Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 80 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

_ Nee ee EEE — ——__— tion ter put a lead perquisite right inter your nod- dleum, and don’t ye disrecollect et. My name is Baltimore Bess, E-s-q., ef ye never hed one o’ my keerds, an’ I reckon as how yell find me bizness clear ter ther roots 0’ my toes!” . ‘“‘Let me up!’ Malvern gasped, white with rage and mortification, for a crowd was gathering, and he lying at the mercy of a mere girl. It was exasper- ating to him, in the greatest degree. ‘Let me up, curse you.” ; “Eh? what d’ye say? Me let ye up!” the girl mocked. “Ha! ha! thar is sumthin’ like the sound o’ circus in thet, to be sure. Et sounds like ther plays w’at they play on the stage. I’m ther galoot as has got you floored, an’ now ye must beg my pariling, or I won't let ye up. Eh—ain’t thet et, ‘‘ Hurra! thet’s et, Bess, gal!’’ yelled the colonel in delight, as he pushed forward, while the rest o the men gave a shout of enthusiasm. ‘‘ Thet’s ther ticket, Bess! Give et ter him, ole gal! Ye're a true he'rine, ef ther gold medal fer sublime beauty do de- scend ter me, as ther purtiest flower o° mankind thet evyer bloomed an’ blossomed in ther classikal shades o’ Deadwood gulch!” “Let me up!” Munro Malvern gasped, again mak- ing a fierce attempt to rise. ut Baltimore’s foot quickly pushed him back, and the cocked six-shooters were thrust nearer to his nose. * Beg my parding first, an’ ye shall get on yer pegs as quick as ye please!”’ she said, grimly. ‘I will do nothing o’ the kind!’ was the fierce re- sponse, rs Oh! ho! ye won’t, eh? You want ter spoil ther roilmance, do ye? Well, as a novel writer sez, add in a leetle more blood and thunder—so now, either beg my parding, or in less five minutes, by ther wiggling o’ Bill Stokes’s ears, you're a dead man. Ain't thet right, boys? Shan’tI salivate him, ef he refuses to do honor ter my request?” “Hooray!” cried the men. ‘** An’ ye'll purtect me from hangin’, ef I do bullet- doze him?” ‘Hooray! We will do jest thet leetle bizness!’’ eried Colonel Bill, who, with the rest, had caught the cue. ‘So, heave ahead, Bess, an’ give ther un- dertaker a job. I'll stand by ye like a true beauti- ful disciple o’ Blackstun, whichI am. Plug et right to him, an’ ye’ll hev a hull army 0’ backin’, and hold a Wake-Nickodemus over his carcass, — bet !” ‘You heer ther universal verdict!’ Bess said, gaz- ing triumphantly down at the discomfited million- aire. ‘‘Ye heer what ther honest citizens Say about it. Ter make ther romance yon ye've got ter pony up an’ beg my parding, or [ll diabolize your speerit with presentiments of cold plumbago! “Curse you! Pll have your life for this gross in- sult!’ the down-trodden villain cried. ‘ Let me up, Isay, or ’'l—”’ “Thare! thare! Don’t go fer ter pit gore in yer eye again!’’ Baltimore Bess cried, shaking the re- volvers threateningly. ‘‘Come! come! yer time fer angelical peregrinations aire purty nigh up, by ther wifgiin’ o Bill’s ears. Dye beg?’ ‘Yes, curse you, if it will do you any good!” ‘**Ha! ha! it do thet same, purty much!” the dare- devil laughed. ‘‘Do ye beg wi’ all yer might an’ main?” “Yes! Let me up!” “ oA te promise never ter lay violent hands on a di- minutive earthquake ag’in—ter nevyer show yer authority about ¢his town?” ‘*T promise anything you may ask!"’ was the faint reply. ‘For God’s sake let me up!” With a cool laugh the girl removed her foot from his breast, and stepped back with the revolvers still in her grasp. weonee Malvern staggered to his feet, with a vile oath, amid the grins and chuckles of the s tors. Just at this instant his dutiful step-son, Ralph La- mont, came igzagging along, with the appearance of a man who had been on a week’s “bum.” His clothes were soiled and disarranged, his hat battered Bee his handkerchief vailed one eye, which had n effectually closed for repairs, in some drunken spree. Altogether, Mr. Lamont had a gilt ap- arance, as he staggered forward. But his e fiehted up with a glitter of recognition, as he beheld the dust-bedrabbled millionaire. ‘*P-poor, dear Unky!”’ he said, making a vain at- tempt to brush off the dust. “ How I suffered that thou shouldst be cast beneath the feet of thy foeman ; b-but you s-see, old man, I couldn’t git here before! “Ho! ho! pilgrims; luk w’at a purty pair!’’ Balti- more Bess cried, pointing at the twain with a merry peal of laughter. “‘Ain’t they sweet as canned peaches, now? They remind me o’ a pair 0’ Greek Statters. Hooray! I vote thet we bounce ’em! ‘‘ Jest my notion, perzactly, Bess!" assented Colo- nel Bill, in huge delight. “Bounce ’em—thet’s ther true word fer et, ol gal. Ah! I don’t know wat i hills’d do wi’out yer wit an’ my beauty, ", Sure enough, Bill, you dandelion! But, come; let's clear the street of this trash. Feller-citizens, sum 0’ ye grab a couple 0’ sharp- <1 poles!” The proposition was rected with hilarious shouts, but the step-father and son did not stop to see how the affair might terminate. They suddenly seemed imbued with an unknown terror, and he way they ran up the gulch was a nov- el and refreshing sight. Nor did they pause until they gained the steps of the Malvern mansion, when the millionaire turned and shook his fist savagely back at the crowd. ‘‘He’s madder than a rheumatic old wassup!” shouted Baltimore Bess, returning the fist shake, “but, et’s no use 0’ his tryin’ ter git ahead o’ us fel- lers, is thar, Bill, my beauty? Rosebud Rob. CHAPTER XI, IN COURT AND SCENES THEREOF. THE coming trial of Rosebud Rob had elicited much interest among the Deadwoodites. Principal- ly, because a trial for murder was an uncommon event, as ten times out of one the murderer es- caped, and if caught at all was informally lynched by the Vigilantes. But, here was a case for which the accused was to stand up and receive trial, and be dealt with accord- ingly, as the law might see fit. n his short residence in the magic city, Rosebud Rob had attained no little notoriety as a cool, daunt- less sport, and he had won hosts of friends among those who discountenanced evil, and worked for good results. And very few among those who had heard the report, believed that Rosebud was guilty of murder. The gossip was in the muuths of nearly every man to be met, and during the forenoon of the day set for the trial the main street in the gulch was one mass of humanity, and the words “ Rosebud Rob” “the Sport,”’ “* murder,” and so forth, were to be heard on every hand. By noon all the space in the court-room, that was available, was filled, and an eager, restive multi- tude surged outside. Such space as was necessary for those concerned in = trials, had been fenced off, to keep back the crowd, Judge Jacob sat in state in the judge’s stand, pre- pared for the duties of the day. Adolphus Cole, clerk of court, had a seat and desk directly beneath the shadow of the judicial throne, and upon either side of him were tables for the legal fraternity, who were to “‘ argy the case.”’ Of these latter Colonel Bill Stokes was to be the defendants’ counsel, both for Rosebud Roband Jes- sie Mapleton. The case of the former was not to be called until the larceny case had been tried. Munro Malvern, realizing that he must make a strong last effort in order to save himself, had en- gaged a lawyer who had won several suits of late, and was considered good authority on legal mat- ters. At the hour for the trial of Jessie Mapleton, Sheriff Shelby led her into the court-room, and gave her a chair, after which he took one, close at hand. There were also present Hickory Hank and his three pals, the dare-devil, Baltimore Bess, and the cinnamon- haired proprietor of the “ Little Brown Jug,” Ken- tucky Jake, and a man in black with a mask upon his face. Shortly after, Munro Malvern entered, accom- panied by his attorney, a man of villainous counte- nance, named Small; his dutiful step-son, Lamont, and the colored servitor, Brass, After they were seated, the judge took a nip from a bottle which ornamented his pulpit, and which bore a flaring label “ Deadly Poison!” Then, with a commanding ahem! he arose, and glared down upon those below him, grandly. * Silence!"’ shouted Adolphus Syrin Cole, ris- ing and rapping upon thetable. “I call order. The case will now be opened by the Right Honorable Judge Schriner, from the nine hundred and sixth Congressional district. Order, all! I have the honor of introducing his Excellency !"’ ‘**Dot’s me!” the worthy judge announced, *‘ dot’s me, der shudge mit dis a’gust shury. Veller-citi- zens, I vas most happy ter call up von case vich de- mands a heap of consideration—dat is ter say, der case off Miss Shessie Mapleton, accused of oop a mit our distinkquished townsmon, Mr. Munro Mal- vern. Mr, Sheriff you vill conduct der trial, ef you eee ope der on man dat lies, you shoot him deadt re. ck you 9 Shelby arose with a bow, and turned to Munro Malvern. “Have you all your witnesses, sir?” “I have. They consist of Grim, Hayseed Jim Holy Moses, and Popular Pete, besides myself anc step-son, Mr. Lamont,’’ the millionaire replied, tri- ieee A ** And this colored chap?”’ ‘“*Oh! he comes on in this next case.” ** Ah!’ and Shelby turned to Colonel Bill. Stokes, what have you on the defense?” Stokes arose, with a bow. ““Ef ye please, Mr. Sheriff, thet shinin’ beatitude o’ ther female firmament, Baltimore Bess.” ‘**T ob,ect!”’ cried Munro Malvern. ““Silence!’’ roared the judge. ‘Clerk, fine dot man five dollars for contempt mit der court!” ‘Bess ar’ one!’’ continued the colonel. ‘Then, thar is thet honest, law-abidin’ citizen, Kentucky Jake, he’s another. Then, there’s the masked chap who calls hisself Nugget Ned—” ‘Stop! that man is a road-agent, and shall not testify!’ cried Munro Malvern, furiously. “Silence!” roared the judgé. “Clerk, fine dot man fife dollars, Mr, Malvern, I pet you swi’ drinks vot you lie. Dot man vill testify, ef der old court knows herself.” * Don’t that make three?” the colonel cried: “then hayr’s ernuther witmess in my own beautiful indi- viduality.”” “Five witnesses for the prosecution and five for the defense, myself included!’ Shelby announced. “Mr. Small, I believe you open the prosecution.” ‘I do in a brief and concise manner for my client Mr. Malvern!’’ Small announced loftily. ns ndeed, I feel assured that there is need of but little argument to convince the most honorable judge that the ac- cused is deserving of punishment.” — “Dot's me!”’ nodded the judge, rising to take a nip out of the bottle, and then sinking tack in,” “Tt sppeer, * added the lawyer for the prosecu- tion, “that the Right Honorable Mr. Malvern was enticed into the house of the defendant on the after- “ec Mr. noon of the —-th instant, for purposes of consum- mating a rascally scheme.”’ ‘**Stop! dot’s a tuyfel aff a lie!’ vociferated the judge, hotly. ‘‘ Clerk, fine der prosecution for devi- atin’ from der truth—fine ’em ten dollars!”’ ‘We men!”’ continued the eloquent Small, “are all fond of female society, and we cannot attach blame to the prosecutor for being led astray. As it appears, he was treated to liquor, and it being drug- ged, he was stupefied. . ‘While in this state his pockets were rifled of a ackage of money, amounting to a thousand dol- ars; and that mo, Tes was found since, in under the carpet in the defendant's room, by the sheriff, here, and Messrs. Grim, Moses and two others. I believe that is a plain statement of the case, Mr. Judge, and I appeal to you to consider it, and deal with the cul- prit as she justly deserves. If you like, Mr. Malvern will take oath,”’ “Silence! I vould not dake dot shyster’s oath mit a pecs of Biple so higher as my head!” cried Schriner. “ Bill Stokes, you swear dem vitnesses for der brosecution. Clerk of der Court, put down every syllable vot dey say.” Hickory Hank took the stand, and, after being sworn, testified in effect that he and his pards were crossing the gulch on the afternoon of the theft, and seeing the defendant beckon the prosecutor to enter her shanty, they smelt a rat, and crept to a window to watch, and saw the defendant sit upon the lap of the party of the prosecution and tempt him with liquor, until ie was in a maudlin state, after which she took a package of billsfrom his pocket; then supporting him to the door, pushed him headfore- most into the street. Witness and pards had picked party of prosecu- tion up, and supported him home, where, upon be- coming once more himself, he had missed the money. H yseed Jim, Holy Moses, and Poplar Pete were _s sworn, and testified to the same as Hickory ank, 7 “Is the counsel for the defense satisfied?’ Small demanded, triumphantly. ** Nary a time!” replied Colonel Bill, mounting his table as he began to warm up to his work. ‘“ Nary a time, ye leetle spindle-shanked flunkey! Whereas, in ther coorse 0’ hooman events, et becomes me, ther beauty o’ ther Western hemisphere, to be counsel in so She an’ glorious a cause as thet pure an’ innocent eetle lady there—resolved thet I may be teetota steeped in ther fires o’ ther crater o’ Vessuvius ef don’t lay fer ther job, bull hog or none. Feller-citi- zens, et's a grand—a geelorious thing ter hev et in yer power ter labor fer them tender leetle bits o’ oomanity o’ ther feminine sex—darn my eyes ef et ain't thet same! I glory in et, bet yer boots. ** It is my passion ter labor for their innercent an’ inoffensive cause. I love ’em; they’re a being thet ar’ supremely magnificent. Now, in this case, Mr. Hickory Hank Grim, w’at hour was et thet Mr. Mal- vern entered the house of Miss Mapleton?”’ “Half after two, perzactly, as I remember lukin’ at my watch!” Grim replied, rather nervously. ** Aire thet karect, Mr. Malvern?’ ’ ** Certainly!’ was the igs f ‘Grim, w’at time war et when Mr. Malvern issued forth from Miss Mapleton’s place of residence, in the manner you describe?” “Exactly a quarter o’ three!” “Then, he was inside the presence o’ ther defen- dant just fifteen minutes, eh? Well, I suppose you tea d’rect hum wi’ ther party o’ ther prosecu- ion?” es wie w ‘‘ What time did you arrive there?”’ ‘* At ten minutes to three.”’ ‘*Mr. Malvern, ar’ thes kerect?”’ ** Quite so!”’ ‘“*Mr. Lamont wull please be swore!” Lamont testified that he was at the door when Grim brought the prosecutor home, in an insensible mad drunken state, and that on waking he had missed e money. “Is thet all ther testimony you hev ter offer fer ther prosecution, Mr. Small, or w'atever yer name is?’ Colonel Bill demanded. ‘I believe it is,’ was the reply; “and it is stro enough that no sane jury ought to pause for del beration in rendering a verdict.” __, Don’ you vas be too sure apoud dot,” cried the judge. “It so happens dot I pe shudge mit dis shu- ry, unt lam capable of rendering von verdict. De- fendant, we will now hear from you.” _. In behalf of Miss Mapleton,*’ said Sheriff rywes 4 rising, ** I will say that we have proof that the mony given before this court by the witnesses of the rosecution amounts to a pack of base, damnable es. Mr. Small, you are at liberty to swear the wit nesses for the defense,”’ Baltimore Bess was then sworn. : “Shelby ar’ purty much right,” she said. ‘ Et’s a hull devilish plot o’ Munro vern ter ruin this TOune woman, because she refused to marry him. t was J who chanced ter overheer ther interview *twixt Miss Mapleton and Malvern. Isee’d him go inter ther shanty, and, out 0° curiosity, I played spy and, as it appears, quite fortunately. alvern had called to offer her money, which he claimed was due her frum an interest w’ich her father hed hed in some claim or other, up in Thunder gulch. Miss Malvern had jest received a letter purporting to come from her father, in which certain charges a'gin’ this Malvern were cleared up. In gratitude she finally consented to receive the money, but she hed emf done so when Malvern offers ter make her wife.”’ “It is an accursed lie!” Munro Malvern cried, springing savagely toward the dare-devil, © to be hurled back by Shelby. “It is—” uw Eomichbooks7Gco S)