Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1041 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

* But dey like it, dey like it, Dey like it now an’ den; It’s drefful queer, for dough it’s dear, De berry bes’ ob men Dey like it.” Pete’s song indeed created a “ furrer” of ap- plause, the delighted cowboys clapping their haads and shooting till the darky was forced te respond, in true minstrel style, with another verse: “De ladies now I'll mention dem; If slighted dey won't like iL; An’ if I say dey fools de men I’s mighty shore ter strike it; We squoze deyre han’s an’ smile an’ bow— Dey ax us will we drop it,— An’ if dey’re kissed dey raise a row An’ say we bettah stop it.”’ ** But dey like it, dey like it, Dey like it now an’ den; It’s drefful queer, for it is clear De berry best of dem Dey like it,”’ This was received by a genuine cowboy yell that almost raised the roof, the rough fellows fairly forgetting where they were in their en- thusiasm and excitement. Pete was unanimous- ly voted ‘‘a dandy,” but refused to sing any more just then. ** Jas’ yo’ wait tell bimeby, folkses;” he said, **9Tain’t bes’ to sp’ile de impression I hab made, I ‘clare to goodness I’s ’stounded to fink yo’ like **By smoke!” exclaimed Cy Robinsor, slap- ing his thigh, ‘‘ That nigger’s a jewel! I be- ieve he would be a valuable fellow to have around the place to keep the boys in good spirits, I don’t know but I will have to see if I can’t bire him to stop with me,” *T am athtownded!” drawled Orson Colfax— **T weally am! Why, that thong wath weal wulzah! I thoulden’t think you would allow any- thing of the kind, Mistah Wobinson,” Round-up Rube gave a snort of disgust and turned away to keep from freely expressing his opinion of the tenderfoot ranchman, Cy Rob- oe looked a trifle surprised, but forced a auzh, ‘It is plain you do not like it, Colfax.” “Tl like thomething more wefined, thir.” **T am afraid your taste is a little too fine- grained for this part of the country,” observed Rodney Welland, ‘‘ I am free to say that [ did not notice anything objectionable in the song.” ' “Tien we will not discuth the mattah,” re- turned the tenderfoot, with dignity. At this moment, arm in arm, two young men approached the little group, the eyes of Rodney Welland and Cy Robinson lighting up as they saw them, *“‘An! here are the boys,” came from the rancher’s lips. ‘“‘Two fine, manly-appearing lads, eh, Welland?” “And as manly as they appear,” bowed the gray-bearded man. ** Now you're shoutin!” putin the bow-legged cowboy. ‘It jest duz one’s eyes good ter look at ’em arter hevin’ looke1 at some other things,” with a side-glance at Orsou Colfax. Shoulder to shoulder, about six feet in height and twenty-one years of age, the two fellows were perfect a cha Do of physical beauty, such sy as one naturally turns to look after a second me. One of them, Christopher Comstock, familiarly called ‘‘ Cowboy Chris,” was an employee on the Robinson Ranch, and a general favorite, although he had come there a tenderfoot. By his determination, undaunted courage and manly qualities he bad won his way in a won- derful manner, till, youn though he was, he was known as ‘the Man of Caliber.” The other, Fred Anthrop, was one of Chris’s old schoolmates, and was the accepted suitor for the hand of Rodney Welland’s fair daughter, Chance had brought him to the Robinson Ranch, ‘where he was one of the honored guests, The young men were introduced to Orson Colfax, and received a half-hearted hand-shake ctr’ the new oven of the rie gg Ranch, re you enjoying yourselves, you young rascals?” demanded bluff old Cy Robinson. ** Are you flirting to your heart’s content?” “fam fat my part of the flirting,” laugh- _ ingly replied Chris; ‘‘ but I believe Fred is in _ the sulks, and your foreman, Mr. Colfax, is the cause of it.” . * “* How ith that?” . Fred tried to silence his friend, but the young yellow rascal has obtained the first a a he a - 8 ey “is dance of the evening with Miss Welland, and *s he « PT . i +e vie’. > ie ag " fats G4) ve , t - yee » a uy sececeeeeeeccreeeel LLL LLL LLL LALA _— ct MMB LBL LLL LLL LOL LL LLL Cowboy Chris to the Fore Fred has been waiting for that very thing all | fellow. I did not seem to be able to get rid of this time,” ‘* Don’t let that give you the blues, my boy,” advised Rodney Welland. beaten in that way. Just capture the prettiest senorita in the room, and see how Nell likes that.” ‘Ob, Chris will talk!” laughed Fred, ‘‘ My being in the sulks is all in his mind,” ‘* Still he acknowledged he did not like to be beaten by a Greaser.” ‘* Who in blazes duz!” blurted Round-up Rube, ** Ding-blast ther critters, say I!” ‘* It is a singular thing you should hire one for a foreman, Colfax,” said Cy Robinson, gravely. ‘*They do not run well with white men, and I am afraid you will find you have made a mis- take, I hope you will not take offense at my plain talk, for I assure you, it is intended for your good,” ore tenderfoot rancher drew himself up stiffly. ‘‘| prethume I kuow my bithneth, thir!” he said, with dignity. ‘‘ lL hired the man becauthe he could be obtained much cheaper than any one elthe who could fill the plathe. than you are making. My father made hith money by economy, it alwayth being hith plan to purchathe a two-dollah article for a dollah when he could do tho, I am thimply following in hith footsthepths,” Seeing it was impossible to convince the man of his error by argument, Robinson quickly changed the subject. Another dance was announced, and the two young men turned away. Fyed was able to ob- tain Nina Robinson for a partner, and Chris se- cured a really pretty little Mexican maid. During the progress of the dance, Fred’s eyes turned many times toward the beautiful girl who had promised to become his wife. With a pang of jealousy, be saw how merry she ap-4 peared, and how gracefully her fancifully- attired partner danced. ‘*They make a handsome couple, don’t they?” maliciously whispered the rancher’s daughter, as she detected Fred’s eyes following Pablo Pajario and Nell, ‘“ Isn’t bea really nice-look- ing fellow for a Mexican?” ‘*T do not like his looks,” was the short reply, although Fred did not mean to be rude. Nina broke into a suppressed laugh that “athe 93 a flush of hot color to the young man’s ace. ‘*Tam afraid you are jealous, Mr, Anthrop. You sbow it plainly. Let me warn you not to allow Nellie to see it, for she will be sure to tease the life out of you. You bave no cause to fear Pablo Pajario asa rival when Chris Comstock failed to win the one you covet. Compare the two! There is Chris now, Look at that tall, manly figure, and then take a look at the fore- man of the Diamond Ranch! Pablo cannot make himself imposing, no matter how much finery he puts on, Ob, Mr. Anthrop! you ought to be ashamed at being jealous of him!” At this Fred blushed more than ever, and mumbled something unintelligible, When the dance was over, he sought for Nell, but failed to find her for some time, At length he came upon her talking with Pablo, and plain- ly trying to escape from him, though the Mexi- can clung to. one of ber hands and 5 at in low, earnest tones. With a feeling of hot anger in his heart, Fred approached, succeeding an effort in fully controlling his voice, as he said: ‘*T believe you have promised me the next dance, Miss Welland?” A look of relief and pleasure flashed over her face, as she quickly turned toward him, reply- ing: ‘** Tt was the next, I think.” Pablo muttered something that sounded strangely like a curse, as he felt her fingers slip from his grasp, and he shot a loveless look at the young American, saying: ‘Your pardon, senor; I was speaking with the senorita,”’ Again Fred put a strong check on his temper, bowing ipa ¢ as he spoke: “You will excuse me, I trust. I will wait till she is at liberty.” He retreated a short distance and turned his back on them; but in less than half a minute he felt Nell’s hand on hisarm, As heled heraway he could not refrain from flashing a look o triumph at Patlo, who was glaring sullenly after them, ““Oh, Fred, Iam so glad!” exclaimed Nell, as soon as they were beyond ear-shot of the fore- man of the Diamond Ranch, ‘I am scarcely afraid of anything, but I had begun to fear that Te aw FO hee af < | cee = Ee | “s+ atte -4 1. | go outside with him.” ‘TJ would not be; ‘ I have come out | here to thow you people that there can be agreat | deal more money made in the cattle bithneth | ni LL RR SS MRR RRR RS ARR SSS hed ° ; - - £ e* ji P i ‘ gg thew uA , \ . ] : ‘to ‘ 4 7 7 7 ° — ’ . 5 a, eS ; oe x - 29> + ’ > = 4 a < — ree ++" . | [ () Ay é 4° re + a as pus AL Aaa ‘ ‘4! vor him, and he was actually trying to coax me to ‘The dog!” gritted Fred. ‘* Did he offer you insult? If so, I will have—” ‘ No, no! he was exceedingly polite.” But, for all of this assurance, the young man was not satisfied, ‘* He had better keep out of my way,” he mut- tered. When the next dance was over he looked in vain for Pablo, The gaudily-attired little fellow had disappeared, The merriment continued fast and furious, the scene being peculiar to a ranch dance, where everybody seems to goin for a good time. Or- an son Colfax danced once or twice with Nina Robinson for a partner, and even rough old Round-up Rube renewed his youth and shook bis | beavy boots in a manner that threatened to | drown the music. At length it was noticed Nellie Welland was missing. Fred began inquiring anxiously for her, but for a long time no one seemed able to tell him anything of her. Nina Robinson finally said she believed she had seen the missing girl ascending to the upper part of the house some time before. The rancher’s daugbter volun- teered to go in search of the lost one, flitting away up the stairs, ‘Lhe guests were selecting partners for another dance, and the musicians drawing soft sounds from their instruments, when— From the upper portion of the ranch came a shriek—a woman’s cry!—which startled and electrified all who heard it! . CHAPTER III, THE WORK OF THE SCOURGE, For a moment after that startling cry every one seemed paralyzed, then Cy Robinson started for the stairs, shouting: ‘That was Nina! Something bas happened! She would not cry out in that way for nothing!” Fred Antbrop and Chris Comstock followed at his heels, while Round-up Rube turned to check the surge of the guests, two-thirds of whom were eager to iavestigate the cause of the alarm. ‘Slow an’ stiddy!” cried the bow-legged cow- boy, blocking the doorway. ‘‘ I'll low thet yoop kem frum ther gals’ private chamber, an’ thar hain’t any reason w’y this bull crowd sh’u’d rush in thar. Yow fine out w’at ther matter is, ef you'll jest keep still fer er bit.” But he stepped aside before Rodney Welland, whkose eyes were gleaming strangely, allowing the man to pass, without a word. “‘Tt’s his gal he’s lookin’ fer,” explained the foreman, as he once more blocked the doorway. Cy Robinson found ‘the door of the girl’s room standing wide open when he reached the head of the stairs. A glance within showed him his daughter standing near the center of the room, wildly staring at a slip of paper she held in her outstretched band, In a moment he was at her side, crying: ‘‘ What is it, Nina? You look like you had seena ghost! Where is Miss Welland?” She tried to speak, but seemed to find it im- possible to do so, Silently she held the slip of paper toward him. He took it, seeing there was writing upon it, but instantly handed it to Chris, as the young cowboy entered with Fred Anthrop. ‘** Read it, lad!” be said—“ read it aloud!” “Where is Nell?’ demanded Fred, looking wildly around for the one he loved, “Perhaps that paper will tell,” r nded the ranchman. ‘She is not here. Read it, Chris, read it!” 7 This was what Chris Comstock read: ** Cyrus Rosrnson:—By the time this falls beneath our eyes your daughter will be in vg Ligh eg and far 3 bisa 3 oo anon . I have perye : = uan Valley for a purpose — an at purpose vengeance! This tal are first blow; others shall fol- low. I shall never stay my hand, for 1 know not the meaning of the word mercy to one who has wronged me as you have. THe BLACK PHENTX,” The ranch-owner heard thix like one duzed, and even when Chris had finished reading the strange note, he looked puzzled. Rodney Welland bad entered the room in time to hear the contents of the note, and a pyc sound came from his bearded lips —a ata | S, t in the world does it mean?” cried Rob- inson helplessly. ‘*Mean!” echoed Welland, his eyes blazi - ° and his manner reminding them allof theshoré time before when he was attle- own as ** Old Ra wk 5S #4 TO + Shed v5 Ny ; boo - = . ‘Fa # . * » ¢¥ o,* - ——— ™* ‘. = el = 72 a es > when » ef te, ry ae kth + Tora é = in? * >» = y wv a mf "4 -_ 7] Ss: a Y > al ¥ ktothe San . Ais ae te — w >. 7. : ty sy > -. c oa r o eels oh ey a Srey ad P 3 & Cache aa i ee : “net —— rT. » “s 4 ag = eee ie. >: ey