Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 483 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

| : _ en — | a “Tis me, all the same, Cap’n Billy; but your middy’s uniform and that rig changed you more than one would imagine,” * You do not think Flora’s sharp eyes would detect me?” ‘*] would not risk it, and you had better go to another hotel in the morning.” ‘* So I think; but now let us get what rest we can, for there is hard work before us, Foxey,” and the Boy Ferrets parted for the night, each well satisfied with what had been accomplished, CHAPTER XXTI. PLANNING A JOURNEY. MATTERS certainly seemed to be warming to a focus as far as the capture of the Land Sharks were concerned, Flora the Flower Girl had been shadowed and found, and the secret of her life was known, The wicked man who had plotted for long ears, separated her from her brother, and thus een the cause of his death, had been run to earth, and there was no danger of his being able to escape from Foxey’s keen eyes, even if he had known that he was being shadowed to his doom. With Wizard Will in Philadelphia to find out the hiding-place of the Land Sharks, Foxey dis- missed them from his mind, while he did not feel any anxiety regarding Elegant Ed’s being run to earth, for, once Jicksey set his eyes on the chief of the Land Sharks, he was aware they would not be taken off, for Foxey and Wizard Will knew well the ycuth who had been left in charge of the Boy Ferrets’ League. In fact, Jicksey’s pet name was Leech, as he was known to hang on to a case with such leech- like tenacity. — At the hotel Foxey still ate his meals at the tablé with Flora, to that young lady’s amuse- ment, for the odd-looking youth excited the spirit of fun in her composition. One day, while at dinner a waiter came in and said: ‘‘Your father is in the parlor to see you, miss.” ‘¢T will be out within a few minutes,” was the reply. Woxey had just begun his dinner, and how to get out was the question. To leave, to one of Flora’s keen mind, might cause suspicion, and he was, for a moment non- plused. But Foxey had an inventive turn of mind, and he showed it. He puta spoonful of soup into his mouth, coughed, strangled, spluttered, and, with bis handkerchief to his face left the dining-room, few giving the supposed dude any sympathy. Five minutes after he wasin his room, tying upon the floor, his ear to the crack beneath the door. He had not long to wait before he heard a key go into the door, and two persons entered, as he sould tell by their steps. ‘Well, sir, have you decided when to start?’ «sked Flora coldly. ‘Yes, we go to-night on the Express,” ‘¢ Shall I meet you at the depot?” ‘No, [ will call here for you atnine o’clock in carriage.” “Twill be ready: but did you see Elegant +L” “Yes, for I went over to New York,” “ You found him at the club I suppose,” ‘¢ No, he was not there, and had 1o0t been, for h is getting more cautious every day. ‘It seems he has been in some mischief, a kill- in : affair, I inferred from what he said, and he has bought a yacht and is living§on board of it.” A yacht?’ ‘ Yes, a pretty little schooner, anchored off Fo. ty-second street and he has a crew and ser- vants on board and plays the rich Cuban dodge now. “ Why you would nut know him, for he wears eye-glasses, wears a Wig of long hair, waxes the ends of his mustache and has stained his face very dark and wears a Panama hat and the at- tire of a rich Cuban planter,” “Yes he is a remarkable man for the false colors he assumes, but how cid you find him?” “He found me, for he has eagle eyes, and picked me up on the street as T was passing,” ‘He paid you I suppose, for that is what you went for?” ‘*Yes, there was a gambling debt between us, and J got it, while, to avoid suspicion of desiring to le. ve, | asked him to make me an Officer of the b snd, and he said he would think of it. ‘Tio you want any money?” “Nb, I have all I need; but how will you appear to-night?” ‘In the sailor costume I now wear.” ee rrr rr OOO OS The Ferrets Afloat. ‘You better take an ordinary civilian’s suit, as it will attract less attention.” ‘You are always right, Flo’.” ** Did Elegant Ed ask about me?” ‘Yes, and he seemed to feel that you had given him away, as to where he lived, so that Boy Ferret found him out; but he did not think you did it intentionally, only was not smart enough to get ahead of the boy.” ‘*Did he tell you he did me the honor to ask me to become his wife?” st No.” ‘* Well he did,” ‘*T wonder,” ‘**Did he not know that I was an heiress?” ‘‘He has always suspected it, and laughed at me when I said you were my daughter; but I must be off now, get my tickets, engage our sleeping berths, and—” ‘*T wish a state-room for myself.” ** You shall have it, Flo’.” ‘**T will be ready promptly; but are you sure you were not recognized in New York and dogged here?” ‘*] kepta watch out for that, you may be sure.” ‘* And you are not under the eye of ths police- men?” ‘* Not I; why do you ask?” ‘*T do not wish to be dogged; and captured in the company of a man known to be what you are, for I would be judged by the company I keep.” ‘* You do not care to be considered an accom- lice?” *NohL.” ‘‘No danger, Flo’, for all goes well, and in a few days we will be living comfortably upon my farm, and noone will suspect me of being a villain. ‘** Good-afternoon and expect me at nine,” and so saying the man left the room, ‘“‘T have butashort time to prepare, but I will do it,” muttered Foxey, as he slipped out of his room and took a carriage to the Continental Hotel where Wizard Wili was stopping. -_—— CHAPTER XXII. A FELLOW-PASSENGER, ‘You'LL be as snug as a bug in a rug here, Flo’,” said the man who pretended to have been the young girl’s father, and who now, starting for his former home, had resumed his old name of Ben Bancroft. He had ushered the maiden into the state- room of the car, and cosey quarters they were for her, and she soon made herself comfortable. ‘*T will be right near you, Flo’, if you need anything; but until we get started i will sit in here with you.” ‘Do so,” said Flora, who saw that, in spite of his assumed manner, the mun was nervous, and watched every one with suspicion who came in, ‘All aboard!” sung out the conductor out on the platform, and Ben Bancroft breathed more freely. ‘* Al) aboard!” ‘* Hold on, conductor man, I hain’t aboard!” cried a shrill voice, and a laugh followed from the crowd: there was some confusion on the platform, and into the car the porter tumbled an old lady. She carried a band-box in her arms, hung to an old-time carpet-sack with one hand and a huge umbrella and bird-cage with the other, ‘Tm aboard, nigger man, so tell the con- ductor he kin start the macheen agoing, but not to go too fast ontil my narves gilts accustomed to ther ruttlin’ an’ rackit.” ‘‘ Yes ma’am,” said the polite colored porter, and he led her to the nearest section and ar- ranged her baggage on a seat, while he said: “What is your number, ma’am?” ‘€T hain’t no number, for I hain’t been in no jail to have a tag put on me.” Ben Bancroft shuddered at the word jail, but Flora seenied to enjoy the situation, ‘*T want to see your ticket, ma’am.” ‘* Ah, yes, it’s in my puss, and that are in my stocking, fer I hain’t goin’ to be robbed if I knows it.” ‘* Pl look at it after awhile, ma’am,.” and the porter was glad to get away. The old woman had now sat down, and still clung .to her umbrella as a means of defense it seemed, for she held it in a threatening way. Before her was her carpet-sack, band-box an‘ canary cage and bad any unfortunate touched either by mistake, he would have felt the weight of the blue cotton umbrella, doubtless. The old woman had a lady-like look, and yet she appeared awful green, and to be traveling for the first time. Her gray hair was combed smoothly over a eee LL L& = ae 0 ce a ee owe es -- — - tT a ee ee ee each temple, she was dressed in black, and wore an oldstyle of bonnet, with large gold spectacles that completely concealed her eyes. As she seemed alarmed Flora felt sorry for her, for the train was now dashing swiftly along, and said: ‘*| will go and quiet the old lady’s fears for she is really frightened.” ‘* Better let her alone,” growled Bancroft. Paying ro heed to his remark, Flora walked over and took a seat by the old lady, saying in a kind tone: ‘** You need not be alarmed, madam, for there: is no danger,” ‘* Ts it a-thunderin’?’ gasped the old lady. ** Oh, no, that is the noise of the train.” ‘*My! but hain’t he pushing?” **'We have to run fast to make the distance cn time; but there is no danger, and 1 will ask the porter to make up your berth so that yow can go to bed.” ‘* Where is my bed-room?” ** This, where you are sitting will be it I sup- pose; but let me see your ticket,” ‘* You look kind, and hain’t no gal sharper, as I bas read on?” ‘*Oh, no, I would not do you an injury for the world.” ‘*T believe you; well, lll git my purse,” and stooping over the old lady fished it out of her stocking and handed it to Flora, who soon found the ticket. ‘* Yes, this is your section, and you had better put your purse back, but keep your ticket im your hand, for the conductor will soon call for it. ‘“‘Here, porter, be good enough to make this lady’s section up.” . ‘*'Yes, miss,” and telling her to come into her state-room Flora led the way. The old lady followed, but she took with her all of her baggage. ‘Is this your pa?” she asked, looking at Ban- croft, who, seeing that Flora would not lie, said: ‘Yes, madam, that’s my little girl.” ‘*T declare! but she don’t look like you. for ery awful pretty; favors her mother, it’s like~ 2 me Yes, madam,” ** What is your name?” ** Bancroft,” ** Any kin to Josiah Bancroft down in Yar~ mouth?” ** No, madam.” “What's your name, my child?” ‘* Flora,” . ‘‘ Why it’s a pretty name, and a pretty gad bears it; but where is you from?” ‘“ Weare just from New York, but are going out to Kansas,” ** Well, I declare! I’m going right there.” ** Indeed?” ‘Yes, for ve got a son living in Kansas, and he’s married out there, though I wanted him to marry the parson’s darter, up in Bellows Falls, where I live. ‘‘But he didn’t, and they wants’me to come out to see em, and so I has started, ‘*T drove down to Hartford and took the boat: to New York, for I wauldun’t try ther train, and then I comes by boat to Philadelphy, where I has a sister living—maybe you seen her come to see me safe off on the trainf— No; well, folks says we resembles amazin’, **Now I has took tie train for Kansas, and but for you I'd be awful scared.” ‘You must not be alarmed, madam, and as we fo your way, we will take good care of you. ‘You is mighty kind, and you shows it in your face; but where is your home in Kansas?” “Not far from Topeka,” volunteered Ben Bancroft. ‘*' Waal now! there is just where I is going, and my son is ter meet me there at the tavern —I has the name writ down; maybe you know my son, mister?” ‘* What is the name?” ‘‘*Zekiel—we calls him Zeke—Ledbetter; }F was a Jinkins afore I was married—Sophy Jinkins.” ‘‘T don’t know him,” said Bancroft, ‘Waal, you must let me interdcoce yer, for he'll be awful fproud to know one who has tuk sich good care of his old mother,” The section was now made up, and Flore helped the old lady to retire, and from that time on to the end of their trip both the young girl and Bancroft devoted themselves to the care of their unsophisticated fellow-passenger, the man remarking: ‘‘The old woman will help as a foil should any one be on my track,” - boo