Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 339 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

a * > i fame as on the previous night, made her ap- nce, She made her courtesy and became seated; then Fat Fred was heard from his position upon a chair: ‘Gentlemen, I'll interdooce ter ye Mademoi- selle Mai, the celebrated banjoist, and I wish to announce that thisis her last appearance upon this stage, the new management having con- sidered it best to do away with the entertain- ment until this place can be elaborately re- modeled and refitted. The mam’selle being a most worthy young lady, you that have money are requested to make hera liberal donation at the conclusion, and I wish to request the best of attention and behavior.” Mai had not learned of her proposed “ retire- ment.” Kit realized this as he saw her start and turn slightly pale when Fat Fred announced that it was her last appearance. She instantly composed herself, hotwever, and as soon as Fred was done, struck off into one of the ballads she knew to be a favorite with the miners. Not once during the song did she look at Kit, although he was well satisfied that she knew exactly where he stood, During the applause which followed ber first song, she gave him a passing glance but her face betrayed no sign of recognitiuu. Biting his lip with vexation, while his heart beat painfully, he turned rings Ga and left the audience and remained out of her sight during the rest of the performance in the front part of the saloon. At last her fourth piece was finished, there was uproarious applause, a hail-storm of coins upon the stage; then, after a moment, the movement of the audience warned Kit that she had left the stage. What was it that prompted him to leave the saloon and steal to a point where he could watch her pass on her way to her home? It would be hard to tell. Boy love, as well as any other love, aas many curious freaks. He had not long to wait. She soon came along and Mr. Byron Milton walked beside her, though she did not have hold of his arm, ‘You are a beautiful singer, Miss Roulere,” he wassaying. ‘* You have a voice of wonder- ful compass, which, with a little training would make an instant hit upon an operatic stage in New York,” ‘‘Do you think so? I have often wondered if I should ever see that famous city.” ‘* How I should love to show you around the dear old city, Miss Mai. I—” Then their words became too indistinct to understand. ‘*'Yes, and how I should like to have the pleasure of seeing you booted from here to Bos- ton!” Kit muttered aloud. ‘And here, too, younker. Ha! ha! ha!” And Lawton Leech loomed up before him, ‘Hello! what are you up to?” Kit demanded in surprise. ‘The very same racket you are. D’ye know, younker, what that cursed girl did?’ ‘‘No. Haven't the slightest idea!” “Well, sir, she accepted a big basket o’ flow- ers, what Flat Fred gave to her, and threw mine back in my face!” “She did? haw! haw! haw! Give ye ther love right afore the boys, eh? Haw! haw! haw! aw! That’s too rich fer ter swaller! Whoop- ee-e-e-e! haw! haw! haw! haw!” And Kit roared till his sides ached. ‘‘Sbet up, you fool!” Leech growled, shaking the youth by the shoulder. ‘ Now, lookee you here, Youanl’s’*boutsquare. We've both got Jeft. So be sensible, I ain’t sech a bad sort of fellow, boy. I’ve gotsome money, and I reckon I occarionally feel my oats a little. My opinion of you ain’t so bad as et was, I see you don’t are for a cent’s worth of dried apples! That’s hat J like! Now, d’ye know what I’m goin’ ter do?’ ss Nary 1” ‘* Well, there’s goin’ to be fun. Who sent that basket of flowers?” ‘‘How d’ye ’spect me to know anything about it? Go ask Fred!” ' “So 1 will. Ob! I know, well enough, it was that cuss they call a poet. I'll poet him! I’m just going to take a shingle off from his roof, to-morrow—no! to-night!” ‘How do you mean?” ‘‘ Why, Ill tell you. We both got left, eh? I bein’ the biggest, it’s my business to put a nose an the poet!” “ Well?” ; Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. ‘* Ye see I’m sometbin’ of a knocker, myself, though no one don’t know it about bere. [’m jest goin’ down thar, an’ put a nose on thet t! ** Better wait ’til to-morrow!” “No sech a thing! I’m goin’ ter hev a stiff whisky, then off goes Byron Milton’s proboscis!” And away toward the saloon, did Lawton Leech stride. Kit followed. ‘‘Let him go. I’ve a notion the poet kin handle hisself. I wonder if the lunkhead, Fred, will know enough to not give me away!” he muttered. By keeping up to the speculator, he managed to enter the Olympic directly behind him, and catching the eye of the ponderous bartender, he gave him the wink, Be it said to his credit, Fred wasa very wide- awake individual, and he at once comprehended that something was up, so to speak, Lawton Leech’ strode up to the bar, with an aspect dark en-ugh to chill the blood in the veins of a coucar. ‘* Look bere, you slop-slinger!” he cried; “‘ you | | | took that basket of flowers to the singer, didn’t ‘*] did!” Fat Fred replied, graciously. “TI thought so. Now, will you be kind enough to tell me who sent them flowers to the irl?’ . ‘*No, sir. Couldn’t tell you, sir. Some kid brought them in, and said I was to give ’em to Ma’m’selle Mai!” ** What kid?’ “Got me again, sir. in’ *bout the camp!” “That settles it, Boys, all have a drink. smart Alec’s nose!” This was prime news to the sport-loving min- ers, and they at once ranged around the bar, which was now of a semi circular shape. ‘* Who’se goin’ to be the lucky man, boss?” a miner asked, ‘A la-de-dah looking chap, who calls himself a poet, an’ dresses like asport. Il’ll learn him not ter meddle wi’ my love affairs. Oh! PU spoil his face, for him!” The whisky was poured out, and swallowed, in liberal quantities; then, Lawton Leech smote the bar heavily, with his fist. ‘*Come along, now, boys, an’ see ther fun, fer there’s music in the air!” he cried, turning and leaving the saloon. Of course the crowd followed. They would not bave been true ‘‘ men of the Some younker belong- The cussed poet did it, “circus,” they meant to see it, and enjoy the performance. West,” ifthey had not, If there was to be a rou 9”? | I’m goin’ to bu’st a 9 His remarks were partly addressed to the nearest person to him, who chanced to be Mor- ton Miles, who, witn bis companion Slensby, had been attracted to the scene. ‘* What is the trouble?” Mr. M:les condescend- ed to ask, ‘*Oh, nothin’; onty a luv affair. Three ga- loots arter one gai, an’ one on ’em got so des- prit that he came down to lick blazes out of his rival. The rival, as ye jest obsarved, 3 aap to be ter hum when Number One arrived,” Lawton Leech had by this time staggered to his feet, swearing like a trooper, and found the poet watching him with rather an amused ex- pression. Mai Roulere and her father had come to the door, the old gent being so full of whisky that it was necessary for him to cling to the door- post for support. ‘‘ See here, curse you!” Leech blustered; “ what d’ye mean by hitting a gentleman in that way? os I wasn’t aware I had hit one,” was the dry retort. ‘‘Oh, ye wasn’t, eh? So I suppose lam nota gentleman?” ‘*T should judge not; from your rather eccen- tric behavior, a moment ago, I think you are a ruffianly loafer.” ‘* And I sappose you count yourself # gentle- man*’ ‘*T always endeavor to conduct myself as one, sir.” ‘““ Well, you ain’t nothing of the kind. You are a low-lived, cringing puppy. You area coward and a sneak, and |l’ve come here to mash | your nose all over your baby face!” “ You have?” ‘* Yes, J have!” “What cause bave you had for offense at me, sir, may I ask?” ‘“Cause enough. I don’t allow no person to step in ahead of me in my love affairs. Ob, we've got it in for you—voung KitandI. We see’d ye escortin’ Mai Roulere home, you bet; and arter l’ve half-killed you, Kit he’s going to finish the job!” Kit was mad enough to bave kicked the ex- cited speculator with a vengeance. Here he was Crawn into tbe muss, when he most wanted to be left out. W hat would Mai think of bim? What mattered it what she thought? Such were the thoughts that flashed quickly across his mind. Something must be done. Before Milton could answer, Kit stepped for- ward. ‘**'You’ll please not mix me up in yer fracas, Mr. Leech!” he said, ‘‘as I heve nothing what- The night was beautifully moonlight, it lack- | ever to du with it!” ing but one night of being full moon, | A crisp but pleasant breeze blew down the gulch, and the atmosphere was so pure that ob- jects could be clearly discerned at a consider- able distance. A rather suggestive appearance, was that of the crowd, asthey surged along, Lawton Leech in the lead, Kangaroo Kit followed, but kept at the rear, for he was hardly sure whether he cared to be seen, or not. There was still a gleam of light visible ean, dp a crack in the shutters, when the vicinity of the Roulere shanty was reached. The crowd paused, some little distance away, — Lawton went on, and rapped upon the oor. It was at once opened, and by young Milton, himself. ‘*'W hat’s wanted?” he demanded. ‘‘ Yowre wanted! Are you the feller they call the poet?’ Leech demanded. ‘‘lama poet sir, after a fashion!” Without further argument, Leech aimed a terrific blow at the young stranger’s face. But, lo! and behold, it never touched him, being neatly parried by his left arm. | At the same time, bis right fist shot forward, | struck Leech on the forehead, like a sledge-ham- Bet and landed him on the ground, upon his ack, ‘*'Yes, ’m the poet! Did you wish to see pen ere cried, stepping out into the moon- ight CHAPTER VIII. THE POET ON HIS MUSCLE, ‘“An—um! Talk abovt yer Moses! Sing glory balleluyer!” quoth Kit, as the speculator went tumbling to the ground. ‘‘Ef thet were- n’t done up as purty an’ sweet as crab apple | custard, I’ll eat my last year’s ulster. Ho! ho! how Lawty did drop!” ‘‘Oh! yer goin’ ter squeal, are you?” the speculator gritted, ‘‘ Not a bit of it. Iam in no way connected with your doings. If I bave any differences with his nibs, the poet, I’ll settle them myself, in ny own way.” ‘‘Bah! 1 thought you bad no sand! I’}l polish him off, however. Lookee here, you swell- beeen stranger, d’ye know what I’m going to o? ‘“‘T know what you are doing, sir—making a fool of yourself!” Milton responded, standing on the alert. “No, I ain’t, but I'm going to make a fool out of you. Either you promise to pick up your heels, and trot right out of this town, at once and fer good, or you have got tostand up before ine, and see who is most entitled to the company of Roulere’s daughter!” ‘*] shall certainly choose the latter alterna- tive, although it is the first experience of this peculiar character I ever bad!” Milton said, coolly. « Snails an’ snappin’ turtles! That’s ther talk!” yelled Kit, waving his hat. ‘‘ Ther’ ain’t no way ter settle it but to bev a square, fair stand-up and knock-down. The feller w’ot gits knocked down most times is ther best man— ter git licked! Square off now, ye galoots! I’m master 0’ these byer ceremonies, an’ ’m goin’ ter see fair play, or shoot somebody!” And he drew his revolvers, to prove that he *‘ meant business.” Leech and Milton,accordingly faced each other, in pugilistic attitude, and one eyed the other, sternly. “Time’s up! Let ber go!” cried the boy. ‘* Peg away, now, an’ hurry up and get thro’, afore the moon goes down!’ The antagonists accordingly began to spar, lightly and carefully, in order to fee] for each other’s weak points. it was evident that both had taken at least ¢ com ebooks.com