Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 777 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

hat is the question we are determined to ind out,” said Gordon Grayburst, firmly, ‘* Have any passengers come on board during the night?” asked Jack Dimond. They went to the captain’s office to find out, ‘* Yes,” said the clerk, looking over bis books, ‘‘ A clergyman came aboard at Baton Rouge.” ‘¢ That’s the fellow I heard praying aloud next to me, I’ll wager a hundred on,” said Jack Di- mond, ‘Yes, he was put in the state-room néxt to you, Mr. Dimond,” the clerk said, ‘* What have you against me, Butler, for. that fellow woke me from a sound sleep, and when I[ called to him to postpone his prayer until next Sunday, he coolly began to pray for my lost soul,” and all laughed at the gambler’s words. ‘* Any one else come on board, Mr. Butler?’ asked Gordon Grayburst. “An old gentleman and his wife at Bayou Sara, sir.” ‘* No one of a suspicious nature?” ‘* Not any one, sir,” ‘* Then the one who has wronged that poor fel- low we have to look for on this boat,” firmly said Gordon Grayhurst, “Yes, it was some one who was aboard and knew the circumstances of his having consider- able money and valuables,” Jack Dimond re- marked. Then he added: ‘*] will pay one thousand dollars’ reward to find him, or his murderer, if he is murdered.” ‘* And I will pay the same sum for informa- tion regarding him,” Gordon Grayhurst said. _ ‘* And the boat will add another reward,” said the clerk, ‘‘Pray call upon me for my quota to a sub- scription for a reward,” Valentine Gibson re- marked, Then the latter and Gordon Grayhurst walked on deck together to discuss the situation, They talked together for some time, and could only arrive at the conclusion that tbe strange young man had been murdered, robbed, and bis body, in the darkness, thrown overboard to pre- vent discovery of the crime, Whom to suspect was the question, **1 certainly do not suspect Jack Dimond, in spite of the fact that he would feel bitterly to- ward him, for he is above such a thing in my opinion,” Gordon Grayhurst said, ** And in mine, ** No, the man is one of the Blackleg gang, and to pick him out is the thing to be done.” ** Well, Mr. Gibson, I am certainly glad to have the pleasure of meeting you, and I most surely owe to you my life, **[ trust we shall be friends, and when we re- turn to New Orleans, for I believe you make that your home now, I shall be most happy to have you visit me at The Ferns,” ‘**T shall be honored, Mr. Grayburst, I as:ure, and also glad to avail myself of your kind in- vitation—ah! here comes the parson, I guess, who prayed for Diamond Jack’s soul,” and as he spoke the person referred to came on deck and walked with solemn mien toward the two genile- men who were observing him, CHAPTER XIII. A PARSON ON HIS METTLE, THE one who approached Gordon Grayhurst and Mr. Gibson, as they stood together on the steamer’s deck, was one of those solemn, sleek- looking individuals we often find in the mivistry, of that stripe who are opposed to everything ex- cept prayer and alms-taking. e was dressed in a suit of severe black, of the most pronounced ecclesiastical cut, wore a snowy collar and necktie, had gray bair worn long, a fringe of gray whiskers running out from bis neck over his collar, a /a Horace Greeley, and had gold-rimmed spectacles, with double glasses in them, as though be was very near-sighted, a belief that was carried out by his squinting in a painful manner. His mouth was drawn down at the corners toa Salvation Army expression, while there was a certain high coloring of the nose which, but for his cloth, would have suggested a very free use of the coloring liquid known as “old rye,” His hat was highly polished, bis step slow, and had he been gotten up as a scarecrow for sin- ners he could not have suited the character bet- ir He bowed as he approached the two gentle- men, and said in a voice that was sepuichral, and had a tearful whine in it: ‘* Good-morning, my friends. ** Providence bas yvouchsafed us a glorious day, for which we should all give thanks,” ** Did you hear of the murder last night?” ab- ruptly responded Valentine Gibson. Dick Doom’s Destiny. ‘The murder!” and the parson started back with a look of horror. ‘* Yes, a poor young man was robbed and mur- dered on this boat last night, and all suspicious characters are to be searched and held, ‘*It was about the time that you came on board, I think, sir.” The parson looked pained, and replied: ‘‘It is sad to feel that the life of any man should be taken, that he should go unrepentant, with his sins unforgiven, and 4 beg you, my friends, who may be the next to go, to turn—” ** Yes, we'll go now,” and slipping bis hand in Gordon Grayhurst’s arm, Valentine Gibson led him away from the parson, who stood gazing after them with a positive look of woe upon his face, ‘* I despise a canting fellow like that,” said Grayburst, in disgust. ‘** That is why I cut his sermon to us short,” ‘*And yet just such men often have great in- fluence with people, ‘*He may have his virtues, but I could not tolerate him,” All during the day the two newly-made friends were together, and appeared to take a great yp for each others’ society. Both talked well, and though the senior by some years, Valentine Gibson liked to encourage a younger friend to converse about him- self, Frank, and of a noble nature, Gordon Gray- hurst socn made known the story of his life, and how he enjoyed living upon his plantation, the home of his ancestors for generations. ‘* My sister is a mere child yet, but sixteen, ane yet she is as clever a companion as I could wish. ‘* She is home for the vacation now, for she attends Madame Henri’s boarding-school in New Orleans, so you really must come up to see us when you can find time,” said Gordon, The two dined together that day, chatted during the afternoon, and when night came seemed instinctively to wend their steps toward the Social Hall of the steamer, Several times bad the parson attempted to join them, but they had eluded him most skill- fully, and Gibson had sent bim after Jack Di- mond with the remark: ** Now there is a man you should convert, for he is an abominable sinner, I assure you.” ** What is he, friend?” ‘‘ A gambler,” The parson raised his hands in horror, mut- tered something and made a bee-line for Dia- mond Jack who was seated forward smoking. The encouragement he met must have been considerable, for he remained a long while in conversation with the gambler, When supper was over and the tables set in Social Hall for those who wished to play, quite a crowd had gathered, evidently anticipating another game between the gambler and Gibson, or with Gordon Grayburst, The mysterious disappearance of the country- man, Dave Dunn, had been the universal topic of conversation during the day, and had cast a gloom over all on the steamer, for no one seemed to doubt but that he had been killed and thrown overboard during the hours of the night. The clerk had said he had made bis report to hand over to the authorities at New Orleans upon bis return, and would state that he be- lieved a murder had been cdmmitted, Assembling in Social Hall when night came the missing man was again the subject of con- versation, and there was little doubt regard- ing Jack Limond’s being strongly suspected as his murderer. When he came in from his smoke upon the deck every eye was upon him, and a number bad gone to the captain and stated that the thought he should hold the gambler and not al- low bim to leave the boat at tbe landings, ‘That is all arranged for, gentlemen,” was the cautious reply of Captain C——, and more he would not a ‘* Well, Mr, Grayhurst, what do you say to a game to-night?” said Jack Dimond, as he came up to where the young planter sat with Valen- tine Gibson. ‘“*T am wholly at your service, sir,” was the reply, and the two sat down at atable and cards were brought. Then suddenly from his corner arose the par- son, and joudly he said: ‘* I protest, gentlemen! ‘IT will not brook the insult tomy gray bairs and my sacred calling, of allowing any game of cards to be played in my presence, “I say no!” and the parson squared himself as though ready to knock out any sinner who dared oppose him. . CHAPTER XIV. THE PARSON WINS. THE excitement caused by the unexpected act of the parson was intense, Some laughed, a few jeered, many encouraged bim to stick to his determination to down the sin of gambling, and others were silent. Gordon Grayburst looked both confused aud annoyed, while Valentine Gibson was cynical. The gambler showed that he was angry, for his eyes flasbed and he bit his lips. Then, as quiet once more reigned, the deep, melodious voice of Jack Dimond was heard: ‘* Your name is Shepherd, I believe?” ‘* Yes, sir, and I am a shepherd trying to lead lost sheep back to the fold,” ‘* Well, sir, you should have nothing to do with wolves, so pray do not interfere with me,” ‘*] will interfere, I will not see you, Man of Chance that you are, inveigle that vouth into a game to lose bis fortune and imperil his soul, **T tell you, sir, that you shall not play while I am on this boat,” Jack Dimond’s face became very pale, but he said in the same unmoved voice: “Tf it were not for your white hair and your being a clergyman, I would drag you through that gangway and throw you into the Mis- sissippi.” All started at this threat of the gambler, for they knew that he was a man to be feared when his anger was aroused, The parson never winced, but stepping, close up to the irate gamester laid his hand upon his shoulder, while he bent over and whispered in his ear: ** As you threw that poor youth into the river last night?” Jack Dimond’s face turned perfectly livid, his eyes glared, his lips moved, but he uttered no word, W bat he had said to the gambler reached the ears of but two other persons, Gordon Grayhurst and Valentine Gibson. They were positively startled by what they heard, and the parson stepping back said in his same denunciating style of speaking: ‘* Now will you play your game of chance to- night, gentlemen or not?” **T certainly do not wish to do aught to wound the tender sensibilities of the reverend gentle- man,” said Gordon Grayhurst, “ Hence I will not play.” ‘Well said, young man, well said,” Parson Shepherd remarked, All eyes now turned upon the gambler who re- marked.witb a sneer: ‘* As the sentiment seems to be in favor ofa Salvation Army seance, [ pass too, and will withdraw to the companionship of one whose society I never tire of—myself.” He put up the cards with no sign of excite- ment now in face or manner, and rising said: ** Parson, I am open to conviction and conver- sion, so if you care to talk with me you will find me on the upper deck near the bell, my favorite seat. With this the gambler strode out of Social Hall, while the parson said: : ‘**] never allow a sinner to escape, so will talk to him while he is in the humor.” And the parson also left the Social Hall, while Valentine Gibson said: ‘* Mr. Grayburst, did you hear what he whis- red to Jack Dimond?’ ‘*T did, and I was amazed, ‘“He seemed to strike dead center with his random shot, if it was fired at random, which [ very inuch coubt.” ‘** You think he knows something?” ‘*T think that parson is not the’foo] he looks,” ‘*T bad the same opinion.” ‘* Now, he may have come on board before Davy Dunn disappeared, and so might have seen some cause to bring suspicion upon Dimond,” ‘** 1t would seem so, ‘* But did you note the face of Jack Dimond?” ‘Oh, yes, it became perfectly livid.” ‘““And be evidently wanted to talk with the parson, from what he said,”, ‘** Beyond all doubt,” ** Tat us see who the map is,” They went to the office and asked the clerk to let them Jook over the steamer’s register. There they saw the cramped, schoolboy chiro- graphy of the countryman, written as follows: **Davy DUNN, Miss,” After a few other names came that of: ‘Rev. ARIEL SHEPHERD, Nashville, Tenn,” They could make no more out of this than what they saw, and as they felt sure there ‘ ee A i ay - a = ——F ee i -~ 1a oL , = é ge 2 ae ae oo" -~ 4 § " on iP +) * - re . : ¢ - 4 * a alt al a . , é a0) — . an" J . f yor , Pet ke - 7 . - “-o - ~ — lal a is. < 2