centennial facks, now?” “Well, I must admit that there is considera- ble logic in your argument. Of course you shall be well paid for sour work for me if you can in an way assist me, and shall also have my friendship.” “‘And mine, too. If you will help papa to spared that odious Jew’s claim upon me, P’— ‘ll just worship you,” Pearl cried, clasping hei hands, enthusiastically. At which Boss Bob gave vent to a little pro- longed whistle of amazement. ‘Well, now, that ain’t bad, fer high,” he ad- mitted, surveying Miss Prescott. ‘*Yow’re the first young lady I ever met, who has compli- mented me—an’ you're a reg’lar beauty, too. I most gennerally git broomsticks, bootjacks, an’ scrub buckets fired at my head when I go ter shinin’ around ther gals. So, I'll jest jot ye down in my memory, an’ ef I ever conclude ter hitch up in doublée-harness, Il give you ther fu’st chance. Now, gineral, I guess you’re all honest Injun, an’ I'll give ye a lift. Is’pose ye know thet Jewsharp, Alberts, has bin workin’ ag’in’ you all the while?” ‘*Tndeed, no—I know nothing of the sort. Every time I have met him he has seemed very gentlemanly, and manifested the greatest interest that I should get my ship in, in time to — dispose of my cargo, so that I could pay hint back the loan.” “Ob! he’s bin soft-soapin’ you, heshe? Well,

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Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. { kinder thot that was his game. But, ter come right down ter ther solid facts o’ ther case, he’s bin playit. off on ye, so thet ye shouldn’t get yer ship in, time enuff ter sell yer cargo, an’ raise ther rhino, He hez in his employ a Big ex- | pirate an’ through this same daisy’s aid, has caused the Sea Breeze from being started from time to time. But, it is finally on its way here, and if nothing happens, will strike this ort sometime between ther 9th and lith of ptember.” “Ah! then there is yet hopes!” the merchant exclaimed. ‘*Mebbe and mebbe not,” Boss Bob replied. “These ships and winds ain’t much ter be de- pended on ginnerally, when it comes ter a day or two. An’ then, too, ther Jew hes got wind of about ther time she’s due, an’ he’s goin’ ter start this Heart-Eater off ter scuttle her!” ‘“* What! Can this be true?” : . “Yas; true’s skippery cheese. An’ ef we don’t po age that precious pair 0’ knaves, ther Sea Breeze will be delayed, if not grounded on ther bottom o’ Delaware bay.” ‘“ By Heaven! this is the most infamous thing I have yet heard of!” the merchant cried, great- ly excited. ‘‘As you say, these consummate rascals must be balked. lt what you say is true, this Jew is even a greater rascal than I deemed him.” “Oh! he’s a hoss, and no mistake. I thort ’d drop in, and wake up yer eyedeas on ther sub- sect of his virtues, an’ havin’ done it Pll go, I reckon.” “But you will come again, my boy,” Morton Prescott said, warmly. “Oh, you bet yer boots on that! Tl ’tend ter business, an’ ef anything turns up, Ill re- ort.” ac Doso. I shall want to see you again, after T’ve bad time to think this matter over. T must think the matter over, and then—” ‘*Mind yer P’s and Q’s an’ ye’ll weather ther gale. Yes, I’ll cum again, fer I’ve sot an eye on yer purty daughter, an’ fer her sake I’m goin’ ter go my last dollar on savin’ yer venture. But a penny earned is a penny more added to ther foundation o’ a fortune, an’ as yer boots look rusty, I'll add business ter pleasure by shinin’ ’em, free gratis.” And the next minute the irrepressible Arab of the streets was briskly busied at blacking the merchant's boots, When the job was completed he cheekily ac- cepted a proffered fifty-cent piece, and dofting his hat to his new acquaintance, took his depar- ture, giving vent, when he reached the street, to his peculiar cry: “ Black yer boots, make ’em shine,” etc. That same evening a man stood upon the top of the beautifully gas-illumined double- decked bridge which crosses the Schuylkill river at Spring Garden street, and endeavored to decipher the writing upon a piece of paper, which he held in the light of one of the pillared gas-lamps. F “This must be the directions the boy gave me,” he muttered; ‘‘ and as I am in the locality, T must find him, for it strikes me he’s the very Oo. ae Te, 3 82 a - eee 17 ————a chap I want. Somehow, it occurs to me that I made a fool of myself when I took that in- fernal Jew into my confidence, for I saw him regarding me to-day with a mali t reS= sion upon bis face, which sent a shudder down my backbone. Humph! I’ve been here well on toward a month now, and am no nearer the conclusion of my job than I was on my arrival despite my advertisements and the search of the directories. The next thing for me to do is to employ a bootblack to assist. Ha! hal my Colonel Dick Rutherford—what would your blue-blooded relations say, did they know that ‘ou. were stooping to notice common bootblacks? ell! well! we are all flesh and blood, and I don’t know why one isn’t as good as another. “Let me see! This is the re visitin eard I ever struck: ‘Boss Bob: Schuylki river; Bines and Scheaff’s Coalus; Bin 12— Hard—Large Nut; Squeal ‘Keno’ in falsetto voice. ‘‘Now, if that isn’t characteristic, I’ve lost my guess. Yet it’s pte enough, no doubt, when one knows how take it. His residence, eyi- dant is in Bines and Scheaff’s coal-house, Coal Bin No. 12 of the Hard, Large Nut species. Now the next thing, is to find the coal-house in ques- tion. I saw the name somewhere along here, yesterday.” A few glances around found the coal-house in question, standing upon the west shore of the river, and identified from other buildings by the name of the firm upon it in large letters. , _ To reach it Colonel Rutherford would be ob- oi to reach the lower deck, which was acces- -_ sible by crossing the river to the eastern side, and then descend the reservoir path into East Fairmount park, into which the lower deck or Haverford street section of the bridge had an opening. | Then he would have to recross the river again to the western side. Being a brisk walker, however, he soon com- ee a. fence ei pied in the Mereesd oe oe great building, used for the purpose of unloay and storing the coal of ances traffic. . When but a few rods from this building, he raised his voice and shouted ‘‘ Keno,” as direct- ed upon the paper, but it sounded anything but falsetto in tone, to him. Then, standing in the darkness, he waited for an answer. 4 CHAPTER VIII. DOWN THE SCHUYLKILL—TOO LATE! Directxy there was a reply. “Hello, there—what’s wanted?” came from somewhere about the barn-like edifice. Rutherford went forward. He recognized the voice as that belonging to Boss Bob. é “It's I—Colonel Rutherford,” he said. ‘Where will I find you?) These premises are new to me, and it’s darker than the sevenshades of Egypt.” A little whistle denoting surprise came from out the darkness. Then footsteps, and later the form of the King of the Bootblacks followed. “So it’s you, is it?” he demanded, surveying the colonel, by aid of a small dark Jantern,on which he turned the slide, ‘* Wasn’t lookin’ fer extinguished visitors at this time o’ night. Didn’t know but some o’ the roughs had cum ae)

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\ 18 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. ter dust my ulster, as they’ve frequently prom- eae to do. Come along inter my private par- or. And, following his initiation, the strange youth led the way into the great storehouse, and up a pair of stairs to a second floor. Here were numerous bins of coal, upon the side front- ing the river; black and dirt were the chief characteristics of the place, as the colonel had surmised, One bin had been long in disuse, evidently, and this had been cleaned and washed until it was in more of a presentable condition. It’s furniture consisted of a large oaken chest, bound with iron: two stools, and a pile of straw in one corner, covered with blankets. Into this novel habitation Boss Bob conducted his visitor, and pointed him to a stool, while he ‘ set his lantern upon the chest. ‘Heer we aire,” the King of the Bootblacks said, with a glance of pride at his surroundings. “This is my castle, every day in a week, when I ain’t absent. How d’ye like it, curnel?” ‘You don’t mean to tell me this is the ouly. home you have?” the London barrister demand- ‘Yes, I opine iti is,” Bob replied, producing a eouple of oranges, and offering one to his visi- tor, which was accepted with thanks. “Vl allow it ain’t no brown-stone, ner a brick abode, but two ‘bricks’ occerpies it, nights, which is jest the same. As ter hevin’ any other homa, 1 spect there’s anuther domysile, down on St. Mary’s street, w’at claims me, but I don’t never respond, ye see. _I cut loose from ther old folks over a year ago, ’ca’se I tuk it inter my head they warn’t my parents. The old woman she is Dutch, the old man is Irish, an’ ’'m clear Yank, ter ther backbone, an’ I couldn’t make it ap- pear thet they war my natteral born progeni- tors, An’, then, visions rized inter my mind thet mebbe I was a lost heir ter sum Duke, or Vice-President, an’ so I cut loose from ther old uns, an’ left ther old leddy ter yell ‘catty— catty—cat-fish,’ in a falsetter voice, an’ ther old man ter heave coke, jest as he used ter, in days of Yorick. ‘T'wasn’t never safe up there, no- how ye could make it, fer both of ’em used ter-cum home D’ilin’, an’ sumtimes ther air’d be fuller o’ chairs, long-necked bottles, an’ brick- sel than a yaller dorg is 0’ fleas. So I cut o0se,” Colonel Rutherford finished the orange and lit & cigar, a smile upon his face. “x You did right,” he said, after a moment. “T don’t believe myself, that you sprung from such parentage. But, that is neither here nor there, I have a little need of your services, and - will pav you well, if you succeed.” “Well, I’m willin’, as long’s there’s collatteral am’ no crime attached ter ther job. So jest sing out yer wants in short meter, an’ I'll listen.” Accordingly the colonel explained to him the errand which bad Ls ey him_ to America, in the same way that he had explained it to Al- berts, the pawnbroker, adding the fact of his taking the Jew into his.confidence. ‘“There’s jest where ye made a fool of your- self!” Boss Bob declared. ‘I wouldn’t trust that Jewsharp wi’ a cutting uv my little toe- nail, I wouldn’t. He’s a sly rooster, an’ a deep schemer, ame.” — ** Ah! how do you mean?” “Til tell ye. I’ve bin spottin’ that same Is- raelite fer awhile back, an’ ther other night I overheard a part o’ his conversation wi’ an ex- irate, who sails under ther name of Bill Heart- ater. Your name was mentioned, and so I listened. Alberts was a-tellin’ Heart-Eater about a big fortune to which the latter was a joint heir; an’ the Jew told Elliston, or Heart- ater, thet if he'd help him do some jobs, he’d. git him his share o’ the fortune.” “Ah! what kind of a man is this Heart- Eater, then?” “A it bony-fide ruffian, who'd as lieve ties a felier as to luk at him. He’s bin a pirate, 8 SCZ. \ “And claims that his name is Elston, eh?” — “Tt seems so.” ‘Did you learn anything else?” . “No; not jest then. I know a few about thet ar’ Alberts, all the same, He’s playin’ ther base violin wi’ a double bow.” ‘* How do you mean?” “Oh! in multitudinously various ways, I reckon. He’s tryin’ one little transaxion w’ot I reckon won’t work. Then, in his own unique way, the young King of Bootblacks related the state of affairs that was menacing the Prescott family. Colonel Rutherford listened attentively; the gras his handsome eyes showing the interest e felt. “You say this merchant’s daughter is very pretty, eh?” he interrogated, when Bob had fin- ished. “Purty? Well, I guess so! She’s purtier’n any ripe peach or Jarséy watermelon ye ever see, lame me, ef I wasn’t so ambishus ter reach ther presidentiul cheer, I b’leeve I’d ask ’er ter share my sorrers an’ joys.” The English barrister laughed heartily. “T Bet a five-cent cigar I twig thar presume so, Prescott, you say the name is?” “You bet!” ‘* Prescott—Prescott. Humph! I wonder if there is any significance in the resemblance be- tween the two names. I say, boy, can you not take me around to this Prescott’s, and give me a recommend?” Boss Bob scratched his head a moment, re- flectively. ““T dunno about that,” he said, with a grim smile. ‘‘Luk’s ter me as if ye were goin’ ter try an’ cut me out.” “Oh! no fear of that, at all. It kind of oc- curs to me that this Prescott may be the Preston of whom I am in search, but I may easily be mistaken. It won’t do no harm to make a cau- tious investigation, at least. ‘No, it won’t that’s a fact; but ye see, thar’s sumthin’ else that absorbs yer personal atten- tion jest now.” “c t?”” “Tl tell ye. I was down ter ther Delaware, a spell ago, ter-day, when along cum Alberts, Tieged up ter kill, along wi’ anuther feller—a 0’ his, jest out 0’ Moya—an’ they wanted ter hire a Bee steam tug.” “Waal, ve kinder bin puzzlin’ my bump of

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Boss Bob, the King of Boostblacks. 19 apliatog as ter what fer them chaps wanted het tug fer. Alberts has a yacht of his own, an’ is sum’at acquainted wi’ ther riggin’ 0’ water crafts. But I reckon he hain’t agoin’ ter take no moonlight excursion on sech a tug.” ** Did he hire it, then?” ‘Ves, Paid slap down fer it; but didn’t want. ter use it till ter-night, well on ter mid- ight.” me Oh! probably he has some trip under view, necessita ote stanch craft,” the colonel said, **-Yas, mebbe; though his yacht is a good race- hoss, an’ ar’ widely known fer its grace an’ cim- etery.’ «Perhaps you have formed some idea as to the nature of his errand, have you not?” “* Well, yes; I reckon I twig ther durned Jew- sharp’s game. It’s one o’ two things—either he’s goin’ ter help intercept ther Sea Breeze, or * else’ he’s goin’ ter rob your ship o’ ther fortune you've fetched across the water.” The colonel started, violently. “By Heaven! maybe you're right! If you had not spoken of it, I should not have seg of such a thing—but, now, I have no doubt but what the accursed Jew is bent on boarding the Duchess, for the purpose you have mentioned. Something must be done.” “Vas, ef ye don’t want 'er part wi’ yer for- tin’,” Bob assured. ‘‘ What time is it by your turnip?” The colonel glanced at his watch. “ Just midnight,” he said. “Which be about ther time ther Jew was ter start. Whar does yer ship lay?” “In Delaware Bay, nearly opposite the mouth of the Delaware. I left her there, believing the treasure would be safer out of the city limits.” ‘“‘Phew! there’s where ye made a mistake, How many is there aboard?” “Two—the engineer and a trusty old seaman. whom I have long had in my employ. The res of the hands I discharged for a vacation as soon as we dropped anchor.” “Then, ef we don’t put in our say, mighty suddint, yer fortin’s a goner, you bet!” Boss Bob declared. ‘‘Ther Jew an’ his pal aire up ,ter snuff, an’ et won’t take ’em long ter git away wi’ yer two chaps.” ‘True! true! But, what shall I do? It will be next to impossible for me to reach the Duchess ahead of them, unless I can charter a swift steamer.” “Which ye can’t do, short o’ the Delaware,” Boss Bob said, grimly. ‘ But, ’ve got a plan worth two o’ yourn. Can ye pull a good stid- dy stroke?” ‘Ah! yes. I flatter myself few better oars- men ever glided over the moody Thames.” ‘Then, mebbe we're all hunk yet, tho’ I’ve a forebodin’ we'll git in too late. Come! let’s git ie Rigas. Hello, ther’, Nondescript, you ras- eal! ' In answer to the Bootblack King’s call, there was a commotion in the straw, at one corner of the bin, and the person of the Nondescript came into view. ; “Come!” Boss Bob said, sharply. ‘‘ Help me git out the Long Tom!” $ The trio then descended the stairs to the lower gortion of the building, and Bob and his strange |_ companion brought forth a long regatta shell, with four oars, and seating capacity for three | persons, This was borne down to the water's edge, and Col. Rutherford soon found himself out upon the river, with a pair of oars in his hands, in company with the two young Arabs, whom, in London, he would not have deigned to notice. The second pair of oars were manipu- lated by Boss Bob, while the Nondescript held the tiller, his strange owl-like eyes peering ahead sharply into darkness, : A thorough oarsman, it took Colonel Ruther- fort but a moment to learn that he had found his equal in the young, bootblack. : Superior in strength to most youths of his size and years; quick and precise, with accuracy of measure, Boss Bob was well skilled as an oarsman. And as the colonel was the same, the twain found it an easy task to row together, and sent the long shell plowing through the water at a gi is rate. he keen eye of the Nondescript kept the prow straight in the center of the river, except when some larger boat loomed up in its path—then he would veer it enough to one side to avoid a col- lision. Market, Chestnut and South street bridges’ were passed, and still the two. oarsmen plied their oars steady and strong, each dip bending their ashen blades, and shooting the boat along like a thing of life. The colonel was the first to perspire, but he kept resolutely at the work for he knew that much depended ne has his reach- ing the Duchess ahead of the raseally Jew. ‘oss Bob seemed equally interested that they should reach their destination on time; but, un- like the colonel, he did not easily perspire, for he was tough and rugged, and.inured to all sorts of hardships. “Twon't take long, now,” he said, as the passed the bluffs at the rear end of Woodlands Cemetery. ‘‘Ef we keep on at this rate we'll it there afore Alberts, w’ich would tickle me ikea fish.” ‘* Ah! it would also put me at ease,” the col- — olonel said, anxiously. ‘‘ But, something tells me that we will be too late. A steam tug, if right- ly managed can double on our time.” “True ag’in,” Boss Bob assented, sniffing the salt water that exhaled from the spray of their oars. ‘But, sumthin’ may have detained ’em —mebbe they won’t durst board the Duchess, until the night gits darkest, jest before dawn.” “We will hope so, until we learn differently,” was the colonel’s reply. Oey Then they rowed on, with increased speed, through the gloom of the night. st Keep er eyes peeled fer the Harbor Perlice, Script,” Bob cautioned. ‘‘Ef they was ter,spot us a-pullin’ away like this they’d most likely want ter interview us, which would was preshus time.” Then on again they went. Z Neither of the trio had been over the course before, and Boss Bob was somewhat deceived as to the distance they had to go before reaching the outlet into the Delaware. Work the best. they could, it was after 3 a. M., ere they shoved out into the bay. q Darkness reigned supreme, except for an oc-

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20 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. casional starlike gleam that came across the bay, locating the anchorage of various ships. ‘“Hold up a minute,” the colonel said, ‘‘ till I can get my bearings, I shall have to look around me, till I find my ship.” Accordingly the oars were allowed a rest, and the lawyer gazed around him. “Ah! there’s the Duchess,” he exclaimed, ointing to the southeast—the ship with the ight at the top of the mainmast. ‘‘ Ahead we go—lively, now!” And once more they bent to their oars. In half an hour they came to a neat, stanch-look- ing steamer; in five minutes more, leaving the Nondescript in the boat, the colonel and Boss Bob were on deck. And there, lying bound and gagged, the found the engineer and seaman, whom the col- onel had left in command. ' Both Rutherford and Boss Bob knew what this meant—Albert Alberts and his confederate had already been there: As quickly as possible, they were liberated and assisted to their feet. “Quick, now!” the colonel cried; ‘‘ tell me the worst—what this means—all!” _ “The money’s all gone, capt’in,” the seaman said, bowing his head, ‘‘ We were gS te 2 by a couple of chaps, in masks, and as they ‘cov- ered’ us and tureatened to blow our brains out if we resistea, we had the choice of death or ac- quiescence, We took the latter!” CHAPTER IX, WHI VERMONTER SCORES A HIT—TWO LETTERS. Mrs. Prescorr sat in her own private parlor of the great mansion—sat with her fair face radiant with smiles, and listened to the words of a foppish, stylishly-dressed fellow, who lounged in an easy-chair before her. - ‘Te Grande,” my lady said, ‘‘ you have been a faithful friend to me, and more than once J have felt it was for my best to fly from this home, and seek shelter and protection from ou. “Aw! Sylvia, why did you not? You know, aw! that your reception would have been most welcome. deah Mrs. Prescott—that of giving your where your heart could not i 7 ‘True, but the thought of being the mistress of such a home, and of so much gold, impressed me greatly, and caused me'to wed a man whom I never did and never can care for.” “Tt is not yet too late to leave him. His finan- cial ruin is now almost a matter of certainty. I was talking with Alberts, to-day, and he assured me that the Sea Breeze would not touch port at all. So you see, Morton Prescott is again liter- ally penniless, and his amiable daughter becomes the victim of the Jew.” _ Mrs. Prescoti’s eyes sparkled. “Nothing could suit me better than to see the Jew take the girl!” she said, with a trifle of malice. ‘I hate her even more than I do him, But, why is it that the Sea Breeze will not arrive?” _.‘* Alberts did not say in so many words, but hinted that she was liable to touch bottom be- fore she touched port. It may be ible, how- ever, that she will turn up all safe and sound It was a rash move of yours, my. hand after the 10th of September at one minute to twelve o'clock.” * You think not, though.” ‘‘Hixactly. And incase it does not come in, Morton Prescott will have to recommencs life on a smaller scale, and your fashionable friends will notice you no more, In that case you had better quit him for me, He has no culture; I have, He will have no money—I have. You know how I got it; what of it? You love me, you say?’ “T will think—I will think about it,” the mer- chant’s wife said. ‘If I could only—” The door opened, and a servant entered the room. “Tf you please, ma’am,” he said, bowing, ‘‘there’s a countryman at the door, who wants to see the master. I said he was not in, but be insists on seeing the missus, then.” ‘Tell him to go away, Dick. I do not re- ceive visitors at this hour—nor at any other hour do I receive country clodhoppers. Order him to be gone!” * Yes’m—ah! oh! "hem! There’s the fellow, now, missus, come in widout any invitation.” | And sure enough, a burly figure pushed past the servant and entered the room. And the man was Joshua Evergreen! “Howdy do, aunty?” he said, advancing to- ward Mrs. Prescott with outstretched hand. ‘* Gol darn me ef I ain’t glad ter see ye? Where’s uncle Mort, an’ ther rest o’ ther folks?” “ Sir!” Mrs, Prescott said, rising, haughtily. ‘““Who are you, and what do you mean by this intrusion?” “Haw! haw! Guess ye don’t know me, meb- be! [’m Josh Evergreen, from Plunket, Var- mont, an’ I cum down ter see ther Centennial, and uncle Mort an’ the resto’ you. You're un- cle Mort’s second wife, eh? Wal, that accounts fer yer not knowin’ me, Gosh darn my boots! you're a good looker, anyhow. Uncle Mort, he allus were a good jedge o’ weemin. Phew! guess I'll set_down, fer I’m almighty tired. Been trampin’ around this gum-blasted city for ever since I arriy’, and hev had enuff adventures ter fill a dickshunary.” “Sir!” Mrs. Prescott said, again, with su- paoine stiffness, ‘‘ your intrusion here is unpar- onable. Ido not know you, nor do I care to make the acquaintance of your country high- ness. If you came to see my husband, ‘the ser- vant will show you to the cellar kitchen, where you may await his return from town.” “Git out, will ye!” Joshua grunted, both sur- prised and offended. “TI guess I sha’n’t do noth- in’ o’ the kind. This ar’ uncle Mort’s house, an’ I s'pect Pll hev the best it affords, Ye needn’t git yer back up, ‘cause I eum from Plunket. I’m gol-darned sure thar’s jest as good folks in Plunket as thar is in Philadelphy; an’ ef ye doan’t want to know me ye can do the other thing. I doan’t ask no odds of no female critter thet ever breathed, I doan’t, ’e>pt they treat me decent.” Sylvia Prescott grew fairly livid with rage. To be thus bearded in her own apartments by a rough son of the rural districts, was some- thing too horrible for her sensitive nerves to stand, and she turned to her companion, in de spair, ‘ pied ———— ¢

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Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. ‘* Le Grande, my dear, I appeal to you to pro- | tect me from insult, and abuse!” she cried. ‘: Hello!” Josh ejaculated, as he took a good look at the dandy. ‘‘Gosh darn my buttons ef ou ain’t the same chap who stole my ten dol- ars, up at the Centenyal, an’ afterward got parding frum ther judge. Yes! sir-ee! I know you now.” And to his feet the brawny son of the State of Vermont leaped, his sledge-hammer fists doub- ling up, suggestively. : “Yas, I know ye,” he continued, grimly, as Le Grande, alias Fitz Noodle, fidgeted, and grew pale. ‘I know ye just like a calf knows sweet milk frum buttermilk, an’ I sweared, when the jedge freed ye, thet i'd take thet ten dollars out 0’ yer gol-darned bide. Shouldn’t wonder ef this was ordained to be ther opper- ‘tunity I want, ter tan out yer jacket, you mean skunk, an’ I’m goin’ ter do it. Mebbe I am a country clodhopper, as ye call it, but I can lick you or any other stuck-up chap that ever wore paper collars, you hear me! So, which way d’ye want it—right frum ther shoulder, or shall I pick ye up an’ throw ye down-stairs? Jest as lief do one as t’uther.” shoot you, like a do; , “Oh! ye will, will ye?” Josh growled, say- agely. ‘‘ Gol-darn it, ef I only had- a revolver, the eye of Josh. . “Guess I'd better, tew,” he replied, chuckling. ‘Don't imagine thet Pd git hurt much.” The next instant he had bounded forward, and planted one of his great fists full in the face of the dandy villain in a way that evidenced his skill in pugilism. Without so much as a groan, Le Grande drop- ped to the floor insensible, “Thar! that’s ther way wo knock down cat- tle up in Plunket,” Josh declared, turning to Mrs. Prescott with a broad grin. ‘ Didn’t I give that durned skunk an old sockdollager, tho’? He jest went down as perlite as yer please.” A “Villain! outrageous brute! how dare you thus insult my dear friend? Get out of the house, sir, or I will have you horsewhipped!” . “Won't do it,” the Vermonter declared. “This is uncle Mort's house, an’ l’m goin’ ter stay right heer till he comes. Ef ye don’t like my style, ma’am, ye can go into a corner an’ suck yer thumb.” ‘“‘ Hello, here! what is the matter?’ a deep voice demanded, and the next minute Morton Prescott stepped into the room. ‘* What is it, Sylvia? Who is this fellow, and what does he want here?” : : “Tl tell ye who I am,” the Vermonter eried, springing to his feet. ‘‘l’m yer nephew, Josh Evergreen, frum Plunket, Vermont, an’ I come down here to see ther elerphant; but yer woman, here, she do not like me, an’ tells me to git out -2’ the house,” “Indeed! .If you are an Evergreen, you aré welcome,” the merchant said, shaking him by the hand. ‘‘ Sylvia, this is Mr. Evergreen, my nephew. His mother was a sister of Daisy, my first wife,” ‘‘Ah! I always imagined the first Mrs, Pres- cott was from the rural districts,” was the reply, with a faint sneer. ‘“* Gol-darn it, she had better breedin’ than you haye, al ol Josh averred, rere “Sylvia, you will please treat Mr, Ever; with more consideration, for I’ve seen and heard quite enough to give him my confidence,” Mor- ton Prescott said, sternly. ‘Come, Josh, let’s seek my luncheon table.” “Ef you say so, uncle Mort, I hain't no ob- jections. I hain’ hada good square meal since left Plunket, gol-darn me ef I hev. I fetched along sum home-made cookies, but, ye see, sass- engers ain’t ripe yet, an’ ther cookies played out antes got here. Yes, I don’t care ef I do eat a ite. Giving only a glance of wrath at Sylvia, and at the still insensible man upon the floor, the merchant led the way to his own apartments, in which with his new visitor he dined pleasant- ly. Then, leaving Josh to finish the wine, he don- ned his hat, and once more left his mansion, taking the first car for town. After the announcement made by the seaman, Colonel Rutherford paced the deck slowly, for several minutes, his head bowed, and his face betraying the bitterness he felt at his loss, hich way did the rascals go?” he eried at last, confronting the seaman, “T don't know, capt’in, except that they came an’ went over the starboard.” ‘Did you hear or see anything that would lead to the identification of the rascals?” “But one thing, sir—I heard one call the other Oliver; and later, as they were descending to the cabin, he called him Mortimer.” : ‘Ah! the colonel said, with a little start. ‘*Kerwhoop! bet ye a shine I twig that chap, Ido! Met him once, an’ blacked his boots, on Market street viiey i I say, salty, did the other feller talk as ef he hed jest cum out from a Jew restaurant?” _ ; : “What he said was in a very broken way, sir. dilly. Gurnel, ef ye’ll invite me inter yer pri- vate offis, we'll put our heads tergether, pro- vidin’ yours ain’t buggy, an’ compare notes.” Accordingly the colonel led the way to his state-room, accompanied by Boss Bob and his “Then Dve got the game collared, all Picca- companion, and soon all three were seated, facing each other. a “Now then, let us hearfrom you,” the Eng- lishman said to Bob. rnust be recovered if possible. If it cannot be, I shall have to give up my search for old Ruth- erford’s heirs, as I would not care to hunt them, up, only to tell them that I had lost. the for- une. 5 = “Guess you're about solid there,” Boss Bob assented. ‘‘ Ef.ye don’t recover ther money, an’ - ther heirs don’t know nothin’ about ther impend- in’ fortune, they won't feel a bit disappointed, t “«The money is gone, and’ — ‘i

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* since. had stop} SP ae ‘Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. Now, you told me thet one o’ ther heirs was Be Mortimer, didn’t ye?” “T did.” ‘* Well, as I sed before, I blacked ther boots o° a feller one night on Market street bridge, who sed he was Oliver Mortimer, an’ hed come down ter ther Centennial ter meet Colonel Rutherford. He also inquired about Morton Prescott; an’ an’ after he went away, I found a packet of papers, which he must have dropped. I picked em up, an’ gave ’em to the Nondescript fer safe- keepin’, an’ heven’t thonght ter examine ’em Mebbe they might throw some light on the subject of what ther Jew an’ the feller Mor- timer, were doing tergether.” “True. Have you got the papers with you?” ‘‘No—not unless the Nondescript has ’em.” The owl-syed boy shook his head, “Then they’re down in my escritory, whar I stop,” the King of Bootblacks said. ‘‘S’posin’ we slope in that directlou, as we ain’t liable to find out much more here.” “Very well. We will goat once. I desire to learn how this Mortimer ever came in possession of my name.” : Accordingly they took their departure from the Duchess, and pulled back for Philadelphia, over the Schuylkill course, arriving at the first starting point early in the forenoon. Once more Boss Bob condacted the colonel to his lodgings in the disused bin of the coal-house, and from the old chest, which he unlocked, brought forth the papers which had been picked up on Market street bridge. Examination proved them to be a couple of letters, minus their envelopes—the first one being from Alberts, the pawnbroker, and directed to Oliver Mortimer: : Colonel Rutherford glanced over it, and then read it aloud to Bob and the Nondescript, who listened attentively. It was as follows: “Mr, Outver Mortrmer, EsQ.:— “ Dear Sir:—I have instituted the inquiries, as per your direction, and find that the fortune, of which you are a fourth heir, is deposited in the hands of Colonel Rutherford, Maiden Lane, London. I await further orders from you. i “Dr. AY ALBrRts.” The next. was from the Jew to Mortimer, but more to the point. ~ “PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Nov. —75. “Dear Mortimer:—Your proposition was agree- able, and I at once set a London agent at work, From him I learn that Rutherford will sail for Phila- delphia some time in July, on a search for the heirs, bringing him the four fortunes. He_ will be recommended to me by Schauss & Co., and I'll work it with care! Make it your point to be here by the first of August, if possible, and we’ll capture the game, and then divide the spoils It will not be a bard thing to do, when we once get fairly to work, and the remuneration is worth the working for. If there is anything else you have to suggest, do so, believing me your faithful friend and confederate, ‘* ALBERT ALBERTS,’ CHAPTER X. THE ACT OF A DARING SCOUNDREL. ‘ KeERECT!” Boss Bob said, when the colonel reading. ‘‘Thet’s ther key-note ter bizness, in er falsetter voice. Ther ther bul feller, Mortimer, hevin’ an inklin’, hes left it in irrepressible chatter co: ther hands o’ ther Jewsharp an’ he's figgered et out, an’ got. it down fine. So, twixt you an’ me, an’ the Nondescript, heer, ther Jew an’ Mortimer war ther ones thet robbed the Duchess.” : “You are undoubtedly right,” the colonel admitted. ‘‘ But what proof is there of it?” : “Not much, sure’s an oyster hates a Con- gressman, Ye couldn’t swear thet Alberts were mixed up in ther affair: tharfore Mortimer’s the only ’coon left ter clinch onter. Ef ther fortin’s ever found, he'll hev ter be collared, an’ treated ter ther prospects of a private lynch pienic, so’t hell turn State’s evidence.” ‘Boy, again you are right! Before the stolen fortunes can be recovered, we must trap the man Mortimer, But, it may be a lifetime, ere we can find him.” “Most likely he’s skinned out already, but it won’t be no harm ter look fer him. Bposin? we take a skip down to the Delaware, an’ see ef - the tug hes been returned yet?” The colonel hesitated a moment; his eyes were contrasting Bob’s ragged and dirty ac- couterments with his own elegant attire. “Oh! ye needn’t be afeard of my togs,” the bootblack said, quickly noticing the hesitation. “Bf you’re partial ter walkin’ wi’ a gentleman o’ my style o’ garb, you can take one side o’ ther thurrofare, an’ I'll take t?other.” “No! no! my boy. Though your garments are not quite presentable, your heart is clean, andI am not afraid to promenade the streets with you. You shall have a new outfit of cloth- in aad & Bet yer a dollar on that! Don’t want no other togs. ’'d make a gallus lookin’ swell, now, wouldn’t I? Ha! ha! ha! Ef ther b’hoys was ter see Boss Bob decorated in high-tide raiments, ther price of onhealthy hen-fruit would advance amazingly? No, sir-ee. I don’t wan’t no better togs till I run fer Congress or Senator, an’ then T'll scoop et ter all ther boys.” The colonel smiled. He saw that there was no use of arguing with this young Arab, whose head was so “ level.” Leaving the Dee at the coal-house, Bob and the colonel hied themselves to the Wire Bridge, and there took the Racé and Vine street cars for the Delaware river. : The car was well filled, and during the ride the Londoner’s pride was ae tested, for Boss Bob’s tly rung in his ear, and he responded promptly. Many curious easuees were turned upon him by the fashionable ones in the car—many won- dering thoughts why so distinguished a looking rsonage should engage in conversation with an incorrigible bootblack. If the colonel knew of these: thoughts and glances, he did not heed them, except by a slight flush which was preceptible upon his face. On reaching the termination of the car line, Bob and the colonel left the car and walked down to Delaware avenue and the river. In the course of ten minutes’ walk along this thoroughfare, — they came to the pier from which the steam-tug had been hired by Alberts, ; 5 Thoy found the owner, a stout little Irishman, seated upon an empty half-barrel, gazing out — onto the dark blue waters of the restless river, _

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Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. ‘tHfello, Mike!” Bob saluted. ‘The ton av the mornin’ to yez! Shure, an’ has the Virgin Mary returned yet?” “« Divil a bit of it, Bob! Niver a won have I sane of it since she ‘pointed her nose down the strame.” ‘“Told ye so,” said Bob, turning to the colo- nel. The cusses have slid off ter New York or Bosting, an’ thet’s ther last ye'll see o’ ther aa “] fear you are right. Let’s go, however, and see if we can find Alberts. If he is guilty, he must in some way betray the fact.” They accordingly left the wharf and betook themselves to the pawnbroker’s office, where, sure enough, they found the scheming Jew be- hind his counter. “Ah, good-morning!” he exclaimed, as the colonel entered. ‘I vas habby to see you, Mister Rutherford. Vat success haff you made, may I ask?” ‘None at all, sir; and I have come to apprise you that I shall need your services no longer, as I have concluded to prolong the search no further.” “Tra! la! loo! old Jewsharp,” put in Boss Bob as they left the shop. ‘‘ Look out you don’t get trapped yet. Ef thar’s enny virtue in promises, I’l/ see you again.” ‘Well, did you observe anythivg suspicious in the looks of the rascal?” Rutherford demand- ed, as he and Bob retraced their steps toward the river, involuntarily. d ‘«Tho't he looked kinder startled like when we entered, didn’t he?” “Ves; or at least it appeared tome so, But as we have no positive proof of his guilt, I guess it will hardly pay to bother with him.” “Notfer you. ButTllkeep a kinder watch onhim. He’s playin’ anuther keerd, too, wich Tm goin’ ter gum, ef he tries ter flopp a trump. Hello! there she goes now!” oe Who?” ‘*Miss Prescott! Cum along! chance fer a knock-down!” And, before the colonel was fully aware of it, he found himself standing in the presence o? one of the prettiest girls he had ever met. “Miss Prescott, this is Colonel Richard Ruth- erford, of ther Queen's legal staff, who owns more’n two-thirds 0’ ther British island, an has @ prospect o’ bein’ a next king. Bein’ an inter- mate friend o’ mine, an’ a gallus cove, wi’ lots o’ swag an’ no wives, I tho’t you’d like to know him!” said Boss Bob, the essence of a mischiey- ous spirit beaming from his eyes. : Pearl blushed, and bowed modestly ; hesitated, was confused, until the colonel came to her res- cue, ‘‘-You will of course excuse our irrepressible friend here,” he said, with a smile. ‘Bob means all right. I am most happy for this privilege of knowing you, [am sure. I bid you a pleasant good-day.” ‘““ Good-day, sir,” the merchant’s daughter re- plied, smilingly, and continued on her way. “Bob, you young rascal, I’ve half a mind to ‘ive you the cat-o’-nine-tails for your audacity!” 6 colonel said, turning with a flushed face to the King of Bootblacks. ‘‘ You not only placed Now’s yer the young lady in a queer position, but put me to my wits’ ends. for all occasions.” ‘Hang ther eterket!” Bob retorted, independ- ently. ‘‘ W’ot’s ther use 0’ bein’ bashful over nothin’? W’ot’s ther use o’ goin’ thru this world ef ye don’t know sumbody? Guess I know w’ot I’m about! Ef I see any consarned male or fe- male I wanter know, I chip in an’ interdooce myself, *thout any mincin’, Thet’s how I get along sofamuss. Fer instance, that’s how I got acquainted wi’ Grant. See’d him standin’ in ther Continental one day, an’ so I_waltzed right up ter him, I axed him was he ‘Lysses, an’ he sed he was. Then I interdooced myself, an’ asked him if he’d ‘smile,’ an’ he sed he would. Since then, whenever he sees me, he sings out, ‘ Wie gehts, Bob!” The colonel did not reply. They soon reached a tele; h office, and here the King of Bootblacks took leave of his distin- guished friend, he proceeding along with pecu- liar business sang froid, while the colonel en- tered the offige before mentioned. Here he sent two dispatches to the chiefs of police in New York and Boston, containing de- scriptions of the Virgin Mary tug-boat, and of the man Mortimer—which had been furnished him by Bob—with orders for apprehension, and so forth. He then sought his hotel, to await the issue, although he had no faith that he would ever hear from either the man or the boat. He had not as yet seen all of the Centennial that he wished to, and he was resolved to put forth every effort to secure the restoration of the prize which he had lost: Another thing had quickened his resolve to re- main longer in the City of Homes—the glimpse of Pear] scott’s face which he had gained. That evening, while seated in his office at the warehouse, with a weary, troubled expression upon his face, Morton Prescott received a visi- tor in the person of Alberts, the pawnbroker, The Jew had found the,door unlocked, and entered without ceremony, as was his wont, “Ah! goot-evening, my frient,” he said, as he beheld the merchant. still in business.” “Why should I not be?” Prescott demanded, somewhat savagely. ‘‘Do you imagine I’m foing to give up business because a rascal i Your etiquette won't answer ke you is conniving at my ruin? No, sir, I defy you!” ““Ish dot so, Mister Prescott? I don’d v: understand you. You act ash if you vas ma at your benefactor.” “My benefactor—you my benefactor? Ha! ha! Isee you are inclined to be facetious, Al- berts, do not for a moment think that I do not understand you — your whole game, from be- ginning to end, for you will be mistaken. I now you and your plot, but you shall not win. hen your devilish schemes seem most sure of success, I will defeat you.” «You vill do dot, Mister Prescott?” ‘** Ay! I will do it, Heaven helping me!” 4 «But what if Heafen don’d vas help you—vot en? “Heaven will help me. Whoever relies 1 the Lord loses nothing.” ‘ i = '“T see dot you vas |

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24 “Yaw! yaw! ‘You shust keep on d’inking dose thoughts, unt dot vill ig all right. All de difference, I vant my monish purdy quick, or I dakes your girl ash my wife.” ** Curse you,no! ‘You shall never lay a hand upon 'the child, if I have to murder her myself, er death would be a thousaid times prefer- able to the knowledge that she was in the power - of a ruthless villain like you.” ** Ve vill sae apoud dot, mine friend Prescott. Der law vill giff me her, when I show him dot Roe If I do not get her alive, I claim her ony; und wreak my vengeance on dot.” ah! I will not listen to you. The Sea Breeze may touch harbor soon enough so that I can dispose of the cargo, and meet my obliga- tion to you, you villain.” “Tam atraid not, You don’d vas need Botey up matters, for I jest ash lief haff der girl as der monish,” was the chuckling reply, as the ’ Jew bowed himself out. From the warehouse he proceeded direct to the Prescott mansion in his private carriage. The door was opened by a servant in livery. “'What’s wanted?” he demanded, eying the ~ pawnbroker suspiciously. “Oh! tell Miss Brescott that Colonel Ruther- ford, would like to see her, in the parlor,” Al- berts replied, pushing past the servant into the hall, and thence to the grand parlor, the door of . which was open. With a growl of something about ‘*no cards,” _ the servant went away to deliver the lying mes- sage, Tn the parlor Alberts waited, near the door. a cunning expression upon his features, That ne evil purpose was in his mind, was evi- ent, Soon light footsteps came down the stairs, and the graceful figure-of pretty Miss Pearl had swept into the parlor. The next instant Alberts closed the door through which she had just entered, and locked it, La aoe ee his own pocket. As he did so, Pearl wheeled around, with a i“ gasp of horror. “Albert Alberts, you here!” she articulated, staggering back, as though smitten by an unseen hand. “Exactly, my dear Miss Prescott; I am here. Undoubtedly you are glad to see me?” ' _ “Glad to see you, sir? Ah! I see; you are _ joking, in a villain’s way. No! I am not glad _ tosee you. What brings you here, pray, where _ your presence is least desired?” : ‘““Oh! as to that, the time is drawing near when we must become as one, in the bonds of wedlock, and I deemed it best to call around and get better acquainted with you. Besides, _ there isa grand ball to-night, in the lower end __ of town, and I thought perhaps you might need -. an escort.” “Sir! do you think I would accept of you assuch? I would not trust a hair of my head within your reach!” “Tut! tut! One would infer that I was a terrible desperado to hear you talk. Surely, ee re be more amiable after we are mar- learned of your villainy, in hindering the Sea Ti “We will never be married, sir! I have. Mk her Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. ae eee Breeze, and that alone I think: would free me from the claim. But if it should not, I would take my own life before I would be forced to wed a man of your stamp.” “You swear to this?” ‘* A thousand times if necessary!” ‘“Then we will secure you beforehand, tomake sure!” the pawnbroker cried, with sudden fierce- es as he left his chair,.and sprung upon er. The move had evidently been premeditated, for he was armed with a heavy shawl, with which he dexterously enveloped her head. before she could scream. When she did attempt to give the alarm, her cries of course were in a measure drowned, for the villain had raised her in his strong arms, and held the shaw] closely over her mouth. “There, curse you!” he muttered, savagely. “You shall not cheat me out of my game, be- fore ’'ve won it. Dve got you fast enough, ship or no ship. The next thing is to get to my car- riage without being observed.” With his victim in his arms, the pawnbroker , managed to unlock and open the door, after which he peered cautiously into the hall. Fortunately for him the coast was clear. ‘* The next thing is to listen!” he mused. He approached the door opening upon the street, for this purpose, when it was suddenly flung open, and Boss Bob, the King of the Boot- blacks, and his strange companion, the Nonde- script, stood confronting him! uN yer don’t, old Jewsharp?” the former cried. “Jest you drop thet gal, or I'll drop you quicker’n ever a, Jerseyman ever mada a watermelon look sick—you hear us, Maloney and Co., perfessionals!” > CHAPTER XI. ; THE KING COUNTERPLOTS—HEART-EATER, Wits a frightful curse Alberts took in the sit- uation ata glance,and even as quick he had form- ed hisresolve, Dropping Pear! from his arms in no gentle manner, he made a sudden bound for- ward through the open portal, into the street. The next instant he had leaped into his carriage and was driven furiously away. The result of his sudden rush into the street, had been to overturn both Bob and the Nonde- sey as their barricade of the passage did not withstand the force of his precipitate rush, “ Well, may I be swallered fer a Jarsey eye- ster, ef that Jewsharp didn’t put in a good stroke fer liberty, anyhow,” the Bootblack King muttered, as he i ge himself up, and folt his bones to learn if they were in their usual places. “ Blamed if { didn’t think ther end o’ time hed cum, Eh? Nondescript—hurt any by yer sud- den ante?” ™he owl-eyed boy shook his head. Wal, ther next thing’s ter look after ther girl. *Spect mebbe she’s fainted. Wimmen folks ’most allus faint when they don’t know what else ter do.” When they re-ascended the steps and entered the hall they found the merchant’s daughter awaiting them. ; : ! “Ob! you dear, good fellow!” she said, ad- vancing when she saw Boss Bob and extending fair hand fearlessly, “‘ How can I ever ro.

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Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. pay you for saving me from_a, terrible fate? I was just wondering whom I had to thank for the intervention that ad the Jew from earrying me away with him.” ‘‘ Well, et’s me an’ my pard, as you perseeve,” Bob assured. ‘‘Miss Prescott, make ye ac- uainted wi’ ther Nondescript. He's dumb, is ther Nondescript, an’ don’t often wiggle his jaw, in ther way of conversation, but he’s famous on rakin’ in ther p’ints an’ saltin’ °em down so they won't sp’ile with age.” “T am glad to see you both,” Pearl said earn- estly. ‘‘Come into the parlor, and be seated, while you tell me how it was you were so op- portunely on hand just as that villain was about to carry me off.” “Oh! that waz easy enuff,” Boss Bob replied, as he and the Nondescript accepted seats in the grand parlor. ‘‘ We'd been spottin’ ther awnbroker, jest fer ther fun o’ ther thing, an’ Follered him up heer, calcylatin’ he was up to sum deviltry. Thet’s how; an’ now, as time is money ter us, I’ve got a little suggestion ter make; Tl make et, an’ then git ter other biz- ness. “Very well; I will give you_my attention, I assure you,” Pearl replied. ‘‘I feel that what you would say interests papa ard myself.” “Youre purty good at guessin,’ you aire. ‘Yes, et’s about yer interests that I wouid speak. Ther matter concerns ther arrival o’ ther Sea Breeze. It’s gittin’ pu near time she war makin’ herself manifest, an’ et’s also purty near time yer governor know’d where his chips are comin’ frum ter meet ther Jew’s paper.” “Very true. But I fear papa oes not know which way to turn,” Pearl replied, anxiously. ‘He still has faint hopes that the ship will ar- rive in time for him to discharge the cargo and get the cash for it. Several prominent retail merchants stand ready to take it off his hands on sight at a good price; But, ah!-—I—I am so fearful that it will not arrive!” “Kerect. You hev cause ter fear, fer even ef ther ship comes wi'in a day 0’ port, she’ll not get heer unless we do sumthin’ ourselves. Alberts will send that Bill Heart-Eater out ter scuttle her, an’ et depends on us whether we git ter ther ..ea Breeze afore he does, or not!” “ We, you say?” “Yas, wel you must go along an’ ’tend ther steerin’ oar. Nondescript an’ I ‘il pull ther stroke.” “But surely, you would not think of ven- turing out to sea in an open boat?” “Dunno. *Spect so, When a feller hain’t got no ship he’s got ter take up wi’ a tub, ain’t he? T’'d swim, afore I'd let ther Jewsharp beat.” -Miss Prescott laughed a little. The earnestness of this irrepressible street urchin amused her; and then , it added ; flame to her own spirit on the subject. “ Bravo!” she said, gladly. ‘‘ You are a brave, good boy, and I like you for it. Of course the Jew must not be permitted to triumph, and so long 7 I can be of any use, you may command my aid. 3 % Now, then, thet sounds bizness-like,” Boss ~~ Bob nodded wisely. ‘But, there’s one p'int we _ should cum ter an unders' nm’ on. Mebbe I'm __,. dest as old as yerself, ef I do black boots, an’ ye Paste oh th Ne ree a it. | you come for me.” 25 must treat me wi’ consideration ekel to my years, That’sall. I don’t wanter be counted no nabob, fer I despise a nabob wuss’n I do a green Jarseyman. Ef ever I rise, et must be ter Guv’ner or President, or else TU never go back. on Bixby’s Best. You hear me?” “*Mr.—Bob, why is it you hold such an anti- pane against the Jerseymen?” Pearl asked, smiling. ‘‘Humph! ain’t afeard ter tell ye that. Jer- sey folks live on salt-water clams, an’ shuck eyesters, an’ watermelons, an’ ther combined’ effeck is ter make their feet grow big. Then they cum over heer an’ expect we o’ the pur- fession ter shine ’em fer ther same price we do ordinary mortals. Ef we won't do et, we lose their custom. Bizness is bizness, ye know, an’ we'd ruther like ther Jarsey fellers ef it wasn’t fer their big feet.” ‘Oh, I have often wondered the reason why the street ufchins were so prejudiced. You were speaking about pce the Sea Breeze before the man sent by the Jew pawnbroker, How should we be able to do so, not knowing how to get in its path?” ‘Oh, et’ll take a leetle figgerin’, but I ’spect thar ain’t menny sech examples like thet, wich me an’ ther Nondescript ken’t wrassle with when we "zamine our compass.” : ‘“When will this man Heart-Eater start?” nar “Dunno thet, yet. Ken soon find out, tho’. — ‘Script, he’s famous at nosin’ out sech matters, Gess ye’d better go an’ find out at once, too,” Bob said, turning to his queer companion. ‘Run down ther Jew an’ shadder him, an’ ye ~ eventually find yer cue!” ; The Nondescript’s eyes twinkled knowingly A as he arose with a bow. Evident it was that Boss Bob had in him a safe and trusty compan: ion, whose love was a surety of his faith. 5 ie showed him out, and then returned to ‘ob. : pee: ‘‘T have a better plan than that of attempting ie to find the Sea Breeze in a common row-boat, she said, seating herself. ‘‘I have a litthe sum of money which I have saved up from time to time, and with it we might possibly be able to charter a small steamboat or—” ‘ 3 “© Good! bully fer you!” Boss Bob cried, toss- ing his cap into the air enthusiastically. ““Theb is jest ther fit. How much collatteralhev ye got, an’ then I can give a dognoses of the case at » — mi 7 - » “T haye forty-one dollars.” iP “Then we're all hunky! There’safellerdown — at South street wharf, Delaware, who has gota ~ little steam pleasure-boat called the Belle 0 _ Bosting, an’ she jest can tork bizness when her steam’s up, an’ scoot right away from the Har- — bor Police boat, wich hain’t got many ekals in — these parts. Can rent her fer twenty-five a day, wi’ a hand ter run her, an’ ef ye = 60,750 dish over yer collatteral an’ I'll go an’ nail her ~ on’t make no dafff’rence bout ther — cash bein’ short, fer I ain’t got no empty sock after blackin’ boots all my oh ‘oO at once. an ““Kerect! Til go at Sa

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- course you have lon Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. ge early a start as possible, fer the sooner we reach ther Sea Breeze, ther more apt we aire ter git ahead o’ Bill Heart-Eater.” Accordingly Pearl gave him what money sha had, fully trusting to his honesty, and equipped with it, the young Bootblack King left the mansion and hurried with all speed toward South street wharf. Within the hour he had ‘‘nailed” the Belle of Boston. Later that same evening, after Pearl had re- tired, Morton Prescott returned from town, and sought his wife’s apartments. Not finding her in the parlor, he entered her bedchamber, but she was not there, Somewhat surprised at this absence, he began to look around him, and upon a dressing-case found a sheet of monogram paper, containing a few hastily written words, as follows: “ Dear Morton:—By the time you read this I shall have placed many miles between you and me. Of known that I did not care for you—that your wealth and social position were the only ties that bound me to you. And, now, as both the wealth and position will slip away, leaving you little less thana beggar, I deem it only fair that I should also fade away from your view. I have gone with my dear Le Grande, whom I worshiped before ever Isaw you. Of course you will not seek for me, for you are doubtless as glad to get rid of meas I am of you. Synvra.”’ That was all; and the merchant gazed upon the paper, with whitening face and glaring eyes. a groan of anguish coming from the depths o his heart. “May God in heaven help her, as I cannot!” he murmured, as he turned and staggered down the stairs and out into the night. After his escape from the merchant’s man- sion, Albert Alberts was driven to Broad and Market streets, where he left the cab, and dis- missed it. His features were now covered with an im- mense black beard, which gave him quite a vil- lainous, if not a distinguished, appearance. Walking down Market street to Ninth, he crossed through that street to Chestnut, where he had, on a previous night, waited, and inter- cepted the ex-pirate, Bill Heart-Hater. aking up the same position to-night, he wait- ed for over an hour, but could see nothing of the ruffian in the passing crowd, At last, with a growl of impatience, he struck off of Chestnut street, southward, and walked briskly. In half an hour he brought up before a dirty brick tenement-house in Alaska street, and as- ‘cended a pair of stairs to the third landing. . Opening a door immediately at his left, he en- tered, without ceremony, an apartment that was ~ anovelty in the of of dilapidation. ha The plastering for the most part fallen off; the windows were ornamented with cobwebs and stains of tobacco-juice, while a portion of the etal had been torn up—probably for kindling wood. Everywhere were dirt and disorder; the fur- niture was broken; upon a three-legged table were a pitcher and glass; the waJl was hun | with pistols, cutlasses, ropes, knives, and vari- ous implements belonging to a burglar’s profes. sion. In a broken arm-chair by the table, on which sputtered a candle, sat the ex-pirate, with his head dropped forward, as if in a drunken sleep. The pawnbroker uttered a curse at the sight, and went forward.and shook him savagely. ““Wake up, you drunken fool!” he growled. ‘¢ What do you mean by gorging yourself with poison, when I need you the most?” Heart-Eater aroused, partly, and gazed at the Jew with a leer. ‘Oh, it’s you, isit?” he grunted, gruffly. ‘If you want anything of me spit it out. I’m Bill eart-Eater from the high seas.” “You pe von drunken loafer,” the Jew re- plied, sourly. “ Cheese it!” the other returned, significantly, as he drew a long knife from his bootleg, and tested the edge by wig oe few hairs from the back of his hand. ‘I’ve told yer ’bout enuff to drop that Jew gabble, an’ Ill have a heart to eat, ef ye don’t mind.” Alberts shuddered. The wolfish glare in the blood hot eyes of the ruffian did not conduce to his ease. “*T forgot—Ill be more careful hereafter,” he said, apologetically. ‘‘I came to see you on business. Have you heard anything more in re- gard to the ship?” ** Not a bubble.” ‘You think she will touch the waters of the bay by the 9th?” ' “Et wouldn’t belay my ideas ef she did. It has been fair breezy weather ever since she started, and, what with her steam and sails, she ought to touch fresh water by noon, the ninth.’ ** She must not be hailed before that. If you work ight, you can creep up on her, in the night before, can you not?” , ‘Leave that to me. I shall leave here so as to get to the bay before sundown, the 8th, in time to make observations. I have an ss Spanish glass there in a chest, that'll diskive ther nature an’ name o’ a craft sixty miles away, an’ I can soon tell my game. I'll board her in the night, an’ fix things right afore sho. touches fresh water.” / ‘Good. Your plan is excellent. The sooner she is scuttled, the safer it will be for me, for the merchant means mischief in some’ way, but I have not yet learned how. Anyhow, he has parties waiting for the cargo, at a moment’s warning, when the Sea Breeze touches port. She must not touch port, or my money has gone, and I have lost the girl in the bargain.” “Don’t ye fear. ll fix her so she won’t sight ome tee afore September 12th,” the ex-pi- rate said, with a villainous chuckle, ‘‘ But I must have a hundred dollars ter get me a tug. Thar’s one I’ve got my eye on thet can be hired fer that — amount.” Without a word, the pawnbroker took out his plethoric purse, and counted out the desired amount, and Heart-Eater raked it in greedily. “That will ‘nail’ the ‘ Belle of Boston,’” he — said, peering into the empty eee “Now TDve — only one other want, and I shall be ready to — tackle the job witha will” ; z “What is that?” Alberts replied, det Si

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Boss Bob, the Kine of Bootblacks. — ‘Money enough ter get on a big drunk, so as ter steady my nerves,” the ruffian said, with a wolfish laugh. ‘*T brought you along a bofitle of rare cognac, here,” and the pawnbroker drew a great flat flask from an inner pocket. ‘Get as drunk as — please; only see to it that you attend to usiness.”” “Ef I don’t ye can cum here an’ cut my heart out, an’ [ll eat it myself,” the ruffian answered, as he seized the bottle eagerly. With a grim smile, the Jew buttoned his coat, took his hat, and leaving Heart-Eater in his room, made his way out of the tenement-house, and as rapidly as possible from Alaska street. Left alone with the bottle of liquor, Heart- Eater proceeded straightway to business, and in the course of fifteen minutes he had drained it to the dregs. In the course of ten minutes more his head dropped forward, and presently he pitched head- foremost upon the floor, and lay there in a drunken stupor. ahough a man of strong will and prodigious physical strength, he had to sue- cumb at last to that demon with whom no man can wrestle long and successfully. Perhaps an hour passed after the ruffian fell forward upon the floor, when a pile of dirty blankets, which had lain carelessly hea) in one corner ‘of the room, began to unroll, and out of them came the form of no less a person than the Nondescript! There was a quiet ex- pression of triumph upon his face which bespoke the fact that he had been listening, having some time previously secured a position in the ex- pirate’s quarters. After leaving his place of concealment, he searched around the room for some time, and finally found the marine spy-glass of which Heart-Eater had spoken to the Jew. ’ Armed with this, he then shook his fist at the slumbering ruffian and left the place. He had heard all that was necessary to in that direction, CHAPTER X11. EVERGREEN UNMASKS—BOSS BOB’S MISSION. Frrpay, September 8, 1876, dawned upon the city of Philadelphia, bright and warm, but breugbt with it no event of especial importance, publicly, more than the moving of migh’ throngs of citizens and strangers Centennial- ward. Each day that now passed but served to add to the mighty hosts that flocked from far eek near to attend the grandest world’s fair ever el In and around the mammoth Exposition every one seemed smiling and happy, and an observer would have wondered if there could be such a thing as unhappiness or woe in so sprightly or merry a gathering. Perhaps not; we will hope so. oe this eighth morning of the month of September, Morton Prescott arose early and left the mansion, as he supposed, before any one else was up. He had not seen Pearl to speak ut he was aware that she knew of with her, and sympathized with bim. his trouble, _ As he left the aes for the street, he found 24 Joshua Evergreen seated on the front steps, en- gaged in whittling on a piece of pine wood he ad somewhere picked up. “What? you up already, Josh?” the mer- chant exclaimed, in rise, “Waal, yas, uncle Mort; I thot I’d git u an’ whittle a little,” the Vermonter ronltegs with a grin; ‘‘an’ ’side from that, I wanted tet seo ye on bizness.” “Very well; I am going to my warehouse, and you may come along with me.” “* Accordingly, I will,” Evergreen replied, and he made haste to follow the merchant. In the course of half an hour, both were seat- ed in the latter’s office; then Morton Prescott turned upon his relative, inquiringly. ‘*T am now ready to hear what you have to say,” he said, gravely. ‘“ My time is limited, but I will hear from you.” “Well, it will not take long for me to make known my business,” the other replied, his tone of voice and manner of speech entirely changed. “Allow me tg introduce myself—Josh Ever- reen, at your service, junior partner of the m of Batcheldor an vergreen, Boston, and also your nephew. Iam not lately from Ver- mont, but have been getting rich, and wishing to visit the Centennial, I concluded to have a little masquerade, by personating the honest but illiterate son of the State of Vermont. ' A little washing off of paint, re-twisting of features, and the removal of wigs, and so forth, and I believe the change would be satisfactory, so pardon my absence, while I step over to my hotel, and restore myself.” He then took a smiling departure, but in the course of an hour a handsomely dressed, and not homely young man returned and seated himself in the merchant's office, “You see the rich Josh, now,” he said with a quiet smile; ‘‘so Pll further tell you my busi- ness here. Of course I came to do the Centen- nial, but that was not my sole motive in com- a: I heard that you were in pecuniary diffi- culties, and having no lack of ready means, believed I might _be of some assistance to you. And, now, while I smoke a cigar, f want you to tell me all about yourself and affairs, so that I may understand your case.” “My dear boy, I will araliney. do so,” the merchant replied, whereupon he related the situation of all his affairs, as is known to the reader. Joshua listened, with no little surprise and interest. j “Tt is a remarkable romance, from beginnin to end,” he said, as the merchant concluded. ~ “A strange matter throughout. Ithink I know this Jew, however, who holds the mortgage upon iny fair cousin, Pearl. Such a party borrowed a sum of money of us, a few years ago, upon misrepresentation, and failed to pay it back. We never made him any trouble, as ~ we did not deem it worth while. But he is Leet ae a deep rascal.” j “Tn truth he is; and, rather than see my Pear] his wife, I'l] kill her or him with my own hands.” ‘“Bravely spoken! It would be a sacrilege to wed a Christian woman to such as he. 4 there shall be nothing of the kind. Wait. If- your ship does not arrive on time, we will Le aN

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28 manage somehow to defeat this execrable scoundrel?” At this moment the door opened, and Boss eee walked into the office, blacking-kit in and. **Mornin’!” he said, with a nod to the mer- chant. ‘‘Tho’t maybe I’d find ye heer. A - cornered clam allus keeps close to his shell. Any cash jobs, hereabouts?” “Well, yes; you may as well black my boots, IT suppose. Bob, this is Mr. Evergreen, a nephew of mine, from Boston.” The youth wheeled suddenly, and surveyed the Bostonian critically. “ See heer!” he exclaimed, scratching his head through a rent in his cap, ‘‘ I’m an eyester, ef I ain’t a little fogged. That chap, Evergreen? No, sir-ee; ye can’t discount me. Ther Ever- green I see’d was greener’n a green Jarsey melon, an’ didn’t luk no more like this chap than I luk like Guv’ner Hartranft.” ‘Nevertheless, we were one and the same party,” Evergreen replied with a laugh—‘ only, instead of Seas from ‘ Plunkit, Varmont,’ I came from the Hub.” “Well, ef thet doesn’t beat Bixby’s Best, may never shine another understandin’!” the boot- black exclaimed. ‘‘Sech a metamorphozus takes me ’way off my cue. Beats ther Black Crook transformation all ter blazes. An’ so yere a relation ter my friend, heer?” with a nod toward the merchant. 4 “Yes, a nephew, I believe,” Bob gave vent to, a prolonged whistle, and then set to work at the merchant’s boot, with an occasional shake, suggestive of how much he had been “‘ taken in” on the Easterner. _When he had finished, he also blackened Hvergreen’s boots, after which he arose and turned to the merchant, ‘Now, boss, if it’s all ther same to you, I'd like ter give ye a little advice, concernin’ yer own affairs. On course, I don’t run this ’stab- lishment, an’ tain’ my lip-in; but ef ye’re after my pattern o’ architeckture, ye’d ruther take a hint than a hit, enny day.” “Certainly, my boy. If you have le sug- ne ey to offer that you think may be of bene- t to me, I shall be most happy to hear them,” “Kerect. Then here goes. I’m goin’ out ter ‘save the Sea Breeze!” “ You?” the merchant ejaculated. “Yes, J,” was the sturdy reply. _ ‘‘ I hate ter see villainy triumph over cheek, an’ so I’m goin’ ter tread ther deck o’ ther Sea Breeze afore Bill Heart-Eater does; so then, when he cums ter scuttle her, we'll jest about scuttle him!” ““ My noble young—” “Cheese it!” Boss Bob interrupted, with an authoritative wave of his hand. ‘My name’s Boss Bob, an’I black boots, an’ ar’ considered about fit fera door-mat fer sech folks as you. Thet’s my pedigree, an’ any one thet don’t walk on ther sidewalk wi’ me, can take a street ear. Pve a huckster cart-load o’ bad streaks in my composition, an’ I don’t allow no man ter go ter eulogizin’ me, fer a cent. When I do a job, I do it on my own hook, an’ that’s my biz. I _ never was made ter do what I didn’t -vanter, : Sometimes I feel like givin’ a citerzen a Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. | 4 back talk. Ef I hed my choice o’ swallerin’ dishwater, or human praises, I’d take dishwater, ca’se it would stick ter one’s ribs. Talk is cheap, an’ ye ken’t expect a penny pie ter be like a five-center. ‘So when I tell ye I’m goin’ ter trod ther decks o’ ther Sea Breeze afore Bill Heart-Hater, I don’t want no eulogy ner praise-puddin on my plate. Ef I save ther ship, an’ git her inter port, all right All [ want is whatever cash collatteral you’ve a mind ter diffuse, w’ich’ll be al) right. Bizness is bizness, ye know, an’ the man who shines on a collatteral basis, he rises; while ther one who tries ter make a livin’ on eulorgy an’ wind-puddin’—he sinks!” Both Morton Prescott and Evergreen smiled their approval, for each felt he had learned a lesson from the street Arab. “Your services shall, of course, be properly rewarded,” the former said. ‘tI am glad to have so shrewd and earnest an advocate to my interests.” “ Think I’m shrewd, then, do ye?” the King of Bootblacks demanded. “You certainly seem possessed of more than ordinary shrewdness and good sense; yes.” ‘*Much obliged, You’re the second one as rit. litt, an’ ‘cause I do et, I ain’t a-goin’ ter take no ever complimented me. ‘*Lysses Grant, he sed he tho’t my cheek would make my fortune. But that’s neither here ner there, as the little dorg sed when he tried to catch his tail. I cum heer ter make a suggestion in time, so ye ked digest it, fer wittles ain’t healthy till digested, = __ so the doctors say. Im goin’ ter start ter fe meet the Sea Breeze some time ter-day. Bill Heart-Eater, he’s goin’ ter start too. Mebbe hell git there afore I do and scuttle er, Ef he does, Pll get there next an’ we'll bail her out, an’ gitas nigh ese as possible. Ef yedon’h see her nose in harbor by sunrise, ther tenth, jest hire a ship ter fetch ye out till ye find us. on’t only cum along yerself, but fetch yer Fe buyers. Ef ye work sharp, ye can ait yer cash, ie an’ git back ter ther pawn-shop on time.” ; Fe if something should hinder, and I shoule ‘ai i “Then, let Alberts whistle! Miss Pearl, st: % be goin’ along wi’ me, an’ thar she'll stay til! : you git things squared wi’ the Jew. Don't ye om fear but [ll take: keer of her in good shape, an? she’ll be safer on ther water, fer Yaws can’t cum out an’ tech her there, while if she war on “7 land et would nab her quicker’n a Schuylkill eel kin tella cop, Thet’s my ijeer.” soa “And a correct one,” Jack Evergreen ex- - claimed, enthusiastically ‘ Boy, you’ve an old’ head on your shoulders ” ft “Bet ye a shine ’tain’y as old as yourn,” Bob replied, indignantly, ; “Well, maybe not in years, but full older in on shrewd conception of original and valuable — ideas. ; ““Humph! that’s nothin’. Ef you’d had yer head thumped as many times as [ hev, you’d hey more sense stirred up. A feller don’t pelt — around Philadelphy till he’s a Septembergena-_ rian, al) fer nothin’, or I’m a soft-shell clam!- This ain't no Bosting ‘culchaw’ place, not ef she arc’ acquainted wi’ her Centennial nibs.” “Your plan is excellent, Bob,” Mr. Presco' said, appreciatively, “‘ and I will adopt it, line cae iba hi ses =

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a Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. ease the Sea Breeze does not come in on time. Is there anything else?” “ Guess not. You'll heer frum me if there is, Pm off now.” See that you take good care of “* Good-day. my child.” : “Oh, you bet! He'll hev ter climb over a belchin’ volcaner w’ot gits her! By-by!” And the next instant the King of Bootblacks had left the office, and his voice was heard singing out, as he wended his way along the street— “Black yer boots, make ’m shine, see costs ye half a dime, Tech yer corns up like a feather, Make a mirror uv yer leather; Fill wi’ blackin’ all the dents, An’ tae a nickel fer five cents! Shine ’m, mister?” ’ “You must have considerable faith in that young Arab, uncle, to trust my charming cousin in his care,” Evergreen observed, after Boss Bob had gone. “So I have,” the merchant replied. ‘ He’s as trusty as a bank safe.” About noon that day, Boss Bob called at the merchant’s residence for Pearl, and found her waiting, cayelae in a water-proof, and wear- ing a jaunty oil-cloth covered hat. * Good enough,” he observed, with a knowing nod. ‘ You're rigged out jest right. All ye want is a thick vail over yer face.” ‘“ What for?’ Pearl asked, in surprise. ‘“‘ Oh! ter hide yer features till ye git aboard the Belle o’ Bosting. Ef Alberts was ter sight ye, he might object, ye see, an’ delay us.” Pearl saw the ogic of this, and in a few min- utes was properly vailed. Then she accompanied Boss Bob, feeling that she could put implicit trust in him. By taking the street cars upon an adjoining street, they were in due time land- ed within a couple of blocks of their destination, rae completed the journey to the wharf on ti. The Nondescript was already there, and also Colonel Dick Rutherford. “Hello, kernal, what you doing down here?” Bob saluted, in surprise. “ Ah! you, is it? Why, you see, I just hap- pened down here, and the owner of the little steamer youder wanted me to ‘pull the spokes’ for him, while he takes a party outside the har- “Well, now, ef thet ain’t famous, I’m an eye- ster,” Bob cried in glee, “ We're the passengers an’ you be ther crew. Ha! ha! Miss Pearl, this be Colonel Ruther- ford, an’ he’s goin’ ter steer ther Belle for us.” Pearl raised her vail, and smilingly acknowl- edged the colonel’s gallant salute. Then Bob interposed. ; - Come along, miss, inter ther cabin, fer fear some of Albert’s crew might steer down this way. They accordingly went aboard the Belle of Boston, which was a pretty, small-sized steam- boat with a little cabin and all necessary accom- modations, being about one-third the size of the ordinary pleasure steamboats. Bob conducted his fair companion into the cabin, and then re- tothe wharf. loose. . ; ; . “Tt’s all right,” the old sea-dog grunted, stuff- ie Poke eon The owner of the boat had just arrived, clad in overalls, ready for business. **-You look like bizness,” the Bootblack King observed, with comical importance. ‘‘ Gitdown inter yer pit now, lively, an’ hey steam up in thirty minutes, so thet ther Belle kin jest tork. Bin any one else here after her?” “Yes—Bill Heart-Eater. Madder’n thunder, cause she was tuk.” “Tet him mad. Did he git anuther?”’ “Yes—the Alarm. -She’sa good’un, but no- where at ther heels o’ ther Belle.” “ How long ago did he git started?” Bob asked anxiously, “Over an hour; but that don’t make, We'll overhaul him, if you want to.” “Don’t want him ter see us, ef it kin be helped, Git steam up as soon as possible, captain.” The man nodded, and went aboard, followed by the Nondescript. fe Bob stood conversing with the colonel, until— There came a shout, and he saw Alberts, the ‘“pawnbroker, rushing down South street toward the wharf. Quickly ulling the colonel aboard the Belle, he gave a g craft. ce at the smoke-stack of the little t. Huge volumes of smoke were rolling out, and already the rising of steam was perceptible by the tremor traversing the deck, f ““Pll do it, on a ventur’,” he muttered, grimly, as he cast off the fastenings, and with the cur- rent the little craft at once drifted from the landing, just as Alberts rushed up, covered with perspiration, and purple with rage. “Stop! stop! I vant der get on poard!” he éried, gesticulatin Mie es ““Dere. pe some- pody on poard ash I vant der see.” “Oh! no thar ain’t, cully,” Boss Bob assured, with a provoking grin. ‘‘ We don’t want to see you. Tra! Ja! la! Ja! skip the gutter! wipe off er chin! This isone you owe me, old Three alls! Au revoir!” CHAPTER XIll, t HOW THE SHIP CAME IN FOR ALL. As may well be imagined, the rage of the Jew pawnbroker knew no bounds. He raved and cursed like a madman, and offered large rewards for the detention of the boat, as he saw it drifting slowly out into the river. But, as he could give no satisfactory expla- nation why the boat and its tenants should not be allowed to proceed, of course no one could be of assistance in stopping her. Well did the wily Jew know that he was beaten one point, for a spy had informed him that Miss Prescott was on board of the Belle. But a man of strong determination, and reso- lute will, be began a hasty search along the Delaware wharves for a steam yacht that — would be able to follow the fugitives, as he now — deemed them. j Slowly the Belle drifted out into the stream, — but Boss Bob stationed the colonel at the wheel, while he descended into the snug engine room, — to explain to the skipper his reason for cutting

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30 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks, ing more coal into the roaring furnace. ‘ T'Il have a plenty o’ steam, in a jiffy, an’ show you how to git down-stairs wi’out fallin’ down. That Jew waz around heer afore you cum, but he didn’t git no infermation from me. Gota man at the w’eel?” ‘*Yes. Go ahead.” The next instant the whistle rung out, and the skipper of the Belle of Boston gradually turned on the steam. At’ the same time the boat began to move out into the stream; then, with her nose point- a down-stream, shot forward like a thing of ife. Within five minutes after they had started, Boss Bob came to the conclusion that he had made a wise move in securing the Belle of Bos- ton, for they were plowing through the water at a tremendous s; F Sending the Nondescript down to assist in firing, he then took the glass which the former had captured from the ex-pirate’s apartments, and, positioning himself in a chair upon the top of the wheel-house, he scanned’ such vessels as they were passing at anchor, or that were be- ing towed into the harbor, but could see none answering to the description of the Sea Breeze. Presently Pearl came on deck, and Bob joined her for a chat, after which he went back to Sh Oa where Rutherford held the spokes. “Tl spell ye now, ef ye want ter make yerself agreeable ter the young leddy,” he said, with a smile, ‘' I’ve changed my mind.” ‘‘Changed your mind?” the colonel asked. “Yas, changed my mind. _ Since I fu’st see’d ther angel down thar, I’ve bin thinkin’ sum 0’ comumittin’ matrymony, but when 1 reflect how menny boots ar’ dirty, I guess I won’t ‘step off’ jest yet. So Ill pass, an’ give ye a clear field, on condishun, thet ef ye make a go uv it, you'll whack up—cum down superfine. What dye say?” ““T am much obliged, I am sure, for your un- selfish Late OA the colonel responded, laughingly. ‘‘But I am afraid I wouldn’t make much of a lover.” “Git out! It ain’t nothin’, once ye get yer hand in. I’ve popped ter lots o’ girls, an’ it’s fun. Besides, ther little gal she be a thorough lady, an’ a distinguished furriner like you'd be sure ter make er impression.” “Hal ha! thanks for your good opinion. Tl not let her go lonely, at least, if talking will do any good—and, mind you, boy, if reali, 4 should happen like a wedding; it will be wort! your while to name a price.” So the gallant colonel and Boss Bob changed positions, and the former was soon engaged in animated conversation with the merchant's daughter. “ Bet a soft-shell clam that’s a go !” Bob mut- tered, as he gave them a quizzical glance; _“know’d they’d mate, bein’s both ar’ eddicated an’ polished, an’ they’re made fer one anuther, too; jest like I’m good fer blackin’ boots. Bet aoe er aged! won't kick, nuther, when he finds ther ernal out. Phew! how ther tub scoots! Must be we'll overhaul Heart-Eater soon.” ut they did not, as fast as they went. before sunset they steamed out into ¢ Delaware bay, and then skipper Jones came wp from below. ‘“ Where now, young man?” he asked; ‘‘ we've got our prow in the bay.” “Dunno,” Bob replied. “Guess you better let her cruise around awhile, till I make obser- vashuns, I'll git ther kernal ‘ter take my snap, while I go aloft.” The skipper bowed, and returned below. “ Fello! kernal, hain’t ye popped yit?” yelled Bob from the wheel-box. “‘ Ef ye ain’t, be spry, or I'll give ye ther cat fer tardiness.” “Pm coming! I’m coming!” the colonel re- plied, blushing like’a schoolboy, as he rose and excused himself to Miss Prescott. ‘‘ What’s ther matter?’ Boss Bob demanded, with a quizzical grin, as he gave over the charge of the wheel, ‘‘ You’re redder’n a sun- baked lobster.” ** Boy, nig are incorrigible,” the other re- plied, with a smile of vexation. Bob laughed triumphantly, and mounted once more to his lookout, glass in hand. ‘Ther kernal’s did fer, sure,” he mused. Then, for several hours—until sunset, in fact, did he sit and gaze over the beautiful bay through the powerful marine glass. A grand panorama it was, the mighty sheet of water, dotted thickly with vessels, steamers, yachts, and little tugs, some of them constantly coming from out of the watery horizon, and others disappearing; while still others steamed about the bay, or rode at anchor. Just as dusk began to settle its first shadows down upon the bay, Boss Bob sprung to his feet, and waved his cap in the air with a shrill yell. ‘‘ There she is! there she is! thank fortune!” he cried, as the skipper and Pearl ascended to the wheel-house top. ‘‘Off yonder, two p'ints nor’ o’ due east. An’ thar’s anuther tub, smaller ‘n ourn, not fur from her, an’ Bill Heart-Hater’s in it, you bet! Lively now, skipper—tuck in yer fuel, an’ open yer durned old throttle, fer we must make ther Sea Breeze afore eleven, to-night ef et bu’sts ther old b’iler. Mind yer wheel, ker- nal! I'll give ye ther p'ints as yeneed’em. You stay up heer, wi’ me, bu’sts her b’iler, we'll be sev’ril pegs nearer ther moon!” “Oh! sir, you don’t think she will blow up, do you?” the merchant’s daughter demanded, grasp- ing his arm, in alarm. “No, ma’am, ye needn’t fear,” Jones replied, doffing his hat, respectfully. ‘‘ I’ve see’d ther Belle red hot all over an’ she never bu’sted a peg.” ‘* Avast, there, you lubber!” roared Bob, mak- ing a trumpet of his hands. ‘‘ Tumble into ther engine-room, or blast my eyes ef I don’t cut short yer grog fer tellin’ sech a comburstible lie!” Both Pearl and the colonel laughed at Bob’s attempt at skipperism, while Jones gave his pene a comical hitch and once more went ow. The nextinstant the boat trembled as a greater: head of steam was put on, and Rutherford brought her to her course. Away they plowed through the calm waters of the bay, faster and faster, which teld that the skipper was crowding his little craft to her ut most. Once Boss Bob took a peep into the engine iss Pearl, fer ef the Belle

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f Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. 31 reom, where Jones and the Nondescript stood like fiery phantoms before the roaring furnaces, but he crept hastily back to the top of the wheel- house, to escape the stifling heat. Faster and faster, if possible, went the Belle, as night settled over the water, a continuous sheet of fiame leaping from the smoke-stack and lighting the gloom. : ith pale, affrighted faces, Boss Bob and Pearl kept their position, the latter clinging to the adventurous bootblack as if for protection. Never for an instant did the youth allow his eyes to wander from a star that marked the di- vection where he had last seen the Sea Breeze. Hight! nine! half-past nine o’clock passed, and tt was & quarter to ten, when the King of Boot- blacks gave a sigh of relief, and pointed ahead over the water. “There she is now, not over a mile away. See! she has a light at her mast-head. Come, let us get down from here.” He assisted her to the cabin; then hastened down to the engine-room, which was as hot as an oven. * Cool her off! the Sea Breeze is within a mile of us now!” he ordered, and Jones nodded mly. O Next the Bootblack King ascended to and en- tered the wheel-house, and gave the colonel in- structions, after which he went on deck to cool his feverish brow. He was still somewhat excited, fearing lest he oe reach the merchantman too late to save er. In a short time they were alongside the t steamship, which looked like a leviathan of the deep as compared with the Belle. ‘Ship ahoy!” sung out Bob. ** Ahoy, yourself,” came the prompt response. “ What's yer name?” **Sea Breeze, bound for Philadelphia.” “Then we want to come aboard, for we hev got imperative business!” Bob shouted back. In ten minutes the Sea Breeze came to a suffi- cient stop to allow all but the skipper of the Belle to go aboard. ‘“What’s your business?” the captain of the merchantman demanded, as they gained the deck, ‘*Hain’t no time ter tell ye yit, as tinie saved may save a hole!” Bob replied, excitedly. “Search the ship fer a scuttler !” With a paling face the captain gave*the orders, and then led the way to the cabin. As they descended the companion-way a dark figure darted past, and gained the deck. With a howl of aoe. the captain eons. in pursuit, followed by Bob and the Nondescript. But, simultaneous with their reaching the deck, a splash was heard in the water, and they knew the scuttler had escaped. . Boats were lowered, and a search made, but in the darkness nothing could be found of the villain. When this conclusion was arrived at, the Sea Breeze once more steamed on toward Philadel- hia, with our friends on board, the Belle of oston following in its wake. In the cabin, a clear and concise explanation _of affairs was made to Captain Reynolds, and he declared that he could touch anchor in Phila- rs Storer a a aS delphia harbor, early on the morrow, as exami- nation had proved that Heart-Hater had not succeeded in his infamous purpose. By daybreak the next morning, the Sea Breeze was met by the Harbor Police, and all the necessary arran ents perfected for entry into the harbor of Philadelphia, which was made at about eleven o'clock, of the same day. She had no sooner ane ae anchor, than mor- ton Prescott and Josh Evergreen came aboard, accompanied by several merchants, and inside of three hours the said merchants were the joint owners of the said cargo, and the father of our’ heroine held the checks in hands for—but we will not say just how much. Suffice to say that the amount realized was more than enough to satisfy the Jew’s claim, and redeem the mort- gage held by him against Pea 1. And the way in which the victorious speculator received Boss Bob, would -have pleased an Anchorite, to say the least. We must needs draw toa close, but will add a few final remarks. Albert Alberts was Pree, paid back his loan, on the 10th day of September, at one minute to 12 o’clock, and the strange mortgage redeemed and destroyed. Balked in this the chief of all his villainous designs, the Jew soon after disposed of his in- terests in the Centennial city, and departed for parts unknown. Heart-Eater returned to the city, but kept shady until the matter of his villainy had some- what blown over. As soon as possible, béfore the disgrace of his second wife’s rash act was known, Morton Prescott closed up his business in Philadelphia. and in company with his nephew, Josh, sought a western field of enterprise—first, however, properly rewarding Boss Bob with a cash pres- ent of a thousand dollars. Pearl and the colonel accompanied him, but returned to take up their residence in Philadel- phia as man and wife, one of the happiest cou- ples the sun ever shone upon. The Rutherford fortune has never as yet been recovered, and probably never will be. Of the eventful life of Boss Bob and his strange companion, the Nondescript, we have given, as it were, but the first chapter, and in closing, we may add that the Bootblack King may come to the front again. %s THE END. THE Dime Dialogues No. 32 Containing eighteen Minor Dramas. Extravaganzas, Burlesques, Farces, Dress and Humorous Pieces, for the Amateur Stage, Parlors. Schools and Exhibitions. All original and by favorite authors, professors, — teachers and amateurs. ; For sale by all newsdeaiers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents, BEADLE AED ADAMS, PrsrisHERs Willian Street, New York, eee

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’ ir BUFFALO BILL Novels in the DIME LIBRARY 2 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; or, Life and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo Bill, oe ' wes td a we af a ees "h6 The Doomed Dozen; or, Buffalo Bin, Civiet of Seou By Dr. Frank Powell. 4° Wild ‘Bin, the Pistol Dead-Shot. A Romance of Buffalo Bill’s Old Pard. By Col. PIngraham, 5 ae Bill's Penne. arts or, The Indian Heiress, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 189 Wild Bill’s Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 43 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier’s Sweetheart, By Buffalo Bill, Government Scout and Guide. $19 Lone Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By Buf- my The oe of Three; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pledge, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, | 7 The icesa Brothers; or, White Beuver’s Trail, By Buffalo Bill. "Tne One-Armed Pard; or, Red Retribution in Borderland. By Buffalo Bill. {7 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, Will Cody, the Pony Express Rider. By Ned ‘Buntline. 9 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the Plains, By Buffalo Bill 129 Daredeath Dick, King of the Cowboys; or, Buf- falo Bill's Daring Réle. By Leon Lewis. 139 The Gold King; or, Montebello, the Magnificent, By Buffalo Bi 1. 44 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or, The Knights of the Silver Circle, By Col P. Ingraham. #19 Buck Taylor, the Saddle K ng. By Col. P, In: graham. 2 Buffalo Bill’s pone Service Trail; or, The Mys terious Foe. 'y Maj. Dangerfield Burr. 391 Buffalo Bill’s Bina Trail; or, Mustang Madge, the Daughter of the Regiment. By Ingraham. 197 Buffalo Bill’s hath et Brotherhood; or, Open- ing Up a Lost Trail. Col P. Ingraham. #10 Buffalo Bill Baffled; oy he Deserter Desperado’s Defiance, By Col. 'P. ingrah: ham. 716 Buffalo Bill’s eoouts Shadowers; or, Emerald Ed of Devil's Acre, By Col. P, Ingraham. fue Buffalo Bill on the War-Path. By Col, Ingraham 127 Buffalo Bill’s Body-guard. By Col. P. Ingraham, 78 Buffalo Bill's Beagles, By Col. P. Ingraham. Ser eyenees Bill and His Merry Men. By Col, P. ngrah so Buffalo Bill's Blind. Ry Col. P. Ingraham. 3 Buffalo Bill’s tes Hand; or, Texas Jack’s Bravos. By Col. P. . Ingraham, 150 baffalo Bill’s Big Four, By Col. P. Ingrabam. 157 pore Bill’s Double; or, The Desperado Detec- By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. “61 Bafta 5B l’s Mascot, or, Death Valley Victim o. 18. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 65 Buftato Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk-Ribbon Sam. By Col Prentiss Ingraham, ‘69 Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake. By Col. Ingraham. 477 Buffald Burs Spy-bhadower. By Col. Ingraham 800 Wild Bin, the Dead-Center Sho or, Rio Grande Ralph the Cowboy Chief. By Buffalo Bil). 80? Wilu Bill, the Wild West Duelist; on aes Girl Mascot of Moonlight Mine. By Buffalo B 812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell; or, The Red "wand Riders of the Rockies By Col. P Ingraham 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt; cr, The Miner Marauder’s Death-Track. Buffalo Rill, 822 pace Bill’s Best Bower; or, Montebeilo, the Bite. Ba Col, P. Ingrakam, 826 Butfalo iJ’'s Sharp-Shooters; or, The Surgeon Scout to the Rescue. By Col, P. Ingrabam. 830 Buffalo Bill’s Boys in Bue; or, The Brimstcue B»nd’s Blot-out. By Col. Prentiss Iuevabam. 839 The Ranch King Dead Shot; or, Texas Jack’s Proxy. By Buffalo Bill. 845 Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack’s Death Shot. By Col, Prentiss Ingrabam, 851 Buffalo Bill’s Double Dilemma; or, The Greax Scout’s Big Tbree. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham) 857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush; or, he Pony Rider’s Death-Run. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 863 ie Biil’s Death- Charm; or, The Man Wiib a Sear. there Prentiss Ingrabam. 869 Buffalo Bi i’s Road- Agent‘Ronad up; or The Mys- terious Masked Manin Black, By Ingrahem. 874 Buffajo Bill’s Backskin oem or, auc: Card: neen’s Las'Game_ By Col, P. In 882 The Thre< Bilis: Buffalo. Bil, Wild Bill aud ‘Bana box Bill; or, Tha Bravo in Broadcloth, Ingrabam 890 Buta Bill's Life-Stake; or, The Pledged Tnree, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 895 pene Bill’s Secret pits or, The Texan” Double, aa Prentiss Ingraham. 900 Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack’ Snarp-Sbooters. By C.l. P, Ingrebam. 904 ouaee Bill’s Tangled Trail; or, Gentleman k, the Man of Many Masks.’ B Ingrabam, 909 Burra Bill’s League; or. Red Butterfly. Bs Col, Prentiss Ingeaham. 915 B ffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout;or Go wan: o, the Redskiu Rider. By Col. P. In raham. 921 Buffalo Bill’s Quandary; or, Velvet Bill's Vou By Col, Prenttss Ingraham, 927 Botfalo Bil’s Biuff; or, Dusky Dick, the Sport y Col. P. Ingraham, 936 Buttals Bill’s Black Pard; or, The Gold Bo- men of the Big Horn. By Col. P. Ingraham 948 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game. By Colonet BR. Ingraham. 950 Buffalo Bill at Bay. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 956 Buffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 960 Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade. By Colone: Prentiss Ingraham. 964 Buffalo Bill’s Invincibles. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 069 Texas Jack, the Lasso King; or, The Roh- fap Rangers of the Rio Grande. By Buffale 973 The Dread-Shot Four. By Buffalo Bill. 979 Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Trail. By Cot. Prentiss Ingraham, 484 Buffalo Bill's Life Raffle; or, The Doomed Three. Ready Sept, ‘89 Buffalo Bill's Marked Bullet. By Col. Ingraham, Ready Oc 04 erate Bill's Lone Hand. By Col. P. Im graham 900 Buffalo Bill’s Grim Guard. By Cel. P, In- graham, The above Drum Libraries are For Sale by , NEWSDES?.ERS, ten cents per Cay, ° peiet nets ® “tat nrics, Bee a 1 A

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SMART TOASTS FOR THE SMART DET, Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. Sewed Book. Up-to-Date. By Mail, Postpaid, I2c. per Copy. BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. “YIDDISH” YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, Stories, etc. GENTS’ LETTER WRITER.—A Perfect Guide to all kinds of Correspondence. VYAMILY PHAYSICIAN.—Family Diseases and Their ‘Treatment; Rules of Health, ete, BOOK OF DREAMS —Their Romance and Mystery, with a Complete Interpretation Dictionary. _ HOUSEWIFE'’S MANU AL.—How to Keep House; How to Dye, Cleanse, etc, VAUDEVILLE JOKER.—Best Jokes by Eminent Vau- deville Artists. BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—Society, Visits, Introdue- tions, Dress, Balls, etc. FORTUNE TELLER.—lortune Telling by Cards, Tea or Coffee Grounds, Kggs; Palmistry, etc. BOOK OF 100 GAMES.—One Hundred Games for Social Parties and Home Amusements. COOK BOOK.—Economical, Practieal, Excellent. LADIES’ LETTER WRITER.—How to Write; ,When to Write; What to Write. RECIPE BOOK.—For the Parlor, Nursery, Sick-room, Toilet, Kitchen, Larder, ete. BOOK: OF BEAUTY.—Beauty of Form, Color, Head, Hair, Complexion, Skin, ete., with chapters on Perfumes, Cosmeties, ete. BOOK OF VERSES.—Comprising Rhymes, Lines, and Mottoes for Lovers and Friends. THE LOVERS’ CASKET.—A Treatise on and Guide to Friendship, Love, Courtship, and Marriage. “QDRMAN” JOKER.—"Duteh” Jokes and “Gags” by best ‘* Dutch”? Teams on the Stage. “HAYSEED” JOKER.—The Doings of “Our Country Cousins ” in a Humorous Way. “TRAMP” JOKER.—Good “Handouts” in this Book _ for Professional and Amateur Enterta.ners. * GOON” YARNS.—Best Jokes Relating to Our “ Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” 5 “TRISH” Joker No. 1.—The Wittiness and Whimsicali- ties of “ Pat’ at His Best. “VARIETY * JOKER.—Good Things from all the Na- tionalities: ‘* Pat,’ “‘Alphonse,’’+* Haus,” ‘* Jona- than,” ‘* Moses,” and * Ebenezer.” The above books are bound in handsomely illustrated lithographed covers, Price by mail, postpaid, 12 cents per copy. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. BEADLE’S BOYS’ LIBRARY. PRICK 5 CENTS PER COPY. 1 Dandy Bill's Doom. By Oll Coomes, By A. W. Aiken, By Stoddard. By Ingraham, By E. L. Wheeler. 3 Kit Carson. 4 Lillie, the Reckless Rider. 5 Old Grizzly in the Rockies. 6 Deadwood Dick as a Boy. 7 Wild Bill. By Ingraham, 8 The Prairie Ranch, lty J. EB. Badger. 9 Roving Joe. By A. H. Post, 10.'‘Texas Jatk. By Ingraham. 11 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By H. B. Stoddard. 12 Brimstone Bill’s Booty. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 13 Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 14 The Ticket-of-Leave’s Trick. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 13) Wide-Awake George. By E, Willett. 16 Wide-Awake Ned. By B. Ringgold. ‘17 Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn. By Noah Nuff, 1% Adrift on tho Prairie. By Oll Coomes. 19 Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post. 20 Giant Pete and his Pards. By Harbaugh, 21 Yellow Hair, By Ingraham. 22 The Snow-Trail. By Harbaugh. 23 Old Grizzly Adams. By Dr Powell, 24 Woods and Waters. By Whittaker. 25 A Rolling Stone. By W. R. lyster. 26 Red River Rovers. By ©. D. Clark. 27 Buekskin Sam’s Wild Ride. By Ingraham, 28 The Sword Prince. By F. Whittaker, —~ 26 Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. 30 Pavl De Lacy. By C. 1). Clark. ¥ 31 Round t#® Camp-Fire. By J. EB, Badger, Jr. 82 Fancy I'rank's Drop. By Ingraham, 83 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. F. Whittaker, 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By ©. D. Clark, 85 Old Tar Knuckle. By Ro-er Starbuck 36 The Dashing Dragoon, By F. Whittaker, 87 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham. 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By ‘I’. C. Harbaugh. 39 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing. 40 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edward Willett. 41 The Settler's Son. By Edward §. Ellis. 42 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. By C. D. Clark, 43 Rifle and Revolver. By F. Whittaker. 44 The Lost Boy Whalers. By ‘I’. C. Harbaugy.. « 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham, 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys. By J. EB. Badger, Jr. 48 The Pampas Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh, 49 Nebraska Charlie. By Ingraham. 50 Jack, Harry, and Tom. By F. Whittaker, 51 ‘Tom Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark. 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 53 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles, Morris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham. 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. By Edward Willett, 56 The Svow Hunters. By Harry De Forrest. 57 Harry Somers, the Magician. By 8. W. Pearce. 58 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost. By Ingraham. 59 Tim, the Mule Bov of the Mines. By Charles Morris, 60 The Young Trail Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh. 61 The Tiger Hunters. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 62 Doctor Carver, the Champion Shot. By Ingraham. 63 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker, By Roger Starbuck. 64 Young Dick Talbot. By A. W. Aiken. 4

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THE Deadwood Dick e Library HANDSOME TRL-COLORED COVERS 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. buy One and You Will Buy the Rest’ #xtracts from the New York Evening Sun. TWO REMARKABLE in only one sense of the word can it be regarded asa sovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- are has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps nore than one reader will have to think a moment over snis rémark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit ‘trikes home, But it is most essentially a half dime novel statement yaat will be news to many when it is added that litera- wre; traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was a mere child down to the present day, would show yat few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be 4yen judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest veroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- veal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. * * * The modern heroes of fiction for young America, @ho are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom th’ ‘eadwood Dicks are much the most important * * * it .. but natural that their * * * should bear away the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left sar behind in the race. it can be easily believed, therefory, that the two Dicks me so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature igor boys and young men, that their position is assured * * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders HEROES. above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which they have lived, and for which one of them has died. American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor in the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good veal bet ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in hie everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of impenetrable mysteries. Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungril, for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appear. with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new ses. He ON Tg thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Call- ‘ornia, There are the volumes each se crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that it were madness to hope to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be tween them, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes in finite pain, but if once a start were made in that direc tion, it would be cruel to The Hvening Sun's readers to stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. } Deadwood Dick, the Prace of the Road The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance $ The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol % Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval % Death-Face, the Detective ¥ The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza $ Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian @ Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger Ai en Seer Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat) v4 ces Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar J@ Buckhw.n Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 4 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo cir Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch % Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 9 Watch-Eye, the Shadow Bs | iy Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Yross # vanada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief % Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty % Deadwood Dick as Detective Gilt-Edge Dick Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve 97 Chip, the Girl Sport Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortuae Boss Beb, the King of Bootblacks ae eros Dick’s Houble; or, The Ghost of Gorge °s | jende Bill; er, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base Bou fam, the Boy Road-Agent 33 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 35 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Koy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierrae 88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Romé 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jemebet 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogwee 44 Deore Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiater's ame 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorade 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam’s Claina 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Sons or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Deteet ives 51 ae Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rewg anch 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 58 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Spert 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy’s Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz: or, The Store-Detective’s Poe | 68 as ign ds Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sasse- ras City 64 ea Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings M. J. IVBRS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan. Proprietor), 879 Pearl Street, NEW YORK.

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No. 29 THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. ~ Cleveland, Ohio , Vol. III . D>. ee 4 ‘ — & = __ BY EDW.LNVHEELER.

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a ee BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES 15e. Per Copy. , . The Shawnee’s Foe. . The Young Mountaineer, 3 BL. 1 2 2 Wild Jim. 5 2. 52. Slim Jim. - . Hawk-Eye, the Hunter. BJ 53. Tiger-Eye. \, * 5, The Boy Guide. ots The Red Star of the 6. War Tiger of the Modocs 8 Seminoles, 7. The Red Modocs. -55. Trapper Joe. * 3. Iron Hand. 56. The Indian Queen’s "9. Shadow Bill, the Scout. 7. Revenge. 10. Wapawkaneta, or the ‘57. Eagle-Eyed Zeke. $ Rangers of the Oneida. (58. Sear-Cheek, the Wild 11. Davy Crockett’s Boy Half-Breed. Hunter. ,- 59. Red Men of the Woods. 12, The Forest Avenger. y 60. Tuscaloosa Sam, 13. Old Jack’ Frontier Cabin. On the Deep. . Sharp Snout. The Mountain Demon. Wild Tom of Wyoming. . Lhe Brave Boy Hunters of Kentucky. . The Fearless Ranger. ‘20, The Haunted Trapper. Madman of the Colorado, . The Panther Demon. . Slashaway, the Fearless, . Pine Tree Jack. . Indian Jim. Navajo Nick, The Tuscarora’s Vow. Deadwood Dick, Jr. 129. A New York Boy Among the Indians. Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal, . Hank, the Guide. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen, . Squatty Dick. The Hunter’s Secret. 35. The Woman Trapper. The Chief of the Miami, Gunpowder Jim. 38. Mad Anthony's Captain. 39. The Ranger Boy’s Career. | . Old Nick of the Swamp. . The Shadow Scout. . Lantern-Jawed Bob. . The Masked Hunter. . Brimstone Jake. . The Irish Hunter. . Dave Bunker. . The Shawnee Witch, . Big Brave. . Spider-Lega. BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES are alwa: all Newsdealers; or will be sent postpaid to any address: sale by Single copies, 15c. | - ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. + 50. Harry Hardskult. ; Madman of the Oconto, ) . The Bully of the Woods. - The Trapper’s Bride. Red Rattlesnake, The Pawnee, . The Scout of Tippecanoe, Old Kit, The Scout. . The Boy Scouts. Hiding Tom. Roving Dick, Hunter, Hickory Jack, 70. Mad Mike. 4 Snake-Eye. . Big-Hearted Joe. The Blazing Arrow. ame musaer Fig pone Tad e Scout o ong In! The Death i e Dea angers. . Bullet Head. f i Indian Spirit. ‘he Twin Trappers. Lightfoot the Scout. 82, Grim Dick, The Wooden-Legged Spy. The Silent Trapper. Ugly Ike. 86, Fire Cloud. Hank Jasper, 88, The Scout of the Sciota. Black Samson, 90. Billy Bowlegs. The Bloody Footprint. . Marksman the Hunter. . Lhe Demon Cruiser. . Hunters aud Redskins. 5. Panther Jack. 6. Old Zeke. . The Panther Paleface. 8. The Scout of the St. Lawrence, . Bloody _Brook. 0. Long Bob of Kentucky. in print and for CLEVELAND, OHIO

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Deadwood Dick e Library e LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS, 82 Pages. . Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See Othei Side. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road & The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance 8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol 5 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death-Face, the Detective 7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian 10 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger 11 a Ss a Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat: 12 a Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar 13 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo - 17 ae Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the ulc. i8 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance 20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow 21 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 23 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 24 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-Edged Dick 26 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve 27 Chip, the Girl Sport 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune , 29 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 80 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon's Gulch 31 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base 82 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike _ 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 38 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 Detective Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's Game 45 ‘The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam's Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect ives 51 aS — Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anc 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, ‘The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's Fortune " 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 or iy eg Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- ras City 64 a Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings | :