Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 80 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

& _—— oe ee eee And, as he finished speaking, Rosebud Rob turned partiy toward the door, as if to depart In an instant, the right hand of Munro Malvern flew toward an inside pocket in his coat; but he dropped it, half reluctantly, to his side, when he saw that the piercing gaze of Rosebud Rob was upon him. The Sport smiled coolly, as he saw the steely glit- ~ in the villain’s eyes change to an expression of ame, ‘Ifo! ho! so you would murder me when my back is turned? Well! well! we will look out for you. I will watch you as the cat watches the mouse, To you, I will be omnipresent. I am going now, Mun- ro Malvern; so do not get unduly impatient. But, hefore I go, there is one question I would ask you: If I let you off and allow you to escape with the agreement never to pursue you for your crimes, will you surrender tome the Big Bullion mine, and point out to me the burial-place of my father?’ ‘*No! ten thousand times, no,” the miner-million- aire cried. “I ot you, Robert Mapleton—I defy you! The Big Bullion mine belongs to me. can not prove that your father ever owned one nny’s interest in it; nor can Fh prove that I ad anything to do with the sudden disappearance of your facher, over a year ago.” ‘We will see!’’ Rosebud Rob said, grimly. Beadle’s Half-Dime | fair votaries of the games of chance had had their experience with him, and would no longer notice or jlay with him, unless they were morally certain he ad a fat pocket-book. And, altogether, the dutiful step-son of Munro Malvern was down in luck, to- night, likewise, very much ‘down in the mouth,” and thirsty at that. ‘*Not a red cent!’ he mused, as he dove for the twentieth time into his pockets, to find them empty. ‘‘ Dash it—the same old, old story—vu’sted. I wonder _ if the governor hasn’t got some more forgery for me to execute—some love-letters for me to indite? Not a show for me here, to-night, without wealth—not a single smell, by Jove! They all know me. That's the deuce of being ‘notoriously popular in the fine art of borrowing and never paying your dues. Con- | found it,and how I would like to rub my stomach You | against a sherry cobbler. See the black-hearted in- grates pour down the sparkling spirit, without ten- dering me the use of their empty glasses to smell of even. ing here looking on. new one, who does not know me. as beautiful as a grizzly cub six Hello! who is this? Perhaps a Jove! and she is months after birth!” “Mr. | Munro Malvern, I bid you a pleasant good-evening— | a very, very pleasant good-evening.” And, turning suddenly, the Sport was gone, leav- ing his foe giaring after him in a silent paroxysm of rage. When he could once more find his tongue, a fright- ful volley of oaths escaped hin. ‘‘Infernal curses overtake that fellow!’’ he roar- ed, pacing up and down the room, _** He is cool, crafty, cunning—all this and more. His Jttie story was meant to intimidate me. He is ferret—a sleuth, a bloodhound, and I am not so blind as not to see that he will work against me with deadly de- termination. But I shall return fire for fire; I shall discard scruples, and, aided by my right bower, the devil, it will be strange if he cannot be put out of the way. Are there any unguarded points? If so, they are not visible to me. “This old tramp he speaks of, who was he? Bah! why make a retrospection? Were you to look back | an hour with one of the prettiest women that had over your career, Munro Malvern, no doubt any number of old skeletons and unearthly visitants would grin at you. Ha! ha! ha! Ha! ha! ha!” And the heart-hardened man of the world laughed hoarsely, as if there were some huge satisfaction _ his words that touched the secret spring of his umor. The city of Deadwood boasts of gambling places in (Apes number—perhaps, of more than any place of size in the world. The great mining count literally the center-jin has its great hosts of toilers, and hence the numerous dens where games are run by sharpers whose only business it is to lay for and fleece the unwary at every chance. Among all its competitors, the ‘‘ Euchre Deck” has robably achieved the greatest notoriety dur- ing the latter days of Deadwood, for being a den of games and gamesters. These latter sharps, of whom the “‘ Euchre Deck ”’ establishment had a host, were generally leagued together, and it was rarely that a “‘fat’’ customer entered the place and came out with a cent in his »cket. It was also a stand at which pickpockets Rela forth; so that, between the two evils, the “*ten- der-foot ’’ was doomed to be relieved of his wealth, unless he showed evidence of being an ugly cus- tomer, and was an expert at handling one of those deadly instruments known as the revolver—which, by the way, is the best friend a man can have in the mines. ‘he “Euchre Deck” was a favorite resort of Mr. Raiph Lamont, who, it will be remembered, was proud in calling himself the dutiful step-son of the mon of millions, Munro Malvern. Livery night, and often the whole of the days, fo ind the spendthrift within the gambling establish- ment, either watching the games or taking a hand. When he was so fortunate as to have extorted a sum of money from his step-father, he played until he had lost every farthing; then he was a spectator, until he could obtain another gift, or could induce somebody to lend him a sum. This was seldom, however. There was hardly a man in the place whom he had not borrowed from, but never had he met his obligations, To-night, again, he was penniless, having lost the last dollar of the money he had taken from Mal- vern’s library, in consideration for services render- ed, as hitherto mentioned. Not a penny had he left, and the game of chance seemed more alluring than ever, now that he had no ready cash to invest. Indeed, the scene within the ‘ Euchre Deck” was tg imposing, even though it was a place of gam- te toe one vast apartment, with rough walls, and lit by lamp-chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. The floor was dotted with tables, with a bar at one end; and gathered in this scene were both males and females—for the latter take the precedence as gain- blers in Deadwood; the red-shirted miner, just out of the mines; the gentleman of leisure, who ten times out of twelve is a pick-pocket; the bullying rough; and all phases of human character peculiar to the Western mines. Among the women who nightly were the habitues of the “‘ Euchre Deck,” there were many who were handsome, elegantly dressed, and probably not of shameless repute, except they were drawn to the hoard bv (he fascinations and allurements attendant non high jambling and snag Mo’ unfortunately for Mr. Iph Lamont, these He gazed,as he uttered these latter words, at a female who had just entered the “Euchre Deck,” and was sauntering toward him—a young woman, evidently not yet out of her teens, and, as he had re- marked, very pretty, ina Spanish-Mexican costume, with short skirt, and fancifully beaded leggings. As she sauntered along, a pair of piercing black eyes swept the scene at a glance, and finally rested upon Lamont, who was the only one, nents in the whole room who noticed her, so devoted were the spectators and players to the games, which were at the hight of their interest. Approaching Lamont, the Pistol Queen, for it was she, smiled sweetly, although there was a _ burning fire in her eyes which the spendthrift failed ' _ there are others teem’ ready.” ( to notice. ‘‘Do you play cards, sefior?”’ Bel Helene asked, with aglance toward a table which was just being vacated. * Why !|—well—that is—yes!"’ Lamont stammered, as the horrifying thought of his empty pockets rushed upon him—and here was a chance to spend ever graced the ‘Euchre Deck.” ‘ But, ou receive, my dear lady, Iam N. G.—D. B.—B. B. i a tis to say, bu’sted, by thunder!” ‘Ha! ha! dead broke, eh? Well, that will make no difference, as long as Iam blessed with a plenty. Besides, you may be able to serve me in a way that will repay. Come! before the table is taken, for step-son of Munro Highly pleased, the dutifu | Malvern followed his strange acquaintance, and soon , of which Deadwood is | — nn ee | they were seated at the table, with a bottle of high wine between them, engaged in the popular game of the mines—poker. ‘Drink and be me Mr. Lamont!’’ the Pistol paces said, merrily. ‘‘ We willhave another game— then I want you to oblige me with a little informa- tion.” “Ask me any thing in this wide world, my dear creature, and I will answer with the greatest plea- sure!’’ Lamont assured, graciously, for his spirits were becoming more buoyant the faster he im ibed the bottled spirits. The game was soon played through, and by that time the spendthrift was just boozy a to be communicative. Bel Helene had been watching him narrowly all the while, and an expression of triumph shot into her eyes now, as she saw that Aer time for playing had arrived. ‘Listen to me!” she said, bending forward toward him, and enchaining his gaze—‘“‘listen to me: I am in search of a man; I believe him to be here in Deadwood. Perhaps you can tll me of him. Did you, sir, ever bear of a man whose name Was San- derson—Garyl Sanderson?” “Phew!” ‘Lamont gasped, leaning back with a drunken chuckle. ‘I guess you’ve pretty near struck ile the first time, my beauty. Gary! Sander- son? Why, that’s the very name my old Unky used to travel under, sure’s I’m a champagne bottle!" “ Your Unky/” Bel Helene half whispered, lean- ing further toward him, her features working with emotion, and her hands clenching until the nails cut into the flesh. ‘You must tell me of him! Who is this man you call ‘ Unky?’”’ ‘‘My dear creature, he is my_beloyed ste -father, from whom I occasionally make a spec, when I am hard-up for cash.” ‘And his name—his name?”’ “Phew! Must be a stranger here, eh? especially if you don’t know the cognominious appellative of my representative—aw—my business-manager, you see— Munro Malvern, ma’am.”’ ‘* And this is the man who once traveled through the West under the name of Garyl Sanderson?” the Pistol Queen asked, nervously. “The very same old nabob!’’ Lamont assured, emptying the bottle to the last drop. “Ye see, he’s got up in the world some, since then, and assumed enuine name!” ‘Then, Malvern is his name, eh?—his real name by birthright?’ ‘* So far as I know, it is!”’ ‘“‘And this is the man, then, whom I seek—the wretch whose life I have hunted so long!” the girl muttered, under her breath. ‘Oh! father, I am close upon his trail, and you shall he avenged!”’ Then, aloud, she addressed Lamont once more. “T must get into Munro Malvern's house—I must, I say; nothing but death can stop me. You are familiar with the place—you must tell me how I can get in?” ‘My beloved creature—anything to accommodate Library. | - - DN Eee ee —— — you. Bring me another bottle of the glorious spirit with which you have enthused me, and | wili sul ren- der unto you my night-key, which will admit you into the palatial mansion of my governor!” Bel Helene did not wait tor deliberation—she — the bargain was to insure the success of her plans. She ordered and paid for the wine: ceil the keys from Lamont, and leaving A mpeg Nag 4 night of it, she hurried out into the gulch. ‘Now, Munro Malvern—now, Gary Sanderson. the hour of my vengeance has arrived!” ¢ CHAPTER VII. A WARNING—A CRIME—AN ARREST, “GREAT spirit uv old Methus’ler! they do say thet we aire goin’ ter hev an actooal resurrection o° ther days 0’ thet cuss, Deadwood Dick, wi’ thes galoot, Nugget Ned, whom ther paper’s blowin’ so much . about, fer ther chief center-pole ter ther pavillion o’ That would be more satisfaction than stand- . —————————————E——— ———— ee ES —EE _ —— = — 2 a ——EeEEe ee 2 ee —EEE | sigh. vice an’ pet i gue hy Neow, in the legal cpinyun uv ther court, of whom I, Colonel William Henry Harrison Stokes, ar’ an ann’inted an’ reverend re- presentative—a beautiful model of the great collos- sal statue o’ justice—thes bizness orter be nipped i ther bud. In the revised statuary o’ ther latest inf- proved laws 0° ther city o° Deadwood, it ar’ laid down thet road-agentry consists 0’ a band 0’ masked raloots, bizness unknown, who cavort thru’ ther abyrinthian recesses, an’ crooks an’ crannies uv a mountain deestrict, fer ther purpuss 0° pillage an’ plunder, an’ ter intimidate widders an’ children, an’ seare old-maids out o° ther growth which nature de- mands, wi’ ther advance o’ years. Them’s ther laws; an’ thet ther offense ar’ punishable six feet above terra-firma, wi’ a stout limb an’ a hemp cra- vat fer ther acting judge. Now, then, I say, swing up this new road-agent, as an example ter ther world.” ‘*Who knows fer sartin, colonel, thet Nugget Ned and his knights ave road-agents?’’ ventured Balti- more Bess—for the scene was in the *' Little Brown Jug,”’ with the usual characters that frequented the place. ‘‘ Et hain’t been proved thet they hev com- mitted any depredations of a lawless turn.” “Ah! Bess, gal, ye don’t understand ther intrica- cies o’ ther great rejuvenated laws o’ ther United States o’ Ameriky. ther natteral course o’ hu- man events, et becomes us as a populace ter keep an ve on everybody, and if the breeze wafts one suspicion, ter grab et an’ freeze ter et like grim death ter a nigger. By the sweat o’ yer brow work ther suspicion inter a tangible shape, until et as- sumes ther dimensions uv a certainty; ef ye lack a few p’ints, add ’em in yerself; superfluous padding is fat fer ther printer, an’ he rejoiceth thereat. Spare no efforts to add to, and, in due time, you will have a case before ye, an’ will hev laid ther founda- tion uv yer success as a star in the firmament o’ le- gal jurisdiction!” ‘Yaw! dat ish so!” assented Judge Jacob, with a wise shake of his head. “ Der colonel ish right, so drue as I ish der shudge mit der court!” “So you would condemn this Nugget Ned as a road-agent, eh, without a single proof?’ Baltimore Bess asked, as she lit a fresh cigarette. ** Bess, gal, ye shed not ask ter kno’ ther secrets 0’ ther Blackstone profession. There are various in- tricate complications of ther law, which we are, as a firm, compelled ter lock within our individual bo- soms, and which can only be extracted therefrom by the turning of a moneytary key.”’ ‘Ha! ha! so that is your game, eh? You banter for heen in your profession, you old rascal.’’ ‘Exactly, Bess—as Iam a beautiful specimen 0’ manhood,” Ha! ha! such a beauty! But, here comes a stran- ger—phew!”’ All eyes were involuntarily turned upon a man who had just entered through the open door—a straight, wiry figure, of medium hight, clad in the costume of a mountain ranger, while over the upper part of his face he wore a black mask. He stood for a moment and glanced about the room, as if in search of some one; then, turning suddenly, he left the saloon without a word. ‘“ogh!’ Baltimore Bess said, “there is the man you would condemn, colonel; that was Nugget Ned!” “Ethereal spirit of old Methus’ler!” gasped _the “beauty of the mines,” in great surprise. ‘* War that the galoot who knows so much and yet says so little? Is that the road rider, whom it is ther in- tention o’ ther committee on elevation ter hang, at first opportunity pi “The same chap!” affirmed Bess. “Ther i-dentical galoot!” chimed in Kentucky Jack, from his perch behind the bar. *“T pet my life he vas one tough tuyfel ter handle!” from Dutch Jake. “ Sh!’ Bess said again. ‘Don’t you hear the tramp of horses’ feet, outside? Something is going ter happen. Keep still! 1 plug ther first galoot as motions for a weepon—that’s me, Baltimore Bess. Ah! here comes the knight, again.” True! Nugget Ned again stepped inside the sa- loon, and glanced around, once more, Seeing no weapons drawn, he advanced, with a sheet of paper of large size, and with the butt of a revolver, tacked it to the wall. Then, with a low bow, to each of the puzzled spec- tators, he slowly retreated to the door, and bowed himself out into the darkness of the night. A moment later, hoof-strokes were heard rapidly receding. ‘Phew!’ Baltimore Bess said, after the strange visitor was gone, ‘“ He war jest as cool as a frozen cucumber, you bet! An’, lookee thar, pilgrims, at w’at he has tacked to the wall—a notice! . “Read it, Bess, gal!’ grunted the colonel, with a ‘‘Sumhow, I never ked get thet dratted mess com Ebooks;ecom: