Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 408 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

- —_ - v te» “ ~ a? » * , ', od “4 Ys tas A ‘ ’ ‘ iw : a) ‘ * * ta ° A P 4. ” f : ‘i i oP se R << hy > a3 we . 7 ws j — <- e - eg, = Pe nee dt a dk pet) 3 may > “ Fn > ~~ 4 ge SS > an - ee rand f ) ae & -— ~ ra a -f c —_ - — Sf = 2 er aN ~ ‘ a % ¥ rm ay ~ > . - =? pees ie og Beet cat ek ‘e ,, aS Let =... , ie . . - Pe © tes al 4 , ~ eT: . * - Z _ Antec * oy ae > _ —* ae am . a ~o Lea ad -~ » ald * a c Sr i nee = = = © uae ‘tc cA.) — - BE ARR « : a » , = Y ~ +... "> Pe =) es : ° . te ar Sa :_ = - re -_ ~ » d : at a . « beet A!) me. =F : = = é * ov - vi a 5 + «6 —_—— -- But you’re young. What wrongs have you to avenge? But I, now—I who have a hell of re- collection, well, that’s different. I’m old Mum- boJumbo. Ye wouldn't believe, to look at me, that I was once as young and pretty as you— that I had lovers— Ha! curse them! curse them all, I say!” Thrown into sudden rage, she lifted her knife, as if to plunge it into the heart of the inanimate body stretched before her. But just then her attention was diverted by a confused sound—a murmur of echoes which re- verberated through the cavern. ‘‘ What’s that?’ she cried, starting up. She stood listening, while the sound increased. First was distinguishable the clear, sharp crack of firearms, en the echoes revealed a Babel of excited voices. Lastly could be made out the clapping sounds of rapid footfalls. Belle’s heart gave a great boand. Anything in the shape of human life would be preferable to seclusion with this malicious lunatic, She shrieked: ‘* Help! help! help! oh, help!” ‘** No, there is no help!” cried the witch, with a burst of wild excitement. ‘'In yonder corri- dor I have stored enough giant powder to blow this mountain to atoms! Do you suppose I would permit a lot of wretches to invade my temple and desecrate the altar of the godt No! Better that we all be buried together! And leaping up the rude steps of the dais, she snatched a brand from the brasier and ran with it toward the passage from which the approach- ing sounds seemed to come. "Fool! fool!” she repeated, bitterly, “ that I have so long delayed cutting off this avenue for unholy invasion! Now that the charm has just begun to work!—now that my wearily-waited- for revenge is being slaked! No, no; it shall not be! Before their sacrilegious hands shall break the spell of dead men’s bones, let us all perish together!” As she ran with the blazing torch, her hideous face illuminated by its ruddy glare, she looked like a fiend of destruction. Helplessly bound, Belle could only scream: ‘**Stop her! stop her! She is going to blow up the cave!” She twisted her head round, to see who first appeared where the old witch bad gone, The voices became louder and louder, and the fall of footsteps more distinct, until she was as- sured that there was a life and death race in progress through the black corridors of the hor- rible place. Again and again the air quivered with the sharp, clattering echoes of pistol-shots. Then a dark figure dashed past old Mumbo Jumbo, who was just disappearing in the black mouth of the passage. Belle heard voices crying: ‘Kill him! kill him! capes!” Then arose the shrill scream of the witch: ** Back—back, ye devils! Ha!ha!ha!hla!” |. (ay laugh was a wild shriek of rage and tri- umph. It was followed by cries of terror and warn- ing in the deep base of masculine voices. en rose a yell of fear, and an instant after came a roar as if the solid earth had been riven to its center. Blended with the terrible concussion, Belle was conscious of a voice quite ‘near her, utter- ing words that were unintelligible to her; then she knew dimly that a pair of arms were thrown about her, and lips which thrilled her with delight were pressed to hers, while a loved voice murmured. her name, She strove to respond: Will! Will! dear Will!” But the sound died on her lips. She struggled only to see him, feeling that it might be the last of earth—that the witch had effected her terrible revenge. But everything faded out. The Deca roof of the cavern seemed fallen upon her, crushing and smothering her. Then came the blank of un- consciousness. at e are lost if he es- A word will finish our story. When Doctor Denslow came to know a little more about the situation, he began to think that he'might have made a mistake about the iden- tity of the Mad Millionaire and the road-agent leader. A more careful examination of the lunatic satisfied him that this was so. During that examination he learned all about the ** fairy,” and was not slow to see that it must be somet more thana madman’s fanc to aes eve Little ther-Breeches so mysteri- Cushy. Little Leather-Breeches. eee ———_ He raised a = Sg of men, and had himself led to the spot. The blasting told its mute story, the cut rope causing even the good doctor to scratch his head for some time in perplexity. But a happy remembrance of the part the witch had played in the whole matter gave him what he thought was a clew; and going at once to her hut, he searched it, and found an entrance to the cave at the back of her chimney, far enough up the flue to be out of sight. While they were preparing to enter here, the earth was shaken by a terrific explosion. Hurried by this portentous occurrence, they plunged in, and after threading a short pas- sage, came to the witch’s temple. ‘he sight that there awaited them filled the more ignorant with superstitious fears; but Doctor Denslow only saw that there were three ante in the chamber who might be alive or dead. Abe Seaver lay on the floor; Belle sat bound in her chair: and Little Leather-Breeches lay with his head in her lap, clinging to her as wit the grip of death. The doctor soon satisfied himself that none of the three was dead, though all were uncon- scious, doubtless from the force of the concussion. His medical skill brought Belle and her lover round without much difficulty; and leaving them in each other’s arms, he addressed himself to Abe Seaver. He was in a worse way; but he recovered con- sciousness, and had the strength to make it known that Belle had had nothing to do with his being shot. The last thing he remembered was seeing her approaching him; so the shot must have come from the opposite direction. But more than that, he knew a quite different motive for the shot. He had discovered that the supposed minister was an impostor, indeed, the captain of a band of road-agents; and his te apts had been to warn Belle and save her rom the humiliation of having received the love addresses of a man who was soon to be un- masked. He died, with Belle holding his hand and weeping her regrets at her mistaken treat- — of him, and her gratitude for his unselfish ove. The scene of the explosion was terrible beyond description. Among the torn and charred and mangled remains, some few were recognized when they had been been dug out and carried out to the light of day. The Rev. Mr. Vance was not disfigured. As he lay awaiting burial, his serene face looked like that of a good man laid to rest. Old Mumbo Jumbo had been blown to atoms. Her history died with her. In Little Leather-Breeches Doctor Denslow recognized a nephew of his wife, to make more careful inquiry into whose fate had been a part of his errand West. But in the Mad Millionaire he found a subject for his professional skill; and by a notable tre- panning operation succeeded in restoring him to reason, when it transpired that he was Belle Briggs’s father. Little Leather-Breeches is a hero in his sec- tion of the country, and every one for miles around—save and except Kate Ashmead!— loves his beautiful wife, Belle. THE END. DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS | AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 32 inclusive, 15 to 2 popu lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol- ume 100 pages 12mo. Speakers, Nos. 1 to 24 inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces, YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERIES, Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verces. Dime Book of Dreams. Dime Fortune Teller, Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion. Dime Book of 100 Games. Dime Chess Instructor. Dime Book of Beauty. te The above books are sold by newsdealers everywhere, or, will be sent, post-paid, to any ad- dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each, Bravia AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William st., N. Y. rr eee ee ee —_——_-- - - re - - alles Wee The Best Weekly of Popular, Entertain- ing and Useful Literature Pub- lished in America! Its Unrivaled Corps of Contributors, almost all of whom write eeclusively for its publishers—embraces the following authors ot world wide repute— Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Albert W. Aiken, Capt. Fred. Whittaker, Capt. Mark Wilton, Joseph E. Badger, Jr.. Edward L. Wheeier, Charles Morris: Oll Coomes, C. Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver, Buckskin Sam, Major Dangerfield Burr, T. C. Harbaugh, Philip 8. Warne, Willian R. Fyster, Anthony P. Morris, Launce Poyntz, Ned Buntline. Each and all of whom give to BEADLE’s WEEKLY their very best productions in all the varied fields of Border and Wild West Romance— Adventure Exploration and Sport— City Life Character Courts and Ways— Detective and ‘Shadow’ Revelations— Stories of the Great Deep, etc., etc. So that each and every number is overflowing with reading of the most interesting and exciting nature; while in its Special Departments, covering all the needs, and adding to the general interest and usefulness of the popular journal, BEADLE’s WEEKLY is the paper of all others for your weekly reading and entertainment. Beadle’s Weekly is Published at the Following Rates: For Tour Months .: i). cle ieee v0 sible diel owed oak « vie'oic 1.00 Wor, On MN OBR ia. 6s ve hice e+) o. da eno em pees sasdier 3.90 Two Copies for One Year. .....665 ccc eeee weeee 5.00 Single Copies.............--ee apecevceeeecees 6 cents y Supplied by all Newsdealers. 7 BEADLE AND ADAMS, PvuBLISHERS, . 98 William street, New York. wy, Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Waoa, Esta! and 59 other Songs. 2 CAPTAIN Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 THe Garnsporo’ Hat and 62 other Songs. 4 Jounny Morean and 60 other Songs. 5 tL. Sterke You With A FEATHER and 62 others, 6 GEORGE THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs, 7 Toe Betis or Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 YounG FEeLLAH, YOu'’RE Too FrReEs# and 60 others 9 Soy Youre Grru and 65 other Songs. 10 I’« THE GOVERNOR’S ONLY Son and 58 other Songs, 11 My Fawn and 65 other Songs. 12 Comm’ THro’ TUE Rye and 55 other Songs, 18 Tae Roiuickine IRISHMAN and 59 other Songs. 14 Otp Doe Tray and 62 other Songs. 15 WHOA. CHARLIE and 59 other Songs. 16 IN THIs WuHeat By anv By and 62 otner Songs, 17 Nancy L&Ee and 58 other Songs. 18 I’M THE Boy THar’s Bounv To BLaze and 57 others, 19 Tae Two OrpHans and 59 other Songs. 20 WHAT ARE THE Witp WAVES SAYING, and 59 other Songs. 21 INDIGNANT PoLLy Woe and 59 other Songs, 22 ‘ne OLD ARM-CHarr and 58 other Songs. 28 On Coney IstAND Brac and 58 other Songs, , 2% OLD StMon. THE HotT-Corn Man and 60 others, ee 25 I’w in Love and 56 other Sones. 2% PARADE OF THE GusRbs and 56 other Songs, 7 Yo, Hrave, Ho! and 60 other Songs, 98 "Twres NEvER po To Gipit uP So and 60 others. 29 Buve Bonnets OVER THE RorpeR and M others, 30 Tar Merry Lavenine MAN and 56 other Songs, 831 Sweet Forart-me-NoT and 55 other Songs. 32 LeerLE BABY Mine and 53 other Songs. er 93 De BANJO AM DE INSTRUMENT FOR Me and 58 0thers, 94 Tarry and 50 other Songs. Go 95 Just To PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs, 86 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 others, 87 KoLORED KRANKS and 59 Other Songs, 88 Ni_ DESPERANDUM and 53 other Songs. be) >) 89 THe Girt I Lert Beninp Me and 50 other Songs: 40 "Tis puT A LITTL® Fapen Friower and 50 others +7 41 Prerry WHILHELMINA and 60 other Songs. tt 42 DANCING IN THE BARN and 63 other Songs. » eee 438 H. M.S. Prnaror”, compLere, and 17 other Songs ea raed Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents ih eas per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on re= ts ee gee ceipt of Six cen/s per number, yo ee eno | BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pustismers, 98 WitLiaM Street, NEw Yorm, ae “a So Sister! 9») fy 4 a ? - gf