Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 802 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

_of laurels for my brow. * "You mean to say you will hunt down the rascal who killed Buck Banton?” | -*] will, if the power in me lies, and I believe it does, Give me the case, as a lawyer—not asa detective, and asa lawyer I willtwine a wreath W hat say you?” ‘* ‘Take et, an’ welcome,” ‘* And, sir,” spoke up Bob Keeler, ‘‘ if you are successful there is a reward of five hundred dol- lars awaiting you.” ‘*‘f.am your man!” cried the lawyer, rubbing his hands briskly. ‘‘Give me the facts of the case, even before [ dismount, and I will begin my task with this hour.” . Briefly but pointedly the mayor laid the case before him, . oe em he had done the lawyer scratched his ead. ‘*'You—you tell me,” he said, ‘‘ there is no— no—what a detective would call a clue?” **Not a ghost of a one,” **And—and the cruel knife has not been found?” ‘It has not,” assured Keeler, ‘The whole affair is a deep mystery.” ‘‘ Verily, I believe you are right. Neverthe- ar q bave said I would take it, and take it I will, **And good luck to ye,” cried the mayor, ** W bat’s yer handle?” ‘* My name, sir, is Kurastus Bungle. My name and my profession bave nothing in common, however.” ‘**' You don’t look like no common slouch, that’s so,” the mayor observed. ‘*Give me a chance, is all I ask,” rejoined Mr. Bungle. ‘I have teken up this case in the name of the State. I will solve the riddle or—or I will ingloriously give it up,” r, Bungle then inquired about board, and while he was being cared for the stage arrived, There was the nsual complement of passengers, but only one in whom we have more than pass- ing interest, his one was a woman, rather sportishly dress- ed, and wearing a short vail that answered well the purpose of a half mask. She was well formed, graceful in carriage, and, it was naturally Sonoita pretty, though - it conld be seen that she was very dark, She alighted without any help, and after one quick look around, as though to get her bearings, erepyen briskly forward and mounted the hotel steps. Naturally, every eye followed her, and when she had disappeared the driver remarked: ‘* She’s a beauty, you can bet! Thar’s a chance fer you sports,” ‘* Who is she?” ** Give et up; you'll have ter see what she puts down on ther book. But, pards of Death’s-head Camp, thar’s a hull b’ildin’ o’ galoots comin’ byer afoot. I passed ’em on ther road, »Tbar’s @ nig, a bum, a tinker an’ a peddler that I know of, an’ mebby more fer al] [ kin say. Your boom hyer is drawin’, sure pop,” CHAPTER VY, _A NOVEL PROPOSAL, NoT pausing to note further what idle re- marks were exchanged between the driver and the crowd, let us follow the fair stranger. She had entered the bar-room of the hotel with a business alr, showing that she was no ‘‘tenderfoot,” but well able to take care of Number Oue. Her manner was easy and confi- dent, Mr, Bungle, the lawyer, was just in the act of registering as she stepped up to the desk. ‘Can 1 obtain board and a good room here, sir?’ she asked of the landlord, ‘IT guess ye can, lady,” was the response, “*T hava one room that will just suit you, I think.” **'Very well, I want to stop here for a few days, and I will try it. I will register as soon as this gentleman has done.” The lawyer bad just finished, and he looked up. ‘*Ha! pardon me,” he cried, stepping nimbly back out of the way. ‘' Had I known I was de- taining a lady I would have made more haste,” He doffed his hat and made a profound bow, ** Do not mention it, sir,” was the return, as the young woman took up the pen. “I am ever willing to take even chances when [ travel alone. No occasion for an apology, sit.” “It is exceeding gracious of you to say so,” rejoinea the lawyer, ‘“* but you must allow me to hold my own opinion,” To that the woman made no return. She registered, with a bold, easy stroke, and daying down the pen, said: ‘There is the best I can do for you, Mr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. Landlord. Now, if you will show me to my room I will prepare for something to eat,” ‘Certainly, lady,” said the obliging pro- fes or. ‘* You bave only to command and your lightest wish shall be gratified, if possible,” Calling a man to take his place for a moment, the landlord led the way and the fair stranger followed him out of the room, It was then that the lawyer stepped promptly forward to learn what name the young woman bad registered under, There it was, bold and plain: ‘““ WRARLESS FAN, OF ’FRISCO,” Mayor Corrigan, Bob Keeler, Ike Hokley, Manager Arinstrong and others, bad entered the bar-room by this time, led by curiosity to learn more about the fair stranger. ** Who is she?” asked Keeler. This man, by the way, was something of a sport. ‘* She styles herself Fearless Fan, sir,” inform- ed Lawyer Bungle, ‘* Fearless Fan? ives?” **That’s all sir,” ** And she’s from ’Frisco, eh?” now looking on and reading for himself, ‘*She’s a plump little beauty, that I’m sure of,” ventured Armstrong. ‘‘ Wish that con- founded vail had been out of the way.” ** Are you inclined to offer her the position of mamma-in-law to your charming daughter, Mr. Armstrong?” asked Hokley. ‘*‘T am inclined to make her acquaintance, at any rate, if I can,” was the reply. ** Which would be the first step, naturally.” ** As it would probably be the last,” here put in Keeler. ‘‘ You are too old to stand any chance, Mr, Armstrong. Better leave it to younger bloods like myself.” ‘‘An’ you would probably get left, too,” remarked the mayor, ‘* Why so?” ‘* Why, this new sport, White George, kin dis- count you fer looks and dress, and them’s two eri wimmen set store by.” ‘* Well, we'll see about that. Maybe not one of us will stand the ghost of a show, for she looks like a woman with a will, and she may give us all the cold shoulder the worst way.” The discussion soon ended, and presently the new arrivals were summoned to supper, While they were thus engaged, and while the others were on the piazza enjoying a quiet evening smoke, another new arrival entered camp. This time it was a personage on foot, a sbuf- fling, ragged figure, who, as he neared the hotel, broke into a run and blundered up the steps and tumbled into the bar-room, crying: ‘*A drink! A drink! My life depends on a drink!” He hastened to the bar, and paving upon it with one arm, rattled the contents of his pocket with bis free band. He was dirty and travel-worn, and panted heavily as he reclined his ss js against the bar, and it looked at first as though he needed the drink to reliave pain of some sort, Hearing the jingle of the fellow’s landlord made haste to set out a glass, Instead of filling it to running over, as was naturally looked for on the part of those present to witness the proceeding, the fellow poured out only a moderate ‘dose ” and downed that, ‘*Saved! Saved!” as he cried gratefully, as he rubbed his stom- ach, ** Was ye so near gone?” one man spoke up, ‘*] was all but famished,” was the reply, ‘I am not a heavy drinker, noramI often and early, but when I want it I want it bad,” Tbe landlord was standing to receive his pay, since he did not run his den of iniquity on chari- table principles, and now the. bummer drew his hand from his pocket and displayed its jingling contents. , \ There were buttons, nails, an old brass check, a poker chip or two, and other odds and ends, but nothing in the shape of money. These were spread out on the bar, and the hand went down again. Another display of the same was made, but still no money. ‘‘See here,” cried the landlord, ‘you are a skin! You have no money, and you knowed ye hadn’t, too!” ‘Don’t jedge me too hastily, parduer,” the bummer entreated. ‘I vow I thought I had a bit somewhar hyer in my load o’ ballast, an’—” “*Tbat wouldn’t buy a drink, anyhow,” growl- ed Old Hink, And is that all the name she ket, the ttle and / |’ 5 ‘** Not a full drink, I know, but I only took half a one, I leave et to ther crowd ef et ain’t so.” There was a laugh, and the crowd upheld the bummer’s position, ‘* Yes, sir, only balf a drink,” he urged. ‘‘ Ye see, | was goin’ accordin’ to ther ’mount o’ capital I bad, and no more,” ‘* Well, where is the capital, then?’ ‘*T have lost it, sure, Landlord, you will bave to kill me or trust me, and I leave it with you ter say which ye will do,” ° ‘‘Pd orter kill ye, b’mighty,” the professor growled, ‘But, if I let ye live, will ye pay me some time?” ‘*T will, I vow I will, As soon as kind For- tune smiles upon me I will discharge the debt.” ‘‘ All right, keep your miserable life, then, but beware how you tempt me, Do not try an- other trick of this kind on with me, that is all,” ‘Sir, on my word of bonor, it was no—” ‘* All right, say no more,” ** And you will not trust me further than the bit I owe?” ‘*Not another bit further, My rule here is cash or nothing, and there is no exception.” ‘* Too bad, too bad, for you are likely ter lose a payin’ customer, Gentlemen, is thar another irrigatin’ mill in ther camp?” ‘Yas, ther Surcoffygus, over ther way,” one man informed. ‘‘'Thanks, Since lam debarred bere till my debt is paid, I must transfer my custom else- where, Adieu,” And with that and an awkward bow, the bum- mer backed out of the bar-room and was gone, The Sarcophagus Saloon was the leading re- sort of the camp. It was a gaming »lace as well as a saloon, and at night was always well filled with the camp’s citizens, And, as this was about the hour when the said citizens began to congregate there, many followed the bummer over to see the fun, for fun was looked for. The proprietor of the Sarcophagus was one Jim-jam Joe, He was a short, thickset fellow, with a bullet bead avd fiery-red hair, and was held to be a “bad” man, If the buunmer entered his place and attempted the same trick he had played on the Pris ee of the Sku!]-and-X-bones, there would be a case for the coroner, it was thought, The bummer entered boldly. ‘‘Are you ther p’prietor hyer?” be asked of Jim-jam, ‘* That’s what I am,” was the brief answer, ‘*My name, sir, is Kennaka Kolt, and I am dead broke, but I ami—” ‘* You can’t get anything here,” **Not so fast. I want nothing. What did you think?” ‘‘That you wanted to hang me up for the price of a pail to your coffin.” ; ‘Not so, not so, I bave just had an ample supply at the place across the way. I have come here to ask you to lend me a nickel,” ** Well, that’s cool, by Goshen!” ‘* And you won't do it?” ** Not by a big sight!” ** Cold, cruel world,” sighed the bummer.. ‘‘We don’t run our places on ther charity plan, byer,” Jim-jam informed, ‘*Who is askin’ charity?’ the bummer de- manded, drawing himself proudly up. ‘J cer- tainly am not.” ys Then what d’ye call et?” ‘*T asked fer a loan, that was all.” ‘*Ther same thing,” ** No, sir; it is not, But, | will suggest another p ** Well?” - See this,” f : He displayed the diamond pin with the two stones, Jim-jam saw it, and his eyes flashed enviously at the sight, *““T see it,” be said, “Vil buy it off ye, if ye ““ I are broke an’ want a stake,” ‘No, sir; I decline,” was the refusal, will, however, stake this pin against five dol- lars, and throw the dice with you to see which takes both,” ‘** ll do it!” cried the proprietor of the den, “* Here is the sugar.” The crowd gathered around eagerly, CHAPTER VI. THE BIG SIX ARRIVE. THIS was something new in the way of a wager, and everybody present was eager to see how it would terminate. The regular games had not commenced yet, so everybody was free to give attention to the I can give ample security. an to ye,” com JOOKS GoM