Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 286 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

— —— a ing wavy no notice was taken of what he had Seti, The..matter was soon settled. Even while Joshua was looking to the left, a strong hand | encircled his neck, and something cold and hard was epnerna pesanat bis right temple. ‘“‘Silence!” hissed. a voice in his ear. ‘One word and you die!” & was a useless command, for the youth eould not have spoken if he would, but it served to, keep bim from making a struggle. Should the hold en his neck be Scutimaa he would 200n be brought to the peintof strangulation, but he was shrewd enough to see that the most imminent danger was from the revolver, and he concluded to make complete obedience. Therefore, he kept his place as though turned to a statue. ‘‘J am going to give you a chance to breathe,” continued his assailant: ‘‘ but you will remem- ber that my revolver is at your head, and if you utter a cry or try to escape, out go your brains.” He dropped his hand from Joshua’s throat, but only to transfar his grasp to his arm. ‘““Who in thunder are you?” he then de- ‘* I guess it’s my place ter ask that question,” gaid the youth. ‘‘l belong here an’ yeou don’t, som. ain't Mr. Thayer nor ’Mandy—who be yeou?’ ; ‘Since you are so anxious, I am a cutthroat of the first water. I have killed over forty men by daylight and “twenty-seven at night, That brings us down to my own question. Who are you?” ‘Wal, sofar as name goes, I’m Joshua Pep- r, son @’ Job Pepper, o’ York State,” said the derfoot, calmly. ‘I never heard of you before. Do you be- long in this huuse?” “TI guess I.do, mister. I'm bookkeeper fur Thayer & Foster.” ‘*Aba!l a new steer in the pasture. Well, this rather surprises me. I did not expect to meet you. What are you, anyhow—boy or man?” ‘ ‘‘A man, an’ I weight two hundred—no, I'll be darned if Ldew. Dad always said truth was a jewel beyond price, I’m seventeen year old, most eighteen, But, see here, mister, what be eou doin’ in this haouse? Yeou don’t belong ere,” **lLam happy to say that I do not, but you will readily perceive that I am here just the same, To further impress the fact on your mind, I shall have to bind you, hand and foot, an/ insert a gag in your mouth.” ‘* Thunderation!” said Joshua, really alarmed, “What is that for? What have I did—” Nothing, as yet, and I don’t intend that you shall. An ounce of prevention, aud so forth. Hold out your hand, young man!’ Josbua was thinking rapidly and trying to discover a way out of tais unexpected trouble. He had not the ahighvedt idea who this stranger was, but it was evident he was in the house with hostile intentions. At the least, be must intend robbery; it might be he harbored thoughts of murder, By nature and training, Joshua was loyal to his friends, if nothing more, and Mr. Thayer being bis employer, be was anxious to protect him.and his property. But, what could he do? Menaced Pe a revol- ver, it seemed as though the case was hopeless. “ Hold out your hands!” repeated the stranger inpesetiney. The Boy Tenderfoot had reached a decision. Rash, reckless and foolish though it might be, be was resolved to make a bold attempt to de- feat the intruder. raised his hands, and the man had begun to mutter seme commendatory remarks when with all his power, and with the skill Jearn from the old French boxing-master, Joshua lanted one of his fists uncer the chin so oblig- fog y held above him. The blow, though delivered in the dark, was a complete success, and the aye arance of the man from the bedside was followed by a heavy crash as he struck the floor. Another moment and Joshua was on bis feet, and while his loud cries of alarm rung out with startling clearness, he bounded toward the stairs which led to the lower part of the house. He had moved quickly, but the stranger was not less active, and as Joshua seemed on the eve of success, he was caught by the shoulder and hurled to the floor. Another moment, and an iron grasp was fixed en bis neck and a heavy knee almost crushed his chest. ‘* You infernal hound!” hissed the stranger, _ Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. *‘you have blocked my game, and now, by Judas, I'll bave your life for it!” Josbua tried to shout again, to free himself from that terrible grasp, but his strength was not equal to the emergency and his efforts were fruitless, He experienced for the first time in his life, the terrible feeling of strangulation, and with a panorama of celors floating before his eyes, lost censciousness entirely. CHAPTER VII. JOSHUA HAS ANOTHER ADVENTURE, THE Boy Tenderfoot was not dead, however, and, after a somewhat lengthy period of uncon- ciousness, he opened his eyes, Thoyer was bending over him and immedi- ately hailed his sign of life with joy. ‘*Boy, what has been the matter here?’ he demanded, with considerable excitement. ‘“*Did you catch him?’ Joshua asked, sitting upright, ‘*Catch who?” “The man that choked me;” and eur youn hero dismally caressed his neck, which sti ached under the pressure it had received. ‘* Was there a man here?” ** Wal, I guess there was—” “Who was it?” “TI don’t know, no more nor the dead, but I guess I scart him off.” ‘Tell me all about it.” At that moment Amanda entered the room, a little pale of face but outwardly calm, and from her manner it was plain she had been there before since the assault occurred. Joshua told his story and Mr. Thayer listened attentively. Still, there was little to be learned—barely the fact that an interloper of some kind hid been in the house—and the trio were left to wonder what had been his object. lt was Amanda who made the majority of the suggestions, while Theyer, on his part, looked steadily at vacancy for a long time and seemed considering some matter he did not mention to the younger people, Whoéver the stranger had been, he came no more that n ght and the following morning found all quiet around the house, Mr. Thayer seemed strangely gloomy, and, after breakfast, walked over to where Foster, his partner, kept ‘‘ bachelor’s hall” in a very humble sort of a house, ‘“*Halloo!” be said, in surprise, ‘‘ what brings you over here so early?” ‘Sit down,” said Thayer, tersely, ‘I’ve something to tell you, and it demands careful consideration.” ‘Well, heave ahead,” replied Foster, as he calmly lighted his pipe. He heard the story of the midnight prowler with interest, but without showing any partic- ular emotion. ‘*I don’t see why you should be stirred up by this affair,” he said. ‘‘ Your red-headed boy scared off the robber, and it will end in your having bolts and bars put on your doors and windows. It’s an evil wind that don’t blow some one good, The unknown failed to make a raise, but you are taught wisdom.” ‘* Foster,” said the senior partner, leaning for- ward and speaking earnes.ly. ‘‘I had a pe- culiar dream last night—after that affair oc- curred.” Foster lauzhed carelessly. ‘What new hobby have you got into your head? You dream periodically, and though none of them ever come to pass, you believe implicit] in the whole lot.” ** But I never had one so vivid as this before. Why, the scenes are as plain as though I had seen all in the broad light of day. But, Pl tell you all aboutit. You remember that—that the men we hired for a aati job—” “Hold up!” said Foster, curtly, as he flashed a quick glance around. “ Don’t go to harping on that t.” ‘“ Wait, You know what they said was done with the bodies?” ‘** They chucked ’em over a ledge. Yes, yes; Iknow. Now, let it drop.” “Wait,” said Thayer again. “ Last night I dreamed that I went to seek the remains of the two men, I found the gulch, but for a long time could find no trace of what I sought. Finally, I came upon two large mounds, such as we see in ordinary cburchyards, only larger. Both had gravestones, and I passed around to read the names, They were these of—” ‘* Will you keep your mouth shut?’ growled Foster, Confound it, man, don’t you know the very walls have ears sometimes? Babble on, if you must, but call no names,” a ene eee eee ee - . ee - a Thayer passed his hand nervously over his smooth, bland face, and then centinued: ““T thought that while I stoed there a white form suddenly a red on kis mound, aud then, steadily arising, it drifted away in the air, moving toward Bugszard Bar.” ‘Well, where does the joke come in?” Foster demanded, as the senior partmer pa ‘*T can’t help cenmecting the two circun- stances,” said Thayer, nervously. ‘‘ The spec- ter toward the Bar, and my house was invade: by an enemy.” Foster burst inte a leud laugh, but finally grew calmer, ** My dear sir,” he said, ‘‘ yeu might as well think that an ostrich’s legs and a mountain sheep’s body ought to be eenmeeted, but since you seem to beso much meved, I willremind _ you that, following sucb an excitement as last night’s scare, it wouldn’t nave been strange if you had dreamed that Tecumseh was again on the war-path, or that you bad reformed and joined a cbureb,” Foster’s words proved that he had little faith in what he could not see, and finally Thayer grew more cheerful under his banter, and they walked together to the office. | Joshua was already there, waiting for the door to be opened, and though he had recovered his usual spirits and health, the junior partner could plainly see the succession ef red spots om his neck which marked the fingers ef the un- known prowler. t The day passed quietly away, the only event. of importance being the fact that Joshua went out and purchased a revolver. He had learned to nse the weapon in the East, but by advice of his father bad taken none to Colorado. The elder Pepper had been a man of peace, That night passed without trouble, but during the forenoon Joshua had a surprise. He was in the cffice alone, both partners hay- ing gone cut temporarily, when the door un- alr salt od opened and two persons en- tered, Joshua looked at them in surprise. The first was a young lady of nineteen or twenty, a very handsome young lady, too, if Joshua’s opinion went for anything, with her curling black hair, sharp black eyes and bright face, while ber every movement proclaimed her a different kind of a person than Miss Amanda Thayer or the average product of the Gunnison. She looked like one bern and bred to riches and civilization. ‘ Behind her was a negro of almost gigantic form, a man whose carriage showed that he be- lieved his great strength made amends for his: lack of a The young lady leoked keenly at Joshua, ‘‘Is your name Thayer or Foster?” she asked. “No, marm,” said Joshua, politely, ‘' Both on ’em are out, but ’f yeou’ll set deown yeow can see them putty soon,” ‘*What are you?’ she demanded, looking at him in the same sharp manner. ’ ‘‘['m the book-keeper,” Joshua. answered, with some dignity. , ‘*Ah! How long do you expect to keep your sitaation?” ‘* Wal, I don’t know,” he answered, in bewil- derment, ‘Is it worth anything to you?” ‘*T guess itis. It’s all I’ve got tew depend om fur a livin’, an’sech things is hard to get im Colorado,” ' Joshua spoke very earnestly. It bad flashed upon his mind that this self ed young woman had designs on his position—that she either desired it for herself or else that she im some way intended to undermine him. Her manner, too, confused and startled him at first, but the latent force of bis character came to the service and he resolved to fight rather than surrender, “Well,” she calmly proceeded, “ your future: depends on your answers to me. Have you ever seen a tall, gray-bearded old gentleman in this office?” Joshua reflected for a moment and then shook: a tek fully,” said the girl, sharpl ‘* Think care said the girl, s y: “Tm sure I mesh » he repeated, s “Do Thayer & Foster receive all their busi. ness callers here?” “se Yes,” ‘* Well, now, [ want you to think once more. If you can recollect that old gentleman, yow shall be well paid. Mind now, I don’t want you to tell a falsehood to earn your wages, but I want to get tidingsof a missing man. Have you no recollection of a quarrel between Thayer & Foster on one side and an aged stranger om the other?’ Eomicvooks Eo = ones P ¢) in) . “ »