Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 629 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

ee Sain orem atte ° hia a) + +} yo Ch we +4 . > a ‘ - 4 « . at xe + p= s ~* ee ee Violet Vane. 15 would seem to totter on the very verge of the precipice, Suddenly Vane threw one of his adversaries down and tore himself from the other’s grasp, when those steel hammer fists got in their work, and the kidnappers were knocked down as fast as they could spring up. But they seemed to have remarkably hard heads, for neither of them staid down for five seconds. ‘* Great jimcracks!” gasped the woolly-headed man, ‘* See thet durned leetle runt paste ’em!” Finally the kidnappers succeeded in closing in with their little foe again, and, in a moment, Vane went down, Then a knife flashed in Bliz- zard Ben’s hand, and he struck straight at Vane’s throat. But the blade was broken on the rocks, for, like an eel, the supple Sport slipped from beneath his foes, In another moment they were up and at it again. And now both of the pee ae did their best to hurl the Velvet Sport into Pluto’s Pit, Twice they carried him to the very brink, and he surged back with them. The third attempt eres fatal,for young Vane broke away so sud- enly that both were left tottering on the brink of the precipice,and ther, with one wild yell of hor- ror, went plunging down to death, locked in each other’s arms, CHAPTER XX. THE END OF THE JUBILEE, THe darkness of another night had settled over Jacktown ere the pursuers returned. But, just at twilight, two horsemen dashed into the cainp in Paradise Gulch, yelling at the full capacity of their lungs,and firing their revolvers into the air. Thinking of a second attack from the Jasper City gang, who had left the place hours before, the citizens seized their weapons and rushed to the doors and windows. But, the two horsemen proved to be the ad- vance couriers of the returning party who had started out in pursuit of the kidnappers. Ina remarkably brief space of time, those who had not left the camp knew the result of the chase, and Violet Vane’s name was on every lip. In the opinion of nearly every one, the velvet dandy had proved himself the best man who ever trod the soil of Paradise Gulch, and hasty preparations were made to give him a grand re- ception when he appeared, he returning party moved slowly, as Ione was still weak from the excitement through which she had passed. After her recovery, to tind Violet Vane by her side, she was obliged to walk, with his assistance, more than three miles before a point was reached where the pursuers could meet them with horses, There they wait- ed, Vane saying that he dared not go further, for fear of choosing a wrong course, and getting lost among the hills, Night was at hand when the pursuers, who had witnessed Vane’s desperate battle, came up. It is impossible to et | the joyous meeting between father and daughter: but when it was over, Mr. Wilson turned to the Velvet Sport, holding out his hand. ‘God bless you, Philip!” he said, brokenly. “You have done a hero’s work to-day, and when I forget it I shall be past remembering anything.” Vane grasped Owen Wilson’s hand warmly, noting with delight the beam of joy in Ione’s eyes. Needless to say that they had come to an un- derstanding long ere this. With difficulty, Erastus Wagg suppressed his admiration for the Velvet Sport for the time, but, when he reached Jacktown, he was able to make up for lost time. When the returning party came in sight of the camp in Paradise Gulch, they discovered that the place was brilliantly illuminated from one end to the other. At each end of the town huge bonfires had been built, and the red flames were leaping merrily, The approach of the re- turning party was soon discovered, and a large crowd of citizens met them before they reached the circle of light made by the bonfire. Then followed a surprise for the party. Some- where in Jacktown the enthusiastic citizens had discovered a snare and base drum, and a fife. Tt was not difficult to find men who could play these instruments, and a drum-corps had been swiftly organized. The musicians were among ’ those who met the returning party at the out- Skirts of Jacktown. Blowbugle, who seemed to be taking charge _Of the proceedings, soon formed the party into marching order, with the musicians at the van. When everything was ready, the judge gave the order to march. Just asthe circle of light made by the bonfire was reached, the drum- 4 corps struck up a lively air, and it soon became apparent that they were no amateur players. nto Jacktown came the party, to find the whole town ablaze with light. Every lamp, candle, and pine-knot in town was on duty. The citizens were out en masse, and the stir- ring music sent the blood dancing through their veins. A wild cheer went up as the party appeared, and, an instant later, there was a thunderous report, which shook the ground and broke the glass in scores of windows, In lieu of a cannon, the citizens had brought two anvils into use, and with the aid of plenty of powder, they served the purpose very well. long the main street of Jacktown the vic- torious party made its way, the people cheering | themselves hoarse. At the head of the party tramped Judge Blowbugle, a long staff in his hand, head up, neck as stiff as a stake, never glancing over his shoulders, The three mu- sicians followed close behind, ina very creditable line. The fifer was blowing his best, the snare- drummer’s drum-sticks danced over the sheep- skin in an astonishing manner, and the base- drummer seemed bound to burst the head of the big drum. Behind the musicians rode lone Wil- son, with her father at her right and Violet Vane at her left hand. The woolly-headed man was in the next line of three, and his good-na- tured face literally gleamed with the glory of the occasion, It was a sight such as Jacktown had never witnessed before, Down the main street of the camp went the party, and when the Silver Bell Hotel came in view, they saw that it was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, Beside the door, in front of the building, a rude platform had been hastily constructed, so that it could be easily reached from the steps. There the crowd halted, and the pompous judge made a passage through the throng, by which Ione, Mr. Wilson and Violet Vane could por? to the building. Ned Morris and Laughing su met them at the door, the girl being fairly beside herself with excitement and joy. A moment later the hotel door shut off the view of the shouting multitude. Preparations had been made for their recep- tion in one of the best rooms of the house, and soon lone was reclining upon a rude but com- fortable cot, weak from excitement and fatigue, but with ber heart full of bappiness, ‘*Oh, Philip!” cried Vane’s sister. ‘*I have the grandest news for you! The Burnton bank- robber has been arrested |” ‘“ What!” shouted both Vane and Mr, Wilson in chorus, ‘‘ The Burnton bank-robber has been arrested, and you are a free man! The man, Solomon Snide, whom I suspected of being a detective, was truly an officer, but he was not searching for you! Like many others, he did not believe your story when you declared that you were the robber, and from that time he bas been working on the case. He got on track of the real robber, and trailed him into this part of the country. When he saw me at Jasper, he became desirous of knowing if you were in these parts, and at- tempted to quiz me. To-day, since you left in pursuit of the kidnappers, he appeared in Jack- town, and at once spotted his man. He now has the real robber confined in this building, under arrest. A requisition will be obtained, and he will take him back to the scene of his crime.” ‘¢ Ani who is the robber?” ‘‘Thomas Alicar, known in this place as Dandy Dirk, the proprietor of this hotel!” ‘Ah, L thought so!” cried the Velvet Sport. ‘He is the very man whom [I lost trail of in the South. Thank God! this affair is cleared up at last, and I am once more a free man with an untarnished name!” Owen Wilson arose to his feet; Ione bad al- ready startea up upon the cot. } ss “This bas been a day of astounding events said Mr. Wilson, slowly, and with a great effort; but, more astounding than everything else in the revelation which I have just heard. Not only does the apprehension of the real robber make you a free man, Philip Howard, but it clears my name of the stain upon it. Nor is that all. It shows mg that I have been blind and unjust, for I have believed that you were truly the robber of the Burnton Bank, But words fail me. It is impossible for me to ex- press my admiration for one who sacrificed his own honor and imperiled his own liberty that J might go free! Philip—lad—take my hand! God bless you!” And the tears ran down Owen Wilson’s face, as he pressed the young man’s hand, Then he led Vane to lone’s side. ** Philip,” be said, ‘‘never has she ceased to , bee ah. a eee : 4 - »/ . > - . eve Fe *y 7 Cale ee “4 vat ~f hod _ <a f use ee assert your innocence, She has been true as steel.” Their eyes met, and from that moment their souls were united by an imperishable bond, But they were not given much time for talk, The excitement in the street had continued, The music of the fife and drum-corps still sent the citizens’ blood leaping through their veins, and they loudly called for the Velvet Sport, Judge Blowbugle found his way to the room where the little party was collected. *°S no use,” declared the judge; * youll hey ter cum down an’ show yerself ter ther boys, ur they'll yell theirselves plum’ crazy.” Vane consented to go. ‘‘Tll make er leetle speech,” said the judge, ‘‘an’ will interjuce ye. Then you must cum out. Ther bull blessed town’s jest clean gone onter ye. ‘** But thet ain’t all. They’re yoopin’ fer ther gal. I’ve tried ter s’plain thet she’s dead beat out, but they want one look at her. She needn’t cum down. Jest throw open thet winder there an’ pear in it at the right time. They’ve heerd as how Miss Howard ain’t goin’ back ter Jasper, an’ they want ter see her, too— Hullo! here’s ther feller w’at guv us ther warnin’. We must hev him down below,”’ Thus the judge arranged the entire affair. Ned and Vane went down with the master of ceremonies, but at his suggestion the Velvet Sport remained within the building until the judge should call bis name. Ned followed the pompous old fellow out upon the platform. As Blowbugle appeared, the music ceased and the crowd became quiet. Out came the judge’s rec’ bandanna, and he blew his nose in a manner tbat was simply terrific. ‘* Feller-citizens,” he cried, flourishing the handkerchief above his head, ‘this isa great and galorious occasion for Jacktown. Ther ervents uv this hyer day will long be remem- bered in hist’ry. Frum this day Jacktown shell prosper. We bev met ther galoots uv Jasper an’ they are ourn,. We hev downed thera in er fair an’ square tussil an’ downed them fur good an’ all. They sought ter play us foul, but an honorable man risked his life ter warn us uv our danger. Hyer he is!” Then the throng gave Ned Morris a hearty cheer. ** But thet ain’t ther hull on’t,” continued the judge. ‘‘ You know thet Jasper stole our queen, an’ w’en another came, two uv our dirty citizens as wuz er disgrace ter Jacktown, kerried her away, bein’ hired ter do so by one as is now une der arrest fer robbin’ an Eastern bank. But she wuz rescued an’ is safe in camp. Ther one thet ye called Laughing Lu is byer, too, an’ ter- nite Jacktown has two queens. Thar they be!” And the judge waved his hand toward the open window, in which Ione and Luona appear- ed with their arms around each other’s waists, And then the whole assemblage did cheer in earnest! The shout that went up was fairly deafening. As the two girls bowed and retired from the window, Blowbugle continued: ‘‘ This mornin’ we wuz trodden under fut by Jasper, an’ ther citizens uv thet camp taunted an’ reviled us in our teeth. They said we had no men, but we met them, an’ one man cleaned out their card-sharp, High Keerd Harry. Ther same leetle man like to bruck their champion rassiler all ter pieces. Ther same man worsted Blizzard Ben an’ Tiger Joe in an Oneven tussle, an’ sent ’em to their just deserts at ther bottom uv Pluto’s Pit. Whois thet man? He is Philip Vane Howard, an’ he stan’s before you, ther best leetle manin ther hull glorious city uv Jacktown!” The Velvet Sport appeared on the platform. What a yell went up from that entire crowd! How they shouted and flung their hats into the air! How the anvils roared and the ground trembled! But, above all that din was’ beard the voice of Erastus Wagg, the woolly-headed man, as he bellowed: “ Hooraw fer Sweet Violets, ther best man in Collyrado! Hooraw! Hooraw! THE END. av 9 4 ‘COMICDOOKS.CO - yi oe : ! ( 1 ‘ Mm