Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 220 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 _---o OS O—™” shady characters, two days ago; a mere boy; wanting to put some goods. The moment I set eyes on ‘tim I said to myself, ‘No, no, my lad. Ill have naught to do with you. I don’t like the cut of your jib.’ So I sent him away with a flea in his ear.”’ * Aha!” exclaimed the officer. ‘*‘Who was this youth?” **Never saw him before. eh?’ * I can’t answer for tat. chap was it?”’ “A very peculiar young vagrant, I promise you. He looked like one of these dwarfs with a man’s shoulders. and squeezed up little eyes, as sharp as needles. He was dressed in a man’s oveicoat, that came down to his heels and fairly swallowed him up. An interest- ing lttle hound, and ready for any rascality, T war- rant. Do you recognize the picture, Mr. Sharp?” * Hardly,” was the answer. The officer asked a few more questions, and then He is not your game, What sort of a looking left the place, his face lighting up when he got out- | side. ‘*“Do I know him? Well, I should think so,"’ he said to himself gleefully. ‘* Bandy Ben, assure as shooting. It is worth something to get a bold on that shrewd young thief, who has baffled me for a | rear. The skies are growing clearer for Frank Tanner. The next point now 1s to trace the haunts of Bandy Ben.”’ ° CHAPTER XIII. SPRINGING THE TRAP. ‘Bandy Ben? Do I know him? Well, I should think so.’’ And the patrolman of the police force laughed at the thought of how well he knew this young gentleman. ‘“ I’ve been watching the shrewd little rat like a hawk watches a hen. But he’s too cunning; I can’t catch him tripping.’’ ‘** Do you know his hiding place?”’ asked Mr. Sharp. “*That’s what I am after.”’ The patrolman shook his head. “Vil tell you what, though,’’ he suddenly ex- claimed, *‘there’s one of Bandy’s gang now. That tall young coon with the battered beaver. Toppy Jim is the pretty name he goes by. He’s not very sharp. You can track him if you're wide awake.” Mr. Sharp at once put himself on the trail of the youth with the odd nick-name, in the hope that he would be led to the lurking place of the gang of young thieves. But we will go ahead of him, and pay a visit to the place which he was so anxious to discover, the domicile of oe Ben and his accomplices. They were night birds, and were very apt to be at home during the day. With the exception of Toppy Jim we find them all there, enjoying life in their usual fashion, with pipe, whisky bottle and cards. _ Bandy himself was stretched on the floor, with his heels on a chair, smoking a well colored meerschaum which seemed a new acquisition. It had, in fact, been “conveyed"’ from some gentleman’s pocket the ni, it before, by one of the gang, and won at cards that morning by B indy, in his usual fashion of investing the earnings of his associates. “It’s a mighty ‘ristocratic bit of brierwood,”’ re- marked Bandy to his victim, with a cunning leer. “And smokes toa charm. Pity you didn’t color it a few, ’fore you put it up on the papers. But keep wp yer spirits, Tim. Tl gin ye a smell now and then.” The teasing fellow sent a cloud of smoke curling toward his discontented victim. “Dry up!” growled the latter, “or I'll bu’st that there old pipe into smithereens. You're a smart coon, Bandy, but I don’t want you to be rubbin’ it into me. It's enough to cheat a chap out of his pipe without throwin’ it up to me.” ‘*Who cheated you out of your pipe, you blamed pile-driver?”’ roars Bandy, with sudden anger. “You did. You put up the cards on me.” ** You lie, blast you! Here’s your pipe.’ In an instant the meerschaum was flying across the room. It took the venturesome ve tan in the tem- ple, and sent bim and his chair rolling to the floor. ** Smoke that!” cried the belligerent leader. “If you want any more [I’m yer hoss.” Evidently the fallen youth did not want any more. He gathered himself up and withdrew to a side of the room, growling out in a low tone vague threats of vengeance **Anybody else want the’r rations?”’ queried Ban- dy “Jist say the word, fur I don’t want to git up fer nothin’. All serene, hey? Well, jist hand me ma pipe, Tom.” om kicked the pipe across the floor to his lazy associate. He was not inclined to take up the battle oft the ill-treated boy, but there was a feeling of re- bellion in his mind at Bandy’s tyranny. “That's a blamed perlite way of handin’ a gentle- man his pipe,”’ growled the autocrat. ‘See yere, Tom Tanner, if ye come hocussin’ me ye’ll find ye’re barkin’ up the wrong tree. I ain’t no slouch fur you to wipe yer feet on. Hand mea match now, and sudden too. I’m goin’ to see who’s boss yereaway.”’ Tom very docilely provided the bully with a match. it was not advisable just then to kick against bis authority. Grambling like a partiy pacified lion, Bandy relit his pipe and commencer to again send the smoke of peace curling through the room. See here, Bandy,’ asked another of the party, ** when are you goin’ to spring the plant? It mought be resky to leave the plunder ‘round here too Jong. And if there’s money in it I want to see the color.” “Ye want to git a stretch under the screw,” owled Bandy. ‘‘And mebbe git us all nipped. ist hold yer hosses. I’m a-workin’ this plant. Wait till Toppy Jim comes in, and I'll post you on the lay. Stir up that stove, Joe, it’s howlin’ cold yere.”’ -— -<= oe ee ——— Why there was a chap in here | OE ee me ee ee ee ee Ce + ee + a er ew eee —_— ‘“How does the world kick with you, Tom?” asked Sandy, addressing Tom Tanner, whose face had wa very sour look, ‘They say that nice brother of yourn is pinched, and as .e’ll git five years tur our job. it’s a raScally shame, I take it.” ‘*Siop yer buzziu’, Sandy,’’ cried Tom, angrily. ‘*T hate the stuck-up little raseal like 1 hate p'izen. |Isaid a year ago, wh n he got me kicked out o’ He had a turncd-u,;, nose and red hair, | doors, as I'd be even with him, and I’m bound to be. Tom Tanner, Scalawag and Scapegrace. | quiet if he wants. So, my lad, this isa brotiuerly trick of youis. The boys looked at one another, but made no answer. * All right,” continued Mr Sharp. ‘‘ He can keep He carries his name on his face. You | thought you would send your brother toile peniten- li’d jist do me good to have him sent to the Island | fur five years, and then let him know it’s me he’s got to thank. The little ‘ristocratic fool, I said I'd sult him, and I’m bound to do it.” ‘* He might salt you if you let him into the game.’ ‘Tim? He ain’t got the sperit. Why,I b’lieve he’d stand on his head fer me to-morrow. He's jist that kind of a coon, ButI don’t keer a jig for that. I hate him and I’m goin’ to git even with him, you bet.”’ They were interrupted by the entrance of Toppy Jim, who walked in with the upright attitude and , _ set-back shoulders from which he got his title. i I a | His appearance was the signal for a movement among the boys. * Hillo, Toppy! Where in the thunder have you been makin’ street yarn? We've been waitin’ for you to hold a council of war, Bandy’s lined out a fence, and we've got to spring the plunder. “That's prime,’’ ejaculated Toppy, as he poured out a deep measure of rye whisky. ‘It’s shiverin’ cold outside, and I want to warm my toes. Here’s luck, and may our uncle bleed kindly.”’ He swallowed the strong tipple as if it wasso much water, aud set down the glass with a sigh of satisfac- tion. A conversation ensued as to the best method of disposing of the proceeds of the robbery. “T wouldn't 99 trust old Nathans fur nothin’,”’ re- marked Bandy at length. ‘*He’s too weak in the gills. But I’ve got a man spotted. He’s a prime fence as ‘ll take it down like Toppy jist took down that red-eye.” ‘* Who is he?’’ asked Tom, curiously. ‘** Don’t ax too many questions,’’ retorted Bandy. ‘*Names has to be kept shady.”’ ‘* Where is he then?”’ ‘* Here.”’ It vas not Bandy that answered, but a deep-toned man’s voice. All eyes turned in affright to the door, where stood a stout, resolute-looking man, with other forms in the background behind him. The discovered thieves sprung in alarm to their feet. Bandy leaped from his recumbent attivude and faced the interloper with a look of fury on his ace. ‘** Who the blazes are you? Git out of this, now. We rent this room, and wou’t have nobody here we don’t ax.”’ ‘*Don’t get on your ear,’’ replied the man, easily. ‘*1’m only a fence, you see. Come to take up that plant and pay you for your industry.”’ *Tll pay you, dang you!” Before Mr. Sharp, for it was he, could defend him- self, the strong and des erate young rcprobate struck him a fierce blow with a loaded cane, which he suddenly produced from behind him, The detec- tive fell like a log and Bandy on him. ‘‘Hurry up, lads!’ he shouted. “Stir up the fire. The room’s cold. Till take keer of this pigeon.” There was a hidden meaning in his words. In an instant the boys had flung open a chest, and were quickly extracting packages of dry goods, which one of them prepared to force into the stove, It was evidently their intention to destroy the evi- ee against them by burning the proceeds of their urgla y. But they had noticed the companions of the detec- tives. Mr. Sharp was hampered by his antagonist, but two other men now rushed in and assailed the boys. They fought with the activity and fierceness of cornered rats, and two of them had to be floored by policemen’s clubs before they would yield. But they were no match for their powerful antagonists, and were soon handcuffed and helpless. Not till all the others had been secured was Mr. Sharp released from his dwarfish but powerful as- sailant. The detective had been partly stunned by the blow, and was only slowly recovering when the other officers came to his assistance. But Bandy was too wide awake to be easily trap- ped. He had not failed to notice the fate of his associates, and on the approach of the policemen he sprung alertly to his feet, tearing off his great coat as he did so, this in the eyes of the officers. and instantly darted through the door. Before they could recover suffi- ciently to pursue him he was leaping down the stairs, three at atime. The door o; the house slam- med behind him just as the officers reached the head of the stairs, One of them continued the pursuit, while the other returned to Mr. Sharp, who had just regained his feet. ‘A pestilent nest. of young reptiles!” he growled. *Tt’s a jolly find, Burke. If Harry only nails the one that escaped we will have all the rats in our trap. And here’s the plunder. It’s the Thompson & Clark job, sure enough. And the desperate rogues were going to burn the stuff. It’s lucky we took them at short notice.” The boy prisoners lay on the floor, gloomy and defiant. One or two of them showed signs of fear, but the others were reckless and cool, Toppy Jim broke into a lively whistle of defiance. The young SS LLL LLL LLL LLL ELL LLL LLL LA LLL LL LLL LLL -— + Se OO ee eee ee With a sudden swish he flung | | law. tiary, then? JT fear you will find that tle way of the trausgressoris hard. Rasecality Lever pays in the long run, as you're likely to tmu.,”’ “Burn yer preacnin,” retorted the unyilding ingrate. ** Don’t be tlingin’ them i: my fice. Lhate tie whole set of them, and 1 haie Fiauk- wuss than all. The tittle rat jist worked me oul cf i cuse and home, and got me into this. I swore thcn i’a Le even with him, and 1 would, only fur your biamed med- dlin’, But my turn ‘ll come yit. See if1l Ccon’t pay him out.” ‘Hold your tongue, you graceless wretch!’ ex- claimed the officer stcrnly. “Here he is trying to secrechn you, and willing to take your puni:luent on himself to save you; and thisis all the tlLanhks he gets for it. He is paid enough, in having suc li au ingrate for a brother.” Tom relapscd into silence and thoughtfulness. The words of the detective seemed to have scm: strong effect upon him. Had they awakened a sense of 1emorse in his | eart? At this moment the other officer returned, | ringing Bandy Ben with him, fumly handcuffed, Mr. Sharp started up with satisfaction. “So you caught him, eh? That’s good news. He is the ringleader of the whole gang. i have had my eyeon you, Bandy. You were tco kecn for me, but you’ve put your foot in it thistime. You were too ambitious, my chap. You bad best have képt to safer lays.”’ ‘*That be fiddled!’’ reared Bandy recklessly. ‘I don’t keer a fig. Only some of these hour ds has sold me you'd never cotched Bandy Ben. It’s that milk-sop of a Tom Tanner, I s*pose.”’ ‘“*You lie!’ roared Tcm. ‘ You made a thief of me, Bandy, and now this is my tlanis. Lui ye’rea liar to the back-bone if you say I sold the pass, I ain’t that kind.” “All right, Tom,"’ replied Bandy. “I dcen’t be- lieve you are. ] take it back. But ther’s a traitor somewhere in the camp.”’ ‘*It was TOU, then,’’ rejoined Mr. Sharp. ‘‘ Your a to dispose of these goods put us on your rack. Bandy became suddenly silent. He fcli convicted of a lack of shrewcness, which to Lim was the greatest of human weaknesses, But we must end this scene. The young burglars were conveyed to the Jombs, from which Frank Tanner was at the same time rek ased. Mr. Thon json insy ected the reccvered ¢ Coc 8, and at once decided that they were thuse wiih had been stolen from the fiim of which je ic;:med a member. The whole tale of the lost ; Coos was there, with the exce;.tion of oe package, tLis Leing the one that had been discovered under Frank Tan- ner’s bed, There was one other event of some interest, which took place at a later L cur that day. Mr. Parsons was calied into the office of Thomp- son Clark & Co. “You are still sure you were not at Wallack’s im Soe on the night of the burglary?’ ashed Mr. Clark. ‘* Yes, sir,’? answered Mr. Parsons, paling a little. “Did you nct stop there, with your cousin, on your way to the Winter Garden?” Mr. Parsons hesitated, and grew paler. ‘* Why, yes, sir, we stopped there tor a minute or two. But we did not go in,” ‘**And why did you not admit this, when the boy claimed to have seen you there?”’ ‘** Be cause—I thoug).t he meant inside. And Iwas not inside, sir. We only stopped in the vestibule.” “That subterfuge will not do, sir,’’ replied Mr. Clark sternly. ‘‘ You intended to injure the boy that is very plain. Happily your villainy has turned upon yourself. You may go, sir. You are no longer in our employment.” CHATTER XIV. WHAT CAME OF IT ALL, THE phrase ‘railroading’ is a very expressive mode cf desecribii g the modern way of cc aling with small criminals. Great rogues are sent to ihe peni- tentiary by stage, aud a very slow stage at that, which has a bad habit of brcaking down on the jour- ney. But small ones are sent there by rail: oad ex- press, Without any stoppii g at way stations. Such was the mode of dealing with Bandy Ben and his gang, They were railroaded to ihe peniten- tiary. The most of them were well known to the police. Tom Tanner was one of their latest acquisitions, but had contrived, during his year’s appreuticeship, to make his face femiliar to the guaidians of the As for Bandy Ben he was too singular a figuie not to be known to them all. But he had so shrewa- ly made his youthful c: nfederate do his work as to leave no opening for the authorities. They were satisfied that he was a thief, but were unable to con- vict him of theft. It was with satisfaction, then, that they felt that they had at last nailed this cunning young rascal, The evidence of the robbery was undeniable. Not ' only had the stolen goods been found in pesression | of the gang of boy burglars, but other inmates of villain seemed to fancy that he had achieved great | distinction. * Whistle away, my lads. splint out of you before we’re through. Which of you is Tom Tanner?” We'll take some of the | the house testified to the late entrance cf the boys on the night of the robbery, apparently carrying some heavy packages. Efforts were also made to trace other points in connection with the robbery, particularly that con- eerning Frank Tanner’s connection with it. Old Tanner was put upon the stand. ‘SS | A OOK) (ECOAMICE (E@) ’ ———————