Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 296 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

en aa & » * gees —as~ - ~ — "2s Pr] 2 oe «+ ee Pye za ae. - «= “ is, ‘ —— * rege ee FAN t. v « ‘dg hy’ ie -_ . ‘ G6 or wot ne ieee, ee we ee ee ee ee ee Pe. Om ere eee ee em Oe momen as a, road-agent, I hereby set my curse upon all luck to the camp, and swear to make it so red-hot for one — all that you shall be glad to flee from iny wrath, tiver Doll's Drift is mine, or Freshet Flats is doomed. I appoint the 20th instant for the election, when the major vote 5 say if I shall return or not. I will be in CAE on that day! (Signed) Denver Dou, Chief of the Red Stars. —_— 2 + CHAPTER VL A DECIDEDLY ORIGINAL ELECTION. Denver Dou alive, after that fearful explo- slon ! What would be the next wonder? As for the young woman road agent’s propo- sition, the opinion seemed about evenjy divided. The honest element of the camp readily saw the fairness of the proposal, for the girl had beeu a favorite among their class, and they regarded La Force’s act as despicable, to say the least. Therefore, several of the most influential miners set about making a quiet canvass, in or- der that they might determine what the result of an election would be. On the other hand, La Force hada large num- ber of pals, who were literally bound to stand by bim in any emergency, and this fact gave as- surance that there would be a very close, if not a bloody contest, before the matter was decided. Old Nathan Blob was on the side of the “ re- turn” party, for he foresaw in such an act a possibility of getting back his money, Since Jean La Force was proprietor of the Denver Doll Drift, it was generally understood that the spot whereon Denver Doll’s shanty had stood also belonged to bim., And so construing, Nathan Blob foresaw that it was an eligible site to build himself a house on, whereupon he met La Force in the street and accosted birn. ‘*Mine frient, dey dells me you owns der blace vere der shanty vas plowed up?” he inter- rogated, folding his arms above his mammoth stomach. Jean La Force closed one eye reflectively. It had not yet occurred to him, until this, that he . might lay claim to the lot. Well, what of it?’ be demanded. ““Vot you dakes vor id? I vas a poor man, so helb me, und I vas anxious to py von leedle lace cheeb, to build me a house on!” ‘*What do you want of a house?” “Hor mine self, for mine frient Snap, und mine peautiful daughter, Christine, vot arrive gs00n ” “Oh! gota gal, eh? Well, you can have the site for two thousand. Dirt cheap. Fork over, and it’s yours!” ° *““Oh! no! dot ish too t’?in, Misder La Force. - Der must be some babers made oud, you knows, to make der ving safe, so nopody vas can come und take id avay from me.” ** Well, I reckon not!” a youthful voice cried, and Little Bill Bethel, Denver Doll’s boy pard, stepped forward. ‘Don’t you buy a cent’s worth o’ real estate from this skinflint, the _ gambler, or you'll get suck-ed in. J own that site.” “You?” La Force roared, ‘* You?” gasped the Jew. “You bet! I—inderwidually, I, Billiam Bethel, Esq.!” And the comical-looking boy- man made a wry face, and thrust bis thumbs in under his arm-pits. “You cussed young rat, I’ve a mind to wring yer neck!” La Force roared. ‘‘And if you don’t keep yourself quiet ’round this camp, now, you'll get your throat cut,” La Force growled, striding away. “That feller’s a reg’lar snappin’ snake,” Lit- tle Bill said tothe Jew. ‘* He’s mean enough to steal the eyebrows off’m a dead jack. Glad I happened along to save ye from gittin’ sali- vated. Just ’rived in town. an’ heerd the rum- pus "bout my pard, Doll, Ever see her?” “Yes, py tim! and if I ever see dot son-of-a- gun ag’in I plow her prains outside in.” “Ob, you’re the old Waterloo sbe struck in the stage, eh? Ha, ha, ha! Spry gal is Denver Doll. *Spect she’ll marry my dad one o’ these days, w’ot’s a lord, duke or duchess over in England. Don’t skeer about yer rocks, tho’, Blobsy; they’l! be all right, and you'll git ’em when Dolly gits her mine back. So you see it’s to your interest to buckle in, and cast ten or eleven votes for her.” *“Yesh, I dinks dot ish so—dot isif she giff me pack my monisb.” : “Don’t worry about that. You git in your work, and I'll be responsible!” eo * ° . ee EE ““ You—dot Jeedle suibes like you?” ‘Bet your head on it! Dve got tbe roeks if I am short young. sweet an’ tender. Ask any galoot if Little Bill ain’t got a fat pocket-book and bank account.” ‘Ish dot so? Vel, I vas glad to hear id. I s’pose you haff some monish to lend?” ‘‘Nary a cent, Blobsy—nary a red! It don’t pay. Besides, I want to save up, so when I’m elected President, I can beat old Grant, and pay off the National debt, out o’ my own pocket, and take a mortgage on the United States. But, I tell you how you want ter work it fer Doll-baby. ‘There’s goin’ to be a big vote for La Force, an’ we shall have to buckle in our level best to get a majority. See? Well, now, let me pertically button-hole yer, an’ remind you to sling out a five or a saw-buck, here an’ there, to buy up votes for my pard, an’ so win. If ye don’t, yer rocks is gone up the flume, shure’s there’s power in a mule’s hoof.” ‘‘ But, vy do dot? I pays out monish—dotish gone, I get pack odder monish, und sdill I vas oud of pocket.” ‘Well, goit to suit yourself, but ef ye ex- pect to live long in Freshet Flats, you better vote fer Denver Doll.” And with this bit of advice Little Bill turned importantly away, leaving Nathan Blob in rather an uncertain state of mind as to whether he would ever get his money back or not. Among the workers in Denver Doll’s cause, was the Avenger, Arizona Alf, who was here, there and everywhere, and seeming to have a plenty of money, he was not afraid to spend it where it would do the most good. A meeting of the partisans of both parties was held at La Force’s Satanello, and a form of election and votes arranged, and officers and a referee chosen. Sunflower Sam, and Ben Blye were selected to bave charge of the polls, while a miner, newly arrived, named Hawkins, was to act as referee, in case of any disputes. -The rules stated that any person above ten years of age should be permitted to vote. The polls were to open that night, at mid- night, and close et six o’clock in the morning. This was arranged so that there should be little os on either side, to smuggle in extra bal- ots. During the afternoon and evening, the ex- citement waxed hot. The canvass had been prosecuted so thorough- ly, thatit was known nearly toa man how the vote was going, and it looked as if there were close chances of being a tie. As the evening passed away, the excitement increased, The one street was in a glare of light caused by numerous bonfires, and a mot- ley mass of buman beings surged to and fro, ut- tering discordant shouts, many of the crowd, of course, being intoxicated. In front of the Salanello was a dry-goods box, upon which Jean La Force stood, with a hand- ful of money in his grasp, while he gesticulated wildly, and made loud but careful offers for votes in his behalf. Just across the street was another similar stand, close to a camp fire, and this was occu- pied by Arizona Alf and Little Bill, who took turns at offering money for votes—for as La Force had set the ball a-rolling, it was no more ap fair that they should “invest” as well as ne, ‘Ten dollars—ten dollars for the man who will vote for Denver Doll!” the Arizonian cried, in stentorian tones. ‘‘ Where’sthe man— Ah! here he comes; ten dollars, old gent, when you cast your vote for right and honesty.” The man was Nathan Blob. ‘‘That man votes for me!’ La Force roared from across the street. ‘‘- You lie! He’s goin’ to vote for the gal who will give bim bis money back!” Arizona yelled back. ‘Bah! Come over here and I’ll pummel your nose off.” ‘* Ha! ha! old boy.” ‘You're a coward and a sneak!” La Force shouted, throwing down his pistols and leaping to the ground. ‘* You dassen’t fight.” Not a word responded the Avenger of Joaquin, but throwing his weapons to the ground he also leaped from his box, and advanced toward tiie gambler, in whose face and eyes the rancor in his hreast was vividly expressed, “Bully fer Arizona!” screeched Little Bill, flopping his arms to his side and crowing like a rooster. ‘‘He’s the stuff, is that pilgrim, an’ I’ll bet a dollar to a half thet he poliskes off the card-cuckoo like a chunk o’ stove-polish. Sail in, Arizona, an’ ef I see ary galoot attempt any Better let one lesson be enough, i eel “ee 9 oe te en ee eee SO te 68 Oe OO HPO wae eter er ee Oe uady tricks [ll plug him in bis equator, you et! Neither of the antagonists paid any attention to the youngster, but advanced deliberately, each watching the other like a hawk. lt was manifestly the intention of the gambler to clinch with the Avenger; but that individual comprehended the purpose, and justas La Perce make a leopard-like spring, Alt’s iron-hke fist caught bim in under the chin, and landed him neatly on his back. | A portion, of the crowd cheered, and Little Bill crowed again. “Yip! yip! hooray! ,That’s the kind of a roos- ter we keep in our flock! That’s how Denver Doll’s men strike, Reg’lar old burro bit, that was! Bet a dollar to a cent biginibs hasn't got a sound molar in his bread-trap!” With an effort La Force arose, and staggered to his box. rtd “That’s enough!” he gasped, spitting out blood by the mouthful. “Sure it will answer for the present?” Ari- zona demanded, ‘“T said enough!” was the tart answer. ‘‘Ob! don’t disturb him!’ yelled Little Bill. ‘Don’t ye see he’s no hog? He knows when he’s stuck!” The Avenger laughed quietly, and went back to his business on the box. An bour passed, and if was near to mid- night. Noticeably, now, there were many rough and grizzled strangers in the street, the ma jority of whom looked like miners. oe discerned this, and mentioned it to ill, The boy looked anxious. ‘*¢ Looks like a clean beat!” he muttered. ‘‘See how La Force is occasionally shuttin’ off a tri- umphant grin. Jeminy, I wish—” ’ e failed to mention what, however. A stand had been erected down the street, and was occupied by the three officers, Sun- flower Sam, Ben Blye, and Hawkins, the referee. All voters were to form in line, in single file, the foremost near the polls, and the last at tho end up the street. ; } As they passed the stand, Arizona Alf and La Force were to patrol either side of the line with repeating rifles, to meke sure that no man got back to the rear to vote again, and the order was ‘‘ Death,” to whosoever should at- tempt it. By aquarter of twelve, the heterogeneous gang was formed in line, the rear end extending some distance up the street; and in this line was every man, woman and boy of over ten years, except those on duty, and every one was armed with a slip of paper containing the name of his or her choice—‘‘ Denver Doll,” or “Jean La Force.” At sharp twelve the referee fired off a pistol which was the signal to march, and the line be- gan to slowly move forward. But, though it moved slowly, there wes a perfect ndemonium of sounds, principal among which were the asserevations of various boozy miners, as for whom they were going to cast. their votes, interlarded with character- istic oaths. Above the din could be heard the screeching voice of Little Bill. “ Jog along thar, ye skunks, and cast yer votes for Denver Doll, the best and squarest gal that ever buckled on a garter, by gum! Cheer, ards, an’ remember you're solid fer a jeb when oll gits control ag’in, fer we’re goin’ ter b’ild a crusher, an’ raise thunder in general,” te which announcement seemingly little or no attentton was paid. One by one the crowd cast their votes, and there was even greater excitement beyond the polls, than befere them—the excitement born of desire to know what the result would be. Probably some of: the gang would have at- tempted to make a break for the rear of the line but for the vigilance of Arizona Alf and La Force—for be it said to the credit of the latter, he seemed determined that omqriheree sheuld go off on the square, evidently well satistied that he would win the day. , As soon as the last one in the line had passed, the officers and referee cast their votes and the poll was closed. The crowd quickly surrounded the stand again, when the counting of the votes began, Referee Hawkins standing over the two officers with drawn revolvers, to see that it was done fairly. Bets were made on oneey. hand, om each can- didate, and thousands of dollars promised to change hands on the result. | 900KS Come s > of. Pa