Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 434 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

— told her this was only a ’scuse, an’ thet she only wanted ter drown herself. Then she said: ‘What! I drown myself? Well, I guess not. I have too much to live for!’ Then she laffed so bitter that et made me’magine I was tastin’ a chicken’s gall. I finally told her thet if she wanted ter commit suicide, Noble street wharf was the boss place, and et were romantic, too, *ca’se how more people hed committed suicide ‘from there than ary other wharf ‘long ther river. Thenshe fetched up a deep sigh, an’ away she went.” Beak gave vent to a low whistle. ‘*'You stay here till you get eyes. on the fel- low, Taylor, and once you do, don't you lose track of him until to-morrow, unless you find where he lives. Can you do it?’ ** Well, I should expect! Ive did sech a thing before, an’ he can’t Ido it ag’in? Bet you ean! It will be ‘ Will ye walk into my parlor, said the Spider to the tly,’ when I once get my focus onter his jiblets.” “Very well; I will trust you. See that he has no suspicion that he is followed.” “Allright Where you off to?” ‘* Tn pursuit of the would-be suicide.” roms Beak hurried away, and soon disap- ared. ‘‘Well, here’s a go!” Spider soliloquized. *“*You’re in fer another detective racket, Syl- vester Spider, but it ain’t yer first one. Last time yer got a soaker on the head from old Jake Morgan, w’ot give ye a headache yer won't fer- it very soon. And I’m a hump-backed hood- um ef I ain’t got et in fer Jake. Hean’ me will hev ter take a walk tergether, one o’ these days, and fight it out. ‘Spect I better be pre- parin’ fer ther rival o’ Mister Terrier Taylor.” The gamin espied a boy younger than himself whom he knew, and giving him money, sent him after a bundle of papers. In the course of twenty minutes he had a oodly assortment of the evening journals, and 2 voice rung out clearly as he shouted for their sale. He moved back and forward about the neigh- borhood of Ninth and Sansom, taking care not to get.so far away but what he would see Tay- lor in case he put in an appearance. And Taylor did put in an appearance, sure enough, just before dark—a handsomelv-formed young fellow, of good hight and development, and who had a round, pleasané face, light-brown eyes and hair, and a most graceful blonde mus- tache. He was dressed in a faultless, tailor-made, light suit, with a white plug hat, stand-up col- lar, handsome watch-chain and gold-headed cane, and looked less like a dude than a dandy. He paused near the big hotel entrance, and, as Spider had before made mention, proceeded to ick his teeth with the air of one who had just ished a repast within the hostelry. ‘‘Oh! my eyes, but ain’t he layin’ it on thick!” chuckled the Spider, as he took a speculative squint at the man he was to shadow. “ He makes me sick, he does! He jest feels.es big as er canary what’s got er new cage, an’ I'll bet the last grub be had was pie an’ milk—only ten cents. Whoop-la! How my gal Botts would laugh ef she were to twig his jiblets! Botty is a connoi- sier on beauty, or she’d never got stuck on me. Wonder how long his bones is goin’ ter stand there? Mebbe he’ll buy a paper. And the urchin moved toward Mr. Terrol Tay- loy, crying: ‘“oHre’s yer News, Star, Call an’? Item—ere’s yer Jtem, one cent; all bout ther prize-fight in ther Twenty-second ward. Paper, mister—one cent.” And he paused, holding out a paper in front of Mr. Taylor invitingly. ‘*No! I want no paper—get out!” Taylor re- plied, turning*‘»way and walking as far as Chest- nut street. Here he paused a moment, a not very satisfied expression upon his face; then he crossed over to the north side of Chestnut street, and walked slowly westward. . Shouting the sale of his papers, Spider follow- ed on the south side of the street, and had no difficulty in keeping his man in sight, for Taylor did not appear in much of a burry. If he was just taking an after-supper stroll, however, it struck Spider it was a long one, for they had finally reached Twentieth street, into which Taylor turned, going north. ‘© Well, I'll be kicked for a cat!” Spider solilo- quized. ‘‘I’d jest like to know where the chapis goin’. Ah! I have it—to the park, mebbe. But, who'd think a gallus chap like him would walk way out thar? Mebbe he’s broke.” f an hour later Spider became satisfied that his surmise was correct, for Taylor entered Jim Beak and Pal, Private ee ee ee ee Ss tet LL PL eee eee ——————————S— ee e+ oo a pawnbroking establishment on Callowhill street. After about ten minutes he left the store and continued on his way. ‘* He’s still got his cane. Dll bet he’s soaked his watch,” Spider said, with a knowing wink. ‘*That kinder makes it look as though he wer’ goin’ on a racket or else to.see his girl, and was in need of sume candy cash.” From the pawnbroker’s Taylor went direct to the candy store of Mrs. Morton. Business. was dull, and pretty Myra was seated on the doorsteps. She arose and greeted Taylor with smiles, and then they both sat down together. Spider saw this much from the corner, but a short distance away, but of course could not hear what was said. ‘‘His jiblets has got a. mash,” he mused. “This ain’t what my pard wants ter know, I reckon. He wants ter know where Terrier Tay- lor takes off hisshoes when he retires to his var- tuous couch. ‘* S’pose I shall have to loaf around heer, till he cits inter motion fer hum-base. No tellin’ when thatll be. Ef I c’u’d only git inter a fight wi’ some boys et would be some relief ter the mono- teny.” But the boys of the neighborhood who were of Spider’s own size were rather few and far be- tween, He had sold all his papers, so he had nothing to do but put his hands in his pocket, and whistle— and wait, He did not have so long to wait as he had an- ticipated, for he soon saw Taylor and Myra com- ing out of the narrow street. ‘he girl had on her hat and they were going to take a walk, evidently. Spider began to cast about for some place where he would not attract particular attention, fearing that Taylor would recognize him, when an idea struck him, for pulling his hat down so as to shade his face he scratched a ring on the dirty sidewalk, and dropping on his knees, took some marbles from his pocket, and began play- ing a lone-handed game. A couple of minutes later, Terrol Taylor and his ‘‘mash” came out of the narrow street, and giao the gamin, little suspecting who or what e@ was. ‘* Let’s goin by the Green street entrance, Car- rol,” Myra was saying, ‘‘and go as far as Lem- on Hill. I think it’s so pleasant there, of a warm, moonlight night.” ‘* So they are going to the park, eh?” mutter- ed Spider, ‘‘ an’ she calls him Carrol. Humph! Carrol—Terrol: Terrol—Carrol. He’s a reg’lar cart-hoss fer names. Have to tell Jamesy about that. And I reckon while they’re walkin’ ter Lemon Hill, [ll jump a keer, ride ter ther Wa- ter Works entrance, an’ get there a little ahead of ’em. Ef I can git so as tew hear what they’ve got to say, mebbe I can learn a few p’inters ‘bout love, so 1 can fire ’em at Botts, my gal,” And he suited action to the word. Boarding a Callowhill street car, he was soon at the water works, from where he made his entrance into the park, arriving at the footof Lemon Hill full twenty minutes in advance of Taylor and Myra. The moon sent down a mellow radiance, but there were many dark nooks on the wooded hill, which the moonlight did not a And Terrol Taylor, alias Carrol Carter, and Myra wandered to one of thesenooks, and found seats upon a settee. “This is out of the line of general pedestrian travel, and we are not so likely to be overheard,” Carrol said. | Little did he suspect that Spider, the newsboy and detective apprentice, lay cuddled up under the very seat on which they sat, They remained silent for several minutes, as if communing with their own thoughts; then, Tay- lor finally continued: *“No, Myra, my sweetest, I couldn’t meet you when you left the mill to-night, because I had some little matters to attend to, down town— had to wait for something to be finished. You know when I left you, last night, my jewel, I told you I had something to tell you to- night?” “Yes, Carrol.” ‘“‘Well, I suppose you may already have guessed what it was—young ladies are soapt at guessing.” ‘‘ Why, how could I guess? You might have lots of things to tell me about, I am sure.” ‘But, I haven’t. Lama plain matter-of-fact man, who don’t indulge in fairy tales, or things like that. What I have to tell you, Myra, is that I love you, passionately, truly, and devo- Detectives. ee ee ee or —_— tedly, and I want you for my wife. You need not blush dearest, nor pretend surprise. I feel sure you have known of my affection, for many weeks, and I have been vain enough to believe that my love was in some degree returned. Tell me, my Myra, do you not love me just a little, and will you not make me forever happy, by promising to be my own little wife? Speak te me, Myra, and let me hear you say yes.’ And he clasped her passionately in his em brace, and gazed yearningly into her face. She did not at once attempt to release him, but said in a low voice. ‘‘T have always liked you, Carrol, but this— this is unexpected. I—I—” ‘* What, dearest—tell me!” ‘*T had not thought of marriage yet—that is, I—I am afraid you would soon regret marrying me, Iam but a poor factory girl, and you—” ‘‘ What am I? I-am poor, also. At present I have no work; but in a few days | expect to spring a surprise upon the public that will make me at least considerable above penury. I can- not tell you what it is, but inside the week I will have money that my own hands and brains have earned, when people looked upon me as an idler. So you see, we will be able to go nicely | to housekeeping by ourselves—oh! Myra, just think how happy we could be—that is, if you only love me a tithe as much as I love you,” ‘“T do love you, Carrol. But—” ‘*T1l stop all ‘buts!’” he replied, kissing her rapturously. ‘But,” persisted Myra, “‘are you sure you don’t love any one else—that no other girl has a claim upon your affection?” ‘‘Of course not! What a foolish question to ask! Do you suppose I could love two girls at the same time? No, indeed! You are the only one I love, and you can makeme happy. Look! here is the engagement ring with your name al- ready engraved on the inside, See! And now let me place it upon your finger and consider you mine—mine forever!” There was no answer from Myra, but an audi- ble exchange of kisses satisfied young Spider sprawled out under the seat, that the ring had been placed on the finger. ‘‘T have not promised yet,” Myra said, after a few moments, ‘‘and before 1 do, you must consent to one thing.” ‘“‘ Anything, dearest. You have but to speak,” ‘‘“You must put your alleged love for me to the test.” ** How?” ‘By marrying me to-night !” “To-night, Myra?” ‘* Yes, to-night!” ‘Bless you, my darling! Nothing could please me better than to at once tie the knot that makes you forever mine. But, tell me, why to-night?” “Just a notion of mine, perhaps. The moon is bright to-night, Carrol, butit may not always be so bright.” And tears filled the r innocent girl’s eyes » at the thought, what if this should all be a fitful mocking dream of happiness after all? What if he should not love and be true to her, who now holds her so affectionately in his embrace?” ‘¢There now, don’t, dear!” Carrol said, kissing away. the tears that rolled down upon her cheeks, ‘‘The moon will ever shine bright for two lov- ing hearts like ours, even tho’ we start in life at an humble step in the ladder. Come, love! Your wish shall be mine, Before I leave you at your mother’s door, I shall have the right to call you wife.” ‘*No—no! not to-night, Carrol! I—I was only joking,” ‘‘Nonsense, sweetheart! You have given me tho notion, and it must be carried out, Wewill go straight before a magistrate and within an hour you will be Mrs. Carrol Carter, and I will be the happiest fellow the moon ever shone upon,” re Are you sure, Carrol?’ doubtfully. ‘‘T would stake my life on it.” They arose then and moved away out ef the loom into the moonlight, Myra leaning ops is arm and looking so joyous and happy, that passers-by turned to gaze after them. The moon sent down its light upon them as if to betoken them a life of pleasant ways, while the stars twinkled merrily in the blue dome of heaven. And Mr. Sylvester Spider crawled out from under the settee, ‘¢ Well, I'll be kicked for a cat!” was his first mild utterance. ‘' Ef thet weren’t a circus, ’m a giraffe! Luv? Lordy m | thet was luv— ther reg’ler, old heart-bu’stin’ kind, five octaves deep! There ain’t goin’ ter be no time lo neither, Terrier Carrol Taylor believes oF JNA me 5 ee *