Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 104 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

a ee _——— them this will,and also my dying blessing, which I have no doubt they will appreciate. ‘*Signed upon my death-bed. “Davip R. Howe... EpWARD HARRIS, “ Witnessed by Mosg Mosray.”’ Ned Harris and the miner at the stove append- ed their paeasatee, and the last will and testa ment of the owner of Dead Pine Tract was made, ‘‘Tt’s as it should be,” the dying man said, when the last stroke of the pen had been made. ‘It places the property forever out of the reach of my designing brother, who has been figuring for it the best he knew how.” “True!” Deadwood Dick said, “‘ but you are placing your property and the life of your child in the hands of a man you know little about, just to spite your own kindred. Is this not very eccentric?” ” “Perhaps so, young man, but it is my will. If you are the original Deadwood Dick I have no fears for my Star, or for my wealth, for often have I heard of Deadwood Dick as a man, who though a road-agent, was a man of honor and integrity. Besides, you are the one man to hold your own, here on Dead Pine Tract, for blood will be spilled ere the dispute for the ownership will at, Mark you, you will have to play a strong hand or they will oust you. They will fight like devils for the mine, and if you would keep it, the name of Deadwood Dick must again ring abroad, a synonym of terror.” A quiet smile stole around the lips of the great ex-road-agent, ' ‘‘Let them come!” he said, wigs ‘You have made me legally your heir, and shall hold the mine as you have directed. Your daughter shall be treated with marked care and respect, and you need have no fear that she will come to want, while in my care. Is that all you have to say?” ‘‘Nearly. The tin safe there contains the Re- corder’s deed of the claim, which you may need to fight with! Beware that they do not steal them from you, for then they would have you in their power, completely.” “ Never fear,” Deadwood Dick replied, with acoollaugh. ‘I can fight them to the death, for having died once and returned, Phenix- like, to life, I don’t calculate that death ought to have so many terrors to me. as it once ‘“‘ How did you escape?” ‘That is a little secret I don’t care to reveal. I was brought back to life by my dear friend, the Girl Sport, otherwise known as Calamity Jane. She did a good job, and shall yet be re- warded, Now, about this mine—have you any hands at work in it?’ ‘None. I discharged them all this morning, when I felt death coming over me. The China- man, here, I give to you, with the assurance that you can place implicit trust in him, Mose Mobray, yonder, has been merely a worker for me, to cook my mess, since my Stella was ab- ducted.” “They shall remain upon the Tract, if I find them faithful,” Deadwood Dick assured. The storm now burst forth with redoubled fury, and the new heir to the Howell mine sent Cherub to take his horse in under the shelter of the shed by the shaft-mouth. . . As the storm waged wild, the dying miner seemed to grow proportionately wild and rest- less, groaning aloud, and sometimes shriekin in agony, either caused by pain or a to conscience, , The man Mobray administered such medicines as were at hand, but they seemed to have little or no effect. } To Deadwood Dick this was a new epoch in his’ strangely eventful life, and he could but wonder how the venture or adventure was go- ing to end. mind reverted to the strange vailed wo- man who had summoned htm to this dying man’s side, and he wondered how she was con- nected with the future, for he felt that she was deanar to appear again, either as friend or oe. The tornado finally spent its force, and the wind went down, while the sun burst forth over a scene of hayoc and desolation, caused by the storm—trees torn down or uprooted, buildings unroofed, and and a profusion of debris hurled every where, The sun also shone in the window of the cabin on Dead Pine Tract, and lighted the path of David Howell from one world to anvther, for as the storm abated, he sunk rapidly, and breathed his last in a few minutes after the sun- light came to beckon him. | financially Deadwood Dick’s Device. CHAPTER II. DEADWOOD DICK STANDS HIS GROUND. AFTER arranging with the miner, Mose Mo- bray, to see that the dead man was decently interred, Deadwood Dick mounted his horse and rode away toward Leadville. His first motive was to ride to the house of Major Howell, and acquaint him with the state of affairs. Donning a heavy false mustache and tee, before entering the town, he rode in the main street, fearlessly. Handsome, das : dauntless he looked, as he sat his saddle wit the best of ce and ease—a thoroughbred knight of the road, such as he had been in the past. But Deadwood Dick had been lynched, and the throbbing, surging mass of humanity he encountered, merely gazed upon him as an or- dinary “‘ pilgrim,” not dreaming that he had passed through the jaws of death and was back among them a free man. For no one now could dispute that he had paid the full penalty of the law, The Howells were a leading family, both and socially—for Leadville, mind you, has its social world as well as its eastern sister cities, formed out of that class whom for- tune has smiled upon. And surrounded bya great superfluity of style, mp and splendor, they set themselves up as the ‘‘superior class,” ye gods! It was among these aristocratic circles that the Howell family moved, and being possessed of considerable style, power, influence and cash, they were looked up to asone of the “ first families,’ in Leadville, and held themselves austerely aloof from the commoner citizens and their families; to such an extent, it may be said, that they had but few friends and many foes, who made fun of them from the street corners as they assed by. Upon one of the more aristocratic streets they lived in a modern mansion, newly comple and furnished throughout with the greatest taste and elegance, Deadwood Dick found the place by a little in- quiry, and dismounting, he fastened Spot, and ascending the polished steps, rung the bell. An ebony son of Africa soon appeared. “Here is my card,” Deadwood Dick said, tendering a card. ‘‘Please hand it to your master, sir.” The negro skurried hastily away, leaving Dick standing upon the steps. He soon return- ed however, his face nearly disjointed by a huge grin. De massa says as how I’se to tell you he’s not at home!” the fellow stammered. ‘“Then you go tell him he’s a liar!” Deadwood Dick ordered, ‘‘and that ve important busi- ness. If he don’t grant me an interview, I'll waltz in there and tumble him out of doors, head-foremost.”’ The darky disappeared again, but when he returned he ushered Deadwood Dick into a long elaborately-frescoed hall, and up a staircase which was carpeted with velvet. Upon the first floor front, in an apartment fit for a prince, was the reception parlor and office combined, of the speculator. Into this Ned Harris was ushered, and likewise into the pres- ence of Major Howell. He was a portly individual, with a florid countenance, steel-gray eyes, and flaxen hair and mustache—a man who looked as if fast liv- ing and dissipation had been his worst enemies, He was clad in a suit of blue broadcloth, and wore a liberal display of jewelry. He arose from his easy-chair with a cold bow, as Harris entered, and motioned him toward a seat ‘* Be seated, sir, if you have business with me,” he said, crustily, ‘“‘ and be so kind as to state the nature of your errand, at once.” ‘* Yours truly!” Deadwood Dick replied, carelessly, as he accepted the seat, and took out a cigar-case. Smoke?” **No, thank you; I do not use tobacco.” ‘‘Don’t smoke? Well, you’re just like me— I do. Sometimes I enjoy a good cigar, but tastes differ, I notice, ou are the Honorable Major Howell, I presume?” ‘** Exactly so, sir.” “Then you are the man I want to see. I came to bring you sad news—news which, if you are ed of a sensitive nature, must wif your heart with grief.” ‘* You probably intend to herald the death of my brother?’ Major Howell interrogated, eager- Mu Ido. He expired not an hour since.” “Then, Lam much obliged to you for your interest {n informing me. Having known for ¥, several days past that he must die, I am not shocked.” “*T observe not,” Deadwood Dick replied, con- temptuously. ‘‘ You will perhaps be more shocked, however, when you hear the contents of David Howell’s will.” ‘** What! what is this you say? He did leave a will behind?” the speculator gasped, with a start ‘He did, most assuredly. I was summoned to Dead Pine Tract, and saw him draw, sign and witness the document.” The major sprang to his feet, excitedly, and paced to and fro across the soft carpet. “To whom did he leave the mine?” he finally demanded, pausing in front of Deadwood Dick, with frownimg mien. ‘‘ Tell me—did he leave it to his daug ter, Stella?” ‘“ Be seated, and you shall hear,” Harris said, taking the document from his pocket, and un aon it. “Here is a correct copy of the will. And then in a clear, distinct tone he read the testament of the miner, word for word, until he had arrived at the end. Then he looked up, to behold Major Howell upon his feet, livid with passion, and his hands opening and shutting like the claws of some in- furiated beast. ‘** You—yov the heir of David Howell’s pro- porte he said, in a hissing tone; ‘“‘you? Tis alse, curse you—’tis false! That will is a for- gery—a damnable plot of yours to cheat me out of t a mine!” ‘ ; ya ‘‘ Begging thy pardon, all the same, you are mistaken!” Deadwood Dick said, Mt ag “The property was legally and rr. Wales to me, and I am bound to keep it. Also, the girl, ‘You shall not have her. She isin m session, and hang me if I don’t keep her. While, as to you and the mine, I'll soon fire you out, and the mine will be mine. That I swear to, by all I hold sacred!” ‘I’m afraid we shall have to argue that and if so, it will be at the point of Suite aha pistol!” Deadwood Dick said, significantly. ‘* You probably have heard of Deadwood Dick, and when I tell you that Iam he, you will please do yourself the justice to remember that I am a bad man to fool around.” ‘You lie! you are not Deadwood Dick. He was lynched, in town, here, but a short time ago. ‘‘ True, but like the Phenix he has risen from his ashes, and now stands before you!” ‘*Then, by Heaven, you shall go back to the scaffold, and hang again!” the major cried, savagely. ‘‘I’llsee that the noose fits tighter this time.” “You will do nothing of the kind,” Dick re- ag gy sudden fierceness. ‘‘ You will calm- ly think the matter over, and conclude that i = as not to arouse my enmity toward ou!’ ‘* Bah! a fig for you or your enmity, sir road- agent. I have the power to have you taken and strung up at any minute, and you'll find it out directly, too. my niece, I shall appoint myself her guardian until she is of age, or marries. Now, sir, leave my house, or by the Great Eternal, Pi have you forcibly ejected, in a manner none too gentle.” ‘*Then I'll save bite that trouble,” Dick sai rising with a cool laugh. ‘I have no desire remaining where my presence is so undesirable. Look out for me, however. If you intend to fight with me for the Dead Pine Tract, you will have not only me to fight but a host of men as firm and true as steel. cee major!” And turning on his heel with a haughty bow, the ex-road-agent quitted the room. Major Howell followed him until he saw him leave the house; then he returned to his room, cursing furiously. _ “Ten thousand furies seize that fellow! He is my enemy, benceforth, and one I need have cause to fear, for he never leavesa wrong un- avenged, nor a fancied insult unpunished. rse him! curse the brother of mine, who made that will! But it must not be so—it shall not be so; the Howell mine shall belong to me, and that before ee ef days. I will wait until Alfred comes, and he may have some plan to offer. The mine is one of the richest inall Leadville, and there is room enough to put down several more shafts on the same property. For that reason, the bequest of David Howell is mine and clearl mad was he, in willing the tract away from inks own relatives to a total stranger, and that man the notorious Deadwood Dick.” The following morning the L.adville Ness contained an esomething a‘ follows, whick | | ' | ; COM COOOKS CON