Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 724 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

| the champion » time I have the reputation of being the whitest — ~— -_ —_—— —<¥wr-- or oer ere -- - — Se Smith and Stuttering Charlie had disap -Hampy Dick tad also picked up his revolver _ and was slinking away, plainly hoping to get off , before he was observed A i} stautly *,, Denver Violet Vane’s Vengeance, 5 bis breath in short gasps. Then he half- straightened up, snatching out a revolver to take a snap-sbot at the cause of his discomfiture. The spectators dodged to avoid a misdirected bullet, and the sharp crack of a revolver sounded, fol- lowed instantly bya cry of pain! CHAPTER V., DENVER DAVE ‘‘ GETS LEFT.” ‘‘Ow-wow-wow! Holy hornets an’ bed-bugs! Great sizzlin’ Christopher! Buoo-woo! Chain lightnin’ an’ ‘lectricity! Wow-wow!” Humpy Dick was dancing and howling, while he shook bis empty hand as if it bad been burned. His revolver lay on the floor—undiacharged. Sen little sport, Violet Vane, had fired the shot! o He was on the lookout for foul play, and be- fore Humpy could work his weapon with the intention of dropping the stammerer, the sport had fired, It was a snap shot, for he had nota second to lose, but he had noticed there was a ‘break at the opposite side of the circle, and he knew his bullet would injure no one if he missed, But he did not miss, The lead flattened against the cylinder of Humpy Dick’s weapon, causing the deformed wretch to drop it as if it had been red hot, and then dance and how! like an injured school- boy. The spectators looked on amazed, not un- derstanding what had happened. But the puffs of smoke rising above Violet Vane’s head told who had fired the shot. It seemed that the hunchback was hit, An uncertain murmur came from the crowd. -** Whoop-ee /” cried Old Sunflower, delightedly. ** W’at’s ther matter with ye, hunchback: Been foolin’ with suthin’ warm, I reckon. Hand feels like ye bad tooken bolt o’ ther business eend © er hornet, Pl] bet a hoss. Hain’t it funny w'en ye feel that way!” Humpy Dick answered by a string of curious anathemas, ** Oh, say!” snickered the irrepressible tramp, ** You'd best save up all them Bible words to use w’en ye say yer pra’rs, They hain’t propper be use in a permisc’us congregathering like is, ‘ ea fired that shot?’ howled the hunch- ack. ‘* 7 did,” replied Vane, quietly, holding his revolver ready fur use in case he should sudden- ly need it again. ‘“* W’at ’d ve do it fer?” ‘* Because you were trying to shoot that fellow in the back.” ‘** W’at business wuz that ter you?” “The business of aman who is always de- termined tosee fair play. It would have served you right if [bad put a bullet through your treacherous heart, but [ did not want the blood of such a contemptible wretcb on my hands,” “* You shell pay fer it!” snarled Humpy. “IT shall be pleased to square the account at apy time. My mottois: Fair play forever.” ** Aud a good motto it is,” observed a strange voice, as a black-bearded man forced his way to the center of the circle, ‘‘ I alwaysstand by the man who stands by fair play. raf do not know just what the row is here, but you can count me in on the side that plays a white game,” The man was a stranger in town. He was neatly dressed, and a certain air about him sug- gested the sport. ‘*) am Denver Dave,” he explained, as he ob- served the looks of curiosity turned on bim. ‘“* It may be possible some of you have heard of -, me? If not, it is not my fault, for I have been doing my level best to get my name up for the past three or four years. In Denver I am called poker-player, and at the same sport in Colorado, That is because I have but one motto: fair play. Whenever I bear a man calling for fair play, 1 can not resist the impulse Iam here.” Violet Vane eyed the man sharply, and _ in- conceived a dislike for him. But, he said nothing, quietly awaiting the next to take a band in the game, That explains why move, ‘‘What is the trouble here, anyway?’ asked ve, moment it was noticed that Stub peared, _ At t epartipvg. The trouble seems to be all over now,” re- _ plied Vane, calmly ejecting the empty sbell from | mend Aggies and replacing it witha fresh car- tridge. ‘* Just my luck,” laughed the man from Den- ver, ‘‘I have a habit of being a bit too late. Now, I am looking fof excitement. I need some- thing to stir my blood, and I[ did hope I had made a ten-strike. I wonder if there is no way I can raise a breeze?” ‘You ought ter be able ter raise a breeze,” observed the sunflower tramp. ‘‘ You seem ter be quite a galoot fer blowin’.” This caused a titter of laughter, and brought a scowl to the face of Denver Dave, ‘* Where is the individual who made that witty remark?” bedemanded, ‘I am willing to wager he bas a pair of long ears. [tis a sin- gular thing that one can always tell a jackass by bis braying.” **Ob, holy jebocus!” groaned Old Sunflower, a look of sadness chasing away his habitual grin, but leaving the merry twinkle in his eyes, ‘* Don’t I wish I hed kep’ my yawp quiet! I am squelcbed fer ther present, but I’m boun’ ter git square,” “If there is nothing else for excitement, I would like to scare up a little game of chip- chip,” said the man from Denver, turning from the tramp and looking sharply at Violet Vane, ‘From the cut of your jib, I should say you sowetimes handle the cards, partner?’ ** Only on rare oceasions,” was the reply. ‘Then [ hope you will make this one of these occasions. [am always willing to play with a white man, and from your words which | heard a few moments ago, I judge you claim to be that.” ‘* But I have no taste for a game to-night,” Old Sunflower groaned. “Oh, try ther critter a whirl, Sweet Violets!” he implored. ‘* He wants it so thunderin’ bad, it’s your duty ter give it ter him an’ give it ter him fer all ye’re wu’th, You kin wopse him, an’ I know it.” Dave scowled again, ‘“‘If you do not shut down .on your jaw,” he said, ‘‘ you may wish you had left yourself out doors.” | ‘* An’ ef you go inter a game with Violets,” retorted the old vagabond, promptly, ‘* you will wish vou hed left yerself in Denver. Butef you git left, it wil! be all right,” The man from Denver made an impatient gesture and again turned to Violet Vane. **Dare you play with me?’ be demanded, in an almost insulting manner.” ; A slight flush mounted to the little sport’s a i ce, ‘** Perhaps I may dare and still not wish to,” **Tf you do not play, I shall certainly think you do not dare.” , Vane consulted bis watch. ~ “*T can give you just an hour,” be said. The black-bearded gamester laughed grimly. ‘“* At the end of that time that pretty time- piece will be mine,” he asserted. Tbe wearer of the violets simply smiled, and led the way to a deal-table. The men sat down opposite each otber, and the crowd gathered around, eager to witness what promised to be an interesting game. A fresh pack of cards was called for and brought on. ies Is “ to be draw?” asked Vane breaking open e pack, _ Denver Dave nodded. ‘With what limit?” ** Limit!” exclaimed the black beard, in ap- parent surprise. ‘* Do you want a limit?” fe never play without a limit,” was the calm reply. : - But what are you looking for—a boy’s game?” . ‘ You shall bave all the game you desire, I promise you that. But I hold that only people of unlimited wealth should play poker without a limit—and then they are foolish. This is simply my opinion, you understand. I do not ask or expect you to agree with me, Butif you play with me, the game will have a limit.” ‘* What kind of a limit do you want?” ‘‘T am leaving that for you to say.” “* Will a thousand dollars do?” ‘* Yes, or five thousand, I simply want a fig- ure of some sort,” Fve thousand was finally decided on. The deal fell to Vave,, Each man produced a roll of money that made the eyes of the spectators grow big, then the game began. Old Sunflower had taken a position where he could watch the moves of both men, On his homely face there was a look of expectant de- light. Evidently be anticipated sport. For the first two or three hands neither of the men did much betting. “Tf you are going to own my watch in an hour, you will have to begin soon,” smiled Vane. ‘* I certainly shall not play more than an hour, and time has wings.” ‘Oh, don’t you worry,” protested the man from Denver, with apparent confidence, ,‘‘ It will not take me long to make it warm for you when things get to running.” ‘* An’ ef you play crooked, ther Old Boy’ll make it warm fer you a short time afterwards,” grunted Old Sunflower. ‘‘I’m watchin’ both o’ you fellers, an’ I’ve got my han’ on er gun thet’s ore putty derned nigh clean ter ther muz- zle, Denver Dave pretended not to hear the va- grant’s words, but there was an ugly gleam in his dark eyes, ' The game progressed. ‘** Ha, ba!” laughed the man with the black beard, as heraked in a large pot. ‘I am just beginning to sccop you now.” The little sport smiled, “If you call that a scoop, your ideas must be limited,” be retorted. ‘“ That is yours by rights, because you won it fairly. You are welcome to every dollar I possess if you can win it in the same way.” ‘** Well, I shall make a strong bid for it,” But of a sudden fortune seemed to desert the Denver man. Several very good pots were won by the little sport in velvet, causing Dave to grow! softly. “Tbat bour is passing,” laughed Vane, ‘*There are but twenty minutes left of it,” ‘The man of the black beard made no reply, but Vane fancied he read a light of desperate de- termination in bis eyes, ‘* Now,” thought the wearer of the violets, “‘ he will try to woel me, if ever.” Still Vane seemed to grow eXceedingly care- less, for it appeared as if he paid very little at- tention to Denver Dave when tbat individual closer than ever. The black-bearded gambler was indeed an ex- pert, for altbough he captured two aces from the ack, Old Sunflower did not detect the cheat. ut Violet Vane’s sbarp eyes were not deceived and from that moment the little sport watched the man from Denver ip an open manner, feeling sure he had him foul when he wished to expose the trick. The time came when Dave determined to make his great move, He skillfully ‘“‘stocked” the cards, and when Vane cut, he made the * pass,” thus bringing them into their original position and spoiling the effectiveness of the cut. Vane saw all this, but remained quiet, Then the man from Denver dealt, and four kings fell to the lit- tle sport. He took two aces himself, with the intention of bringing into use the two he had al- ready captured frem the pack; but Vane watched him keenly. The Velvet Sport stood ‘‘ pat,” while Dave drew three cards, saying: ‘You must bave a great band?” ‘*T have,” replied Vane, quietly, allowing his eyes to fall from his opponent’s hands for a moment, That brief space of time was enough. Two of the useless cards in Dave’s hands changed places with the two aces, thus giving him a hand of four aces. Then the betting began, and in less than two minutes it was so hot that the spectators at the backs of each of the players moved away to be out of the line of flying bullets. Old Suxflower fairly danced with excitement as the pot grew larger and larger. Finally Violet Vane threw his cards down on But, in reality, he was watchivg the table, exposing the four kings, saying as he did so: **T will not rob you, man; the pot is mine.” ‘Oh, I think not!” declared Denver Dave, ex- ultingly, showing bis hand, ‘‘ Four aces beat four kings any day.” But, as he reached out his band to draw in the pot, Violet Vane thrust a cocked revolver fairly against his forehead, crying sternly: ** Hands off, or I will scatter your brains!” The Denver man paled. ‘‘ What do you mean?” he snarled, won this money, and | call on the spectators to stand by me,” , There was @ murmur from the crowd that Vane well understood. ‘¢ You should bave the money if you had won it fairly,” he said; ‘‘ but you did not, therefore itis mine.” , . ‘Do you dare insinuate I cheated?” furiously cried the black-bearded gamester, | ‘That is just what I say.” “ Prove it!” _ ; ‘** An easy thing todo, I have seen the work- ing. of a sleeve hold-out before now. You will / i. : : nd ’ te ry ee ‘og s iad e ‘, 7 < ia) “T have | »% ca “Se 2 ae : o ie * : R Ve 4 nee. at : G € ‘ i. se _ =~ ae a | Oe e . Cc \ rex / | z ¥ if- a Y © pt ‘ ~~ 4