Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 775 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

: ; | . gs —— Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. il useless, for the gainin would have none of it; | could he know my name? This is something and, while the man drank and smoked Harry more than I can understand. unv ound fiction to him by the yard, And not | little while he is in the trance.” without making a lasting impression, either, Thue boy was doing better than he could have dreamed of, CHAPTER XIII, HARRY’S SUPREME EFFORT. Gus CASMORE was a fellow wuo, in spite of | ly, quietly, mechanically; ! Again he fixed his eyes on Harry’s, ‘* Where am I going to-night?” he asked. Harry hesitated; then came the answer, slow- ‘* To the seance at Rosa Dubarre’s. "You have | something important on hand there to-night,” The fellow gave vent toan ejaculation that his being the rascal he was, and of being con- | was very like an oath, cerned in spirit frauds, so to say, bad some be- lief in spiritualism, ‘* How is it to be accounted for?’ he asked himself. ‘“‘This gets abead of my time. TV’ Not that he understood it, but for the reason | put another to him.” that be did not understand he telieved toa cer- tain extent, He believed, for instance, that | hand?” be asked, having again put his eyes on ‘*What is the important business I have on Rosa Dubarre, in spite of all, was really a me- | line with those of the boy. And he appeared dium, If that was so, she was the medium of evil spirits rather than good ones, but that made no difference to Gus Cas more, So, when Happy Harry had told his story, and he had made it a strong one, too, Casmore believed it fully. He believed there was some- thing ia it more than the boy was able to tell, and certainly more than he could fathom, ‘* Say,” be suddenly spoke, *‘ Well, say on,” Harry invited. “* Let’s gotothe bridge. I'd like to see you in one of these spells,” ‘*Nixey! Not fer half a dollar!” “* Pll give you a dollar if you will go. I’m in- terested in this thing, and maybe I can put you in the way of making money.” ** How’s that?” ** Why, I believe you are a medium, that is, a fellow the spirits can talk to, and if you are, you needn’t blacken boots any more for a livin’, that is sure.” ‘‘)’m yer joker, rigbt from the pack. Give me yer dollar and [ll goifit kills me, I want ye to promise one thing, though.” “ What is that?” “That you'll watch out fer me if we se the old fellow, and he throws me into one of the spells,” ‘Tl do that, sure; but, bow do you mean?” ** Why, see that I don’t git killed, maltreated, run in, nor nothin’ of that kind; and see that I don’t do nothin’ T badn’t orter do,” ** All right: I promise that, Bob,” ‘Let’s go right off, then, fer it’s near his time ter’pear now, Reckon you will say you would steer clear of tbe old fellow, too, if you see me in a spell.” They left the saloon and set off at once in the direction of the bridge. Happy Harry was highly elated now at the _ success he had bad with his victim, for such the tough certainly was. When they reached the entrance to the great bridge, Harry came to a stop and drew aside out of the way of the crowd, Casmore with him. ** We'll stop right bere,” Harry said, “and 1’ see him if he ’pears,” “All right; let me know when he’s coming, and a try and see how he works the spell on ou, They waited, for the most part in silence, and Harry was hoping some old man would happen along whom he might make use of for bis pur- Finally an aged man did appear, stepping slowly up thesteps to the entrance gates, and as he did so he cast a glanceiu the direction of the place where Harry and Gus Casmore stood, He went on, and the tough turned to Harry, ‘Was that him?” be asked. But, Harry was staring straight ahead, his eyes fixed on nothing. ‘Great Scott!” ejaculated Casmore, excitedly, ‘it was him, sure enough, and he has fixed the 17? He looked after the jold man, who had now passed the gates and was making bis way toa waiting car, Innocent of the attention that was being paid to him. Casmore turned again to Harry, shaking his arm, ** Come, rouse up!” he called, over you?” ' Harry’s gaze remained fixed, though, and he ote not seem to hear a word that was said to m,. ‘This beats the deuce,” the tough muttered. “T must take this boy and let Rosa Dubarre see him, if it can be done, How the deuce am I going to get him out of it?” Stepping in front of Harry, he looked square- ly into his eyes, ‘* Boy, do you know me?” be asked. ‘*Gus Casmore,” answered Harry, slowly and apparently mechanically. “ By thunder!” the tough ejaculated, ‘how ‘¢ What’s come rr ee SSS excited as he awaited the reply. The augwer camein the same manner as be- ore, ‘*'You are going for the money of Matthias Rundle,” was the answer. ‘* You will tell him what to do with it, as he is going to die, It is importapt, and you will be successful. Rosa gets the biggest share.” This was said in a tone altogether unlike Harry’s natural tone, and still the boy’s eyes re- mained fixed on nothing. Gus Casmore could only stare in open-mouthed amazement, ‘This beats the fakirs!” he cried. ‘I never saw anything like it. No wonder the lad changed his quarters, He must be a su! ject easy to handle, when the old man merely glanced at him and nothing more. He has got to go to Rosa’s, if | have to take him there by force, that’s flat.” Again he shook Harry, trying to bring bim out of the spell into which he had been thrown, It took several shakings to accomplish it, however, but when the boy did come to it was as suddenly as he had gon: off into the spell. ‘* What’s the matter?” be asked, as he rubbed his eyes and looked around him in a foolish way. ‘*“Come on with me, and we'll go back,” an- swered Casmore, He took Harry by the arm and led him away. ‘*'Was [I in a spell?” asked tbe little impostor. ‘“*T should say you was, Didn’t you see the old man?” ‘* Yes, yes; that’s so! He looked at me, didn’t he? Tbat was the last I remember about it.” ‘** Don’t you remember what you said?” ‘“What Isaid? Did I talk?’ ‘You know what my name is, don’t you” ‘‘How should I know yer name when ye baven’t told me what it is.” ‘** Well I'll be ham-strung!” the fellow cried. m hese did I say?” Harry asked, as if inter- ested. ‘*You told me what my name is, for one thing. This is more than I can understand. You have knocked me clear out,” ‘* Well, that’s the kind of spells thatold codger throws me into, and do you wonder that I don’t care ter bang around there where he kin get his awful eyeon me? [ guess not.” ‘* No, I should say not. But, Bob, see here: Ihave got an offer to make you, and I don’t want you to say no,” ‘* What is it? Any scads in it?” ‘*Have you ever heard of Rosa Dubarre, the spiritualist?” ‘* Rosa Dubarre? retender, ‘* Wonderful, wonderful,” muttered Casmore. ‘* Well, she is a woman who is a great spiritual- ist, and I believe you are a wonderful medium, though you don’t know it. Now if you will go with me to this woman’s house she will test you, and if you are good she will pay you well every night she bas a seance,” ‘* W hat does she want ter see aunts fer?” ‘*-You don’t understand me. That means th:t She calls on the spirits to come and talk with their living friends,” ‘Oh! that’s it, eh?’ ** Yes; and if you prove a good medium they will talk tbrough you, and Rosa will pay you well, as I said.” ‘se 79 Who’s she” demanded the , m Rosa’s own Bob, then,” Harry declared. Escort me to her palace, and I will see if I can’t work upa ghost or two just to make it lively.” ‘‘ All right; we'll go there. Come along,” Changing their direction, Casmore led the way to a station of the Elevated, and in a few miv- utes they were spinning away toward up-town, ‘*T don’t look very nice for makin’ calls on ladies,” Harry remarked as they rode along, ‘* No matter about that: and I guess Rosa had rather see you just as you are than togged outin your Sunday best,” Pil try him a | QR eS SS e-sSsSssssste=s-sessssstSlSSSSSS T L,,,,L Casmore. with me? have,” I must lack a button or two somewhere, afraid ter trust myself anywheres, if this thing” keeps on.” ‘* Crackers an’ cheese! She will have ter see me just aslam,or not atall, This is the best and all I’ve got. I’m po Jay Gould in disguise, you bet!” It did not seem long till they were at their destination, It was well up-town, and asbort walk from the station brought them to the house of the clever Rosa, A ring at the bell brought a servant promptly to the door, and a word from Casmore adimitted them to the house, where they were soon in the presence of the woman Dubarre, ‘‘ What have you there?” she immediately de- manded, ‘* A diamond in the rougb,” was the answer, ‘‘ He’s a boy with a natural tendency to go off.” **To go off —” ‘“*To go into a trance. than half an hour ago,” ‘‘ What do you mean? Come, tell ine all about him, and why you have brought him here to me, I don’t want him, I*m sure.” ‘*T think you'll change your mind, when I tell you about him,” ‘* Well, tell me, and we'll see.” And tell her, Casmore did, giving the full par- ticulars of his meeting with Harry, and all that. bad taken place subsequently. The woman hstened with much interest, and when he bad done, asked: ‘* Did you know the old man?” ‘* No; never saw him before,” ‘*Re must be a great mesmerist. boy in that line.” ** Don’t you go ter hurtin’ me,” cried Harry, atonce. ‘* And don’t ye put me in no spell that ye can’t bring me out of, either, mind that.” **Oh no; don”t have any fears about that,” Harry laid aside bis box, and the woman placing bim on a chair made some passes before his face with her hands, It was not long when Harry sunk back, his eyes fixed and staring, and Casmore was quick to declare he was gone. And then followed some experiments, arry answered questions, and made revela- tions which they knew it was impossible for bim to have any knowledge about, or so they thought, at any rate; and altogether he passed a most. satisfactory examination, CHAPTER XIV. BILLY S SECOND TAKES LESSONS. HARRY certaiuly bad remarkable command of emotions. Here he was, playing off under the very eyes of these shrewd and experienced adventurers, and they unable to suspect it! With the knowledge he bad of them, he could answer questions in the most surprising map- ner, and they marveled greatly at what, in spite of al) their pretensions, they could not under- stand. ‘* What do you make of it?” Casmore asked. ‘*] know not what to make of it,” the woman answered, **Can you understand it?” ** No, | cannot.” ‘* It’s a plain case, and no fake about it this time,” “You areright. Thereis more in this busi- ness than we have ever been able to make out,” ‘* Well, can you make use of the boy, do you. think?’ ‘* 1’]] be afraid to try it,” “Why? ‘* He tells too much that is true.” ‘Yes; but can’t we post him and bave him play off?” ‘*Think he'd do it?” ** He’!] do it fest enough, if the bait is big.” ‘“* All rigbt, we'll try bim as soon as he comes: out of this dream.” ‘** Bring bim out of it.” 11) try it.” The woman made some passes before Harry’s face as before, and presently the boy came to with a start, ‘Where am I?’ he demanded, sitting up and I saw him in one less I'll try the» rubbing his eyes. ““Don’t you know where you are?’ asked ‘Don’t vou know me?” ‘‘Oh! is that you? What’s been the matter Have [ been off again? Guess [ ‘Yes, you have been in another spell.” ‘‘ A fine statue of Apoller Jam, ain’t 1, Guess Vil be **Do you remember anytbing I asked you?” in- uired the woman, * Nary a thing,” Harry fibbed readily. ** Was: you askin’ questions of ther oracle?” cbook . Ail ‘ t* ¥ to é * . - ’ .}