Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 659 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

6 examined first such books and papers as Bre open to inspection, and that done, proceed- d a step further. Unlocking the nearest drawer, he found the registry receipt book and other valuable matter. | Opening the book and glancing at its entries, he remarked: ‘‘Itisalong time since any money business has been transacted here. Let us look further.” Another drawer was opened, and there was a surprise, There were found the commission that had been sent to the new postmaster inonths be- fore, and letters and papers to others relative to the appointment, ‘*‘ No further proof of the man’s guilt is need- ed,” said the inspector. ‘‘ [ must find and arrest him, and see that he is punished.” ** And you shall have my help,” promised Cibuta John. The search did not stop there, but was con- tinued, and finally when a closet was opened a startling revelation was made. It was a dis- aes that caused Cibuta John to exclaim: ‘* Moonlight Morgan, by all that’s great!” In the closet bung a lung, black cloak, a three- cornered hat with a black plume in it, anda belt and sword; and on the floor stood a pair of high-top boots of a very theatrical pattern, ‘“ Who is Moonlight Morgan?’ the inspector asked. ‘* That is what has been puzzling this county for a year or longer,” Cibuta answered; ‘ and it now appears that Moonlight Morgan and Morgan Under weed are one and the same person. Who would have believed it?” ‘**That hardly gives me any enlightenment, sir,” said the inspector. “Quite true. Pardon me. This Moonlight Morgan is an outlaw who has been carrying things with a high hand during the period of time I have named. He has aaa most daring robberies on the road, and has so far baffled all our efforts to apprehend him. It does not surprise me, now, that he got away from your man as he did. Itis nothing to your assistant’s discredit, and I owe him an apology for thinking otherwise, ‘“‘This highwayman has always appeared. in just such a disguise as this—a long cloak, three- cornered hat, sword and top-boots, all black. Moonlight nights have been his favorite time for action and as he happened to make known -his name on one occasion, he has been known ever since as Moonlight Morgan. The stage has been his especial prey, and he has always managed also to be on hand whenever the mail or Express has been especially rich. **It is no wonder that he would not submit to being held a prisoner, but it is a wonder to me that your man was able to take him at all. He bas baffled my deputies more than once, 1 have tried times without number, almost, to trap him, but he has always eluded me, and I have never been able to have the satisfaction of meeting him. The rascal! to think of the role he has been playing, and that never a thought of sus- picion has been aroused against him.” ‘* This is a revelation indeed,” the inspector agreed, while the others stood as though spell- bound. ‘‘ We must run him down, sheriff, and bring his iniquitous career to a close.” ** It is easier said than done, I think,” observ- ed Cibuta, ‘‘ Perhaps we shall have better suc- cess now, however, since his identity is known and he has nocover to run to. My belief is, however, that he will get out of this part of the country with all possible haste, and, with the two good horses he has, he will give usa hard run if we want to overtake him. But, over- take him we must, Our horses will soon be ecg for us, and we will set out immediately.” ‘* Yes, we must be after him without delay, Here, Mr. Derrick,” turning to Uncle Dan, **here are the keys of this office, You will as- sume full charge from this moment, Straighten things out as well as you can, and I will see you again before I go away.” Uncle Dan took the keys, and poetically re- sponded: ‘*{ accept the trust, and promise, sir, to do the best [can; and though not much in most respects, I am an honest man, They all know me, the people here, and so, I’m sure, they'll say, so rest assured, sir, that there’ll be no trou- ble from to-day.” ‘You are something of a rbymist, I see,” the inspector observed, smiling. ‘* Yes,” the old man answered and explained; ** when CS eR: you see, I bs Le be a t; an as grown upon me tillI rhyme aad hardly know it.” nS At this the inspector laughed heartily, and followed Cibuta John to the door. Assoon as the door was opened, the crowd some of the. Moonlight Morgan. outside demanded to know the result of the in- spection, ‘* What did ye find, Cibuta?” ‘** Did yer git ther proof ag’in’ him?” ** Ts he ther feller what’s been stealin’ Widow Kildee’s pension-money ?” These questions and a hundred more of the same sort were all put at the same time, almost, and Cibuta Jobn, standing on the little stoop in front of the office, raised his hard asa signal that he would speak. In a moment all were quiet, and Cibuta said; ‘* Fellow-citizens, that man Underweed is a rascal. We have found Uncle Dan’s delayed commission and other letters, all hidden away in a locked drawer, Nor is this all we have dis- covered, You could not guess the rest. Morgan Underweed and Moonlight Morgan are one and the same person!” What!” ** What’s that!” ** Ther doost yer say!” ** Jest say them worcs ag’in!” A hundred such exclamations broke forth simultaneously, and the crowd showed the great- est excitement, Cibuta Jobn turned and said something to one of the men behind him, and the latter went in and brought out the disguise, The shout that went up then was deafening, and it was some moments before the old-time hero of the town could make himself heard. **'You see we have the proof,” he said, dis- playing the disguise. ‘‘Our postmaster has been playing a double role, It is no wonder that we could not catch him. He has doubled on us every time, has come back to town, and, while we have been scouring the county for him, has been here in the office laughing to him- self over our defeat.” ** Ther skunk!” ** Ther red-handed villain!” ‘¢ Ther double-dyed hoss-thief !” Cibuta tossed the disguise back into the office, and he and the inspector and others set out for the hotel. Ere they had gone far they met Cibuvta’s men coming with the horses, and they were directed to go to the hotel and wait, while Cibuta has- tened to his house to tell bis wife where he was going, When he had performed that duty he rejoined the inspector at the hotel, armed for the trail, and found that his deputies were all ready, and waiting for him. In the mean time the inspector’s assistant, Samuels, bad had his wound dressed, and was ready to set out with the others, ; 4: ou had better not go,” the inspector ad- vi *T would go if I were hurt twice as bad,” was the response. ‘‘It is my fault that the fel- low gut away, and I want to have a hand in his recapture,” ‘You don’t want to blame yourself for his getting off,” said Cibuta, “for he is a terror, and has gotten away with some of the best men in this part of the country. He would have tricked any one else in just the same manner, no doubt.” ‘Much obliged to you for saying so, I’m sure,” returned the assistant; ‘‘ but that does not alter the facts of the case any, and I am go- ing with you,” ‘All right, then,” agreed theinspector; ‘ let’s be off.” Cibuta cailed his men ‘‘to horse,” and in a moment all were mounted, and’ the word to start was given, when they galloped off up the valley in the direction the fugitive had taken. The crowd cheered them as they set out, and a hundred different voices shouted a hundred different wishes of success, all to the effect, how- ever, that the rascal might be brought back so that they might enjoy a good, old-fashioned hanging-bee, In another moment the sheriff and his posse, with the two Government men, had passed out of sight, and the crowd was left to the affair at leisure and at length, CHAPTER III. THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS, It was the Ante-Bar of old, _ Time had wrought changes, however, and the town was now more solid and substantial than it had been in the days when it was little more than a mining-camp. Now it was the county seat, contained a court house and a sizeable jail, and had two churches and a growing cemetery. The last named boastworthy possession, however, was as old as | the town itself, it having been started on the 3 very day when the town, as a simple camp, was first settled and named. In addition to the features already itemized, the town had two good hotels and a number of saloons—the latter a matter of course. With all these signs of increased civilization and respectability, though, it was still, as stated, the Ante-Bar of old. The same old citizens were still there, toa great extent, and the ele- ment of breezy roughness was not by any means wanting. It was, in short, a typical town of the far Southwest, Of the saloons mentioned, the ‘“ Pleasant Hour” was still the favorite, and Bill Twicker was still its worthy proprietor. When Cibuta Jobn and his men bad departed, on the morning of which we write, a goodly portion of the crowd repaired to this place of resort, The saloon was found open to receive them, and its regular patrons proceeded immediately to begin the day in the time-honored manner. While they were thus engaged, and while all were discussing the startling revelation the morning had brought, a stranger entered the saloon and made his way in a swaggering man- ner to the bar, He was a very large, raw-boned man, with a clean shaved face, and had close-cropped hair of a fiery red. He was decidedly homely, and his face had a low, brutal cast, He wore a silk bat which did not add anything to his beauty, and was clad in a suit of black velvet, the coat and vest of which displayed a very wide and “loud” binding. On his shirt-front flashed a big paste diamond, and a gorgeous ring adorned bis right- hand little finger. In brief, he looked all that he claimed to be—a prize-fighter. When he reached the bar he leaned upon it with his left arm in a very familiar manner, sur- veyed the crowd coolly, and demanded: ‘Whose treat is this, fellows?” There was a moment’s silence, and then some one answered; ‘** It ain’t nobody’s treat; it is every feller fer bisself,” ‘*Oh, that’s ther way you do it, eh? Well, now, every one of you come up and take some- thin’ at my expense. I want ter do th’ right thing. 1 have just come to town, and I want ter show ve my good will,” Everybody in the room stepped forward, and while they were being served the stranger looked about him with critical eye. ‘*Tt is purty much ther same old place,” he quietly observed, ‘* only it has been fixed up con- siderable and made bigger.” This remark caused those around bim to take a closer look at him, Some had an idea that there was something about him that was familiar to them, but they could not tell who he was. **'You’ve been here afore, then?” one observed in a questioning tone. ‘** Well, yes, some,” was the slow answer, The fellow continued looking around the room and presently his eyes rested upon a notice that seemed to interest him. The notice was this: “ NOTICE! “$5,000 Rewarp! “The above reward will be paid for the arrest of the outlaw known as Moonlight Morgan, with posi- tive proof of his identity. “ Joun Jones, Sheriff.” ‘** Hello! what’s this I see?’ the unknown ex- claimed, as soon as he had read it to the end, ‘That is a reward for Moonlight Morgan,” ex- lained Bill Twicker, seeing what the man was ooking at. ‘Oh, I kin read that as well as you kin,” the fellow said; ‘‘ what I mean is ther name that’s signed to it. Is that thersame John Jones that uster be here?” ‘“He has been here a good while,” Bill ad- mitted, ** And is he th’ same feller that uster be called Cibuta John? the man further inquired. ** He is the same John,” he was told, ** Then he’s my mutton!” the fellow exclaimed. **T have come ter this town a-purpose ter see him. vic you don’t know me, boys, so I'll tell ye who I am, Come, though, take another dose first—as many of ye as wants ter.” As he said this he tossed-a gold coin to the pro- prietor, and many of those present imb again, ** So that Cibuta John is yer sheriff now, is he?” the fellow mused aloud, ‘* That’s what he is; and a good one he is, too,” some one proclaimed, ‘** Well, he’ll have ter be good in more ways than one, when I get at him,” the fellow boast- (e) comicboo <Si'G