Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 -_——— oe nee a ne ee ee oe ee eee ——2-* Denver Doll's Decoy. — - — — = . — ewe ow ——— - - wy —- _— ‘‘T am sorry to hear that,” Doll returned. ‘* America is a large place to canvass in search of one man, however. By the way, you had better tarry at our camp a few days and rest, In the mean time something may turn up.” **T believe I will accept your kind invitation, young lady, for your abode seems cheerful, as compared with some places | have encountered. And if I can be of any service to you as a bunt- er you can command me. I’m getting rather old and shaky, but I can still make a flying bird feel sick,” ‘Very well, You can take charge of keep- ing the larder supplied,” Doll said. ‘It will give Bill and I more time to work our little pri- vate mining snep.” come, as they were well aware, and it was best to be prepared, At last, one evening as they were siftipg in | the mellow moonligat in frontof the shanty, engaged in weighing what dust they had panned | out that day, they were interrupted by the ap- proach from up the gulch of a horseman. As he drew near, Denver Doll was able to | make out that he was an equestrian of decidedly | cavalier bearing, and was mounted upon a horse | of thorough mettle and exceeding beauty. As he finally drew rein before the sbanty, she was better able to inventory him, and perceived | that he was a well proportioned man, of ripe old age, the only plivaica! defect noticeable being | a painful hump on bis back. His hair was worn long over his shoulders, | By this time Little Bill had appeared with a and was snowy white. A sweeping beard and , plate full of tempting edibles. mustache to natch ornamented the better por- |‘ Heer yeraive, grandpap!” he sung out, mer- tion of his face, and gave him at once a strik- | rily. ‘‘ Enuff fodder tew tatten a buzzard on. ing and reverential appearance. Tell ye, me an’ Dollbaby lives high since we His attire, however, was well worn and torn. | went in snucks together.” He tipped his sombrero politely ashe drew | ‘‘Thank you, my little man, thank you! I rein, and cleared his throat with an “ ahem!’’ shall not soon forget your kindness. This is the *Tixcuse me, please,” he said, ‘but might I most tempting repast I have encountered for trouble you by asking bow far it is from here’) days.” to Boise City ” “So? Well, neow, when a feller hain’t had “ A vight good day’s journey,” Denver Doll | a square meal fer a couple o’ weeks it do tickle replied. his liver to ketch on to a snap like this. Know ‘And are there no cavuups between here and | how it is myself, bet you! Bin so hungry there, young lady?’ he inquired, with a keen | a’ready that I had to eat my own shoes fer aze. beefsteak, but they were so tough that it tpok a * None, umtil you get within about ten miles of | hull day to get a squar’ meal.” lsoise,” Denver Doll replied. * There, Bill, that will do,” Doll interrupted, ‘* Then, if you’ve no objections, T'll camp down | reprovingly. ‘‘If you must tell a story, make Leve by your shanty and rest until daybreak, for | it half-way reasonable.” i have ridden long an’ far. Should you have ‘* W’at’s ther use, when truth is stranger than nny accommodations to offer in the way of re- | fiction?’ William protested, ‘ It don’t cost no {veshments, victuals, or a blanket, they will be | more fer a fire-cracker than it does for a squib!” i »ankfully received and paid for.” | That remains to be told, hereafter, Bill. * You are welcome to wh t we have, though | Always aim to keep to the truth, and you will it ain’t much,” Doll responded, perceiving at | not have ovcasion to fire off even squibs.” nee that he was a man of good breeding, even | By this time Old Prowler had dispatched the if he % poorly dressed. ‘‘ Bill, you can cut | meal, and then lit his pipe. the gentleman some bear steak and a piece of ‘“‘Ts’pose you’ve never heard of a person corn cake and get him atin eupful of ale.” named Joe Wilton, have you?” he said, after a The traveler looked his titude at this, and, | few minutes of reflection. ‘It ain’t a common after dismounting and picketing his borse out to | name, yet you might bave heard of it.” zvaze, be accepted a seat on a rustic bench near ‘*IT may possibly have heard of such a name, the cabin door. but cannot remember exactly.” ‘*Yes, ve traveled long and far, and travel *“Humph! it’s likely not. Did you ever meet telis upon me as the years roll by. A ong, and rson named Jubal Andre?” pleasant little home you appear to have here, ‘Jubal Andre!” Doll exclaimed, thought- young lady.” fully. ‘“‘1t strikes ~ ¢ that the name sounds fa- * Yes—we call it Little Bill’s Bonanza, after , miliar. Let me see!” my young partner. Not much of a bonauza, She reflected for several minutes and then you w, but it just suited us for a name.” took a note-book from her pocket and consulted ‘* May 1 inquire your name?” i “T reckon so. About the onl borne for years is Denver Doll. . here is Little Bill Bethel, and we down together, Your name is— “David Raymond. Outin the West I have rained the nom de plume of Old Prowler, from fact that I am always prowling about. But [allow my days for prowling are about af an end. I'm getting old and crippled up, and be- a it. “Ah, yes! Isee. I have it here, in shape of name [ve | a notice received from another detective. ‘Ju- | } y companion erally camp | bal Andre, of Boise City, Idaho. Fix an eye ou him and learn what kind of stuff he shoves.’ ” “Hal the very man, I'll wager!” Old Prowler muttered. ‘‘lmnstsee him soon. He may be able to give me some information. So you are a detective, eh, as well as a miner” For answer Denver Doll exhibited her badge. to n for a quiet home where I can setile Prowler nodded understandingly. wn pass the remainder of my days in “‘T should estimate you as one well fitted for and rest.” the calling,” be said. ‘Later I may unfold pettis words, spoken in rather a remorseful tone, touched a sympathetic chord in Denver Doll’s nature, and she felt drawn toward him more than she had ever felt toward any other stran- ger. “Your life has not been enogeinee unruffled, 1 judge,” she said, as she finished tying up a | pouch of gold-~iust. “You speak aright, young lady. wealth has been the least of my wants, my 1 has not been without its bitter sweet. Asa de- tective, [came to this country on a mission of importance, and I can never go back to England until that mission is fulfilled, Probably I shall live and die here.” “Indeed! never despair. There is no telling , what a day may bring forth. Are you searcb- | for some one?” i dear. It is the old, old story—a rich | more to you. but for the present let what I have told you suffice. Feeling tired, I belicve I will turn in for the night,” But the nppeananice of a new comer upon the scene just en caused him to change bis mind. CHAPTER III, | SAL SLAP, AND A TRANSFORMATION, png. | W HEN first discovered, this new-comer was in fe | the act of reining in a superannuated bwrro, _ near at hand, upon the back of which she was mounted. | Her approach had been so noiseless, that she | had not been observed until she was within a few yards of the shanty door. She was a tall, brawny, raw-boned woman, of evident great muscular strength and endur- ance, With a pinched, homely, vinegar-face, * Yes, which told in its every lineament of a soured, lord has an only son whom he idolizes, but who | ugly disposition. is a wild scapegrace, and in early youth escapes @ nose was fiery red, upon the end, and her to America, to be lost, probably, forever. The | mouth se cong only a pair of protruding teeth, blow nearly distracts the father, and he disap- | disagreeable to behold. Her eyes were large pears, with evidences left behind to show that | and glaring, in their glance, and her gray hair 1 has comuiited suicide. Accordingly, the | was Satie and unkempt. A flaring red dress, poke bonnet and cowhide next of kir, an unprincipled young scoundrel, steps in and takes possession of the estates, with noo eto oppose hin. A detective, with a Jittle | ot bad liking for him, forms a resolution to bunt | ing umbrella and formidable horse-pistol. up the lost heir and displace the usurper. That “Hello, thar!” she sung out, as she brought wasl, [’ve made a strong attempt, but, alas! the sorrowful looking burro to a stand-still. miy success bas not been wonderfully prolific. I | ‘‘Whar’s ther orstler of this ’owtel, sissy? am DOW in possession of no more knowledge than Trot bim out heer quicker’n scat, to take charge I bad when [ started.” , o may Arabian!” shoes, fixed her out in the way of it polem, a el, and she was armed with a dubious look- es —- — +g —_ —_ ~s~—-- “ Whereupon she dismounted, and advanced, umbrella in band. ‘‘We don’t employ cn ostler, nor is thir « hotel!” Denver Doll replied, not fancying the woman. ‘“ What! no ’owtel—io ostler?” the new ar- rival screeched, angrily. ‘‘ What kind uv « place is this, anyhow ?” ‘* It’s a lunertick ’sylum. Want ter jine!”’ piped out little Bill, from the soap (4 f ‘‘ Ye dratted imperdent snipe. I'll learn ye better manners than ter insult me!” sereamed the termagant, making a leap for Bill, with the evident intention of giving him an initiatory mauling, But, Henver Doll leaped quickly to her feet, and pushed her back. ‘Not so fast, posy!” she said, ealmly, but withsternness. ‘‘ Don’t be quite so fresh around. here. Who are you, and whatdo you want?” And Doll shoved a self-cocker in front of the strange woman’s face. ‘““Who am [?—what do I want, you sassy minx? Oh! Jerimity! vee mighty notion to snatch ye bald-headed fer yer imperdence. |'m old Sal Slap, I am, an’ J’m a screamer, you bet! I'm ther ugliest critter that ever stood up fer woman’s rights, an’ kin lick ther best ten galoots that ever swallered p’izen. Every one’s afeard o’ me, fer I’m a terror from the word go. Used ter kept ther saloon up at Owl Forks, whar wy repertation stands emblazon on ther annals 0” hist’ry, as the furst woman who ever survived six days inthe town. Fight? Well, neow, if ye’ve got any stock around hyar, jest poke’m. up ter tackle me.” ‘‘Luckily we bave no fighting characters around this place, Mrs. Slap, and you'll have to seek other fields for the gratification of your pugilistic propensities,” Doll retorted, grimly. ‘Thar’s a town t’other side o’ the mountains where you might work up something of a secure. but you can’t do it bere?” ‘Oh! bo! ho! ho! I cawt, hey!” the gentle girl from Owl Forks cried, evidently astonished. ‘So ye ain’t afeard 0’ me?’ ‘‘ Not in the least. It would take even « pandegmer wild-cat than you to scare yours truly! ‘But I’m a screamer—a terror—a regular roarin’ python, whose bite is p’izen, and hug is ten times worse nor that uv a grizzly!” “Can't help that!” Doll replied, calmly. “You can scream your head off, but it won't have any effect in this camp. About the ret- tiest thing you can do is to mount your Arabia and seek some more congenial climate.” ‘‘Whoopy! nary a time! I kim right dowr hyer to Jocate, and heer Pm goin’ to squat!” she declared, with a flourish of her umbrella. “ Ine goin’ ter start an ‘owtel w’at is a ’owtel, an’ don't ye fergit it, nuther.” ‘* You'll have to locate several bundred rods up or down the gulch then, for I own the bot- tom hereabouts, and have got the papers tv show for it!” Doll retorted. “Oh! ye hev, hev ye? Neow don’t ye be uite sosmart, [m goin’ ter build my shebang est whar I please, an’ hev got the jinglers to yay fer a site. Don’t ask no odds uv anybody 0 Sal Slap, the screamer. See thet tree, over’ yander? That’s where I’m goin’ to erect the Guzzletr’s velo ” And with this declaration, Mrs. Slap seized the rein of her burro, and pompously away to the spot indicated. : Shortly afterward, she had a camp - fire started, and was seen bustling about preparing an evening meal. Denver Doll watched her flitting figure, with a doubtful gaze. ‘She seems to mean business!” she muttered. ‘What do you think of her, Prowler?” ‘(She beats my time!” the old man said, with a shake of the head. ‘‘ She is evidently a hari customer to deal with!” ** And so she is. Her pedigree isnot unknown tome. She used tokeep arum-hole up at Owl Forks, where the worst roughs in the West were wont to congregate, and fight, drink and gam- ble. The old woman is said to have committed more than one murder and robbery, and she spoke the truth, when she said that ’most every one was afraid of her. I don’t like the idea of her locating bere, but don’t see how I am going to help myself.” ; ‘““]T propose we give her the bounce!” Little Bill put in. ‘‘ Takes me to talk turkey to sech like her.” “She would scalp you at sight!” Dol] laughed. ‘‘ Bet she wouldn’t! Ill bug her an’ gue her ’til she'll git ravin’—then, if she tries @ny shenannigun, I'll wing her. Blamed ef she wasn’t goin’ to whale me wi’ tke “bril!”’ we 2 Gomicbooks