Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 488 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 eee ee ee + ee Ce CS - - -., - ——————- ee Ce - _ — — — bottles, and glasses with heel-taps, showed that the guests had done full duty to the juice of the grape. Altogether the scene presented that un- pleasant disorder which makes the end of a feast so sharp a contrast to its beginning. The guests were partly leaning back in their chairs, with an air of satisfaction, partly stroll- ing about the room. At the head of the table sat a young man, fashionably dressed and very handsome in countenance, yet with marks of dissipation on his classically-cut features, and a Sechriai wild- ness in his clear gray eyes. He rose from his chair, pushing it back witha careless send, ‘* Come, gentlemen,” he said, ‘‘ suppose we ad- iourn to the next ri om. Ihave a box of prime avanas for you to sample, and a little private chat for you to hear. There’s a joke on the car- pet, lads, that you may not altogether relish. ut the world will turn round, you know, and we've all got to turn with it.” There was something in his voice and in the laugh with which he ended these remarks, that made his guests look at him and at each other in surprise. hey rose and followed him, however, to the smoking-room. The party was not altogether a reputable-looking one. They had the air of wild livers, dissipa young men, who had been burning the candle of life at both ends, Some of them were well-dressed, gentlemanly persons, but others had the aspect of spongers, and a apace of human nature would have guessed that hey were the fit associates of a fast young man recklessly engaged in sowing his wild oats. A few minutes sufficed to supply them with cigars, and soon the air was blue with smoke. They were seated carelessly around the smoking- table, their host at its ion § He puffed awhile in silence, while they waited curiously for him to begin. Then he took the cigar trom his lips and sent a ring of smoke in a whirl toward the coins ‘So it goes,” he said lightly. ‘‘ All in smoke. Watch it fade out, gentlemen. That’s the em- blem of Dick Racket’s life and fortune.” ‘‘ What confounded nonsense are you at now, Dick?’ exclaimed one of his guests, in an angry tone. ‘‘ Getting up some conundrum for us to answer?” ‘* As you please, Joe. We are at the end of the game, boys, that’s the whole story. You have helped me nobly to play the fool. We have had five years of a fast life together, with Scapegrace Dick for leader and banker. Anda lovely reputation we’ve made in the country around. I know folks think that I’m fit for the State’s Prison and you for the gallows. Butit’s a long lane that no turning. We've come to the end of the rope. There goes my old life, Here comes my new!” He sent two whiffs of smoke in quick succes- sion from his lips, and watched them as they slowly twirled upward. His guests looked at one another with dismay- ed faces. Evidently they did not like the shape of this ‘‘ joke.” One of them answered, with a forced laugh: ‘‘ You promised us a joke, Dick. It’s a sweet one youre giving us. Come, drop all that non- sense. What's on hand for the night? I’m just in the humor to wake up some of the sleeping good souls around here with a rouser.” ‘You are, eh? You will have to do it on your own hook then. Listen to the prodigal’s confes- sion, boys: Five year’s ago I began life as a well- feathered gosling, with an empty head and a full pocket. To-day I end that life as a well-grown oose, with a full head and an empty ket. Ritty thousand dollars have gone to the dogs in five years, and the feast you have just eaten has eratiowe the last of my ducats. I hope that little confession won’t spoil your digestion.” The cigars did not seem to agree with several ‘ of the guests, bin took them from their lips with wry faces. Dick’s joke was ee to sound too much like solid earnest. He smoked away for a minute in silence, his eyes fixed sa- tirically on his dismayed guests. “The game is at an end, my jolly boys, for the bank is bursted,” he began again, ‘ I’ve bought experience, but I’ve paid my fortune for it ou will have to hunt up some other rich young*fool, with more money than brains, For my part, I am going to cut loose, turn tramp, or veudaciet Think Ill raffle off my good clothes for a tramp’s rig, and take to the sidewalk for a Living. as y, hang your picture, Dick!” cried a oung man of gentlemanly aspect, ‘if you are n earnest, do you suppose we are all a set of dirty sponges, to drop you after we’ve squeezed you dry! I, for one, am not that sort, But this Wild Dick Racket. a — a is all blamed stuff. You haven’t flirted away | “‘And if there is a man here who refuses to all your cash.” back it, he’s a sponging snipe that ought to be ‘* ivery blessed penny. Got to beg my next | kicked out of the house. loaf of bread, for my last nickel is gone.” His eyes roamed angrily over the party as he ‘*Then where’s the jewelry you were loaded | spoke. One of them, a fellow with a lowering with? Where’s that diamond ring I saw on | face, seemed to think that Will’s remark was your finger yesterday? That’s worth a clear | addressed specially to him, for he bustled up in thousand if it’s worth a cent.” | a rage. Dick’s face changed. He glanced hastilydown | ‘‘ Do you mean me, Will West?’ he demanded. at his finger. There wa; a slight hesitation in | “‘If you do, by all that’s good, Ill cure you of his voice as he answered curtly: your meddling !” “It’s gone, and that’s enough. Would you ‘*Come on, if you think itis in like to split that diamond, too? [ve got rid of | answered Will, boldly. ‘‘1’m just in the humor it—no matter how. now. If you take up the glove, I’m your man!” whistle for it.” The fellow shhed. a vicious blow at Will ‘*T don’t care a fig what has become of it,” | which he avoided with a quick movement, and was the reply. ‘Tt’s no affair of mine. But | returned with interest, tor the moment it you don’t know this chicken, Dick Racket, if | looked as ifthe feast might break up in a row, you fancy I’m the man to taste your salt, and Dick sprung hastily forward, and forced him- then go back on you because you've flung your | self between the combatants. cash to the winds. Give me your hand, old ‘Come, there is enough of this!” he cried. friend. I’m your backbone through thick and | ‘‘I’m boss of this shanty, If there’s anybod thin,” spoiling for a fight he can have it out with Dic There was a look of surprise and pleasure in | Racket.” Dick’s eyes as he grasped He proffered hand. It was evident that it would be no walk-over. The young man while of a graceful figure, was strongly put together, and his swelling shoul- ders showed signs of powerful muscles. The quarrelsome party drew back. A scornful smile marked Dick’s handsome face. ‘By Jove! our boots,” If you want it you can ‘*T have nothing left to give you, Will West, but thanks,” he muttered. » ‘*To the deuce with your giving! price on my friendship,” The two young men stood with clasped hands, looking at the rest of the party, none of whom senriio’t ready to back Will in his offer of friend- | mill! I’m just in the humor for it, for I’m ship. Dick looked at them satirically, and then | down on bloodsuckers, from the shoulder. Take | I put no burst into a laugh, back your money, Will. I don’t want it. I was | I'd like nothing better than a ‘t You look blue in the gills, gentlemen. Come, | only trying a little traverse on these gentlemen. Iam not through with you yet. There’s not a | Come, Jerry, my old friend.” man of you who has not well lined his pocket ‘* Are these your associates, Mr, Richard?” with my cash. Now [ll tell you what: I’m off ‘Tf your asked the old servant, indignantly. for the West to-morrow on a little trip of specu- father were alive, and could see—” lation. But I want a stake to beginon. I have ‘*A trace to all that, Jerry,” answered the been your banker so long, it is time to turn the | reckless youth. ‘‘ That fun’s allever, The old tables. There is my hat. Come up, lads, with | Wild Dick bas kicked the bucket. It’s a new your contributions.” He dashed his hat on the table, and lay back in his chair, looking down the length of the table with an odd expression. There wasa dis- dainful curl on his lip as he observed that none of his guests moved. They looked like so many foxes caught in a trap. ill West was the only one that thrust his hand into his ket. But, at this instant, the door of the room sud- denly opened, and a person entered in a per manner, This was an oldish man, dressed wit man you see before you.” ‘*'You are wasting precious time.” ‘‘'That’s a true word. But what’s to be done? There’s no railroad train within three hours, and I have no horse.” ‘¢Take mine. He is a little blown; but he is good for the return.” : ‘* By Jove, then, he shall doit, or drop in the effort! Are the roads heavy?” ‘Yes, And a sharp rain is falling.” ‘‘There is no time now to stop for mud or the plainness of a servant, and with marks of | rain. It’s neck or nothing now between meand great agitation in his face, His clothes were | my sweet cousin. See that the beast is ready. spattered with mud, as if he had just come from | I will take the road within five minutes.” along and hard ride. He paused abruptly on He broke from the room by one door, and entering, and Mincy at the company with a look ; Jerry by another. Within the time mentioned of doubt and displeasure, It was but for an in- | he was back again, booted and spurred for the stant, however, and then he hastened again to- | gg A heavy dreadnaught enveloped his ward the youthful host, orm. In a minute afterward Jerry also re- The latter hurried toward him. | turned. ‘* What brings you, Jerry?” he eagerly asked. “The horse is ready, Mr. Richard,” he an- ** You have ridden hard. tiswrong? Has | nounced, anything happened?” “Then wish me good luck. It’s no child’s “Yes, Fai dreadful! Comehere, Mr. | play I have before me. Richard; I have tidings for your ear alone.” ‘| thin is Dick Racket’s motto.” He led the young man, whose face had grown ; nme deeply distur and anxious, hastily aside to a CHAPTER II. corner of the room. Here an earnest conversa- A WILD NIGHT ABROAD. Ir was a miserable night for man or horse to tion, ina low tone, ensued. The remainder of the company listened paroney, eager tolearn | be outin. Dark as pitch, the roads heavy with the cause of this mysterious visit. et the con- | mud, fine rain falling, a damp, chill air sough- ference was too low for their ears. Only a few | ing through the tree-tops. One could not but sentences were audible. pity the wayfarer whom ill-fortune sent abroad ‘* A terrible affair.—The on such a night. —Doctor says there is no Yet there was at least one traveler out in the ious,” miserable scene. horseman rode wildly and Such were some of the broken phrases that | recklessly onward, heedless of the falling rain, met the ears of the listeners, and that excited | or of the mud that splashed from under the iron their curiosity to the utmost. hoofs of his steed. Like a shadow he came and ‘* He is there, then?” asked Dick, with a low- | went, shooting for a moment through the line fais, Sa hg of light from roadside cottages, and away ‘Yes. You must make haste, There is not | again like the ghost of a wayfarer into the a minute to lose, You know that your uncle is | thick darkness, | completely under bis influence,” With set lips and fixed eyes the rider 7 The young spendthrift rested his head upon | straight onward, as steadily as if through the his hand for a moment, while an unusually | full daylight. Either he or his horse knew thoughtful look came over his intelligent face. | every step of the road by night or day. He then sprung up, with an odd expression of Mile after mile lay behind him, The horse countenance, and walked forward among his | slacked his speed and breathed heavily. He guests, had evidently been worked beyond his powers, ‘An important affair calls,me away, gentle- | The rider patted his neck. men,” he announced. ‘What it is does not| ‘‘Keepup, old chap. Seven miles more, and matter. But I may need money morethanever. | you can as teeae into your stable, and rest like I have spent my cash freely on you. It is your | aking. Don’t giveout now. There’s too much turn now to’fork over. There lies my hat. Come on your heels,” lice are all at fault. ope.— Very myster- show that you’ve got souls,” Thee weary animal mended his pace again for The most of Dick’s wild associates drew back | a short time. But it was evident that the poor at tbis unwelcome proposal, with muttered ex- | creature was fagged out. \Another mile and he cuses. Several of them, however, came forward. | drew up almost toa walk, from which neither Will West, with a hasty movement, flung his | whip nor spur could rouse him. purse into the hat, LS the luck!” cried the rider, angrily. ‘There is my contribution,” he declared. ang **T would walk the balance, but it would Ww But through thick or ~~ ~~ 9 OE ae < a : ? if Lap lA « Ai vy ’ ' | ~— comicboo ‘A ik’ int th ts sf < Rar = u ( ( C) ‘ . ; ti ore, A ¥ bid sy - ™ it sy , a i yy v 34 At -* a q rhe - ie t+» ». re a » “. $