Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 777 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 would be nocard playing that night on board, after the bombshell which the Reverend Ariel Shepherd had thrown into the midst of the card- gtr they decided to go on deck for a walk, hey then saw the gambler seated forward, and near him wasthe reverend gentleman, the two evidently being engaged in very earuest conversation. There was a moon, in its second quarter, and the night was most inviting to remain on deck, so the two friends paced up and down toward the stern of the steamer for a long while, for they did not wish the gambler and the parson to think they were watching them, The moon had set before they at Jast decided to retire, and as they went forward to descend to the cabin, they still saw the gambler and Reverend Shepherd conversiug together. ‘‘ There is something strange in all that, Gray- burst, for that gambler is not a man to be bored by that man without he has some hold upon bim,” ‘*So I think, for surely the parson cannot be converting him from the error of his way,” and Gordon Graybhurst laughed. ‘lf he does it will be a miracle, for Jack Dimond is said to be one who fears neither Heaven, Hades or man,” ‘* Yes, such is the record I have beard that he bore, for my father often spoke of him tv me: but see, Social Hall is deserted, and I will say good-night.” **Good-night, and we will meet at breakfast.” CHAPTER XV. THE FAT PASSENGER. WHEN the two friends mec at breakfast there was asurprise for them, for it was going the rounds of ths passengers that Jack Dimond the gambler had left the steamer during the night, going ashore at Vicksburg. It was also said that the parson bad landed at Vicksburg, also, and people wondered at both departures, for Jack Dimond had been booked for ‘‘ Memphis and return,” and the Raverend Shepberd bad said that he was going on up to the end of the steamer’s run. Why the gambler and the clergyman should leave together was something that could not be understood by any one. ‘* What do you think of it, Grayburst?” asked Mr. Gibson. ‘“T bardly know; but I thought that the cap- tain was to detain Jack Dimond, on account of the suspicion cast upon him of having murdered Dunn,” ‘So I understood; but let me tell you what I heard,” ** Well?” “That neither the parson nor the gambler went ashore at Vicksburg.” ‘*Can this be possible?” ‘* It would seem so, for I heard one of the pas- sengers say that be could not sleep, so got up, dressed, and went and took a seat forward. ‘* While there the steamer ran in to land at Vicksburg, her lights were in full blaze, and be sat near the gangway steps, and saw who went ashore and came on board. ‘* He did not see the parson cr the gambler?” ** No, he did not,” ‘* That is strange,” ‘Passing strange; but there is a comical- looking duck!” aud Gibson nodded toward a youth who was coming along the deck toward them. He had a red face, and his hair was of almost carmive hue, so fiery red it was, His head seemed too small for his body, and a Dery hat sat upon it down to bis ears, being a size too large for him. He was what might be called a fat boy, and te bis sack-coat and pants were too large for im, The boy could not bave been over sixteen, and appeared to make the best of life, e caughta flv as he came along, and put it in a botile he t.ok from bis pocket, Then, with a sheer spirit of mischief he found impossitle to resist, he changed the tags on several of the trunks, so that the owners would get them mixed, A parrot swinging in a cage attracted his at- tention next, and near him hung a bunch of bananas, Again was he tempted, and after eating four- fifths of a banana, the one-fifth remaining was given to the parrot. ‘*Good boy,” said the bird. Complimented by this the boy cribbed an- other banana, and the parrot did mot get the lion’s share, But he repeated his compliment, hoping in - ” Pass 4 A - Jt 4 ae “, Aes | a 4 “44 f a od rr rr rn _—————— T_T —_—oo Tr SEES —_ SS Dick Doom’s Destiny. a time to get at least as much as one banana, and he seemed to have taken in the siz- of the boy, so considered that he would be able to hold the en- tire bunch, But the boy went and got another banana, and standing in front of the cage, ate it all, The parrot ruffled his feathers and looked un- easy, but when the boy laughed at him he be- came insulted, and bis language showed that he could be forcible as well as polite, for he said very decidedly: ‘* Bad boy—d—— bad!” This tickled the boy ani he did not leave the parrot until he bad bim swearing like a sailor. Of course both Gordon Grayburst and Valen- tine Gibson were amused at the exhibitiou they had witnessed, and the latter determined to draw the youth into conversation, so said: ‘*Do you know when we will reach Memphis, sir?” és Naw.” ‘*‘ You are going there, I suppose?” ‘* Tf the boat don’t blow up.’ ‘*You are vot anticipating such a catas- trophe?’ ‘*] dunno, boilers often bu’st, and I’ve heard the one in this boat was leaky,” and the boy was happy in giving the two men a scare, as be thought, **] think Isaw you come on board at Vicks- burg?” ‘* That’s where I live.” ‘* Do you remember seeing a minister go ashore at Vicksburg?” ‘* Yes, he went ashore as I come on,” * Ab! and was be alone?” “There was a fellow with him,” ‘* What style of man was he?” ‘‘ Well, he was dressed to kill, and wore dia- monds galore.” ‘'Thank you; and they remained ashore at Vicksburg?’ ‘*T guess so,as I didn’t see them come on again,” The boy now spied a passenger asleep in a chair, Instantly he took a box from bis pocket con- taining a white powder, rubbed it on his hand, put it back, and moved on the enemy, Tripping purposely over a cuspidor, he slapped his powdered band full on the back of the nod- re, passenger, awakening him with a start of right, (le me, mister, I tumbled,” he said, in- nocently, and went on his way, while iu the cen- ter of the passenger’s back was the white im- print of bis spread band. Both Gordon Grayburst and Gibson were con- vulsed with laughter, and the former said; ‘* Well, that boy has got more deviltry in him to the square inch than any one | ever saw, ** Somebody will kill him yet.” ‘No fear of that, for he is too sharp to be caught, ‘*Did you notice his face, that in spite of his fat cheeks and red face be was really band- some?” ** Yes, I observed that; but you heard what he said about the gambler and the parson?” ‘* Yes, they went ashore after all, and escaped the gaze of the passeuger who said that they had not, ‘*T wish I knew how it was the parson could drive Jack Dimond off of this boat,” ‘** So do I,” was Gordon Grayhurst’s response. CHAPTER XVI, THE PARSON MAKES A POINT. WHEN Jack Dimond left the Social Hall, after bis discomfiture at the hands of the Reverend | Shepherd, he dashed off a drink of brandy and soda at the bar, lighted a cigar, and walked out upon the guard, He stood there a minute, glancing in through the glass windows, and seeing that the parson was coming he went upon deck, There were always a dozen or more easy-chairs forward, near the buge bell of the steamer, and now none of them were occupied. Jack Dimond seated bimself in one, and a mo- ment after a step resounded bebind him and Reverend Ariel Shepherd stood by his side, ‘* A fine nigbt, brother,” said the clergyman. ‘* Be seated,” was the somewhat blunt response of the gambler, ** Oh, certainly. ** Thanks,” And the parson drew bis chair very close to the gambler, who could not move further away, as the bell-rope was almost touching him, ** A fine night, sir.” ‘*T have not said that it was not, sir,” ‘True, very true; but I sbould think you cn would avoid sitting alone with your conscient my friend,” ** And why, pray?” ‘* On account of the memories the weird, grim phautom the sight of thet river must call up from its depths.” ‘‘T am surely at a loss to comprebend you,” ‘And did you not comprebend my words to you in the cabin?” ‘*What were they? ‘* My whispered words.” ‘“Ah, yes, I recall that you made a charge against me in a whisper which you dared not make aloud,” ‘*‘Come with me to the cabin and I will re- peat the charge, and aloud.” ‘*Do you dare accuse me of the murder of that youth?” ‘*Of course | do,” ‘* How dare you have the brazen effrontery to tell me so to my face?” ‘“‘T have not made the charge behind your back, as others have,” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘‘ Why, nino-tenths of the people on this boat ) believe that you murdered Davy Dunn.” ‘*T murdered him?” sé Yes.” ‘¢ They are fools.” ‘They don’t think that they are.” ** Why should | kill bim?” ‘“ Why?” 6 Tes." ‘‘ For the best of reasons,” ‘‘ Name them,” ‘‘ Well, you are a man who has played cards with such continued good fortune for years, that you bave been suspected of cheating.” ** Who says so? ‘‘ What are you to know about such things?” ‘‘T have ears, and have heard men talk.” * Well, no one has ever accused me of cheat- ing. ** You are mistaken,” **'W ho did?” ** Hugh Dunwoodie,” ‘* Ah! he did claim that I played an unfair game,” ** And you shot bim?”’ ‘¢ | had to upbold my honor.” ‘* Your honor?” ** So I said,” ‘‘ Well, your honor we will not discuss, but you were accused again at cheating.” ‘‘ Who was my accuser?” ‘Vanloo Buckner,” ‘Yes, so be did,” ‘*‘ Did you avange your honor in his case?” ‘*Not then: 1 gave him back alll bad won from bim and challenged him.” “Well?” ae We went ashore ata landing and foughta duel, ‘* With what result?” ‘*T killed him of course.” ‘‘ And you recall no one else who charged you to your face with cheating?” ‘¢ Yes, one other.” ‘* Where is be?” ‘*T do not know.” ‘* What was bis name?’ ‘*Stanton Buckner, I believe,” ‘¢ And why did you not kill him?” ‘*He was quicker than I thought, covered me with his revolver and I was searched by the crowd,” ‘* With what result?” ‘It was shown that I had not played with two packs, and marked cards as he accused me of doing.” * Well?” ‘* He left the steamer that night, and I never met him again.” “Is that true?” ‘** Do you accuse me of lying?” ‘No, of forgetting.” _** What do you mean?” ‘‘] mean that some weeks after Stanton Buckner took passage on a steamer which you were on board of as a passenger. ‘‘He came on board at night, entere@ the cabin and seeing you passed on to his state- room, ‘‘The next morning be was not found on board, and vo one knew what had become of bim, ‘‘ His clothes and baggage were in his state- room, and as be happened to be a somnambulist it was supposed that he bad gotten up in his sleep and going out on the guards bad fallen over- board,” ‘* Yes, I remember the excitement it occasion- ed atthe time.” . ‘* No doubt, but do you recall] that there was " * ® ny a *, sh * é ” ae i » : . aay” _ - e % ~-€O | Se ae