Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 122 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

ee SSO ee ees oe ee = —> 7 == Se = St Ss a =—— +> x —— _- = ———_ SSS Sea ~=s _ ~ = = at ——— aS ie ee i ee es ee a ee ee oe (L somewhat - you? for, you ‘see, 8 mp and wash your face. Reckon it'll be odder than ive-cream to you.”’ “ You’re a sour buttermilk sort of a feller,’’ growl- ed Dick, lazily ya ** Dont b’lieve you'd allow a stone was a stone, ’cept it hit you on the top-knot. Well, I might as well git up.” “ And here’s a basin of water. Mind you wash your face.” ‘* What’s the odds?’’ returned Dick, don his scanty attire with wonderful celerity. ‘It only be gltting dirt Ki ‘anyhow, for an hour an wont be Dirty Dick, and that'll be somethin’. me now, you cant be drownded in a basin of water.” ‘ And he led the reluctant Dick to the basin, and forced him to plunge his face into the clear liquid. Phil took the vole of washerman, and scrubbed ener- fs tically at his uneasy friend. But the dirt was too ong deposited and too well rubbed in to be taken off 2b one washing. His face was still grimy when Phil let him go, say- ane, ina Shee ppomiten tone: * 'Shought I'd like to take a look at your face, and sce what kind of a lookin’ chap you was. But it’s no o>. Ifl’d had some sandpaper now I mought have icuched bottom. But soap and water's jist wasted on your countenance,” fy a ee a bo ‘i adjoining their apartment. ies. Hardy awaiting them. bs toms the lady this morning?” was Phil’s first Ques \on, * Still OCTANE, replied the old woman. “I vovuldn’t waken her for anything. She is a perfect uity, Phil, and she looks so sweet and innocent vile she is sleeping that I am quite in love with ‘That’s the kind we fur, granny. We dont ng Ouran ‘ives fishin’ i your common, everyday : vm ) Oo ° . There’s been some terrible bad business,’ con- ed Mrs. Hardy. “It made my heart ache to ' «ut the poor creature moan in her sleep. But dont ya boys want some breakfast?” 2 Wi all I guess a little wouldn’t hurt our constitu- eng * Reckon mayhe I best be goin’ home fur mine,”’ su zested Dick. ‘No, indeed! Do you suppose I shall ever miss sy pc @ little fellow like you can eat?’’ cried Mrs, Lay, at before Dicls got through his breakfast she be- ga \ to fear that the little fellow might start a famine " \he house, for Diek had an elastic appetite, and My ES cookery was a pleasant surprise to his palate, When they entered the hall again they were greet- od with the opening of the old lady’s bedroom door au | the appearance of an a tion such as xn. ver before been seen in tha ren the clothes of their guest had not yet dried, and a).c was dressed in one of Mrs. Hardy’s voluminous em ee ee em emerged into the Here they found - s wments, whose folds draped themselves oddly | do «,,at her slender figure. But above this ill-fitting pocb was a like a morning sunbeam, It was d, but the clear-cut, classical *. tures, the soft brown eyes, the folds of dark, w uvy hair, the tremulous beauty of the lips, alto- f ler made up a countenance that affected them all ‘a draught of sweet wine. _**Good-mo all,” she said, in soft tones. “Are i .98e kind friends, Mrs. Hardy?”’ ‘* Yes,’ replied the old lady, her eyes fixed with a vs we — upon the small but erect and sturdy fig- mit O la. ‘To whom I owe my life,” she continued, holding eat hand toeach, “I can never repay you for the “vice. ‘it wasn’t me,"’ declared Dick, in a deprecating tone. “I jist went along to helprow. Phil’s the boy th fF conag om ae, gate base * Now that’s not tru Phil, -angrily. “ You'd been deownded sure if Dick hadn't oon ~ sag. I couldn't never yanked you out without ae ~ Yanked?” she repeated, questioningly. “ Pulled you out of the water he means,’’ explain- ol Mrs. Hardy. ‘* Phil has got a street gibberish tu ot I can’t break him of.” “Then you did save the lady! Oh, Phil, I’m ever > 1nuch obliged to you!’’ exc ed a sweet young voice behind them, and Susy came dancing into the nen her brown locks waving profusely about her “I couldn’t help it, Susy,’’ he said,as if half- ashamed, “Yes you could! And you're a dear fellow! ind loye you for it” cried the excited little beauty. * And, ma’am, wont you let me shake hands wi told me all about it, and I have ever so much that he would save Vous” “Why certainly,” pe Se lady, surprised at the charm ing yo face, earnest manner. “It scoras I have fallen into a nest of kind friends.”’ She took "8 and stooped down and kiss- ed the bright little en on the lips. The child’s face flushed with pleasure at this warm greeting. “T hope hee enemies wont find you again,” she exclaimed, looking shyly upward. “ wicked yen they must be.” The lady trembled, a look of fear coming upon her Tace. <T do nos know whatd shall do,'-she.remarked in a wave tone, “Iam afraid of them.” 2 o not know that you have escaped,” re- :, oade@ Mrs. Hardy. ‘* You must stay here.’’ “Oh, no! I cannot intrude upon you in that way.” TM the Strongbow sails, anyhow,” said Phil, Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. bluntly. ‘“‘Then you'll be safe enough, Aint you moyen sh venti, ee usi es, e rep # low, musing manner. “*Friends—and foes too, I Car” ‘* Who are your friends, ma’am?’’ asked Susy. ‘*T must not tell, just yet,” she said, her face flush- . “Tam very strangely situated, Mrs. Hardy. I fear I shall have to accept your invitation for the present. I shall repay you for your kindness,”’ ** Don’t talk of pay. ”* was the energe.ic response of the old lady. ‘I shall not miss what little a bird like PS will eat.”’ ‘You may find me a bird with an appetite,” the lady replied, her whole face lighting up with a smile. ‘*Whatis your name, ma’am? ont you please pe - ?” asked Susy, nestling close to her new riend, ** Alice Homer, dear,”’’ was the answer. “T know Ishall like you ever so much,” continued Susy. “1 dont see how anybody can help loving ou,”’ **Some seem to hate me, Susy,’’ she replied, in a tone of gratitude to the earnest child. “And I jist want to know who they are, and what they’re after,” broke in Phil, in his bluntway. ‘‘ I’m a-goin’ to circumvent them, if it’s in the wood, and I want you to put me on their track.” ‘*No, no,” she exclaimed, in an agitated tone. “You must not interfere. Nothing must be done to let them know wherelam. They are unscrupulous. They will find some means to destroy me. Iam in the way of their schemes, and you have seen how far they can go to achieve their purposes.”’ ‘* And they’rein the way of iny plans,”’ Phil deter- minedly replied. “And I’m unscrup'lus too. OrlI reckon they mought find me so. And I'd like to know how you ever et to eucher themif you dont play ack agin their ace.” ““T fear them too much,” answered thelady, shud- dering. ‘They may have the money. Icare not for it, if they only leave me at peace. You do not know how they have treated me. I was decoyed aboard their vessel by the basest of lies. I have been imprisoned during a long voyage. I know not what élse happened until I found them about throw- ing me into the stream, They must have given me a sleeping potion.” “Tt’s them then? It’s the captain and mate of the Strongbow that’s a-doin’ this job?’ Phil queried. ‘* No indeed!’’ she cried, in much agitation. ** They i but tools. There is another—a worse—behind them.”’ ‘*T thought so!’’ exclaimed Phil. “I knowed it! I'd had them both in limbo before now if I hadn't knowed it,—What’s his name?’’ “Do not ask me. My suspicions may be wrong. I would not for the world say what I have been forced to think, for I might do a deep injury.—And moreover, you are too young to cope wit racticed villains, I'would not expose you to their wiles.” ‘Dont you fear for Phil,” Mrs. Hardy proudly ex- claimed. , “There is nothing too cute for him to ee a lemon-peel on that,’’ cried Dick, a smile showing through his grimy skin. “Phil is smart. He rescued you from them,” said Susy, timidly. “But I am always afraid he is too daring. It would be too bad if he should be hurt.” ‘Dont none of you worry about me,” Phil proud ly responded. ‘I’m bound to come out head fore- most, this side up with care, and all that. They’ll wake up early if they discount me. That’s me talk- ing.— ont you tell me this man’s name?” ‘No. I may suspect an innocent man, And I shall certainly not expose you to further danger on my account.’ ft as her voice was, it was full now ef firmness and decision. “ All right; I wont suspect an innercent man,”’ re- lied Phil. hand if thisman’s n this here city 'm und to fetch him.—I tell you what, Miss Alice— Didn’t you say that was your name?” ‘Yes,’ she responded, with a smile. “T tell you what, if you only knowed what a rid- ik’lus fit granny’s old gown makes fur you, you wouldn’t stay out here before two young gentlemen, like Dick and me.” She laughed merrily as she iooked down at the ill- fitting dress, saying: “*My wardrobe, ust now, is not a very extensive one.”’ **You ought to be ashamed, Phil,’’ cried ; Hardy, indignantly. “And I am sure Miss Homer looks very well in my gown.” , ‘‘She’d look jist scrumptious in anything,’’ ex- claimed Dick, with intense admiration. “T shall try and attire m more to your taste, when my trunks arrive,’’ she said, we pa he to Phil. ‘* And now, will you be kind enough to deliver a note for me?”’ “Sartain,”’ said Phil. ‘Of course he will,” cried Susy. “1 wouldn't let him object.” Many were the compliments lavished on Miss Homer, while she was absent in her room, prepar- ing the note in question. Susy was quite bewitched th her, and Dick swore she must have something of the fairy in her.—This last opinion excited Phil’s disgust who showed it by saying: ‘*She’s a might pretty lady, and a nice one, I'll bet. And there t no more of the fairy in her than there is of the alligatorin a cat. There’s some thunderin’ crooked business afoot; but if I dont straighten it out, sell me.” In five minutes more the boys were in the street, Phil bearing the precious missive, * Goin’ straight with it, Phil?’ asked Dick, ‘*She didn’t say there was no hurry,”’ replied Phil. “Come ahead, Dick. I’m goin’ down first to take a squint at the Stronrhew.” Pur. was dressed again in his everyday suit, anc’ was a very different be gs es from what he had been in the finery of agp gion Mrs. Sed did her best at keeping his clothes whole, but Phil was an adept at wearing them out. The principal feature of Dick’s' costume was a coat three sizes too large and too long for him, and a felt hat that was a marvel of ventilation. They made their way slowly down to the wharf, with as many digressions from a straight line as only a couple of hap-hazard boys, or a vagrant dog can make. ‘“*I dunno as there’s any hurry,’’ said Phil, ‘‘Don’t spose we'll strike gold, only thar’s always a chance that somethin’ mought turn up.” “Them fellars is sharp enough not to show their hands to a pair of little cusses like us,” was Dick’s dubious reply. ‘I’ve got a notion runnin’ through me that I'll go aboard the ship, anyhow, and have a with the capting.—That is if that’ black-muzzled mate ain't around.” ‘You'll only git ourself in hot water,” averred the more é rudent Dick. ‘You'll be sayin’ some- thin’ you n’t oughter, and then there'll be a mess. “If tharis, I want you to gnaw me out. And if ie teeth ain’t long enough git the other boys to elp. Wont never do fur us wharf rats to let one another stay in a trap.” “ All serene,” assented Dick. “Hope you'll be keerful and keep out of scrapes, though.” The morning was well advanced when the two young explorers reached the wharf at which was moored the Strongbow. She lay higher out of the water, her cargo having been nearly all discharged. The wharf beside her was still heaped with goods, though busy draymen were rapidly diminishing the heap. Phil looked warily round for his foe, the mate, but he was not to be seen. A few sailors were lounging about the deck, and some stevedores were getting out the last remnants of the cargo. As the boys stood looking idly on, the cabin door opened, and Osyptain Monroe appeared, accompanied by a stranger. e captain’s small, nervous figure, with his weather-beaten face, and rolling, dubious eyes, was in strong contrast to the tall, well-propor- tioned, and handsomely dressed person beside him. The features of the latter were regular, his complex- ion a pure white, while a noevy blonde mustache, well waxed at the ends, graced his upper The gentleman stood switching his boot with his flexible cane as he listened carelessly to the earnest words of the captain. The latter was speaking rapidly and in low tones, his eyes fixed warily on the ors. “‘Mought be somethin’ worth hearin’,” said Phil. “You stay here, and I'll sneak a bit. D’ve got ears as sharp as gimblets, you know I kin preity near hear the grass growin’,”’ ‘*‘Oh nonsense! That’s a gentleman. That’s not the kind our game is,”’ protested Dick, ‘Fine feathers make fine birds, so old granny says,’’ returned Phil. ‘“‘The chap’s got to-have money to sport all that style, and maybe he’s tryin’ to rob our galof hern. You stay here and sign to me where to go.” In a minute more Phil had sneaked against the rig os the vessel, which now stood high above the whart-logs. The captain’s friend had moved impatiently toward the bulwarks as if anxious to cacene rom voluble companion. Guided by Dick’s the young Spy brought himself directly beneath them, thoug quite hidden from sight of any one on deck. Phil had not boasted without reason of his sharp- ness of hearing, and his keen ears caught the low tones of the captain’s voice, as he crouched low beneath the two occupants of the deck. “That is all very well,’’ the gentleman said, with some show of displeasure. “I think that he risked too much. But as long as it turned out right we will let that pass. I must be going now.” Fe will see you soon, and report if anything turns up.” ‘Tf what we fear turns up there will be enou to report it,’’ replied the captain's visitor. ‘We will have it served, well spiced, in our morning paper; and dished up cold in the afternoon editions. —Good day, captain,”’ “One moment, Mr. Cunningham,” remarked the captain. ‘I forgot to ask you where this bank was.’ As he spoke he unfolded a bank-check which "etOn Bt eco the City H lied ‘‘On Broadway, opposite the City ” rep Mr. Cunningham, with, one foot on the bulwarks, ready to spring to the wharf. The eaptain did not immediately answer, He was pemsing the opened check with dilated eyes. “But you have made a big blunder here,” he cried, forgetting his caution for the moment.| ‘* See here, sir. at does this mean?” he pointed to the check, “Well?” asked Mr. Cunningham, with cool self- possession, ; ‘Can you not see, sir? Two Hundred.—What does that mean?” ‘*Tt means that the check will be good for that amount of cash at the bank counter.” “*Hell’s fire, sir! Are you an idiot, or do you take me fay, one? Is this a trick you are trying to play on me?” “*T think not,” was the calm reply to the excited utterance of the captain. “ And it might be just as | well for you to lower your tone a little. I do not comicbooks \ The captain’s face was flushed with excitement as €o yd