Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 629 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 gret that its inhabitants saw the place robbed of its glory. But one by one the good men of Jacktown deserted the camp and took up their abode in the rival settlement, and slowly the state of affairs in the unfortunate place grew worse and worse. ‘** Sumthin’s got ter be did,” was the universal decision of the men of Jacktown. Many of the solid citizens of the camp in Paradise Gulch believed that the only thing which would save the place was the appearance of a capitalist who would be willing to invest a large sum of money in opening up some of the romising lodes which had been located in that immediate vicinity. The ** Mountain Queen” was the only mine in operation, and the com- pany who were working it was said to be far from solid, causing a feeling of insecurity, de- spite the fact that the mine was paying fairly well, There were others who believed that could Jacktown secure some peculiar attraction which would draw the attention of the surrounding country, its merits would soon become known to the world, and once more the place would boom. Jasper City had been built by boomers who knew their business well, and when these unscrupulous sharks had filled their pockets, they would steal quietly away, and Jacktown’s rival would suffer a disastrous collapse. One of the first things which the boomers of Jasper City did was to induce the best men of Jacktown to desert thatcamp. Among the men thus secured by Jasper City were Saul Spot, the champion dead-shot of that section, and James Carnes—‘‘ Hickory Jimmy”—a_ wonderful wrestler and athlete. High Card Harry, said to be the best short-card player in the State, also took up a residence in the boomers’ camp. Jasper City sneered at Jacktown in an open manner, and the men of the new camp would smile with scorn whenever the little town in Paradise Gulch was mentioned as a rival. Jack- town, they declared, was doomed, This scorn on the part of the men of Jasper City exasperated the citizens of Jacktown, and kept the two camps constantly at sword’s points. Residents of the rival camps could not meet without 4n exchange of hot words and a pitched battle, in which the Jacktownites al- most always suffered the most. Day by day the hatred of the two camps waxed more in- tense. Of course, among its inhabitants Jasper City could reckon a few women, but they were mostly of a class of which the camp could not be very proud, and there was not one genuinely handsome woman among them. One day the stage brought a strange woman —or rather girl, for she was not over eighteen— to Jacktown. The crowd which was present at the arrival of the stage, stared at the girl in breathless amazement. They saw a bewilder- ingly handsome creature with dark hair, blue eyes, red lips and a peach-like complexion. Her form was a trifle petite and as graceful asa fawn’s. As she descended from “ the hearse,” a glimpse of a small, round ankle and pretty foot was obtained by the staring throng. Some- thing in the appearance of the Png crowd seemed to amuse her, for her lips parted in a faint smile, exposing a gleam of white teeth and some delicate dimples, Then she passed lightly up the steps and disappeared within the Silver Bell Hotel, ‘*Good Lawd!” gasped one of the throng, “*'W azn’t she er stunner!” Then every man drew a long b:eath, and al- most as one person, respondea: ** You bet yer boots!” Then there was astir in Jacktown. It was not long ere every man in the camp heard of the new arrival, and all were desirous to know who she was and how long she was going to stay. They were delighted when they learned that she might remain in that place for weeks, or even months, Judge Blowbugle, who took upon himself the honor of representing Jacktown, called upon her and learned several things of interest, Her name was Luona Howard, and she was search- ing for her brother, whom she supposed to be somewhere in the West, She was tired of moving from place to place, and was willing to settle down and wait for her brother to come to her. The pompous judge did his best to make Jacktown appear like a Paradise on Earth, and succeeded in causing her to say that she would stop there, When the judge reported to the crowd in the saloon below, it was with difficulty they re- strained their enthusiasm. “Stay? To be course she shall!” cried one big fellow. ‘Jasper City ‘ill hav’ ter haul in rr Violet Vane. its horns now. Hooraw fer ther Queen o’ Jack- town!” There was no repressing the wild cheer which the delighted fellows gave. Then Dandy Dirk, the proprietor of the hotel and saloon, sprung upon the bar. ** Attention, pards!” he shouted. ‘* The very attraction that we have been longing for has come tous. You have given her the title of Queen of Jacktown, and a veritable queen she Shall be, From this hour her word is law, and let bim who dares disobey look out! While she remains beneath this roof,everything I possess is hers, and not one cent shall be charged. We willmake Jasper City hang its head with shame, But, from this hour all rows and riots must be settled beyond the limits of the camp, and the first galoot who creates a disturbance beneath this roof, I will call to account.” This speech was greeted with applause, The strange girl seemed quite at home in the rough camp, and hada smile and pleasant word forevery one, She seemed overflowing with high spirits, and more than one rough fellow declared that her laugh was the sweetest music he had ever heard, She soon became known as Laugh- ing Lu. Despite her familiarity with the men of the camp, there was a certain air about her which warned them to keep at a respectful dis- tance and constantly guard their tongues. Every one seemed to feel that it would be as ary asa man’s life was worth to offer her in- sult. The news of the addition to Jacktown’s popu- lation soon reached Jasper City, and in a short time the latter camp was boiling with rage and envy. Wonderful were the tales told of the beauty of Jacktown’s Queen. The men of Jas- per City quickly decided on a bold move, It was high noon one day when into Jacktown camp rode almust every male citizen of Jasper City. Every man was armed to the teeth, and all looked desperate and determined. Jack- town was taken by surprise, and found itself unable to offer any resistance. While the men of Jasper City held the citizens of Jacktown quiet, a delegation of the best-appearing citizens of the boomers’ camp called on Laughing Lu. An hour later the men of Jasper City rode out of Jacktown, with Miss Howard mounted on a fine horse in their midst, a smooth-tongued member of the delegation having induced her to leave the camp for its more successful rival. As they left the camp in Paradise Gulch, they sent back a parting cheer of mingled derision and delight. . It is impossible to describe the excitement that ensued in Jacktown. Not a man of the camp worked during the remainder of the day, and the citizens gathered on the streets and in the saloons to discuss this last great outrage heaped upon them by the boomers’ camp. The bar of the Silver Bell Saloon did a rushing busi- ness, and Dandy Dirk did his best to fan the flame of fury to a larger blaze. The day passed, night came, and still the ex- citement showed no signs of abating, But, at last, the citizens were overcome by fatigue— and Dandy Dirk’s liquor—and forced to lay themselves away until the following day. It was a hard-looking crowd that gathered in the Silver Bell the next forenoon. Bleary eyes and swelled heads were numerous, and nearly every one was thirsty. The only man among them who seemed to have stood the racket in good shape was Judge Blowbugle, and he was as fresh asa flower and as lively as a grass- hopper. The judge bad an established reputa- tion for his ability to ‘* punish” bad liquor, Gradually the crowd “ fired up,” and their in- dignation at the outrage of the day before seemed increasing ratber than diminishing, tse Judge Blowbugle mounted a small table, ‘* Feller-citizens,” he cried in a loud tone, give me yer ’tention fer a short time.” ‘* Fire erway, jedge,” cried Blizzard Ben, the bully of the camp. “It is needless ter call yer tention ter ther recent diabolical outrage beaped onter this hyer camp by ther skunks uv Jasper City,” pursued the judge, throwing back his shoulders and waving aloft bis right hand, which held a red bandanna handkerchief. ‘‘ Yeall know vv thet. Ther lyin’ critters stole our queen. How they dun it I don’t purtend ter say, but I’m willin’ ter bet er gallon uv Dandy’s ‘kill ’em quick’ thet ther before-menticned skunks made out thet this camp was infested by hoss-thieves an’ cut-throats. They scared ther gal inter goin’ with ’em. Are we goin’ ter stan’ it?” ‘** No!” shouted the listeners. ** Right!” and again the judge waved that red bandanna, “Right! We will not tamely sub- c¢ y P sa) ia 7 gs SL eke a,” mit to ther insults heaped upon us by ther skunks uv Jasper City. But, in Jasper they bav’ Saul Spot, High Card Harry and Hiekory Jimmy. ntil we hav’a match for each an’ every one uv them, we’ve got ter take er back seat. W’at we want iser man who kin down ’em all—one man who kin wipe out ther champions uv Jas- r. W’en we secure thet man, Jacktown will ift its head proudly to ther skies once more, an’ heaven will smile upon us. Prosperity will re- turn; Jasper will fade like ther mornin’ mist before ther sun; Jacktown will be all thet is rand an’ glorious. We want er champion—er ercules—er Sampson to pit erg’in’ Jacktown’s foes. Whar’s ther man?” ** 'Whoop-ee! I’m ther sweet-scented posey w’at yer lookin’ arter. Jest turn yer rosate mug this deerection, an’ allow yer optics ter scan ther woolly-headed man frum ’Way Back. My name is Wage!” The speaker was a stranger in town, CHAPTER II. THE ‘‘ WOOLLY-HEADED MAN,” JUST within the doorway he stood, bis dilap- idated hat in one hand, bowing and grinning in a comical manner, His clothes were decidedly ragged, anda pair of enormous boots covered his feet. His face was beardless, homely, but good-natured in appearance. The crowning curiosity about the stranger was his hair, which was white and curly, closely resembling the wool of a sheep. ‘* Pilgrims,” grinned this strange individual, ‘‘ allow me to interjuce merself: [am E. Wagg, Esq., offen called ther ’mginal woolly-headed man, My front name is Hrastus. (’'m er hard crowd ter rassil with, an’ whar I cum frum they call me er big chief. Ef this hyer town’s look- in’ arter a champion, / am ther tulip ye wants.” With these words, he tripped into the room, and executed a clumsy shuffle in the middle of the floor. ‘* Whoopee!” he squealed. ‘‘ I’m ther cham- pion poker-player frum ther town o’ Red Hot! I’m er luller with er shooter, an’ er swunger with mer dukes. Trot out yer b-a-a-d men an’ let me git at’em! I’ve cum down ter see ye, an’ I’m hyer ter stay. Ef ye want er man ter clean out ther sports o’ Jasper City—waal, Jam yer huckleberry. Yoop!” Cries of derision came from the crowd. ‘* Fire bim out!” shouted a hoarse voice, Judge Blowbugle frantically waved the red bandanna aloft and roared a command for si- lence. It was several minutes, however, before he could make himself heard. Gradually the tumult subsided. ‘* Feller-citizens,” cried the judge, winking with the whole side of his face at the crowd, “it is not hest ter judge a man allus by bis ’pear- ances. P’r’aps this stranger kin make good his claim. Ef so, he’s ther very man we’re lookin’ fer.” The judge hoped to have some sport at the woolly-headed man’s expense, ‘* Thet’s ther kind o’ tork as tickles my hearin’ organs,” declared Wagg. ‘ Allus give er man er show, is ther right kind o’ motter. I kin rove thet I’m er big chief with ther paste- oards. I’m reddy ter play with ther best man o’ this hyer camp. Whar’s ther galoot as will back me an’ sheer half ther boodle?” Dead silence followed this question, ‘Don’t speak all ter onc’t,” implored the stranger, in a hoarse whisper that was heard in all parts of the room. ‘‘ Nary man,” muttered the vagabond, after several moments had passed. ‘‘ Too bad! Guess they don’t know E, Wagg, Esq., in this byer camp. Ef I had called fer er backer in ther camp 0’ Red Hot, er duzzen w’u’d ‘a’ jumped forrud, pusses in ban’. [I’m er stranger in er heathen country. Excuse me while I weep er few.” A hoarse murmur of disgust ran over the throng. The men of Jacktown were in no pleasant mood, and the actions of the ragged stranger angered them. They had “sized him up” as a bragging bummer, who would run at the first sign of danger. ‘*‘ Bounce him, Ben,” cried one, But, Blizzard Ben shook his head in aversion, ‘* S’pose [’'d lay my claws on thet thing!” he snorted. ‘““Whar’s Timmy, ther Rat?” Timmy, the Rat, was the smallest and most cowardly man in the camp. Inquiry soon de- veloped the fact that the Rat was sleeping off the effects of an overdose of free drinks obtained during the excitement of the day before, Judge Blowbugle descended from the table where he had made his speech, and slowly © a. 3 . w- ICDOOKS.cOom. : n } in| =| 3"