Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 517 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 _ ee themselves on, was the fact that the camp had been included in the circuit of Judge Owney Maglochlin, and they were to have ‘“ Court Week” there, as big as life! ** Now, gents,” said Jim, in his address to his fellow-townemen, after he had been duly in- Stalled in office, *‘ things has been runnin’ purty loose an’ keerless in this hyar burgh; 97 it don’t stan’ to reason that a broncho as has had his head all along is goin’ fur to buckle down to stiddy business all to once, without nary kickin’, But it’s a tight rein as fetches ’em; an’ that thar’s the keerd what I propose tolead off at ye. Now, what I want in the way o’ backin’, is a posse what'll jest take the shine off’n ary con- stable’; squad in this hyar section. {f want live ame", an’ squar’ men—men as won’t be the fu’st “oo break the law what they’re supposed to up- hold the mafesty of. “Don’t all speak to once. Ye’re an ornery lot—an’ that’ll wash! Jest you stan’ up ina row tell I look ye over, an’ see ef thar’s ary pickin’ as’ll do fur to present to the judge when he honors this hyar town with his fu’st grand lay- out.” The ‘‘ boys” took the uncomplimentary frank- ness of their marshal as a good joke, One and all admitted its justice. But the demand wasscarcely out of his mouth, when Dick Johnson sprung forward and cut off their laughing retorts by shouting eagerly: ‘* Look a-hyeah, boss! We’s got jis’ dat posse what ye want, all ready-made! De Free Jolly Pards’!l fill de bill! Don’t you waste time goin’ no furder. Tie to us; an’ we'll hab sich a theo 0’ rapscallions ’gin’ de jedge come, dat he'll ’clude to settle right down hyeah, an’ go into a stiddy business.” Dick’s eyes were shining and his ivories gleam- ing. He was so keen for the honor for himself and pards, that he couldn’t keep still. It was plain that he had not the remotest doubt as to their ability to ‘‘ fill the bill,” as he said. ‘* Waal, ef unadulterated cheek was what was wantin’—” But Jim Gladden got no further. A great shout arose, drowning bis voice. ‘‘Three cheers fur the Three Jolly Pards!” yelled a fellow with a voice like a buffalo bull. The conceit took like fire'in the prairie grass. The crowd yelled with laughter, pushing for- ward two boys, but little if any older than Dick —all yet in their teens. Harry Keene was as finea specimen of Young America as you would find in many a day’s journey; and Tom Murphy had all the best ualities of the Emerald Isle wrapped up in his skin. Harry displayed some modest embarrassment at thus having ‘‘ greatness thrust upon him,” but Tom spit in the palm of his hand, and bran- dishing a sprig 0’ shillaly, cried: * We'll do it, be gob!’ “Put wan o’ the young divils an the force, annyways!” shouted an Irishman. ‘* What do ez want betther than Harry Keene, I dunno? asn’t it him as beat Cale Burchard an’ Bow- legged Banty out o’ their boots, bod luck till the spalpeens?” ‘** Keene! Keene! Keene!” shouted the crowd. “Waal, gents, ef I make him my deputy, ou’ll have to serve under him,” announced Jim ladden. His eyes lighted as they rested on the boy. It was plain that he was more than half willing to fall in with the whim of the crowd. ‘*Chalk him down! We’ll serve fast enough.” . -~ this way, Deputy Keene!” Gladden ordered. With his cheeks flaming with embarrassment, but his eyes flashing with gratified pees Harry ae to the side of his superior officer. is pards went wild. There was not a spark of envy in their composition. ‘Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!” they yelled, swinging their hats about their heads. Whatever honors came to one of the League was reflected on all. ‘* Speech! Speech!” cried the laughing miners. Harry took off his hat, and coughed, and shifted his weight restlessly from one foot to the other; looked up and looked down, and strove to gather his scattered wits. ! ‘Stand up on the stump!” cried one on the outskirts of the crowd, who was craning his neck over the heads of those before him. A couple of men seized the young deputy by the arm on either side, and lifted him upon the as: ‘*Howld on, gints!” shouted Tom Murphy. *“‘T have a nomination to put before the convin- tion. Thayre stands the next Mugwump candi- le fur the Prisidency! Anything to beat ine | ‘ ; Jim Gladden’s Deputy. This sally was greeted with general laughter, which gave Harry time to collect himself. Like all true heroes, he was modest, but not so modest as to allow himself to be overcome. He was master of the situation. ‘*Gentlemen!” he said, ‘‘I reckon you’ve put me onto this thing for a lark; but if it proves that there are any rogues in this camp, I'll tr Si to let them have all the laughing on their side. ‘‘Sure fur you, me b’y! wantin’ to beat that, faith?’ ‘* Boy or no boy, he wears a man’s clo’s!” And, indeed, young as he was, Harry Keene’s figure was filling out finely; and what he fell short of the stature of mathieod he made up in litheness. Of late—for a reason which will presently ap- pear—he had been watching the growth of an adolescent mustache with impatience. The full complement of, Jim Gladden’s posse having been made up, arrangements were at once made for the building of a ‘* calaboose,” which Jim stipulated should have the qualities of a ‘*‘ buncomb ” fence—that it should be ‘* hoss- high, bull-strong and pig-tight.” im then formed his men into a squad, two and two, and with himself and bis young deputy at their head, marched them off to a private meeting, in which he could instruct them in their prospective duties. Tom Murphy and Dick Johnson thus left with time on their hands, hit upon a project to give their pard a ‘‘ boost.” ‘‘Tell ye what it is, Tom,” observed Dick, ‘“de League ain’t gittin’ along so slow!” ‘‘ Slow!” reiterated Tom. ‘‘ We’ll stick to it till wan av uz is Governor o’ the State, at the least calculation.” ‘* Look a-hyeah!—s’pose we’uns gib Harry a little send off wid de ole man?” ‘Wid ould Abraham?” asked Tom, with a laugh. ‘Yes. Ki-yi! won’t somebody’s eyes shine?” Dick’s own eyes shone, and he rubbed his hands and smacked his lips as if in sympathy Ar’ what air yez ‘with a rare treat that awaited his pard. ‘* Faith!” cried Tom, “catching on” to the idea, ‘‘ we’ll make the ould buck salute the new deputy mairshal!” They ran off down the street to a store where clothing hung from the ceiling in a way that er no room for doubt that the proprietor was a Jew. Abraham, a typical son of the race, awaited them at the door. ‘‘ Yong shentlemens,” he said, bowing smiling and rubbing his hands cordially, ** I am alvays glad to see you—you know dot! Come in! comein! Vat shall I show you dis morn- ing?” nstead of accepting his extended hand, Dick threw himself into an exaggerated attitude of one standing with his thumbs in the arm- holes of his vest, and said, with affected hauteur: ‘‘Keep yo’ distance, ole chap! We’uns ain’t ‘lowin’ no mo’ familiarity.” ‘Vat now?” asked Abraham, shrugging his shoulders and smiling—knowing that it was some joke. ‘‘ Maybe ye’re so ignorant as not to be knowin’ that the Pairds 0’ Paddy’s Flat have taken a rise in the world,” said Tom. ‘T am glad of dot!” Abraham declared— “ very glad!” ‘‘Come in de sto’, Hurry up hyeah!” cried Dick, bustling the Hebrew into his own estab- lishment. And though their mysterious actions piqued the old Israelite’s curiosity, they would tell him nothing of its significance for the present. While they were talking, a curtain which closed a doorway in the rear end of the store was put aside, and a wrinkled old Jewess joined them, A little later the curtain was again 3 <7e as if by a slight disturbance of the air, but one of keen vision might have detected a bright eye peering through an interstice. The boys excited the curiosity of the old folks, and also that of the person hidden by the cur- tain, to the highest pitch, until Dick, who had been keeping mysterious watch at the door, sud- denly cried: ‘‘Hyear he comes! Now fur it!” ‘“‘Tt’s a hat ye’re wantin’!” cried Tom. And catching up the nearest at hand, he clap- ped it on the old Jew’s head, and so hustled him out of doors. ** Do yez see him?” he cried, pointing down the street, where Harry was in sight, me To that way. ** How proudly he steps!” ‘* Misther Keene!” said old Abraham, with a smile of glad affection. and ‘*The Deputy Mairshal o’ Paddy’s Flat!” said Tom, impressively. ‘* Free cheers fur de Deppity Marshal!” shout- ed Dick. ‘‘ Raise ’er, ole man!—raise ’er!” And, by the instance of the boys, old Abraham swung bis hat and cheered in a voice cracked with age; while Rebecca*: kept bowing and smiling like the good old soul she was, Back in the store the curtain was fora moment pushed aside, and the most beautiful face the ve need wish to rest upon appeared to view. hat an eager light there was in the large, al- mond-shaped eyes! What exquisite roses bloom- ed in cheeks like the heart of an ocean shell! And never sweeter lips fell apart with wonder- ing delight! Boy or man, whoever could bring such a look to such a face, was to be congratulated! CHAPTER IT, LOVE’S YOUNG DREAM. ‘* ‘You chaps clear out of here!” ordered Harry, as he came up. However, it was plain that it was modesty, and not real annoyance, that prompted his affec- tation of brusqueness. ‘Ki! aiw’t dat de policeman?” laughed Dick Johnson, with an antic. ‘‘Jes’ listen to dat. Move on dah !” an ak ~~ And he mimicked the insolent air of authority ’ of a Bowery ‘‘ cop” to the life. ‘* Faith, we’re obeyin’ ordthers!” said Tom, taking off his hat in mock respect. ‘‘* Long life til yer honor!” eanwhile old Abraham had grasped Harry by the hand, and was drawing him into the store. ¢ Rebecca kept bowing and smiling, like a toy mandarin that has been set to rocking. | ‘‘My yo’ng frient!” cried the Jew, heartily, ‘dis is goot. Dot is a brave yo’ng mans vat is a debudy marshal before he is old enough to vote. Comein! comein! Dot vas an honor to my house to haf you—” ‘*Hold on, Uncle Abraham!” cried Harry. ‘Thatlido. A little of that sort of thing goes a great way.” owever, he allowed the old man to lead him through the store into the back room, the door to which, as we have said, was closed by a cur- tain. Here he was in the sanctuary of the old Jew’s home. He was the only person in Paddy’s Flat who had ever been admitted to that apartment.— It was evidently a dining-room and living- room combined. The furniture was of the sim- lest sort—a plain deal table and some wooden- ttomed chairs, But everything was scrupulously clean. The bare floor was as white as the holy-stoned deck of a man-of-war., On the table, a piece of muslin, as fine and soft as gossamer, lay in a crumpled heap, so that its shape could not be made out, Harry’s eye fixed upon this dainty bit of woman's fabric, after a flash of eager expect- ancy about the room. To him, the glistening negate sticking in the work, and a golden thim- ble so small that a fairy might have worn it, were objects of sentimental interest. ‘‘ Miriam! Miriam!” called the old Jew. ‘‘ Papa!” came the response from above stairs } The voice was—to Harry, at least—like i. chime of silver bells. But there was a tremor in it which would have given a delicious sen- sation, if he had known more about the coy" sex, The fact was that, on learning of his approach, Miss Miriam had scuttled up-stairs like a fright~ ened fawn, to stand breathless and trembling with her hands pressed en her fluttering bosom, her lips apart, and her eyes glistening, waiting for the sound of his step. P ‘Come here! Make the stairs down—kvick /'* cried the old man. There was the sound of light steps on th stairs; the curtain of figured calico was pu aside; and a young girl stood framed in th rude setting. , Never such dark eyes, such red lips, cheeks | such exquisite loveliness, greeted the eager e of a lover! “ A word will inform the reader ol} the relatior of these two in particular, and of the oth: characters of this drama in general. } For a long time the existence of this lov” irl in the home of the old Jew merchant }. ¢ n a profound secret. That her health might not suffer from the unnatural confinement, old Abraham had every day taken her out for a donkey-back ride, her youthful figure disguised to resemble that of *See Half-Dime No. 480. ‘‘ The Three Jolly Pards.” ; | yeh oe ~ «> ae "ee" CAT SE <¢om *, AAS - é " | ii | i . Sd ie . dea