Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 397 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

= oo eS —- “« a SP ee oF Ee . —e pee eine eee ew . ee ; ——<— hyar is yer granddarter, sure ez peas is_ peas. Saake hands an’ drop a tear fer old Lang Syne— | whoever he was—an’ then I'll tell ye all about it.”’ | Woodman did not need further proof, and he | would have taken Nan tohis arms had not that. young lady gravely informed him that she “ couldn't low nobody ter hug her while Bob was ’round, fer he was sorter stuck on her.” Then the young detective produced his papers, told how he had come by them, and the steps he bad taken to learn who Woodman’s grandchild really was. The old man was as delighted asa child. He did not think of doubting Bob’s story, for he had a species of proof before his very eyes in the shape of an, who looked so much like her dead mother that Adam was kept busy brushing away the tears. Nan was at first rather reluctant to acknowledge the claim, but Bob settled the case with an eloquent oration concerning the chickens, sheep, cabbayes and hay-seed on the Connecticut gentleman's farm, and she, too, grew interested. ‘‘Lawsee,”’ she said, ‘‘I1 never s’posed I was no- body’s heiress, nor ther like o’ that. Iknowed Pop Dukes wasn’t no mor’n a ’dopted pop, but—lawsee, | Bob. jest think o’ me bein’ a Q een Vic in disguise!’ ‘* You shouldn’t speak so dis’spectably o’ a royal { Bob. reprovingly. ‘‘ ’ Member that you're one o’ ther ro fam’ly now, an’ heir- | outlaw ter ther state o’ Connecticut. Ye wanter | learn ter sling on style afore ye meet Bismarck and | Sadstone.”’ While they talked none of them had thought of Mr. Crow McGookin, who, lying in the curtained-off bed at oneside of the room, had heard all that was said, but that man now pushed the curtains widely apart and spoke in a feeble voice. ‘Ha! oneof the men who decoyed me from the hotel!” “Yes " said Crow, feebly; ‘‘it was me an’ Lije Wolf that did it, but Oi’m sorry fpr dhe part Oi played, an’ ef yell promise not ter jug me, Oi'll tell ye what will please yez moightily.”’ **Do it, b ss,’ advised Bob; and when the promise was given, Crow did speak freely. ** Ye owe all av yer throubles to dhat snake ov an Oscar Bertrand,”’ be said. ‘‘He was resolved ter have yer money an’ ch’ate ther girrul out av it, an’ whin he heard dhat papers had been sent yez ter help foind her, he sent me on to dhe train ter pick yer pocket avthem. Qi did it, too. ‘* Nixt, it was his doin’s that ye was drugged an’ robbed on Hudson strate, fer he thought ef ye had no money ye would go home, but whin ye still sthuck to dhe hotel, he sent me an’ Wolf ter decoy ez away. We did it, an’ ye owe all yer captivity to } pusson, Nan,” sai ‘*The infamous scoundrel!’’ Woodman exclaimed. ‘“Marco Gambora was only his tool at first, but dhe Oitalian saw a way ter make a penny fer him- silf, an’ he got up dhe oideaay palmin’ off a false | heiress on yez, arter hevin’ first married her. He war arter dhe boodle, ye see. Dhe girrul he selected was wan Bianca Silva, au’, by a queer coincidence, Bertrand had himseif got his eye on her an’ formed a pritty scheme. “He began to be afeerd he c’u’d not kape ye shut up in good mone ny so he thought to presint a false | heiress an’ make a good sum by pretendin’ ter rescue yez, thus gettin’ yer gratitude, which would | be big when he presinted what yez s’posed was yer | granddariter.”’ *-I see; a very pretty scheme!”’ bitterly comment- ed Adam. “°*Twor moighty curious,’’ added McGookin, mus- ingly, ‘‘ that Oscar an’ Marco was both worrukin’ ter pass off dhe same gal, am’ nayther onter dhe ither’s racket.” ‘* W’ot was her name?’ Bob asked, ‘** Bianca Silva, ez I said afore.” ‘‘Wanted ter sorter impress it onter my brain- epg £ Idees, like nails, wants ter be driv in. Wal, / made ther same sort o’ blunder—least wise, I thort Bianca was ther wery cherub that Adam ~~ ter find, but I found out differenter in ther end.” Just then there was a timid knock at the door and when Nan said “ Come in,” a small and timid face pepeares- ‘* Hello!” quéth Bob; “‘hyar’s Stumpy, my pugil- istic pard. ‘ot d’ye want, John L.? Wait!—he’s such a slugger be might git ter slashin’ round in > egg ey! style ef he came in. I'll see him out- de. Stay thar, Stumpy.” Bob went out, impressed with the belief that some- thing unusual had occurred, for Stumpy’s eyes were unnaturally large and wandering. And this Stumpy, so often represented as a terri- ble fighting boy with a consuming thirst for off- band “scraps’’ with whoever came along, old or young, proved to be a very meek little lad, a trifle younger than Bob and a good deal smaller, with a pale, thin face, a limp in one leg, and the general air of a boy who would not hurt a fly. Oh! Bob o’ the Bowery, what a wicked slanderer you are! *“ Bob,” said Stumpy, in a hushed bmg “there's a man dead over thar, with a knife right through him!” ‘ ‘‘ Men die ev’ry day, Stump,” nonchalantly replied b Bob. ee but you know this ‘un; he’s Marco Gam- ra. “ W'or?”’ “T say he’s dead." ‘“*Show onsen evidence ter my out’ard eye!” commanded the senior partner, hurrying Stumpy away. Not far had they to go. In an alley lay a dead man, a knife buried hilt-deep in his body, his gaudy Bob o’ the Bowery. ——— — ——— oe ——— clothed soiled with mud and his life-blood, his course forever run. Ay stopped short in his career of wickedness the Prince of Mulberry street lay in the gutter like a miserable cat. And on the knife which had taken his life was a paper on which were scrawled these words: “Even the worm will turn when too harsbly used !”’ Bob went back to Dukes’s, and found Adam and Nan getting ready to go out. ‘* Just in time, my boy,”’ said the old man, ‘‘ We are going to visit the Bertrands and let them know their plot has gone wrong, and we want you along.” ‘** All right, boss; I’m allays glad ter sorter balance ther wheels o' s’ciety, an’ ez | kin tell *bout all Oscar, ther dude, will care ter hear, I s’pose I might ez wal be one o’ ther investigatin’ committee. ShallI order a cab, or will we huff it? Or mebbe a hoss-car, with seven conflictin’ currents o° air blowin’ through it, would fill ther bill. You'll find it right excitin’ ter set on a cold seat an’ feel a cyclone playing Yankee Doodle in seven languages up an’ down yer spine.” Despite this strong recommendation, Adam de- clined the street-car and took a cab, and the three were whitled away up-town. In due time the Bertrand house was reached, and Adam managed to take himself and party into the arlor, where O car and his mother were seated, efore the astonished servant could understand why he was pushe.l aside, Woodman entered, leading Nan by the hand. Mrs. Bertrand and Oscar looked up amazed, ‘“My dear kinsfolk,’’ said Adam, wit sarcasm, “allow me to make you acquainted with my grand- daughter and heires:, Nannie Woodman Douati!”’ The schemers sat mute and dismayed. Common sense toll them that their oe was known, and that it would do no rood to act a false part. ‘You see,”’ added Woodman, “ that, despite your plot, and your attempt to palm off a false heiress upon me.I have found my dear grapdchild, who— mark my words—will get every cent of money I have, Not one penny comes to the Bertrands,” They did not answer. ‘Sorter seems ez though they are dumb,” said Bob, coolly. ‘‘Thar was a time when ther genile Oscar wa’n't so slow o’tongue. W'‘ot’s got onter ye, Os? Lost yer tongue? Come, Iet us hear a few pearls o’ wisdom drop from yer ‘ily tonrue—do, now! Jest whoop ’em up, an’ charge ther same ter bearer.”’ ** [ owe all this to you!”’ and Oscar looked furious- ly at Bob. ‘““Never mind; I was willin’ ter do it. W’en ye charged me with stealin’ that leather, on Four- teenth street, I sorter said in a whisper ter my brain-factory, that ef Lever go> a chance ter do ye a favor in return I wouldn’t neglect ther chance. An’ I didn’t—not. fer Joseph!” ‘“T did not press that charge,’’ whined Oscar. ‘*Good reason why. Ye had ther leather in yer own pocket. You was ther pickpocket, fer ye al- ready had yer eye on Bianca, an’ ez Helena had tooken her a’dress, ye took steps ter prevent her gittin’ too wal acquainted with éher gal.” ee | od Sc villaincus persons, both,’ added Adam Woodman, emphatically, ** but I do not feel like prosecuting the family of my son. I will over- look this matter on condition that ycu never‘ how your faces to me, or my granddaughter, again.” ‘*We accept the condition,” said Mrs. Bertrand, quickly. **So be it. I hope you will act more honorably in future in other matters—but that is your lookout. Now, young people, we will go.”’ They went without the ceremony of a rood-by, and entering the waiting cab, were driven away. ‘* That air was Oscar’s last flop,” observed Bob. ** He’s ez helpless ez a landed fish.’ ‘Thank goodness I know him thoroughly at last,” said Adam. ‘My ‘quaintance ain’t very lencthy,’’ said Nan, “but I reckon a little o° tHut kind is ez guod asa e’re hootin’,’’ coincided Bob. ‘* Oscar ain’t ther kind onter which diamonds aun’ eighteen-carrot gold is made—not any, fer Joseph! !t surter percu- lated through my brain-factory when he charged me with stealin’ ther leather that he was a crook, an’ time hez proved that I’m a prophet. Give timea fair chance an’ help it a leetle when ther way is rough, an’ i'll come up glorious at ther eend, blush- in’ Jike a copper’s nose. Wal, my fu’st detective case is over, an’ Nan is one o’ ther royal fam'ly, spite o’ red hair an’ freckles.”’ An ocean steamer was leaving ithe cvinity of New York, and, among those who stood on her decks and looked back at the pene land, was a gray- haired old man whose face was that of an Italian. ‘Farewell, land of the West!’’ he muttered: ‘“‘a long, eternal farewell. Tleave you gladly, but with a happier heart than I brought hire. Tine, your soil covers the body of my only son, but I have taken revenge on the man who led him into crime, and on to death. Mulberry street will see its Prince no more; Marco Gambora is now as cold and lifeless as his victim, and Nicolo, the Juggler, can return to his own country. I have left my «nife behind, but it was left in a good place!” And the steamer went on, and the land faded still further, and the gray-haired Italian stood like a statue, watching the last dark line on the horizon. Bob o’ the Bowery had worked his detective case up so well that nothing was left unsolved. Ben Dukes supplied some missing links, and. for Nan's sake, gave up all claim on her, 30 she could go to | 4 15 —_— ————? a Connecticut and receive the luxuries and education which Woodman’s mouey would bestow. _ . Bianca was sent to Avy relatives. the Curtis family. | Gus Redding had worked up this case, which was not so intricate as the other, because he knew the family. bianca is now in Syracuse, well and pros- perous, and her dark eyes and gentle ways make many friends for ber. Crow MvGockin recovered and reformed. Lije Wo-.f got into trouble with the law, and is now in Siny bing. The mystery of Marco Gambora’s death was not solved, for uo one knew of the man wi.o went on the ocean steamer, but no one mourned in Mulberry street. Tomaso Silva still plays the organ on the streets. The Leordi brothers are in business. Oscar Bertrand withdrew all claim to Miss Abbott's band, and the latter married Gus Redding. Bob o’ the Bowery and Stumpy are still partners in the peanut business, but the former aspires to be a genuine detective. His success in his first case, and the money Woodman and Redding gave him, fired his ambition, and he is bound to rise in life. itis settled that he shall often visit Nan, at her new home in Connecticut, and as she has promised not to forget him, there is no knowing what kind of a bargain they may yet make as to their future, THE END, Beadle s Half-Dime Library. BY JO PIERCE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery: or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom. 452 llotapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow}; or, Luke’s | egacy. 472 Juunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8. Hall.) 284 Old Rocky’s ** Boyees;” or, Benito, the Young Horse- Breaker. 246 Giant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ¢ or, Giant George’s Pard. 207 The Tarantula of Tavs; or, Giant George’s Revenge. $07 The Strange Pard ¢ or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo?: or, The Tarantula of Taos. 827 Creeping vat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 Vhe Ranch Ralders: or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera BIUll; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 8392 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Traltlers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star; or, The Belle of the Cibolo, BY J. C. COWDRICK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 86) Shasta, (ne Gold hing} or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Wwame ‘i 424 Cibuta John: or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. hO6G Redli ht Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective 586 Broadway Billy’« ‘ Diffikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket. " BY MAJOR E. L. 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “ Sand.” B59 Puranrw Pave, the Youny Chanu nn Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mount«in Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill Biddon, vig er. 8 Seth Jones; or, . Captives of tne Frontier. 10 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 21 The Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The MNunted Hunter}; or, The Strange Horseman. 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Cnamplon of the Muskin 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Feurlease Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. f11 The Roving Sport; or, The Prive of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit amy ae Vendetta, 840 Clip, the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes. A new issue every Tuesday. ig The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all af Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail, em on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, pat - Puplishers, 98 William street, New York. ay “@ com CcCpDOO!