Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 686 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

ae ad —s a ee eg i * \ Getitoges ena) erat . ~ “You're purty cute,” he allowed, ‘* but you need not be afraid that Hai will leave. But, here goes Kolian and Kingfish—ten to one. Quick! give me the same as before!” Dick did so, and Billy’s judgment was again right, EKolian came in nearly two lengths ahead, with Kingfish second—pboth winners! ‘ Why, boy, you have made me a pocketful of money!” ‘Holler me, an’ you'll wear diamonds!” was the rejoinder; “fer [m the kid as kin give out the ‘tips’ to you, boss,” It was raining at Guttenburg, and the betting was getting rather slow. The next race, outside of non-favorites, was between ‘‘ Aurelia B,” and Mayfield. Both were young on the course, and great interest was manifested; hence the betting was lively again. But Dick’s attention suddenly became di- verted from this interest in the races, for he was approached by the alleged Mr. Jimmy Penn, **Here weare again!” Penn junior saluted, ‘‘ What bave you done with my old man?” ‘* He is at home,” Dick coldly replied. “ You're around for fun, aren’t you? I am,” ‘For fun of that mild and honest order which, I know, must be natural to Peter Penn’s son!” Young Penn scowled wrathbfully, ‘‘ What d’ye mean?” he demanded, ‘ Well, Mr. Penn, I reckon you and I had better say so-long and quit company.” ‘6 Why so?” . ‘*- You may be a model young man, but I don’t believe you’re ojd Peter’s son, and I do believe you are a fraud from the word go, As I don’t fancy frauds, I will bid you good-day. But, you had better keep an eve on your doings, The first you know you will find yourself down in durance vile, where you rightfully belong!” ‘Mr. Whoever-you-are, you're an insulting puppy!” cried Penn junior; ‘and now Pil either lick you, or you will do the act to me, We don’t take this sort of talk in New York,” Handsome Hal put up bis hands in a very scientific way, and seemed prepared to “ sail in ” on his enemy, but Deadwood Dick regarded him scornfully. ‘* You are a fool, and a very feeble sort of a fool.at that.” ** See here, do .you. want me to knock you through that wall?” blustered Jimmy. ‘* Anything to oblige vou, but make sure that you can land your fish before you hook him. Iam on to you, Mister Handsome Hal,” Penn junior wavered; his gaze fell. He no longer evinced a craving for pugilistic exercise, ‘*{ don’t catch on at all,” he declared, ‘* but, as you are my old dad’s frieud we won’t quar- rel, and, as I am in a hurry, I’llJeave you now,” which he did—vanishing at once. Billy Bucket came to the detective’s side, . ** Ye didn’t nab him, boss?” **No; I’m not hired for that job. When Peter Penn comes down from his high horse, and asks for my aid, he can have it, At present, my business is to do the job for which I was summoned to New York.” ‘* An’ I kin help ye, sure! I’ve been makin’ inquiries, an’ reckon I kin show ye Sawdust ates out it will take ye to a mighty tough ace. i ‘“No matter; we’Jl go. Take me when you please!” el — — CHAPTER VIII. A’PERPLEXKD PETER, Mr, Penn awoke with a feeling that some- thing was wrong. The head which he carried on his shoulders did not seem to belong to him, There was a painful ache in that region, and the head, itself, appeared to be of abnormal, size. He soon found that this was not his only trouble, Mrs, Penn had been watching his slumber with ominous patience, and she now had an ine ning. She had a distinct opinion of liquor, and of men who indulge in strong beverages, and she gave her views to Peter in terms which soon caused him to flee from the hotel. , Once outside, he soon bad an idea. He had been ane the city papers, and had been im- pressed by the advertisement of a certain wo- man who cajled;herself ‘‘ Madam Zara, Gypsy fortune-teller and clairvoyant.” “Tl just hey my fortune told, and then [ll know if my son is my son, or not my son, be _ gosh!” was the credulous old granger’s ae- cision. : pe aah i ‘ ¥ ~ - » a 4b. 7 : ae See - oe ee é erie nr LDL LLL LLL LLL LDL ALLL LL LLL A LLL ALLL LL LLL LLL LAA LDL LLL cet ete cseleeteeeeeet Mme, Zara was not in when he arrived, so he had to wait, Presently she entered, attired so attractively that the old Kansan was quite captivated. She greeted him promptly. ‘** Ah! how do you do? I had an impression you were coming.” ‘* You had?” ** Certainly. You have been in my mind for over seven days.” ‘*Go away! How do you know who I be?” ‘* Your name is Peter Penn!” Peter’s face expressed his astonishment, ‘* Maybe ye kin tell more?” he suggested, after a pause. ‘* You are just sixty years of age!” Mr. Penn was amazed, ‘*You are a witch!” he declared, ‘*l am one to whom is given unusual and wonderful powers,” Zara returned impressively, yet with a manner sufficiently gracious to please him, ‘* All things are known, or may be known, tome, Now, you want me to tell you what be- came of your son, who disappeared from you some years ago?” ‘* Yes, that’s so,” ‘* Well, he is a prisoner at Sing Sing. He was arrested for forgery, and sent up for five years,” ‘* You are wrong now, dead sure,” ‘** No, I tell you the truth,” ‘* Why, darn it! I’ve seen my son within the last few hours!” the old fellow declared, with a show of anger, ‘*'You have not. The fellow who claims to be your son is a scoundrel—depend on that. He is working in collusion with others, Your real son is wp the river.” ‘* Well, the detective told me I was bein’ play- ed for a fiddle, but I didn’t b’’eve him; durned ef Ldid! I reckoned I was right, but it appears I’m wrong.” ‘¢ You surely are,” ‘* Old man Penn seldom gets left,” murmured that person, ‘* but et seems he has this trip! I s’pose I’ve riled the detective, and there’!l be no use of apologizin’!” These words were murmured andibly. ‘*'You bad better keep your friends, when you have any, sir,” Zara advised, ‘* The people of our, or any other city, have but little sym- pelny for other people’s sufferings, Mounte- yanks, thieves, and swindlers get the boodle, and I stand between them and the honest citi- zens as a protector, I have on my list of ap- plicants for information, some of the wealthi- est and most fasbionable people in New York,” ‘¢ Ye don’t say so!” ‘““Tdo. And now [ll tell you what I'll do. You want to see your boysout of jail, no doubt, I have great infiuence,” ‘* And you can get him out?” *““T can. Within forty-eight hours you can see him, but it will cost you a little sum of money.” ‘* How much?” ‘* One hundred dollars,” **So much? Darn my socks, ef you New Yorkers ain’t allers squealin’ fur money, Dye think we men of Kansas are made of money?” ‘* No, You’re corn-fed, with a sprinkling of distillery mash,” laughed the beautiful Gypsy. ‘* You Western men are able to stand corn diet. Ah! a ring at my bell, / Another customer! You must make your decision at once, sir. Business is busine-s, you know.” ** One hundred dollars?” ‘* That’s the price.” Poor Penn! The Kansas farm was gone, never to return, and the money was going at an alarming pace, too, uddenly a bright thought struck bim,’ Like most Western men, he delightud in a horse-race, and really was noted among his fel- lew-farmers as a judge of horses, : Why could he not make a stake on the t races, of which everybody around the hotel id then talking? Why might not the Gypsy be able to put him on to something good? She cer- tainly ought to beable to do so. ** Tell you what Pll do,” he said. ‘If you're such a wonder, give me three horses—sure to win—at Clifton.” ** What do J get, pray, for such information?” ‘* Half the money; an’ you’re to son from Sing Sing if you get the boodle,” ‘* It’s a bargain.” ‘Very well. What horses aire ye goin’ to give me?” ‘* Ossipee, first; Ten Booker, second; Palatka, third—or, a possible second,” ** And ef I bet on ’em, I win?” : rr SSS Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. a 7 produce my | If you like, I will place the money. In fact, I think it would be most advisable to let me do so, as | know all the bookmakers,” ‘* Well, goahead; but, mind, if ye don’t win, there will be war in New York. How much money d’ye want?” ‘* Five hundred.” ‘* Not mucb! I ain’t goin’ to be roped in for a tune like that! Jee-whiz! What do ye take me fer, anyhow?” ‘* A gentleman farmer from Kansas,” was the reply. Peter Penn stared in fresh wonder. ‘* How’d you know I come from Kansas?” he demanded. ‘* Because I know! How dol know the many wonderful things that I bring to light?” ** How much do I owe you?” Penn demanded, in disgust, ‘* Are you not going to invest in the races?” sé Nix q”? ‘** Well— Ab! aring it so well.” And Zara glided into the hall, Mr. Penn looked after her doubtfully, ‘* Darned fine lookin’ gal!—but as treacherous as a tigress, or the wind, Reckon when T find that Bristol, ag’in, ’ll introduce him. Dunno as Bristol an’ J will get on together now, tho’, Darn it, the more I think the matter over, the more et occurs ter me ve made a fogho’ my- at the door, and I know self,” Peter shook his head gravely. ‘*] ain’t sure that Pve been lItvin’ as Parson Jones would hey me, sense I come ter New York. Ef my good wife is ter be believed—an’ she is—I’ve drinked more liquor than a whole outfit o’ cowboys could stand, I didn’t think a Penn would do it,” Zara returned, and he at once rose from the chair ‘* Tm off!” he announced. **What!—can’t we trade?’ the Gypsy de- manded, | ‘** Not a trade, ter-day, Youre mighty cun- nin’, I admit, but, I’ve got ter have time ter see how ye doit. I may come back, but | don’t scatter any more money jest now,” _ Very well,” Zara pleasantly returned ; ‘ but, if you see fit to call again, you will be wel- come,” Theu Peter left the house, CHAPTER IX, A LY RACKET FOR ALL HANDS, Drapwoop Dick and Billy Bucket had sup- per togetner, while waiting for the proper hour to search for Sawdust Sam. Billy had quietly questioned well-informed parties while in the Pages™, and was sure that he had the clew, at last. ‘Course he may not be in,” the youth re- marked, *‘ but I know his ways now:” ‘* Where are we to look?” Dick inquired, ‘*Twenty-seventh street, You know what that region is, boss.” The detective knew very well, in a general way. my It was the general stamping-ground for the colored population, the same as Mott street was for the heathen Chinee. ‘There, in numerous laces, policy reigned supreme, while the red-and- black game also flourished. Confidence-men and horse-touts were common, and bunco-steer- ers prospered, But, above all, the negro held bigh carnival. It was through the agency of one of the sable gentlemen that Billy Bucket hoped to gain en- trance to a celebrated resort. ‘Et is known as ‘ Maud,’” Billy’ explained, ‘* Ye see only a cigar-store, first sigbt, but back o’ that is Maud’s money-bank, as I may say, I’m told that. Maud is, really, Sawdust Sam’s wife, though he goes there same’s @ Common acquaintance. Him an’ sbe is both as bad as you kin find.” ‘* And she keeps a policy-den?” ‘* She does, hen you see the cigar store, an’ the little, dark room back of it, *twon’t seem no. great shakes; but there’s a big room back of all, an’ all sorts o’ folks goes there.” ‘1s our guide a good man to have along?” | “He ought ter be, fur bis name is Washing- ton, with the prefix o’ Abijab. Recken he’s all right.” ‘Supper finished, Dick and Billy had cigars, and then, at the p oper time, they went to meet. their guide at a point previously settled by | Bucket. Te For the consideration of a dollar; Mr. Abijah *bout ‘Yes, Puta hundred on each horse, or on | Washington consented to show the detectives | the first two, and I'll guarantee you will win, ' around. : . » vf ‘ ~ ‘ iG =~ Oe es 8d ed Ry D4 WAD& 33% et Sgt ne AS = — ; es eee ese