Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 629 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

: See" o> U Wf will ensue in which lives will be lost,” said the clear-headed little Sport. ‘‘ Thus far, I do not think a man has been fatally injured on either side Our foes have lost several good horses, and some of the riders have not escaped without leaving a little of their blood behind, but we have no desire to take one life,unless forced to do so. If we stop right here, these shanties will serve as a protection, from behind which we can fire, if they attempt to enter the town again.” ‘* Which same is good, solid, hoss-sense,” de- clared Erastus Wagg. The majority of the Jacktownites readily recognized the good judgment which the man in velvet displayed in his words, and with some difficulty the hot-heads were restrained from pressing the pursuit. As soon as the crowd from Jasper City dis- covered that the pursuit had ceased, they came toa halt. The men of Jacktown watched them with interest and saw the defeated roughs draw together, evidently for a consultation. ** They’re goin’ to hold a pow-wow,” observed Erastus, with a chuckle of delight. ‘Ef they hain’t had ernuff o’ Jacktown they’d better cum back an’ took ernuther dose. We'll be reddy ter receive ’em with open arms, I tell you, pards o’ Jacktown, such er picnic as this jest duz my ole soul good!” The mob from Jasper City appeared very ex- cited, for they would occasionally utter a chorus of yellsand firea few shots intotheair, Finally one man left the main body and advanced to- ward the camp, holding up a stick, to whicha white flag was attached. “Er flag o’ truce,” cried Wagg, quickly. **'Who’s ter go out an’ meet ther critter?” Violet Vane was immediately chosen. With- out hesitation, the Velvet Sport stepped out and advanced to meet the man with the flag. As Vane advanced, he saw that the stranger was a tall, handsome fellow, who was dressed similar to many card-sharps whom he had en- countered. ** The champion card-player of the camp, I'll bet,” thought the man in velvet. And he was right, for it was High Card Harry. The sport of Jasper City had not been drink- ing nearly so much as his companions, but being areckless fellow by nature, he joined with the crowd for the sake of the excitement. He smiled scornfully as his eyes ran over the elegant figure of the little dandy who had been chosen to represent’ Jacktown., *“*] would like an interview with a citizen of this camp,” announced High Card Harry, bow- ing slightl , with the undisguised sneer still on his face. ‘*T have been chosen to represent ther citizens of Jacktown,” was Vane’s quiet reply. ‘“TIs it possible?” exclaimed the Jasper City embassador, putting the sneer into his words. “Why didn’t they choose a man?” ** The people of Jacktown seem to regard me as sucb,” returned Vane, coolly; ‘‘ and you may also do me that honor when we are better ac- quainted.” ** Possibly, but— Well, never mind. I have come to say that on one condition will the men of Jasper withdraw, and leave this camp un- molested—and only one.” ‘* Name it.” *‘Jacktown must pay for the horses shot, and furnish free liquor for the crowd—all they can drink,” ‘* A very modest demand,” remarked Violet Vane, with an apparent attempt to suppress a derisive laugh; ‘* very modest, indeed,” High Card Harry flushed. Could it be that “om contemptible little fop was making sport of im? **T think you will find it reasonable, and I am sure that it will be for Jacktown’s interest to comply with the demand.” ** You may think the demand reasonable, but I fancy the men of Jacktown will not look at it in that light.” ** Why should they not? Haven't they shot down sixteen of our best horses, besides three or four that were not so good?” “‘The fortunes of war. Had you not been met by men who were ready and waiting for you, I fancy that Jacktown would have suffered worse than you have. As itis, you may thank or lucky stars that you got off so cheaply. ad the men of Jacktown been thus inclined, every horse that fell would have been a man.” ““AmIto understand that Jacktown defies Jasper City?” “Well, { presume that that is about the di- mensions of it.” ‘** Then let me tell you now,” cried High Card Violet Vane. Harry, furiously, ** we will lay your dirty little camp in ashes!’ ** And let me tell you now,” was Vane’s quiet retort, ‘“‘that your crowd is not built right to perform that little trick. Let me also warn you that you will be handled without gloves if you ruffians dare to approach Jacktown again, We are able to whip the whole of Jasper with our right hands tied behind our backs,” | 11 one card. He got in another ten, giving him a. light full hand; but watching closely, he saw High Card Harry steal a card from the bottom of the pack. ‘*That makes him a flush I am ready to wager my life,” thought Vane, ‘“ He is looking a4 “ts pairs in my hand, or possibly three of a. cind, The Velvet Sport bet a hundred, and High ‘Why, you insolent little puppy!” hissed the | Card Harry prom yay set him five hundred. sportof Jasper,‘‘ do you know that wecan muster two men to your one, and that the good men of The little man set Harry in turn, and in a few moments the game grew remarkably interest- our camp can clean out the best men of Jack- | ing. Soon the sport from Jasper City had put town without trying?” ‘* You may be able to muster two men to our one, but your good men are simply no good at all. Wecan clean you out at anything you see fittoname, Our confidence in our own ability to do so is such that we will try your good men a whirl, and if you win, I will agree to make good w hatever loss you may have sustained to- day. High Card Harry was delighted. ‘*T will accept the conditicns, and will give my word of honor that if. we are defeated we will withdraw and leave this camp unmolested in the future,” he said. ‘* That is satisfactory, but we shall not admit your crowd to the camp,.and we shall be con- stantly on the outlook for treachery. If we see a foul move, it will be the worse for you. Your crowd must remain where it now is, and we will meet you there with an equal number.” ‘* That is satisfactory. When you come, bring your best card player, for I shall try him a whirl at the start. Let him have his pockets well lined with money, for drawer-poker is my favorite game,” Then they separated to carry the reports of the meeting to the rival factions. The men of Jasper received the intelligence with great en- thusiasm, Ths Jacktownites, with the exception of Erastus Wagg, were less demonstrative. The woolly-headed man was delighted. ‘*'W hoopee /” he squealed. ‘‘They’ll git their stummicks full! Sweet Violets. kin give ’em a. picnic!” The men of Jacktown went forth to meet their foes, carrying a small round table and twochairs. Weapons were freely displayed, for many of the Jacktownites anticipated treachery on the part of the enemies, High Card Harry was ready for business. ** Trot out your good card-player,” he said. ‘“ Waal, now, stranger,” drawled Erastus Wagg, as he tapped the velvet sport.on the shoulder, this hyer leetJe runt kin play sum. Ye kin begin on him.” ‘*'1 don’t want to waste my time on a greeny,” sneered High Card Harry. ‘‘ If you haveaman who can play at all, bring him up to the chalk- mark,” ‘*[ will do my best to make it interesting for you, my friend,” said Vane, quietly, as he sat down at the table. CHAPTER XV, HIGH CARD HARRY MEETS HIS MATCH, HiegH Carp HARRY smiled grimly as he sat down opposite the Velvet Sport. ‘‘T suppose you are well loaded with the stuff?” he said, interrogatively. ‘* Well, I have enough to lasta few minutes,” replied Violet Vane. ‘* The one who drains the other of his cash is the best man, is he?” Vane bowed. ** And the limit?” ‘Will five thousand do?” ‘‘ That is satisfactory.” Then they cut for the deal, the cards falling to Vane. As he picked them up, he said: ‘‘ The gentlemen from Jasper will please keep to their side, and Jacktown’s citizens will re- main on their side. That will prevent any double-dealing on the part of either.” The ante was set at ten dollars; Vane threw the cards, and the game began. As Dandy Dirk had done, High Card Harry soon began to win. Vane watched him closély, although he seemed to seldom glance across the board, It did not take the little Sport long to discover that Jasper’s champion card-player was an adept at double and bottom-dealing, shuffling up, and various other card tricks. But Vane was *‘ no slouch ” at such little games, and he decided inwardly that High Card Harry would have to hustle if he came out the best man. Slowly High Card Harry ran ahead until he had secured nearly four thousand dollars of Vane’s money. Finally Vane opened a large jack-pot, holding up three seven spots and a ten, and calling for rr nT his entire winnings into the pot, and then he called. He uttered an angry exclamation, and flung his flush on the table, as he saw Violet Vane’s full hand, The Velvet Sport smiled. quietly as he raked in the pot, ‘That was a pure streak of luck for you,” growled Harry. ‘‘ But fortune will not favor you in that way always.” Vane said nothing, but from that time he won nearly every pot. All of High Card Harry’s tricks seemed of no avail. If he shuf- fled up a good hand, the Velvet Sport was sure to cut the cards, and if he dealt himself a pair from the bottom, Vane almost always drew a better pair from the top. Gradually Harry lost his temper and his nerve. ‘*Confound the beastly luck! These cards are bewitched!” hecried. ‘‘ Can’t some one fur- nish us with a fresh pack?” Ina moment half a dozen packs were flung upon the table, Tossing the ones that they had been playing with back over his shoulder, the sport from Jasper City selected a sealed pack and broke open the wrapper. ‘*We will see if I can do any better with these,” he said. The game continued, the Velvet Sport seem- ing to grow more careless and less watchful, High Card Harry had a trick in reserve which be had not yet attempted to call into play; but he now recognized the fact that, not. only was Violet Vane an adept at poker, but he was remarkably fortunate in drawing. The Jasper City sport resolved to exercise every known artifice to win, For some time the two players kept about even, first one taking a pot, then the other. Finally another large Jack-pot was made. In running over the cards as he shuffled, Vane noticed that two aces were missing. Then he resolved to catch the gambler. Swiftly he shuffled up the cards, and they came together in fine shape, Then he dealt them, giving his an- tagonist a pair of aces and taking three trays hirnself, igh Card Harry opened the pot and. called for two cards. Vane took two, and drew in a fourth tray. ‘* Now there will be sport,” thought the little man, And there was, High Card Harry chipped five hundred dol- lars, and Vane promptly set_ him a thousand, Then the sport from Jasper City raised the pot two thousand, following whieh Vane went the limit. By this time there was great excitement around the table. In less than a minute High Card Harry put in his last dollar, and said: ‘“‘There, that is all I have, but if I had ten thousand more, I would put it up, I call.” ‘*] have four trays,” said Vane, as he threw down his hand. ‘“And I have four aces!” cried Harry, dis- playing the cards and reaching to rake in the money. But he found himself looking into the muzzle > atime derringer, held in Violet Vane’s white and, ‘* Not so fast, my Christian friend,” said the little man, calmly, ‘‘ This money belongs to me!” High Card Harry turned black with rage and fury as he shouted: . ‘’ You lie! Four aces beat four trays.” “‘ When honestly obtained,” acknowledged the Velvet Sport. ‘‘ When obtained in any other manner they do not. Twoof those aces you did not obtain fairly.” “* Again you lie, you little bday oH snarled the alarmed and angry gambler. ‘“‘If you do not swallow the insult, give up that money, and beg my pardon, I will order my men to down you and your crowd,” ‘Oh, no you won't,” laughed the Velvet: Sport. “‘Such a thing would prove very un- healthy—for you. You will observe that I have the drop. If one of your men dares lift a wea- pon, I shall instantly perforate you with a lead pill. But that is not all. While we have eben playing, at least half of your men have wan- deréd away to shady spots, where they can lie . fh," * : aus . a - « al * ~~ 4 } . ° is ~~ > ee 4 ee oe be eee . *y » A * ao - - ua 4 " o« oo de — . —s bp a ¥ ae : 5 one > » 7 ~T : 7 > “ . i, * Pode’ G..¢ os ee al : < : wy a of ; ae ea .. = _? - : . }- . F'% v& f ; ; ; wall . , ‘ ; —F Ot ge we te de =e An ee i . . —_ - a a’ —— “ ~ ° re 4 { % "cy a