Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 453 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

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Sas af tho’t you’d be half tick skerry about thet matter that happened afore umphantly ;—‘‘ didn’t I tell ye _ He didn’t want to let on he did, though, ’cause I _ eyes emitting a dangerous g acer strode Andre muttered under his breath. | S ot be the ym pe of the SAP What in the name of Satan ever possessed her to come - here, and at such a tim - i a Skin Platt was something of a wag, and fore- saw a pile of fun ahead, and so said: ‘Why, yes, Pegay, Andre is here, to-night; so come along, and [ll show him to yer.” And he led the way down the room, to where Andre and Max Mora sat, Peggy following close behind him, and by her odd appearance, elicit- ing many a Jaugh from the crowd. ‘You're a pack of onmannerly blockheads!” she cried, glaring at them, with snapping eyes. ** Ye ain’t got so much decency an’ respect for a lady, as a horse.”’ When they reached Andre’s table, Skin pushed Peggy in front of him, saying: ‘‘ Andre, old boy, here’s your cousin, Peggy Prim, all ther way from Grubville, to see you. Peggy, me daisy, this man wi’ ther whiskers, is Augustin Andre.” ‘‘ For land’s sakes! Is that you, Gus Andre?” cried Peggy, putting out her hand. ‘“‘ Why, how you hev grown, sence you an’ I used ter go berryin’, down at Grubville! Laws goodness | I should scarcely of known ye, with all that hair on your face!” The crowd snickered, while Andre drew back, with an oath. ‘“Get out, you infernal lunatic!” he cried. **T don’t knew you!” ‘*Don’t know me, Peg Sis used ter live right indad’s house? Why, Gus Andre, what a whopper! You ought to be ashamed of yourself. But, then, I suppose you can’t help tellin’ fibs, ’cause you live in sech a wicked town. Just to think! Whatever would Deacon Plum say, ef he was here?” ‘* To the devil with Deacon Plum, and you, too!” cried Andre. ‘‘I tell you I don’t know you, and never saw you, you scare-crow, so make yourself scarce, or I’ll have you kicked out © doors.” “ Well, above all things!” and Peggy’s hands went up, and she looked the picture of genuine astonishment. ‘* You are the worst story-teller LT ever heard. But, ’cause I’m a country relation from down East, ye needn’t be so stuck up, an’ retend ye don’tknow me. Not a bit of it. Won do know me, and, what’s more, l’ve come to spend the winter with ye. I suppose ye think because I’m Peggy Prim, an’ come from Grubville, and am a little old-fashioned, that I ain't jest as good as you are, an’ yer stuck- up sister in the bargain—Queenie you call her, now, eh? When ye used ter live at dads, Sis an’ Jane were good-enough names for her! Oh! ye needn’t try to crawl around the stump, Gus, for ye know me, an’ might as well own up. Ye needn't think I’ve come heer to sponge Prim, when you an’ on you, fer [ ain't. Dad an’ mam is dead, now, an’ I’ve got more money than I know what to do with, an’ so I thought [’d come out West an’ get you to invest it in gold mines, an’ cattle pasters, an’ sech. But, laws! s’pected a different on eyes than this tho’. I ed to death to see me, and I brought along a jar of elderberry jam for you, what mam put up, just a week be- fore she died. Lands alive! ye needn’t be e came West, Gus, ’cause dad is dead and—” How much longer Peggy would have talked on, is hard'ito say, had not Andre at this junc- ture sprung to his feet. He was white with anger and mortification, and: so agitated that he fairly trembled. - He knew that every one was looking at him, and that nothing could be gained by denial, as every one no doubt believed that the woman was what she claimed to be; so he summoned up courage, and said: ‘‘ Gentlemen, this woman, I am free to say, is my country relative from the East. Miss Prim, if you will allow me, I will conduct you to my residence!” ‘‘Sea!” cried Peggy, snapping the whip, tri- e knowed me? come from Grubville, where, goodness knows, there’s more pious people than there is in this outlandish place. L on, Gus. I’m powerful lad to see you, and we'll have a good old- fachion visit, and [ll get you to invest my mone minin’ stocks, an’ sech!” With his teeth set tightly together, and his toward the door, closely followed by Pegey. and as the two quitted the place, the crowd inside gave a rousing cheer. | ‘ “Ten thousand curses seize this woman!” ‘*T wouldn’t have had this ha for a thousand dollars, I e, too? I dare not kick f ea or she might go and blow all about that a » t. . vy wen. .%° : . ae. i, Saw a F way _ setae) Oe ad o . i 1, Roth ta" fe - : 3 mT oS REE SOL as iin Me ines ~ ae t , : W .7 Ph te xt A al ok nell he ; > eh o> A ; : ° , s* 7 " : ‘ 1 a8 tS mS SoS ers pio So eae ‘oe > a 7 . _ vl ' he Ble ae Ltrs a / ’ Fl wy e al : ewe ee. ee Se Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. oa for ed note, which she came near doing, to- night. As they walked toward the Andre house, Peggy chattered away, volubly, but Andre kept his mouth shut for fear be should say something to offend the ‘ girl” from Grubville, which he did not wish to do, now that he had acknowl- edged the relationship—not, at least, until he had sounded her and ascertained how much money she possessed. If enough to make it any object, Augustin Andre was prepared to make Peggy’s stay in You Bet exceptionally interesting. When they arrived at the dwelling, Peggy was ushered into the parlor, where Miss Queenie sat, engaged in some fancy crochet work. ‘*For Heaven’s sake, Gus, you have not brought that—that—?” she began, with a dis- gusted glance at Peggy’s raiment. But Andre checked her by a warning shake of the head; then, his face became radiant with smiles as he said: ‘* Softly! softly! my dear. You evidently do not recognize this lady. Do you remember your cousin, Peggy Prim, of Grubville?” ‘‘Certainly, brother, but really, this isn’t Peggy, is it?’ Queenie said, condescendingly rising. ‘Yes, this is Peggy, sure enough!” Andre re- plied, ‘‘and she has come West to pay us a visit and invest in mining matters. I trust you will try to make everything tC orapaia for her.” ‘‘* Why, Jane Ann, | should have thought you'd ’a’ knowed me!” Peggy said, advancing and putting out her hand, on which was worn a cotton glove. ‘* How d’ye do, anyhow?” ‘*P’m quite well, thank you!” Queenie replied, shaking hands, with an expression of disgust upon her face. ‘‘ Take off your shawl and bon- net, and sit down. Shall I order the servant to make you a cup of tea?” . ‘‘T don’t keer if you do, Jane Ann. I’m power- ful tired a-joltin’ over the mountain roads in the stage, an’ a cup 0’ tea allus does me good,” So Peggy took off her things and sat down, while Queenie hastened into another apartment. Andre sat down and surveyed his country cousin sharply. “Well, Peggy, what brought you away out here?” he finally asked, as Peggy put on a pair of spectacles, and then drew some knitting ma- terial from her pocket. ‘Well, yousee,” she answered, ‘‘ after the old folks died, I sorter got the fever to cum West an’ invest my money so et would draw more than simple interest. I heerd you was out heer, an’ so I thought ’d come and see you, and kill Married yet, Gus?” **Oh! no.” ‘‘Lawsme! Yedon’t tell me! Well, I ain’t, neither. I often snicker when I think o’ dad’s wantin’ to marry you an’ me, an’ we both cousins. Dad had some queer notions, I s’pose you remember Uriah Opedyke?” °C Y 68,” ‘“ Well, Uriah an’ me has been keepin’ com- pany for a long time, an’ I ’spected to marry im, as much as could be, but, first I know’d, he scooted off, and that’s the last I’ve seen or heard of him.” ‘IT suppose you are pretty rich, Peggy?” ‘t Yes, purty tolerable. I’ve got seven thousan’ dollars in clean cash, besides Isaac Parker’s note for a brindle cow, what fetched forty dollars at the auction.” ‘*T should think you’d be a little skittish about carrying so much money about your person?” Land o’ goodness! You don’t suppose I car- ry it around in my clothes? Not much! I ain’t so green as that. Guess you remember the red chest, don’t you, what dad used to keep tools inf No. » be) ‘* Well, anyhow, I fetched that along, with a lot of beddin’, carpet-rags and one thing and an- other in it, an’ the money’s in the chest. I ar- gued no one would look in that for money, and, besides, them padlocks on the chest are purty strong. ) ‘Where is the chest?” ‘Tt won’t be here for a couple o’ days, It's comin’? on a mule-wagon from the railroad station.” Having found out this much, Andre did not uestion her further, but left her in Queenie’s charge, cnd left the house. ‘* Tl] have her money when it comes!” he mut- tered, as he betook himself toward thegambling room. : ' ‘¢ Seven thousand dollars ain’t a fortune!” he two birds with one stone. argued, ‘‘ but it will do to light cigars with, pro- we ~ : { Ay a Yn aS oe ye oe — ayes, : 4 b - b : ¥ o « a ., “ae ay tall PT Nu ey % .*; Pee —_ er el ee ee “ at LE Ea a > Oe 4 ve * = = Su oo a ee ; Peggy, but it can’t be otherwise, for she knows all about Grubville and other matters.” Thus musing, Andre reached and entered the gaming saloon, where Max Mora was evidently waiting for the elder villain’s return, ‘* Is all ready?” Andre asked. se Yes.” ‘What of the nigger?” ‘Sent him away.’ “Then come. Our time to work is when no one is liable to miss us!” And they left the place together. What did it mean? CHAPTER XIT. i THE ANIMATED SKELETON’S CALLER. SHORTLY after Augustin Andre had left the aming-room to conduct Peggy Prim to his resi- ence, Sunflower Sam finished playing cards, coming out the winner by a few dollars, He loitered about the tables watching the games, after which he had a chat with Skin Platt, the bartender, who was full of glee, as usual, ‘* Wasn’t et rich?” he cried, ‘‘ ter see his royal nibs a-escortin’ thet old vinegar-blossom out o” heer? By beeswax! I thought I should bu’st my- self a-laffin’, fer I see’d jest how et was, ye know. *Gustus he hev allus kinder held his nose higher than ther rest o’ us—war sorter dignified, yer know, an’ considered himself above common trash, as the darkies say. I bet yecould tech his pride, now, with a two-inch tooth-pick, whar it would ’a’ taken’ a ten-foot pole before. Haw? haw! haw!” And Skin went off into a spasm of laughter. ‘* Tf his pride has suffered it may be a good thing for him,” Sam observed. ‘“ By the way, sir, do you know the two men, Green and Guff,. who were witnesses to the Mora will?” ‘¢T know all I.want to about ’em!” was the re- ply. ‘Ef Id give ’em tick, they’d be my best customers, but sez I, nary more tick!” ‘‘ Have you seen them around to-night?” 6c No,” i; } ‘* Where do they generally hang out?” ‘* They’ve got the last cabin, at the lower end of camp. They’re generally there, when no- wheres else,” 4 ‘* Dangerous chaps, eh?” Waal, Idunno. J guess ef a feller was ter” face ’em they’d weaken, but,they’ve got the reputation 0’ bein’ tough.” After a few other inquiries, Sam left the room. He had got on track of alawyer named Seth Shigo, and he propesed to pay Seth an evening call, Sligo’s office was a room over a grocery store, | reached by a rickety pair of stairs, that threat- ened to give way beneath one’s weight. This evening saw the legal light of You Bet seated before his desk, upon which shone the sickly light of a candle, and before the disciple of Blackstone were.spread out a number of docu- ments of legal appearance. The room’s only furniture was the desk, & broken-backed chair, and the stool upon which Sligo was seated. The scarcity of the furniture was in keeping’ with the meagerness of the man who used it. — He was some forty years old, of medium hight | of men, and as slim, literally, as a bean-pole. There was seemingly nothing of him but the or- iginal framework, with the skin drawn over it, and his face was so thin and haggard as to beal- most hideous in appearance, He wore no beard, and his hair seemed to grow upright like bristles, and was liberally mixe with gray. suit, and with a little more flesh, would have looked more like a minister than a lawyer. He was engaged in poring over the cecu ments before him when there came a peremp tory knock upon the door, that caused his at torneyship to give a violent start, : ‘*Come in!” he cried, his heart beating tu multuously in hope that he was about to receiv + call from some one whom he could bleed for In answer to his invitation, the door opene and a man entered, the sight of whom caused chill of terror to run down Sligo’s thinly cov; ered spine. | Wee een | | The visitor was attired from top to toe 1 somber black, wore a black mask over the uppe portion of his face, and was armed with a pal of handsome revolvers, one of which he carriec . in his grasp. : ; er . * * 4 viding it’s in greenbacks. Ha! ha! Queenie | ‘‘ Good heavings!” gasped Sligo, fairly trem don’t like her country cousin, for a cent. I was | bling with terror. ‘ o are you, and wha — Bure at first tempted to believe that the woman wasw’t | do you want?” NEARLY, ooh REAR iF igo isd Pr , \ a ‘ ; ‘ / Md Cvs" oa ©, te . we ( -* * " yay ‘ Se es ¢ » 7, ture rt a , i ie , ; vey Ss 4 a ‘ - va 7 j ‘ aN tie Fe he Rae Se HT Re Rn eed RPA ep LA eh Ve Ree oe. PEST hy ater Rp oe ata a “re ext Ars cit ska it - pF ass * apn LAN Sr Hi icetk fey tats “As 7" io Se ae ne pa tire - * Se WOOF ia2 ms an hg oe Le, Pen eee ot x, x @ [Oo if / —~ . | ad —- are —— = pe EE . . —! a ene ge eS ee ee ~ M~ wy Ve Reads ’ '} 7 : he. Re ta on to ing Mr, Sligo was dressed in a seedy broadcloth ‘fro ip A wor one hav inal L to: tow n Hi 7 «oor plac bids chap bs ‘ ne tee ~ <——he - - pay | ty to mt werr le. @ oe Pe, a ‘ - * . 7 . bate “oF * a » WM, ° a? / i To r p =< 9 7 , oe Se |] i oh Ane J | me eS ‘ \ . , ao yw ‘ @ | @ ' ee | <3 J } } =a \ \ > = | —assee* oe —_ al -— -