Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 812 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

a yan a =f. I - = * —_— i —, a - ~? ‘ >. ath 2 ro to ' . sy > a a eae + hg ete “ = # ta S at 10 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-off. to have it done to-morrow, forI bavea good deal of worx on hand just now.” ‘*Oh, that does not matter: any time during the week willanswer me, Here are the things in this bundle, and { will leave it with you and call again for it in a couple of days.” ‘* Very well, sir.” ‘‘ But, that wasn’t all of my errand, Miss Meadway.” She looked at him in a questioning manner. ** No; I want to talk with you a few minutes, if you do not object, You are the child of Joel Meadway, I believe.” ‘6 Yes, sir.” ‘* Well, your father was once one of my very best friends.” ““TIndeed! What is your name? Maybe I have beard bim speak of you at some time or other in the past.” ‘* My name is Edmund Murtagh.” ay No, I do not think I ever beard your name, i ‘* Well, that does not signify anything, for I am told your father went out of bis mind,” ‘* Yes, that is true, be did.” “Tf you will give me leave todo sol will sit down for a minute or two while we talk.” **'You may do so, sir.” “Thanks, Now, Miss Meadway, I saw you for the first time over at Hustleville awhile ago, and I was interested in you at sight, and the more so when I| learned who you were.’ She did not respond, ‘*'Yes, for your father was'a man I loved and respected,” ‘*T am glad to hear that, sir.” “It is the truth. Now tell me, Miss Meadway, what are yourcircumstances? Is there anything I can do for my old friend’s child?” “Thank you, but I am doing nicely, sir. I need no help from any one, for lam making a good living and more besides. I thank you very indly for your interest all the same,” ‘““Ahem! You are welcome, of course. But, miss, that is not what I am trying to get at yet. I am a blunt man, and you must excuse my bluut ways. When I saw you for the first time to-day I had an interest in you—a keen interest, I will say, and then when I learned your name I was interested all the more,” You told me that before.” “Yes, but [ have not told you all yet. Do not look uneasy now, for Iam here as a friend with only the best intentions toward you. When I saw you, said I to myself— There is the one little woman in the world I can lové, and if I find she is a good body and worthy of me ['m going to try to win her, ‘*No, no, do not interrupt me, please, put hear me out, That was just what I did say to myself, and that was before I knew whoor what you were. Then when I came to learn that you were the child of my old friend, and that you were all alone in the world, I made up my mind to come here and offer you my protection in the most perfect way possible, ** Miss Meadway, I am well off in this world’s goods, and [ bave a name not to be ashamed of, I loved you at sight, as 1 bave told you, Now, for the sake of the friendship between your dead father and me I want you to be my wife, and I will be both father and bus- band to you. Whatdo you say? But, I won’t press you for the answer so soon; just think it over, and when I come again you can tell me, You'll find those clothes don’t need much mend- ing; that was my excuse for coming here, just to break the ice, you know,” The girl had been staring at him with dilated eyes, her lips parted, but had been unable to ic Why, sir, you bave amazed me,” she now gasped. **T don’t doubt it, I don’t doubtit a bit, Miss Magzie; but, just think itover quietly and then give me my answer,” ““Tcan give you the answer now, sir, just as well—” ** No, no, I will not bave it now: I want you to take time to think it over carefully, The offer | bayvye made you is an honorable one, and ou will find that I am a true and bonest man. f youcan bring yourself to marry me, I will take you away from here at once and give you a home with every comfort. Now, now, do not say a word, but take plenty of time to think it over, I do not want you to refuse me, of course; neither do I want you to consent too hastily Just think it over till I come again, and then let me know your decision. Good-afternoon.” He had bowed himself to the door as he fin- ished, and with that he opened the door and was gone, | When the door was closed after him the girl could only stars at it blankly for some time, She had considered herself little more than a child, and such a proposition from such a man had fairly taken away her breath, ‘*T was never so frightened in my life,” she said to herself, and she trembled as she said it. ‘*Tt may all be true, what he has said, but I fear him, His face does not please me,” Great was her relief when the door opened again in a few minutes and Fly Fan came in, ‘* You have bad a visitor?’ she asked. ‘Yes, and a big fright, too,” ‘Your face shows it. What happened?” ‘‘ Why, that man asked me to marry him!” ‘* Rather sudden, I should think.” ‘¢ Yes, indeed! Why, Il would not think of such a thing, even were | old enough to marry.” ‘You are near eighteen, are you not?” ** Yes, quite near that age.” ‘‘And many girls marry younger, though I should think twenty-two plenty young enough. But, [ am not hereto begin a philosophical argu- ment, You never saw this man before, did you?” “* Not before I saw him at the cemetery.” ** And what excuse did he make for his sudden offer?” ‘* Oh, he said he loved me at sight, and when he learned who I was he made up his mind to marry me if he could; saying my father and he had been dear friends,” ‘That was it, eh? Let us see, then. He was at the cemetery when that head was taken up, but he did not make any demonstration over if, did he? If you recognized itas your father’s, why did he not recognize it?” **T never thought of that.” ** And what answer did you make him?” .“* He would not let me make any; he told me to take time to think about it, and not answer in haste,” ** Generous of him, was if not? And what is your answer going to be?” “It is going to be No, of course, I would never marry him under any circumstances, for he has an evil face, I could not love him, even if I owed my life to him for any cause.” ** And you will tell him so, of course.” ‘Yes; I shall send back his bundle un- opened, and request him not to come here again, If he comes, then I must speak very plainly to him, $6 That's a good plan, but it must not be carried out. * Why not?” **Because [I want you to work it another way,” ‘* Why, what can you mean? [ cannot under- stand you. Surely you do not expect me to say yes to him!” ** No, not at all; but you can delay a little, and so keep him ina state of uncertainty. Mend his garments, if they need it, and when he comes just put him off for some days,” ‘But, that is deception, and I do not Jike it,” ‘Tt is not half so bad as the deception be is playing with you. After what I bave told you l am sure you ought to trust me,” = Yes, yes, co trust you, and will do as you say. **Good,. Then, too, such a plan will be the better for your personal safety. While he thinks thereis a hope of your giving willing consent he will not be likely to use force,” ‘* What? do you think he would try that?” “Tam sureof it. But, keep these things very secret for the present, Miss Meadway. Wemust work carefully, and no one must suspect. I would not bave told you anything, but I had to win vour confidence somehow,” _ “Well, I will be guided by you and will do just as you say; but, I have one great reason to doubt you still.” ‘* And what is that?” “Why you told me you feJt sure it was not my father’s head we saw to-day; I am sure it must have been,” *“T cannot blame you for your belief, for the face was near enough like your lost father’s to deceive you. But, I will tell you more, now. I positively know it was not your father’s head.” ‘Oh! how do you know it? If that is only true!” ““T see I must give you what you ask, and knowing I may trust you, I will do so.” And with that, Fly Fan told a brief story ina low voice, _ When she had done, the face of the little sew- ing girl was bright with hope renewed. ‘Ob! I am so glad—so glad!” she cried. ‘* Now you may tell me to do anything you will, and I'll do it, for I am sure you are my friend. ‘* Yes, you may trust me fully, Maggie, and I renee i itt iti iit ieee rence sitninrscriacersias ieee a eee eee ee eee ee ee OO CC ae com a | hope you will. So, play with Mr. Murtagh as I have said, and let him think maybe you will not refuse him, and so hold him off for a time,” ‘‘ Yes, yes, I will do that; I will do anything in the hope of again seeing my father alive and wel], You may trust me now, fully. I will do my part,” CHAPTER XII, THE POET LET LOOSE, On the following day the current issue of the Roundabout Rustler made its appearance, and everybody waseagertogetacopy. | On the previous evening the publisher had made a liberal scattering of flyers announcing the good things the paper had for its readers, and in that manner had whetted the public ap- petite. He had boldly boasted how far supericr Roundabout was to Hustleville, now, having a fire-engine; and how altogetber beyond reach it had grown by the acquisition of a real, live poet; and not a common, every-day sort of poet, either, but a fighting poet. | In proof of his claims, be simply called atten- tion to the Rustler. So, when the paper appeared, it met with ready sale, and a man was found who, for ample consideration, was willing to take the risk of carrying a supply over into the rival camp. The editor’s leader was a whooper. . He recounted the great day’s celebration upon the arrival of the new engine, and asked Hustle- ville why it did not wake up and keep abreast with the times, Then it told of the advent ofa fighting poet, and boasted of having secured his services upon the Rustler, Did space admit the quoting of the editorial, it would be found highly spicy reading. This was merely an editorial, however. On the first page vasa full report of the do- ings of the great holiday, and many items of local interest, with here and there something from the pen of the fighting poet. It was the first time either of the papers in the gulch had ventured into rhyme, and across the top of the first page was this line— ‘Don’t FAIL TO READ THE POETRY IN Tus Issuxn!” And the first sample that fell under the eye of the reader was this— ‘* ROUNDABOUT. ' ‘ Oh, a rollicking place is Roundabout Cit., With its whole-hearted citizens all; There's no other city around about it, Can hold a light to it at all. And we have a mayor of whom we are proud, He's a man just as big as he looks; He’s a tall rustler. proclaim to your crowd, His first name is Gilbert Gadzooks, We have a hot«l here that cannot be beat, The Silver Saloon is our boast; If you're fond of dancing come try us a heat, And pay your respects to your host, We have a post-office, as you all know, And pow a steam fire-engine too; Oh, we are the people, and that’s why we crow; Vell crow more befcre we are through, And we have a newspaper right up in style, One that is wel worthy the name; Just look it well over then ante your pile, That we’re on the Rustle for fame.” That seemed to strike the worthy citizens right where they lived, so to express it, and they were repeating the jingles to one another every where, The fighting poet was voted a howling success, right from that time, and the whole camp was his for a song—literally. To quote all his effusions were impossible, One other ran thas: *“SLICKERY SAL, ‘Our Slickery Sal is a mighty fine gal, From fetiocks right up to her ears; She’s without faults when you take her to waltz, }} She’s a daisy for one of her years, She’s a dandy, you bet, and you never will get, Far ahead of her in a fast reel; Sheis light on the toe, and she whirls about so, That you don’t catch the clink of her heel.” Everybody was amused, and tke papers went off like hot cakes, much to the delight of the proprietor. x, But, there came a reaction by any by. Over came Editor em from Hustleville, mounted upon a mule, and he looked as though armed to do desp¢rate carnage somewhere, He halted before the door of the Rustler building, and called out: *¢ Come out here, you low-lived apology for a ae ste 7” é : tus A at a i fei Te * | “- &. ‘ DOOKS a) ™ a ~ *