Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 100 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- : _ ened to interest, —— ee er es _ ae ee es a e - - —_ —— —_ _ —_ Yes, I’ve heard her spoken of be- 17? amity Jane! fore as a hard crowd to tackle Pausing in front of the Tontine House; where a stage had just driven up, the young mine- owner watched those who were embarking, with idle curiosity. This curiosity soon deep- owever, and then to eager- ness, and he bent forward, that he might have a nearer view of the new-comers. His face had grown a shade paler than usual, and his eyes seemed to emit a venomous sparkle of recogni- tion. The party were the Farnsworths, under the es ag of Thoroughbred Tom, who assisted hem to alight from Fargett’s stage, and showed them the entrance to the Tontine. He then sauntered into the hotel office, for a quiet smoke. A handsome, dashing fellow was this Thor- _oughbred Tom, with a close-knitted form of eat muscular strength, and a face well chiseled, arfd looking almost boyish for its want of hirsute adornment. His hair, dark as the raven’s wing, was worn down upon his shoulders after the fashion of many of the frontier scouts. His eyes were dusky, and brilliant, while the expression upon his face was pleasant and genial. lad in a stylishly fitting suit of light gray woolen material, with a white wool slouch-hat upon his head, and cavalry boots upon nis feet, he was the ideal weg fe of the sporting char- acters so often met in those far away western mining towns. Ralph Gardner followed him into the office of the Tontine, and touched him on the shoulder. “ Beg pardon!” he said, as Thoroughbred Tom turned around, ‘‘ but I wished to ask the names of the party whom you just assisted to alight from the carriage?” ‘Why?’ Tom demanded, coolly. “Oh! because I had an idea thaf their faces were familiar, though I had the impression that—that—” . Here the mine-owner stopped. Words that would have escaped his lips he choked off. “Tt is probable that you are mistaken, sir,” Thoroughbred Tom said, haughtily, and so say- ing he sauntered away. | A black look came upon Ralph Gardner’s face, as he glared after the sport—a look decidedly expressive of hatred. ‘So you refuse to answer me, eh?” he mused. ‘‘ Well, I must seek satisfaction elsewhere.” And he turned away. Leaving the Tontine, he made his way toward Stray Horse guich and Fryer Hill, where the largest mines in the Leadville district are located, The streets of the town left behind, he follow- ed a narrow path down into the gulch, and _ thence on to the elevation called Fryer Hill. Passing among the groups of shanties and cabins which cover the shafts of the different mines, he at last came to an unpretentious, rough board cottage, surrounded by a rail fence, inside of which was a newly made gar- den, and a few beds-of flowering plants. Passing through the little wicket gate, he approached the cottage by a well-beaten path, and entered the place without the ceremony ol knocking. He passed into a small, uncarpeted room where two women were sitting. This room was rudely furnished, but every- thing was clean, and the walls contained a few ictures and ornaments, which gave it a cheer- ful appearaneé. A stove in one corner gave forth a trifle of warmth, and a lamp upon a mantle furnished light. The two occupants were ,a middle-aged woman and a maiden of some seventeen or hteen summers. ; ) The elder lady was seated in an invalid’s chair, propped up with pillows. There was a e and wearied look upon her features, which in their youth had been of wondrous. beauty and a pained expression about her eyes anc mouth, which evidenced a past or present trouble and worry. She was attired in a plain calico wrapper, and wore no ornaments, what- ever. The maiden was wondrously pretty, with her slight but shapely form, her pure, fair face, set off by a sweetly expressive mouth, lustrous brown eyes, and a luxuriant mass of hair of the same hue, which fell over her shoulders and to her waist. -- She too was plainly attired, but looked charm- ing and winsome, with a bunch of syringa blossoms in her hair and at her throat, which was as pure as alabaster? She rose from her chair, the smile that had hean won her lips changing to an expression of LB eadwood Dick in Leadville contempt, as Ralph Gardner entered, wt:ile the pained Jook upon her mother’s features in- creased. ‘* You, Mr. Gardner!” the maiden said, in a cold tone, ‘I believe we told you that your calls here were unwelcome.” Ralph Gardner flushed, but managed to smile, in a sardonic way. ‘*T am aware of the fact, Miss Heath!” he re- sponded, ‘‘but I seldom consult the wishes of others, when I have views of my own to further. I came expressly on purpose to talk with your mother—not with you!” It was Jessie’s turn to flush, but it was a flush of indignation. ‘*My mother is not well, and I pray you won’t disturb her,” she said, * Then I cannot comply with your prayers my dear Miss Heath, for I have business o utmost importance with Mrs. Heath, and must talk!” Gardner returned, triumph in his tones. ‘You will find that it is better to have me for a friend than an enemy, for as a friend Iam rich and influential, while, as an enemy, I have the power to turn you out of your present abode, onto the world: : se Sir?” *“Some months ago I purchased this cabin and ground whereon it stands, for the sum of one hundred dollars, from your father. | Crowded as I am by business affairs, I had for- | gotten it, until your refusal of my suit sharpen- fo) ed my ishmary wend set me about looking up the | deeds.” ‘This is false!” Mrs. Heath cried, burstin into tears. “I am sure Morris would not sell the home without telling me. Oh! you are very hard on us, Mr. Gardner.” ‘Not so, my dear Mrs, Heath,” the muine- owner replied, ‘‘I never am intentionally hard only to those who are hard on me. To such, I extend nomercy. I offered my heart and hand — to your daughter, and she scornfully refused | me. The blow staggered me, for a time; then the devil came to my relief, and suggested that | I turn you out of doors, as I have the power to _ do. But, even this I would not do, if Miss Jessie would reconsider her verdict, and give a deci- sion in my favor.” ‘Never, Ralph Gardner!” Jessie replied, spiritedly. ‘‘I never held you in too high re- gard, and I hold you in less, now, that I behold what kind of aman youare. You are not the person I could ever love, or respect!” “And why, pray? What have I done that lowers me in your estimation? What is the | -— oe ee —— —— . — —— — ‘“T am well aware of that, Mrs. Heath, and that is why I urge your daughter to become my wife. Then you could both have the comfort and elegance of a rich man’s home.” ‘ But Jessie cannot marry you—will not, sir. She does not care about getting married.” ‘‘ A little courting, I believe, would dissipate her prejudices,” the mine-owner suggested with a grin. Jessie laughed outright, a ringing little laugh of sarcasm. ‘‘Were I ever to be courted, I could easily pick out any one among the miners, preférable to you, Ralph Gardner!” she retorted. ‘‘ Though you endeavor by dress and looking-glass study to make yourself attractive, the effort is useless, People of sound judgment would regard you with derision!” Ralph Gardner’s face flamed redly at this cut. He sprung to his feet and advanced a step, threateningly. But he paused when Jessie seized a cowhide whip from the chimney corner, and held it ready, with a firm hand, “Curse you, you little tigress!” he gritted, hcavsely, “ your tongue is as sharp as a knife- blade. ut, never mind; resist though you _ may, you shall be mine yet—ay! I swear it, by all I hold sacred—swear that you shall be mine. Then I shall spend my whole time in taming you, until you are broken in spirit and as humble as.a wild colt that has passed through the tamer’s hands. Ha! ha! I already foresee the sport I shall have, my peerless Jessie. You will find then how merciless a man can be. As to this house—I give you until to-morrow night at sunset to get out, bag and baggage. If you fail to Eat out by that time you will rue it!” ‘*I defy you!” Jessie cried, ‘‘and so does mamma. Doyour worst, Ralph Gardner. Now, go—get out of our presence, or I will teach you a lesson you may have not yet learned!” And whip in hand, Jessie advanced in a way that meant business, With a curse he retreated to the door, and sped away into the night. Then it was that poor Jessie’s courage failed her, and dropping on her knees by her mother’s chair, she burst into tears, ‘‘Oh! mamma! mamma! we are in the midst of a great trouble. We shall soon be turned out of doors, poor, friendless and _ helpless. W hat shall we do?” CHAPTER YV. THE PET ELEPHANT’S DEFEAT—CAPTAIN HAWK’S BULLETIN. Sm Nort FARNSWORTH, once the sluggish | blood in his veins was aroused, was an expedi- difference between me and other men? I am | one of the richest men in Leadville—” ‘‘Bah! why boast of that to us, sir? A part. of your riches you deliberately stole from us, for positive we are that it was papa who had a | controlling interest in the Wild-cat mine, in- stead of you. But, his untimely death gave him no chance to advise us of his business af- fairs, and you took advantage of the fact, de- | stroyed what papers he may have had, and claimed the mine as your individual property! Oh! Ralph Gardner, even though the world may believe in you, and lionize you, I can read you like a book. I hate—defy—despise you!” ‘* Jessie! Jessie!” Mrs. Heath remonstrated, chidingly, ‘‘ you should not say hate to anybody. | The good Book tells us to Love our Enemies.” “ Pshaw! that is nothing to do with my dis- like for Ralph Gardner. Do you suppose that one can love a snake that has bitten you? No! indeed!” Gardner sat and listened, an evil smile upon his face. tate ‘‘Bire away, Miss Jessie!” he said, with a chuckle. ‘‘The more spirited you become, the more Lam forced to admire you. You have made some serious charges, but I can afford to pass them by. When you come to find out my in- nocence, you will regret your hasty words. As to the matter of the cabin, if you will give me your promise to become my wife, I will give you the deed of the place.” * And, if I refuse?” “Then it shall be my painful duty to have you removed hence!” ‘You dare not turn us out of doors. My mother is an invalid, and there is no law that will permit you to turn us out short of three months’ warning.” ‘‘Perhaps not. I have not consulted the law on the subject. If I am determined to turn you out, there are ways in which you can be ousted.” ‘‘Mr. Gardner, will you have no mercy upon us? We are two lone, defenseless women, <le- yendent upon our needles for support. It would very hard for us to be turned out of house and home, and have to pay rent ” | | a tious worker. After arriving in Leadville, and installing his mother and brother at the Tontine, he set out in search of aid for the recovery of Lady Belle. Inquiry of different ones resulted in a general shake of the head. ‘* Ef ye’ve got any one in ther hands o’ Cap- tain Hawk, ye’d better leave ’em thar, ’ca’se how yell most likely git plugged right thru ther <ernoodleum, ter oncet!” they all said, ‘ Thet Hawk be one cuss-an-a-balf, an’ ll allow them as ever tried ter war ag’in’ him have got a coat o’ war in return.” Paling to derive any satisfaction from these replies, Sir Noel hunted up Sheriff Jo Murphy, and laid his case before him. The sheriff was a shrewd little Irishman, with a red face and red hair, whose sole solace ap- pean to bein a common clay pipe, which he 1eld in his mouth. He listened to Sir Noel’s narrative with one eye closed, and the other directed upon the visitor, a thoughtful expression upon his face. rn Sir Noel had comchuded his narration, 1e said: “Tt be a divil of a fix yez be got yer sister in, me lord. This Captain Hawk has a retreat somewhere im the mountains, where with his/ force av fifty or more bloody spalpeems he be‘ invulnerable, they say. An’, as for Deadwood‘ Dick, bad luck to him, the divil himself couldn’t catch him, at all. He goes and ccmes when- ever it plazes him, and begorra! there’s nary a band guick enough to reach him, or a bullet good enough to drap him,” ‘From what I saw of the fellow, the more you let him alone the more he’ll let you alone!” Sir Noel suggested. “Ah! bad luck to his picture; it’s mesilf as will not let the spalpeen alone! He has bid defiance to the law, and by my soul, it is Jo egal hy as will yet tache him a trick wid a hole in it. _ “But, laying aside his past, as a thing which is past, is he not doing more good to the travel- ing public than any one else?” and then Sir Noel omircbooks: ont