Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

- -—-——- —— ‘‘Then, why do you side with this cowardly prairie pup?’ ‘Do you really think, giving your conscience its own rein, that the Scarlet Scout is a coward, general?” : **Of course Ido. He is a low-bred ruffian!” ‘*T don’t see through the same spectacies you do, then. From all Ihave gleaned, you, gen- eral, have shown the most unmistakable signs of ill. breeding of the two.” ‘“‘Curse it if you are not getting insulting, too!” the general stormed, “ Nota bit of it. I’m telling you truth that *most any other man in the camp would fear to tell you. I don’t fear to teil you, though, and you know it,” ‘* Maybe not; yet you hadn’t better go beyond the length of your rope, or even you may find yourself mistaken.” ‘Ob! I’m not afraid of it.” “Well, let’s not argue on that point. You know weil enough that the fellow is no person to essociate with my daughter, and I would be an idiot to allow sucb a thing to take place, He worsted me at sword-play, but, curse him, I'll make this part of the country too hot for hin) yet, or I’m mistaken!” “Be careful how you war with him, general. He isn’t a boy.” “Nor am I a doll. Money is a powerful agent, here, even if common-sense can’t be beaten into a person,” ‘Perhaps. But, would you, General Gleason, a man of chivalry, use money as an agent to de: troy a person, who not only did you an in- valuable service, but also never barmed you and spared your life, when he could as well have taken it?” ** Did I say so?” ** You binted as much,” “Maybe so. At any rate, I'll break up this intimacy, or I'll know the reason why. No common border ruffian can ever link himself with the proud old Gleasons.” “So you think. But, don’t be too sure, gen- eral, There is no law to prevent the marriage of two single adult persons, in this State.” “There is a law—that of force!” ““ Force is not a safe tool, wohl ae “Bah! Nonsense! Since you have broached the subject—what can money not buy, here?” “ Me!” the major declared, with emphasis. “And when I agees for myself, I speak for several others, I fancy.” ‘*On! Indeed! Then, you put your power in comparison with mine? * Were it to come to another rebellion, in our quiet little sphere, I fancy I might stand a smal! snow, ‘You are foolish. It is an open fact that I control this town, its inhabitants, and the coun- try for miles around.” “ Do you?” “TIT do, Ihave but to call, and a small army awaits my orders!” ‘“‘So you think. Doubt, however, is opeu to everybody. You may count your wealth, sir— and feel proud of it, by the hundred thou- sands of dollars, but, even your money cannot buy the honest strong arm of many a sturdy. Westerner.” “Oh, think so, if you choose. You, I am aware, are interested in the Ronald syndicate, but Mew crush the whole ot you under my seh f you possessed such power, you wou have taloan advantage of it, long ago, As for your being so perfectly a monarch of all you survey, please read this. It came addressed to me, as the envelope will show.” He then handed the general an envelope, torn ove extracted a letter, written in a scrawling A The fo lowing were the cieleaite: “ OFFIcE or Cap. Metron, Cattle- Thief. “* Aug. —, 18—. “To GENERAL GrpEoN GLEAson:— ‘‘Sin:—I write you this little note to let you know that 1 have heard of the capture of two of my men, whom I sent to capture rom daughter, whom it was my intention to hold, subject to ransom. -I am also in from private sources, that you have of- fered a reward of one thousand dollars for the cap- ture of myself and followers, which, with that of- i at one end, from which the cattle-king b fered by the Stafe, counties, and private parties, t h your political influence, makes a round sum. of V thousand. “In writing you, I wish to express the heartfelt. thanks of myse)f and my riche! Rangers, for your interest in our welfare: and wish, furthermore, to assure you that we shall improve the first safe op- po y to visit destruction on Villa Voselle, and all that appertains thereto. “Yours to the death ** CaP. MELTON, “ Chief of the Colorado Cattle Confiscators, ** Limited,” Little Quick-Shot. - CHAPTER III. GRIT, Arter entering the hotel, the Scarlet Scout made his way directly to his room, and tooka good bath, and rub: down, | Then, feeling greatly refreshed, he sallied forth upon the street once more. He was anx- ious to learn how the tide of public sentiment was drifting, for he was sanguine that his trouble with the cattle-king would make him enemies as well as friends. He was a stranger in the town of Vaggersville, and realized that a moneyed power as an agent against a stranger, was an enemy not to be wholly despised, That General Gleason would work to drive him from the town, he had not a doubt, no mat- ter what cost it might entail. The man was arrogant and sternly set in his way, and he was plainly not a person to yield a point, when there was a ghost of a chance for him to win; hence, Little Quick Shot needed no more to tell bim that he was treading upon uncertain ground, and that it behooved him to keep wide awake to his own interests, as long as he remained in Daggersville. Several respectable Americans were reported to have met their death in the camp, in an un- accountable manner; and what little investi- gation had been made, elicited no explanation of their fate. ’Twas said by the credulous that an Invisible Avenger haunted the town—a red-handed as- sassin, as it were, who possessed a ghostly face as white and sepulchre! as that of a real corpse, and yet who possessed no body or underpinning whatever, as far as had ever been discovered. The Dead Fuce was wont to peer in at shant windows, of lonely nights, or be seen protrud- ing from clumps of bushes, or over the tops of bowlders; but all attempts to capture the owner had thus far proved unavailing. : One peculiar circumstance connected with this specter, or whatever it was, was that, as an invariable rul:, after it had been seen in and about the camp, a dead man was soon after discovered, with a bullet-hole through his heart, and bis head turned to the north. Thus it was that prairie and mountain-men grew into the opinion that Daggersville was uncanny and dangerous, wherefore it behooved a new-comer to ‘keep his eye peeled” when on a Visit to the camp, As Quick-Shot sauntered along the rugged street he was a target for many curious glances and it was partly to get from under the fire o eyes that be stepped into a newly-built store or shanty, in front of which was a sign: “GRIT GLEASCN, uN ToOBAcCcO AND CIGARS.” He took no time to recollect that there was a resemblance in the name of the cigar-dealer and the cattle-king just then; but he thought of it afterward. On entering the store, he found it to be a little pigeon-hole of a place, with a counter and show-case, and shelving, the latter two rece tacles containing the rather limited stock of tobacco, cigars and smoker’s articles. Behind the counter presided a young woman, or more properly a girl, for her age could not have been Over eighteen, if, indeed, she was that. She d a petite but well-rounded figure, which was plainly attired in a neat gingham dress. She owned one of the prettiest faces Quvick-Shot had seen in a long time. It was youthful, small, fine-featured, and merry. The mouth was of tempting, roguish, sweet expres- sion, and the black eyes were like dancing dia- monds in their brilliancy, Her hair, like her eyes in color, was tossed back from her forehead in great abundance and charming ccnfusion, Her hands were small and white. If Quick-Sbot stared at her, it was no more than she did at him, for ew men of bis striking appearance ever visited Daggersville, ‘A cigar, if you please,” he said, throwing @ coin down on the show-case—“ one of the best you have,” ‘These Havanas are very good, I believe, for half a dollar each. I only bought a few of them, as I seldom have call for a high-priced cigar.” cr I dare say not. The pipe, I believe. gen- erally suits the average miner better, These are right good—I’ll take half a dozen, please.” This liberal purchase appeared to fill the pretty store-keeper with delight, and she took extra pains to put the cigars up in a neat pack- age. “This is nice weather we are having, sir,” —_— ———— _—_— >_— she remarked. ‘‘I do like pleasant weath.r, even if it is warm.” ‘Yes. It will not be long before the rainy season setsin. You are newly started in yci business here, are you not?’ ‘*Ob! yes, sir—but a few days. I was su denly thrown upon my own resources, an having nothing to do, Mr. Tabor thought I might make a nice little living at this business, I haven’t sold myself rich yet, bowever.” And she laughed merrily. ‘Riches do not always come in a day,” Quick- Shot said, philosophically, “To be sure they don’t. A few good cus- tomers like you and Mr. Tabcr, however, ‘oul’ muke ne believe I was getting rich.” ‘ ‘‘ Your appearance would indicate that you have known better times,” ‘* You bet we have, sir! You see, we came from the East a few yearsago, and papa bought a big ranch and started into the stock-raistog business. We were making out nicely, so far as 1 knew—there was only papa and I—+xcepf that papa drank pretty bard, until about a month sgo—then came the crash.” ‘** Indeed ?” , “Yes. You see, papa ceme home one night and said he was not feeling well, and believe he was coming dow with the small-pox, to which he bad been exposed Over a week bef¢ re. up in the mountains at an Indian camp. I was awful scared, so | locked papa In the cabin we lived in, and mounting My pony, rode over to General Gleason’s—he’s My uncle—and told hhm about it. He bad me seized and taken to one of his prairie cabins, and shut up there for ten days to see if I was go.Dg to come down with the small-pox.” ‘*The brute!” ‘‘T didn’t like it, of course, Lut couldn’t help myself. At the end of ten auys an Indian doctor visited me, and on finding me ell right, released me and took me back to uncle’s. Oh! sir, then came the terrible blow,” ‘What was it? I bave become very much interes'ed!” Quick-Shot said, : ‘‘Oh! sir, they told me my father had been dead and buried a week. For fear the disease would spread, cur bumble cabin and all our effects bad been burned, and pe a had been buried where no one would be likely to find his’ grave, Not even me would they tell where he was buried.” ; ‘““T dare say they could be forced to tell!” Quick-Shot suggested. ** There could be no pos- sible harm im your knowing your father’s last, resting-place.’ ‘Certainly not. This has not been all my’ trouble, sir. Since I have told you so much, you may as well know all. When I asked con- cerning my father’s ranch my uncle stated that everything belonged to him—that be held a mortgage on the ranch for double its value, and had foreclosed it; that he held judgment notes against the stock and other peisonal property, and had confiscated it, according to law. He said I was left wpon the world penniless, but being young and strong, could undoubtedly take care of myself. He them advised me to leave this part of the country, and suggested that my pcsition in life now would make it im- perative that my acquaintance with the Glea- sons of Villa Voselle should abruptly terminate; also that it would be prudent for me to shange my name, did I remain in these parts, so that there could be no danger of my being regarded as one of his family,” “T presume you agreed to the suggestion [” the young inquisitor said, with a dry laugh. ‘‘T presume I did not!” Miss Gleason respon- ded “I told him to go to blazes, and leftithe house. Lenore gave me fifty dollars out of ber own pocket and that helped me to start this place. believe you are acquainted with Lenore? Bhe is such a nice gir].” ‘‘T have met her several times since I rescued her. It was owing to this fact that the gen- eral precipitated the street quarrel aw hil. ago, ; with me,’ ‘So I learned. You ratber worsted him.” ‘TY placed him at my mercy, and gave him his life. 1 presume he will try to take mino as a return compliment.” “T should not be surprised if he did. Al!-' though he is a relative of mine, I am sorry to say | believe him capable of almost any mean action.” ° ‘‘¥Your opinion coincides with my own. From what I h«ve seen of the general, I must say he hasa raseally and selfish disposition. It' would not surprise me to Jearn that you have been deliberately swindled out of your father’s estate by your uncle,” ‘Ob, sir! do you really think so?” — ee 4 900ksS:com