Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 515 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

ge es te — _ ee . —— eee = —— a — - a . . ao TS > vo = » aE oe we - — co ae priceless ‘‘ catch,” ea his ownership of the Pocket, was , tion, and this very fact caused many to envy eng es weribliyees ot tabi See ee) BACKS his trusty employees of the - “+, +jestic Mine, h saan aed * Cr. =. ~~ . la ae ao _ since last we met him, the Prince o Ae dle meee ES - ne Se F stood behind the bar, grimly watching proceed- ee ; e Well, do you want some of the same?” was ‘the abrupt query, ** No! geckin not!” Mose allowed, although ‘there was a diabolical gleam in hiseyes. “ All I want of you is for your horse-keep and your lodging, and pay for the whisky.” ‘“Of course. How much is the bill?” “ive dollars, and I’ll treat you to another drink.” Carlston probably knew that it would be no use to argue about the extortionate price; so he ‘took out a well-filled pocketbook, and paid the pill, receiving in return a glass of the worst liquor he had ever touched. . All this time Pete Pigeon was dancing gro- ue figures around the room, and howling ‘anathemas at the stranger. aed fi Suddenly he was seen to stagger, dizzily; then ‘to throw up his arms atid fall heavily to the ‘floor, where he lay writhing as if in intense agony, but only for a moment, for then a shud- der shook his frame and he stretched out and “was motionless, Mountain Mose and Carleton both ran for- ‘ward, and when they reached his side the ruffian was really dead. ‘‘ Well, you’ve done it!” old Mose said, turn- ‘ing grimly to the baronet. ‘You have mur- «dered one of the best men in the mountains!” ‘“‘It is false! I did not kill him!” Sir Clyde declared. ‘‘ It was you who killed bim!” ‘* Curse you! what is that you say?” ‘“‘T say that you murdered him. The liquor ‘you gave me contained a deadly poison, an you knowit! The big brute swallowed enough “of it to kill him.” ‘Curse you! you lie! ‘that insult!” Mountain Mose cried, savagely. **Down with you to the depths of purgatory!” and as he spoke a section of the floor where Sir Clyde was standing dropped from beneath his feet and the young Englishman disappeared ‘from view. ; At the moment, an old man and a young girl ‘had entered the saloon by the front door, and 80 Were witnesses of the tragic scene, “Stranger!” said the old man, in a deep, clear tone, ‘* you are a murderer!” Mountain Mose at once whipped out his re- volver; but, before he could cock and use it, the old man and the girl had darted from the room, closing the door behind them. Mose blazed away at the door, until he had I'll have your life for fired every shot; then opening the door, he too darted forth into the night. CHAPTER III. THE VICTIM OF A JOKE, PAssInG from Pretty Pass, we will now go down to Pistol Pocket. It was early in the day following the events ast narrated, and the morning sunshine bathed the Pocket in a golden bath of sunshine. ~ Greatly grown from what the camp was when last introduced to the reader * the settlement now presented the appearance of a much older town than it really was, and although there was ‘but one hotel and saloon, combined, there were numerous Other places of business, and buildings had notably increased. In a cosey, comfortably furnished office, on the main street, sat the dashing and handsome pro- prietor and “* mayor” of Pistol Pocket, Dead- wood Dick, Jr., engaged in looking over an Eastern paper. Nothing strange in 2! 5 gs : the West looked quite as much at home in his new posi- tion as though be were in the saddle, or in the midst of a pitched battle. With his round, pleasant vi age, his keen sparkling eyes, and his long, wavy hair an eurling mustache, few, if any in the camp, could compare with the mayor, in point of good looks, and by the budding feminine ele- ment, he was, of course, regarded as a decidedlp But, none of the fair daughters of the ca seemed to attract his particular attention, most of his time being absorbed in attending to his business interests. a That he was rapidly acquiring riches, from beyond ques. success. stic Mine, he had succeeded in enforcing the Pin that no one should ae ic. gold br a ch, except t tered his employ, a joined the Miners’ Union. ii . _~ * See Half-Dime Lib 7 ’ 7 DEADWooD Dick's DELIVERANGCE,”’ nt a a , om a : s 3 po ea az ad " = ‘ chen Sr nal “Og 2 CUFT ee Pty oan os rite? oy - Ss # “4 “= me | RT - Deadwood Dick’s Protege. A considetable number of gold-diggers came to the camp who objected to this sort of thing, and some took their departure, while others re- mained, and hung about in idleness. As Dick sat in his oftice,this pleasant sun-shiny day, engaged in reading, Kis face wore an ex- ression of contentment, 4nd it was evident that is mind was unruffled by trouble. In another chair sat his office-boy, an apt young lad of fourteen, whom Dick had employ- ed to look after the office, during his absence. The boy’s name was Johnny Smile, and’boy- like, he was full of fun, and ever dee is! to play a trick on some one. And most especially on his good-natured employer. Johnny, too, was now reading the local news- aper—an enterprise which some wide awake Fankee had already established in the camp, under the suggestive title of ‘‘ The Pistol Pocket Palaver.” It was a laugh from Johnnie that caused Deadwood Dick to look up from his paper. ‘* Well, Johnny, what is it?’ Dick queried. ‘*Oh! boss, this isa rye go!” Jobnny replied, Did ye git any answers, yet?” ‘* Any answers to what?’ Dick demanded, in rise, ‘** Why, to your advertisement in the paper!” ‘*T’ve no advertisement in the paper, What are you talking about.” “Oh! ye hain’t got no ad., hey? Then, I’d like to know what you call this!” And handing his master the Palaver, Johnny pointed to a paragraph, Which ran as follows: ‘“Wanrep:—At once=a wife. Must be talented, good-looking, a good housekeeper, and not over nineteen or twenty. To the right party, a good home will be given. Apply at once to ‘** RICHARD Bristot, Jk.” The young Mayor of Pistol Pocket could scarcely repress an oath, as he read the above. ‘** By all the the devils!” he ejaculated, ** that is the work of a detestable scamp. If I find out who put that in the paper, I'll make him eat his boots as sure as my name is Dick Bristol!” Thrusting the paper into his pocket, he clap- pee on his hat, and rushed from the office; while ohnny Smile sat down, tipped back in his chair, and roared with laughter. ** Whoop ee! won’t ther be fun fer the fiddler, now, tho’? Well, I should smile a Johnny Smile smile! Bet ten cents to a ‘tater thet the boss will scalp,old Pottsy, the chap that runs the Palaver!” Golly! Ud like to see the fun, and I would, too, only thet l’d be givin’ myself dead away. Ef the buss were to suspect that J caused that ter be put in the paper, he’d kick me all the way from heer to Kalamazoo. “But, wait, though, till gals begin to pour in; then there’ll be fun, you bet!” , In the mean time, with darkened brow, Dick hastened toward the newspaper office,‘ which was located in a little shanty, at the lower end of the street. Arriving at the place, he found the superan- nuated proprietor, Potiphar Potts, perched upon a stool at his desk. He was bald-headed, hooked-nosed, fgerret- eyed, and the thinness of his physique seemed to indicate that he had not always fed on the fat of the land. Walking up behind him, Dick seized him by the shoulder, and jerked him off the stool, as he cried: ‘‘See here, you old rat terrier! what do you mean by publishing such a scandalous joke as this in your paper? And the advertisement was thrust before Poti- phar’s vision, _- ** Speak up!” Dick exclaimed, sternly, ‘‘or by the eternal, off goes your scalp!” “T_T didn’t know there was anythin wrong about it!” Potts asserted, trembling with appre- hension. “The ad. was sent in for publica- tion, accompanied by a dollar, and so I inserted it. Surely you can’t blame me, for I didn’t know but what it was all right!” ** Who sent it in?” ‘‘Tt came through the mail, but there was no signature except the initials ‘R. B,’ Here is the letter. You can see for yourself.” He handed Dick a letter, which the latter pro- ceeded to peruse. It read as follows: “ Inclo nd one dollar, for whi insert advertisement in your valuable Pee sien B.” There was a deadly glitter in Dick’s eyes as he read the above, and he thrnst the letter*into his et. “ Have you no idea who wrote that?” he de- manded, és\ng Potiphar Potts, sharply. “None whatever, sir!” __ | >? ‘Well, now, look here. You find out for me —_— = i 7 we wee re eee ——_ te -* -* who wrote the letter, or caused thé advertise- oe to be inserted, and I'll give you a hundred ollars! Potts looked pleased. To him, a hundred dol- lars seemed a fortune, ‘* Very well, sir, I will try,” he said, ‘‘ but I have no hope of success.” ‘* And, mind you,” continued Dick, ‘‘if you ever publish any more stuff about me in your aper, without my personal authority, there'll * a dead Potts for the town to bury,” and Dick ean" his departure, his anger but little dimin- ished. ‘Ts this an intended insult, or is it a practica} joke?” he muttered, as he made his way back to his private office, ‘‘I am inclined to think it is the former, for it is no secret to me that I have enemies in the camp who bear me malice. I presume I shall be overrun with applicants for the position of Mrs, Bristol. ell, let *’em ead a prick aualls Milaed moan . nd a grim smile fli over the young may- or’s Soadeoene face, as he imagined what Brite the advertisement might produce, CHAPTER IV, ‘‘ WHETHER HE WOULD OR Nort.” WHEN Deadwood Dick got back to his office, he found that his anticipations were not without foundation, for, seated in the offlee, was a young and rather attractive-looking woman. Judging from appearances, she was some eigh- teen — of age, and a decided brunette, with jet-black hair and eyes, and a complexion verging upon tkat of a Spanish or Mexican woman. She was the possessor of a figure, noticeable save? graceful contour, and was very neatly attired. Dick gave her an inquiring glance, as he en- tered, and perceived that she was an entire stranger to him. ‘* Now for it!” he muttered, under his breath, and taking off his hat, he turned to his visitor. ‘* Good-morning!” he said politely. ‘‘ Is there anything [ can do for you, madam?” ‘* Miss, if you please?” she correcteds ‘“ My name is Miss Mabel Lamont, and I have come to answer and accept your application for a wife. 1 haven’t a doubt of oy ability to you, and we shall get along splendidly !*® The startling presumption of the young woman nearly knocked the breath out of him. ‘*T beg your pardon, my dear lady,” he said, ‘* but there is a mistake about this matéer. not advertised for a wife.” ‘*Oh! yes you have,” she replied, positively. ‘‘T saw your advertisement in the paper only a few minutes ago, and I hurried here from the hotel, so as to be the first to claim the honor.” ** But, I tell you ’'ve made no application for a wife, whatever!” declared Dick. “ Least of all my intentions is that of getting married. That advertisement was put in by same person unknown to me, either as a practical] joke or for some malicious purpose. I had nothing to de with it.” ! ‘Oh! that’s to thin. You men are terribly deceitful creatures, You can’t pat me off in that way. lam poor and an orphan, and need a husband who will protect me. I am young, good-looking, a good housekeeper, and more talented than most girls. I am of French de- scent, and you know the love of a French girl fs sincere and true. So you can bave no reason- able excuse for not taking me in preference to any one else. Can you, now?” Literally thunderstruck, Dick sunk back upon a chair, knowing not what to say or do. While Johnny Smile, aiisad- upon a stool at Dick’s desk, with his back turned to the eouple, was ready to explode with laughter. After a lapse of over a minute, during which time he fairly glared at Miss Lamont, Dick finally found use of his tongue. ‘** Young lady,” he said, ‘‘I am astonished at you. I told you that getting married was the least of my intentions; yet, seemingly, you would force yourself A omy me without any solici- tation on my part, You never saw me before, nor I you, and even if I were inclined to take a wife, I should expect to havesome acquaintance with her first. Moreover, I would go a lifetime without a spouse before Yd stoop to advertise for one, So you will please understand that your errand here is a fruitless one, and govern yourself accordingly.” : res tone was firm and decisive, and yet polite. The eyes of Miss Lamont sparkled angrily, ami hers were just the kind of eyes that were ca ee ng ape anger-when she was arouved. ‘Which, I suppose, is equivalent to sayin that you will have n ag te with me—4hat I’ve