Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 118 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

oo Bravest and. most heroic of all stood Lily Thorpe upon her horse, firing right and left with her revolvers, and endeavoring to clear a passage to the dressing-tent. From a position near the HooL yey: Jack saw her wave her hand, and understood her message instantly. Running out of the tent, he drew his knife and cut every guy rope, then the cen- ter tackle rope, and down came the great spread of canvas with a rush upon the heads of the fighting, struggling mass of humanity. And that very act was the salvation of per- haps two thirds of those within, for when the canvas came down upon their heads, it attracted the attention of every person to his own safety —every man now sought his own escape, and in this way the battle ceased to wage. One by one they cut their way out of the smothering prison, until all that were living had made their escape, by which time the canvas-top was literally slitted into ribbons. As soon as they emerged from under the can- vas, it began to rain furiously, which Jack con- sidered fortunate, for it drove those who had composed the audience to their own homes and saved any further disturbance. As soon as he could he collected his men, and they partiully raised tne tent, so that they could estimate the dam done. Big Connales and ten of his gang were either dead or upon the point of dying—several of the audience were also killed, and, worst of all, three of the performers and five tent hands were dead, while nearly every one that remained had been more or less seriously injured in the fracas. Lily Thorpe had received a slight flesh wound, but declared that it did not incapacitate her for duty. Fully believing, and perhaps correctly, that the townspeople had been fighting against in- stead of for the show, Jack felt it was not safe to remain longer in the town, and accordingly , selecting ten of his men who were yet able work, and also applying himself to the task, they began tearing down and pulling - In two hours the sick and those who had belonged to the company that had met with death, were loaded into a box wagon and driven out upon the prairie, several miles from town, followed om, erest of the wagons with the parapher- nalia. Here a camp was made, and pickets posted for the night. In the morning the dead were buried, and a eneral review of matters taken by Jack, who elt pretty dubious. Only two of his tumblers, and three of his equestrians and specialty performers were fit for service, and the stock of able tent hands was illy sufficient, but on consultation it was decid- ed to sew up the rips in the canvas, and struggle on at moderate stages. This was done, and three days later they exhibited in a town called Baosco, to $1,000 receipts. This.was the best done for many days, and Jack was hopeful that when they struck fur- ther north business would be better. Therefore he laid the route up through the Red river country and Indian Territory, into Colorado, which they penetrated, doing nearly every town of any importance in the State. @ second year’s anniversary of his struggle for a fortune he celebrated in Denver, by giving the members of his company a banquet at one of the hotels, after the evening’s performance. Jack was now twenty years of age, and pro- bably his experience had been greater than that of any youthful bose in the United States if not in the world. On his second year’s anniversary he figured up his profits and found that after having paid expenses, he was the possessor of six thousand dollars, in addition to the seven thousand he had invested in the lots at Dayton, and the cir- cus prey oe he , ’ The result was not quite satisfactory to him. At the rate of seven thousand and five hundred dollars a year, he perceived that it woul be impossible for him to make the sum of the mortgages in five years as he had hoped to do. Either he must i tye up the hope of so large a realization, or must make money faster than he had been doing. After deliberation he conclud- ed that the former was the wisest policy. His incessant devotion to business for the last two years had worn upon him, a great deal, and he concluded that r the circus season was ended, he would rest for the winter. Although only iwenty years of age, he looked five years older than that, which fact was pro- bably owing to his having raised a mustache and goatee, that any man of thirty might have been proud to possess. and Cincinnati, an eek Hpyip. oe _— ee After leaving Denver, he branched eastward | riage, and were whirled away into the old city, into Kansas, thence into Nebraska, Iowa, Min- nesota, and Wisconsin. In October he sold out his show to Kirby, one | of his employees, for five thousand dollars, and started for the with twelve thousand dol- lars in his pocket. On the way he stop in ri 5 St. Louis deposited amount in different 3. With the rest he made for Philadelphia. The ren of the Centennial induced him to tarry there. In December he met and became acquainted with many REORUDee citizens of the Quaker city, through business intercourse in Third street, where he occasionally invested shrewdly in stocks and sold them to good advantage. In this way he managed to defra of his expenses, without breaking into his larger capi- tal As soon as the Centennial had fairly opened, he bought out fifteen huckster carts and outfits and hired trusty men to drive them, and sell ull kinds of truck in the streets. He then contracted with several Jersey and Maryland truck growers for their full supply of vege ee and green stuff, and also contracted with numerous hotels and boarding houses to furnish them with the same, including butter, eggs and fish. hus he established a good business, which, as apa grees International Exhibition progressed, gradually increased, netting him a handsome profit without his having to expend much time or labor. To him the Centennial proved a profitable piensa and instructive period of his life, as i id to thousands of others. When not engaged in business, he spent his days within the ‘Exposition poring over the great treasures there to be seen, or dreaming away the hours in the shade of the park, watch- ing the vast crowds that surged to and fro like the white-capped waves far out upon the bosom of the restless ocean. ~ One evening while attending a representation of ‘‘Around the World,” at the Alhambra Theater, he saw a face among the many faces in the balcony tier, that looked familiar—a pale, haggard face, in which were set a ape of wild, aeed eyes, that glittered seemingly even more the spangles upon the costumes of the bal- let girls. teva did he gaze at the face, but familiar though it looked, he failed to recognize the owner. The face and the eyes, however, haunted his dreams that night, and he could not forget it, The next day, as he was leaving the Centen- nial Art Gallery by the rear entrance, he came suddenly face to face with the same woman, who was accompanied by a well-known Phila- delphia detective. e moment the woman saw Jack, she threw up her arms, and uttered a shrill cry. ‘There he is! there he is—my runaway hus- band. Arrest alae Ck before he gets away,” she screamed, excitedly. And to Jack’s consternation and horror, the detective seized him firmly by the arm, and said: Yo man, it is my duty to arrest you on the charge of willful desertion of your wife. You will have to come with me.” CHAPTER VI. JACK IN TROUBLE AND OUT—OFF TO THE BLACK HILLS. Or course Jack was surprised. He could not well be otherwise, since the woman was a stranger to him, and yet claimed him as her husband. ‘See here—hold on!” he exclaimed, as the detective was in the act of marching him off. ‘IT don’t know this woman—never was married to her—never was married. There is some mistake, here!” ‘Oh! I guess not,” the detective replied, good-naturedly. ‘‘ I’ve known of several such cases, before. If you will be so kind as to ac- company me to the outside inclosure, you can hire a carriage down to the Central, if you choose.” ‘But tellme who is this woman—this accursed impostor?” Jack replied, hotly. “Tam Ske that was Lillian Lorne—she whom you secretly married, because you were a beg- gar, and then deserted.” . “It’s a confounded lie—a plot to ruin me!” ack groaned. ‘ on, man!” The detective and Jack walked side by side out of the Centennial grounds, the woman fol- lowing close behind. Outside of the inclosure they entered a car- | | | 7 . - nee — and to the police court, where Jack arraigned for wite desertion. ‘* Let the woman give in her testimony, backed by other testimony,” bis Honor said. ‘ This complaint of wife desertion is becoming quite too common,” Lillian Lorne was accordingly sworn, and in was alf of the | her testimony, stated that the defendent had secretly marricd her, in. Lowell, two years before, and showed a marriage certificate in the handwriting of Mr. Boud, the Lowell rector, As further witness, she offered Mr. Thomas Tremaine, of Lowell. Tremaine testified that he had known of the marriage, by being present at its consummation, and recognized Jackson mo le en the legally wedded husband of the ‘“What have you to offer in defense, Mr. Hoyle, in relation to this?’ the judge inquired. ‘* Nothing, further than that the testimony of this precious pair is a square perjury: Idemand that you retain them both in custody, and send to Lowell for the testimony of the Reverend Mr. Bond. He will, I am sure, disown the cer- tificate.” ‘Very well, sir. You are at liberty to go, under five hundred dollar bonds. The other ao are bailable at one thousand dollars, each, Jack deposited the cash as security, and took his departure, while Tom Tremaine and Lillian Lorne were committed, in default of the re- quired bail. Jack at once telegraphed to Lowell to Mr. Bond, but presently received the answer that the reverend gentleman and his daughter had gone to the Centennial. a ol he again repaired to the Centen nial grounds, and in Machinery Hall, near the great Corliss engine, he ran suddenly across the rector and his charming daughter, Bessie, For Bessie bad increased in lovelinesswas an exquisitely graceful girl, with fair face and rich hair, and eyes of fascinating magnetism. That she had lost none of her sweetness of temper was evident by the affection she vouch- safed the rector, who was growing well on in ears. ‘** Ah! my son,” he said, grasping Jack by one hand, while Bessie claimed the possession of the other, ‘‘ we are glad to see you. We were won- dering if we should meet you here.” ‘‘And Iam equally glad to meet you both,” Jack replied, joyfully. ‘I have not sought for many friends and acquaintances, and conse- quently have not found many, And as lam in need of friends, you are the very ones TI want, I want a little news from Lowell,” ‘* Ah! then, despite all your roving, your heart often turns back to your native town, eh?” ** Indeed it does. But the news I now seek is not outof idle curiosity, but is te help me defend myself against an untrue charge.” ‘Ah! Out with your questions, and those that I can not answer, perhaps Bessie can,” the rector said, pleasantly. “Well, I want to’ know first of all, if —_ know what has become of Lillian Lorne and Tom Tremaine?” | ‘No; we know nothing of them, except that they were said to have eloped together, a short time before Mr. Lorne became bankrupt, which happened a year ago.” | Ah! eloped, eh? What became of Addison Tremaine?” ‘* He disposed of every — had, and fled for the Black Hills, to escape being arrested, by one Hunter, for embezzling your father's property. Hunter, I have learned, went on in ursuit.” ‘*Good! I trust he will work out the reward I offered him. One more ov remy did you, Mr. Bond, ever marry me to Lillian Lorne, or issue a certificate of such a marriage?” ‘Indeed, no! why do you ask such a ques- tion?” the réctor demanded, in great surprise. *T will lain,” Jack said, and accordingly he related the facts concerning his arrest, and Lillian Lorne’s charge. “Tt’s a base plot between the girl and young Tremaine to extort money from you,” the rector said, indignantly. But, never fear, I will free you, and let them feel the full rigor of justice.” The next day J ack and the rector went before the judge, and matters were satisfactorily ar- ranged, and an order was issued for the re- arrest of Tremaine and Lillian Lorne, who had a short time before been released on bail. But they could not be found, and it was evident that they had taken a hint in time, and left the city. The Bonds and Jack were much together dur- ing the next month, and ‘‘did” the Exposition, EComicbooks sco