Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 691 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

railroad boys found an opportunity for an out- ing, and they sallied forth with the determina- tion of making this occasion one of unalloyed enjoyment. Needless to say, they were suc- cessful, flitting here, there and everywhere, like a pair of overgrown youngsters just freed from the thralldom of school, Not until the approach of nightfall did Head- light Harry call a halt in the continuous round of pleasure, ** See here, Rufus!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Are you aware that we are guilty of a most serious of- fense?” “Kh? What kind of a feoce?” “Why, in our frantic efforts to see all the sights, we have entirely ignored the inner man. { have no recollection of eating anything since early morning; and, moreover, I entertain a faint suspicion that lam hungry.” **Ay; come tothink of it, I feel a little that way, myself,” admitted the fireman, ‘* though with racin’ round pell-mell from place to place, a feller can’t find time to skirmish for rations,” ** Well, we now kave just time enough for a good square meal before the next act on the programme, So, let us sample the cuisine of the Good Cheer Inn,’ whose gilded sign I see dis- played across the way.” Into the eating- house they directed their steps, and seated themselves within a vacant stall. Having issued a very substantial order to the waiter, they settled themselves to await its arr- val; and if was while thus engaged that sub- dued voices’ from the adjoining apartment reached their ears. Two men were in earnest conversation: and, though spoken in low tones, much of their, speech was audible through the thin partition. ** So, then, all arrangements are completed?” came in harsh accents from one of the unknowns, “Ay; thoroughly,” was the prompt reply. **The snare is set, and nothing remains but to wait until the game runs into it. ‘It is a stiipendous scheme! Do you believe we shall succeed ?” ‘Succeed! Why, pard, success is certain, So carefully have our plans been laid that failure is an utter impossibility.” ‘* Let us hope your confidence is not mis- placed,” returned the first speaker. ‘* It is, in- deed, a tempting prospect! Why, if our plans prosper, we shall—” But, at this interesting juncture the sudden reappearance of the waiter was accompanied by the rattle of dishes, and the voice from the next stall abruptly ceased, much to the disgust of the railroaders, whose curiosity was considerably inflamed by what they had just overheard. “I'd give a dollar to know a thing or two about them fellers next door,” muttered Head- light Harry. ‘lve heard enough to convince me there’s some kind of a job on foot, though what it is I am quite unable to guess,” Nor were the unknowns inclined to enlighten him, for they lapsed into silence the instant they become aware that the adjacent apartment was occupied. Naught came to the ears of the lis- teners save the occasional chink of glass or the rattle of knives and forks. Ten minates passed in this manner; then once again came voices, very low and indistinct. However, by applying his ear toa crack in the partition, the engineer was enabled to catch the drift of the stranger’s speech, ‘Well, pard, it’s growing late, and I shall have scarcely time to reach the rendezvous if we dally longer here. I must be off at once; and as for you—” ‘‘T know my duty, Cap. Bill is doubtiess in waiting at the appointed place; and, you kin depend upon it, we'll be on hand to do our little act in the programme,” ‘‘Very good! Now,one more drink before we part. Here’s to the success of our enterprise! May we reaparich reward for our risk and pains.” The merry jingle of the glasses followed these sanguine sentiments, and almost immediately the mysterious schemers arose and left the place. They glanced sharply, as they passed, at the stall which sheltered the two eavesdrop- pers; but Harry bad discreetly drawn the curtain, and was completely screened from view as he, in turn, keenly regarded the departing strangers, ‘Their faces are both strange to me, yet I am positive I have heard those voices before,” de- clared the engineer, excitedly. ‘‘It is quite evident there’s mischief brewing, and I pro to follow these gay schemers and, if possible, drop to their little game.” ‘“‘[m with you, pard,” promptly seconded Rufe Ruffle; and, leaving their regast half- finished, they rushed in eager pursuit, nn Eee LLL LLL LLL, LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL CL a se | Headlight Harry’s Haul. At the door, however, a stalwart fellow coolly barred the way. **PDon’t hurry so, my friends,” he advised, calmly. ‘‘ Gents that eat bere gen’rally settle their httle bill afore they depart tor ‘ fresh fields an’ pastures new,’” Yes, yes—sure enough!” stammered Headlight Harry, who in his excitement had quite over- looked the necessary ceremony of paying at the desk. ‘* Here, take this and get out of the way!” He thrust a bill into a ready band, and instant- ly the path was clear; but, even this slight delay was fatal to their purpose, for they reached the street nly to fini that the strangers had vanish- ed, Greatly discomfited, the would-be trailers elbowed their way through the crowd, searching eagerly but in vain for their wily game, ** Bad luck to the slippery scoundrels!” grum- bled the engineer with exceedingly ill grace. ‘*T had set my mind on tracking them to fathom their designs,” ‘*Small loss, I reckon,” returned Rufe Ruffle, rather unconcernedly. ‘‘I don’t imagine there’s anything in the wind worth our botherin’ our precious heads about,” ‘** Perhaps not, pard; yet I’m inclined to think differently. At any rate, l’d give considerable to— Ha! There’s one of the fellows, now—the tall chap whose .voice sounded so strangely familiar! The worthbies have parted company.” The man in question had suddenly emerged from a neighboring stable leading a powerful horse, brjdled and saddled, Even as the young men caught sight of him, he leaped to the saddle and would have ridden away but for a quite un- expected occurrence, A monster torpedo from the hand of a mis- chievous urchin exploded directly in front of the steed, which, in sudden fright, swerved to one side with a violence that dislodged its rider, and hurled him to the earth, The railroad boys were foremost among the crowd that hastened to the spot, and, as the fallen horseman struggled to his feet, they saw what a change had taken place in bis appear- ance, The force of the fall baa served to dis- lodge his sandy beard and wig, and revealed a swarthy, sinister countenance, at sight of which Headlight Harry recoiled in undisguised aston- ishment. ** Nick Norman, by the eternal!” he cried. ‘* Ay, ’tis he, sure’s the sun shines above us,” echoed the fireman, no less surprised at the dis- covery. As for the so-called Nick Norman, he ap- peared to be greatly disconcerted at the recogni- tion. Scowling fiercely, and with a smothered oath, he clutched his disarranged head-gear and limped toward his horse, which a sympathetic bystander had caught and held at his disposal. As he gained the saddle, Headlight Harry. re- covered from his surprise and darted forward, shouting: **Seize him! Stop him! with a price upon his head!” CHAPTER III. DANGER, . As this startling announcement burst from the lips of the engineer, all who heard stood speechless in amazement, for many recognized the name, Nick Norman, as that of a notorious criminal who bad long evaded the clutches of the law. However, the per were on pleasure bent, and had no particular desire to figure promi- nently dn an outlaw hunt, especially when fraught with immediate danger to themselves; for the fugitive had mpegs spurred forward, reins in teeth, and in each hand a heavy revol- ver that frowned threateningly upon the crowd, As aresult of this warlike demonstration, a path was opened as if by magic, and, with a taunting laugh, Nick Norman flashed down the street and disappeared ina cloud of dust, leav- ing Headlight Harry not a little exasperated at the turn affairs had taken. Itmay be stated here, by way of explanation, that the fugitive horseman was a character who had figured prominently in local history during the past, cp in a by no means creditable role, Originally holding a position of trust in the service of the R. & §&. R. R. Co., he had made the most of his opportunity to defraud his employers, until at last found out and rewarded with a long term in prison for his various mis- demeanors. The prison-walls, however, were not strong enough to hold Nick Norman, and he was soon at liberty, breathing dire threats He is an outlaw, against his prosecutors, Prompted by a fiendish desire for revenge, he deliberately planned and attempted to wreck the Night Express, bu happily, his devilish designs were frustrat mainly through the watcbfulness of Headlight 3 After this desperate attempt to destroy Harry. lives and property, the scoundrel mysteriously disappeared, and though numerous search par- ties, stimulated by large rewards, scoured the country in all directions, their efforts to recap- ture him were unsuccessful. Nick Norman had one motherless child—a handsome girl at that time just entering womanhood, who had found a home with a rela- tive when her father was imprisoned; but when he regained his liberty, and fled from the coun- ~ try, Madge, the girl, also disappeared, and it was generally believed she had accompanied her fugitive parent, to whom she was greatly at- tached despite bis evil ways, Two years elapsed, and, nothing being heard of the hunted outlaw, it was believed he bad successfully made his way East; and society re- joiced at being well rid of a dangerous criminal. Now, however, a chance incident revealed the fact that Nick Norman, shrewdly disguised, was still living near the scene of his past exploits, and Headlight Harry’s surprise at beholding the outlaw was equaled only by his disgust at the easy manner in which the latter effected his es~ cape, Separating themselves with difficulty from the inquisitive crowd, the railroad pards sought a more secluded spot where they earnestly dis- cussed the events of the day. The engineer, especially, evinced much uneasiness, ‘This surprising discovery has served to greatly strengthen my suspicions that a deep scheme is on foot,” he declared. ‘Nick Nor- man is an unprincipled scoundrel, shrewd to plan and bold to execute, as his past record bas shown. Depend upon it, he is laying for im- portant game!” ‘*Plague take the dirty rascal! Who ex- ected to see his ’tarnal:mug ag’in? An’ tothink ow slick he got away! Shoot my cat if I wouldn’t give my last copper jest to know what the durned skunkisdriving at.” . “Regarding which we are entirely in the dark. We overheard just enough of their con- versation to excite our curiosity without satisfy- ing it. Nick, himself, is beyond reach, so it only remains for us to keep a sharp lookout for his late companion, who, you remember, was to meet a third party somewhere hereabouts, It is our sole chance to arrive at a solution of the mystery.” . ‘*Humpbh! Might as welllook for the tradi- tional needle in the haystack,” returned Rufe Ruffle, dubiously; and so the sequel: proved for tbe most diligent search failed to reveal the well-remembered face of the man who had figured as Nick Norman’s fellow-schemer. As may be easily imagined, the remainder of the evening’s entertainment had no charm for the engineer and fireman of the ‘ Fleetwing.’ Haunted by vague presentiments of coming evil which they were quite unable to overcome they passed the timein a state of doubt an anxiety that increased instead of diminishing as the hour for departure drew near. While the great multitude thronged the pub- lic square, listening to lively music and gazing in open-mouthed admiration at a truly magni- ficent display of fire-works, the railroad boys stole away to the seclusion of the round-house, where they endeavored to shake off their un- easiness as they busisd themselves in preparin the dormant iron-horse for its long homewa run, Much sooner than was necessary the ** Fleet- wing ” took its place at the head of the long train, while, with fast-increasing impatience, its young masters awaited the moment to start. Time passed on tardy wings, and the hour was late when the tired but enthusiastic Richvillians at length found their way on board the cars, Leaning impatiently from the cab, Headlight Harry fceaught the welcome signal, and imme- diately his ready band caused the slumbering monster to spring. into sudden life and activity. Puffing, snorting,ggroaning, the mighty “‘ Fleet- wing ” moved laboriously from the station with its enormous freight, and entered upon a trip that was to prove the most eventful in its history. As the train rolled away, two dusky forms bounded upon the front platform of the first car, thence climbed noiselessly to the top of the tender and vanished as suddenly as they came. Who were they? Two tramps, no doubt, anx- ious for a ride, who had selected this unusual position as one least liable to visitation by am argus-eyed conductor, Howbeit, their movements entirely escaped attention from the occupants of the cab. Headlight Harry sat, hand on throttle, peering intently through his narrow window upon the track ahead; while Rufe Ruffle, having stuffed . Co ———e eee” “Se « ~ * ye rail 5A Pe . ‘ f) ~ es oo ~~ -¢& LO,”