Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 426

The Beggar-Boy Detective: The Blind Man's Vengeance by E. L. Wheeler continues in this thirteenth edition (1885, Beadle and Adams, sixpence). The serialized story begins with a melodramatic scene at Dark Pond, where a wealthy young man named Frank Jamison attempts suicide, driven to despair because his father intends to marry Dolly Denning, whom Jamison himself loves. Before Jamison can drown himself, he is interrupted by Sam Slabsides, a fifteen-year-old beggar-boy of wit and sharp tongue. Sam's mockery and cheek persuade Jamison to abandon his suicide plan. The narrative includes a legendary backstory of Dark Pond involving an Indian chief, his son Lightfoot, and the settler's daughter Ruth Baker, ending in tragedy. The story continues with hints of approaching dramatic developments as a thunderstorm gathers.