Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 839: Broadway Billy's Big Boom — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

ES oe Se - —— 4 —— ~ — _ a = ‘ -> — Te . eo 4 eet eS. =a t* 14 rascals in the play, but he hardly knew. quickly forward to him. ‘‘ Make ye look on that ticket, and to get some more. Lef | like a reg’lar sport.” Fle had also a description of those Harry had seen, and Harry was good at drawing Billy answered. where to locate them. word pictures. While Billy was walking along toward his destination, a young man suddenly rushed ; man, and said he would just step into the | ' next room while it was being done, and for up to him and grasped him by the hand, ex- claiming: ‘Why, Mr. Brown! how do you do?” drawled; ‘‘ but I'm blamed if you ain’t got the ’vantage of me, b’gosh!” “What! you don’t remember me? Don’t know the chap that spent the summer out our way two years ago? ‘Well, well, I new you the moment I set eyes on you, for you haven't changed a bit. Where are you going?” ‘‘Oh, ['m jest a-wanderin’ around to see what I kin see, that’s all. No, I don’t *member ye, but I s’pose it’s all right, if you know me. I drove the hack that season, ye know, from the station to Plaintown. Seen hundreds that I don’t remember, I’m glad ye noticed me.” ‘‘ Notice you! I’m not the fellow to slight summer acquaintaince, Mr. Brown. Let’s see, what was your first name?” ** Josh, sir.” ‘‘ My name is Phil Bandervelt, What do you say to our seeing the sights for to-night in company ?” ‘‘]’m ’greeable, sir,” ‘Come on, then; and, call me Phil—that’s good enough for me.” | ‘All right, Phil; I’m with ye, and I reckon I’ll have somethin’ to tell the boys when [ git back to Plaintown.” ‘‘It won't be my fault if you don’t, Josh.” It will be seen that Billy playe’ into the fellow's hands, and had helped him along nicely with his little game, for he believed he recognized the fellow as the same one Harry had described as being Harper Heron, and if that was so he was just the company he wanted! _ Billy had satisfied his appetite, as much as he dared after so long a fast, and felt in pretty fair condition again. Mr. Bandervelt took the lead, declaring he knew every crook in the city, and that he could show his friend more of the elephant in an hour than half the police could find in a week. Suddenly, however, he stopped. ““Pshaw!” he exclaimed. ‘‘I’ve got an SREnent to keep, and almost forgot it. \ ill you come with me? It won’t take us ong,” “Why, yes, I don’t mind; where is it?” ‘Tl tell you. I had a ticket in a lottery, and it has drawn one of the prizes, and I’ve got to goand get the money onit. It won’t take us long, and as soon as I get the money and some more tickets for the next chance; V’ll be with you for the night.” ‘Yes, I’m with ye. I’ve hearn tell ’bout these here lotteries, and if it’s a fair one, I wouldn't mind puttin’ in a dollar m’self, b’gosh!” “ You can do as you please about that, of course. You might have good luck the first draw, and you might not.” So they talked, and Billy followed his guide, taking care to note which way he went, At last they came to a saloon in alow quarter, over the door of which was the name—Hob Feeny! Billy was sure of his ground now, and felt to make sure his weapons were ready for instant use in case of emergency. Here Mr. Bandervelt entered, telling his companion not to be alarmed, that it was all right, and at the moment of entering Billy’s eyes met a welcome sight. e recognized Silent Seth! Broadway Billy’s Big Boom. | | ished; just the arrangement Billy most de- “T’m purty wal, I thank ye, sir,” Billy | sired. I Sen ls a | ! | “Shine, sir? shine?” Seth asked, stepping | | me introduce my friend Mr. Brown, from out ‘‘ Yes, I guess ye kin, fer they need it,” in Jersey.” ‘‘Hold on, Mister Gander-! Hob Feeny looked at Billy hard—for Hob belt, till 1 git polished up.” | the big fellow was, but Billy stood well the The sharp smiled at the supposed country- | searching look. “Thats all right, sir,” he responded, ‘‘Wealways pay cash here, you know, Our him to come in as soon as the work was fin- | game is fair and square, but we think ‘of | Closing it soon.” ‘Why, how is that?” The sharper disappeared, and while Seth! ‘‘Can’t stand it; customers are too lucky polished away at his chief’s shoes, the two ! these days.” carried on a conversation by signs and ‘But, you'll sell tickets to-night, wont whispers. you? I don’t want to miss to-morrow’s draw.” ‘‘Yes, we'll see how our luck will be, but if it goes against us we'll have to shut up the business. Can’t see a hole in our pockets, you know.”’ ‘It was the thinnest of thin games. Mr. Bandervelt excused himself for a mo- ment, on some pretext or other, and left Billy to the influence of the others till his return. “Say,” and Feeny turned to his compan- ions, ‘‘ ever see a face like his before?” CHAPTER XIV. SLIGHTLY SURPRISED. THERE was no time for Seth to tell his story, nor was it necessary; the present situation was the important thing. Seth had gleaned more points since we took leave of him at the closing of the pre- | ceding chapter, and had almost confirmed his suspicion that the girl he had heard cry- ing was no other than little Zita Burret! Getting into conversation with Tip, he had discovered that the boy had a fondness Billy looked at them all as if amazed at for pitching pennies, and pitching several ; this turn, and kept to perfection the expres. times with him, and losing every time, Tip sion he had assumed, | had at last invited him into the rear room His odd attire aided him greatly, of course. where they could carry the business further. ‘‘He looks like a fellow Isaw not long There Seth could hear more plainly | ago,” said Job Heron, ‘‘but not enough to what was going on in other parts of the | make a fellow think it could be the same house, as doors were opened occasionally, | one.” and he heard the same voice pleading for ‘* No, of course not.” liberty. They eyed Billy for some moments, and He heard the name Laurence mentioned, | then Feeny proceeded to tell him about his the strongest point he had that his suspicion | wonderful lottery scheme. | was right. While they were talking there came a cry And these points he quickly turned over in the hall, a sharp cry as of fright, and the to his chief. voice was that of a girl. | Me Needless to say. Broadway Billy was elate! Following it immediately was the piping at the prospect of being able to find the voice of a boy, shouting: © child alive and rescued her. | ‘Dad! dad! She’s gittin’ way!” __ Telling Seth to remain where he could! ‘‘ Blazes!” cried Feeny, leaping to his feet, to be on hand if needed, Billy passed into ‘it’s that little she-cat [ve got on my the inner room as soon as his shoes had hands.” received the necessary polish, where he; He sprung to a door and out into a hall, found his ere awaiting him. the scream was repeated, and with a string Billy’s disguise would not have been suffi- | of oaths he came back into the room dragging cient, but for the power he had of changing | the little girl by the arm. the expression of his face to suit any |, She was a sweet-faced child of twelve or character. so, but now looking terrified, and her eyes ‘There, that has put the finishing touch | were red with weeping. She was clad in a on you, sure, Josh,” the sharper exclaimed, | common gown, and a round comb held her ‘‘ Sit down, now, and we’ll wait, forthe party | short but heavy hair in place. hasn't come yet,” ‘All right.” ‘* What will you take?” ‘Oh, a lemmer-nade, I guess.” “ Pshaw! you want something stronger’n, that,” ‘“Wal, ye kin make it sassyferreller, if ye want to, then.” The sharp had to laugh at the greenness his acquaintance from the country ex- It was Zita Burret! Broadway Billy recognized her at a glance hy the photograph Miss Laurence had shown him, ‘‘Somethin’ has got to -be done with this here brat!” Feeny cried, giving the child a jerk. ‘‘She has been givin’ us nothin’ but trouble ever sence she’s been here, and I’m tired of it!” ‘‘Why not let Mom Brunner take her?” hibited. suggested Burk Burret, Oe ‘Why can’t you take beer or whisky?” ‘Better do what I first said,” growled he asked. Feeny. ‘‘No, no! I'll never agree to that!” ‘* B’gosh! what sere ter be the matter?” demanded Broadway Billy, with his country “Oh! my!” in much alarm, ‘I have signed the pledge, ye know, out our way!” Broadway Billy never allowed a drop of anything strong to pass his lips, and could | drawl. 2 always invent excuses when pressed. “Matter enough, Feeny. complained. “This kid is crazy, and we—’ ‘‘ Ttisn’t so, sir! it isn’t so!” cried the child. “They have stolen me from my home, and they will not let me go back—” - ‘Shut your fool head!” snarled Feeny, giving her another jerk. ‘‘ You don’t know what—” ‘Stole ye, hev they, b’gosh!” cried Billy. ‘Guess we'll have ter see about that. V’m Josh Brown from Plaintown, I am, So, he was allowed to have his ‘‘sassy- ferreller” while his companion took some- thing a good deal stronger, and they spent the time talking while they awaited the com- ing of the parties Bandervelt desired to see. They had to wait a considerable time, but at last the men put in their appearance. There were three of them. One was a big, brutal-looking fellow with smooth face; another was thin, with sharp nose and chin, while the last had more the appearance of a gentleman. As the three came in, Billy’s pretending friend rose, and, greeting them all, said to the big fellow: | ‘Mr, Jones, I have come around to draw ee unnoticed!” ‘‘- You had better not meddle here, I warn you,” growled the big ruffian. tend to our own affairs. IT’ll be back ina minute—” and I don’t low no sech business ter go by ‘We'll at-. - SS” = 2 ' i Ge Peed s Ve we ~ P| | +5 + ‘ ee > y d * 3 AP sey ‘ » ‘9 4 + @ ; “books. eee : prs f yee “a , wy f } | Py : - ae | ' F d i = J } a @ _| |. y i @ : 4 r* re ‘a a” MJ ‘ ev ee