Five Cent Wide Awake Library (vol. 2) (1897 06 25)
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‘= , BILLY BUTTON. “Blowed if I know,” replied Sam, snap- pishly; ‘no good, I'll be bound, hang the whole kit and caboodle of ’em!” Just then the music struck up, and the at- tendants having entered and adjusted the hurdles, Billy dashed away to complete the hazardous act. , CHAPTER VIL. NEARLY A TUMBLE. On sped the flying horse with wide dis- tended nostrils, with eyes flashing fire, his quivering flanks one mass of foaming lather. Both hurdles were leaped with a will by both horse and man, time and again, and then came the crowning effort, where Billy Button was to stand erect upon the back of the flying steed as he careered the ring at full speed, leaping each hurdle in turn with- out falling or missing his position. The first hurdle was reached and leaped without a miss by both horse and rider, amid the breathless attention of the spectators. Then came the second. The horse was approaching it rapidly when one of his fore feet slipped, and stumbling for- ward, he came down upon both knees, touch- ing each in rapid succession, but quickly re- covering his position he vounded the hurdle ata anil So sudden wag the instantaneous pause that Billy was nearly thrown from the horse, He had no reins at the time. He was standing with nothing to guard him upon the barebacked horse. i But scarcely had the animal plunged _for- ward with a downward move, when Billy}: threw himself flat on his back, and grasping the loins and flank with his legs and arms, he broke and prevented a fall that might pos- sibly have cost-him his life. And thus he took the second hurdle. In an instant two ring attendants darted to the horse’s head and brought him to a standstill. “Are you hurt, Bill?’ inquired Lathrop, hastening to his side. ““No,” replied Billy, with a smile, as he panted to regain his breath, ‘‘but it was a pretty rough shake up notwithstanding. I thought I was a ore “You bet. Take it easy the next turn.” “You bet!” was the cheerful rejoinder. Meanwhile, the audience had also taken breath, and the whole tent resounded with applause, And both horse and rider started again. Away they went! Again the first hurdle was successfully passed, and again they approached the sec- ond. “Go it, young feller!” shouted an excited voice from the pnmicnien, “Go it! I'll bet on ou every time!” as hie Ds you cussed fool!” replied an- other. : ** Who do ye call a fool? “e You ” Plug! The blow struck home. 4 And just as the horse was preparing toleap the hurdle a half inebriated country boy, esas! te by the force of the ruffianly blow, tumbled backward directly beneath his feet, ee! Button saw the boy’s danger in a min- ute. ' He whistled to his steed, and planted his foot firmly on its flank. ‘The horse turned and darted toward the center of the ring as Billy flung himself forward, clasping his legs firmly around the animal’s Heck: and then stooping down, caught up the prostrate form before the hind feet had time to reach it. The deed of heroism was performed in an, instant. Not a hand save that of Billy Button had been stretched forth to save the poor lad from instantaneous death. ven the circus employees, usually accus- tomed to act on the spur of a moment, were held spell-bound by the sudden emergency. But as soon as the noble horse came to a halt, as he did immediately at the command of his young owner, such a heartfelt burst of applause as shook that canvas had scarcely, if ever, been heard within the bounds of a circus before. Strong men leaped into the ring to release the half dazed boy from the hands of our hero. _ Ladies screamed and fainted. ‘ _ For a few moments a scene of the wildest - confusion ensued. And during the interval the ruffianly as- sailant had managed to make his escape. ; Once more Billy brought his horse to place to complete the act. ‘ But the audience would not permit him to 0 So. ‘*No—no!” was the shout on every hand. And with blushing features our hero retir- ed, amid a burst of tumultuous applause. CHAPTER VIII. THE STORY OF THE IRON CHEST. THE afternoon performance had concluded, and ey. was walking leisurely toward the hotel, when some one tapped him upon the shoulder. He turned ea and found himself face to face with his old playfellow, Ed Hanlon, of our boys’ circus reminiscence. ; “Hallo, Bill, old boy, put it there for old rocks’ sake. age.” ‘* Well, these are dog days, but I never say die,” replied Billy, with a hearty grip in re- turn to the grasp of his old chum. \ ““Where have you been all the time?” in- quired Ed, eagerly, as he drew up alongside of Billy and walked along. “Tt’s a long story, but I'll tell it to you when we're out of earshot if you've a mind to listen,” replied Billy, for the reader will doubtless by this time recognize in Billy But- ton the reckless, devil-may-care Beelzebub of the prologue. ‘Come gions this way upon the hill, and we'll take a lop down on the grass and I'll spinthe yarn.” ‘Bully for you, Beel, you’re a trump,” re- lied Ed, giving him a hearty slap on the ack; ‘‘let’s have a couple of cigars and then we'll trot along.” **No half Spanish this time,” laughed Billy, ood-naturedly, as they entered a shop and invested in a couple of Principes, and then they passed up Fulton street to Union Hall and went upon the hill, taking a seat under one of the oaks and watching the rosy sun- set as old Sol sought his couch in the west. **Let’s see,” asked Billy, dreamily, as he puffed a cloud of smoke from his nostrils, “how old are you now, Ed?” “Going on twenty, cully. I was just on twelve when Star tumbled to the shirt racket and busted the show,” answered Ed, smiling at the old time memory. - «Justi so,” resumed Billy, nodding his head; SS ete high-daddy old times, wasn’t they. “Just ey 2 “Bet your life,” continued Billy. “I was just about ten, and ten and eight makes eighteen.” “tee * Did when I went to school,” said Ed. “ Well, Inever had much schollerin, ’cept what I picked up,” continued Billy ; *“‘ but I’ve otsome experience by hard knocks. Say, id yer mother ever find her diamonds?” oe 0.” ‘ Believes I stole *em yet, I suppose?” SS CRs replied Ed, hesitatingly. **Do you?” : “No, I never did—’pon my life!” “Thankyou. I’d swear it on a stack of Bibles. So they never turned up?” “No; mother kind of gave the thing up af- ter they tried you and couldn’t make a case against you. I guess she’s let it drop alto- gether.” v “Well, I’m glad of it. It might hurt my character. “But some folks don’t consider that a circus chap’s got any of that commod- ity about him.” “Ts that so?” “Yes, and you know it, too,” replied Billy; “but that’s got nothing to do with my story, so I'll spit it oat. “You know the day or so after mother died,” and the boy shuddered as he remem- bered the terrible scenes which could never be obliterated from his memory,-“‘ Detective Janton got on my trail and commenced to run me down? “ Well, the skunk’s been on my track more or less ever since, but he ean’t get the drop on me worth a cent. He came to the show after the afternoon performance, and old Sam gave hima dressing fer playing too much chin-music.” ““T wonder where that phrase came from ?” said Ed, musingly. ee ** Don’t know, sophie Billy, ‘unless it came from old Bobby Williams’ playing on his cheeks this fashion.” And drawing his cheeks with a peculiarly I haven’t seen you for a dog's: comical smirk of the mouth, Billy rattled off ah air on his cheeks and chin ina fashion that me have done credit to the best xylo- phone player in existence. Ed laughed heartily at the performance. “You beat the deck, Beel,” he said. “*T always did,” replied our hero, in a dry, humorous manner, that seemed strongly like old Cale Weeks, at that time the prominent caterer of Jamaica. And well the writer remembers the choice viands which the old man served up with the assistance of his genial, fat-featured and robust-framed good wife. “Well,” continued Billy, resuming his story, ‘‘ the next day I was snapped up and |brought before Judge Talmadge, but he couldn’t find nothin missed the case. auckes stuck to me like a leech. e chance. But Sam Lathrop, God bless the old man! stuck to me like a brick through thick and thin. He put me in training with Levi J. North, who taught me to ride, and I think he made quite a success of the job.” “T should thinkso,” interrupted Ed, * from the brave act you did this afternoon.” “Yum—yum!” replied Billy; “and I’m mighty glad I saved that boy. It’s a wonder that Selim didn’t smash him to smithereens with his hoofs. There's no one can go nigh him out of the ring except me and the groom.” “Ts he so fiery?” asked Ed. : “Wiery? He's a perfect devil in harness and no mistake, ell, as soon as I'd got dis charged by the judge, I went back to the old rookery in Rotten Row to get mother’s traps together, and there I got a tumble that I’m afraid I'll never be able to get over.” “Why, I never heard that you were hurt,” said Ed, anxiously. ‘“*T didn’t mean it in that way, Ed,” replied Billy. ‘‘ You see, mother had asmall, iron- bound chest that she always kept carefully locked, and never would let any one look into under any circumstances, When the coroner came to view mother, after she was brought up from the street, he sealed everything up and locked the door. Well, when all was over, and Judge Talmadge had let me go, I went to the coroner, and he let me have the key, so that I could get the chest and what- ever else remained. I went to the old room and Lord bless you, Ed! how gloomy and lonely it looked in its squalid misery. I sat down and hada hearty ery, for notwithstand- ag’in’ me, an’ so he dis- ut Janton, the blamed I believe ing that mother had never been much of a mother to me, and treated me more like a dog than a human, nature would out, and I loved her, notwithstanding the hard knocks she gave me; and I shall always believe that she was my mother, no matter if she did deny it the very moment before she died.” “Is that so?” asked Ed, in evident sur- prise. ““Yes—didn’t you never hear that before?” “T can’t remember that I ever did.” “ Well, it’s so.” And in a few words Billy described the ter- '|rible scene in the garret of the old rookery,. and repeated the dying words. “Well!” said Ed, evidently greatly inter- ested. ; “Well, when I went to look for the chest after I’d had my cry out, it was clean gone, and nothing was left to tell where ft was gone i a ee of a man’s coat-tail, ¢ which I foun inging to the rickety win- dow-blind on the outside of the window, which was wide open, as it. had been since mother died.” “This is very strange,” said Ed. *Just_so; soSam thought, as well as my- self, and so did some of the other boys to whom I told the story; and they all allowed that some scamp must have entered the room over the roof and stolen the chest to obtain some papers or valubles which it evidently contained.” ‘Maybe they concerned you, Beel ?” ejacu- lated Ed. “Possibly,” retorted our hero; “but be that as it may, neither the chest nor the — thief have ever been found, and I am _ begin- ning to despair of ever discovering either.” “Quite a romance,” “Yes,” replied Billy. I've got to tell you. Here is a piece of the coat,” and as he spoke he took a piece o rough checked cheviot goods from his pock- et. It had evidently been torn by cate on a nail or some other object while the thi draw blood from a oe he got a — “Well, that's all
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was escaping from the’ apartment of the dead woman. ; Both boys examined it closely. “That is the only clew I hold to discover the rascal who stole mother’s box,” said Billy, earnestly, “‘and Pm afraid it’s a pretty tough case to ferret out. But if I ever man- age to get on his track, I'll.run him down, or m y nickname of Beelzebub stands for no 00) 1 “And ll help you, my boy,” said Ed, grasping our hero’s hand witha vim; “I'll be of age in a year, and if money will help, you shall not want it!” “Thank you, Ed, thank you,” replied Billy, returning the friendly grasp; ‘‘ I'm making a pretty good thing as it is, butif I require your aid, I shan’t fail to call on you.” “Don’t, and you'll find I won’t go back on you if you do,” “Well, that’s all,” said Billy, wrapping up the piece of cloth in its covering of oiled silk and restoring it to his pocket; ‘‘and now I must go to Remsen’s an’ get some supper be- fore I go back to the tent.’ ' Both boys arose as he spoke, and sauntered leisurely away toward the village, The lengthening shadows were creeping Pa apace, and twilight was gathering around em, _As they disappeared, the head of a man par tially arose from behind a clump of alder bushes close beside where they had been sit- ting. i the features of the man wore a troubled \ look, and his wicked eyes glittered with an Reacriet" ve fe rosa as he glowered savagely after » “the boys. Ki “T must have that piece of cloth at all haz- ards,” he hissed, through his set teeth, as he shook his fist after them; ‘it may be the means of playing the very devil with my plans if I don’t. Look out for yourself, Mas- ter Will Westlake, you haven't got rid of Janton, the detective, yet!” . And creep ink from his place of concealment, he followed the boys with all the caution of a sleuth-hound. He had cereety ene peanay, when another j head popped up from an adjoining clump of i, bushes. “a Pa was that of a boy of some eighteen years _ of age. _The features were bloated and swollen, and _ the eyes denoted that he had recently awak- ened from a drunken sleep. “So!” said the boy, half to himself, “you black-muzzled son-of-a-gun you’ve got some- thin’ against Billy Button, have you? You're _ on his track, are you? Maybe he'll beglad to know it. I guess not. Well, he shall—he saved my life this afternoon and Ill see if I can’t do him a slight service in return, - Cussed if I don’t believe you're the miserable _. skunk who give me that plug in the snoot.” _ And with these words the young fellow -_ erept out from the bushes and followed the At: trail of the detective. _ Who was this ae ; He was David Wright, whom Billy Button had saved from the heels of Selim. CHAPTER IX. . _A NEW SORT OF ANGEL. _ Havre finished supper at. Jim Remsen’s, ‘which was first-class (Jim always does the honors in style to the show folks), Billy and Ed started toward the circus. | ‘It was nearly half-past seven, and as they were Hat one of the houses, a few rods be- low Remsen’s, Ed stopped and uttered a ery Bag igen , “What's up?’ demanded Billy, turning to- ward his companion. “Look here!” shouted Ed, as his face turn- ed pale with fright, “ that child will fall and reak its neck, so A! He was pointing, as he spoke, to the cor- ce of a small porch that covered the front or of the handsome cottage which stood st back from the street. : _ Billy looked hastily up in the indicated di- ection, and saw that a lovely little girl of pearently four years old was reaching her plump arms eagerly out over the edge of the 3 is} as sh, and in one of the aes sts was Ps: losely clasped a newly-plucked bunch of re ses, carnations and pansies, ‘l’se waiting for papa,” she said, smiling a as the two boys paused, rooted vs the _ Spot, scarcely able to stir; ‘see, there he Y es, just dot home by de cars—he'rd ’em | istle, and mother wouldn't let me go to 5 BILLY LUTTON. meet papa ’lone, so I comed right out here to i see him the first, ’corse I did.” **My God! my child will be killed!” A shriek of intense agony accompanied the words, as the half-frantie mother appeared at the open window, attempting to get out to rescue her child, “Wor Heaven’s sake, Jennie, don’t attempt to goon the shed, it is not safe; ’twill fall aa kill you both!” shouted another voice. It was the half distracted father, who had just arrived in time to witness the deadly peril of his child. “But Maria—Maria!” shouted the mother, wringing her hands distractedly, as she Atock undecided what to do. «Stay where you are, my child!” shouted | the father, with a forced voice denying the deadly pallor of his countenance; “stay where you are till papa gets a ladder to take you down,” ; “Come in, Maria; come in!” pleaded the white-faced mother, extending her hands im- ploringly towards the child. ‘No, I’se going to jump down to papa; it’s pretty high, but I dess I can do it the way they do in the circus.” Again the mother started to get through the window, as the child stood up upon the edge of the trembling roof to make the leap. The father attempted to open the gate as he shouted to his wife to stop, but it resisted his utmost efforts. The cold beads of perspiration darted to his forehead as he attempted to climb it, expect- ing to see his child dashed to pieces at his feet, without his being able to attempt her rescue. He was on the top of the gate, he was climbing over, and as he did so he heard another blood-curdling shriek from his wife. He looked up, his brain reeled, he came near losing his balance and falling himself, for in that second of intensified agony he saw a white fluttering object darting through the air with lightning rapidity, and knew that his darling had taken the deadly leap, But recovering himself with an immense effort, the father leaped to the gravel walk. Meanwhile, both Ed and our hero had also recognized the ilous position of the child, and as she started to jump, while the father was vainly striving to open the gate, Billy caught the top bar of the fence, and turning a lofty handspring landed on his feet. Away he ran like a deer. He had not an instant to spare, for as he reached the piazza steps the little form came bounding down with the velocity of an ar- row. He heard the mother scream, and shouted re-assuringly to her as he held up his hands. Down came the child, but before her tiny feet had time to touch the stone walk leadin from the house to the gate, our hero hai paris ist her stoutly beneath the arms, and with a lithe, upward leap broke the momen- tum of her fall. And the next moment the breathless father, whose heart was almost bursting from his bosom, was clasping his darling safe and un- injured within his arms. ““Tt was just jolly, wasn’t it, pane! And he caught me real nice, didn’t he?” ‘““My poor darling,” muttered the father, clasping her closer at the question, ‘“‘it was God's mercy that sent the boy to your rescue.” “He was an angel!” reiterated the relieved mother, who reached them just in time to overhear the last words. “But where is he gone?” , “The boy that caught me?” asked the child. “Yes,” replied both parents in a breath, turning to look for the rescuer of their child. ‘“ Why, he just turned head over heels over that fence, same as he did before he caught me,” replied the child, laughing merrily at the antics of our hero, The father hastened to the gate and looked over, and turning the corner of the street leading toward the circus, he saw Ed and Billy disappearing on a dead run, _ CHAPTER X. BILLY BUTTONS RIDE TO BRENTFORD, Ow1ne to the delay attendant on the gal- lant rescue of the child, it was nearly time for the show to commence when the two boys reached the tent. : “Come around behind?” asked Billy, as they did so, “Guess not; rather see you from the front,” answered Ed, “ but I’ll see you after it’s over; what time d’ye pull up stakes ?” ‘ — “About half-past, eleven,” said Billy. *Pell’s serenaders take the big tent for.an hour or so after we’re done, and then the ring and tent hands Jget to work and make short work of it. But I must get in—there goes the first music, and I’m in just after the entree.” ** Well, so long!” j And the two friends separated until later in the evening. ‘Say, Beel, come here,” said Sam Lathrop, as Billy passed through the flaps of the dress- ing tent, ‘*I want to speak to you.” “What's up, Sam ?” asked Billy, anxiously ; “you look as glum as one of the funny mules on half fodder; any one sick or dead ?” “No, but I feel concernedly bothered, ney- ertheless ; you know who that was that I pointed out this afternoon ?” And the old clown took a capacious chew of tobacco as be asked the question, “Yes, I told you it was Starbuck Hanlon, Sam; I saw his brother Ed afterward, and we had a long confab about old times.” “Ts that so? Well, he ain’t the only one I’m consarned about—there’s another nigger in the fence, and I’m afeard there's some dey- ilment afoot.” “ What ?” asked Bill, somewhat surprised. ‘‘Janton’s round again,” answered Sam, “and he and Starbuck have been buzzin closer'n bugs in a rug for the last hour, al- though they didn’t ’pear to know that they were spotted. ‘They've been around to Squire Snediker’s, and I had to leave them there to ’tend to biz; but I left some one on their tracks, bet your boots.” Billy uttered a troubled whistle. “That's bad,” he said; ‘I wonder what’s their lay now?” “Can't imagine,” replied Sam, ‘“‘ but we must keep our off eye skinned for odd tricks—look aed * All right, old man, I'll keep my eyes peeled,” answered Billy, as he hastened away to dress. The performance passed off without the slightest drag or interruption, and concluded with the famous trick act of Billy Button’s ride to Brentford. This act was ridden without announce- ment. The old white horse was led into the ring. He was a sedate-looking old plug, and from his plain, quiet appearance did not appear to have a bit of go in him. “I say, mister,” said Sam Lathrop, eying ue horse carefully, ‘‘putty good horse that, eh?” “The best in the world, sir,” answered the ringmaster, ‘‘ Made the best time on record, two sixty-nine,” “Two hours and sixty minutes a mile, I guess,” replied the clown, “What's that ?” “Good time ter smile, I guess,” put in Sam. “I never smile, sir!” said Nathans, an- grily. “] thought so, when Jim Remsen asked you to pony up for them drinks you hung u the last time you were here—but if that ani- mal’s all sound, safe and steady in his gait, I don’t mind trying a mount myself,” As he spoke Sam. started leisurely toward the horse, But scarcely had he gone ten steps when a short, squat specimen of a dusty-looking old country farmer staggered over the edge of the ring, and making a few useless efforts to sustain his equilibrium, reeled, and fell di- rectly beneath the old horse’s fore and hind legs. A iek, i Out went one of the hind legs, and the how] that followed proved that the hoof had told home on a tender portion of the old man’s anatomy, j “Great snakes!” roared the injured party, as Sam seized him by the feet, and drew him face downward toward the center of the ring, “what in the land sakes do yer mean treat- ing an old man in that manner for?” Treating ye to a touch of free soil,” re- sponded Sam, good-humoredly; “don’t you know better’n ter go poxing your miserable carkis ‘tween a horse’s legs in. that fashion? Yer worse than a blind mule driver, tacklin’ the hind quarters of a religious mule.” “Well, I ’clare to gracious it is a horse,” replied the old man, getting on his feet with an effort, and wiping the sawdust and earth from his face and eyes with a ragged, dirty- looking red handkerchief ; ‘‘ busted if I didn’t think it was a saw-horse covered with a buffalo robe.” f ;
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re Ge ion ah ee BUTTON. “ “Never saw a saw-hoss kick before, did you?” asked Sam. “Can't say I ever did,” replied the old man, adjusting an old pair of hooped spectacles upon his nose, as he commenced eying the old horse with a curious expression of cau- fone investigation. “Well, you felt it behind, didn’t yer?’ ‘ “Yumi replied the injured party, rabbing himself reflectively. “ Jes’ so,” laughed Sam; ‘‘ well, what made you come down here, old Mathuselem ?” “That ain’b my name,” said the old man, innocently, turning toward the spéaker ; “my name is—my name is Billy Button. I'm ‘a tailor.” “T don’t care a button if it is,” answered Sam. “Tip us your flipper, and if there's anything I can do for you call on me when you want it, and you will want, every time.” And ones e outstretched hand as he spoke like a vise, he wrung ib again and again as the old man danced and writhed with agony, pleading piteously to be released. Finally Sam gave the hand a hasty jerk, and letting go his hold, old Billy Button went staggering forward on another voyage of dis- covery and plunged nose downward, plowing up the gawau st in such a manner that rought down the house with hilarious roars of con- tinuous laughter. “Columbus landing in America!” shouted the clown, pointing to the prostrate figure. “Mark how he stoops to kiss the sacred soil.” And then, as the laughter subsided, he said again: af Come here, old man, and I'll pick you u te this time old Billy's mad was up, and he was up also, going for Sam with his cane like a good fellow, but the clown evaded him with equal celerity, and finally the old fellow had to step to breathe. soy say; said he, as soon as he could speak, “JT don’t want no more roo ae do you mind? I come down here to get a horse, and I mean to do it.” “Well, that’s all right,” replied Sam. xe “Will you take it now or wait until you get “Hold up,” said the ringmaster, interrupt- ing at this point; “ enough of this—I trust ‘ou will pardon our friend’s eccentricities ; it _is only a harmless way he has of displaying “his leasantries.” Vell, he’ 'S got a cussed rough way of dis- playing ‘em,” replied the old man, dusting } _ off his clothes with his dilapidated wipe} “but if you're the owner of this ‘ere stable, and have got a quiet, gentle, docile animal, who don't go too fast and is warranted not to bite, kick, crib, bolt, shy, or run away, E don’t mind if I hire him.” “Well,” replied Nathans, “your demands are somewhat exorbitant, buf I don’t. mind accommodating a gent like you; what do you ' say to that for a specimen of horseflesh—an- swer all requirements?” “He kicks, don’t he?’ demanded Billy, somewhat dubiously. “Nary a kick,” replied Sam, winking at the , audience with a quizzical grin which brought down the house. “No,” answered the ringmaster, “I can certify that he will answer your purpose to a charm.” ‘i “You don’t say ?” asked eerie ‘well, what | : do ou want for him one day ?” et’s see,” said Nathans, thoughtfully; saat you'll ‘have to deposit fifty dollars, to be forfeited in case of injury; in case you re- turn him before six Pp, M, to-morrow, in good condition, I'll return you forty dollars; I don’t want to be hard on you, you know.” , ‘“‘Ain’t that pretty steep?” inquired Billy, 5 scratching his head. “No, sir—cheap as dirt.” «Well, I don’t mind if I do; couldn’t knock off a fiver, ea ree 5 “Nary a red,” answered Nathans, ’ nd Well, H sighed the old man, and withdraw- ing a moth-eaten specimen of a leather pocket- book from an inner Hooke and. Us ge a iece of red tape nearly ten yards long from t t, he eeneted the money and anden 4 it to the th master. i “Step this way and Ill give you a lift, said Sam, beckoning to the old man. On reaching the horse, the clown pinged: Billy’s hands on the pommel of the cman on bidding him hold tight, seized him by he leg, aa tossed him completely over the horse, where he came down ina heap on all oS fours, to the intense delight of the roaring spectators. “ Where on earth are ye?” demanded Sam, examining the horse's back with well-feigned surprise, as he looked up in search of the fallen tailor. “Herel” ejaculated Billy, with a groan, as he regained his feet with a desperate effort, “Why didn’ 't you hold on? ? demanded Sam; “try it again,” and once more he essayed to mount the old man. This time he succeeded to a charm, but Billy was seated with his face to the tail. “Galang!” Sam hit the horse a sharp blown on the haunch, and he started with a jum Billy was quite unprepared for th 1e sudden start, and as the horse sprang forward, he plunged forward in the opposite direction, catching hold of the horse’s tail in his head: eta descent. The sudden jerk and sabes of the horse, connected with the stout hold that Billy re- tained on the tail, caused him to turn a com- piete somersault, Janding him plump on is back amid the saw dust, where he went thumping and bumping about in tow of the horse in an excessively comical manner, ** Whoa—whoal” he cried, as the horse tore around the ring again and again to the in- tense delight of the spectators, until he was finally peor en to a stop by two of the attend- ants, and then Billy was again assisted to mountin the proper manner. “YT thought you said he wouldn’t run away?” he asked of the ringmaster, as soon as he had gained breath. “Neither he would, if you hadn’t got on the wrong side before.” a. Never was on before,” retorted Button; ; never rode a horse before in my life,” * Well, you rode him behind, then,” laughed Sam; “ blowed if I ever see such a queer guy in all Bay) born days.” “Say, I want “to understand something about this, fellers,” said Billy, anxiously; “what do you call these things?” pointing to the horse's ears. “* His ears.” “ Blowed if I didn’t think they was to steer by. What's this ?” taking hold of the tail. “The horse’s tail.” *““Umph! thought it was the rudder; how does she go, anyway?” “Why, you put your feet in here,” said Sam, placing Button’s shoes in the stirrups, “and take the reins in your hands thus,” suiting the action to the word, and explain- pa the method of driving, “and away you go Another slap started the horse at a sharp zeit, and away went the old man, exhibiting . most curious antics imaginabl e. Now he was lying forward, grasping the horse’s neck for dear life, then he was down on one side clinging to the pommel of the saddle to prevent a fall; then shifting with a lurch, his knees were élutching the saddle, while his hands grasped the bridle as he madly dashed on, shouting to be saved from death. Then he would tumble back to the horse’s haunch, when in a second the saddle girths | a snapped and the saddle fell to the ring, whence it was conveyed by an attendant, leaving the miserable tailor ‘to the merciless caprices of a maddened, barebacked horse. y this time many of the audience, numer- ous ladies and children, and not a few stout- hearted men, began to manifest symptoms of alarm, for the old man seemed to be grow- ing weaker and more feeble every instant. e was crying loudly at the top of his voice for them to stop the horse, when suddenly the unfeeling clown seized the whip from the ringmaster’ s hand and snapped it briskly at the horse’s heels, the animal bounding away like the wind. Hisses of shame and cries of terror ensued, but as the sounds increased the old man leap: ed lig ghtly to his feet and began tearing off his clothes; off came his Rone and were thrown into the center of the ring, being caught by an attendant; hat, coat, spectacles and wig followed, and then, with a sudden movement of his hands, a lig htning change was effected, and the poor old form of Billy | Button, the Tailor of Brentford, appeared as Billy Button, the Boy Champion Bareback Rider, in his charming impersonation of “The Genius of America Protecting the Rights of Freemen.” heer after cheer resounded throughout the ae as the rapid change took Ha and as our hero leaped lightly from his horse and bowed to the audience, every person present seemed vying with their neighbor as to pogm should give Billy Button the highest ao onors, CHAPTER XI. ie: A SHARP TRICK, Bixxy had searcely bowed his thanks in re- F turn, to the repeated applause of the delighted f audience, and retired to the dressing tent to . remove his dress for his everyday clothes 1 when one of the grooms came to him an ay. said that a boy at the entrance wished to see him Ge What's the name?” asked Billy. Bi “Said you wouldn’t know it, but you'd a know him and be mi ghty glad toseehim.” . ¥ *“Tell him to come in, said Billy. ‘‘Tll be 4 dressed in a minute,” and he went into one of the dressing tents for that purpose. i etal he returned, dressed in his BSS : ay arb, “te ell, what do you want, young fellow ” y he asked, approaching the boy, who was awaiting "him near the rear of the wagon. “‘Halloo! ain’t you the chap that I pulled from beneath my horse’s feet this afternoon?” , “Yes, sir; and you saved my.life, though Be), the folks ‘round here say it don’t ’mount to i much, nohow,.”* “Why so?” “ Well, you See, I drink so that they hate sf a me like yiZon,” * replied the young fellow, half ashamed to make the admission, “Funny, that, for Jamaica,” said Billy, dryly ; 3 “* why don’ bau brace up?” : on’t believe I could.” ** Never tried, did you 2?” “T don’t believe I did.” 3 “Well, you Decl before you say you can’t 5 that’s a word only fit for hypocrites, fa oun like kidney. What do you do for a iving ?” “1 job around the stables, and do chores whenever I can get them.” “Take .it out in rum, hey ?” The young man hung his head abashed. “Well, how would you like to make a man of Yourself ?” demanded Billy, eying him sharply, ‘‘How ?”’ replied the boy, eagerly, looking up. Re Join the show.” “They wouldn’ t have me. I tried,” be poe mind that,” answered Billy, re-as- suring ly § ole your hand there that you'll shut 0 drin! and I'll give you a show—and mind lay it an be your own fault if you take a tumble again.’ “God bless you, sir,” replied the boy, grasp- ing Billy’s hand with emotion, as t fe tears started from his eyes, ‘ You've put new lifo into me!” “ That's all right; don’t make a noodle of eet be a man, "and let the world see it. ow what do you want of me?” “T want to thank you for saving my life this afternoon,” replied the boy. ‘ [was too drunk to do so then ; and again, I wanted to aa 28 something that concerns you desper- ‘ "What's that?” *«'There’s two chaps from York who’re hunting you up, One of ’em a detective, I imagine, h, if that’s all, I know it,” replied Billy, | ss aantanee lightin a segar. “Well, that ain’t all,” responded the other; ~ “they've got out a warrant for you, and they - — mean to serve it to-night,” a Billy whistled. “ How do you know this ?” he asked, “Well, [know a thing or two, notwith- standin’ what folks say,” replied the boy; “and while you and your city friend was talkin’ np on Union Hall street_on the hill, I was sleepin’ off my booze. I chanced to, wake up justas you got up, and I knowed a notwithstanding your everyday dress, ell, I see this detective, whose name is © Wuntan, by the way, watchin’ you, although — he didn’t see me. ell, after you got up to go, I heard him say something about getting a piece of cloth from you, and that he wason our track, and then I smelt a mouse; so I _ just_ took him in tow, and followed him up until I saw him talking with another city Wig chee whom he called Star.” nodded his head com rehensively. ; Bly after a long talk, ey agreed that nf must get a warrant and snap you ay then they went down to Judge Sned_ the
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BILLY BUTTON. iker’s, where they had to wait until he re- turned from York, and then they got the warrant, for 1 heard them say so as they came out, They saidit was better to wait to serve it uritil after the performance, so as not to kick up a row, and meanwhile they went to look up the constable to take you in.” “This is a pretty kettle of fish !” ejaculated our hero ; ‘‘ where are they now?” ‘Waiting outside till you come out.” “The devil! Say, Sam,” hailed Billy to the clown, who at this moment entered’ the tent, “‘Janton’s got a warrant and is waiting outside to serve it.” “T know it, him,” growled Lathrop, “‘and they'll do it unless you can get into Kings County before they snap you.’ “They might get another one there, and I can’t get there without being spotted, either.” “Tf you could only get to Hast New York,” muttered Sam, thoughtfully. ‘* Well, what then ?” ““ Why, Selim’s there by this time with the Seta and you could start with him for the ouston Street Ferry, and if you could only get over to Lent’s he’d stow you away where the devil wouldn’t find you.” ‘*That’s so!” ; “TJ tell you he’s inside and I will see him.” The voice was that of Janton, the detective. He was endeavoring to shove himself into the tent. “What shall we do?’ demanded Billy, somewhat nervously; ‘‘ we'll have to fight it out, I reckon.” “Nary a time,” replied the boy, who had been standing quietly beside them taking it allin; “you can get to Hast New York and no mistake.” . * How?” demanded both Sam and Billy in a breath. **Come this way.” Stooping down, the speaker lifted up the flap of the tent and leaped through, followed by Sam and Billy. The boy pointed toward the railroad. And the’three ran rapidly in that direction. Ow reaching it the boy pointed to a hand- ear. “That'll go nearly fast as a train,” he said. “So it will !” shouted Sam, elatedly ; ‘‘ shove her on the main track. No up trains to-night, are there ?” n “Nary a train except the milk, at four to- morrow morning.” “ Bully boy !” By this time the hand-car was on the main track, and leaping on board, Billy and his companion seized the handles. The crank turned, and she commenced to move. Gradually the motion increased, and in another minute the old clown stood alone Tok. his adieu as the two boys spun away like a locomotive. CHAPTER XII. “HAD THE DEAD WOOD ON THEM.” As the two boys, accompanied by Sam La- throp, dove under the flaps of the dressing tent, Janton endeavored to force himself in at the rear entrance, followed by Starbuck Hanlon and the village constable. “ But [ tell you heain’t here,” reiterated the night watchman, pushing Janton back with a warning shove; ‘‘ he went out the front way scarcely ten minutes ago.” ““Tt’s a lie!” replied Janton, angrily, push- ing stoutly ahead; “I saw him over there just now.” “That's a fighting word, cully!” replied the watchman, who was a burly specimen of a backwoodsman hailing from the State of Maine, pining six feet twoin his stockings, and the man planted a blow full at the face of the detective. Janton parried it, and taking in his man at a glance, saw that he meant fight. - “Take it easy, Brock,” said, he, hauling in his horns somewhat, ‘‘ we've got a warrant for Billy Westlake, and there’s no use in your getting into trouble about it.” **T don’t mean to; but I won’t take ‘a lie,’ notwithstandin’, I’m a ring-tail-roarer, and I never funked in my born days. you've got what yer say let’s see the papers.” “That’s your ticket,” said the constable, flourishing the warrant before the watch- ~ man’s face, “ don’t be a fool; and let the law take its course.” “T ain’t much of a schollard,” replied Hank _ Brockway, eying the document suspiciously, “but if you say it’s all right, I suppose it is— ‘oin, but I tell you I saw him goin’ out, and | id that’s the long and short of it.” But if | it, He rushe bh ‘Seen Billy Button?” he demanded, eager- ly, of one of the grooms who chanced to be passing. The man was a green hand, and not being posted, replied at once: ee he just went under the edge of the nt.” BANE way, and Janton and his party in the direction of the dressing “T thought so,” snapped the detective, and in an instant he was following suit, followed by his companions, “You darn fool!” shouted Brock, darting towards the astonished ene, and dealing him a blow alongside of the head that caused a thousand stars to dance before his eyes, “‘vou’re a blamed pretty faker, you are, to give a pal away in that fashion ; get out, you sucker, and if this night’s work don’t cost you a sit, why my name ain’t Hank Brock from Maine, and I ain’t aring-tail-roarer, and never ee report yer to-morrow, sure as yer orn.” The bewildéred man sprang aside to escape the second blow, and managed to beat a re- treat, while the enraged watchman returned to his post at the door, and reprimed his ca- pacious mouth with about a thumb’s length of pigtail tobacco, Meanwhile, on reaching the outside of the tent, the detective stood fora moment, gazing hastily around, as if undecided which direc- tion to take in pursuit of the fugitives, and then, as if to aid him in his search, the moon burst momentarily out eee ariftof dark, threatening clouds, and displayed a party of three turning up the railroad track towards the depot. e “That's them!” he shouted, eagerly, point- ing toward the disappearing men. ‘‘Come along,” and the next instant himself and fol- lowers were running in the same direction as fast as they could leg it. But ere they reached the track the moon disappeared again and all around was buried in gloom, It had been clouding up durin the night, and heavy drifts of clouds obscured the sky, and from the fitful gusts of wind that resulted, the trees and the sultry nat- ure of the air, it was evident that a heavy thunderstorm was rapidly approaching. It took scarcely a minute for the pursuers to reach the track, and as they did so they heard a dashing, rattling sound approaching, and had scarcely time to leap from between the rails before a hand-car came dashing by with such a fearful velocity, that, had they remained where they were another instant, they would certainly have been ground to pieces on the spot. “I wonder what's up?’ asked the con- stable. “I haven’t heard of any accident Soot the track that would require trackmen o fix. But no one paused to think up an answer, for es again they were all running up the track, On reaching the depot they met a man coming down the platform bearing a red lan- tern. ‘Seen a party of three running up the track lately, Connolly?’ asked the constable, pausing for a second to make the inquiry. ‘“Nary a one; what's up?’ asked the other, ‘“Hain't got time to explain; saw them comin’ this way, though, not three minutes since. What's up down the track that you had to send down a hand-car just now? ‘“‘Hain’t sent no hand-car,” was the reply of the baggage-master and night watchman, whose name was Connolly. . ‘“ Why, I seen a hand-car go by the Jamaica Bay road only a minute since; come cussed near gettin’ run over by it, too,” explained the constable. “Blame them pesky boys,” said the bag- gage-master, ‘‘they’re always meddlin’ wit them hand-cars; some of ’em’ll get run over and killed to death one of these days; there’s no use tryin’ to watch ’em, and the men are as careless too, for, notwithstandin’ that I tell them to lock up the cars, they never do “ What's up, constable?” demanded Janton, from up track. ‘‘Anything the matter?” “No,” replied the other. ‘Come back if ou hain’t seen a) of the game— here’s Harris, Connolly?” The latter to the baggage-master. “In the office, I guess.” The constable leaped upon the platform at the reply, and began hammering on the depot oor. 1 “What's the matter?’ demanded Janton, who had by this time returned, followed by Starbuck. / “ Nothing, only that our game has eae our grip,” replied the constable, ‘‘and I’m going to try and head them off at Hast New ork,” ‘How so?” asked the puzzled detective. “ By telegraph; the circus shows there to- morrow,” replied the constable, still hammer- ing away on the door; ‘‘ Westlake’s got the dead wood on us.” * How?” **Gone on to East New York by that hand. car, that’s all!” CHAPTER XIII. GETTING A SHOCK. JANTON brought his hand down on his hip with a savage slap, as he uttered a surprised whistle. “Is that so?” he asked. “Yes, and no mistake about it,” answered the constable; ‘* but here comes Harris, and if the operator at Hast New York’s in, we'll have Billy Button yet, notwithstanding all his sharpness.” _“* Who’s there?” asked a voice from the in- side of the depot, as they ceased speaking. “Only me, Harris,” replied the constable; “open the door. I want to send a message to Hast New York,” “* All right!” The sound of drawing of bolts and turning of a key followed, and then the door was opened by the ticket agent, who also acted as telegraph operator at that time. “* Anything up?” he asked, as he relocked ee door and went into the office to make the cally, “ Hain’t time to answer,” replied the con- stabie, as he'listened anxiously to the ticking of the telegraphic instrument that Harris was Segatl Cae Presently it stopped, anda brief interval of silence ensued, and then there came a ticking sound in reply. “ Tt’s all right,” said Harris, ‘‘ he’s in; what do ae wish to send?” The constable held a hurried conversation with Janton, and then he turned to Harris again. ’ ““Send word to Justice Hamilton,” said the constable, ‘‘ to arrest and hold till my arrival three parties who have stole a hand-car from this station and started for East New York; will come immediately.” nf Three what?” asked the astonished oper- ator, “Never mind, do as I say.” “What names?” demanded Harris. “Oneis named William Westlake ; he’s the one we want. Idon’t know the names of the other parties.” *“-You must be more explicit,” replied Har- ris, ‘‘ otherwise no attention will be paid to the message. Hamilton knows his biz.” “Tell him that Westlake belongs to Sands & Nathans’ Circus, which opens at East New York to-morrow afternoon. He is known as Billy Button, the Boy Clown and Bareback Rider ; we have a warrant for his arrest on a charge of stealing a pair of diamond ear-rings from Mrs. Sarah Hanlon of No. —, Ninth street, New York.” “Write it out,” said Harris, who seemed completely ina fog. ‘I can’t make head nor tail of it,” Janton uttered a smothered curse, and seizing a paper and pencil, wrote the mes- sage. **'That’s it,” said he, handing it to Harris. “Now send it as quick as the devil let you; we've lost altogether too much time already,’ Harris fell to work with a will; but he had scarcely half cor tiered the message when the instrument failed to work. “The circuit is cut off, I fear,” he said, turning to the officers, ‘ I can dono more.” “Try it again,” said the detective, ear- nestly. f ‘““T don’t believe it will be of any use,” said Harris. “There is a heavy thunderstorm raging below; I can tell it by the working of the wires, and it is extremely dangerous to work under such circumstances. 1 believe East New York has shut off the circuit.” “Try it again,” said Starbuck Hanlon. sea placed his hand upon the instru- ment, But scarce had he done so when he uttered a how] of pain and reeled across the office as if he had been shot. we . ee i i i cg A ae he OD ee ee me oe ee = ae pee ew Tas =
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BILLY BUTTON, “ My God!” he cried, ‘“‘it is a wonder that 1} when Billy uttered an exclamation of dis- was not killed. I never experienced such a| may. shock in all my life!” And he wrung his hands with anguish as he er ‘*T feel as if I had been stricken by a thun- derbolt!” : : “Try it again!” ejaculated Janton and Han- lon, in a breath. : “T’ll see you hanged first!” shouted Harris. “T’'m half killed already; and if you want to telegraph, do it yourself.” Starbuck and his companions raged and fumed, swore and entreated, but Harris posi- tively refused to make another attempt, and for a brief interval the conspirators stood stupidly faplng pace other, earnestly consid- ering the next best move to make, “'d give a hundred dollars to catch that young scamp !” shouted Hanlon, passionately; ‘and I’ve got the money to do it.” a produced a plethorie pocket-book as he spoke. § Connolly’s eyes glistened greedily at the sight. & Tip us a fiver and it’s done,” he said, “How?” demanded Hanlon, eying him suspiciously. “There’s an engine fired up that’s to go down at twelve,” replied the baggage-master, “and I calculate if you were to give the en- gineer half of what you named, he'd be off in a jiffy. It's the ‘Moses Maynard,’ and shes rid tween Jamaica an’ Bedford time and again in nine minutes without a stop, and eight cars behind her.’* ; “Done!” ejaculated Hanlon, ‘‘ get the en- gineer and we'll put a test to the Maynard’s speed. He handed the five dollars to Conolly as he spoke, and pocketing the bill with a satisfied grin, the baggage-master quitted the office. Nearly ten minutes passed, during which Starbuck and his companions paced the office fuming with impatience, and then Conolly returned. “Tt’s all right,” he said, ‘‘he’ll take you for twenty-five dollars, but it’s raining awful.” “T don’t care if it’s a second edition of the deluge, as long as we catch our man,” said Starbuck, as he stepped out on the plat- form. “This way,” said Conolly, as he pointed to- ward the opposite track where the engine ate puffing and blowing ready for the start. The three men buttoned their coats closely up to their chins and started out in the pour- ing rain, which was now coming down in torrents. As they did so, a man looked eagerly around the edge of the depot. “The ievil stop you,” he muttered, “and God help poor Beel!” “Tt was Sam Lathrop who spoke; he had overheard the whole interview through the open window of the telegraph office. 5 And as he withdrew again to his place of concealment, the shrill whistle of the loco- motive rang sharply out amid the storm as the ponderous driving wheels commenced to move. CHAPTER XIV. ON A HAND-CAR. As Billy Button and Dave Wright turned the crank of the hand-car, and waved their adieus to Sam Lathrop, who stood upon the track wishing them God speed, the car com- menced to move with gradually accelerated motion until it was spinning along at the rate of twenty miles an hour. They couid hear the click—click—click of the rails as they sped along, and the boys’ hearts beat light within their bosoms, as they realized that they were leaving their enemies behind. ? It was nearly seven miles to the outskirts of East_New York; on they went; they passed Leffert’s avenue and Brige’s station, then Clarenceville and Woodhaven flew uickly by, and then the storm burst upon them with all its violence. The rain came down like a waterspout, the lightning flashed, and heavy peals of thun- der shook the earth and the air around‘ them as they sped along, and still the young ad- venturers had no thoughts of fear, They were approaching Union Course, —— *Fact.—The writer has ridden on a train carried by the “Moses Maynard,” in 1854 or ’55, when she ran the distance, about nine miles, in eight min- utes and a half, “Great Jinks!” said he, suddenly, “sup- Pees they were to telegraph!” “What?” asked Dave, but half compre- hending the remark. “Tf they should telegraph,” shouted our hero, lugubriously, ‘‘ we might be snapped up before we reach East New York.” “That’s so, by gum!” ejaculated Dave, let- ting go his hold of the handle of the crank, The sudden movement brought Billy over with a turn and he, too, was forced to release his hold. The handle struck Dave in the breast as it spun around, and knocked him into the cor- ner of the car, gasping for breath, while Billy had to leap back to avoid a similar mishap. ““What shaJl we do, Dave?” asked Billy as he recovered himself, and the car commenced to cease its rapid motion, ‘‘are you much hurt?” “No, but it gave me a considerable shake up; what’s to be did?’ “T’ve got it,” said Billy, suddenly, as the car came to a stand-still, “What?” “Cut the telegraph wires!” replied Billy, cheerfully. “Tt can’t be did.” ‘Why not?” “ Bekase they’re too high,” answered Dave, mournfully, “and ag’in, they’re too strong.” “Nonsense,” replied Billy, laughing, ‘don’t get in a cast-iron sweat, I’m some on the climb, and these railroad hands usually have tools in the cars, maybe they’ve left some lying ’round loose.” As he spoke he began fumbling around in the bottom of the car. Sure enough, the next moment the plucky boy arose, displaying to his demoralized com- panion a hammer and a cold-chisel. “Them’s the implements,” he shouted, re- assuringly, as he leaped from the car, and made for the nearest i pole, He clasped it tightly with his hands and knees and began ascending it with the ut- most determination, But he found that the climbing matter was not as easy as he had imagined, the pole was extremely smooth, and the pouring rain had rendered it as slippery as glass. His hands and knees aes and slid, and notwith- standing his skill and muscle, before he was half up he felt his strength givin But Billy was as quick witte plucky, and as he was almost giving up the feat as a bad job a sudden idea presented it- self, and seizing upon. it at once, he hammer- ed home the cold chisel into the hard wood as far above his head as he could reach. z This gave a staunch hold, and raising him- self up as far as the stay permitted, he clutch- ed the pvule stoutly with his knees and knocked out the chisel. It was slow BS but he worked with a will, and finally, by dint of clear grit and perseverance, he reached the top, and with a quick blow of the chisel he severed the wire. ‘**Hureka!” shouted Billy, as he slid down the pole, giving himself some cruel cuts from the ragged edges as he did so. ““T guess they can't telegraph much now,” he shouted with elation as he reached the earth and sprang to the hand-car, ‘un- less they did so before I tumbled to this ‘ere racket.” He was right ; it was he, not the operator at East New. York who had cut off thé cir- cuit, and the busy ee at either end of the wires were equally puzzled as to the sud- den stoppage in the tell-tale current of elec- tricity. “Blamed if you ain’t as sharp as chain- lightning!” exclaimed Dave Wright, as our hero leaped into the hand-car, and seizing the crank, bade him take hold and go ahead, “you ought ter be the president of the United States.” ‘ : “None of it if you please,” laughed Billy, genially, as the car began to move again, * Play it light, cully, lain’tproud. Id rather be Billy Button any day of the week, or night either, notwithstanding all the lightning in creation,” As if in answer to the reply, there came a blinding flash of scintillating flame that played around the boys, dazing them until they could scarcely see, accompanied by re- ports louder thana park of field artillery fired en masse; and a ball of lurid fire darted from Heaven, striking the next pole to that from out. as he was} ti which the wire had been severed, splintering it thoroughly in two, and carrying it to the earth with a detonating crash. It was this stroke that caused Harris to Sper: that he had been stricken by a thun- erbolt, CHAPTER XV. A HEROIC DEED, “Blamed if that wasn’t a slasher!” shouted Dave, as he finished winking from the effects of the electric stroke; ‘“‘ I see it playing along the rails as bright as a hissin’ serpent ata fire-works show.” “ You bet it did;” replied Billy, as he sein the crank, which had dropped from the effé of the stroke, “ and it knocked that telegrap } polecompletely intosmithereens. It’s cussed lucky that I didn’t choose it to operate on, or maybe I might have taken a flying leap, with all the latest electric effects.” , Stout-hearted as he was, even genial-heart- ed Blily shuddered at the idea. By this time the two boys had got the car in full working order, and it was spinning over the rail at a mad rate, inspired, as it would seem, by the demoniac spirit of the as that raged around with such ruthless ury. But the boys, although thoroughly drench- ed to the skin, paid but little attention to the elemental strife, their main object was to reach East New York, and that as speedily as possible. ' And thus, while the rain water streamed from their hats and clothes in miniature rivu- lets, the perspiration poured down their faces prorat mingling with the rain, as they arduously worked to accelerate the speed of the humming hand-car. A On she went clattering o’er the rails, mak- ing ‘everything howl around her,” as Billy facetiously remarked to his comrade. She swept by Union Couse with the veloci- ty of a swallow; on they sped faster and fast- er; they were approaching a high embank- ment, some short distance below Cypress - Hills, when a small ray appeared in the far distance glimmering like a star upon the track directly ahead. “What's that?” demanded Billy, anxious- ee his companion, as he pointed out the ight. pave turned his head slightly over his shoulder, and looked in the indicated diree- ion. “J think it’s the headlight of a locomotive coming this way,” he replied, in an anxious voice. On sped the hand-car, both boys looking eat seeibuey amid the darkness at the ight. _ “Yes,” said Dave, finally, “itis the head- light of a locomotive, and it’s coming this way like Old Nick, I can see it growing big- ger and bigger every moment.” _ ‘You're right,” murmured Billy, reflect- ively, as he saw that Dave spoke the truth; “IT wonder if they could have telegraphed be- fore I cut the wires ?” ‘** Maybe,” replied Dave, as if in answer to the half-uttered thought. “Tf that is so,” said Billy, ‘*‘ maybe that’sa locomotive with a lot of M. P’s. on board, coming to snap us up.” “The deuce!” ejaculated Dave with a howl. ‘““What are we going to do about it? That's what's the matter ?” demanded Billy, as if he had not noticed his companion’s ex- pression of dismay. ‘‘Say?” re “Tmstumped,” replied Dave; “ we'll both be jugged, sure as fate!” “Better not count your chickens before they’re hatched,” smiled Billy, good humor- edly ; for, notwithstanding his own quandary he could not help laughing at his comrade’s dismay ; ‘‘ bad news travels fast, and it’s timeenough to grunt when it fuily reaches Sank sy ees we'll have to skip the gutter.” ee at ! 7 “* Drop the machine, abandon the hand-car, | and do the best to reach East New York on foof without being snapped up. If I can only get on the back of Selim once, I'll defy all the cops in New York or Brooklyn to lay hands on me.” “Ts that so?” inquired Dave, brightening a up somewhat, but the next instant his voice ee fell again ; ‘ but maybe they’ll be looking for you Eo ibe hotel in arate aa. —— ewan “That's so,” replied Billy, ought ° “T never thought of that.” 5 if Dave uttered a cry of delight. ig NG ee f _ Ry CE ene a heats 2.
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~~ Jookin “Tve got it,” he said, waving his cap in the air, ‘“‘stop the car and let’s get out, I know a place where you can hide safe asa bug in a rug, until to-morrow night, mean- while you can give me a letter to some of your friends in the circus, and I can take it to them—no one will suspect me, and if they do they can’t prove anything ag’in me, and if they hae me ne they'll have to let me go again. Meanwhile your friends ‘ll know where you are and look out that you get safe away till the present trouble blows over.” “That's bully,” replied our hero, putting on the brakes of the hand-car, ‘‘ you’re a per- fect trump, Dave; and in case you are snap- : Ded, Tll see that you get off scot free, and on’t you forget it, either.” “That's a go,” said Dave, wringing Billy’s hand as the car came to a standstill, ‘‘now, let’s dust lively. The engine is nearly on us. We must get, before we are seen,” Sure enough the headlight of the approach- ing locomotive was beginning to dance along the rails, and illuminate the hand-car with its rays, and the rumble of the wheels were plainly discernible. “But what are we going to do about the hand-car?” demanded Billy, anxiously. “Let it alone; it’ll take care of itself, won’t it?” asked Dave. ‘‘ What do we care?” “We ought to get off the track,” said Billy, “it might destroy life.” “That's so,” replied Dave, ‘‘ but I don’t see how we can do it, it took three of us nip and tuck to put ition, and it’s twice as heavy now from the rain.” “T can’t help it, I’m going to try,” said Billy, determinedly, as he started for the fence and detached a rail. The spot where the hand-car had rested was directly over the site of the present cul- ‘vert of the Brooklyn water-works, which runs beneath the Cypress Hills, and the high embankment rendered it an extremely dan- gerous place for a railroad collision. This our hero had recognized at a glance and explained as hastily to his comrade, who now seemed equally anxious to prevent the impending catastrophe. na moment the two boys had placed_ the stout oaken rail beneath the hand-car, and ex- erting their utmost strength, succeeded in tossing it off the track, whence it went bound- ing over the embankment to the field beneath, It was a brave and manly act, in which they both risked their lives, for scarcel completed the task and leaped aside before a _ locomotive to which a passenger car was at- tached came sweeping by like the wind. CHAPTER XVI. A STRANGE ADVENTURE. ¢HAT was a mighty close shave, Dave,” said Billy, as he saw the train sweeping away like a whirlwind in the distance. i “Yes, siree?” replied Dave, with a sigh; “near took all the breath out of me. But come along. Ain't got no time to lose in tia they're lookin’ us-up. Got to move ively.” He turned toward the side of the embank- ment as he spoke. ¢ : *Halloo! what’s up now?” asked Billy, anxiously up the track toward Cy- ress Hill station as the shrill whistle of the ocomotive rang out clearly and distinctly on the air. ; a Dave turned and looked in the same direc- ion. ; “’m sure I can’t tell,” he replied, and as had they: he spoke an answering whistle came sound- | ing toward them in return, bo “By gumps!” ejaculated Dave, “‘ there’s a train comin’ down, too! I can see the head- light, and from the way the bulgines talked just now they were pretty near a collision.” * Blazes!” retorted Billy; ‘‘ you don’t say!” Yes, I do,” replied Dave. “But come - along; it won’t do to stand here, Things are getting hot.” And he seized Billy by the hand as he made _ the remark and hurried him briskly down the embankment. ; _. They pee sideways down the aay: sand, which gave way and crumbled beneat, their feet, as they made their way to the field below; and on reaching the foot of the bank he turned sharply to: the right and ran - towards Hast New York. __ But he had not passed far before he paused ‘in front of a pile of railroad ties, which had accidently been tossed over the side of the ; embankment and ranged in tiers at the foot, a BILLY BUTTON. By this time the force of the storm had passed over, and the rain was subsiding. “Promise me you won't give away what you are about to see,” said Dave Wright, ps and turning inquiringly towards our ero. “T promise,” replied Billy, decidedly. ‘* Honor bright?” “You may trust me,” answered Billy, proudly; “‘I’m no slouch, and the word of a circus man is as good as his bond.” “Shake!” Dave uttered the word, and as he felt the solid grip of Billy Button upon his out- stretched hand, he had not the slightest doubt that he would keep his word. “That’s’ enough,” he resumed; “I hadn't the slightest doubt of you in the first place, but I wanted your word, for the old chap that I’m going to introduce to you is one of the queerest old codgers in existence, and if things wasn’t as desperate as they are, I shouldn’t take you to his den by no manner of means.” And without further parley Dave led the way behind the pile of railroad ties. “Hist?” he said, anxiously, as he stopped and looked cautiously around, “did you hear anything ?” “No,” said Billy, in turn following his lead. “1 heard nothing—only it’s getting amazing chilly, I imagine.” } Maybe he was somewhat nervous, possibly it was only the preliminary symptons of an approaching cold that caused him to shiver as he spoke, but he did so nevertheless, and that pretty decisively. **T guess you're right,” said Dave, ‘‘ I guess it was my imagination—I'm a little shook up myself.” Te stooped down, and knocking sharply on one of the logs, uttered a low whistle, He waited a few moments, but as there came no reply, he repeated the operation. Another pause ensued, and then Dave arose with an exclamation of disappointment. “T’'m afraid the old man ain’t here, aften all,” he said ; ‘it’s too bad.” “What's too bad, and what do you want around here this time of night ?” The interruption and question came so sud- denly that it quite took the boys by surprise. But Dave Giekly recovered himself, and turned toward the new comer. “Blamed if I didn’t think you was out, Jethro, but I’m mighty glad you're back, be- cause Ll want to ask a great favor.” “Oh, it’s you, is it, Dave?” asked the other, “and you ain’t alone either, unless my eyes deceive me in the darkness.’ “You're right,” answered Dave; ‘come this way and I'll tell you all.” . He drew his companion aside and for a brief interval both conversed in low tones, and then Dave's friend said, aloud : “Well, if you say it’s all right, I’ll take your word for it, but mind you, 1 hold you personally responsible that he keeps a still tongue in his head,” “Td stake my life on it,” replied Dave, heartily. “Come this way, then,” replied the other. He stooped down as hespoke, pulling aside a couple of the railroad ties which appeared firmly secured at the lower portion of the ile, *; But they pave way readily at his touch and revealed a flooring of boards, which the rain had rendered extremely damp, Buf by another move he managed to lift up ir door and motioned for Dave to de- scend, Dave seized Billy’s hand and drew him carefully after him. ; “Look out you don’t fall,” he said, steady- ing him in the descent, ‘‘it ain’t very fur down, but you might come down too soon, notwithstandin’.” t Billy realized that they were descending a rough pair of extemporized steps leading in- to the bowels of the earth, and as they did so he could hear their strange companion closing the trap behind them, Billy thought it-was one of the most strange and mysterious adventures of his life and had he not felt assured that he was wide awake, he would have been sure that he was dream- ing. Finally they reached the foot of the stairs, and then Billy heard the snapping of a match, and the next instant the rays of a bull’s-eye lantern were illuminating the apartment, CHAPTER XVII. RATHER PUT BACK. Wits ashrill whistle the Moses Maynard swept out of the Jamaica depot, and as she swept onward, increased her speed until she was spinning over the rails at the rate of sixty miles an hour, A satisfied smile lit the faces of Janton and his companions, as the fireman opened the blazing furnace to apply more fuel. “ That'll: bounce ’er,” said the stoker, with a grin, as he closed the door; ‘‘ now we're oft, and don’t you forget it.” It’s just jolly,” said Starbuck Hanlon; “and if we overhaul our game I'll stand a basket of wine, or anything else at your pleasure. Let her out!” “*She’s doing her level best,” replied the eneinet “and I daren’t test her more.” ~ Away sped the iron monster, scattering fiery hail behind ber amid the falling rain, while the fireman sat on the box looking anxiously ahead in the black darkness, in search of any object of danger that might present itself, Hive minutes passed, and the machine was jumping and leaping along the track in a manner that caused every person in the cab to hold tightly on to prevent a sudden tumble. “‘She’s doing her prettiest,” said the fire- man, as his eyes danced with elation; “there’s Union Course just ahead, and we’l make every picket in the old fence rattle as we spin by. Gosh blame it, how it rains! 'm clean wet to the skin,” He arose to close the window as he spoke, but as he stretched out his hand for that pur- pose there came a sudden shock as if the en- gine had struck some heavy ojeet which caused it to bound and jump, tossing the fire- man against Janton and the constable, carry- ing all three to the floor where they layin a dazed lump, while Starbuck barely avoided a fall by stoutly clutching hold of the other side of the cab. ‘‘ Hit something heavy that time,” said the engineer, as he leaned out of the cab window and looked back, and at the same moment there came a brilliant flash of li shtning, ac- companied by a simultaneous peal of thunder, “One of the ri poles struck by lightning,” he continued, ‘‘must have fallen cross track; wonder we vreren’t knocked edgeways,” i “That accounts for the electric shock that knocked Harris out of time,” said Janton, as he arose to his feet, “That's so,” said the constable, as he and the fireman followed Janton’s example, “ but it’s mighty queer we ain't seen anything of that hand-car yet.” “Never you mind,” put in the engineer, re- assuringly, ‘we'll overhaul her presently, see if we don’t. Halloo! what train’s this com- ing this way ?” 3 he exclamation was caused by the ap. roaching headlight of the locomotive that ad so nearly run down the hand-car. All hands crowded to the front windows of the cab and looked eagerly out, and sure enough, there was the locomotive coming to- ward them as she whistled down brakes and commenced to shorten speed, The Maynard responded, and presently both locomotives came to a stand within but a few yards of each other. “What engine is that?’ demanded a voice from the platform of the up train, as it came to a halt. “The Maynard,” responded the engineer, “Thought you wasn’t to come down till midnight? ‘Tried to telegraph ab Hast New | York, but the circuit was shut off. “Who are you?” ‘President of the road.” 4 f “Blazes!” ejaculated the engineer of the Maynard, who began fear that his fee would slip through his fingers, “Lay low, boys,” he said to the detective and his com- rades, ‘and maybe we can pull through.” All right,” re lied Janton, “Get us safe — through and pou re money’s all secure.” “Yes, but 1 may lose my osition for run- ning before time; that's Mr, Morris, presi- dent of the road, and you see we’ve only one track in fit running order now.” «That's all right,” replied Janton; “you needn't give neither us nor oe away. Just ask the engineer of the other train if he’s seen any hing of a hand-ear below here.” “‘T will,” replied the engineer, leaping from the caband disappearing in the darkness of he other train, ’ ‘
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Presently he returned and stated that the engineer of the up train had seen nothing of the hand-car nor its inmates, and that before they could go further they must go back to the switch at Union Course and lay off until the other trains passed, ’ Ene bad!” ejaculated Hanlon with an oath. “T know it,” replied the engineer, ‘‘ but I can’t help it. Tve made things right with the old man about starting before time, but I can’t do no more until he’s under way again.” And seizing the lever, he reversed the en- ine, which began backing towards Union ourse, where it ran out on the turn-track until the up-train passed. CHAPTER XVIII. “THE HERMIT OF CYPRESS HILLS. ° Iv was a strange ground-mole of an apart- ment in which Billy Button found himself standing, as the rays of the bull’s-eye fell fully upon it, and displayed its contents dis- tinctly to his gaze. As his eyes became accustomed to the sud- den transition from light to darkness, he saw that the room was composed of railroad ties up-ended, with transverse beams, stoutly braced and elpigeetes constructed to pre- vent the caving in of the earth overhead. It was scarcely six feet high and barely permit- | ted the tall figure of its strange occupant to stand in a stooping posture. — There was a small mud fire-place arranged in one corner, in which stood a few cooking utensils, a rude couch covered with several warm, gray blank- ets; a wooden table and several nail kegs, used as stools, served as the scanty furniture, and the floor was strewn with cedar boughs, which served somewhat to protect the feet from the cold contact of the clayey floor. But the most singular object in the room was the owner himself, He was a man of apparently fifty years and might have been more; in fact it would be impossible to determine his exact age, for the heavy, unkempt hair and grizzly eard nearly covered and concealed his wrinkled and grimy features. His eyes, which were a dark hazel, and deeply set beneath a shaggy pair of eye- brows, bore a wild, scintillating expression that spoke of a mind ill at ease, if not posi- tively bordering on insanity. { He was dressed in a well-worn suit of lin- ‘sey-woolsey stuff, which was patched and darned until it presented somewhat the appearance of a dessicated map of the world after it had been fully placed together. His garments were dripping wet, and as he tossed his Kossuth hat upon the table, our hero saw that his brow was high and broad, “while the nose was aquiline, and the nostrils full and clearly defined. But Billy had scarcely time to notice more, for, as the strange man’s eyes fell upon our hhero’s face, they lit suddenly up with a wild maniacal glare, and he started backward, with his left hand pressed closely over his heart, grasping the table with his right to prevent himself from falling to the floor. “Merciful powers!” he groaned, as he trem- bled visibly and cold beads of perspiration sprang out on his forehead, and his eyes moved uneasily to and fro with a frightened expression; “that face—that face! must it forever haunt me like a hideous nightmare— sleeping or waking, it is always before me, sometimes as vivid and distinct as the noon- day sun, at others like a dreamy vision—ah! at those moments she must have forgotten, ainid the bright future, the heinous wrong I did her. God forgive me! God forgive! how bitterly have I suffered for it; will it, can it ever be atoned ?” \ : And with a deep, shivering sigh the miser- able man sank down upon his knees by his wretched bed, and buried his face amid the blankets in his trembling hands, The two boys regarded him with looks of amazed commiseration. “JT wonder what ails him?” whispered Billy; *‘is he queer?” He tapped his forhead signifi- cantly as he asked the question, and Dave re- plied by a nod of acknowledgment, “‘ A little off now and then,” he whispered, “but I never see him so bad before; he’s sub- ject to these sort of fits every once in a while, but he gets over’em again. Folks say they're ‘liptic, (probably Dave meant epileptic), and ehied he comes to, he’s stupid for a while— BILLY BUTTON. = ° 3 he’s comin’ ‘round now; watch him, but don’t say nuthin’, Sure enough, the occupant of the cave was recovering, forhe arose to his feet and passed his hands wearily across his forehead, as if endeavoring to collect his thoughts, ‘© Oh, I remember,” he said finally, as a sad smile played around his eyes and mouth, * you're quite welcome to the hermit’s den, Dave, both yourself and companion; let's see, what did you say his name was?” ‘Billy Button, Jethro; Billy, this is Mr, Jethro Baxter.” “Yes, the folks call me the Hermit of Cy- press Hills, now and then,” said Baxter, smiling again, ‘“‘ you are quite welcome, Mr. Button.” “That ain’t my handle, Mr. Baxter,” replied Billy, with equal humor, “‘no more than ours is ‘the Hermit.” My name is William Westlake, although they call me Billy Button on the bills.” “ William Westlake!” ejaculated Baxter, as the strange look came into his eyes once more, ‘‘ That was her name, too; where do you hail from, boy ?” As he asked the question, Baxter seized our hero’s hand so closely in his own as to cause him to wince with pain, ** Say, play it light, Mr. Baxter,” said Billy, endeavoring to withdraw his hand from the grasp of his entertainer; “‘my hand ain’t quartz, and I don’t want it pulverized if it is —you're a little too'stiff on the shake.” *« Yes—yes,” replied the man, “‘ pray pardon me. I did not mean to hurt you, but simply desired to ask who you were and where you were born.” ? “Now you've got me,” replied Billy. ‘I could not answer those questions definitely if I was under oath.” ‘“‘But your mother's, father’s name?” de- manded the hermit, eagerly. ‘“‘T never heard of my father’s name,” re- plied hth “T guess mother didn’t take much stock in him, no more than he did in me, for I never saw him, nor did I ever hear mother mention his name, that I can remem- ber; her name was Mary Westlake, and that is all that I know about it.” * Ah—ah !” gasped the hermit, rubbing his hands elatedly ; “‘light dawns—it is not so dark as I thought—there may be hope for me yet. Does your mother still live, boy ?” “No; she died some nine years ago.” The old man grasped his breast again, and came near having another spasm, but by a strong effort he overcame his emotion and proceeded to question our hero further. “Your comrade has informed me that you are in trouble,” he said, ‘‘and at his request: I promised to harbor you for a day or so; would it be too much to ask that you repose confidence in me, and tell me the nature of your trouble? perchance I can be of more as- sistance to you than you imagine.” Billy paused a moment and then resolved to humor the old man, so he told him his story as briefly as possible. } A strange look hoyered over the hermit’s features while he was doing so, and when Billy had finished he remained seated for some time asifin deep thought. __ “Thank you,” he said, at length, ‘you have rendered me great service; far greater than you can imagine, my son; and in turn I will ‘see to it that you escape your pursuers and manage to reach New York. It will not be safe under the circumstances for you to go to East New York to-night. It is*more than probable that this detective and his part; were pursuing you on the down train, whic musb now put back to Union Course in order to let the other one pass. If you go to Hast New York you will undoubtedly be arrested, therefore it will be better for Dave to wait here until to-morrow, and quietly inform your circus friends where you have gone, and meantime you must accompany me to the city.’ hats what I intended doing had I re- mained here,” replied Billy, ‘or if I could have reached Hast New York in advance I could have easily evaded this sleuth-hound, and no thanks to him either.” “It is too late,” replied the hermit; “there goes the train now,” and as he spoke the rat- tling sound of the passing engine was heard, and the rude hut trembled from the concus- sion, A few moments passed, and then Baxter i bade our hero follow, and shaking hands with { his mysterious guide. CHAPTER XIX, THE CITY OF THE DEAD. A FEW paces below the hut of Jethro Bax- ter, there was a cnt through the railroad em- bankment to afford egress for the farmers and through this cut Jethro led Billy, an oats in the direction of the Jamaica plank road, ‘You ain’t afraid of ghosts, are you, Westlake?” asked the hermit, with a grim chuckle. “ Don’t know,” replied Billy; ‘‘ never saw one, so I can’t say.” ie hope you never will, lad,” said the her- mit. : “Tknow aman in New York, who says that he will give twenty dollars fora genuine bottled up ghost, and he hasn’t had an appli- cant for the money, and yet there are persons —many of them, I fear—who have haunted hearts,” Jethro uttered a sad sigh as he passed moodily on. : “Why did you ask that question?” de- manded Billy, who pitied the lonely man from the bottom of his heart, “Oh, nothing—nothing,” said the other, “only that I was about leading you through Evergreen Cemetery; it is a dreary spot at night, and many would not dare venture to cross it.” “Tf you have no fear,” courageously, “I’m sure that I have not, so set your mind at rest.” “You are a lad of pluck,” said Jethro. “J think that I need it, after all that Ihave passed through,” said Billy proudly; ‘we are accustomed to banish fear in the circus, A lad who funks has no place in the ring.” “That's true, and he ain’t considered worth much in the world either,” “Don’t amount to shucks,” said Billy. For a time neither spoke as they tramped swiftly onward. They crossed the road, and passing up the hill to the northwest, entered the cemetery through a broken space in the paltogs, The storm was over and the lonely abode of the dead was rendered more lonely still by the dense gloom that surrounded them like a funeral pali, save when a momentary flash of Hehbning, revealed the ghost-like trees and Ww struck terror to the heart, “This is where they bury those who have no friends,” said the guide, gloomily ; “ pos- sibly I may rest here myself some day.” “Yet me be your friend, Baxter,” said mend creeping up to the side of the recluse and holding out his hand; ‘* you seem lonely enough, God knows, and I, too, have not a living relative in the wide—wide world.” ““How do you know that?’ asked Jethro, pausing and regarding our hero curiously with his deep, flashing eyes, “ Why?’ gasped with a choking sensation in his throat; ‘‘do you know anything of my past history ?” “Perhaps,” replied the strange man. “ Let us shake hands and be friends, but ask no sear questions until lam ready to speak myself.” He stepped forward with outstretched hand as he spoke. Billy also stretched forth his hand but there came no returning grasp. he saw that he was alone, He was standing by a new-made grave. CHAPTER XX, IN THE GRAVE-YARD. As the momentary. flash of vivid light passed away, leaving Billy Button in total gloom again, it seemed to him as if he could still see the yawning grave depicted at his feet, illuminated by a weird blaze of sulphur- ous flame, i What terrible disaster had befallen his mysterious guide? Y ’ as it a dream, after all, that held him en- thralled amid its terrible fascination, or had the days of enchantment and diablerie re- turned to earth again as of yore, and was Jethro Baxter a ghoul or vampire who had < ni vitals, or suck his blood to renew a lease of life? sot Dave, Bily went out into the darkness with replied Billy, ' ite tombstones, and the rumbling thunder. illy, asa lump arose’ ry ‘ A vivid flash lit up the gloomy place and enticed him alone at this dreary hour of mid- ight to the abode of death to feed upon his ©
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_ earthly BILLY BUTTON. It is scarcely to be wondered at thatsome such gepallng and blood curdling thoughts passed through the startled boy’s mind, as he stood there dreading to move amid the drear darkness that seemed to chill and freeze his bones to the very marrow. Circus people and theatricals, too, for that matter, are as a class extremely superstitious, and although Billy had firmly and stoutly assured Jethro on their way to the cemetery that he had no fear of ghosts, it may be correctly asserted that just at this instant he was about as well scared as any one—even had they been much older than himself, could have been under the circumstances. He had heard, during his sojourn amid the Knights of the Spengles, many a hair-breadth and _ blood-curdling story, and the greater portion of his readin had been devoted to the “Dick Turpin, “Claude Duval,” and “Tower of London,” style of literature; consequently, for the once Billy found his knees prowing weak, trembling violently beneath him, “This is terrible,” said Billy to himself; ** T wish I was well out of it. I’m beginning to funk about the stomach. I wonder what’s going to turn up next?” A low, hollow groan followed, as if in an- swer to the half-formed question, and Billy felt the cold chills Serta 3 up and down his back, as his hair began to bristle in the most startling manner. He looked anxiously about him to discover where the sound came, and as he did so he darted backward with a startled cry. ‘Merciful powers! what's that?" he de- manded, as his eyes glowed like balls of fire into’the darkness directly ahead of him. The exclamation of dismay was occasioned by a strange, unearthly, pale blue light, that came dancing amid the tall trunks of the ghostly-looking trees, and finally centered it- self in a stationary circle upon a white tomb- stone directly in front of him. It was a startling and appalling sight. Our hero had heard of grave lights—those pale, | is pe flames that shoot up from the graves of persons recently buried, and flit around un- easily like will 0’ the wisps, until they finally disappear like thin mists in the air. He had heard them described as the uneasy, restless spirits of the dead who had died with some | ful untold terrible secret on their minds, which they were doomed to carry with them to the grave, and wander to the earth again each night until they could find some mortal bold enough to question them of its import. “Was this one of these unfortunate spirits?” thought Billy. He would question it, at least, and, if so, relieve it of its burden, ““Who and what are you?” he demanded, ae accents, Again the low, wailing groan came float- aa) to his ears, and at the same instant the ale blue circle commenced flitting uneasily rom side to side, lowering and lowering it- | gr: self until it rested just at the head of the yawning grave at his feet. ats this time all of Billy’s courage had sunk to the toes of his boots and held him firmly anchored to the spot ; otherwise he would un- doubtedly have run away as fast as his legs could carry him, In fact he made a despeate effort to do so, but his limbs thoroughly refused to obey his impulse, and as he stood there gazing de- pairingly at the unearthly-looking ligt t he saw a ghastly-looking head with unkempt hair, and beard dripping with muddy water, slowly emerging from the grave. The eyes were wild and blood-shot, and a strange, un- ] eats in their expression, while the livid pallor of the deathly face was rendered ubly more hideous by a cut across the fore- ad, from which the blood was trickling in a sluggish stream, It was too much for Billy’s endurance. He uttered a hideous yell, and falling on. his knees buried his face in his hands to shut out the horrible apparition. “Where am I?” came the low utterance of a voice, “IT remember now, I must have had an- other turn—I’ll die in one of these fits yet—I know too well I will.” : Billy recognized the voice in an instant. It was that of Jethro Baxter. “Oh, is it you?” he demanded, leaping to his’ feet, now thoroughly ashamed of his fears, although he had not yet recovered from his trepidation. he, a “Yes, lam subject to falling fits, as they term them—epilepsy—and I must have fallen into a grave; give mea hand ain’t thoroughly recovered yet.’ Billy gave him a hand and assisted him from the grave. “Did it hurt you much?’ he asked anx- ogee “What, the fall ?” “Ves; your head is cut,” The old man passed his hand dreamily across his forehead and wiped away blood with his sleeve. “Tt’s only a scratch,” he said. “I’m used he it. I've had many a rough tumble in my ime.” As he spoke a flash of light fluttered across his face. “What was that?’ he demanded, looking suddenly around. «That's oe what I wanted to know,” an- swered Bi ly, anxiously. “I saw it just af- ter you took the tumble, and I thought it was a grave light!” *“Nonsense; those are simply gaseous ex- halations from the decaying bodies. This is more practical, and pertaining to the living.” “s at do you mean?” asked Billy, not comprehending Baxter’s meaning. “1 mean that it is the lantern of body- snatchers!” replied Baxter, bitterly. to get out. I CHAPTER XXI, THE BODY-SNATCHERS, “A BODY-SNATCHER?” ejaculated Billy, in dismay. ‘‘They re pretty rough customers, them chaps, ain't they ?” “Yes, as rough as they make’em,” replied Baxter. -‘‘Most lawless men are, and these harpies are the most reckless of the lot.” as ) igging some one up now, eh?” demand- ed Billy. SS Shouldn’t wonder.” ‘* Sell him to the doctors afterwards ?” “ Possibly—and again it may be an especial order,” replied Baxter. “It’s a big haul, if it “Why?” asked Billy. “Make a hundred or two, like enough, in the latter case—former don’t amount to over twenty-five dollars, if they make that.” “T’d like to see ’em do it,” said Billy, wist- ly. ‘Get the money?” snap ed Baxter. ““No—the dirty brutes! See ‘em dig up the body. Wonder how they do it without dis- turbing the grave?” “*Come\ along, and you shall see,” replied the old man. ‘“‘I’ve had my eyes on these ghouls for some time, and I may be able to show ’em up yet. But the time hasn’t come —it hasn’t come yet.” And with the same strange expression in his eyes that our hero had noticed at his in- troduction, but which of course he could not at present see, owing to the intense darkness, Jethro led Billy away over the dripping aves. “Be very careful,” said the old man, ina low, warning whisper. ‘Follow me closely and avoid making the slightest noise. These fellows have eyes like owls and the ears of a rat, and they'd just as lieve killa man as they would take a drink of whisky.” The two passed cautiously on. Occasionally the strange, pale, blue light played around their path in an undulating way, and every time ib did so, the old man dodged suddenly down behind a tombstone, or hid in the favorable shadows of one of the umbrageous trees, Billy followed him closely precautions, until they finally approached a more pretentious portion of the cemetery, where the tombs reared up in pretentious di- mensions, the plots were fenced in with stately palings, and the sweet fragrance of flowers perfumed the air, Close to this spot the old man 7 gion “You must be extremely careful now,” he said, pointing with his finger; ‘‘ the wretches are working yonder, and a splendid night they have of it for the job. You can see them moving around now.” Looking in the direction indicated, Billy saw that he spoke the truth, for four men were hastily pacalhe in and out within one of the burial plots. They were dressed in dark rubber suits. Two carried long-handled sharp-pointed spades, another a pick-ax an a long rubber bag, while another, who ap) ar- ently was bossing the job, carried the blue- glass dark-lantern, which had been the cause of such a terrible fright to Billy Button, . “Come this way,” said Baxter, taking Billy taking the same by the arm, and drawing him behind an ad- joining tomb, around which he passed until they had | gee a secure position from which they could see to better advantage. “This is the one,” said the leader of the res- urrectionists, bending down and re ee the rays of his bull’s-eye lantern at. the hea: of a new-made mound; ‘‘ commence here.” The grave was neatly sodded, but as yet no stone had been set up. One of the men, bearing a spade, moved back one pace from the indicated spot, and commenced ete removing the sods from the solid sward of the plot, placing them up- on a large piece of rubber cloth, that had been spread for that purpose upon the Egat When the sods had been removed within a space of about two feet wide, the two diggers fell actively to work, and tossed up the grav- elly soil upon another piece of rubber cloth placed on the other side to receive the earth. Down—down, they dug,in a slanting di- rection, until they had reached a depth of nearly six feet, when the spade of one struck against an object that emitted a hollow sound, “That is the head of the coffin,” whispered Baxter, in a voice that caused Billy’s-heart to a? with terror: ‘‘ watch closely.” illy did so, with his eyes fairly bulging from his head. 3 Then the man bearing the pick-ax, who hitherto had had no reason to exert himself, passed down some implements that our hero could not comprehend the use of, and a hol- low ripping sound ensued, “They are ripping out the head of the cof- fin,” whispered Jethro, earnestly. ‘‘ Watch!” Presently one of the menemerged from the opening of the pit. He seized a long, slim rope, and tossed it down to his comrade, The two watchers heard a rending, scrap- ing sound within the pit followed by a heavy thud, and then the other man leaped from the opening, gasping for breath, A fetid, sickening stench floated from the pit, and a pale blue glare arose from the mouth of it, as the three men seized the rope, and commenced pulling stoutly upon it. And as they pulled lustily away, a limp, shrouded form was drawn to the top, and speedily consigned to the rubber bag. “That's the way they do it,” whispered Baxter to Billy. ‘‘Now watch how easily they cover their tracks.” Meanwhile, the rubber bag had been care- fully secured at the opening, and laid to one side, and the men fell to work to fill in the opening at the head of the grave. This was speedily accomplished, the earth being thrown back from the rubber cloth on the right of the pit. Then they commenced to readjust the sods, which required more care. This took some time, and they had nearly completed the task, when, in arranging the last sods, one of the laborers struck some- thing with his spade, ; “YT wonder what that is,” said the man, turning up the earth with his shovel; ‘‘it sounds like metal.” ‘ He tossed over the earth as he spoke, and see ing down, held something up in his ands, The leader approached and turned the rays of his lantern fully upon it. The laborer held it up to the light. It was an iron chest. As the rays of the lantern illuminated the chest, our hero uttered a gasp of surprise and. started forward as if to interrupt the dese- craters of the grave. *“ What do you mean?” demanded Baxter, pulling him hastily backward. ‘“‘ Would you spoil all, and have our throats cut ?” “T tell you that is my mother’s iron chest,” shouted Billy, endeavoring to get away from the retaining hand. But before the words had fully passed his lips Jethro placed his hands over his mouth and forced him back upon the grass, “ Be careful!” hissed the old man in his ear. “They are desperate men and will not be stayed in their purpose. If it is as you say, we'll watch them to the bitter end. I know every man in the party, and can lay my hand upon them whenever Ilike, But this is no time to proceed to extremes. Keep quiet; trust me. Ikvow what Iam doing, and al will be well in the end.”
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specimen of humanity approached _ lithe-looking man, who was standing on the 7 BILLY BUTTON. CHAPTER XXII. FOUND AMID THE TOMBS, As Jethro Baxter finished speaking, the four ressurrectionists had finished examining the iron chest. “Tt ain’t so heavy after all,” said the finder; *‘ neither is the stiff, and I guess we can get ase Oa both together. What d’ye say, ar j e The question was addressed to the leader of the pans. j ; ** Better leave it here till the next time we come,” responded the latter. “It’s getting late, and we ain’t got any time _to lose.” “T’m cursed if I do!” responded the finder, with anoath. ‘“‘I’d rather walk to New York and carry it than run the risk of losin’ it.” “ Well, let’s get the stiff to the wagon,” said the leader, persuasively ; “‘and you can re- turn and get it; putit where you found it, and restore the sod; there’s no danger of any one coming after it such a blasted night as to- night.” ; } “That's so,” replied the finder, restoring the chest to its hiding-place, with a peculiar smile pervading his evil features, “‘ but ifyou lose anything, pard, don’t blame me.” ee ey urry up,” replied the leader; ** come, lively.” The two workmen replaced the sods care- fully and trampled them down, and then the man with the lantern examined the ground in every point. ; “That job’s well done,” he said, as he arose from the survey and replaced the slide: “‘ now come along.” “eeelh i. Two of the resurrectionists lifted up the sack containing the body and moved away, while the leader rolled up the rubber cloths and followed with the other, carrying the pickax and shovels. As soon as they were gone, Baxter seized our hero’s hand earnestly. «We must have that chest !” he said. “Certainly,” returned Billy, returning the grasp, “and now is our time.’ Baxter nodded, and the next moment they were crawling amid the darkness toward the top of the grave. } **This is the spot,” said Baxter, feeling carefully around; “‘my eyes are keen as a ferret’s.” He removed the sod as he spoke, and dig- ging downward with his hands, held up the iron chest. c f “Have you got it?" asked Billy, eagerly. ‘* Yes,” responded Baxter, as he laid down the chest and replaced the sod, “‘and nobody would imagine that it had been removed; thank Heaven, it is all right at last!” He seized the chest and arose to move away. “Hold up,” said Billy, retaining him by the arm ;“‘ whose grave is this?” “Tt is bodiless,” replied Baxter, wildly. ** Did not you see them remove it?” “Yes, but I want to know whose it was?” demanded Billy, sternly. ‘* Whose it was be- fore they took the body ?” “You ask too much,” shouted Baxter, clutching the chest desperately. “There is no stone, boy, and we have waited altogether too long as it is.” E ; i “T will know!” replied Billy, with equal de- termination. P “Come, L say,” whispered Baxter, hoarse- ly; ‘‘they will be back presently, and we shall lose all.” f “No,” replied Billy, stooping down near a monument that réared aloft in the center of the plot; ‘Ill know more before I movea step.” te lit a match as he spoke, i The pale, blue light brightened into a flare, and holding it toward the shining granite shaft, he read the name of: “JAMES RATHBONE.” And then the light went out. He heard the sound of approaching foot- Steps. ' He felt his hand stoutly seized by that of his companion, and ain he was being hurried away over the slimy, slippery graves. CHAPTER XXIII. MADEMOISELLE WILHELMINA DE BOUTONNER. Ir was nearly one o’clock on the afternoon subsequent to the events detailed in the last chapter, that an extremely Se aM a tall, ae Side’ be di . 7. hed, iP VME RON ag ee eS ot) 4 hela Bt Sa a ita teat stoo York, Said tall man was calmly smoking, as the aforesaid put in his appearance. “* Say, mister,” said the boy, for he appear- edno more, ‘‘ I want tosee yer.” ““ Well, see me,” said the other, withdraw- ing his cigar, with a quizzical smile; “it Rice! cost you nothing; what canI do for ou are I want to see yer in private,” replied the other, sheepishly, but looking cautiously around as he made theremark. “I was told ter do so, and I’d come before but I couldn’t help it.” *Come this way, my lad,” said the man strolling leisurely toward the shed at the en of the building, and on reaching it he said again; “‘ what can I do for you? “Billy Button sent me to you,” replied the boy, removing a pee patch from one eye, beneath his ragged hat, and replacing it in- stantaneously. ‘* Don’t you know me?” “T should sty so,” laughed Sam Lathrop, for the tall man was none other than the fes- tive clown, “ but the devil himself wouldn't have known you, Dave, under that make-up ; you're a perfect fakir, and no mistake, I didn’t Ue ey was in you; what's up, and where is i “T’m sure I don’t know,” replied Dave Wright, for the ragged urchin was Billy's staunch friend and admirer, “He left me up the road last night, after we left you, ata place I can’t mention for the life of me just now, but it’s all square, not’ithstandin’, and desired me to tell you he’d gone onto Lent’s,” “Oh, is that so?” replied Sam. “I was afraid that he’d been snapped—well, it’s all right if he’s there—he’s in good hands. But I'm afraid that the show’ll miss him. Tell me all—it’s all right.” Dave did so, as far as he knew in a few words, “It’s too bad,” remarked Sam, as Dave concluded, “‘ but I suppose we can’t help it, and will have to put up with it. Come in and take a drink.’ “Can't,” replied Dave, manfully ; ‘‘ prom- ised Hari wouldn't, and I mean to stick to my word, ‘That’s right,” replied Sam, laughing ““stick to your biz; Billy's a teetotaler, and t don’t see why you shouldn’t be if you make you make your mark as he did; but I'd like to see him stepping out in the ring this after- noon, all the same.” : i “So you shall,” replied a genial voice, and turning around, Sam Lathrop saw a jovial- looking little lady mounted on a sprightly black horse, ening down Spon him. She was attended by an elderly man, ridin a dusty-looking specimen of chestnut colore: horse flesh, ‘ Dave jumped up_ as if he had been shot and looked curiously up at the smiling lit- tle maiden. “JT was looking for Mr. Samuel Lathrop, the jester,” said the pleasant-faced young woman, demurely: “cand I was informed that you were he; amI right?’ “Yes, at your service, miss. do for you?” Please excuse me,” The latter to Dave. Sam turned away to accompany the lady and her companion, and as he aid so, Dave stood scratching his head in the most incom- prehensible manner. “Blame take it!” said he, finally, as he turned away, ‘“‘dern it, ef didn’t. think that was Billy Button himself.” And upon the same atternoon, when it was announced to the disappointed audience that owing to the sudden and severe indisposi- tion of Master Billy Button, it would be necessary to EAasEate the new and charm- ing French equestrienne, Mlle. De Boutonner. in his place, many in the audience would have expressed the same onion had not that fair lady made her appearance in all the floating drapery ofa en sylph. , And once again Starbuck Hanlon and his canine companions were out and uninjured. of Henry Lubb’s Hotel, in East New CHAPTER XXIV. NOT MUCH OF A CLEW AFTER ALL, As soon as Jethro had pulled Billy some hundred yards away from the spot where they had found the iron chest, he Mes a a moment in his flight, and gave button a pretty hearty shaking up. “You infernal young scamp !” he shouted, angrily, “why can’t you hold your tongue? What can I- ~ You came near spoiling all, and getting our throats cut in the bargain.” “Yes,” replied Billy shaking himself loose, “maybe I did, but I wanted to get that chest, and would have done so if you hadn’t stop- ped me; but I don’t see what right you’ve ot to be shaking a fellow around in this ashion, no matter what I did.” “ You'd like to take a hack at the old man, eh?” replied Jethro, grimly, as he fe his arms akimbo, and regarding Billy with a quiet, pleased expression, which of course the boy couldn’t see in the dense gloom. j “T like your grit, youngster, and I wouldn’t mind giving you a chance to shake me if you could, old as I am, notwithstanding all ve done for you to-night, and mayhap saving your life—but we present, nohow.” “Excuse me, Mr, Baxter, pray, forgive me,” replied eet cooling down considerably as he realized what a fool he was making of himself by defying his best friend ; “bus I’m somewhat touchy when I’m a bit riled. I ain’t much used to being crossed, and I was all-fired mad when I see that. wretch with Reon mother’s chest in his pestiferous old ands.” i “TJ don’t blame you a bit, my lad, but it’s sometimes best to be cautious when you’re stirring up muck, you know.” ; “That's so,” replied Billy, ‘‘and he was about as mucky as they make ’em, I reckon. I wonder whether the scamp didn’t put it there himself? He seemed to tumble to it pretty readily.” . “T guess not,” answered Baxter, thought- fully; ‘‘he seemed rather surprised av find- ing it.” . “Well, maybe he didn’t,” replied Button, “only the thought struck me, and I put the question, that’s all.” ? ? “I don’t believe he did, but if he did, he'll be somewhat confounded when he finds it missing,” and the old man uttered a pleased chuckle as the thought presented itself, “That's so, too,” said Billy, laughing in turn, ‘‘but we've got it safe enough now, segs know the whole mystery soon en- ough.” ie es,” said Baxter, somewhat sadly, “‘and I hope it may prove satisfactory to you, lad. But come along, we'll soon be on the Cy- ress Hills road, and I know a place a bit own where we can make the examination without fear of discovery;’ and startin, again he moved quickly on, closely followe by his companion. { They passed through the dark cemetery, threading their way continuously amid the drenched groves, and finally crawling through another opening in the ig ings, found them- selves upon an open road. Baxter cautioned Billy to keep close to the fence, and oot carefully penis? for some quarter of a mile further, when they came to a small tavern, from which a light shone out, shedding its bright rays across the dark, muddy road. Reger tall Just then the sound of approaching wheels was heard. “Hush!” whispered Baxter, drawing a close to the fence, and stooping down, bo: hid themselves behind a small clump of bushes fronting the path of light. Presently a long, narrow, black wagon drove up, and paused in front of the low tay- ern. : Four men ‘sprang from the vehicle and fastened the horse to the hitching-post. They ascended the tavern stoop and knock- ed at the door, which was speedily opened, and they passed in, ~ “That's them,” whispered Baxter. “Who?” demanded Billy. “The resurrectionists.” “ How do you know?” asked Billy. “ Didn’t I tell you I knew them in the ceme- — tery?” returned Baxter; “and I'll make it hot for ’em yet.” » : Billy uttered a surprised whistle, ‘*‘Hush!” muttered Baxter, warningly, plac- ing his fingers over his lips, “don’t move, for saae Te ‘m going over to see what they’ve got. if And before Billy could make a reply, the strange old man crept cautiously across the the wagon the horse stamped a e. way on tip-toe. As he neared uneasily, and craned his neck around toward. the intruder, while there came a threatening growl from the interior of the wagon box, as a wicked-looking dog poked his nose above’ the dashboard in a threatening attitude. ain’t got time just at — > # wy 4 F * ae ae % f
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ee BILLY BUTTON. But Baxter appeared to pay but little at- * tention to either warning, for he approached the horse’s head and passed his hand caress- ingly over his nose, who replied with a low, pleased whinny of delight, Baxter then passed to the wagon, and held his hand out toward the dog. The animal snarled and displayed his fangs defiantly at first, but yer ae as Baxter drew closer, he stretched forth his nose, snif- ae at the extended hand, and then, with a half whine, turned around and lay down in the wagon. This took him several minutes when he got down and recrossed the road, where he knelt carefully down by Billy again. He had scarcely done so when one of the men came out from the tavern door. He was speedily followed by’ the others. “We better be getting along lively, boys,” said the first comer, whose voice Billy recog- nized as that of the leader of the resurection- ists; “‘ the storm is over and the moon will be out again in less than fifteen minutes, bright as day.” ‘ ‘You bet,” replied the other, ‘‘ but I’d like to know where the—that chest went to, I would.” ** Maybe it’s Captain Kidd’s treasure, and it’s sunk to Davy Jones’ locker along with its fiendish owner. Get in.” “Nonsense,” replied the other, but he trem- : bled nervously as he stepped into the wagon, where he was followed by the others, and it was driven rapidly away. ; As soon as it was out of sight, Baxter arose and beckoned for Billy to follow. He led the way across the road and tapped at the tavern door, “Can = let me have a private room for half an hour?” asked Baxter. | “Certainly, Mr. Baxter,” replied the land- lord, who was evidently well acquainted with the mysterious man, ‘‘come this way.” He led them into a small room back of the a ap turned up an oil-lamp to the full 1 el . “What will it be?” he said.‘ “Give me a hot rum,” replied Baxter; ** what will you have?” “TJ never drink,” replied Billy, stoutly. * Better bring him a cup of warm coffee.” The landlord disappeared, and presently re- turned with the order, and placing it on the table withdrew. ; As he did so, Baxter crossed the room and listened carefully at the door. “The coast is clear,” he said, returning to the table, and withdrawing the iron chest from beneath his worn coat, where he had held it securely concealed, ‘‘and now to elucidate the mystery.” He placed it on the table as he spoke. A look of surprise crossed his features. _ ‘What is the matter?’ demanded Billy, anxiously. ; “The chest is open,” replied Baxter, with -_ gonsiderable concern, as he opened the lid. The two gazed into it with a pyzzled ex- i pression, | ‘The iron chest was perfectly empty. Tie ia CHAPTER XXV. AME ‘BUT If AMOUNTS TO SOMETHING. , Poor Billy was so utterly dumfounded at the result of the discovery that for a few mo- ments hefremained completely speechless, ¥ ** It’s too bad,” he said; “‘it seems asif Iam constantly doomed to disappointment.” “You'll find that is the case with us all, my young, friend, l am afraid,” replied Baxter, thoughtfully, ‘and the more thoroughly the longer you live. But that has little to do with the case in point; the question now is, where are the documents that were contained in this iron chest ?” He struck the chest stoutly with his fist as he spoke. As he did so, there came a sharp, _ clicking sound, which was followed by some- thing that resembled the winding of a watch, or sudden running down of the weights of a clock when the spring breaks. x _ Billy’s jaw dropped, and he moved his chair backward from the table, leaping to his feet and making toward the door. ; “Hold!” shouted Baxter, sharply, as he, _ too, sprang up and Jaid his hand upon his comrade’s arm. “Stop where you are!” “But it may go off and blow us into smith- -ereens!” gasped Billy, turning pale, as he strove to release himself from Baxter's grasp. “Nonsense!” replied Baxter, half smiling tthe boy'’salarm, ‘Do you forget that itis you have seen it, and per- ‘ly commiseration, an haps it may have lain where we found it for nearly, if not quite that length of time?” _- “That's so,” replied Billy, resuming his seat, but regarding the chest with extreme caution, notwithstanding his assumed bray- ery. “Tt is,” said Baxter, taking up the box and examining itclosely. “It is just eight years, and this box is scarcely corroded. It has never been in the ground that length of time, by any means.” * What!” demanded Billy, his courage grad- ually returning as he heard his companion’s remarks, ‘What new discovery have you made?”, “Let us see before we stop to talk,” replied Baxter, turning over the chest. ‘It is singu- lar that it shows no sign of being placed in the earth.” It did not, but as he turned it over there came another clicking sound, and at the same eqs several papers fell out upon the table. Billy’s eyes filled with a look of glad sur- rise as he saw them, and he bent anxiously orward, with outstretched hands, to sieze them. “Hold!” said Baxter, sternly. “I havea better right to these papers than you.” “By what right ?” demamded Billy, stoutly, leaping to his feet and springing around the table to seize them from the intercepting grasp of the old man. ‘Because I know what they are, and who placed them there.” “You shall not have them!” shouted the manly boy, decisively. ‘*‘They are mine, They belonged to my dead mother, and I claim them, as her child, as my just right.” “You have noright to them as yet,” re- sponded the strange man, with equal deci- sion. “Why ?”' “‘ Because she was not your mother?” Billy sprang back, clutching his breast as if he had been stricken a death-blow. His heart told him that Baxter spoke the truth, as it turned icily cold at the words, Yes, all loomed up before him with vivid distinctness, and as he realized again the crushing words that destroyed all his hopes, the poor boy sank back into his chair, com- pletely prostrated at the maddening disclos- ure, CHAPTER XXVI. TRACKED TO THE DEN. For some monients after Billy had fallen forward upon the table with his head restin disconsolately upon his arm, Baxter regard- ed the unfortunate boy with a jook of father- then, passing his hand quietly forward, he took up the papers that had fallen from the iron chest. The manuscript was closely written upon thin, fine paper, in the plain penmanship of a serivener, and had evi ently been complete- ly_and carefully done. Baxter read it all through, while a stern, sad look pervaded his face. Several times his lips trembled and his brow wrinkled, and as he concluded the perusal and consigned it to his pocket he wiped away several tears from his eyes. He then arose and passing to Billy’s side tapped him kindly upon the shoulder. “Come,” he said, persuasively, ‘‘ don’t give up to despair, It is often the darkest before the _re Cheer up and trust me, Will ou?” 4 “ “Tdon’t know who to trust,” replied the poor boy, raising his head, with a cold, cheer- ess look of despair in his red, blood-shot eyes. ‘‘I feel as if I just want to liedown and die.” “Don’t you remember what I said but a few moments since?’ inquired the man, tap- ping him reassuringly on the back, * What 3” asked Billy, gloomily. “That I knew the contents of those papers, and who put them in that chest.” “Yes,” replied Billy, brightening up a little. Well?” : os copter. it—will you trust me a little fur- r “Yes; what can I do otherwise?” replied the boy, dejectedly. ‘ That's the way to look upon it, my boy,” responded Baxter. “Keep up your heart, and Tll prove myself worthy of your trust, There, drink up your coffee; ’twill serve to strengthen your nerves, and then we must be off for the city.” Aces _ “I don’t want it,” replied Billy, with a 4 ‘i “T don’t want anything, I’m completely done up.” “‘ Nonsense ; come along,” replied Baxter, hiding the chest’ beneath his coat, ‘and if I don’t tell you something on the way that will put a new life into you, never put faith in the word of Ji ethro Baxter again.” motion of disgust. * __ It was nearly half-past four, and fully day- light on the morning of the events detailed in the opening portion of this chapter, that a closely-covered buggy drove rapidly up Hous- ton street, New York, from the ferry. On reaching Avenue A, it turned up-town, and finally paused in front of a saloon near Seventh street. Then aman got out and looked anxiously up and down the street. To all appearances it was completely .de- serted. The man went up to the saloon and rang a bell at the side door. Presently a small wicket in the door open- ed, and a pair of eyes looked cautiously out. Oh, it’s you, is it, Stubs?’ demanded the man, opening the door. ‘I thought you couldn’t work the plant, or had been snap- ped. Isitall right?’ “Yes; I’ve got an amazin’ sick woman out here, who wants to rest a bit, and get a pri- vate nip,” replied the other, pressing out his left cheek with his tongue. ‘‘Give us a lift to get her in,” _ “Putty full, eh?” replied the other, laugh- ing. Ryou bet; she’s worth twenty canary birds, to say the Jeast.’ “It’s ago. Toss her in, pal?’ And, leaving the door open, the man pro- ceeded toward the buggy. * Lift the gal,out quietly, Bill,” said the first speaker, ‘‘and be careful not'to awake — her—she might squeal.” The maninside laughed as he proceeded to hand out what appeared to be a heavily- cloaked and closely-veiled female*from the t bugay. : ‘ The others took her in ‘their arms and car- ried her carefully into the house, and then the man in the buggy leaped out and com- menced scattering pometnine from a bottle over the pavement in every direction. A powerful pungent odor arose, and as it subsided, the man reappeared from the house, and entering the buggy, both men drove rap- idly away. ! s they did so, a couple of horsemen came galloping around the corner of Sixth street and rode hastily up the avenue. y “That's them again, and that’s the house,” said one, Jpointing toward the disappearin vehicle. “It’s justas I thought—I’ve tracke them to theirden at last,” The speaker was Jethrop Baxter, and the words were addressed to Billy Button. CHAPTER XXVII. A NARROW ESCAPE. A WEEK had ee since the announce- ment of the sudden indisposition of Billy . Button. The bill-boards of the Old. Bowery, that reminiscent Drury of America, and numerous other conspicuous positions of interest in New York were pasted with flaming posters announcing the presence in that city of Sands & Nathan’s world renowned circus, Among the new faces announced to appear was that of Mademoiselle Wilhelmina De Boutonner, whose name appeared in the largest display type. pe ut to the unqualified surprise of theater- goers, no mention was made of Billy Button, Many questions were put to the ticket-sell- ers and attaches, but the universal answer _ was that Billy was too ill to appear, and that the earliest announcement would be made of his convalescence. Wes Y _It was a lovely afternoon, The auditorium of the Old Drury was pack- ed with a dense throng. Mademoiselle De Boutonner was doing her wonderful principal act. The theater rang from pit to domewith unbounded applause. ' The fair equestrienne leaped lightly into the arms of the clown at the end of the per- formance, and was about bounding from the ring when a man sprang from the stage-box directly in’front of her. Nora eaters *T want you!” he said, determinedly, as he i reached forth his hand to interrupt her WDYOs 4 gress. a Piss Vira eae _ She dréw proudly back and waved him off with her hand. SP ea ah 74)
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A Hanlon hailed the driver. BILLY BUTTON. “What do you mean by this untimely in- trusion?’ demanded the ring-master, step- ping briskly forward. “JT hold a warrant for the arrest of this in- dividual,” replied the man, firmly; ‘‘do not attempt to interrupt me in the service.” * Maybe you better take her,” said Sam La- throp, smiling. The officer turned suddenly and saw that mademoiselle had disappeared. He uttered an oath and sprang upon the stage, making for the prompt side. As he did so, Sam uttered a shrill whistle and turned a flip-flap, amid the roars of the astonished spectators, At the same instant the deputy suddenly disappeared. He had gone down a fall-trap. : Roars of epaiauee followed the act, not set down upon the programme, and the audience arose en masse. Meanwhile the astonished officer was vain- ly endeavoring to make his way up-stairs, amid the inextricable mazes of the props and cae theatrical paraphernalia beneath the stage. Of course, no one offered to assist him, and when he reached the stage his prey was gone. During the interval a lively scene was trans- piring at the rear of the theater. Mademoiselle had scarcely waited to don her street costume, having pape thrown on a viding skirt and a heavy cloak. In this apparel she hastened to the stage door. As she emerged two men sprang in front of her. “JT want you, Billy Button!” said one, stretching forth his hand. Quick as lightning the woman planted a left-hander in his face, and he went down on the sidewalk like a felled ox. Two men accompanied the lady, who, in turn, tackled the other officer and sent him backward into the gutter, when they bundled their charge into a carriage which was rapid- ly driven away. At the same instant a man leaped from an alleyway on the other side of the street and leveled_a revolver at the driver of the car- riage. But just as he was pulling the trigger a young man seized his arm and sent the bul- let whizzing in the air. “What would you do, brother?” demanded the new-comer; ‘I tell you, Billy Westlake is innocent of the charge!” ‘You lie!” shouted the other, with a sav- age oath, as he dashed the pistol full in his brother’s face and started after the carriage onadeadrun, The weapon struck full on the temple, and the wounded boy fell to the pavement with the blood pouring from a ghastly wound, The crowd gathered around, ustling and jostling each other to se¢ the wounded boy. The assailant was Starbuck Hanlon—the wounded youth his brother Edward. . CHAPTER XXVIII. Srarsuck HANLON was considerable of an athlete himself, and thus, although some- what retarded by his brother’s momentary interference, he managed to keep the car- riage in sight. i The vehicle passed up Elizabeth street on a dead run, the driver plying the whip upon the horses’ flanks with his utmost strength, On ran Hanlon, doing his best to hold his own. But before they reached Grand street, he felt his breath giving out, f At this moment he caught sight of a butch- er's wagon coming toward him, : ‘2 Hatiod, Billy!” shouted Hanlon, hailin the driver in his loudest voice; ‘“‘pull up— want to speak to you.” __ eye “ All right, Rocks,” replied the boy, reining in his horse; “ what's the row?” i “T'll give you a fiver if youll catch up with - that carriage!” said Starbuck. i “Tm your mutton,” said Butch, gaily turn- ing his cart sharp around. ‘ Hop in lively. Hanlon leaped lightly in, and in an instant - the cart was rattling away as fast as the ' stout cob could carry it. 3 __ Away sped the hack, with the cart rattling closely behind it,. i f On reaching Allen street the carriage turn- ed up town, the cart following in hot pursuit. Presently the cob drew up alongside, sei “Maybe you will,” tetorted the driver, good-humoredly, as he placed his thumb to his nose with a knowing wink, ‘‘and then again maybe you won’t.” **Pull up, I say!” shouted Hanlon, ‘‘or I'll have you arrested.” ‘Better wait until you get a cop!” retorted the driver, then ane up his horses afresh. Away went the carriage with a fresh start. The driver now knew that he was pursued, and he was Se ah level best to get away. By this time both parties were nearing Broome street, and as they did so, a light wagen, with a smart roadster attached, turn- ed the corner. It contained two police officers, One of them was the captain of the precinct, ehda ancy Hanlon was acquainted with im. . “Head off that carriage, cap!” shouted he, pointing to the yehicle alongside. “Halt!” shouted the captain, turning his horse across the street to head off the ap- proaching vehicle. The driver saw that the jig was up, and real- ized that it would be useless to attempt es- cape, for the officer was aiming a revolver point black at his head. ‘Tt ain’t no use!” he shouted. ‘“ Put down your pop, cap. I give in.” He brought his horses to a dead ‘stop as he spoke, “But it’s cussed mean all the same,” said the driver, sotto voce, as he turned around ae looked into the front window of his ve- hicle. The next moment his face brightened as if he had won a ten-dollar fare. ‘What's up, Hanlon?’ demanded the cap- tain, driving leisurely up. ““'There’s a thief in that carriage,” retorted Hanlon,.“‘and I want to have him taken in.” ‘Is that so, Jack?” asked the captain, who knew the driver well. “Don’t know nothing about it, cap,” re- plied the driver, doggedly. ‘I’m on the square, and you know it.” “That's so,” said the officer, “but if Mr, Hanlon says you have a thief inside, we’ve got to have him out,” The driver made no reply, and as the offi- cer laid his hand on the carriage door, Han- lon leaped from the cart. “Better be careful, cap,” he said, ‘‘he’s a desperate character, and slippery as an eel,” ‘Who is he?” ‘Billy Button, the circus clown.” The captain clutched his revolver tightly, al set his teeth as he tore open the carriage oor, “Come out of that lively !” he: shouted. *'There’s no use showing fight, for I'm bound to take you in dead or alive !” “Not much, at this time,” whispered-the driver beneath his breath, with a pleased chuckle. . ‘Come out !” shouted the captain again. There came no reply. The captain’s face dropped_and he peered curiously into the carriage, Hanlon looking over his shoulder at the same time. They saw a pile of disarranged female gar- ments littering the carriage floor, They saw that the carriage door on the op- posite side was also open. | And this is all they did see. Of Billy Button not a trace remained. The carriage was perfectly empty. CHAPTER XXIX. “Wet, I'll be jiggered!” shouted the cap- tain, bringing his hand down on his hip with asbarp report. | “What's the matter?” inquired the driver, leaning down from his seat with the utmost nonchalance. “Gone ciean as a whistle!” replied the cap- tain, “Who?” asked the driver. “Your fare!” replied Hanlon, “Where’s Billy Button ?” “Billy who?” asked the driver, stupidly. “Billy Button, the boy who was in this carriage!” retorted Hanlon, almost frothing at the mouth with suppresed rage. “Don't know anything about any buttons,” answered the driver, slowly ; ‘‘my fare was a lively little french woman belongin’ to the circus, named Buton airy, and if she’s gone ‘she must have got scared to death and jump- ed out, breaking her neck, I'll get merry hackensack, bet your life !” angrily. “Pull up your horses!” he stouted, vigor- y—“ pull up your horses, or I'll have you . ny : 4 whe 4 ata rte The bystanders laughed at-the driver's look of lugubrious dismay, for by this time Tweet Wa 15 quite a crowd had collected and were eagerly asking each other what was the matter. ““Are you quite sure?” asked the captain, turning questioningly to Hanlon, “Sure as [am that I’m standing here,” re- sponded the other; ‘‘he must have escaped through the door,” “ But what is all this female toggery?” de- manded the puzzled captain, turnmg over the riding apparel. “Why, that’s what he had on when he es- caped from the circus,” replied Hanlon: ‘he was disguised as a lady circus rider.” ‘The deuce you say,” retorted the captain ; “this will be a lively item for the gentlemen of the press,’ “Curse the gentlemen of the press,” retort- ed Hanlon, irefully.; ‘‘all I wanted was to snap up the cursed young thief.” “ Where did this MademoisellejDe Bouton- ner reside?” demanded the captain, turning suddenly to the driver. vi in a private boarding house in Fourth street,” replied the man ; “several others of the company put up there, too.” “Well,” said the captain, turning to Han- lon, ““I don’t see what we can do about it. If it’s as you say, the bird has flown.” ‘*Better hold the hackman,” retorted Han- lon, snappishly. ‘‘He knows more about it than he lets on, I'll be bound.” “Sorry I can’t accommodate you,” replied the captain, dryly, who was beginning to feel ashamed of himself at being fooled in such an outrageous manner. “Come, clear out of this, every man jack of you!” he shouted, turning to the crowd and motioning for them to disperse. ‘*‘ What are you doing here, stopping up the public streets ~ this fashion! Get lively, or I'll arrest the whole of you!” The throng fell slowly back with? many jeering remarks, and then commenced to dis- perse, a “So you can’t arrest the driver?” inquired Hanlon, as his face fell with a dark, moody expression, “No, sir-ee!” replied the captain, turning to- ward his wagon. “Thank you, cap,” replied the hackman ; “is that all?” “You get along home with you!” i ibs “No one going to be arrested, hey ?” re- torted the driver. % ‘No !” shouted the captain, clambering in- to his wagon. “Well, I’m sorry for that,” drawled the man; ‘but if at 1 take my word for it, cap youll arrest that black muzzled man who wanted you to pull me in.” ‘Why?’ demanded the officer, eying him ro eek | “Because he just murdered a young chap down back of the Bowery Theater, and I see him do it!” “What's that?’ demanded the captain, looking up at the hack driver. The man repeated his words. ‘S Will you swear to this?” “Tl swear I saw him hurl a pistol at him, and I saw the young fellow fall. He was just going to fire at me, and the man threw up his arm, discharging the pistol in the air.” “Tf that’s so, I'll have to take you in,” re- plied the captain, springing to to the curb and making toward Hanlon. “The man’s lying,” retorted the other, edg- ing back to seek a chance to escape. But his dark face turned a heavy lead color as he spoke. “You'll have to come along !” said the cap- tain, sternly. i Hanlon made no resistance; he saw it would be useless to do so; and grasping him by the shoulder, the captain led him away to the station-house, having first ordered the hackman to follow in order to make his | charge. : CHAPTER XXX. Tue reader will have realized by this time that what Starbuck Hanlon said was true, that Billy Button and Mlle, de Boutonner were one and the same. J Thus, when Billy, dressed in the ring cos- tume_ of the charming French equestrienne, leaped into the carriage while the sheriff's officers were endeavoring to effect his arrest, and the door was closed upon him, he speedily doffed his stage dress and assumed the gar- ments of his SY ai sex, A full suit had been placed in the carriage © for that purpose when he had been hustled in amd whirled away. : ‘vee t i
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It would have been extremely dangerous for a person even of Billy’s superior agility to have attempted a leap from the carriage while it was dashing away at such a mad rate, ~~ But, as the driver reined in his horses, and the captain drove up to speak to Hanlon, the stout-hearted boy, with the rapidity of thought, pushed open the coacn door and dashed into the street. He darted into the first doorway that presented itself, and ; eee through the passage-way to the rear yard, The fence was extremel nearly nine feet, and Billy feet six, saw in a second that scale it. Here was a clear stump. What should he do‘?” It would be st ea ae to return to the street, for he would be sure to fall into the clutches of his pursuers; and then, again, they might have seen him as it was, and over- take him at.any moment. It would never do to remain where he was, and while he was looking around actively considering the best mode of escape, a burly-looking Dutchman came into the yard to carry eae) half a dozen ene lager beer kegs that lay scat- tered around, One of these lay close to the fence. Not noticing that any one else was in the yard but himself, Hans stooped down to pick up the keg. His broad back and stalwart shoulders proved a perfect god-send to Billy. Quick as the thought struck him, the nim- ble lad made a run and a jump, and landing plump neon the stout haunch of the stoopin man as if it had been a spring-board, he took a sua ae Up rand leap, gaining a staunch grasp upon the fence, | Billy scrambled to the top in an instant, and as he threw himself lightly over he could see the sted beer-jerker picking himself up and rubbing his bruised body vigorously, as he gazed around to see from whence the unexpected blow had come. But, laughing heartily as he was, Billy never peed to reveal his identity as he dropped hastily to the yard beyond. Fortunately it was quite deserted, and But- ton ran hastily into the street. He pulled his slouch hat closely down over Ei eyes, and walked quickly back to Grand street. An empty coach happened to be passing, and hailing the driver he Mere in, biddin the man to drive up-town and he would te him when to stop. ! } As the driver complied, Billy pulled down the side blinds, and lay leisurely back upon the rear cushions. Presently the coach paused a moment, and looking out of the back window, to his un- qualified surprise Billy saw the captain of the precinct conveying Starbuck Hanlon to the station-house, followed by a dense crowd of all the ragamuflins and allers of the neigh- borhood. a high; in fact, eing barely four e could not Billy did not trouble himself much as to} the cause of the arrest, but ete pe package ' of good cigars in the pocket of the coat he - wore, he lay back and commenced to smoke with a cheerful expression on his features, as pee coach moved on and rolled leisurely up- own. When they reached Houston street and the Bowery, Billy tapped on the front window and ordered the driver to stop. The coach came to the curb at once, and gevting out, Billy paid the driver a liberal are and passed hastily down to the vicinity of Second avenue. ; He then passed into an English ale-house. Over the door was an old-fashioned, dingy ~ sign, upon which appeared the simple an- nouncement; “LENS.” “Halloo!” said the proprietor, the only per- son present but Billy, who was mopping off a table at one side of the bar-room, and remov- ing a couple of empty tobies and ale glasses, ‘““safo back; I was afraid you’d be lagged. There's some one down-stairs waiting for you. Better lay low a couple of days.” ; “You bet,” replied Billy, passing behind the bar into a rear room, which was also ba Billy went to a portion of the wainscotting, and touching a secret spring, _ dgor flew open, and closing it be _ commence: a concealed hind him, he descending a winding stairway. BILLY BUTTON. CHAPTER XXXL On reaching the foot of the stairs, Billy found another door, through which he pass- ed, and found himself in a large subter- ranean apartment, which was comfortably but plainly furnished. At a table, over which, hung a swinging lamp similar to those suspended in the cen- ter of a ship’s cabin, sat a young man look- ing over a paper and smoking a cigar. As Billy entered, the youth looked up and sprang toward him with outstretched hand. Sm mighty glad to see you again, Pilly,” he said. “It pears as if it was a month ago since we parted.” “So it does,” replied Billy; ‘‘and yet it’s scarcely a week ago. Got any news, Dave?” “ Nothing wonderful,” replied Dave Male * only thee was lookin’ for you high and low for a couple of days while the show was in Hast New York.” “Did you go to the show in East New York ?” inquired Billy, after a short pause. Yes; Sam gave me a pass.” “What do you think of that little French gal?’ demanded Billy. ‘“‘What—the one that rode the principal act?” , “Yum—yuml” “She’s a screamer; you'll have to look out for yourself, or she’ll whop you, Billy.” **Nonsense—you don’t say?” replied Billy. “Don’t think I can ,be beat by a gal, do you, Dave?” ; “Well, I wouldn’t clean like ter say, Billy,” replied Dave, slowly; ‘“‘but she’ll cut putty Es close to you, Did you ever see her ride ?” “Well, I can’t say I ever did,” replied Billy. ‘In fact, it would be mostly impos- sible under the present circumstances,” “Why, are you so closely confined as that?” : “Well, yes—and no; darn it, Dave, is it possible that you didn't tumble to the racket?” “What racket?” replied Dave, wonderingly. “Why, that little French gal was your humble servant; so you see I couldn’t very well see myself ride, hey ?” “ Get out!” “Tt's a fact,” replied Billy. And iin as brief a manner as possible Billy told Dave as much of what had transpired since their last interview in the den of the Hermit of Cypress Hills as he deemed essen- tial under the circumstances. Just as he finished the narrative the door opened and Sam Lathrop stepped into the room. “Didn't snap you up, hey, after all?” he said to Billy, and then seeing Dave he gave him a hearty grip of the hand. “How did pou manage it?” he asked, as he took a. seat y the others, _Billy told him, and Sam laughed until his; sides ached at the novel use Billy had made of the Dutch beer-jerker’s back. ‘But he'll have to ‘wear a porous plaster for a week,” said Sam. “ Yes, for a weak back,” retorted Billy. Is that a joke?” asked Sam, dryly. **Can’t say.” “You better not if you don’t want to die,” said Sam, ; “ there’s a standing rule against bad puns, you know.” : Billy nodded his head. “Had a eels lively scrimmage after you left, Billy,” said Sam, * Thought things looked pretty tough.” “So they did. Hanlon nearly Jaid his brother out; he came mighty near being a subject for a coroner's inquest,” — “Poor Ed,” replied Billy; “is he badly hurt:?” “He’s got a sore head, but he'll weather it, I reckon, ; ‘* Where is he?” ; “They took him home in a carriage, but he was pretty badly shaken es : “Did he come to?” asked Billy. | “Yes, we took him into the waiting-room, and the doctor brought him around,” “Did he say anything about me?” “Yes, he told me something, and that’s the main cause that brought me up.” *“ What was it?” asked Billy, eagerly. “He was too weak to explain,” replied Sam; ‘“‘but he told me to tell you that you need have no further fear about the diamonds; and that in case they wanted you, to appear at court at once.” “Ts that so? It’s the best news I’ve heard retty ” ina month, Billy Button is himself again.” ! “That's so,” replied Sam; hat. And he was joined heartily in the sen- timent by his two companions. “Tm glad of it, too,” said a deep voice, and | turning toward the speaker, the trio saw that he was Jethro Baxter. “Halloo! is that you?” asked|Billy, shaking him by the hand, “Yes,” replied Baxter, as a cheerful light blazed in his eyes, ‘‘and I have prime news!” “What is it?” asked Billy. “T haven’t time to explain now,” said Bax- ter, “but I will do soas we go along. I want you to come with me at once.” “Where?” asked Billy. “You'll find that iout also in due time,” said Baxter, “but I want both you and Dave to come with me. I’ve got these heartless harpies dead to rights, and I'll have them safe and sound under lock and_key before dawn to-morrow, or never trust Jethro Bax- ter’s word again!” CHAPTER XXXII. PLAYING ITALIAN. On quitting Lent’s, after supper, some- where in the neighborhood of nine o'clock, Jethro Baxter led Billy and Dave down Houston street to the vicinity of Allen street, where they entered a second-hand clothing establishment. The proprietor, a sharp-visaged Hebrew, was apparently awaiting their coming, for, as Jethro entered the shop, he called a boy, who was watching the second-hand habili- ments hanging up cutside, into the shop, and leaving him in charge, led the way to a rear room, the atmosphere of which was percepti- bly impregnated with the odor of garlic and red-herrings, not to speak of a powerful smell of strong schnapps. aN “Try a glass of something nische, mine frients?’ he said, producing a bottle and glasses ; ‘it vill varm your hearts pefore we proceed to pizness,” “TY don’t care if I do, Abraham,” replied. Jethro, toa sti gulp. “T want something to brace me up. y young friends never drink—they are tee- totalers—but if you have a cigar or two handy I have no doubt they will oblige.” “ Chertinly—chertinly,” replied Abraham, taking a private nip, and then pe a box of choice Havanas, to which Dave and Billy did full justice by appropriating half a dozen each, and then the old-clothes dealer turned to Jethro again. “Well, what can I do for you to-night, sir?” he asked, rubbing his hands complacently, while awaiting an answer. “Give me ,three stout blue flannel shirts and heavy pantaloons to match; stout woolen socks and brogans; slouch hats and peed humoredly, as he helped himself glass of spirits, and drank it at a “they have billed and announced you in the papers for to-morrow afternoon, and I'll bet you get an ovation.” “Bully boy!” shouted Billy, eles 2 his red cotton handkerchiefs,” said Baxter, con- — sulting a list that he took from a side-pocket. “Yesh ! said the Jew, procuring a short step-ladder and placing it against one of the boxed-off compartments of the room; ‘goin’ a-maspueradin’, | suppose ?” » at *“You may suppose an yin plied Baxter, grimly ; ‘‘ but i you, tell’em you don’t know.” “ You’rea funny man,” snickered the”sales- you like,” re- any one asks man, getting down with the articles and plac- — ing them on a long bench at the end of the room, ‘‘ but you ought to know me too well Miester Paxter, to know that I wouldn't gief youavay,” “T know that well enough,” replied Bax- ter, as he motioned for Billy and Dave to don thejgarments, which they did in less time than it would take to describe the operation; “TI know that, and for a eee eee reason, Abra- ham ; because, hgoe did, 'ad make Houston street—in fact, New York itself—so cussed hot that you could not stay here a week with- out being railroaded to Sing Sing or Auburn ?” “Holt hart, Miester Paxter,” interrupted Abraham, as his features turned a sickl Gree ; ‘don’t talk so lout, don’t talk so lout. ien friendt, walls have ears, and there ish no telling who ma a listening, you know.” Thats so,” sai axter, who by this time had finished dressing. ‘‘I was only indulg- ing in a pleasant jest; it’s a way I have, now and then, when I feel in especial good humor, as I do to-night. to match our hair and the commodities to make up.” : Now, I want false beards —
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/ ‘The Jew immediately produced the requisite articles, and selecting several pigments from the dressing-case, Baxter proceeded to make up himself and comrades in the most skillful and artistic manner. He darkened his gray locks and whiskers to a deep black, and dyed his skin to an olive tint, until he presented the perfect personifi- cation of an Italian. Billy and Dave were made up in a similar style, and when they had donned their beards their most intimate friends would have passed them readily in the street with- out imagining their identity in the slightest degree, ‘“Now, that’s all well enough so far,” said Baxter, as he examined himself with perfect satisfaction in the glass, ‘‘ Now, Abraham, give us a brace of loaded revolvers each, and an extra charge or so, and take good care of our duds until we return, and ['ll bid you good-evening until you see me later.” The weapons were procured, and placing them carefully in their hip pockets, the trio left the store. Baxter looked casually up and down the street for an instant or two, and then, appar- ently satisfied that they were not watched led the way down to Avenue A, On reaching that thoroughfare he turned north, and walking briskly up till hecame to the saloon where himself and Billy had seen the body-snatchers convey their burden, he opened the door and passed in, followed closely by his companions. Baxter passed leisurely to one of the tables, and taking a seat ordered a lager for himself, and twosodas for Billy and Dave, As the order was served, the street door opened suddenly, and a tall man, with a slouched hat pales closely down over his eyes, entered the saloon, CHAPTER XXXIII. “YT AM A UNITED STATES DETECTIVE!” “Trans our man,” whispered Baxter, as the stranger entered the saloon and stepped up to the bar; “ watch him closely, and when ive the word, remember your instructions, follow me and carry then. fully out.” His companions nodded, but made no reply, while the man after making a few inquiries of the barkeeper, took a seat in the corner. Ten minutes or more passed, and then two rough-looking customers came in, and look- ing cautioutly*around, joined the man in the corner. They conversed for afew moments with the stranger, and then they came over and called Baxter to one side, Presently Baxter returned to Billy and Dave. ; “T don’t want you to break your word, boys,” he said in a whisper, “‘but you’ve got to take a drink this time, or at least) pretend todo so. It’s a desperate game we are play- ing, and it requires desperate measures,’ *I can stand one drink,” whispered Billy, in return; “can you, Dave, and not let the liquor craze you?’ ‘ ave pressed his hand reassuringly, but made no reply, as they responded to Baxter's rivate signal, and rising, went over to the ar, where the three other men were filling’ eed glasses from a bottle set out by the bar- <eeper, “What will you take, lads?’ asked the peter turning to Jethro’s companions, “My friends no speeka English,” replied Baxter, hastily speaking in broken English, “dey are but lately landed, and no used to fire water of dees countree, Hava youa any light wine ?” “* Certainly,” responded the man, placing a bottle of German wine upon the counter with three glasses, “Mea lika de whiskey,” said Baxter, laugh- ing as he filled his evn “‘ they no strong heada—maybe gettee better by’m-by.” The three men laughed, and lifting their glasses, hob-nobbed with Baxter and his companions. : **lt's all the better, boys,” said the stranger, in a half aside whisper to his chums; ‘“ these dumb-headed_ macaronis will prove all the better for their silent proclivities.” The men laughed again, and lighting the cigars which the stranger had aiso ordered, the whole party left the saloon, They passed slowly up Avenue A until they reached Fourteenth street, the stranger and his companions taking the lead, while Baxter, Billy and Dave Brongn up the rear, But on reaching this point a man joined BILLY BUTTON. eo and a hurried conversation en- sued. For a moment the man with the slouched hat appeared considerably put out. He stamped his feet angrily, and bit his lip uttering something very like an oath, and then he turned hastily toward Baxter. ; “T’m afraid we can’t do it to-night,” he whispered ; ‘‘I fear that we are watched.” “T hava come prepared,” replied Baxter, quickly; ‘“‘and mya men expecta dere money.” “Tl see that they are paid to-morrow,” said the other; ““I have not sufficient cash about me to do so now.” “T can’t help dat,” replied Baxter. ‘I ape to paya to-nighta, and they will olda mea to my word,” The stranger stamped his feet with an oath. “* Well, come along,” he said, angrily, ‘and T'll get you eleed bloody money!” He started hastily up Fourteenth street as he spoke, followed closely by Baxter and his Roms peniens: 2 After crossing Third avenue and passing half way up the block, the stranger led the way up the steps of a large brick building. It was the University of Medicine of New York, 5 He opened the door, and ascending a flight of steps, knocked at a door, It was speedily opened, and the six men were admitted to the apartment. A short, stout built man, wearing a pair of green spectacles, was seated writing at a table covered with books and papers. “T want ae dollars!” demanded the man with the slouch hat, approaching the writer, ‘*Got anything for me?” was the reply. “No; the cops are on the lay, and it wouldn’t be safe.” “T don’t see how I can pay the money in that case,” said the other, looking up. “T can, and I must have it,” replied the leader, “I'll make it all right to-morrow night, I’ve a couple of new hands, and they want their money.” “Oh, is that it?” asked Spectacles, ‘In that case I guess I can stretch a point. But you know we have to be extremely careful.” “Just so!” The writer arose, and pain to a safe, took but five ten dollar gold pieces and hand- ed them to the man with the slouched hat, “Ts thatright?” demanded the latter, hand- ing the specie to Baxter. ethro counted it, and placed it in his pocket, “THs all right,” he said, resuming his nat- } le; ural tone of voice; ‘‘now I want to know what you did with that body you took from the plot of James Rathbone, in Evergreen cemetery, a week ago to-night?” “What do you mean?” “Just what I say!” The man stood regarding him with a look of blank amazement depicted upon his coun- tenance ; but finally he recovered sufficiently to speak, “Why do you ask ?” he demanded. ** Because I want the body!” replied Baxter, sternly. if ' 'By what right?” inquired the man, brist- ene up as his myrmidons closed up behind im, “By the rightof the laws of the land!” shouted Baxter, drawing a brace of revolvers and leveling them at the head of his antago- nist. ‘Iam a United States detective, and I know what I am asking!” ry CHAPTER XXXIV. Ir was a strange, wild scene that was transpiring in that small room at that mo- ment. There stood Baxter, with his eyes blazing with intense fury, as he held his revolvers pointed at the head of the resurrectionist. The baffled harpy stood boldly ups but his eyes faltered beneath the barrel of the revol- ver, His comrades had drawn their own weap- ons almost as soon as Baxter, and as the old man made the thrilling announcement, one of the latter pulled the trigger- At the same moment two shots rang through the apartment, and one of the resur- ‘rectionists fell to the floor with his life’s blood flowing from his bosom, Billy Button had been too quick for him, and a cepa eae: bullet had found his heart. He was dead almost before his hand ta, the trigger that sent the bullet toward axter, D 4 In an instant the fat, spectacled clerk dart- ed behind the huge safe and cowered down, trembling with cowardice, as the cold perspi- ration started from every pore. “ Hold uP your hands!” shouted Baxter, determinedly ; ‘‘the first man who fires a shot dies on the spot, and his blood be on his own head, I have been watching you, you hell hounds, for the past four years, and I have got you down just where I want you. Surrender and I will give you quarter; if not, every one of you dies on the spot |” As he shouted the words, Billy and Dave closed up behind him with a revolver in either hand ready to do deadly execution at the slightest movement. The resurrectionists were in a trap and surrendered without a word, “* Will you tell me where the body is now?” demanded Baxter, sternly. “Yes,” replied the leader of the resurrec- | tionists, bowing his head, and dropping his hands to his side; ‘‘come with me and I will show you.” “Thanks,” replied Baxter, ‘that is all I want.” 3 : The leader turned to lead the way, and his companions were about to follow him, when Baxter waved them back. “Stay where you are until we return,” he said, sharply, and then he turned and took a hasty survey of the room, It was an interior, and no visible mode of egress with the exception of the door, i This he closed and locked behind him as he passed out leaving Dave Wright as guard, with orders to shoot down the first man who eee to escape ; and then, accompanied by Billy, he passed up-stairs, with the leader in advance, carefully covered with a revolver, The man passed leisurely aye another flight of stairs, and opening a small door, ascended another winding rma They were now in total darkness, but Bax- ter took a candle from his pocket, and light-- ing it with a match, displayed a small room with several barrels ranged together, and a number of wash basins standing upon a shelf at one side. The leader led them into another room di- rectly adjoining, and bade them light up a gas jet. Jethro did so. As the the light blazed forth it revealed a long apartment with a stove in the center and a row of marble-topped tables ranged on either hand, This was the dissecting-room at the col- ee, “That's your ticket,” said the man, point- ing grimly toward one of the tables. t was the only table occupied in the apart- ment, and: thej white sheet 'that covered it was epee here and there with blood as it bulged upward above the still form that lay beneath. Baxter’s hand trembled visibly as he strode forward and pulled down the sheet, A ghastly, mutilated figure was revealed, It was the form of a nude female. The hands of the surgeon had cut and hack- edit in the most terrible manner, but the neck and face were still intact, and the flickering light of the gas jet overhead shed a pale, lurid glare upon the decomposing feat+ ures of the dead, Jethro’s face worked" convulsively ‘as. he gazed down upon the ghastly object, but he bent forward, nevertheless, and regarded it with intense interest. Poor Picts heart was up in his mouth, and he felt a sickening sensation of nausea gnaw- ing at his vitals as he turned aside to restrain his emotions. ‘It is not the one I was looking for,” gasped Baxter. ‘I was mistaken, afterall.” At the same instant, a rumbling, creaking sound came from the adjoining room, follow- ed by a whizzing noise, and turning, both Baxter and Billy realized that the captain of the resurrectionists had disappeared, CHAPTER XXXV. “Curse my infernal stupidity!” shouted Baxter, stamping the floor with insane fury, “Phat viata has escaped after all.” Baxter ran from the room, followed b; Billy, as he spoke, and pointed to a dark closet in the adjoining apartment, where a windlass was arranged with a rope attached, that was swaying unsteadily to and fro, He said, quickly: ; “That is the way he made his escape. He ‘has gone down,the fall by which they hoist
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the ‘bodies up to the dissecting-room. By this time he is in the street and beyond our reach. What a cursed fool I was!” “Then that was not the body you were looking for?’ inquired Billy, putting a lead- ing question. “No,” replied Baxter, shortly. ‘But I hayven’t time to talk now. I'll explain all some other time. Come on.” He returned to the dissecting-room and reverently re-covered the remains of the dead woman, and then led the way down-stairs. On reaching the room where they had left Dave on guard over the imprisoned resurrec- tionists, Baxter unlocked the door and called for the men to come forth. They obeyed at once, followed by the portly individual in specs. **I don’t want you at present,” said Baxter, smiling grimly at that important personage’s erestfallen pl Cee **T suppose that I can find you here whenever I do.” ““T can give bail, if you require it, sir,” said the man, persuasively, as he smirked and bowed; “but what are we going to do about this here chap ?” He touched the dead body of the resurrec- tionist with his foot ashe asked the question. “Don’t want your bail, neither,” replied Baxter. ‘I guess I can lay hands on you easily enough when 1 want. As for that car- rion, I’]l send a stretcher around for it as soon as I reach the station-house. Come, boys, step out lively now,” he resumed, turn- ing to the prisoners, “for I’ve got lots of other work on hand before I have done to- night,” The men walked quickly out and were marched by Baxter to the nearest police sta- tion, where, upon displaying his badge and peer his case, they were sent down to the ock-up. This matter having been disposed of and a -stretcher dispatched for the dead man, Bax- ter and his friends returned to the second- hand clothing shop in Houston street and re- moved their disguises, “Which way are you off to now?’ asked Billy, as they came out on the sidewalk in their proper Tig “I guess we'd better go around to the Red Housein the Bowery and get some oysters,” replied Baxter. “I’m as hungry as a wolf.” “ Ain’t itrather out of season,forjoysters ?” asked Billy, ‘There ain’t nary an R in this month,” “R or no R,” replied Baxter, ‘‘ oysters are never out ofseason to me whén I feel like Hane bee and that’s just my sentiments to-night. “Honors are easy,” laughed eee “T’'m of exactly the same opinion, and as Billy Wal- let used to say, when he was killing Shakes- peare in the sawduston Astor Place: ‘The world’s mine oyster, and with my sword I’ll open it.” , i “ That’s quite an apt quotation,” said Bax- ter. ‘Billy, I owe you one.” “Well, you can pay it when the ’taters come in, Let’s trot around and get our oysters,” replied Billy, laughing. . 'fhey turned up street toward the Bowery and strolled leisurely along. : Just as they were passing Lent’s, a man in a citizen's dress came hastily across the street and tapped Billy upon the shoulder. “What do you want?” demanded Button, drawing back and placing himself on guard. ‘‘None of that, now,” said the man, hastily. “Tm ptepared for your tricks, my young buck. You can’t play sharp on me!’ “What do you want?” demanded Billy, again. “I have a warrant for your arrest, William Westlake, alias Billy Bu moiselle De Boutonner, and I’m going to take you in!” . CHAPTER XXXVI. Ir was the morning following the arrest of Billy Button. The court-room of the Special Sessions in the New York Tombs was crowd- ed, as the morning oa had announced that the Boy Clown, Billy Button, had been arrested, and would be tried on the charge of stealing a pair of diamond earrings from Mrs, Wm, Hanlon, of No. —— Ninth street, The judge was sitting at his desk, and as he rapped with his gavel to silence the spec- tators and call the court to order, the 'pris- oner was brought in and took his seat by the | side of his counsel. 5 Billy’s face was wreathed with smiles, not- withstanding his: unpleasant situation, and BILLY BUTTON. | he nodded pleasantly to a number of friends, most of them members of the company, whom he recognized among the spectators, The first witness called for the prosecution was Mrs. Wm. Hanlon, the plaintiff, who displayed a still handsome face, as she re- moved her veil to give her evidence, which was rendered in an extremely low tone of voice. “Tt was some eight years ago,” she said, in substance, ‘‘ that I had occasion to quit my residence on Ninth street, on private busi- ness, which I do not deem it necessary to ex- plain. My son Edward, with several school- mates, after their return from school, had been in the habit of holding an exhibition of what they termed a circus, in the cellar, where they had erected a sawdust ring and put up curtains and other arrangements for that purpose. “At first I had deemed these exhibitions harmless, considering it a favorable mode of keeping Edward from gadding the streets with the rough boys of the neighborhood. But the servants finally began to complain that the numerous boys who formed the aud- ience of these performances were soiling the basement hall with their muddy feet, and causing altogether too much work ; and I had noticed at the same time that Hdward had formed the acquaintance of a little raga- muffin, named William Westlake, with whom he had hecome the best of friends, and intro- duced him into the house to play the part of clown.” “This troubled me considerably, because the boy had an extremely bad name, and I feared that he would contaminate the morals of my son, and thus it was that as I left the house on this especial occasion, I gave orders to the servants not to admit any of the boys, and to prevent the performance in case Hd- ward and his companions attempted to carry it on. “The instructions were fully carried out on the servants’ pe but, notwithstanding a close watch, the boys managed to smuggle the audience into the cellar through the slide ee from the coal-hole and the circus took place. ‘*TInadvertantly, on leaving the house, I had left my bedroom door unlocked and forgotten also to secure a valuable pair of solitaire dia- eee, earrings which lay upon my dressing- able, “When I returned to the house after trans- acting the business, my oldest son, Starbuck, who will bear me out in this testimony, met me at the door and informed me that the boys had held their show, as they termed it, and that he had been the means of breaking it Mg greatly to the dissatisfaction of his brother Edward. “T commended him highly for the act, and retired to my room to dress for supper, when I discovered at once that the diamonds were missing. _ “T questioned the servants and every one in the house closely, and finally elicited the fact from Starbuck that he had seen the boy, Westlake, close to my door, afew moments after my departure. “This, however, Edward stoutly denied, as did Westlake on his subsequent examina- tion before Judge Talmadge, both claiming that they had never left the cellar up to the time of their discovery by Starbuck. But, notwithstanding this, the diamonds haye never yet been found, although I have placed the case inthe hands of some of the most skilled detectives in the city. Westlake was subsequently arrested, but, as we were un- able to make a case against him, he was per- mitted to depart without further examina- utton, alias Made- | tion This concluded the evidence of Mrs, Han- lon, and as the attorney for the defense made no cross-examination, she was permitted to step down, The next witness called for the prosecu tion was Starbuck Hanlon, who had secured bail and been permitted to go at large. He fully substantiated the testimony of Mrs. Hanlon, and gave a graphic description of the sneaking appearance of the boy, West- lake, as he saw him coming from his mother’s room. As the witness made this statement, Billy Button arose to his feet, with his face flush- ing with indignation; but his lawyer skill- fully managed to pull him into his seat again and restrain him before he could shout an in- apa denial. ; anlon finished his testimony by deserib- | Please proceed. ta q ie thought of the matter at the — = y ing the appearance of Edward and Billy the ring in the cellar, dressed in his silk un- dershirts and blue striped rowing shirts, which they had—that is, Edward had, as he eosin admitted—appropriated from his, Starbuck’s,{wardrobe, to use as tights, the arms being drawn tautly over their legs for that purpose. As the witness was about to step briskly down from the witness-box, after his testi- mony, the counsel for the defense caused him to pause, and asked, abruptly : “Why did you not make that statement concerning the seeing of Westlake coming | from Mrs. Hanlon’s room on the examination before Judge Talmadge ?” “T did,” replied Hanlon, evidently taken aback, ‘**T ask your honor to remember this,” said the lawyer; “that’s all; you can step down and out!” The witness did so, and took his seat near his mother, with whom he continued for some time in a low, WolenenEs conversation, The next witness called was Bridget Mul- nooney: “T desire, your honor,” said the counsel for the piece as the witness took the stand, ‘‘to state that had it not been for this witness we should have undoubtedly been unable to make out a case; but, through her instrumentality, we feel fully confident of proving the prisoner's guilt, notwithstand- ing the number of years that have transpired since his theft of the diamonds,” ‘*T rise to a point of order!” shouted Billy’s counsel, leaping to his feet. The prosecuting attorney waved his hand and appealed to the court, and, without fur- ther parley, Billy’s counsel dropped into his seat. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE witness, who had been a cook in Mrs, Hanlon’s house, seemed slightly flustered, but proceeded with her testimony in a straightforward manner. ‘ She stated that on the afternoon in ques- tion, having finished cooking the dinner and washing the dishes, she had gone up stairs to her room ; that, while passing the door of Mrs. Hanlon’s apartment she had seen the boy Westlake coming out. On seeing her he hastily placed something in his pocket. At the time she did not think anyt ing of the matter, as it had been a common thing for both himself and Master Edward to pass freely to and fro through the house; but that, after hearing of the robbery, she came to the conclusion that Westlake was the guilty party. : “Why did you not come forward at the ex- amination and make this statement?’ de- manded the prisoner's counsel, as she finish- ed her testimony. ‘Because I was deadly afeared,” replied the witness. “I didn’t want to go to court; I was afeared of my life,” “That will do,” said the lawyer. And as the witness stepped down a mur- mur of dissatisfaction ran through the room, but it was speedily quieted by the officers of - ‘the court. And here the case, on the side of the prose- cution, rested. brief interval elapsed, and the first wit- ness for the defense was called, * A hushed murmur ran through the court, as Edward Hanlon, with bandaged brow an pallid face, took the stand, He made a careful statement of the events that had transpired on the eventful after- noon. He fully denied that either himself or any of the boys had quitted the cellar, and then continued his testimony in substance as follows: “At the time that we held our boys’ cir- — cus,” he said, ‘my brother, Starbuck, had a et. monkey of mischievous proclivities, n fact, he was such a pest that Starbuck had to keep him chained in his room, I well re- member that at the time there was a small — hole in the wall between my mother’s and my brothers room, just back of the bureau, be- side which the monkey was chained, but nothing was thought of the matter,” “What has this monkey got to. do with the case?” demanded the prosecuting attorney, with a covert sneer. : *You'll find that out soon enou ; the opposing counsel, with equal acerbity. “Do not attempt to intimidate the witness. “Little was by vepli i
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time,” continued the witness, resuming his testimony, ‘‘and possibly would not now, had I not made a strange discovery a few days since, while we were making: repairs in our ' houseon Ninth street. I had been appointed by my mother to superintend these repairs in person. It had been my mother's intention for some time past to enlarge her bedroom by tearing down the partition between that room and the one formerly occupied by my brother, . “For a couple of weeks back my mother has been paying a visit to some of her friends in Jamaica, Long Island, and during this in- terval I determined to have the job com- pleted, and surprise her on her return. I called in some masons and carpenters for that purpose, and while completing the oper- ation I made a most singular and opportune discovery.” “And what was that?” asked Billy’s law- yer, with a quizzical smile pervading his feat- ures, “T found these,” said Edward, holding up something that sparkled and glistened radi- antly in the light of the whole court-room, Every eye was turned earnestly in the di- rection of the speaker as_he-held the shining articles toward the presiding judge. “What are they?’ inquired the puzzled magistrate. ““My mother’s missing diamonds,” said the young witness, with the utmost nonchalance. There was a marked sensation in court that it took the utmost efforts of the officers to suppress, The judge took the articles from the wit- ness, and examining them carefully, request- ed Mrs, Hanlon to come to the desk. __ She complied at once, and the judge asked her to examine the diamonds, “They are my diamond ear-rings,” replied the surprised woman, after a close examina- tion. ‘I recognize them at once by the pe- euliarity of the setting. «They must have been placed there by that ursed monkey!” blurted Starbuck Hanlon, gehing his fist savagely down upon the table. _ _ **Maybe the monkey stole this also,” said Billy’s lawyer, sarcastically, holding up a rough piece of checked cheviot cloth ; “‘it’s rather singular, however, that he should have been able to steal either this or the dia- monds, considering that he was chained fast to the bureau.” Again there was a marked sensation in the court-room. Meanwhile the lawyer quietly took another piece of cloth of the same pattern from his pocket, and spread it out before him upon the green baize covering of the table at his side, The two pieces corresponded exactly, and fitted to anicety. Starbuck seemed to awake from his dream with a sudden start. With a sudden bound, he started for the conrt-room door. x But the lawyer was too quick for him; he sprang hastily before him and intercepted his poarese. ' “J demand the arrest of this man, your honor,” he shouted, appealing to the judge. “T proclaim that he is a thief, a perjurer, and a resurrectionist !” ; A scene of the wildest confusion ensued. The judge motioned for an officer to arrest Starbuck. \ The desperate man struggled violently, but finally was mastered and secured. Mrs. Hanlon went into a fit of violent hys- teries, and was borne from the room shriek- ' ing and struggling desperately, and for some moments it cost the most urgent efforts of ue court officers ‘to bring the spectators to order. CHAPTER XXXVIII. WHEN quiet had been restored and the excited spectators had resumed their seats, Billy’s lawyer arose to explain, He related in a brief and succinct manner the story of Billy Button. He stated how Mrs. Westlake had met her death, and the subsequent robbery of the iron chest. He related how it had been found buried in the private plot of James Rathbone, in Ever- ; een Cemetery. He told_of the capture of the resurrectionists in the Medical College on Fourteenth street, and startled the listeners with the announcement that Starbuck Han- lon was the purines ‘of the chest and the chief of the body-snatchers; and.then in a 1 BILLY BUTTON, . loud voice he called Jethro Baxter to the] stand. A hushed murmur ran through the court- room as the old detective entered the witness- box and was Emon. ‘* My name is Jethro Baxter,” said the wit- ness, after taking the oath, ‘‘and Iam at resent a United Staves’ detective; but this as not always been my profession. I was formerly a man of leisure, and had had abun- dant means, until I beggared myself through gambling and riotous living. It is nowsome twenty-five years since I became acquainted with Miss Jessie Rathbone, the sister of James Rathbone, of Jamaica, Long Island. Thad known her but a short time when I fell deeperstely in love, and asked her hand in marriage, but she had heard of my fast life and refused me at once. Driven to despera- tion at the refusal, I took to drinking worse than ever, and went thoroughly to the dogs, Two years passed, and during that interval Jessie married a man by the name of Wesley Hubert. The result of the marriage was a male child. The infant grew until it was a year old, and was thelight and life of its pa- rents’ hearts. “ About this time I first became acquaint- ed with Starbuck Hanlon, He was a youn man around town, and lavished money math a free hand. One night, while on a drinking bout, Hanlon and I compared notes and dis- covered that we had both paid attentions to Miss Rathbone, with similar results. We sympathized maudlinly with each other over our wine, and during the evening Hanlon ventilated a plot which, notwithstanding all its fiendish malipoity, he found in mea ready and willing hand to carry out. A week later I entered the room of Mrs, Hubert while she lay asleep, and removing the sleeping child. from its mother’s arms, bore it away, and placed it in charge of Mrs. Mary Westlake, an old flame of mine, in whom, fora fair con- sideration, I found a willing accomplice to carry out my revenge, Shere, after. this I found my ready money dwindling to a low ebb, and on mentioning‘the subject to Hanlon he offered me a fair sum, andj procured me a situation as supercargo’ on a Chinese packet running to Canton, with which I made sever- al yoyages, but little bettering my condition as I spent my money as freely as it came. “Returning to New York, after my second voyage, I was unable to discover Mrs. West- lake. She had left her residence, but neither the tenants of the rooms nor the landlord could tell me where she had gone. I con- sulted Starbuck Hanlon, and he also denied all knowledge of her whereabouts, which I subsequently discovered to bea lie, for it was through his instrumentality that she had been spirited away, when, taking advantage of her insatiate passion for drink, he had pied her with liquor until she sank to the owest depths of debased womanhood, “As I have stated, 1 made a number of voyages onthe China merchantman, atthe end of each searching everywhere fer Mrs. Westlake, but without avail. ““ While thus engaged after one of my return trips, a strange desire impressed me to make inquiries concerning Mr. and Mrs. Hubert. I did so, and the ascertained infor- mation wasso terrible that it nearly drove me out of my mind. It was the means of leaving me afflicted with that terrible malady, epilepsy I discovered that, after losing her child, Mrs. Hubert had been seized with a brain fever, which resulted in total dementia, in consequence of which her husband was obliged to confine her to a private asylum for | the insane, “The wretched man searched far and near, using every means in his power to discover his child, until finally, driven to desperaticn, he blew out his brains with a revolver, This intelligence quite unnerved me, and threw me into a severe sickness, on recovering from which, I was on the {point of giving myself up as a child-stealer, thus endeavoring to render all the reparation I could for my crime. But_on consideration, 1 thought bet- ter of it, and quitting the ship, I devoted all my attention to finding Mrs. Westlake. Somehow I became possessed of the idea that Starbuck Hanlon was at the bottom of the matter, and I watched him like a hawk, shadowing him eis wherever he went, both night and day. But he was too sharp for me, and baffled me at every point. I dis- covered, however, that he had lost nearly all his means by gambling, and in order to reim- -burse. his purse, he had taken to the nefarious trade of body-snatching, which, if properly — attended to, is quite a money-making specu-~ lation. About this time I secured an ap- pointment from the government asa secret officer to hunt up these harpies, and in order to watch them more closely, { Baas 4 quarters in a cave on the Long Island Rail- road, near Cypress Hills, which is the nearest oint to nearly all the cemeteries of Kings ounty and Queens County. As stated, I made but little headway in discovering traces of Mrs. Westlake, and it is not strange that this proved the case, because she was dead and buried, as I subsequently discovered from the prisoner at the bar. It is not neces- sary to go into details, as they do not concern the case in point, but Mrs. Westlake had committed suicide while ina fit of delirium tremens by throwing herself from the win- dow of her dwelling. ** This act occurred while I was on a voyage to China, and before my return the matter had been quite forgotten in the other trans- piring events of the day.” Here Baxter gave a concise narration of his meeting with our hero, and of the subsequent discovery of the iron chest in the COmerer: which contained a statement made by the dead woman, revealing the proper parents of Billy Button, and the part played in the af- fair by Starbuck Hanlon, and other subse- quent matters that are already known to the reader. “Tt is quite evident,” said Baxter, in con- clusion, ‘‘ that Hanlon stole that chest in the first instance, hoping to find either money or some such papers as it contained, but owing to the intricate and carefully constructe machinery of the secret compartment of the lid, was baffled in his search. How it came to be in the cemetery, I have as yet been un- able to discover and, perhaps, I never shall, unless my former confederate consents to make aclean breast of it. : “This, I think, is about all I have to say, with the page He that some weeks since I received intelligence that Mrs. Hubert had died in the asylum and had been buried in the private plot of her brother. “This information led me to infer that the body taken by the resurrectionists on the — night of the discovery of the chest, was that of Mrs Hubert ; but 1 have since found that the corpse was one of Mr. Rathbone’s ser- vants, whom he had privately buried in his own plot. This was good news, but I re- ceived much more satisfactory information this morning. Mrs. Hubert is not dead—she isnot even insane. She has recovered her reason, and is safe and sound at the residence of her brother, James Rathbone, at Jamaica.” **No!” shouted. a manly voice at the door. “She is here to claim her son!” Every eye turned in the direction of the speaker, % He was a tall, manly-looking man,. and clinging to his arm was a lady dressed in deep black and closely veiled, As they came slowly down the court-room Billy Button arose to his feet, seizing the back of a chair to support himself. His face was deadly pale and his knees trembled violently. “Where is my boy?” said the anxious mother, tossing back her veil and looking be- seechingly around the court. “Here, mother! Dear—dear mother!” In a second the two who had been so long separated were clasped in a loving embrace, t was a touching spectacle, which those who witnessed it will remember as long as they live. i There was not a dry eye in the whole room ; even those hard-hearted, cast-iron-bound in- dividuals, the members of the press, stopped taking notes to use their handkerchiefs. Let us drop the curtain on the tableau. The drama is ended. Aa Starbuck Hanlon received his just deserts and is serving a long termin Sing Sing. Jethro Baxter still lives, but he has given up business. He is a frequent visitor at the residence of Mr. Rathbone. When Billy found his mother he found a_ jolly little playmate also. e calls her Rosebud, but her real name is ee ee hips formerly Maria Rathbone but itis Hubert now. _ ae There are several little Huberts runnin around the Hubert mansion, but the est, who is the only son, is called mother, : 3 ‘* BILLY sehr? Y a ial D> * "y THEEND) eo
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‘1187 Three Y: 130 The Actor’s Son. A Story of Trials and Triumphs On and Off the Stage........... by Gus Williams 1131 wise Ocean Wolf. A Story of Privateering Tevet an ta ae ta ema e y George G. Small 1132 The Witch's Secret; or. Y The Aidan Sp tla Jaeiesinegelcceeme by T. W. Hanshew 1133 Borat Boy Ben; or, Sold int Slavery... by C. Little 1134 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Ice Boat; or, Lostin the Land of Crimson Snow. Part Mamie Sirdemlcinaitiis salveians tine sare “Noname” 1135 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Ice Boat; or, me in the Land of Crimson Snow. Part Sa teRa a cia mise aime a ase sissies oles by “‘Noname’ 1136 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Cyclone; or, Sone: Adventures in No Man’s Land. RRR ence pene ety eee by “‘Noname”’ , 1137 Frantic Reade, Jr.'s Electric Gyclones or, ne Adventures in No Man's Land. POND AN agte s neue veteces ns dastoce vy “Noname’’ .1138 Green Mountain Joe, the Old Trapper of Malbro Pond......... Lieut. EK, H. Kellogg 1139 Red Light Dick, the pees Prince..... by Albert J. Booth 1140 Adrift in the Tree-Tops....... by Allyn Draper 1141 Lost in Labrador; or, The space see ae POZE EMAC. sisi g¢h hiss assy nen’ Little 1142 The Mysterious Man of the ine A Story of the Hudson River. bre P. T. Raymond 1143 In the Sea of Ice............ by Albert J. Booth 1144 The Young Deserters; or, The Mystery of msey 's Is sland... .-..... erton ertrew by 1148 The Wolf Boys of Michigan... .............. by Jas. D. Montague 1149 The Boy Nihilist; or, Young America in Russia. . by Captain Geo. Granville, ie S. A.) 1150 Daniel Boone’s Best Shot; or, The Perils of the Kentucky Pioneers. . by John Sherman 1151 The Parson’s Boy; or, The innocent One of the Family—comic,........... y Tom ‘easer » 1152 The ee Cock of Deadwood, ie Story of the Wild Northwest......... by Geo. a. Small 1153 ed Rollins, the Young Fireman. A Story of Heroic Deeds..... by Robert Lennox 1154 ei Buffalo Bill; or, The Boy poset of e Rio Del Norie.. -by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg 1155 The Lost Island. A Romance ofa Forgot APVRORLC Gy, Sar hata voces Sede ee ays by. C. Little 1156 The Silent Band..../.:....s0.005 by ‘Noname” The Rene- 1157 ea anes LF Little Scout; or, BIDOOMMM Aid oicise veal aise by Gaston Garne 1158 fook scat adden Jack, veeeby Bob Young y obert Lennox 1159 athe Moen’ in Greettyics. eg se senses “Noname ” 1160 Yellowstone Kelly eg ae Maynard 1161 Captain Jack Tempest, ther eee of the OMan Siena tis cine saiain ed meeas wos . G. Bradley 1162 a ‘Poor Boy's Fight; or, the ero of the POA ay PE by George G. Small 1163 pen School Scrapes; or, The ney ots ve em oung Ventriloquist, Part I.— neareGlsipiaalici sites ars olh Seca a ork piare by Tom Teaser 1164 Boarding Sehool Scrapes; or, The Rackets - oe Young Ventriloquist. Part IL.— Pie ell battnia e's Bea plane an ote y Tom Teaser 1165 Tost "on a Yacht; Or The Adventures of Four American Boys........ y R. T. Emmet 1166 ae Rudder, the Bor Pilot of the Mt Mississip- Lstisteres Matatilaciostecaet oui a i y . Raymond 1167 da a Sinking MSTA. sl Pndicodewe ss by Kit Clyde 1168 Muldoon’s Flats—comic........ Ln Tom Seni 1169 The tet in the Swamp; or, aig ae Gad Reed Hal Percy’s Fate............. mmet |, M170 Nick an Jed, the King ‘iappers of the TIGWUOTY sac aha neeeaunn eset me 'T. Raymond 4171 Clear the Track Tom; or, The Youngest Enginéer onthe Road...... by Albert J. Booth {172 The Demon o the Deep; or, Above and Beneath the Sea........- by. Floward De Vere 1173 Larry the Life Saver;‘or, A Bor Fireman aa Lennox L174 The esgic on Mystery ; sn ventures nder Stes ete il Howard De Vere 1175 Golaburn.4 the Girl Guerrilla...-.......-... y Morris Frepaet 1176 gi ,Mizzen; or, The eens of the ‘Cor- ay 38 SW AAD dacs kd ois sey by Richard R. Mont; et a uit Yankee SD the Mouts Scout of the Rap- paha iebe cdiaelantoe iaetke by Ralph Morton 1178 The Popowin Detective..... by Ralph Morton ag Union Dick in the Rebel Camp........ “ : by Philip M irdock 1180 Cavalry Jack at Atartreesboce s y Col. Ral: 1181 Cavalry Jack in the Swamps, by Col. Ralph Fenton 1182 ees “Dos ¢ Charlie; or, The Adventures of a Saiv acide eoeyas by W.I. petares Jr 1183 Th Shortys oes the Road; or, In the Old f Business Just for Fun—comic. oUF Peter Pad - 1184 The Haunted Cave...... by Jas. D . Montague 1185 Infantry Dave, the Young Scout of the IWilGOPNGBSa3). s+ civny's cares ds by Ralph Morton 1186 Daniel Boone, the Hero of Kentucky..... Me Paul a ddon | ankee Ch ums; or, Dr. Di ploring Expedition. . by OG eaaeaase Abe Lied '] 1188 Burt, the Detective; or, A Sleuth-Hound on the Track...... 20 Police Corn Howard The Secret of . by Gus. Williams ya U.S. Detective 1193 The Gold Hunters of Mexico; or, The Prairie Phantom............. by H.C, Emmet 1194 Drifting Harry; or, Hoeing vate Own Row by J. G. Bradley 1195 A Trip to the Center of the Harth........... by Howard De Vere 1196 by pct 5 Last Shot; or, The eu Trailer of he Little Hi by Col. J. M. Travers 1197 sei Dell School: Hana and Mishaps of Schoolboy Life. Lee BY, Capt. Will Dayton 1198 Dick Wright and His Band of Neg aes) by J. Scott 1199 Sawdust Charlie, the Pet of the Ring, by An Old Hinsiisatar 1200 The Blasted Pine; or, Three Boy Scouts. by Capt. Will Dayton 1201 The Boy Trapezist..by a Former Professional 1202 Little Nugget, the Pride of Leadville by Major J. Anderson 1203 The Young Aeronaut............ by Prof. Wise 1204 Denver Dan and His Mystic Band by ©. Little 1205 Denver Dan and the Road Agents.by C. Little 1206 Denver Dan and the priate al by C. Little 1207 Denver Dan Outwitted; or, The Outlaw’s MDA an bias alas eidiayattocd mas aie anlage d seh by C. Little 1208 Wouger! Dan the Sheriff ............ by C. Little 1209 Denver Dan to the Rescue; or, The Moun- taineer's Stratagem............... y C. Little 1210, Denver Dan and His Chums....... by C. Little 1211 Denver Dan in New York......... by C. Little 1212 The Twin Boy Scouts....by Percy B. St. John 1213 Prairie Phil; or, The Panther of the Platte by Harry Rockwood 1214 Trapper Duke}; or, The Female Avenger. by Jas. D. Montague 1215 Block | fare Blue; or, Nick Wharton on the WATE UD co. G0.1 Svein eae by Harry Rockwood 1216 Little} Hat) the Boy Engineer../.........,.. by Captain Will Dayton 1217 The Pirate’s Son,.......... Brougham 1218 The Search for the “ Midas;” or, Treasures from the Deep............. by Gerald Fleming 1219 Gorilla George; or, A no York Boy in Necsanngse as .by J. L. Freeman Be or ee of Boy Milenio Meare ast gas Horace ecu eae 1221 Noun Wy ooda ig the Athlete Beat er. oy y Kit Clyde 1222 Lighthouse hitlp or, The eo Mystory ie Dead- man’s Ree: Old Sea Captain 1223 Joe Jordan, the Young. ea ieee la Ars by H. K. Shackleford 1224 Lasso Luke; or, The Threo a ar Pards. by Kit Clyde 1225 Jack Harkaway’s Schooldays. 1226 Jack Harkaway Afloat. 1227 Jack Harkaway Among the Savages, 1228 Jack Harkaway’s Escape. 1229 Jack Harkaway at Oxford. 1230 Jack Harkaway and the Black Band. 1231 Jack Harkaway and the Brigands, 1232 Jack Harkaway and the Spy. 1238 Jack Harkaway Trapped. Pane Italians; The 1234 Jack Harkaway an ‘ Brigand’s Doom. 1235 Jack Harkaway and His Son’s Adventures Round the World, 1236 dace Parga and His Son Homeward oun 1237 Youn Harkaway and the Pirates, es Jack Harkaway’s Triumph, 1239 Jack Harkaway on Magic Island. 1240 Jack Harkaway’s Peril. 1241 Jack Harkaway to the Rescue. 1242 Jack Harkaway, the Magician, 1243 Jack Harkaway, the Avenger. 1244 Jack Harkaway in Australia. 1245 Jack Harkaway and the Convicts. 1246 Jack Harkaway and the Bushrangers. | 1247 ome Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker, 1248 Tinker’s Man, Bogey. 1249 Young Jack Harkaway i in Spain, 1250 Young Jack Harkaway in Turkey. 1251 Mole Among the Mussulmans. 1252 Young Jack Harkaway and the Arabs. or, 1253 oe Neue! ack aan and the Cae 1258 Dick Lightheart Arora the World...... ease pte Bemehetee: Hemyng Dick Lightheart in London................ Re ee i vig x Bracebridge Hemyng k Lightheart’s Vic Reais : eapnechntdse Hemyng 1261 Dodger, the Bo OF Er dieaaise aioea eet mK saan f by Gus Williams ‘atest Issues of = 3 CENT WIDE ape LIBRARY: 1299 ELAM SERED: the Boy Soot of the 1 Aes 1262 Little Mac, the Boy Engineer.by Ralph Royal 1263 The Marked Moccasin; ee Pand is’ {ral Etec Me aPameRe i Oe AES A y Marline Manley 1264 Tom Brown’s Schooldays.. oe Thomas Hughes 1265 pune Jack Harkaway ‘ighting the IMOOK aie cps chee by Br: pride ee Tithe 1266 Ferret, the Little Doteotive: or, ts) Many Faces....by Police Captain Hon ard 1267 Chased Around the W orld; or, The De- tective’s Mistake....... bya N. Y. Detective 1268 Master of Himself; or, A Boy’s Fight in the World... i..2.., Commodore Ah-Look 1269 Young JAbK Harkaway and the Idols of Golde winaiceecmes aby eee Hemyng 1270 The Rival Scouts..........2..... J. R. Scott 1271 On Deck; or, The Boy Pilot of ra e Eerie. y Howard De Vere 1272 Secrets Under the Sea........... by Kit Clyde 1273 Soe Jack Harkaway and the Muti- MOSSY ete + ses ureeee by Bracebridge Hemyng 1274 The Young Revenue Detective; or, Among the tripipore an Se Pb Muerths clos talitiany avalos y a Retired Detective 1275 Long-Paw, the ditvgtais Hunter........ by Kit Clyde 1276 The Se Engineer; or, Fighting Against OGdS SF ineocdhi ceaiccee cas y Howard Devere 1277 Yours Jack Harkaway and the Miners of Cripple Creek....... by Bracebridge Hemyng 1278 The Sea Fiends; or, Under the Ocean..... by Howard Devere 1279 Zola, the Old Trapper’s Giipteceres iat oon R. T. Emmet by 1280 Fred Hazle; or, Adrift on a Floating Isl- BOE ears siitisecieuda tocar aeme te by H. C. Emmet 1281 wontie Jack Harkaway and rin’ Pearl Divers of Geylon.. Theo ‘acebridge Hemyng 1282 Stuttering Mose; or, The Bie Agee of the Revolution... L, Johnston 1283 Cay kes Hurricane; os The Wait ‘of the ACRE AOR pe ae emt by Allan Arnold 1284 The ¥ ee noi eaeato The Adventures of Two Boys in seastigrtiy Poe h toc uucarurisdtie by Capt. Will Dayton 1285 yee Jack Harkaway in the Land of ...by Bracebridge Hemyng Jr., and His Band of Dead- eateries ximeaulasei een . by “ Noname” 1287 me Cruise of the *‘ wins t. Will Dayton 1288 The Mad Man of the nok th Opie, or, The Boy Mazeppa of the Arctic Poe oblToatnias y Kit Clyde 1289 Young Jack picarsddt and the Whe ss of BEG LES Srascjeilusis abnacwes Bracebrid: ea one 1290 Sarakestacke Bob, tiie ero of ae an: Seott by 1291 Ned Owen; or, The Mystery of deeioe Shi by Capt. W vill Diyiok 1292 Denv er Dan, Jr., and the mene nae wee ‘Noname ” 1293 The Mad Hunter; or, The bite o of the Beaver Dam.......:.... by Capt. Will Dayton 1294 Young Jack Wench: and the Boers of the Transvaal....... by Bracebridge Hemyng 1295 Sumter’s Aide. A Story of the American » Revolution..by Capt. Geo. Granville, U.S.A. 1296 Washed shores or, Dp ngs ees n a iomipeti helo UPR Peso eyra: by Rockwood 1297 Death Gulch; or, ‘ Evil Kye, o Chi ef of the Comanches... ....i24).03... y Alex. Armstrong 1298 Young Jack ecmilpiy) of in Guba PO y Bracebridge Hemyn& ilder- Repay wat MT Cina alk alacdat Morris Redwing 1300 Ola. ox: or, The Mystery of the Trunk.. by a New York Detective 1301 The ive Island; or, eae oe of the Jaro: y Col. J. M. Travers. 1302 Young ie ack Harkaway iy Among the Guban Insurgents.......... by Brace 1303 Huron Harry, The tga: cepa Haunted Skiff. . ib; 1304 Fireman Dick; or ra aa licstatonaeh eects Jas. D. Montague 1305 Buffalo Bill’s Chum y Capt. Ralph Fenton 1306 Young Jack Harkaway Fighting the Slave Traders of the Soudan.............. by Bracebridge Hemyng 1307 Young Lynx, the Amateur Detective.. by Richard R. Mont; ‘omery 1308 pire Drummer Boy to General, <A Tale of the Mexican Wee Sb aihpslgca hia weiteua eeuweaeateee y Richard R. Montgomery 1309 Silvershot, the Spent From Sacramento.. by Kit Clyde 1310 coe ae Harkaway and the Dervishes Shae: Bracebridge Hemyng 131 Ted River ‘Bill, the Prince of Scouts...... } by J. R. Scott 1312 The “Sea Wave’s”’ Last fol on The ITAL) CAN Assos doisictaicinn eee clea Kit Clyde 1313 Sam Sharpe at School..by Giaipis 8 ii Dayton 1314 Young Jack Harkaway in Armenia; or, A Fight with the Turks..........-++++.....- by Bracebridge Hemyng 1315 The Coral Cave; or, Paul Philip’s Cruise. . by Horace Ap’ leton 1316 Hu ZO, Me Texan; or, the Demons of the aes tee nee irate tele rclod elaadeln y J. R, Scott 1317 Matt 2 Mercy or, the Life of ‘the Soh ool. . by Capt. Will Dayton. or, The D. Montague bie of Phrohes For sale by all newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or sent to your address, post-paid, on Bgl’ of price, 5 cents, Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 29 West 26th Street, New York. ridge Hemyng ae