Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 281 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

em ee ee ——————SSS CHAPTER IIL RIENZIO, Let us follow Little Bill Bethel: Denver Dei] had not gone wide of her mark, in éstimating him to be shrewd, keen and wily, and having the makingin him of a theron: bred detective. Whoever had reared him, or wherever he had come from, it mattered not, but he was decided- ly a boy of boys, with the head of a man upon him, together with no end of cool, calculating courage, and a knowledge of things in general that was far beyond his seeming years. After leaving the presence of Denver Doll and Yale, he sauntered about town for some time, tuking in such scenes as attracted his at- tention, until he finally came to the “‘ theater,” which had opened its doors for the night, as the laborers’ day’s work was virtually closed, and they were flocking into the camp, to spend what dust they bad earned that day. Before the theater, which was called the Globe, was a bulletin, upon which was mounted a hand-printed poster prams that ‘‘the favorite and celebrated Viennese Nightingale, Rienzio, would positively appear, every night in a choice operatic programme; also severa distinguished high-kickers, boxers, and nigger performers.” Little Bill read the announcement, and pon- dered over it for some minutes, and then searched in the pockets of his ragged pants till he found a gold half-eagle. “Tl take in that racket, if I bu’st!” he mut- tered. ‘‘ Now there was my old gal, Kate—she was a hopperatic sort o’ singer, and et would be jest one’r capers to change names an’ go on the 8. So Bill paid his entrance fee, four bits, and |, found himself within Nugget Notch’s theater. As once before stated, it was a long a only one story in hight, and the inside was fully as rough as the out. floor was covered with tiers of tables supplied with chairs. At the further end was a sort of stage across the end of the building, while in front of it was a piano, upon which a man was thumping out some tremendous music, the curtain being down and no performance having commenced. The bar was at the front end of the building, on one side of the door, and was presided over by a huge negro, as black as the ace of spades, who looked able to bandle any three or four or- dinary men. The apartment was partly filled, the rude au- dience consisting of mine ans and loafers, and sentatives of different classes of y that made up the town. Ata number of thetables, men were engaged of cards, and with a keen twinkle in bis eye, Little Bill sauatered about, first from one table to the eter, aud looked on at'the games. He finaliy eame to one table where the game was ef more than ordinary interest, for several mem were assembled there besides the two who were seated at the board. One of these was a yeung man, some twenty of age, whose form was none too robust, and whose white complexion and d look pence ated pon sit thal , as _ = a “7 quen cough, that was ined consu: rr He was meagre ae = pre- boantenances, with deep blue eyes, a meuth, shaded by a light mustache, “ns siempanion ‘ad ihe tabl decided! | ) 6 was a decidedly ar ek individual, the glitter of whose laut black eyes was e proof that he was of that erder of buwan beings, who was confi- dent that be could sail eT through life with- out hard to do it. Ele was attired fn a blue suit, with an immac- ulate white vest, shirt and collar, while upon his head was s suew-white sombrero, pinned up at ne side and ornamented with a colored plume. His feet were iacased in slippers. In he was of commanding stature, while in face he was what most people would have called handyom a. He had a iar smiliag expressiou ever on his cleverly-chiseled features, that had some- thing ne irresistible about it; he wore s 5 ‘blond mustache, with luxuriant long hair to match; hauds were as fair as a wo- nen’s; front and fingers literally gienmed with diamonds. The eyes of Little Bill Bethel took in ali the ties of the scene as he pushed bis way along to a position. be game, seven-up, had just ended, and the gembler sport had just raked in a number of @old pieces and slipped them into his pocket. Denver Doll's Victory. ‘* You're out of luck, Ainsley!” he said, with on: of his peculiar smiles. ‘‘ What’s got into you? You can’t play seven-up for shucks any more !” Ainsley’s white cheeks flushed, as he thrust his hand into his pocket. * lm not broke yet!” he said, grimly, as he brought forth two twenty-dollar gold pieces and laid one of them upon the table. ‘* You’ve soaked away my money long enough, Beau Blonde, and it’s my turn to retrieve my losses, Waiter, bring me a gin-and-whisky and a fresh pack of cards.” A quiet smile of self-confidence flitted over Beau Blonde’s face. “Sorry for you, Ned, but you must admit that I play a fair game. Better go light, till you get « run of luck.” * Don’t ye do it, Johnny!” piped in Little Bill, at this juncture. “Jest ye go yer forty— hull swine or no swag—an’ ef ye don’t win, lll step in and tear the lining out of his nibs!” All eyes were turned upon the boy, who had, until now been quite unnoticed. ‘‘ Hello! what you doing in here, you little rat?’ Beau Blonde cried, roughly. ‘‘Get up and dust now, or I'll wring your infernal little neok !”’ “Dry up, will you!” Bill retorted, important- ly. “I paid to get inter this show, an’ l’m oin’ to see her out. Ef ye beat his jags, here, ll jest go yea pop fer fifty aside, pervidin’ I can get some ’sponserble man to back me. Why, I kin beat ther man w’ot invented the cards, at seven-up.” ‘* Never mind the kid. Come on, put up, and let’s play! Ned Ainsley said, eagerly. ‘‘If I lose this time, hanged if I don’t match the little chap against you!’ Beau Blonde laughed loudly at the idea. ‘‘ The ragamuffin don’t know a Jack o’ Spades from an Ace of Hearts!” he remarked, con- temptuously. ‘*‘You’re another!” Bill declared. ‘‘I uster eat keerds when other fodder were skeerce.” The cards were produced, and Beau Blonde and Ned Ainsley played their game, the stakes being forty dollars a side, eleven points game. It was a short and easily-won victory for the sport, he scoring four times, thrice in succes- sion, Ainsley getting no hands worth playing. “« Now, then!” Blonde chuckled, raking in the stake, “are you done?” 4 By no means!” Ainsley replied, rising. ‘“‘T'll back the boy against you for fitty a side. Here, youngster, take the seat!” * Bah! I'll not waste time on such small fry. It’s ag’in’ the law to gamble with boys!” Beau Blonde blustered. ** Law or no law, you'll give me a show for my money, or Pll salivate you!” Ainsley de- clared, quickly drawing and cocking a revolver. “Will you play?” ** Well, if you’re so anxious to lose your cash, a the gambler answered. ‘‘I’ll beat the ittle whelp in no time. Put mos Ned Ainsley laid his last fifty on the table, just a little doubtful as to whether he would ever see it again. ‘*Now, boy, do your best!” he said, encour- agingly. ‘But, see here—whar’s my spec comin’ in, fer exertin’ myself. Goin’ to divy?” si yy win, I'll divide, and give youa art if, Beauty! Cut f 4 F rself, uw ut fo aenit™ Squar’ you 7 y r The cards were cut and dealt, and the game , Bill leading the Jack of Hearts, and later scooping in three times. , Beau Blonde spoke not, but the scow] upon his usually smiling face, indicated his annoyance and anger. Little Bill evidently knew perfectly well what he was about, for be played with cool confi- dence, whistling the while. Toward its close the points stood tie, and there appeared but small chance for the boy to win. ut, win he did, amid the cheers of the tators, and to Beau Blonde’s intense chagri “You infernal little skunk, I'll kick you out of doors!” he ‘““What d’ye mean by stickin’ yourself in here, where you're not wanted? ‘‘Oh! I jest kim in to see ther menagerie, an’ whipped the tiger—that’s all,” Bill replied, with a grin. ‘Never did know much ’bout keerds, tho’ my old man used ter be ther boss, they say! Goin’ ter back me ag’in, Lona old chub?” ““ With all my heart?’ was the reply. “Tl t up a hundred!” * ! Pu ou two to one!” Beau Blonde cried. ‘‘If I don’t make the baby look sick, this time, you caa eal] me chaff.” + oe + ree ee eninge — eee wee eee - — a - The money was staked—two hundred dollars against half the amount—and the game began. A large crowd had now collected, and the game was watched with interest, for the eon- trast of players was something novel at Nugget Notch. Beau Blonde had the repute of being the most successful card sharp in the mountains,«and that he should allow a mere child to beat bim er, bis favorite game, twice in succession, seemed ») improbable that many outside bets were ma: » on the result of the game, | Beau Blonde played slowly, carefully, Little Bill played quickly, and whistled.’ ‘* Told ye I didn’t know much erbout keerds, Beau!” he remarked, as he made high, low, jack on the first deal. ‘‘Why, I’ve got a grizzly b’ar up bum, thet kin beat me every game.” ‘* You’ve too much mouth!” Blonde snarled. ‘* Know it—bin told so, before,” Bill grunted. ‘* Ther hull family hed big vittle-traps. There’s my old man, when he opened his mouth ye could see his brains, an’ my big brother got mad and swallered his self one day. Wonder- ful family. High, jack, game, please!” ; — londe’s teeth went together with a click. ‘Curse my infernal luck,” he gritted. “Pll watch you closer, young fellow. If ea come any trickery on me, I'll blow your rains out.” “You had better watch yourself, on thet score,” Little Bill retorted. ‘‘ I’m alive to all yer moves, buddy.” And the game went on. Inthe last deal Bill made three points, which put bim out, and he again raked in the stakes, with a triumphant whistle. And again the crowd cheered. Beau Blonde arose with an oath. His face was pale with the passion he was evi- dently trying to withhold, ‘‘That will do for the present,” he said. ‘I will play with you some other time, Ned Ainsley. The concert will soon begin, now!” ‘“Very well!” Ainsley assented, as the gam- bler walked away. ‘Hello! Chaffy. ain’t goin’ ter take water, aire ye?’ shouted L‘ttle Bill. Beau Blonde looked back with an ugly scowl, but did not answer, ‘*Oh! he’s got it in for me, has Blondey!” the lad chuckled. ‘ First you know some one will find my cadaver lying in an out-of-the-way place, ready for the undertaker.” ‘‘Never fear,” Ned Ainsley replied. ‘ Beau Blonde is more bark than bite; still it will do no harm to keep a sharp ouslook. How much do you want, Billy? “Fifty will do me!” was the boy’s modest answer, and Ainsley handed it over without a murmur. Feeling as rich as a king, Billy then made his way as far front as possible to get a position so that he could hear the prima donna, who was ii Gaal atecadind:ia. gettin h e y suc getting a up on a barrel, from where he could olileins a plain view of the stage, and there waited full as im- patiently as the rough audience. Beau Blonde stood near the stage, leaning against the wall, his face clouded, and eyes gleami 'g with an ugly light, so that he-did not appear like bis usual self. Not far bebind him was a man of about bis own build, with a heavy brown: mustache and hair worn long over his shoulders—a rather handsome fellow, who was attired in finely tanned buckskin and wore a broad-brim hat set back upou his head.. A couple of revolvers were in his belt, while he leaned carelessly upon his rifle, with bis eyes fixed upon the stage curtain. Finally after the room was packed full, and the audience began to get noisy with impatience, an overture was banged off upon the piano, and the curtain was rung up. A short pause—then Mile, Rienzio swept out upon the stage. : The next instant a pin could have been heard to drop upon the floor. Every eye was fastened upon the beauteous face and figure of the singer, as she stood fora moment with slightly flushed cheeks, before bursting forth into a sweet plaintive melody, ber voice as clear and pure as the chime of an Alpine bell. f graceful, symmetrical fi which was clad in a flowing suit of white maulle, open slightly at the throat, her face was one of rare ertedinees of feature and refined beauty. A tender, dreamy eye of blue, a delicately health-tinted complexion, with e mouth of rare sweetness, none could see her but to TEOMIEbOOKS (E(0)