Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 629 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 ‘Dump ’im Ben!” shouted one. ‘‘ Fore I'd be tooken’ fer a hoss!” ‘* Help!” cried the dandy faintly. ‘* Let me— aw—descend.” *“Durn ye! [ll break yer dinged neck!” snarled the bully, But Ben found it difficult to dodge the little mau, who was evidently afraid of hurting him- self by a fall, Suddenly the dandy seemed to lose his hold and topple backward, uttering a cry of terror. Just how it happened no one could tell, but the little man appeared to turna complete back-somerset and alight upon his feet, with his tall beaver in his hand, ‘* Hoppin’ hemlock!” cried Erastus Wagg. ‘* Did ye ketch onter thet leetle trick? Hanged ef he hain’t goin’ ter pass roun’ ther hat!” But the velvet dandy was, seemingly, as bad- ly frightened as ever, ‘* Will some one show me—aw—the way out of heah?’ he entreated. ‘“‘I wish to gracious I had nevah left Bawston!” Blizzard Ben wheeled and faced the trembling dandy. There was a terrible look of rage on the bully’s countenance. ‘“‘So ye straddled mer neck, did ye?’ he snarled, showing his wolfish teeth. ‘‘ Durn yer hide! I’m goin’ ter paralyze ye fer thet.” The tenderfoot retreated, extending his hand appealingly. ‘*Pway don’t!” he gasped. ‘I assuah you it was quite unintentional—weally it was!” The crowd surged forward to see the sport, ‘* Go fer ’im, Ben!” cried one. ‘Give ther dood er show!” shouted another. ‘‘ For heaven’s sake, haven’t Ia friend in the place?” wailed the little man. ‘Bet yer boots!” shouted the woolly-headed man. ‘‘ I’m reddy ter stan’ ter yer back’s long’s it’s safe, an’ my name’s Wagg!” ‘* Tl] settle with you w’en I’m done with ther dood,” observed the bully, scowling at the tramp. ** Don’t be in er hurry ’bout settlin’: I’m will- in’ ter give ye thirty days,” grinned Erastus, Once more Ben faced the little man who wore the violets, ‘* You've got ter fight me,” declared the big bully, scowling blackly. 3 Good gwacious! I cawn’t!” wailed the ten- derfvot, bis teeth chattering with presumed terror. ‘‘I nevah did such a—aw—beastly thing in my life—weally I nevah!” ‘“‘Then it's time ye began.” ‘** Brace up ter ’im, Sweet Violets!” chipped in Mr. Wagg. ‘I’m reddy ter bet all mer wealth thet you kin smooch ‘im, I’ve seen leetle cusses like you afore.” At this momeat a tall, rather handsome, yet sinister-appearing man pushed his way threugh the crowd. It was Dandy Dirk. ** 'W hat’s the row here?” he demanded. The velvet dandy surveyed the proprietor of the Silver Bell sharply. A light of satisfaction seemed to flash in the little fellow’s eyes. Had he recognized Dandy Dirk? If so, it was quite certain that the Hercules did not recognize him in turn, Dandy Dirk was the only man in Jacktown whom Blizzard Ben feared. The handsome owner of the Silver Bell was, in fact, the best man in the camp with cards, fists or pistols. The Blizzard only held the position of chief. by the consent of Dandy Dirk, and it was said that the bully was ready to do any piece of “ un- pleasant work” which his master commanded. In haste Ben explained the situation. Of course he made the tenderfoot’s words and ac- tions appear as insulting as possible, Dandy listened until Bill had finished, then he surveyed the velvet fop with ill-conceuled con- tempt. ‘* And this is the thing that thought Western poopie lacked brains, is it?’ he inquired, sneer- ingly. & A Tuer very thing,” declared Ben. **And you wanted to fight with it? Ben, I am ashamed of you!” The bully hung his head, ‘“*1’m er leetle ’shamed merself, boss,” he ad- mitted. ‘‘But I waz riled, All I ax is ther permit ter spank it once.” ** Well, spank it easy, Ben,” laughed Dandy. “Tl make ’im think o’ his mammy!” grinned the bully, as he spit on his hands. ‘* Whoop! Hyer goes!”’ nm made a rush for the trembling Dandy, who turned and ran around the smal! ring made by the interested spectators, crying shrilly: “Help! help! Oh, gwacious! [’m mur- dered!” Just as the bully’s hand touched the terrified tenderfoot’s shoulder, the latter wheeled and Violet Vane. clinched his pursuer. Then ensued an amazing scene. Foran instant there was a fierce strug- gle, following which both men appeared to sink toward the floor. Then a wild yell of astonish- ment went up from the astounded spectators, The velvet dandy had sunk upon one knee, and, in some astonishing manner, bad thrown Blizzard Ben across the other, face downward. Then the little man’s hand rose and fell, and the bully was the one who received the spanking, every blow being delivered with the full force of the dandy’s strength. ‘* Whoopee /” squealed Erastus Wagg, danc- ing up and down in his excitement and delight. ‘** Didn’t I tole ye! Baste ’im, Sweet Violets! Hain’t thet deelightful! Ob, Moses! hein’t this a jubilee!” he bully uttered a roar of prin and rage, and succeeded in squirming out of the dandy’s grasp, He rolled over and over upon the floor, and finally sat up to see the little man standing with his tall hat in his hand, carefully brushing it with a white silk handkerchief, It is impossible to describe the amazement and excitement of the crowd. They could scarcely believe their eyes. It seemed impossi- ble that the littke man in velvet had really spanked the bully of Jacktown! And probably no one was more astonished than Blizzard Ben himself, ‘* 'W’at’s happened?” he mumbled. ‘‘ Seem’s like I felt suthin’.” ‘**Guess it made ye think o’ yer mammy,” ob- served the irrepressible Wagg. The Blizzard slowly arose to his feet, glaring steadily at the dandy. ‘*You’ve played it kinder slick,” said the bully, slowiy; ‘‘but you’ve got ter settle with me. I’m goin’ ter wipe ye all over this hyer floor.” ‘“*Oh, don’t, sir—please don't!” entreated the little man, swiftly tucking his handerchief into a ket and replacing the hat upon his head. ‘*T am weally frightened!” ‘* Let up on thet!” snorted the Blizzard, ‘I’ve tumbled to yer leetle racket; but ef you’ve cum in hyer ter buck erg’in’ ther galoots o’ Jack- town, yell find yer han’s full, [’m goin’ ter knock ther linin’ out o’ ye!” Whereupon Ben threw off his coat and rolled up his sleeves, exposing a pair of brawny arms, Dandy Dirk stood with his back against the bar, watching the scene with increasing interest. ‘* Come!” cried the bully, ‘“‘strip, greeny. [I’m comin’ fer ye in erbout two jiffs.” ‘*Weally, if I must, will some one hold my— aw—hat?” ‘* Hyer ye go!” cried Wagg, gine yee sol hole it wile ye dewn’im. Ill bet two ter one ou ther leetle galoot! Who takes me? Two ter one on Sweet Violets,” But no one paid any attention to the hilarious vagabond, ‘* Are ye reddy?’ demanded Ben, The velvet dandy nodded, The bully, with a shout, charged upon his uny foe, determined to crush him at the start. But the little man was worse than a flea to catch, Round and round, here and there he dodged, and the heavy blows which Ben aimed at the dandy’s face were wasted on the empty air. ‘Fifty thousan’ dollars on Sweet Violets!” bellowed Erastus. ‘* Who takes me?” Suddenly the Blizzard seemed to be struck by a blizzard in miniature. A perfect hailstorm of stinging blows descended upon his face and neck, while, right and left am pred the little ten- derfoot, constantly changing his position. ‘* Ding ye!” snarled Ben. ‘‘ Stan’ still an’ let me git er crack at ye!” Suddenly a heavy blow behind the bully’s ear, fairly knocked him off his feet, He struck the floor heavily, but sprung up instantly. ‘* Jeehocus!” shouted the woolly-headed man, ** Wazn’t thet beaucherful?” Blizzard Ben saw the little dandy standing with folded arms and a quiet smile on bis face, The sight made the ruffian fairly furious. With a hoarse shout, he again charged on bis insig- nificant-appearing foe. Down went the velvet dandy’s head, and the bully’s rush carried him fairly astride the little man’s neck, The next instant the tenderfoot shot upward, und Blizzard Ben was hurled head- long to the floor. The unlucky man struck upon his head and shoulders, and lay quite still. “ Lawd!” gasped the woolly-headed ** Broke his neck, or I’m er Chinaman!” CHAPTER V. A MEETING IN JASPER CITY. FLUSHED with triumph, the men of Jasper City rode bomeward with Laughing Lu mount- man, ed on a handsome black horse in their midst. Judge Blowbugle spoke the trath when he said that the smooth-spoken committee bad pictured Jacktown and its inhabitants in no enviable light. Indeed, they had caused the girl to pbe- lieve that the camp in Paradise Gulch was a perfect nest of law-breakers, horse-thieves and cut-throats. The Silver Bell Hotel, they de- clared, was simply a gambling-hell and drink- ing-hole, the name ‘‘ hotel” being given it to disguise its true character from strangers. Every lawless character for miles around, when pursued by officers, fled to Jacktown, and was protected by the scoundrels of the place, When Laughing Lu protested that she had seen nothing unusual in the appearance of the citizens of Jacktown, the committee argued that they were sly and crafty, and had evident- ly done their best to conceal the real charaeter of the town from her eyes. The Jacktownites could not long keep their evil natures in sub- jection, and while she remained there the dan- ger of insult or injury was on the increase, Jasper City they painted in glowing colors, Its citizens were all peaceable and law-abiding, and many ladies dwelt there. In Jacktown Lu was obliged to stop beneath the roof of a gam- bling dive; in yy 5 City she would be given an entire cabin to herself. The cabin would be furnished as well as Jasper could afford, and while she remained there, no rent would be charged. They paid her beauty a delicate com- pliment, and led her to understand that they should consider it a great favor to have asa resident the handsomest lady in the country. Among them she should be a veritable queen, aes her slightest wish should be regarded as aw. Thus, by misrepresenting both Jacktown and Jasper City, they succeeded in inducing her to leave the former, as it made little difference where she was, so that she could watch for the ap ance of her brother. treat was the excitement when the citizens of Jasper City who had remained at home saw the ‘“‘ delegation ” returning with the handsome irl, mounted on the black horse, riding by igh Card Harry’s side, at their head. Men, women and children turned out to obtain a view of her, and wild cheers greeted her en- trance into the town, Straight to the cabin which had been chosen for her abode and prepared for her the triumph- ant crowd made its way, those who were nee being closely followed by those on oot, Among the citizens of Jasper City who had not accompanied the ‘ delegation” to Jack- town was a tall, handsome young man of about twenty-one. He gave his name as Ned Morris, and among the better class of Jasper City he had many friends, for he was a square, Manly young fellow. When Ned saw Laughing Lu’s face, he ut- tered a stifled cry of amazement and staggered as if struck a heavy blow. ‘*Good heavens!” he gasped. ‘‘She here! What can it mean?” Like one in a dream, yet with his heart pound- ing fiercely in his bosom, he foilowed the crowd toward the cabin which had been chosen for Laughing Lu’s home, Fortunately the beautiful girl did not see the youth amid the crowd, for she might have done something which would have excited the curi- osity of the spectators. When the cabin, which stood on the outskirts of the camp, was reached, High Card Harry sprung down and assisted Luona to dismount. Then the gallant sport opened the door and ushered her into the little dwelling. A cry of oe and delight broke from the girl’s lips as she saw the interior. It was di- vided into two rooms, the first being a com- bined sitting-room, parlor and bedroom, There was a pretty carpet on the floor and curtains concealed the rough walls. The board ceiling was neatly whitewashed. Against thecurtained walls hung several really pretty pictures, The furniture was more pretentious than is often seen in a rough mining-camp. There were sev- eral chairs, one being an upholstered easy rocker. In one corner was a damask-covered sofa, upon which lay a guitar and some music, In the center of the room stood a small table, upon which were several books, Spotless white double curtains hung at the windows. Some parted curtains revealed a glimpse of a snowy- white bed ‘* Oh, isn’t it splendid!” cried Lu, in delight. ‘“* Beautiful! Why, it seems almost like a room . at home!” High Card Harry smiled with satisfaction. ‘‘That door leads into the kitchen and cook- ———— - a> SS. eee os ee