Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 378 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

a ee ’ oa) & # 4 > nal ,. rc oNe J ~ Me | ee ie came intimately acquainted with a person of fascinating presence, whose name, it appears, was Edward Landis. From her description of him I picked you out as the man.” ‘** Unfortunately for you, you made a wrong selection, sir.” ‘* Possibly.” ‘Positively instead of possibly. Edward Landis and myself do not resemble each other in the least, But, go on,” ‘Well, this acquaintance between Landis and my daughter ripened into admiration such as affect young people—for one can scarcely call it love—and they were engaged. My daughter informed me of this by mail, and [ hastened home, if possible to prevent more seri- ous consequences. On arrival I found that there bad been a private ceremony, and then, a few days later, Landis had started forth to make his fortune, ostensibly by gold-mining. Investigation, however, proved to my satisfac- tion that the marriage was a sham, of which Helen had become an unsuspecting victim. So { registered a vow to hunt him down, and force him to re-marry my daugbter or give his life as the forfeit.” ** Your feeling in the matter is certainly com- mendable,” Nabob Ned declared, quietly. ‘I would do the same, were I in your tracks. And, as Edward Landis is in this very camp, it will not trouble you to perfect your arrange- ments.” ‘* Ha! he is here, then?’ ‘Yes. Come to me, during to-day, and I will point him out to you.” **'Thanks; I willdoso. As my daughter has accompanied me here, it will be no trouble to bring our mantotime. I will present you to Helen, during the day.” Nabob Ned shook his head, negatively at that suggestion. ‘Spare me!” he said, putting up his hands. .**T am a natural woman-hater and always make it a point to avoid their society, as much as possible. To-morrow, I will show you Ed- ward Landis, but do not care, any further to enter into your case.” “Very well, sir. Iam much obliged to you, Iam sure, If we succeed in finding this Landis, you shall not go unrewardea.” “Thank you. I shall ask no compensation for doing you so slight a favor.” The conveyancer of Slab City then took leave of the busband-hunter, musing as he did so: “No! I don’t want any pay, Mr, Henshaw, I wouldn’t take it for the world.” CHAPTER IX. IN DEFENSE OF POLLY. WHEN daylight had fully flooded Slab City a party, made up of Big Boots, Pedro Sperra and a dozen miners, made their way to the haunted cabin, where, to their surprise, they found the door open and Eagle City Ed sitting on the threshold, enjoying a morning cigar. ‘*Good-morning, gents!” be saluted, as they came up regarding him with curious glances, “Had a pretty tough time of it outside, didn’t ye? Why in blazes didn’t ye come and join me? I was as dry and snug asa bug in a rug in here,” **Durn me ef you luk like you’d bin knocked out wi’ ghosts, ’cept yer all covered wi’ black!” Big Boots grunted. ‘Trouble? Knocked out by ghosts?’ and Edward laughed boisterously. ‘*‘Why, I had the he-hossiest pick-nick of my life. Furst along the durned spirits did not take kindly ter me, but went ter sluggin’ me with pavin’ stones, After I kindled a fire, tho’, things went diff’rent. Old Smithy riz up thro’ the floor an’ welcomed me, an’ fetched along a passel of other friends of his, an’sech a racket we did hey! Smithy sed I war jest ther man to take his cabin, fer he’s in other biz now!” The miners looked incredulous, while a few of them laughed. “Come, neow, git out! Ye can’t seal us wi’ sech sort o’ stickin’-wex as that!’ Big Boots asseverated, ‘‘Weain’t so orful flip, but ther ghost-racket won’t work.” “ Wow't it? Bet yea hundred there is nota man of ve dare stay in the ranch to-night an’ see the fun!” , Eagle City Ed seemed so dead in earnest that the gang exchanged glances, “Ob! Smithy hes got it in fer you fellers, all ’cause ye choked off his wind. He hes got ye down fine, an’ soon’s he gits thro’ with his pres- ent job, he’s goin’ to make it sulph’rous for ye,” the pert informed tbe astonished crowd. ‘* What job?” sneered Sperra. ‘Oh! he’s trainin’ a den of snakes fer ther rish Government. St. Pat aire goin’ ter use oP 4 “7's We » My 7 fe he Uvi - ‘ ee: : o* » —_ _—)™ -- Nabob Ned. ’em ag’in’ the English. Several of ’em got away an’ run up the chimney, an’ I chased ’em, but couldu’t ketch ’em. But the best snap was ther dancin’, We did jest hoe it down great. Hed a gal w’ot played the guitar an’ sung opery. Phew, but she was a daisy!” The crowd looked evén more mystified than before, and, while sume ventured forward to peer into the cabin, others held aloof, appar- ently not anxious to get any closer to the house than they already were, ‘Waal, durn my boots ef ye can’t live in the den fer all o’ my interferin’,” Big Boots answer- ed with a shrug of bis shoulders, ‘‘ Ef the place is ha’nted, ve got no time around it," a de- cision that was received with approval by bis companions, Even Sperra did not appear to be particular- ly assured, After a little further conversation, Eagle City Ei locked the cabin door, and returned with the crowd, to the camp. As Nabob Ned could not be found about the Bung-Eye, the Eagle City man engaged a room and retired toit, . The rooms of the Bung-Eve were all on the second floor, anl partitioned off with heavy muslin, the furniture consisting ofa *‘ slammed- up” bed, a stool, tin wash-basin, and bucket of water. Taking a wash, Eagle City Ed descended to the street, and bunting up a Jew clothing shop—one of the first business features of the Shanty town—soon bhrd bimself *‘togged ” out in a way that eltered his appearance greatly, He then went back to the botel. just in time to witness a scene that caused bis temper to arise like the mercury in a thermometer, ona red-hot August day. In the office of the Bung E: e establishment, surrounded and hemmec in by a curious mob, comprising principally the roughest element of the camp, stood Miss Polly Smith, guitar in hand, and with the parrot percbed upon ber shoulder, Her face wns flushed, and tears were on the point of springing into her eyes. Witbout waiting Eagle City Ed bounded for- ward, and by main force, hurled several of the crowd aside, ‘‘Stand away here, you boors!” he cried, sharply. ‘“‘Is this all the manners you have? Out of the way!” at the same time exbibiting a pair of cocked revolvers, ‘‘ I’Jl learn you to in- sult a lady while I’m around this camp.” ‘“We warn’t insultin’ her, Mule-Ears,” a ruffian cried. ‘‘We wanted her ter play, an’ she’s got ter play—tbat’s all.” ‘**No, that’s not all!” Ed cried. ‘‘Git up and git out o’ here, you hounds, or I'll salivate you! This young lady is under my protection, I'll have you know, and the man who raises a finger to barm her, or a voice to insult her, dies with his boots on. What were they saying or doing, Miss Polly?’ ‘Oh! nothing, sir, only they stopped me here and insisted on my playing.” ‘*The impudent brutes! I’ve a mind to kill half a dozen on the half-shell, just for the ex- periment. Here, sir,”—to the proprietor, who had just come up—‘‘ show tbis young lady, Ma’m’selle Pauline Smith, to the best apart- ment your house affords, and if a repetition of this act ever occurs you'll need to organize a bucket brigade to dip up the gore [’ll spill for “The lady shall have the best attention!” the proprietor declarec; for, although Bung- Eye Jake was a tough customer, a woman stood higher in his regard than twenty pounds of gold, Accordingly, at Ed’s nod, Polly Smith accom- panied the Chinese waiter of the establishment to the room assigned her, while Ed turned his attention to those he had lately repulsed, among them being Big Boots and Sperra, The general expression of the different faces was that of anger and resentment. ‘*Now, then, my posies,” the sport said, cool- ly, “fas you seem a bit on the edge of your esr over my taking that young lady’s part, I want you to allow me the privilege of informing you that your little thunder-clap looks don’t scare me worth a pint of hard cider. That young lady is traveling under my management, and I am amply able to take care of ber and her in- terests, so far as protection and managing her business areconcerned, Lam aware that many of you imagine yourselves to be walking terrors, from whom even an African lion would run in alarm. Tome you arenothing of the kind. ’'m neither afraid of one nor a dozen of you. ard if you're ripe for baving a funeral, the cutest caper order that the preacher kin git bis fee quic: er! | Standing there, handsome, resolute and ce- fiant, the man from Eagle City uttered the c! al- lenge, bis eyes looking over every face in the crowd with a deadly glitter. Not a murmur escaped the crowd, but their faces grew harder in expression. A moment Eagle City Ed glared at them; then, seeing no defense, he went on: ‘That young lady is Pauline Smith, a father- less girl, who depends upon her musical abilities to gain support—or rather, has done so, until now, when it will soon be unnecessary for her to do so, for, in her own natura) right, sbe will be well enough cff not to be forced to appear before vou as a vocalist. To-night, however, she will appear in her professional capacity, and I believe there are enough men in Slab City, counting myself out, to hang the man who dares to insult or offend her in the slightest!” For an instant another dead silence reigned— then, simultaneously, the major portion of the crowd broke into a yell of applause!” ‘Rab! hip! yoop’rah fer Purty Poll!” howl- ed Big Boots, executing a caper. ‘Ther ger- loot w’ot durst luk cross-eyed at ber «ull hev ther top o’ his pericranium cut open, an doused wi’ p'izened salt an’ bug-juice. ’Rah fer Purty Poll an’ Eagle City Ed!’ The cheers were given with boisterous en- tbusiasm by all except a few. Eagle City Ed next ordered the gang up to take something, after which be prepared a huge poster, announcing the following for the benefit of all who could read: ‘“GRAND VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL ENTERTAINMENT! THE CHARMING CANTATRICE AND GUITARIST, MLLE. PAULINE, WILL SinG at BunG-EyE, TO NIGHT. Pan OvuT FOR HER! Eagle City Ed, Manager.” In the mean time, following the disturbance, Pedro Sperra had hunted up Nabob Ned, and found’ bim in the gulch, pacing to and fro, not far from the haunted cabin, A scowl came over his face as the Mexican approached, ‘‘ Well, what do you want?’ he demanded, crustily. ‘*To see you, of course,” was the answer, in the Greaser’s most amiable tone, ‘* Here isa bowlder. Let’s sit down, and have a ebat on business.” ‘¢ Well, be brief. Ive some business to attend to myself, pretty soon,” ‘*'Yes, and if I don’t lose my guess, you will have more than you can attend to ere long!” Nabob eyed the other with a keen glance. ‘Why do you think so?” be demanded. ‘For a very simple reason, The town is be- ginning to refill with people again, and it is but natural your business should increase.” ‘* True!” ‘Certainly. This Smith estate, not to men tion what has been disposed of, will yet bea bonanza to its owner,” ee conveyaucer’s face brightened percep- tibly. ‘You are right,” he assented; ‘‘and I'll be closer with the money. hereafter than I have hitherto been,” reapers ‘Of course you ought to; it will be but a short time before you will have to vacate,” ‘“ What ?” ‘* Exactly. ‘You'll soon have to the next of kin toJohn Smith, who arrived in town,” Tre conveyancer uttered a fierce oath. ‘“You lie!’ he growled. ‘The old cuss had no known relatives living, and it was voted that what wss his belonged to me,” HEAR HER! vite up tio already has ‘‘That don’t make a particle of difference, - sir,” Sperra replied, with composure, ‘* Listen.” He then went on to relate the circumstances of Miss Smith’s arrival at the Bung-Hye, not inissing a point, even to the acclamation with which she and Eagle City Ed had been receiy- ed, after his daring the crowd, Nabob’s fece derkened, but he made an at- tempt to secff at the idea of his prospects being in any danger. ‘*Pooh! nonsense. Because the girl’s name is Smith, thet signifies nothing, and even if it did, what of it? We are not supposed to take the word of every straggler or adventurer that will be to let the funeral commence at once, in | comes along, that they are so-and-so. The girl 4 yt. m, i “© A 7% ; . i | » G ; : x ois See ai * ye) ” m ‘ ict ot a bs * ‘ | wee oe” Oy ea =* .