Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 467 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

been seen to hold long conversations with a | eat many of the best citizens of the town; and | Siverting there was in every case a firm shak- | ing of hands, as though some measure had been | agreed upon, and a compact entered into. And so passed the day away. When night came again, The Den was crowd- ed early, for the fame of the orphaned sisters had spread, and everybody wanted to hear them sing. And while the crowd awaited their coming, the exciting events of the previous night were talked over and over again. No trace of the escaped prisoners had been discovered, nor had the “parson” and the ‘*saint,” or either of them, been seen, Their sudden and strange disappearance, and their non-return, were topics for general debate. And they were freely discussed, as may be imagined. eters every one present had some theory or other to advance, but no one hit upon the true explanation of the mystery. t a seasonable hour the twin sisters entered the saloon, in company with Ben Bantam, and proceeded to a little platform at one end of the room, which had been built for them under Ben’s directions, The girls were cheercd as soon as they made their appearance, and immediately on reaching their place at the endof the room, they acknowl- edged the greeting by bowing to their audience. And then they began their entertainment. If their singing of the previous evening had charmed their hearers, what could be said of it now, when they were perfectly fresh and full of spirit for their work? Song after song they sung, and more than once did the tears roll down the bronzed cheeks of some of the rough men, when some plaintive air touched their hearts and retninded them of home and happier days, The human ‘heart is the same, no matter whether it beats in the breast of a denizen of the wild West, or of a citizen of the metropolis; its better feelings can be brought to light, if only the right chord is touched, The sisters had just ended one of their pret- tiest songs, when, to the almost paralyzing surprise of all present, into the saloon walked Disco Dan. He was toying with his mustache, and twirl- ing his cane between his fingers, and as he ad- vanced into the room, he began to sing: ‘*Oh! I’m a dude—a daisy dude, A sport of the very first water; Oh! I’ma pet, as you can bet, And I’m—” But he came to a very abrupt halt, snatched his revolvers to light, and cried: ‘*Hold on! citizens, hold on, now! Just keep calm. I’m a pilgrim stranger here, as I told you last night; but I’m white, citizens, clear through aud through, Don’t go off at half- cock, now, before you hear what I’ve got to say.” CHAPTER XVII. CONCLUSION, Ir was to the almost paralyzing surprise of all resent, as we have Said, that Disco Dan made pis appearance, For a faw moments no one moved: and then of a sudden, with one impulse, half the people within the room reached for their weapons. And then it was that Dan snatched forth his revolvers and covered the crowd. ‘Keep perfectly cool, citizens,” he added, ‘‘for there 1s no reason why you should excite yourselves, I assure you. ‘JT have come in here to make a short pub- lic address, and I hope you will lend me your at- tention. ey ; “With your permission I will mount this table.” And without waiting for any reply, the sport sprung lightly upon a table near the wall, faced the crowd, and continued; ‘Ags T told you last night, my name is Dan Dale; but instead of being simply the flash sport my appearance would indicate, I am in truth a San Francisco detective,” _ ‘“Detactive Dale, th’ greet Frisco sleuth some one exclaimed. ** Exactly so.” : ** Great Se boys, thar’s no wonder he "sca last night! Ye’d mought ez wel] ‘9’ tried ter hold chain lightnin’!” “I want to tell you what it is that brings me here,” Dan went on. ** About three years ago there wasa gamblin palace on H—— street, San Francisco, which was owned by two men named Jameson and Smith and managed by one Barry Barleycorn,” Disco Barry Barleycorn, the proprietor of The Den was standing behind his bar, and his face as- sumed the hue of death. “Yes,” said the detective, nodding in his | direction, ‘* you're the gentleman.” ‘**About three years ago, too,” he went on, ‘** Jameson and Smith suddenly sold out and dis- appeared, tuking their man Barleycorn with them. ‘That was all right, so far as it went, and nobody cared; but about two months ago the skeleton of a man was found in a secret closet in the old palace, and then the police became inter- ested in the whereabouts of Jameson, Smith and Barleycorn at once. ‘I was detailed to hunt them up, and last night I found them here. ‘‘ And not only did & find them, but I learned who the murdered man was, and have solved the whole mystery. ‘Now, before I proceed further, I want to introduce my prisoners to you.” As the detective spoke he gave a short, sharp whistle, and into the saloon came four well- known citizens, leading Karlo Kenton and Bar- ton Barker, who were handcuffed together, | “Gentlemen,” said Disco Dan, “allow me to | | pris ers to San Francisco, where, after a fair trial, _ they suffered the dread penalty for their dark introduce Mr, Charles Jameson and Mr, Walker Smith, alias Barton Barker, the ‘saint,’ and Karlo IZenton, the ‘ parson,’ ” The surprise of the crowd may be imagined, ‘* Furthermore,” said the detective, *‘ this man Jameson—Barker, the ‘saint,’ ’ will—is none other than Midmght Dan, the great road-agent. ‘* You see he does not deny it, for my proofs are positive. ‘* Almost all the gold that you honest men have shipped from here has found its way into this villain’s pocket,” A howl of rage was heard at once. ‘* Let me warn you, now,” Dan said, ‘not to attempt to take my prisoners from me to lynch them, for that I will not allow; and let me warn the followers of Midnight Dan, if any are pres- ent, not to try to rescue their leader. ‘You can see how well I am backed,” and he waved his hand at those immediately around him, Instantly about twenty men turned and faced the rest of the crowd, revolvers in hand. These men had been selected by Ben Bantam, during the day, and they understood well their art. 3 You see,” said Dan, ‘* that I am not alone,” And then he resumed ‘* About fifteen years ago, one Barton Baker came out here from Ohio, ** Here he made the acquaintance of these two men, and trusted them fully, ‘ “The three prospected together for several years; but at last Jameson and Smith struck a little streak of luck, and opened the palace on H—— street, San Francisco. ‘* Baker continued prospecting. ‘He kept his former comrades posted in re- gard to his whereabouts from time to time, and all letters from his wife were sent through their care, ‘Three years ago, or a little more, Baker made a ten-strike; and as soon as he could make his claim secure, he intended to start for home. ** He put up at the palace kept by Jameson & Smith, whenever he visited San Francisco: and on the night before, as he intended to start for home the next day, he disclosed to his old pards the great hit he had made, and displayed his pa- pers to them, ‘Barton Baker never left that house alive. He was murdered that night, by an assassin hired by these two devils in human form. ‘*The man who committed the crime was a ruffian named Bill Greenly. He was once a great chum in crime of Red-eye Jim’s. ‘‘ When Greenly killed poor Baker, he took the deed of the mine from his pocket end would not surrender it to his worthy employers. Instead, he held it constantly over their heads, and drew upon their purse whenever he would. ‘‘ Greenly is now dead; but before he died he disclo-ed his secret to Red-eye Jim, gave him the dee’, ind Red-eye has worked the claim ever since. ‘You can now understand why Red-eye Jim had such power over these men. ‘* [his not necessary for me to go into the details of all that happened here last night, for you were here and saw everything. “T must tell you, though, that these two young ladies who have heen Singing for you are the children of Barton Baker, and the rightful heirs to his arty sake and that property is— the PooR-MAN'S D Ming, of this town.” or whatever you | eee ee 15 ing, and all eyes were turned upon the fair young girls, who were silently weeping. The detective went on, as soon as he could make himself heard, and exposed the whole dark crime. He told why Jameson had taken the name— ‘*Barton Barker,” and how he had intended making the deed read ** Barker” instead of ‘** Baker,” whenever he should be fortunate enough to get hold of it; and all the other pointa of interest. He also explained how he and Red-eye bad escaped; how they had recovered their weapons; how they had overheard the plan to raise an ex- citement and murder him and Red-eye Jim; and how the poor girls had been carried off, but rescued again ere any harm could come to them, in conclusion he said: ‘* Murder will come out. The events of the past night were but the successful working-out of the will of Him who has said—t Vengeance is mine!’ I am but a humble instrument in His hands,” Disco Dan was successful in getting his prison- crime. Red-eye Jim and the man who had crept into | the old cabin to murder him and the detective, were both witnesses for the State. Barry Barleycorn, too, turned egainst his em- ployers, but as his was not acvepted as State’s evidence, he was sent to prisun for a long term as an accessory. The two girls, Edith and Bessie Baker, were recognized as the lawful heirs of the ** Poor- man’s Find,” and they gained possession of their property without trouble. Ben Bantam is now superintendent of the mine, and two of his best men are Billy Barber oe J ames Jumper—the Jatter being ‘‘ Red-eye im,’ Dan Dale and Edith Beker fell victims to the wiles of Cupid, and are .ow happy as husband and wife. Bessie, the blind sister, is under treatment in Paris, and it is to be hoped tkat her sight may be restored, Domino Divide still dourishes, and is now uite a city, rejoicing in a new name. The en has given place to a larg®é hotel, and many other changes have taken place, but still there are many old-time citizens there who love to re- call the old title the town once bore, and to tell of the bygone times, And no event pleases their hearers more than the adventures there of Disce Dan, the Daisy Dude. THE END. DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 33 inclusive, 15 to % pope ar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol} ume 100 pages 12mo. Speakers, Nos. 1 to % 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 Verges. 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, The above publications are for sale by all newse dealers or will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of price, ten cents each, by BEADLE AND ADAMS The cheer that shook the building was deafen- | 98 Wim1aM STREET, N, Y, GCoOmMmIlecbDoo (ele)