Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 726 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

‘* Eager to. emulate and excel the record of my elders, in the money-making line, 1 withdrew funds from the business and invested in the Eldorado Oil Company, of Oil Gutter, Pennsy]l- vania, Enticing name! Why did not ‘Oil Gutter’ warn me? All my money has gone into that ‘ gutter!” ** Others lost—” ‘* Their own money, let us hope; I squandered ‘what was not mine—stole, if you will, to sink in wild speculation, The oil scheme was a failure; the Eldorado uever has paid a dividend; and the money invested is suok, My stock is not worth five cents on the dollar—no; not ove cent, perhaps,” * Losses will occur to the best—” ‘*IT could lose my own money, and charge the loss up to experience, but to wreck the house of Elliston & I[ber! Great heavens! think of it! My father—” Robert stopped sbort. The Brown Sport knew all the particulars of the unfortunate speculation, so frank speech on such facts could do no harm, but to dilate on the fact that financial ruin would overwhelm proud, infirm Colonel Elliston would be to sharpen the wea- pons of one who was already suspected of being a secret enemy. But the Brown Sport was not dull-witted, ‘* IT know,” he agreed, feelingly, ‘‘ it would be a terrible blow to your poor old father. He loves the business house he built up; he loves the family honor; he likes the position in society which his family occupies,” Robert drew a quick, deep breath, but was silent. ‘** Vandevere Van Decker has all of the grasp- ing nature of a miser,” pursued Roland Mon- tague, carefully choosing his words, ‘‘ He sees how you are placed, and has come to you with an offer to give or take, What he is willing to give is a sum so small that it would not help you any, and you are auxious to hold on to the stock in the oil concern, in the hope of getting your money back by some new discovery, there,” **That no longer influences me; the repeated tests have convinced me that the land at Oil Gutter is of no value. I’ve been there myself, But a condition of Van Decker’s offer to buy my share for a pittance, is that he may boom the Eldorado on the New York market, using my mame. In fact, he threatens to boom it, any- how, and use my name, unless I buy him out,” “ Which you can’t do,” Elliston moved uneasily, but made no reply, **T understand,” added Monta e, feelingly. ** The money you took out of the banking-house of Elliston & Iter, five years ago—covering up the withdrawal by means of a little bookkeep- ing of your own, more ingenious than honest— has been a millstone upon yourneck. You were supposed to have certain resources. You did mot have them; you had dropped them in Oil Gutter, And at every turn, for years, the dis- sipated funds have barassed you. Asa snake coils and turns here and there, in and out, so the shadow of the scattered money has embarrassed you. To-day, the bouse of Elliston & Iber, sup- posedly strong, is insolvent!” The words were strong, but the Brown Sport spoke them with skill, An uninformed listener would have $aid he felt deeply for kis companion, ~ ‘ Robert was not deceive), ** Not so bad as that, I hope,” he replied, bis face flushing. ‘* Embarrassed, then,” “That state of affairs may come,” ** And Elliston & Iber go under?” **Don’t speak of it!” exclaimed the young banker, ‘* But, suppose I speak practically, with a view to helping you out of your predicament?” Robert regarded Montague doubtfully, ** You?” ‘Yes. Suppose I use my skill upon Van Decker, and so move him, by argument, plea, threat or device—whatever plan I can think of —if I save you from financial ruin, what will be my reward?” or the first time Montague betrayed eager- mess as he awaited the reply, f CHAPTER IV. OTHERS ARE INTERESTED IN OIL, ROBERT ELLISTON studied the Brown Sport’s face closely. He had become pougeiuted with the man since he met Vandevere Van Decker, and knew little of him personally. He was aware that, among sporting-men, Montague had a bigh reputation for “square” dealing, but he lacked faith himself. ee Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s ** How do yon expect to change Van Decker’s purpose?” he asked, after a pause. ‘*As ] said, by argument, plea, threat, or de- vice. I know not how, at present.” ‘* Van Decker is after cash.” ‘* Tf necessary, he shall have that,” “From whom?’ ‘From me, I might loan you enough to buy off his claim.” The words were quietly, but modestly spoken, They surprised Elliston, He had a vague idea that a sporting-man who managed a big enter- prise usually made some money, but that the one who only played the races, and kindred lines, and spent his time about town, generally lived from hand to mouth. He had not looked upon the Brown Sport as a capitalist. ‘*Two thoughts occur to me,” he finally re- sponded. ‘* Name them,” Montague requested. ‘* First of all, if anybody pays Van Decker, be pays for aclaim of no value. The Eldorado oil plant is not worth as much as a common Pennsylvania farm. In brief, if Van Decker gets the money, it will not be that.I buy out his share in the oil plant, but simply blackmail ex- acted by him whereby he agrees not to boom Eldorado stock in New York, or elsewhere, with my name attached,” ‘*That is about the size of it.” ‘* Next, suppose the money is raised, I only change masters, as it were, and plunge deeper into debt. I buy what is, and always will be, worthless, and add to my liabilities just what sum I borrow, I get nothing into the business of Elliston & Iber; I do not replace the dissipat- ed reserve fund of that firm; I do nothing vo put that firm on its feet.” ‘* But you silence Van Decker.” ‘“ By submitting to blackmail.” ‘Yet, you save your own and your father’s honor.” Robert was silent. ‘Don’t let me over-persuade you,” continued Montague, ‘‘ but I am here as a friend. The Eldorado stock must not be boomed !” ‘‘ That man is a villain!” Robert cried. ** He is the chief owner of the Eldorado,” ‘“ The majority of the stock is his, I admit.” ** He is a vulgar fellow who is bound up in the greed of gold, Let us buy his wretched soul and get rid of bim.” **And how,” thought the young banker, “would Ithen get rid of you ?” But he prudently answered: / ‘If I bad the money I would buy, but ‘ ifs’ rarely make the groundwork of a bargain.” ‘* Let me arrange all that?” ** Where does your reward come in?” “It is enough to me if I can help an honor- able man of business,” The reply was ready, and bad an air of sincer- ity, but Elliston was not satisfied. He did not trust the Brown Sport, and doubted if relief was to be found by following bis advice. That a sting lurked somewhere he did not doubt, and he was well aware that the cunning of a city sharper made him the worst of all enemies, Better by far was it to bave the lank Pennsyl- vanian for an opponent than Montague. But, were they not already in league? Robert was wise enough to suspect that they were, and he decided to gain time—though he saw no great good to be gained from delay. Nevertheless, he thanked the Brown Sport, and asked for a fewdays to think the matter over. The latter referred to Van Decker’s ob- stinate nature, and said he doubted if he could keep the fellow in check for more than a day or two, At his suggestion the time of the next in- oh gi was set for the evening of the following ay. Then Mr, Montague took his departure, He marched down Madison avenue in a very satisfied frame of mind, but saw little by the way; he was thinking too busily. ‘*The match has been applied tothe already lighted train,” be soliloquized, ‘‘and if an ex- plosion don’t follow it will be because my foot is set on the flame before it touches the powder. Elliston must bend or break, I have not brought Van Decker here for child’s play. I wanta share of the Elliston boodle, and all of pretty Irene. Unless she becomes Mrs, Mon- tague, the old colonel will get a biff between the eyes, as it were,” Fivally recovering from his deep meditation the schemer deviated from his course, walked to Sixth avenue, took the Elevated Road and returned to the lodgings be had secured for Van Decker, ows found that person shaking dice for amuse- ment. . It’s a great game,” he declared, ‘‘ an’ I’d like \ Kid. ter bea sport, myself, Ef I could git the drink s" on ter somebody else,as you do iu the saloons, — 1 could afford ter ’ile my j’ints, now an’ then,” ‘You want to forget the drinks,” the Brown Sport answered, sharply. ‘‘ We have too much at stake, and your bead is too weak, for non- sense, Nave you been drinking any more?” ‘* Wal, I took one swaller,” Van Decker ad- mitted, ‘*in the saloon.” ‘*So you’ve been there, you fool!” ‘“Say, don’t be hard on a feller; I was as dry asa fish, I made a nice acquaintance, tco: a ns age chap that would ’a’ set them up fer me ~ a I wanted, but I wouldn’t drink but once. He was from old Penn., too, Lives at Oil City.” ‘** Did you introduce the subject of oil?” ‘* No; he did.” ‘*And did you say you were interested that way?” ** Ye-es,” ‘* Then you’ve been trapped !” ‘*EKh? You don’t think he was a detective?” Van Decker cried, in alarm. ** Hardly that, but some meddler fell afoul of you. Meetings like that occur only by design, The man may have been a bunco man who learned who you were, and sought to swindle you, or some skarper who wanted a share of your plunder by methods little less honest, I suppose you let hin pump you freely? Didn’t you talk oil?” ‘* Ye-es,” ‘‘What did you say? Out with it!” Montague was angry and peremptory, and Van Decker was alarmed, so it was no easy matter to get particulars, Finally, the man from Oil Gutter admitted he had told of the Eldorado, and boasted of its richness as an oil- plant, but he stoutly denied baving said any- thing that could endanger their scheme, ‘*Did he want to buy?” Mortague asked, ** He said he would see me ag’in about it,” ** Where?” ‘‘ He didn’t say; here, I s’pose. He give me his keerd, an’ said we’ile men ought ter stand in with each other,” ‘* Let me see the card.” It was given to the sport, and be studied it carefully. it had the name of an alleged oil company printed on it; the location of tlie fields was given, as was the name of the New York agent and bis office. ‘‘He said that was him,” Van Decker ex- plained. ‘Probably the man never was in the office in his life. He is a swindler, He is not the man whose name is on this card, and’he bas buncoed you, or intends to.’” “ Bigglin’ pancakes! how d’ye know?” “The ways of bunco men are not strange to the citizens of New York, if they are to you.” “T b’lieve be was all right, an’ I’m goin’ ter that office ter see!” The rural gentleman was growing indignant, and he started up with emphatic movements, The Brown Sport did not seek to check him. To that crafty person, bimeelf, it seemed to be the best way to settle the matter, If the stranger was what he had claimed, it would be a great relief to know it, while if he was a spy, the sooner the fact was established the better. If they were under suspicion, all of Monta- gue's shrewdness was needed to avert danger. Both went out and walked toward the address given, and the leader formed a suitable excuse for the call as they went, The address proved to be a substantial building, and the name was found on the marble slab at the door. This proved nothing, and they went on to the office, Tho first look inside was enough to satisfy Van. Decker, and he nudged the Brown Sport, and vie a “That's him!” : A gentleman was bending over his desk and engaged in writing. As they advanced he ‘look- ed up, smiled when he saw the Pennsylvanian, und observed: | ‘“T didn’t expect to see you so soon,” Van Decker made his excuse for the call and introduced his companion as ‘‘ Mr, Shaw.” Both wished themselves away, but they were in for the interview, and had to endure itas gracefully as possible, The stranger talked business from the start, partly in the way of oil, but brought in politics, stocks, and other things dear to the heart of man. The call was not prolonged, and when the schemers were again on the street, the Brown Sport remarked: } ‘The joke ison me; that man is allright. I was too suspicious,” | Da He might have returned to bis original opinion if he could have looked into the office again, When they were fairly away, a man, wko had ‘ ; \ /