Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 837 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

eS ‘ se , ° * y . a) 4 . 4 F ih = F ay Ms, reeled EY TP Rs ye Ne wh agit t ae “yt i Lahore « fer. : a = . - he , Vw FB eé es , ‘ - : . o*% ; t : - " 4 i : af. ~*~, Aa hee . 7 te a, ’ Pala’ i Ite gh EO ys eagle We 7 : ; Vr De ur teh K ioe : aS aes ek }. f . o a * ° le i : at i The Big’ Four of the Bowery. ke ie | P - te F ‘| e~(s*< = |] sreet and looked at every one they could see. To many timid persons this task of the night-time would have been anything but preasant. Among those now on the Bow- ery, there were many who were: so filled with bad whisky that they were in quarrel- some mood, and Hecla and Molly were tak- ing chances. For this brave Molly cared but little, for her life had been one of street and garret in the vicinity, but Hecla had only her devo- tion to Corliss to buoy her up. Dimly burned the lights of the street as the three took up their watch, and the pecu- liar illusions of midnight were upon all things. ‘ve found the Bowery a right pleasant place ter live in,” thought Robert, ‘‘ but there is them who would think this a rather dubisome place to cruise around in, now. The drunks are getting more room as others falls off, an’ the tough prowls ter see whom he may devour an’ eat up. Hope none ’ them will fall in with my aids.” Uneasily Robert glanced toward Hecla. He knew, if she did not, that danger of legal arrest was not the only risk she was taking, and he felt by honor bound to see her through in safety. ‘* Who be them critters that is eyin’ of her so keen?” / _ ‘The question passed Robert’s lips abruptly as he took the glance indicated. Tworough- looking fellows had stopped near her and were regarding her ey, Loyal Robert did not delay to see more; he moved in that direction immediately. He was too shrewd to make a wild rush and at- tract attention to him, but with a cautious hp feat advance he gained the point de- sired. _ Then a discovery followed. ‘“* Pete an’ another feller!” It was, indeed, the tough whom he had seen at the house where ‘‘ Cap Bunker's” band held their meeting, and he was pre- pared to believe withvut. more evidence that some villainy was under way. ‘They know she’s a gal, in spite of her clothes,” was his verdict, and it was a most annoying one. ‘‘They look at her like a shark sizin’ up his victim.” Robert named the situation well, and he ‘was soon shown there was more need ot his attention. Hecla was standing by a pillar of the Elevated Road, gazing at the passers, and Pete suddely walked close to her. ‘Hullo, ole man!” was the rough’s greet- ing. . se, She started nervously and turned so as to _ face him. ‘“« Fine eve, ain’t et?” added Pete. ——_ CF OOOO enre——e———ov— Ooo ee ‘«Sure-pop!” replied Bob, coolly. ** You hit me?” ‘“‘Didn’t ye feel et?” ‘“How dared ye? What hev yow ter do about et?” , “That girl is my sister,” calmly answered Robert. ‘*) don’t care ef she’s yer grandmother!” snapped Pete. ‘‘How dared ye? How dared ye hit me ?’ ‘‘Didn’t take no nerve at all. Why, ef you had molested her any more than you did I would hev smashed yer old arm inter cinders, b’jinks! Ketch on?” ‘* No back talk!” “Oh! go an’ butt yer head ag’in’ that pillar!” The cool contempt of the boy, as much as his words, acted on Pete much like a spur. It hurt him in a way, and he let his wrath have full play. ‘‘T’ll learn ye!” he cried, and he made a dive for Robert. Through space went the huge bulk, Its owner expected to get his hands on his youthful foe, but that was one of his errors of judgment. Robert stepped to one side, keeping nothing in Pete’s path but a cun- ningly-placed foot, and the result of the trick was that Pete’s toe caught on the obstruction, He fell with force which brought a groan from his lips, and, once there, he lay squirming. The hard curbstone had hurt his bones. ‘Break the young hound in two!” he snarled, Tough Number Two had looked on in wonder, amazed to see his comrade so severe! ly used, but he now felt called upon to do more than look. Revenge must be sought, and he went about it. . He, too, dove toward Robert on mis- chief intent, his lips parting with the threat: ‘*T]l smash you inter nothin’, you fresh kid! Take that!’’ And he swung his fist for a teliing bow. CHAPTER XII. UPS AND DOWNS OF THE NIGHT. THE speaker meant to do all he threatened, but again Fate proved perverse—with the aid of ahuman being. It was not likely that he could have hit any one as agile as Robert was, but he did not get the cnance. He came to grief more emphatically than had Pete. Suddenly he felt a sensation as if he had been hit by an earthquake, and he pitched over on top of his comrade. The two toughs were sprawling together, while just back of them stoed a colored boy, raising his head after a good, solid ‘‘ butt ” in the tough’s ribs. ‘Let up!” advised Pete, hurriedly. ‘‘We iS ; must skip!” te.) “ What’s all this row about?” It was &@ new voice, and all looked to see who had spoken. Robert felt like giving up for a moment as he recognized Jack Webber. It was not that he was any more afraid of the horse-owner than of his tools, but he ex- pected something else. Hecla had wished to see Jack Webber; she did see him now. Robert sent « quick, a look, but her eyes were large with the emotion of the discovery. She sprung toward the horse-owner. ‘Where is our bond?” she cried. Jack changed his own regard. He looked with bewilderment, failing to recognize her, ‘Give it back!” she added nervously. ‘What?’ he muttered. What do you— ‘*Who are you? Great heavens!” , He needed no explanation then. . ‘‘T demand what is mine!” the girl insisted, with growing force, ‘‘T have nothing which is yours,’ replied Jack, with a strong effort to vegain his com- posure, ‘* You have the bond,”’ ) ‘« Indeed, 1 have not,” was the nervous claim, as Jack looked around and saw how many witnesses there were to the scene. ‘‘ Corliss was to give it to me and I was to cash it, or otherwise, but he never handed it. over. ”) ‘« Tt is false!’ ‘‘ Where is your proof?” “‘ His word.” ‘* A thing of straw.” ‘‘He would not lie to me, and I know it. You took the bond to get money for us—so you promised—and rou have betrayed your trust. You are a thief, but you shall not reap the fruits of your treachery. I will have you arrested.”’ ‘* Here’s a copper,’ added Robert. : Jack cast a quick glance around, and then Hecla. made a movement as if to flee. promptly seized him. ‘* You shall not go!” she cried. The patrolman was at hand, He was a very prepossessing looking person, himself. He had a rough nature, and long experience with scenes in the Bowery ‘ad hardened him more than ever Nature had intended. | “What's all this racket?” he demanded, harshly. ‘This man is a thief!” deciared Hecla. ‘Tt's false!” asserted Jack. ‘‘ You know me, Hoskett.” ‘‘I do that, Mr. Webber,” the policeman. replied. * ‘Am a tmef?” I. > . -< - ~ an ~~ ee 7\ kei \ ‘*Oal Demorest!” cried Robert. _ “ You bet!” replied the jockey. ‘‘ I won’t be missin’ when the Big Four hold a sociable. ” He was not missing, and the way he had driven his hard head into the fellow’s ribs anxious glance toward her. Her gaze was on Jack. The latter had scarcely given her Ws oe Pa wat - : ng oe "QB * “Vwi ‘’ + Paes, % —. So at or, * '- le pA i - z tte G r ¢ ret Ae el > Oe od he -~w ™ = . £>. . . ‘No more than T be,”’ answered the patrol- man, and possibiy he told the_truth. “Then, of sourse, you will take no notice of this affair?” ‘All I shall do,’ replied the officer, with — a wave of his night stick, ‘* will be to order them to move )n.”’ She looked and said nothing. It was plain she was frightened, and could not command her voice. | Pete was using his eyes keenly, and Robert was more than ever convinced that he had penetrated Hecla’s secret. The bey would <> Pett Sie —_ joka Sm have interfered, but there was a faint hope cr nT SS LL was very telling and, to the latter, uncom- that Pete would tire of his object, or be | fortable. Still, the allies had to deal with ‘‘ How’s that?” demanded Robert. * Didn’t seared away by a policeman. men hard to put out of the way, and they | you hear the young lady tell now he stole. | The feltow seized Hecla’s arm. scrambled to their feet. : her bond?” , | | vy. ‘Come and nave a drink!” he went on. ‘“ Scoot!” had been Robert’s advice, as he ‘‘Tknow Mr. Webber, and it’s all right. Le The gir: uttered a frightened cry and tried | saw them come up, but Hecla did mot obey. | He would not wrong anybody, and I know 6 REI to break away from the obnoxious hold. She seemed to be rendered motionless | it.” , phe ‘ This she did not succeed in doing, and; with fright, and she stood still until the ‘Be you a perleeceman or a judge?” 0s Uta Robert waited for no more. There was a | Rattler caught her arm. “What's that?” Pie gleam in Pete's eyes which told that he was ‘* Hustle!” he urged. ‘Inside court is the place ter decide this.’” one _ capable of any degree of mischief, and it was It was advice to be heeded or all would be ‘No back talk!” frowned the patrolman, ‘time to interfere. — | lost, and she managed tomove, but Kobert at | ‘‘I ain’t ter be disputed with by no raga- _' The Rattler sprung forward and struck | once saw that she would not succeed in out- | muffin iike you. Git!” | 2 oh a _ the offensive arm a blow which made the | running them, for she could not yet do} ‘ What?” 3 | Time Bs fea | hand fall. | | " justice to herself, . a a | " pon Shh _ Pete, still feeling the pain, turned with | He had a new idea and made use of it. ‘Not much, 1 won't, until you hev done ne ‘an angry snort, Believing himself a fight- _ ing man he.was ready for something of the _ sort, and it was a surprise to see only a if ‘‘ Perleece!” he cried. ‘‘ This way, officer!” He had seen no one, but the ery was one which appealed strongly to the fears of the toughs. They looked around and did see a the right things Et ain’t fer you ter a ee who is guilty, an’ who is not guilty. tell you ter run Jack Webber i , your duty,” » iw 4 * e 4 i) : Sa el Pane ahaa! 4) ‘45 4 4 ve ay wt 44 . ak ia. . of + At .) va ie phunder!” he exclaimed. “ What— | patrolman not faraway,and the sight brought |“ You 2 pc ter me any more about my = i ; te “Was et you who did et?” K them to their senses, > | duty an’ P' give ye a smash in the jaw! : Je~ eee ee Baty A) ‘ . » SY NAS ? 7 UTA i = " i! he wid ‘ \ i nN ‘ba vk ; P va area, act age | Ig (=r Ft ; ' ie re tiga ee ru . , : ‘ ) de , '> tf } ) PL ann te 4 on 7 : : re %, ~e : : ~ r a | i = pare S. Wil * ‘ . of") Ay : “i 3 fg ¢ y bi yeh hear € o es on of 3 t - * “ 4 Te » ay 3 ‘4 . yee’ f Je Le, CO SI a ee Pee Thee °4. Galt, ate ae