Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 80 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

ee F el — direction of the ‘Euchre Deck’ place, closely pur- sued by a man. eect a mt m4 place he over- took and gras 1er by the shoulder. ** She attempted to scream, but he clutched her by the throat, and drawing a revolver, shot her throug the heart. Inhorror I rushed down to the street, to find that Sheriff Shelby had already arrived on the spot. The murderer I had recognized from the win- ow as the sport who styles himself Rosebud Rob.” “T pet fife dollars vot dot vas a pig lie,’’ declared the judge, excitedly. ‘‘ Mr. Sheriff, we will hear from ou, ‘** My testimony amounts to but little,’’ Shelby re- plied. ‘I heard the pistol-shot, and hastened to the spot, to find the prisoner standing by the body with a revolver in grasp. He denied that he had aught to do with the murder, and submitted to arrest.”’ , ‘It is simply useless to proceed further with this case,’ cried Munro Malvern, with a smile of diaboli- cal triumph, “ as sufficient proof has been shown that Rosebud Rob was the murderer. I propose that we hurry him out, and hoist him to a tree. Hurrah! what do you say? Or, if you want more, here is my colored servaut who witnessed the act, and also my step-son, Mr. Ralph Lamont.” “Shut up!” roared his honor. ‘“ Clerk, fine dot man finf un swansy dollars an’ costs. Ve vill hear every vitness, ef der old court knows goot lager, unt ve dink she do.”’ Brass, the servant, next took the stand. He was very much scared, evidently, for the whites of his eyes rolled ludicrously, especially when he eaught a threatening glance from the masked knight, Nugget Ned. “Dis yere nigger see’d der murder, fo’ suah, an’ he’s goin’ ter make a clean breast of it. I went to bed about haff an hour before de t'ing happened, but, hearin’ de massa up, I slid out an’ went down stairs. I see’d de massa standin’ nigh up to de hall- door, but he didn’t see dis chile, nohow. Purty soon, de key turns in de lock, an’de door dun slam open. Den, dis chile shore see de massa thrust a pis- tol for’a’d, an’ shute de gal. He catch her, an’ her into de street, den run back in de house, path off his coat an’ boots like as if he done jes’ got up out 0’ bed. soon he go out in de street, an’ accuse de chap wid de rosebud o’ murderin de fust d . Sh dot’s eberyt’ing dis nigger knows, ‘cept dat massa wanted me to sw’ar ‘g’in de Sport.” The sensation was great! Shouts of indignation rose on every hand, and died into a sullen, hissing groan. Munro Malvern, who had been instantly seized and handcuffed by Sheriff Shelby, raved and swore like a madman, ‘Ten thousand curses!’ he roared, in furious rage. ‘’Tis alla damnable plot to ruin me. That black devil has been bribed to swear against me!” ‘Silence!’ yelled his Honor, between sundry nips at the “‘pizen’’ bottle—“‘silence! Let der case go on. Ve vill haff a thorough hearing mit dis matter, so sure ash I pe von gran’ shudge. Nugget Ned, take der stand!” : The Knight of the Gulch complied, his black eyes glittering, keenly. ‘The darkey told the truth. Munro Malvern un- doubtedly did murder the girl!” he said. “I have here a paper which I obtained from my secret search of the dead girl’s person, last night. It is to the effect that the young lady was to start on a search for the man who murdered her father and ruined herself. This person she believed to be Malvern, as he is here known, and she was going to pay him a visit to find out for certain. Here is the document sheriff. Furthermore, in testimony, I would add, i was on the spot at the time Rosebud Rob was arrest- ed by She Shelby. At the time of Shelby’s arri- val, the Sport dropped the revolver, which he claims to have found near the body, and drew a pair of his own. But, on being accused by Malvern, it seems he concluded to surrender, and dropped his Mag sone So that, after the crowd had dispersed, I made it my business to pick up all three weapons. Here they are, now,”’ and he laid three weapons ee the table. “The two last dropped by Rosebud Rob, bear his own name, Robert Mapleton. The other one bears the name of—Munro Malvern /”’ Examination proved this to be correct. White, and speechless at the crushing evidence being brought against him, Munro Malvern had sunk 5 a a chair, where he was closely guarded by elby. ** Is this all, witness?” the sheriff asked. | ‘Not quite!” Nugget Ned replied, tearing off his mask, and revealing a handsome young face, with ar features, and piercing black eyes. | Let me discard my nom de plume, and introduce mnyself to you as Captain Ephraim Sanderson, a de- ve, and the son of the man whom you have known as Munro Marvern. His real name is Garyl Sanderson. The murder of the girl here has not been the first one he has committed. Years ago he married a girl in Montgomery, Alabama, for her money. The bride and her brother were the only heirs to vast money-wealth, and the bride came into her portion of the fortune five years after her mar- riage with Garyl Sanderson. Darin that time yon- der villain hovered at her side, an hing but a duti- ful husband; but, no sooner had she received her money, than he murdered her in cold blood, and fled with the whole amount in his ssion. I chanced to be the only result of their unhappy union, and was, at the time, about four years of e. oe The murderer fled and escaped. My uncle, Leslie Carrollton, nt nearly the best part of his forture in trying to find him cage after the mur- der he caused me to take an oath over my mo- Rosebud Rob. ther’s coffin, and he caused the scene to be paint- ed, and a photograph was afterward taken of it “He stayed with me, or rather took me with po for eight ‘taot years of search. But, at the age o twelve, he sent me out upon the world, well supplied with money, and bound by a terrible oath never to ey going until I had hunted my own father down to eath. ‘IT have kept my oath; I have been a sleuth upon his track; ear past, but h I ave been watching a chance to nab m. Here are two warrants for his arrest as a murderer, but, as he can hang but once, they are useless. Now, I have done my work!”’ And, replacing his mask, the knight-detective left the room amid wiid shouts. In ten minutes more, neither he nor the other masked men were in sight. “*T have a little matter to fix here,’’ said Persim- mon Bill, stepping forward. ‘You are all aware that a miner, Robert Mapleton by name, disappear- ed in a mysterious manner somewhat over a year ago. He was a quiet, unobtrusive man, and very few knew anything about his affairs, Everybod supposed that he had got tired of laboring at suc claims as he had, and had gone off to search for richer fields. Probably, none out of a hundred would have believed that he had been murdered, Yet, such was the case. Iaccidentally came upon his body, after he had been shot in a half a dozen places through the body. He was not dead yet, and gas out to me a confession which I took down. e stated that he owned a tract of land which only that day, he and his pard, in some other dealings, have known his whereabouts for a | j ee 15 Rosebud Rob sprung after him, but too late. He had vanished from sight ‘‘ A strange fellow,” said Shelby, as Rob returned. ‘“*He has kept his boyish oath, by trailing his own fatherinto the hands of the law. His uncle must have been a bitter nan.” “He was a queer customer!’ Rosebud Rob re- plied. “I chanced to meet him, up in Cinnamon ch. He kind of adopted me, and trained me into the coolness and nerve which I possess. I grew to think a great deal of him, and when he died he left me his money, although it was no greet sum. ‘He also told me the story which Nugget Ned re- lated in the court-room, and set me in pursuit of the Ity villain. As soon as I first saw Munro Malvern, was satisfied that I had found the man whom Les- lie Carrollton had spent the best part of his life in trying to find.” The little getnering at the shanty finally broke up, and all but the brother and sister dispersed to the various places of abode. It was when the brilliant spectral light of the mid- night moon streamed over the pine-crested moun- tain-tops into the golden gulch, that the city of Deadwood was aroused into a great commotion, such as it rarely had known before. Out of the gulch at either end of the town dashed what seemed to be an army of masked men, with wild yells and shouts. Here they come, now rushi in a great body of cavalry, down into the center o the main street, where they meet in front of the stone jail wherein is confined the murderer, Munro Malvern. From a thousand points the astonished had discovered to be vastly rich in mineral ore. Up- | Deadwoodites look on. on finding this, his companion, Munro Malvern, had They do not raise a hand to stay this strange decoyed into the lonely confine of the mountains, | band, for they ronngniae Nugget Ned at the head, and shot him. Bess, please hand the packageI gave | and of the masked Knights of the Gulch there is such you, to Mr. Shelby.” a swarm, that it would seem an act of madness to May sheriff examined the several documents, and — them with a hope of preventing the lynch- en said: ng. ‘‘The witness is undoubtedly right. The confes- Besides, very careless are these people of Dead- sion is the late miner’s own, I feel cartain, because wood how a criminal dies, or by whose hands, so long have been able to gather its several facts from per- | as “ he gits sent off in good shape.”’ sons who knew him. The other papers are a will, Hark! Nugget rises his stirrups, and his tones, leaving the property known as the Big Bullion mine, | clear as an ine horn, ring through the 5 rape to Miss Jessie Mapleton with the exception of a dol- “* Bring fo the prisoner, and han m to the lar, which is to go to a truant son, named Robert, | limb of the handiest tree. ough he is my father, should he turn up. There is, also, a deed of the | I will not show so vilea man mercy.” Big Bullion property to the late owner.” There was a commotion—several of the knights Der court is dismissed!’’ announced the judge. | had dismounted and entered the jail. ‘*Rosebud Rob pe free, an’ Munro Malvern he go mit ‘* By Sheminy Shackson, et’s a pad day mid dose der ie unt be hanged mit der neck, ter-morrow, | prisoner,’’ cried Judge Jacob, who, with several ondil he ish deader as sixty-swi door nails. Such is | others stood in front ef Rosebud Rob’s shanty. anes in dis city of Deadwood mit der Black TE. don’d vish ash I vas in dem boots mit Munro + alvern.”’ Accordingly, there was a general leaving of the ‘** Great spirit o’ old Methus’ler, no!’ put in Colonel} seat of justice. ill Stokes. “But et shows thet virtue, pluck an’ Sheriff Shelby had the honor of escorting Munro | sublime pewety triumphs over the evil o’ mankind. Malvern back to the cell but recently occupied by | Beauty like mine can i perish.” the Sport, Rosebud Rob, who now was free to es- ‘* Bill!” said Baltimore Bess, peter os 8 et, cort sister, with whom he had previously had an | will ye ever let up a-braggin’ about Aa auty— interview, to her humble but cosey home, where, of especially w’en ete cast in ther shade by our Sport course there was a gladsome reunion. wi’ ther rosebud in his buttonhole!”’ And among those invited to a pretty little supper, At this minute the prisoner was led out, amid wild were they who had testified in behalf of the two | shouts from the Knight-Vigilantes, and strung up to children of the late miner. There were the worthy | a tree in plain sight. judge of the court, and the festive Colonel Stokes, Then, upon the call of a horn, they all dashed off along with Baltimore Bess, Persimmon Bill, the ne- | down the gulch, headed by the man who called him- gro, Brass, Kentucky Jake, and several others. self Nugget Ned, and were seen no more. Sheriff Shelb dropped in, and was warmly re- When the citizens arrived at the scene of the ceived by both Rosebud Rob, and Jessie—especially, by the latter, who saw much to admire in the stal- wart, handsome man, who had proven himself a generous friend. | And, there was a gladsome time within the little shanty home. The party were at the nin pertones 2 when there came a knock upon the door; it opened, and Nugget Ned stood inside the apartment, CHAPTER XIII. VENGEANCE—CONCLUSION. “Do not let me disturb you, pray!’ the knight said, pleasantly. ‘I merely dropped in to see if you were enjoying yourselves, after the scenes of the ‘*Let me assure you that. we are!’’ Rosebud Rob said, rising and advancing with extended hands. < Shake, Sir ro ng and at the same time accept my strongest thanks for your efforts in my behalf. You did act nobly for me, and I welcome you asa guest at my sister’s board.”’ “I can tarry but a moment, thank you!” Nugget Ned replied. ‘‘One more job, and then the Black Hills country has seen the last of me and my so- styled knights. Before I go, I have a gift for some one among you, and I know of none more deserv- ing than you, Mr. er Since you have been ignored in your late father’s will, here is a map of the Black Hills, with directions for finding one of the richest shaft mines which the world has ever known. I freely give it to you, and bequeath to you the control of the army of men whom you will find working the mine, any time you may visit it. “They are all bound by oath to serve me, and never disband, until by universal consent. You must, therefore, mask yourself, that they may never know that you are not me, depends upon your main- taining the secret. You can become a rich man, if ou play the game honestly, under d That is all, sir. I wish you all happiness and unalloyed — for the Ab nder of ag and pk no scheming ras may ever ey put you a eeee contce upee Ge L the knight ‘suddenly en, ng upon ee © left the shanty. | lynching, and cut down the body, the spirit of Mun- oe alvern, alias Garyl Sanderson, had taken its d pinned to his breast was a copy of the strange rong or h which the guilty man had received pre- vious é trial and his crushing defeat. _ It was an emblem of man’s enmity toward man; it told the strange, truthful tale of a son’s hatred, and his trailing of a criminal father down to death. Few that gazed upon the stiffening body could say that they were sorry. A little more will complete the story proper under the title of Rosebud Rob. The bodies of Munro Malvern and Bel Helene were buried on the following day, and headstones will be erected over their graves at the expense of the new heiress of the Big Bullion mine. And in all probability Sheriff gan sy will be the “lucky dog’? who will lead the graceful and worthy Jessie to the altar of Hymen, sometime during the coming spring months. . True to his word, Nugget Ned was not seen again in the vicinity of Deadwood, and where he seeks a sent field for exploits can onty be a mattter of con- ecture. Colonel Bill Stokes, his ‘“‘Honor”’ the Judge, and ce city their head- still a man of the Persimmon Bill still make the m quarters, while Baltimore Bess is people.” <5 And, wonderful to relate, there is now in Dead- ntleman, by the name of Ralph Lamont, who, at accounts, was trying to et up a Sabbath-school. Whatever caused his sud- en change I am unable to relate. We wish him a grand success. . Hickory Hank was shotin November last for horse- ae. Of his associates Iam uninformed. Rosebud Rob is rather,uncertain in his movements. He is literally here, there, and everywhere. He still the cool, nervy Sport of old, and often takes part in adventures worthy to relate. Doubtless we shall hear from him again some future day. wood a very reverend s ecomiecbooks