Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 686 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

* . - . ‘ te ce so Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 6 “Not until I have seen them, Here, waiter, give us something more to drink. Take yer change out of this, an’ don’t come back sayin’ it’s no good, or, blast me, ef I don’t kick you to Kansas!” And Penn presented the same bill he had offered before. The bartender looked at it, felt of it, and said: ‘‘That’s all right. You r’iled me when you tried to rush the other one off on me, I ain’t ter be caught on snaps, you bet!” And he walked away with great. dignity to get the change, which he presently returned with. “That bill is O. K.!” he announced. ‘ The other one you’d better tear up, or you’l get into trouble afore ye know it.” ‘¢ Yes, I reckon ye’r’ right,” Then the bartender went away, while theman from Kansas grinned with great delight. ‘* Beat him, after all,, didn’t [?”’ he chuckled, ** Better skip!” said Mr. Bucket, Pd What d’ye mean, you young ras- cal? ‘**Cause, ef thet joker discovers the mistake he’s been gone an’ made, he'll likely go fer ye, in Sullivan style. I know him! He is a slug- ger, an’ you are too old to stand up ag’in’ him.” “My young man, you are wholly wrong, Old Peter Penn kin help himself, even if he is old, and don’t ye fergit it. He may hev been fetched up in the backwoods, but he’s not to ke skeart out by an owl. There’s strength in bis bones, sech as you’re not liable to hev when you get my age—ef you ever do,” ‘ **Ohd Pll live to bea hundred,” Billy averred. ** Mr. -Penn,” added Dick, gravely, ‘‘ you have bad singularly good luck in fooling the barkeeper, but do you know what the result may be?” és No. ” ‘*-You have passed counterfeit money—” ** He says so!” “7 say so, too, The money was counterfeit, and the transaction may yet land you in States Prison.” Dick’s gravity at last impressed the farmer, ** Sa Me what shall [ do?” he asked, nervously, ‘‘ Allow me to get the counterfeit back, re- deeming it with good money; and assure the pes eeees that your second attempt was only a joke, Penn readily acquiesced, and the exchange was soon made, ‘The dispenser of fluids was in- “8 i to be angry, but a fresb order mollified im, This matter had barely been settled when an- other man estered the saloon—an elegantly- dressed young fellow who sported diamonds and carried a gold-headed cane, Dick at once became interested; he recognized the self-styled Jimmy Penn, who had accosted him at the Hoffman House earlier in the day, and was curious to learn what would follow. Keeping his face averted he watched closely. si: Jimmy ” passed without appearing to see them, He took a drink at the bar, twirled his hand- some mustache, and then advanced to the table at which Dick, Billy and Mr. Penn were seated. To the latter he nodded and made inquiry: ** Are you old Penn, from Kansas?” ** Well, rather!” ‘Then, I have the bonor of being your son Jimmy!” In a moment father and alleged son were locked in each other’s embrace, ‘*Ob! my son!” exclaimed Peter, ‘‘ how glad Iam to see ye. How ye hev growa!” **Oh! ges, a little. How’s mam!” “Oh! she’s bully! She’s up at the Grand eo Hotel, You must come rigbt up and see er. **Can’t, just now, dad!” ** Why not?” *°Cause I’ve got some business matters to look to. I am no longer a boy, you see, but one of the busiest men in New York, in the true business sense,” *“My boy! I’m proud of you!” Peter declar- ed, with beaming eyes, ‘But I’m always ‘ Jimmy’ to you and mam!” asserted the claimant, with a show of filial af- fection which made Dick smile sarcastically, “You're jest the same as ever,” murmured Peter. ‘‘ Mr. Bristol, this is my boy, Jimmy.” > aa Bristol,” remarked Jimmy, stiffly. ** And he tried to kick up a racket by declar- ing that I was not your son.” ** Fiddlesticks!” . **I take back nothing,” Dick coolly observed, “TI don’t want to break up your love-feast, and - ' * * ? , ~*~ 4 ~ ~ a * ~ _— . : ros he - : ry = 7 , Sd * ~ on. oom, OTA : - 7 Lie “7 eek i, Benes. | cee a yt: : < mo Ver. : ‘> tay ° 7 % , = } Sew *, : - =. 5 4 Ns ’ a o ger “Bex wecsi ss 2 reeks * - Saar es OP RET ts SI iad Fi 3 — —————————— SSS Ss Ae a a —_—_— you can goin as strong as you please; but I re- serve the right to hold my own opinion.” ‘‘You show a lack o’ feelin’, sir,” asserted Peter Penn, ‘‘ but we’re too happy ter bear ill will. Ain’t we, Jimmy?” Jimmy’s expressior. did not indicate a forgiv- ing spirit} but he managed to acquiesce. ‘Well, dad, I’ve got an engagément [ can’t break, so I must leave you now. ‘This evening, thongb, i’ll drop in on you and mam.” ‘*‘ 89 sure ter come, Jimmy!” ‘‘P]] be there, sure. Well, so-long, dad!” and Mr. Jimmy Penn took his departure. ‘‘That is my son!” Old Peter said, turning to Dick in triumph. ‘‘T don’t think so, Mr. Penn.” ‘Why not?” ‘* Because the fellow is simply humbugging you, same as Reed did.” ‘‘ Nonsense! You're crazy!” ‘Not quite. The fellow does not bear the slightest resemblance to you.” ‘‘T don’t careadarn. He’s my son, just the same. I’m sure of it.” ‘* And I’m sure be is not.” The old man was stung to a nervous pitch, and his answer was forcible, ‘“'You’re exasperatin’, darn you!” ‘“No; [’'m simply candid. That?s all.” ‘‘ Youre in the wrong, an’ I know et, as well as I know my name is Peter Penn.” ‘‘T don’t think so. Iam positive the chap is not your son.” ‘« What are your reasons for thinkin’ so?” ‘¢ Well, in the first place, how should he have known that you were here?” ‘* Reed told bim,” ‘‘ And Reed is the man who gave you the bogus money. Is he to be considered a straight character? Would it be natural to suppose that, if your son is worthy of your affection and trust, he would be directed here by a man like Reed, who is, without doubt, a crook? Here’s a boy ”"—turning to Billy—‘t who ean tell you the same,” ‘‘ Well, I can,” corroborated Billy, ‘* That feller is a chump, and don’t ye fergit it. I run a businass down on Wooster street, and I know whoand what heis. Lagree wid Dick, my old boss. The feller ain’t your son. He’s Hand- some Hal. The tail end of his name I don’t know, but I’m sure 0’ him /” Mr. Penn began to look serious, ‘‘ Well, maybe you’re right, but I don’t be- lieye it, yet.” . ‘* Well, wait and see,” Dick replied. “If you get swindled out of your money, don’t kick. I’ve a mission here, and that is to find out and convict a gang of green-goods men, That you have already become one of their victims, there is no doubt.” _ ‘* Now, lookee here! I’m from Kansas, and I ain’t no spring chicken, either, but just as tough. Prove to methat I’m not smart as they make ’em, and Pll prove to you that I’m as game as they aire.’ “ Well, all right, I'll leave you now, and search up the pedigree of this chap who claims to be your son,” ‘* That may not be easy.” ‘‘ Tf I can catch him, I’ll soon know what his pedigree is, never fear. Inthe mean time, old man, you had better go back to your hotel, and o to sleep. When you wake, you will have a Secidedly clearer mind, I think.” ‘¢Guess you're right. Then, too, my old wo- man ’ll be in hysterics, Git me a carriage!” A hack was called; old Penn was bundled in, and, Dick and Billy accompanying him, he was taken to his room and put to bed, CHAPTER VIL. BILLY GIVES THE ‘‘ TIP.” THERE were several clouds rising which threatened to make trouble for Mr. Peter Penn, and, one of them was both near at hand and threatening, When he was prouae in it was impossible to avoid seeing that he had been drinking, where- upon Mrs. Penn was first dumfounded, and then ominously silent with anger. Never before had she seen her partner in life in such a state, and affairs promised to be lively when he awakened in his sober senses, Having cored for Peter, his guardians left him with his wife, ‘** What do you think of it, Billy?” Dick asked. ‘* Of what, boss?” f s he ‘¢ The fellow you called Handsome Hal. old Penn’s son?” ‘‘Tdunno. If he is, he’s a skin from ther word go, He’s a bunco-steerer, and you can bet ‘¢ Where are we likely torun across Mr. Jim- my again?” ‘*'You’ve got me there. Let me think,” the boy detective reflected for some titne, - ‘‘ Come with me to Sixth avenue,” he finally suggested, ‘1 think I can find out there,” nd to Sixth avenue they went. The particular vicivity which Billy bad in mind, and the place to which he led, was a resort of the devotees of the race-track, There, men of all grades, ricb and poor, honest and dishonest, were to be found; and hundreds of dollars changed hands during race days, either on Jerome Park, Gravesend, Brighton, Clifton or Guttenburg events. **T reckon we'll find him here,” Billy remarked, as they left the car. ‘‘ He’s a lucky man on hosses, and Guttenburg is his winnin’ day, That’s to-day. When he stakes his money on a hoss at Guttenburg, you kin bet he allus wins,” Dick did not think it necessary to argue this point. ‘** Does he always come here?” ‘¢ Yes, most alPus,” So entering» the saloon, they bought cigars, and passed up the stairway to the next floor, into the pool-room, The principal things to be seen were eagerly- watched blackboards and the heterogeneous ¢lass of sporting-men who frequent these places. Rank cigar smoke was uncomfortably preva- lent, and, even in cold weather, the atmosphere was hot and oppressive. “Now,” continued Billy, “you just take a tip from me. I didn’t bring you here merely ter find that feller. This is Guttenburg day. You kin make some money fer both of us!” ‘¢ What horse?” ‘‘Let me look over the board,” and with the eye of a connoisseur, Billy looked over the record, ‘*Put a hundred on Ban Ban, first, and East- lake, second! If they don’t win, I'll give you back your money.” ‘“Why don’t you back them if you feel so sure?” ‘* [lm going to—after you.” ‘‘ What makes you think they are to be win- ners?” | ‘‘*Cause, Handsome Hal all’us backs 'em, and’ has backed ’em to-day, you bet!” ' ‘* How do you know?” **T guess, me. this..once,.and, if Lfail-ve, an’ have nothin’ more to do with me. You kin lose a couple hundred an’ not feel it, can’t ye?” ‘Well, I’m not inclined to venture where loss is more than half certain; still, ll run the risk. Here’s the money; put 1t on your favorite horse,” ! Billy took the money and disappeared among’ the throng, ’ The odds were thirty to one against Ban Ban, for first. If Ban Ban won, Dick would receive a big sum of money. Eastlake, even money. The excitement waxed hot, The race was about to begin, and the crowd in the room became larger and Jarger. Billy returned with the tickets, ** You’re goin’ to be a winner, sure as blazes!” h> declared. ‘How do you know! You're not a horse- man,” * But, Mr. Dick, I know a lot about ’em. If you put another hundred on Ban Ban it will win while we are workin’ up this other case.” Dick reflected for a moment, . He was beginning to have more confidence in his boy detective. | Hal?” ‘* Yes, au’ one on Eastlake.” ‘How long before the returns will be in?” “OFF, at Gutteubarg!’ shcuted the marker. Then followed an interval of suspense. ‘Ban Ban ahead!” yelled the marker. 2g sprung tg bis ney | e was greatly excited. “A Nneted ie Eastlake!” shouted a bettor. ‘Pll take that bet!” Dick cried. | But, he was not taken; the previous speaker weakened, Ban Ban won! Y And Dick’s second horse secured a ** place,” There, inside of a few minutes, had the West- ern man won a comfortable sum of money — through the agency of the ex-gamin, ‘‘Didn’t I tell yer!” the boy ejaculated, after the detective had cashed his ticket. . “You're right, Billy. But, where is our on it. He works it quiet, tho’. I think that he, | game, pray? He has disappeared.” Slater an’ Reed, all work together.” ‘Billy laughed. \ MOTT ean) ee ee vias SORES wip, aN eel . Po oi @& @ VOC and I’m a sort o’ prophet, Dick, Try ‘Have you seen the man you call Handsome He’s put two hundred on Ban Ban, ~ > LALLA +“ - ~= a — ot ate ee a ES me es >