Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 489 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

+ ~~ < ‘ - <-> ar! ‘ a ") aves -) ‘ Bee L539 Sis . 4 “3 or , vy 4 2 — } Pe ae Rt . - i meets. “ He won't come—” | mary unmasking revealed the long, sanctimo- | colonel, advancing and seating himself wpon @ The Diamond Sport. —_-—-—— At this moment the door opened, and a rough- | nious face of Parson Grimes! looking man stepped into the room. sreaned like a common miner, with a huge slouch hat pulled down over his eyes. His face was hidden beneath a huge, bristling beard, He nodded shortly to Heath, and then walked toa chair and sat down. He did not remove his hat or utter a word. ‘** Did you come in answer to the personal in the Pioneer ?” asked Heath, coming at once to the point, The man nodded. ‘*Very well. I suppose, then, that you are the person who unluckily overheard the conversa- tion that occurred in this room last Tuesday evening?” Another nod, ‘“‘T will not inquire how you came there at that time,” went on Heath, wondering if the man could speak. ‘* That is a matter of indif- ference as long as you were there and overheard the conversation. Allow me to ask you what you propose to do about it?” “Do about it!” growled the stranger, in a hoarse voice, that was evidently disguised ; ** jest let me ax yer honorable self that aire question, What do you propose ter do about it?” ‘‘Do you intend to use what you heard against us, or will you accept a reasonable sum and keep mum? That’s business! Talk lively and straight now. I’m in something of a hurry.” “Is that so, now?” in an afer erne, drawl. “Tf ye’r’ insuch er durned hurry Ill slide on, We can talk this matter over sum other day.” ‘* No,” cried Heath, angrily, ‘‘ 1 want to settle this matter at once and get it off my mind. How much will shut your mouth¢ Speak uick!” ‘‘Waal, I dunno, now,” the stranger drawled, in a gruff, repulsive way. ‘‘ Reckon ther se- cret’s worth er good pile, Sum folks would bleed ye mighty hard,” | ‘*Come, come; none of this beating around the bush. Come to the point at once, and state how much will keep you still. We might as well come to an understanding at once, as to be all day about it,” ‘* Exactly,. You claim that ther real heiress are defunked, and you are goin’ ter substitoot ernuther gal in her place. Are that ther way ther land lays?” ‘‘Tt can make little difference to you about that. I am willing to pay you to keep mum as to what you heard, There is no money on the other side, for a reward is offered only for in- formation of the whereabouts of the real heiress, You. know nothing about her, and therefore could obtain no part of the reward. But if you will go quietly about your business and say nothing about what you heard, it will be money in your ket.” “Solid hoss sense, partner,” declared the stranger. ‘‘ You talk like er school-marm, I kinder take ter yer style o’ doin’ business. How much will yer give me ter keep still?” ‘* A hundred dollars,” The stranger stared at Heath a moment in open-mouthed amazement, then laid back and burst into a roar of hoarse laughter. Simon Heath colored with anger. “What do you mean?” he cried. you laugbing at?” As soon as he could stop, the stranger said: ‘You don’t mean it, partner? ou can’t mean it! Would you actually an’ really give er whole hundred dollars fer me ter keep still? You can’t mean it. Haw! haw!” He burst out laughing again. ‘‘That’s my offer, Do you accept or not? Stop that cursed laughing and talk business, I haven't any time to fool away. Talk lively, now. Do you accept?” “Waal, hardly !” | “You don’t accept? Well, then, how much will it take to buy your silence?” “‘ Waal, partner, seein’ as how it’s you, Ill let you off easy. I don’t want ter be hard nor ‘“ What are He was | | nothin’, an’ so I'll set it sorter light. Ten thou- | sand dollars ’ll do me.” Heath uttered a fierce oath and sprung to his | feet. He could hardly believe his ears, “What!” he cried. ‘‘ You thundering idiot! What do you take me for-~-a fool?” “Now, don’t get excited, an’ go ter callin’ names,” the stranger said, calmly, create er coolness among ther best 0’ frien’s. It don’t pan out well in ther eend. hev ther money reddy?” ‘‘ Never, curse you!” cried Heath, and with a | medium-sizec uick movement he reached forward, and sud- daity tore the whole mass of false beard from the stranger’s face, A ing disclosure took place, This sum- ‘*Tt’s apt to | fulfill that threat!” When will yer | confront the man who had uttered these words, | ' | $e TY The editor of the Pioneer was sitting in his | office late one night, when the door opened, and a strange-looking man made his appearance, The visitor was dressed from head to foot in black and wore a black mask over his face, Without displaying any Weapons, he stepped fearlessly into the room. Instantly the editor reached for a revolver, but the stranger made a warning gesture. ‘*Easy, boss,” he said, calmly. ‘‘ Don’t try that. My men are just outside, and will rush in at the least suspicious sound, Pull’a pop and the Pioneer will have to hunt up a new editor, I have come on a peaceful business errand, and it will be for your interest to treat me civilly.” ‘Who are you?” cried the editor. ‘Dashing Dave, road-agent, etc.,” replied the masked man, coolly. ‘‘Happy to make your acquaintance,” de- clared the editor, regaining his composure, in a measure. ‘‘ Anything I can do for you? Do you wish to subscribe for the Pioneer ?” The road chief laughed. ‘‘Hardly. Iam atraid I should be unable to secure my paper regularly. I wish todo a bit of advertising through your columns, however. How much will it cost to have this appear in the next issue?’ and he handed the editor a scrap of paper, covered with writing. After glancing it over, the editor replied: ‘* We can insert this for ten dollars, ‘Cheap enough,” assented the masked man. ‘* Here is the money, and I warn you if that no- tice does not appear in your next issue, you will have the pleasure of attending your own funeral] before shortly.” ‘* As I am not at all anxious to upset this mor- tal bucket, [ promise you that the article shall appear.” ‘Correct. Good-night, ant dreams.” ) The road-agent chief backed to the door, and with a parting wave of the hand, made his exit, Sweetrest and pleas- The next issue of the Pioneer contained the following: ““A WORD FROM DASHING DAVE.” ‘It seems that the citizens of Bed-Rock have taken a sudden interest in your bumble servant, an a certain ‘Private Vigilance Committee’ have offer- ed $500. reward for my pee dead or alive. You are a mess of fools, and I laugh at you all. I defy you to capture me. This very night, one of my agents has deposited $500 with Cool Kent, who keeps the Pleasure Parlors, which I offer, in addition to the Vigilance Committee's reward, to the person who will capture me, dead or alive | * Yours lovingly, ‘DASHING DavE,” —— —_— CHAPTER VI. A STREET DUEL. ‘“‘ Dorn his hide! name ain’t Roarin’ Bob! eend-an’-crooked, didw’t he? Jest hed er reg’lar cirkus at my expense, didn’t he? Rot his picter! Pll get even with ’im if it takes er thousan’ ears. Ill hev satisfaction, or ’m er howlin’ iar frum Fibtown! Consarn his pate! [J] fill im full o’ lead!” The speaker was the bully, Roarin’ Bob. He resented a sorry appearance. His lips were badly bruised, several of his front teeth were gone, one eye was ‘tin mourning,” and there was a large discolored spot upon his right temple. Am apecere: to be just recovering from a huge runk, I'l) have satisfaction, or my Knocked me west- He was viewing his image in a piece of a broken mirror, that he had tacked to the wall of his shanty. The wretched spectacle that was revealed to his one uninjured eye caused the out- break given above. ‘*Took me when I was drunk, durn ’im! He couldn't ’a’ done it enny other time. Oh, I'll settle this score with compound interest! Pll kill Velvet Vane, or my name ain’t Roarin’ Bob, ther Champion Slugger!” ‘li pay you a hundred dollars the minute you Jerking out a revolver, the bully whirled to He stood prt within the cabin doorway, a , square-built man, with a dark, handsome faee. ‘* Hello!” exclaimed Bob. ‘‘ Is that you, Col- one] Allen? Howdy?” J ‘*T have another job for you, Bob,” said the broken-legged stool. ‘* Did you take in the re- mark that [ made as I entered?” ‘** Su’thin’ erbout er hundred dollars, I didn’t jist ketch the whole o’ it,” ‘You threatened to kill that fellow known as the Diamond Sport, and | said that I would give you a hundred dollars the minute you did the job. Understand?” ‘* Bet yer boots!” cried Bob. ‘‘ That’s jist ther job ’'m lookin’ fer. Colonel], do you clap yer peepers onter this beaucherfully decorated mu o’ mine? That’s his work. Ther dandy did that little job. I’veswored ter hev revenge, an’ now i hev er chance ter get revenge an’ a hundred. dollars, too. Haw! haw!” They were master and servant in villainy, the rougher rascal doing the dirty work of the other und many a job had he performed, too. And this was ‘‘ Colonel Allen,” the chief of the Private Vigilance Committee, and one of the supposed-to-be respectable citizens of Bed-Rock! ‘Then you agree to settle the Sport’s hash for bim?” ai the colonel. ‘¢ That’s erbout ther size o’ it.” ‘“ Allright. To bind the bargain, here’s tem dollars, ou shall have the rest when the job’s done.” ‘* Kirect!” cried Bob, eagerly seizing the mon- ey. ‘* This’ll keep erway ther snakes an’ brace me fer ther job. Tl call on yer ter-night fer ther rest o’ ther pot.” ‘* That's the way to talk,” added the colonel, rrroreey: ‘‘You will find the money ready for you. Just lay the Sport, and do it by fair means or foul.” ** He’s as good as dead!” The colonel departed, chuckling as he hurried amar. for he doubted not but Roarin’ Bob would fulfill the contract. But Velvet Vane was avery hard man to kill. A few minutes later, the bully followed Col- onel Allen. Straight tothe nearest saloon Roar- in’ Bob made his way, and regaled himself with a square drink of “‘ardent.” In fact, he regaled himself with several square drinks. Before lon he was considerably drunk. Then he salli forth in search of his prey. Up and down the main street he staggered, searching for the man in velvet. He was much too drunk to fight, but he didn’t know it, ‘*Whar’s that dirty pet as calls ‘imself Velvet Vane?” he cried. ‘‘He’s er sneak from Sneaktown, or my name ain’t Roarin’ Bob, ther Boss Bruiser, e dassent cum an’ fight me- Whar is he, durn *im?”’ But no one seemed to know anything of the whereabouts of the Sport. Roarin’ Bob espied a trim-looking female tripping along the street, and at once made haste to intercept her. ‘* Hello, pritty bird,” he cried with a drunken look of admiration. ‘‘ Hole on: don’t be in sich er tarnel rush. By glory! poner ther gal as sings at ther Pleasure Parlors. Make ye ac- pcaaasae with ther only an’ original Roarin’ ob. ‘““Stand aside, and let me pass. sir!” cried Isabella, with flashing eyes. ‘‘I will call for as- sistance.” **Now, don’t! Fair maid, withhold thy wrath —restrain yer dander. Before ye you behold a sincere admirer. Ther heart in this majestic buzzum beats with admiration for thee, Ill be etarnally dumswizzled ef you ain’t er smasher!” = Will you let me pass?” she cried. hisarms, ‘‘ Never! never! Distractin’ feemale, I will not let thee go! That exquisite nose, them starry eyes an’ rooby lips all loor me on ter rash- ness! I gaze enraptoored on that beauchiful phisog. Give ther ole original Boss Bruiser er smack, sweetcake.” With these words, he seized the girl in his arms and attempted to kiss her, She struggled desperately, and cried for help. ‘‘ Holler—yell, durn ye!” cried the bully. ‘¢ Kick ef ye want to! vil kiss yer pritty lips, or bu’st my D’iler tryin’!” But an iron hand seized him by the neck, the irl] was torn from his grasp, and he was hurled violently to the earth. He looked up to see the very man he was searching for, the man in velvet, standing over him. The girl was hurrying away down the street. The discomfited bully uttered an angry roar and plucked forth a revolver, with the intention of ‘‘ salting ” the Sport on the spot; but, before he could fire a lightning kick of Vane’s foot sent the weapon flying a rod away. With another cry, Roarin’ Bob scrambled to his feet and leaped toward his foe, a gleaming. knife in his hand. 9 “Never!” answered Bob, wildly flourishing’,