Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

Deadwood Dick, Jr., the ‘Wild West Vidocgq. Rick Who was the calmly-spoken but sternly-mean- ing galoot, who presumed thus boldly to face them, and tell them what they should not do when they stood twenty to his lone one, and could get reinforcements, if need be? Elephant Eph, the leader of the gang, and the biggest man’ in the camp, took time to take a chew of tobacco, and give his breeches an upward hitch, and then began to argue the point, ; ‘* Now, look here, young feller!” he expostu- lated, ‘“youw’re mighty fresh, I see, an’ we don’t want to burt you, bein’s yer’ a stranger in camp—” ‘*{ don’t intend you shall!” Vidoeq quickly put in. ‘* Ye don’t, hey? Waal, that shows you're as green as ther veriest tenderfoot, even ef you do carry s couple of pops. An’ it’s plain to see ye don’t know who we are!” ‘*Nor do I care a continental red who you are!” retorted the Jim-dandy, complacently. ‘‘{ do know, however, that if you attempt to disturb the harmless old gentleman in my rear, tke undertaker will have a rush of business on hand, to-morrow, and there will be a rise in funeral stock!” ‘ihe ‘‘Ban! we’re twenty to your one, young feller!” ‘Can't help it: if you were a hundred, it woulkin’t scare me!” ‘* But, you don’t understand! We hain’t got no grudge against the old duffer, All we want is his plug hat an’ b’iled shirt, We are the Exe- cutive Committee and guardians of the peace of this camp, and it is one of our ordinances that no plug hats or b’iled shirts be allowed, and it is a law we rigidly enforce, without regard to persons or station. Soif your friend will band over his plug am’ his b’iled shirt, there’ll be no trouble at all!” ‘*My friend will do nothing of the sort!” Vidocq announced, sternly, ‘‘ and, as I stated ‘before, the firs. man who comes upon this plat- form to raise a disturbance, dies with his boots on, and these little self-cocking Gatling guns of mine are before you as precf of my assertion. They’re good for twelve of you, and I reckon there are a few gents in my rear, who will see me out!” “You bet!” came the concerted shout from different parts of the piazza. ** So, Messrs. Executive Committee, if the circus is about to begin, let the band strike up a ' funeral dirge, and set your Colts’ at liberty!” added Vidocq. = § se For the first time since the comfab had begun, had begun; Elephant ph swore roundly, and turning, he descended the steps and entered into conversation with bis pals, in a low tone, Evidently he realized that he was, for once in his life, outgeneraled, for, after a short consul- tation, he again faced the piazza. eH ” Waal, oung feller!” he said, gruffly,” I reckon we don’t want apything to do-with any rt of ‘you, to-night. But, look out for us! e ain’t ther boyees to let the matter drop here, you bet! We've got itin for you, and if we don’t make you sweat, before you get out of this camp, you can call me a liar!” i , ‘Allright! Call around and see me, when you have time!” laughingly retorted Vidoeg. ‘Perhaps I may then be able to recommend some idea by which you can start the perspira- . tion on me,” Elephant Eph made no reply, except by ut- tering an expressive objurgation, and turning, stalked away, followed by his comrades, Seeing that trouble was over for the present, peor pus away his weapons, and immediately fond himsel? surrounded by a number of per sons, including Uncle Si, who were eager to shake him by the hands. Early next morning Vidocq was out of bed, and after making his toilet, he left the hotel, and took a walk about the town, He found it even a larger place than he had expected, and everywhere were signs of lively industry. Buildings, both for habitations and business purposes, were going up; rapidly, as well as cabins and tents, and shafts were being sunk, here and there. The perpendicular sides of the gulch were also beginning to be honeycombed with ‘ drifts,” while an ore-crusher and stamp-mill had already been started in the bottom, Among other things which caught Vidocq's inqui: ing: eve was a new tent, of a size some- what larger than those ordinarily used for dwelling purposes, There was nothin culiar about the tent, in itself; but in ‘front, fastened between two up- right poles, was a large, fancifully-lettered ban- ner, containing the following announcement: e and was attired in black, Her hands wera small and white, but nothing i: ' 4 - * d ‘ 1 \ fo? . ~ “4 MLLE. LEONORA! PHENOMENAL SOMNAMBULISTIC WONDER AND MARVELOUS MIND-READER]! When walking in her sleep, locates mines, makes discoveries, etc. Recovers stolen or bidden ar- ticle; foretells coming events, etc. Has al- ready, when in a somnambulistic state, located many valuable gold and silver mines, Consultation, Ten Dollars. Muiuxr. LEONORA IS THE WORLD’s GREATEST WONDER, Vidoeq paused to read this, an amused smile playing avout his mouth, as he finished. ‘*Humph! I wonder what the next fake will be to catch a few dollars!” | | | | | | / » ct t, s. ¢ rs ae. ‘‘Reckon not. Never sot eyes on you before, as I knows on.” 7 ‘*Ob, yes you have! Of course you have] If you live at the Cross Roads you must know Squire Perkins?” ‘‘ Know him? Well, I should presume! Orter know him, when we had a two-year lawsuit over an apple tree that stooa on the line between our farms, an’ spent a thousand dallars apiece in the wrangle, an’ then, to settle the matter, had to cut the tree down, split it in two, and each take half, Oh! yes, 1 know the squire right well. He’s the meanest, stingiest man, for a professed Christian, thar is in Vermont. He’s so mean that if he war goin’ to sell a bushel 0’ wheat, He was about turning away when he felt | he’d split a kernel in two, to make exact something tugging at his arm, and looking | weight.” around, found little Fern, the flower girl, standing beside him. ‘*Oh! mister! mister!” she cried, ‘‘ come with | sented. me! Mamma wants to see you!” ‘*Indeed? And where is your mamma, little | upon the waters.’ one?” ‘* Come with me, and I will show you!” was the reply, and she tugged away at his coat, until he felt constrained to accompany her. Fern led the way around to a rear entrance to the tent, standing wherein was a woman, whom he ati once concluded was Mademoiselle Leo- nora, She was of medium hight, and graceful figure, of her face, barring tlie tip of ber cbin and her eyes could be seen; owing to the fact that a black cambric mask covered the rest of her features, She bowed, slightly, as Fern led her hero up, crying: ‘* Here, mamma, thls is the gentleman!” ‘* You wiil excuse me, sir, | trust,” said ‘‘mamma,” in a pleasant voice, ‘‘ but Fernnie was telling me about your kindly coming to her rescue, and I want so much to thank you. If there was any law in this town, I’d have the ugly brute arrested. But alas, law is worse than a dead letter here, and no one can get jus- tice except they are big and strong enough to fight for it.” ‘‘T reckon you are about right, ma’‘am!” Vidocg replied. ‘* My little act, however, merits no thanks, as any one would have done the same as I did. I gave the cowardly wretch sufficient panne, so that I reckon he will he careful ow he conducts himself in the fature!’ ‘*T am glad you did, sir, but I shall bt» afraid to let Fern go out about the camp, in future!” ‘*Have no fears on that score, ma’am. I shall be about camp for'some time to come, and I will see that no one molests ber,” ‘You are very kind, sir, and you have my sincere’gratitude!” . : | Then, after an interchange of a few more words, Vidoeq politely raised his hat, and took his departure. ~ y CHAPTER IV, UNCLE SI MEETS A FRIEND, © Vidocq’s absence, in the mean time, ten r Aira stirring, an Uncle Si Sloat was up ea believing in the old saying that the early bird catches the worm, he was the first one down at the breakfast-table after the bell rung. It was quite evident too, that old age had not seriously affected his appetite, for he put down as big a repast as any man in the room, after which he lit his pipe and went out upon the He had only been seated a few minutes when he was approached by a man whose attire and general appearance betokened. him to he a per- son of more than ordinary importance, He was of large and commanding figure, and wore an immense sweeping beard of reddish hue, his hair being several shades darker, and his eyes darker stil], and restless in their glance. He was richly-dressed and wore diamonds, ‘You will excuse me, 3 friend!” he said, drawing a chair near to Uncle Si, and sitting down, ‘*but I wanted to inquire if you are the gentleman who is registered at this hotel as Mr. Sloat. of Vermont?” ‘*Reckon nof,” was the reply of the old far- mer, Without even taking the pipe from his with. ‘“*T sign myself Uncle Si Sloat, and c+ bave no mister harnessed onto myname,” ‘\h! [Tsee, Good joke. J thought I could not uave heen mistaken. And so you're really Uncle Si Sloat from Perkins’s Cross Roads, "way up in old Vermont?” ‘““ That’s me, sir, . Why?” ‘* Because it does me proud to see you. Why, it’s like n ray of sunshine from ’way out there. ) [dare say you don’t recognize me eas padi, * 4 al? _ - att ee. 24 a) aat¥ Su Pa pete yo fe te Syspor acter she gon” AS was oe Sana 8 Pte iT. on™ | | | The man with the whiskers laughed heartily, ‘* Well, you ain’t far out of the way,” he as- ‘The squire always was pretty close- fisted, for a man who ee is ‘cast thy bread It was mighty little he cast, And, do you know, Uncle Si, I know just where that apple tree stood. By Jove! it makes my | mouth water to think what luscious appless it used to have, about harvest time!” Uncle Si turned square around in bis chair, and gazed at the stranger in astonisbment, through his eye-glasses, , ‘*Say, lookee here!” he ejaculated. ‘I ain't given to swearin’ only bout once a year, but, who in thunderation are you, anyhow?” The other laughed good-naturedly. ‘‘ Well,” he said, ** Pll tell you, and not keep you in suspense, o you remember that quite a good many years ago, when your hair was not as white as now, Squire Perkins had his nephew bound out to bim—a cevil-may-care cub of a lad, named Charlie Covington, who was two lazy to work, and finally ran away, and was never heard from, afterward?” ‘*Do I remember®”) ejaculated Si. ‘‘ Waal, I hope I may never live to get back to the Cross Roads if I don"t!” ‘Well, J’m that cub—l’m Charles Covington, at your service,” ‘* You Charlie Covington?” ‘* Bet your boots!” “Well, of all things wonderful! You that spindle-shanked, dirty-faced young imp? Well, well, well! If Betsy war orly here, now, to see you! Put her thar, boy!” And the next minute the two men were shak- ing hands heartily, ‘And you're Charley Covington! Oat: I'd as soon have expected to have met the Old Nick himself. Oh! I ain’t fergotten you. Ycu’re the young whely who used to sneak over to my place, arter Betsy and I were a-bed, and steak our a ! $6 orraét: Inever wanted for pears in them days,” Covington laughed. ‘‘ But how’s things: at home, Uncle Si¢ How’s Aunt Betsy? _ ‘¢Oh! ‘she’s comfortable. She’s gettin’ ruther old, but gets around purty chipper, for ail ‘“‘ And Stella? She was but a child then.” ‘* Dead!” Uncle Si said, gravely. |. : ‘Ah! that’s too tad,” Covington said, sympa- thizingly. ‘* But let’s change the subject, for I see it affects you to speak of her. I suppose im all these years you must have put aside quite @ good sum of money for a rainy day, Uncle Si?” ‘Yes, a tolerable purse. And how about you, Charles?” “Oh! I can’t complain. See that new house off yonder™ ‘‘ Well, that’s mine, and besides that, I’ve got a lot of other interests here, and all over the Territory. I presume I could sign my check to a couple of millions!” — ‘‘ Jerusalem!” exclaimed Uncle Si. ‘* You don’t mean it, (harlie!” ‘But I do, though!” ‘* Well, well! ho’d ‘a’ thought you'd ’a’” growed up to be rich Jike that? Vd sooner ex- pected to find you in State Prison.” ! “No doubt of that. But, layin’ jokin’ aside, we've sat here chinning long enough. Come ' along over and see my house, and we'll have a. I nip of some of the finest wine you ever saw,” _ “Sorry I can’t oblige ye, Charlie, but Pm waitin’ for a friend of mine, who is doing some: business fer me, and I expect him at almost an minnit. He’s got a funny neme, but he’s alk wool and a vard wide, you can bet,” “What's bis name?” ‘Wal, it’s spelt V-i-d-o-c-q: sort of a French name, I take it, tho’ he ain’t no more French than my old brindle cow, what kin jump a nine~ rai] fence.” : ‘“‘ Vidocq, eh? I saw his name on the register. A detective, isn’t he?” | - CS = ae eee Cie ee oe ll ak le ee ei Med