Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 775 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

—_— = - . ~ " ~ bel 5 meet ar CC ALLL LLL AAA LLAL ALLA LLL LLL LL LLL, ~~ —_— es _el - En a” - ‘Can you tell me any name she was ever known by?” ‘Yes, she was once called Fairy Fingers,” ** Sweet pertaters!” ‘* What you say?” “T have my eye on that damsel now, and if she isn’t concerned in this case I miss my guess, Irn fact I know she is, and I’m going to have her, ‘* Well, what is the case, and what are they trying to do to the old man?” illy gave the son an outline of what was going op, and needless to say Jonas was in- terested. ** Did you ever tell your father about this wo- man’s daughter?” Billy asked. **[ started to tell him once, but he reminded me that the mother could not help what the daughter was any more than he could help hav- ing ason a common truck-driver; and there I dropped it,” ‘*He didn’t mean it,” declared Billy. ‘‘ He likes you and admires you, and you will find him out when I once break this spell that is over him. As for being a truck-driver, that’s honest, and many a driver is a kiog beside seme men of means this city might show up.” **Maybe so, But, you said I could help you; what do ye want me to do?” **T want you to be on hand to-night when this thing is unmasked, and the rascals are shown up. Can you manage it?” ** Maybe so, if you'll post me a bit.” That Billy could do, and did do. If he had once suspected this man, he now saw he had been wrong in doing so, and wanted to make amends for it, When they parted it was with the understand- ing that Jonas was to be at Madame Dubarre’s seance that evening, in disguise if be could adopt one, and that he was to take some part in the business. Billy took his leave, and set out for the residence of the female shark. The chief had assured him that his disguise was almost perfection, so he was not afraid to venture there, Pe <Fe A girl answered his ring at the bell, and he asked to see Madam Dubarre, Madam Dubarre, by the way, was a woman who, besides her spiritualism trade, advertised as a seer, one who could read the past, present and future like an open book; and all that, *'Wbat do you want, sir?” the girl asked. “I want to consult with the great Egyptian oracle,” Billy answered. ** You want a private interview?” ** Yes, strictly private.” “Very well; come to this room and I will in- form the madam,” Billy was shown into a small rowm on the right of the hall, and the girl shut him in and disappeared. Presently Rosa Dubarre entered. ‘* You desire to see me, sir?” she asked, * Yes, if you are the Egyptian oracle,” ‘““T am, sir,” “*T want some information.” - * Of what nature, sir?” ‘*] want to find a missing person.” ‘Very well; that may be very simple, fee, you know, is five dollars.” “+ Here is the money,” ** Now, tell me the circumstances, sir.” ‘* Well, I have a boy who has run away from home, and I want to find him, He is ten years old; lam from up in the State, you know,” ** What place are you from?” ** Sand Hills,” ** Very well; I will ask the stars. You remain perfectly still and perfectly passive while I fall asleep, and in my sleep I will talk.” The woman laid her head back, closed her eyes, and was motionless, Presently she began to talk. ‘see a boy,” she began, “and he is leaving home by stealth. Isee him again. He is ina city, and I know it to be New York, I see him again he is on the cars. The train moves West. I see him again in the city as before. It is Chicago.” She said no more, and presently came out of the sleep, ‘* Have I told anything?” she asked, ‘Yes, you say he is in Chicago.” ‘* Well, it must be so, then. Remember, I have no knowledge of what has been said by m lips. I did not speak, but the oracle within,” Oia ti assented Billy. ‘‘ To Chicago I : ou iri ist, are you no go Yes, Rh <- are a spiritualist, y My ‘* And you have meetings here sometimes?” “Yes, sir. There is to be a grand seance here to-night, Would youlike to attend?” ‘Yes, for I am greatly interested in such things, although not quite a spiritualist myself. What is the price of admission? How must I apply?” ‘** The admission is five dollars, except to mem- bers of the faith. You simply come here at the bour, eight, and pay your fee and enter, that is all, I think you will go away greatly bene- fited.” ** Well, maybe I will call, if I have time, I certainly will if 1 make up my mind not to go away to-night.” Billy bad got all the information he wanted, and prepared to leave. He was not detained, the woman seeming as ready to have him goas he was to depart, and —— the door and stepped out into the &il, “Shine, sir? Shine?” Billy stopped short and stared at the boy, What was Happy Harry doing there? had he gained entrance? Bi know, ‘* Why, Bob!” exclaimed the woman, stepping out right behind Billy. ‘*‘ What do you mean i this? This is no place to ply your trade! hat do you mean by it?” How lly was'at a loss to CHAPTER XVI. THE GRAND SWOOP MADE. BROADWAY BILLy had already given Happy Harry their secret sign, letting him know who he was, Harry promptly made response to the woman’s demands, ‘Nothin’, ma’m, only I thought I’d combine business with pleasure, that’s all. Shine, sir? Make ’em look so slick you’ll be proud of ’em, Make it half price ter you, too, seein’ that ’ma fixture in this ’stablishment.” ‘* Bob!” the woman cried in anger. ‘‘ Shut right up this moment and go back in the room there. I am surprised at you!” “* Really, Ido not care if he does black my shoes,” assured Billy. ‘‘They need it bad enough. If you will allow him to do it I will consider ita favor. I never could bear the idea of having it done outside where everybody gapes at me,” **Oh, well, I don’t care; but te must go down to the next floor and doit. I will have no more of this, Bob, and you must understand it,” ‘* No need ter go down there, fer I could black forty pairs here and never get a spot on the carpet,” ‘** Well, do it, then, and be quick,” cried the woman, She stood by to watch the operation, and Harry fell-to with a will. One shoe was quickly done, and Billy raised his foot for the other, Just as Harry rolled up the leg of his trousers Billy felt the lad slip something into the top of his shoe, The work was soon finished, Billy tossed the boy a dime, and then with thanks to Madam Dubarre, took his leave. ‘* Sweet pertaters !” he muttered, when clear of the house, “‘ that young cub is better than I ever thought of being, He can give me odds and leave me away behind, I really believe. What was it he putin my shoe? Can’t look now, but will as soon as I get around the corner, I used to think J was pretty fly, but I guess the rising generation can give me some poets, and the delegate of them all is this same Happy Harry,” Billy was soon around the corner, where he stooped and drew a folded piece of paper from the top of his shoe, Opening it he read: ** Boss !— ‘* I’m bettin’ it’s you, fer I think I know yer voice, and I write this to put in yer shoe if you give me the sine and I get the chance. If it ain’t you, you won't see this and no harm done. I am here as big as life. I'm *gaged fer the first act to-night. I’m to pley, roots on old man Rundle, Don’t you let on, ut if you don’t see a circus here you kin lick me. Il] tell ye all about it later on when I kin orate. I have had a streak of luck as wide as the Boulevard. S PY Harry.”’ Billy laughed heartily. ‘*The young rat!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ How has he ever managed to get a footing in that house? It is more than I can guess. it was high time I reached twenty-one and retired from business as a boy detective, for I would stand no show with this fellow. Ha, ha, ha! Well, weil, this beats me all hollow, and no mistake. He calls it luck, too, but I know better’n that, fer luck don’t drop onto a fellow like a fortune from a rich daddy, I don’t know any such word as luck. The me luck I know anything about is the luck th hard work brings,” oe . Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase, taurant at Billy’s expense. Billy was let to kuow that the usual fee was five dollars, but owing to his aap, a Cas- more, he was allowed to enter free. conducted them to the rear parlor, where she had just been giving Happy Harry bis finishing lesson before the opening of the meeting proper. It was near the lour, and persons were gather- ing in the front room, ‘This boy,” said Casmore, ‘‘is one that was picked up to-day on the street, and Madam Du- barre says he is the most wonderful medium she ever saw,” ** Possible?” “Yes, I believe he could tell you your name, where you are from, and all you want to know. And you can swear he never saw you before, of he woman course, He sur prised me, I tell you.” ** Wonderful! “T would show ‘you,” said the women, “ but it is near time for the seance, and it migbt spoil him for that to throw him into a trance now,” **T don’t believe it would,” spoke up Harry **T feel wonderful like goin’ off now, and mebby if you send me off I'll be better able himself, ter keep awake when ye want me to,” ** Ts that so?” * Sure thing! Well, if gentleman.” Sbe passed her hand before the lad’s facea few times, and he was gone, ** Now, sir,” she said to Billy, “‘ ask him any- thing you wish, and my word for it be will as- Ask bim something which you are tonish you, {t acts that way sometimes,” at is the case I will mesmerize you and you can answer some questions for this sure he can have no knowledge about.” ‘* What is my name?” Billy asked, loudh’. He knew Harry would know to answer, if his memory was any good at all, for he bad told him everything at dinner that day. “Your name is William Weston,” came the answer, in slow, deliberate words, ‘** Where am I from?” the next query. **From Bucks county, Pennsy)vania. have fun,” ** What did I tell you?” demanded Casmore, **Pshaw!” Billy exclaimed, ** you told him al} that, Mr. Casmore.” ‘*On my oath I did not!” the rascal protested. me things just as wonderful, and “He tol Madam Dubarre, too.’ ‘* It is so,” the woman affirmed, “* Everything is all right,” Harry spoke again. ‘* Everything is all right, Everything is all right.” ‘What in the world does be mean?” cried Casmore and the woman together, as they look- ed at each other, Broadway Billy knew well what he meant. He knew this was especially directed to him, “Why, he assures us that everything is alk right,” Billy repeated. At that moment Harry came to, and sat up rubbing his eyes as before, asking what he had been saying. ‘You have assured us that everything is al? right, whatever that means,” the woman said, se My laughing. “Then it must be so,” declared Harry. spook never tells lies,” Casmore now conducted Billy out into the other room, where quite a company was assem- bled, and among them Matthias Rundle, Jonas Rundle, and some others whom Billy had use for. Presently the and made her little speech. out the gas. no danger. This was done, and the room was darkened. ‘** Now,” the voice of the managing medium spoke, ‘‘spiritual manifestations will soon begin to be heard and felt. Do not be alarmed. Noth- It is my hope that the spirits may be with us in power on this occasion, silence all and keep tight hold of bands all around. ing will harm. the circle.” There was an interval of-silence; then strange sounds began to be heard, There were whispers,. moans, sighs; then followed the tinkle of musi- cal instruments in the air above the heads These increased, until, finally,. vague flashes of light appeared here and the and these were succeeded by the appearance ghostly forms here and there for a moment at a. of the circle. time. 5 ¢ | >? ee ee ee eee great Dubarre entered the room She requested the company to draw their chairs up ina circle, to take hold of hands every one with those nearest, and to remain in that position while she turned And she assured them there was. ~ * : : t: eS we ee! com Cc 13 At the appointed hour that evening Billy met Gus Casmore, and together they went up to the woman’s house, after a supper togetber at a res- You have come to New York to see the sights and Now, 7 si A Ee See 900 rf ‘ ** ye Ss eae fer i ; cS.co m