Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 514 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

~~ 2 He was standing on Broadway, his hands thrust deep into his trowsers pockets, his box hung over his shoulder, his cap set back upon his head, and was gazing up at the stately front of one of the great banks, It was getting late in the afternoon, and was about time for the bank to close, “Tt knocks me silly!” he presently exclaimed. *‘ It’s th’ best joke I ever heard of. A thousand dol- lars, an’ every penny of it mine! Great cats! couldn't 1 do th’ ‘sweil’ act, though. if 1 was ter draw it out! I could turn Fifth avenue dizzy, an’ make Inspector Br— Hello! Skinny, is ‘hat you?” Another boy had just come up, who gave billy a playful poke in the side, It was his chum and partner-elect, who rejoiced in the appropriate nickname of “Skinny,” owing to his remarkable tuinness. He was indeed a thin boy; so thin. in fact, that Billy often declared that he couldn’t cast a decent shadow. ** Guess it is, Billy,’’ Skinny replied. ‘Haven't joined th’ fat men’s club yet, have ye?”’ ‘‘No, not yet. Say, though, what be ye standin’ here for, a-gazin’' up at that bank? Don’t think of buyin’ it, do ye?”’ “No, not jest that, Skinny: but I’ve got th’ best joke on that bank ye ever heard of.” . **Got a j )ke on th’ bank?” ** Sure!’ “What is th’ joke?” «Why, I’ve got a boodle in there,” “Got a boodle! Oh! git out!’ ‘““Nary a git. I’ve got aclip an’ clean thousand dollars in that instertution, my gay an’ festive pard, an’ it’s all in my own name,”’ ‘Oh! come away! ppc only kiddin’,”’ “Say, Skinay, did I ever lie to ye when th’ truth would do jest as well?” * No, can’t say as ye ever did, Billy.” “Well, then, jest pin yer faith onto what I’m tellin’ ye now.” ‘But, Billy, where in th’ world could you git a thousand dollars?” * Oh! L pick em where they grow.” “Ye might teil a feller, anyhow.”’ “Well, I will, Skinny, seein’ a3 we're ter be future gare ag Jest lend me yer ear fer,a minute, or th of ’emif ye kin spare ‘em, an’ I'll tell ye all about it.”’ “All right; fire away.” ** Well, ye remember that case I had last summer, don’t ye?’ ‘““ What case? th’ measles? Oh! yes, I~” “Measles yer grandmother! No! I’m a-talkin’ "bout d-tective work!” “Oh! 1 see.. You mean that case where ye brought that rich feller to bay an’ blocked his little game; har I remember that.” ‘Well, it seems Mr. George Stidwell, an’ th’ rest of ‘em, put a thousand dollars into this bank in my name, an’ I didn’t know a word about it. My mom knowed it, though, an’ she’s been —— th’ bank- book fer me, Yesterday she took sick awful sud- den, an’ sent Polly Osmond out ter find me, double quick. Polly found me, an’ when { got home I guess mom thought she was oin’ ter die. She called me to her, put th’ book inter my hands, told me ter be a good boy, an’ then shut her eyes, “T tell ye what, Skinny. I thought she was a goner, sure, an’ it made me feel awful chokey: but she didn’t go. Th’ .octor soon fetched her arounc all right, an’ this mornin’ she was as good as new, But, th’ secret of th’ bank-book an’ th’ thousand dollars ain’t a secret no longer, and—Lordy! I feel like goin’ right in an’ shakin’ hands with th’ hull concern. from president to watchman.” “That és good news, Billy, an’ no mistake. Now we kin buy out that corner stand, an’—”’ ‘*Not much!” Billy quickly exclaimed. ‘I mean ter be self-made, as I’ve told ye before. I’m goin’ ter work my way, my gay an’ festive skeleton friend, an’ owe nothin’ ter nobody. That’s my platform, every time! This little thousand kin lay here an a. : ‘* Well, I don’t know but ye’re right, Billy, an’—’’ ‘Right! of course I am! Say, though, ain’t it a rich sane on mom? She felt as mean as mud when she found she wasn’t goin’ ter die, An’ won't it open th’ eyes of Inspector Br— Hello! this must be th’ president of the concern, I guess.”’ Billy referred to an elderly gentleman who had just come out of the door of the bank and was de- scending the steps, putting on his gloves as he came down. Instantly the boy stepped forward and accosted im ‘Say, mister,” he inquired, “ be you th’ presiden- tial figger-head of this stablishment?”’ ‘1am the president of the bank, if that is what you mean,’’ was the reply, as the gentleman paused and looked at the boy. “That's what I was drivin’ at,” Billy declared. “Ye see, mister, I’ve gota boodle in that bank—a er thousand dollars, an’ I want ter ask if she’s solid.” ‘* Solid as a rock, my lad,” the jovial old gentle- man answered, smiling, ‘‘But you are surely not in earnest in saying you have a thousand dollars in the bank, are you?” ‘Ain't 1, then! Well, now, 1 want ter impress it on your mind that] am, An’ I've got th’ book at home ter prove it.”’ “ Then why do you not give up the boot-blacking 9 b e} “Cause, jest as I told my pardner, Skinny, that sbadder over there: I’m bound ter be self-made or nothin’. Ye see, sir, this thousand was given to me, an’ 1 mean ter earn my start in life.” ‘‘Nobly spoken, my lad. You've got the right ring about you, and you're bound to rise,” '’ saw Centre street, much less you. Broadway Billy’s Boodle. oe ‘‘Thank ye, sir. An’, I’m glad ter know your bank is sohd. I won’t have ter lay awake o’ nights a-dreamin’ about my boodle. Shine, sir?” * Well, yes. I see youdo not forget business in your hour of prosperity,” and the gentleman placed his foot upon the boy’s box. * Lord bless ye, no!”’ Billy responded, as he set to work. ‘‘ Why, business is meat an’ bread ter me. Say, though, mister, what sort o’ cashier have ye got? Does he have any appearance o’ longin’ ter become one o’ th’ Queen’s subjects? D’ye ever see him studyin’ railroad maps? Has he got any sort 0’ ae yaa sort o’ expression in his off eye? The president laughed heartily. “No, my boy’ he auswered, “our cashier is all right. He is a gentleman, and far above sus: picion.” ‘* Glad ter hear it. There’s none of *’em ter be trusted though, sir, an’ henceforth I’m goin’ ter = my watchful eye on this bank, an’ don’t ye fer- git it. H’ist yer hoof,” ** What?” ‘* Beg pardon; I mean lift yer foot.” Mr. Jonas Herman was more amused than offend- ed. He had encounteréd many specimens of the audacious street Arab. but this boy was the most amusing one he had ever met. ‘*What is your name, my lad?” he asked, as he changed feet on the boy’s box. ‘‘My name is William Weston. sir, but ’m a good deal better known as Broadway Billy. what’s your name?” ‘My name is Jonas Herman,” ‘‘Glad ter know ye, sir. Say, can’t I make a con- tract with ye ter shine ye up every day? Terms easy an’ satisfac'ion guaranteed. Biz is biz, ye know.” ‘Yes, my lad; be here at this hour every day, and I'll be one of your regular customers.’’ ‘Allright! An’ there’s yer shine, sir, black as a crow’s wing, an’ as glossy as a dude’s corkscrew trowsers.”’ With another smile, Mr. Herman gave the boy a dime, finished putting on his gloves, and went up the street. “There, Skinny,” Billy said, as he rejoined his companion, ‘* that’s th’ way ter make th’ ’quaintance of th’ upper ten an’ talk business. What I lack in learnin’ I make up in tongue, an’ th’ feller what kin i hoe his jaw th’ be!t is th’ feller that’s goin’ ter git there.”’ “Don't know but you're right, Billy, but I couldn't *a* had th’ cheek ter ax that man his name like you ‘*Cheek! Why, bless yer soul, Skinny, ain’t this a ne Pe aa country? an’ didn’t he ax my name rst?’ ‘Yes: but then he’s a gentleman, an’—”’ ‘Well, hang your shadowy carcass! D’ye mean ter say I ain’t one? Lordy! Skinny, if ye wasn’t so frail I'd pulverize ye, sure!” Skinny laughed, well-knowing that Billy was not in earnest. ‘Yes, sir-ee/ I'm as good as th’ best of *’em!” Billy added. ‘*Mebby they wouldn’t believe it, but ‘t’s a fact all th’ same. Why, even Inspector Br— S cet per-taters |” ; Billy stopped short with that exclamation, and his eyes, open to their widest,were suddenly fixed upon a young lady who was ing. She was a beautiful girl, about seventeen years of age. and was dressed in the very acme of fashion. illy gazed at her/in amazement for a moment, then ment Be boldly forward, laid his hand gently but familiarly oe her arm, and said: ‘‘Sweet pertaters, Polly, where ave ye goin’ all dressed up like this? Where dtd ye get th’ togs? corey! you do cut a dizzy dash, an’ no mistake! ere—”’ ‘*Remove your hand!” the him with her black eyes ing indignantly. ‘* Well, ye needn’t be so mighty huffy about it, anyhow,” Billy rejoined, as he removed his hand. “Ye can’t seem ter remember yer friends, now that ye’ve got fine duds on.” “T do not know you, you young ruffian! and if Lik say another word to me, I will eall an officer.’ “ All richt, all right,’ muttered Billy, as he backed away: ‘you may not know me, but I know you. Mebbe I didn’t hep re sift ashes this mornin’ out in front of our palatial Centre-street_barrack.”’ “You insult me!” the girl cried hotly. ‘“*I never You mistake the rson.”” And with burn cheeks she tried to push out of the crowd that had quickly collected. “ All right,”’ said Billy, “ have it your own way. know ye, though, an’ I never had any idea ye’d go back on me like this. Hereafter ye kin lug yer own coal an’ sift yer own ashes!” A loud laugh went up from the crowd, the most of those present siding with Billy, who was so tive in what he said: and the young lady was placed in a most unenviable light. There was evidently a huge mistake somewhere. Suddenly a young man darted out of the benk, usbed his way through the cr. wd to the gitl’s side, ifted his hat, and said: “Miss Elmore, what has happened? CanI be of any service to you?” ‘*Oh! Mr. Melvin!” the girl cried, “Lam so glad you are here! I have been grossly insulted,” “ By whom?” and her champion glared around fiercely. * By that cowardly and ragged bootblack!”’ point- ing straight at cats 8 ith one bound the young man was at Billy’s side, and then a quick blow from his fist sent Billy rolling into the gutter, rl cried, turning upon eee ! CHAPTER IL MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENTS, Tue moment Billy was down his little friend Skinny sprung to his assistance and helped him to his feet, when, catching sight of a policeman, they took to their heels and ran away. The street boy knows that whetlior in the right or the wrong or whatever the mistake, he must not let a policeman get hold of him if he can help 1. And Billy and Skinny made good their escape. The young man whc had sent Billy to the ground so suddenly and so ingloriously, now led the young ees out of the crowd and accompanied her up the street. “Sweet pertaters!"* Broadway Billy exclaimed when he and Skinny were safe from pursuit and capture, ** but that feller made me see stars. I wasn’t lookin’ fer a knock-down, an’ he hit out ‘fore 1 was ready. Lucky I had time ter dodge a little. or I'd got it right in th’ eye. Now, Skinny, what d’ye make out of it?’ “It’s jest what I’ve been expectin’,” Skinny de- clared. ‘Jest what ye’ve been expectin’! What: d’ye mean by that?” ‘““Mean jest what I say. makin’ ye:self too mighty fresh sometimes, an *bout time somebocy took it out of ye.” ‘If you wasn't so thin, Skinny, I'd throttle ye right here _an’ now, Me too fresh! why, you're away off. Didn’t Ispeak ter that girl in a ‘spectable way?’ ‘What business had ye speakin’ to her at all, though?” re ** Why, I was sure I knowed her, an’I ain’t sure T don’t yet. Say, ye’ve heard me speak 0’ Polly Os- mond, a pretty girl that lives in th’ same house me an’ mom lives in on Centre street, ain’t ye?’ * Yes, often.” ‘* Well, if th’ girll te to ain’t that same Polly, then it’s her ghost. I don’t believe there could be two persons look so much alike ” * An’ that’s why ye spoke to her, eh?” “Of course. Why, Polly an’ me is th’ best 0” chums, an’ I’m sure L.didn’t mean no harm.” *“*T cuess that thousan’ dollar boodle has sort 0’ turned your brain, an’ ye couldn't see straight. It ain’t likely thai two gals would look so much alike that you couldn’t tell one from t’otber,” ‘Now, Skinny, see here. Ican’t set myself right in th’ eves of all that crowd that seen me git downed, but [kin set myself right in yours, an’ Tl do it. You comé right along with me to my Centre-street wigwam.” * Oh! Billy, Ican't! J—* “Yes, you can, too, an’ ye've got ter go! If we kin find Polly Osmone in th’ house, you'll see how easy it was fer me ter be mistook in th’ gal.” * Well, if you mean biz, Billy, I reckon I'll have ter You have a oe t’s “That's what I do mean, an’I reckon ye will.”’ And the two set out. Billy’s home, as he has told us, was in a Centre street tenement-house. It consisted of three rooms, and was near the top of the building. When he and his friend arrived there, Billy led the way up to his mother’s rooms and they entered. “Hello! mom, hard at work a-sewin’, be ye? You'll be gettin’ sick ag’in th’ first ye know; there's no need 0’ your workin’ so steady all th’ time. Say, this is Mr. Skinny, my future pardner that ye've heard me speak of. I guess ye kin see him, ifye look sharp. Skinny blushed, and Mrs. Weston welcomed him to her home. “*T ain’t off duty yet, mom,” Billy explained, * but me an’ Skinny is here on biz. Say, have ye seen Polly this afternoon?” : ‘Yes, she left the room only a few minutes before youcame in. She has been here with me two hours or more.”’ “Sweet pertaters! then it wasn’t her, after all. An’ I’m glad it wasn’t. didn’t think she’d use me so mean. Say, call her up bere, will ye? I want ter see her a minute.” “What are you talking about? What has been going on?’ Mrs. Weston asked, with woman’s natural curiosity. Billy explained oriefly, and then his mother or ped out into the hall and called down to Polly to come Up: In afew moments the door opened and a girl entered the room, instantly, then, Skinny realized_how easy it had been for Billy to be mistaken. This girl was the very likeness of the one they had so recently seen on Broadway, “Did you want to see me?” Polly asked, her bright eyes fairly dancing with fun, Yes,” said Billy, ‘Ido. You're a nice giri, you be, not to want ter reckernize yer friends when they meet ye on Broadway.” “T do not understand what you mean,” “Well, then I'll have ter tell ye. First, though, ‘low me ter interduce ye to my friend Mr. Skinny, who belongs to th’ fat men’s club.” The girl laughed cuickig £ and again poor Skinny was called upon to blush deeply. ‘Vo Soo, Billy then went On, ‘Sout on Broadway a short time ago @ young ee went along who look- ed so much like you that I thought pop sure it was you, an’ I tripped right up an’ spoke to her. She couldn’t look more like ye. Polly.if she had been made ter order; could she, Skinny?” “No, they’re both jest alike,” Skinuy replied, “ an’ 1 wouldn’t know which from who if I seen ’em "” OR Test £0. But, th’ instant I spoke to her, Polly, in’ mad, an’ said J had insulted her, she got rip-snort Then Iaxed her if I didn’t help her sift ashes this cynyoo com <-¥