Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 850 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

| ~ * had begun to build ho Caleb Cinders, the New York Castaway. ee —— - land, quickly; ‘than what my fears will sug- gest, if our request is refused?” “¢ Just the question I asked, but it made no impression.” ‘* Putting other possibilities aside, I shall be- lieve, in case of a refusal, that one of my parents was a great criminal. Can the truth be any worse than this suspicion? Is not the truth al- ways better than suspense?” er tremulous voice and her nervously- waving hands showed how deeply she was agi- tated, and Norway declared that the truth should be known if it was within the range of possibility. ‘*Tf necessary, we will go to law!” he de- clared, ‘* ve got a new racket,” observed Caleb. ‘¢ What is it?” ‘‘Man down on Bond street who used ter work forthe Proctorhams years ago, an’ must know their hist’ry wal. Been advised ter see him!” On being questioned, he gave full particulars, as far as he knew them, and it was decided that the ex-servant should be seen the next day. hast of all the Castaway told of his narrow escape from death by fire, and a genuine sensa- tion followed, Both Norway and Mrs, Gar- land leaped to the conclusion that/the attempt on his life grew out of the recent events, and each mind found the finger of suspicion point- ing to Irving Proctorham, ihe subject was discussed in all its bearings, and then the household retired for tae night, Caleb Cinders was weary, and he slept as only young personscan. If unpleasant dreams haunted his rest, he did not remember them in the morning; he awoke feeling refreshed, and ready for more adventures, He found Mrs, Garland cheerful, and Norway in a determined mood, The latter had found that Caleb was a person to be trusted with any delicate mission, and when the Castaway asked permission to investi- ate the Bond street clew, while Norway went tocall on the Commissioner, his ally unhesitat- ingly agreed to the plan. t the proper hour they started down-town., They separated at Kighth street, for it was there that Norway left the Elevated Railroad train, but Cinders rode to Houston, and then walked back to Bond street. Peach had described the Bond street party as an old man named Ben Brown, who lived near the Bowery at an unknown ‘number, but who was well known in that vicinity, The Casta- way Rpeored the latter statement true, for the first do of whom he inquired unhesitating- ly Pg out the house where Brown lived. inders was soon in that gentleman’s room, Brown proved to be a little, dried-up old man who spoke in a squeaky voice, and did not hesi- tate to talk freely, “Know the Proctorhams?”’ when qi “tioned. ‘* Wal Werked .or them, boy an} man, a good many ear, Old Daniel Proctorham was alive when went there, though his son, Burr, was then fifty years old. Daniel died, and so did Burr, finally, an’ then come Irving, Burr’s son. Three generations, an’ I knowed’em all. Yes, es | sr How many children did Burr have?” ‘‘ Three lived ter grow Op. There was Irving an’ bis sister—her name’s Mrs, Lydeckton now —they live in New York, Then there’s another son, Ethan Allen Proctorham, who’s out in Californy.” ‘¢ When did he go there?” “Thirty year ago. He runaway from home, Ethan did, after a quarrel with his father, He went ter Californv an’ married there; an’ he’s ot four sons an’ three daughters, an’ four chil- en has died. The sons is named Ethan, Rich- ard, John an’ Waldo, an’ the girls is Amy, Mary an’ Martha.” Ben Brown certainly appeared to have the family history at his tongue’s end. Caleb ask he answered, I should say 80! ily a: é here-was them children born?” ed. - ** In Californy.” - ** How old was their dad when he left here?” *‘He run away right arter his seventeenth birthday.” ** An’ went right to Californy?” «6 Yes ” 66 Ain't he never been back here?” ‘* No, _Here was a disappointment for Caleb. As soon as he heard of Ethan A. Proctorham he s upon him, but this information was decidedly against his theories. He hesitated, and Ben Brown went on, glibly: ‘* Ethan was a fine boy; the best of all the Proctorhams, His father was mean, an’ miser- ly, an’ cranky; an’ Irving was even meaner, Kthan couldn’t stan’ the gang, an’ he jest ups an’runaway. Ginerally, boys who run away make a big blunder, but Ae got out o’ bad com- pany. ‘¢ Did he get his share o’ his father’s money?” Ben chuckled, ‘* Guess you didn’t know Burr Proctorham?” ** No, I didn’t.” ' ‘* He didn’t have no money.” ** But Irving is rich.” ‘‘ He ain’t got so much as folks think, an’ what he’s got come other ways. Burr was s’posed ter be rich, an’ he did have a few thou- sand dollars, but notany great pile. He was a miser, an’saved some, but he was the poorest business-man you ever seen, No; he never had much money. Irving’s goods an’ chattels come from his mother’s side o’ the house,” ‘* Who was she?” ‘¢ A Beckwith. She come of a good fam’ly an’ was a fine woman, I never knowed her fam’ly, though, but they was New Yorkers.” ‘*'Wa’n’t there any other heirs?” ‘¢Trving Proctorham must’a’ been the near- est, for he got the money.” ‘lq like ter know more about the Beck- withs,” ‘““T can’t tell ye, but Irving’s mother had a relative—mebbe a niece, though I don’t think she wasso near—who cvuld tell ye all about the Beckwiths, Her name is Mrs, Catherine Richardson,” ‘* Who?” cried Caleb. ‘Mrs. Catherine Richardson.” The Castaway drew a card from ais pocket, It was that given him by the lady on the Ele- vated Road, whom he had saved from being the victim of a thief, and he believed that he re- membered the name, He now looked at the inscription on the card, ‘* Mrs, Catherine Richardson, No.—, Lexing- ton Avenue |” If this was a coincidence, it was remarkable, ‘¢ Where’bouts does she live?” he asked. ‘* Up-town, som’er’s—on Madison or Lexington avenue, I s’pect.” Caleb asked several more questions, but soon satisfied himself that Ben Brown had told all that would be of interest,so he arose to go. Just then the loquacious old man bestirred bim- self and inquired why his visitor wished to know all this, The reply he received did not reveal any- re and, hurrying out, Cinders was soon on the Elevated Road again, and bound up-town., His destination was Mrs. Richardson’s house, ** Whethershe’s the same one or not it’s worth tryin’,” the Castaway thought; *‘an’I’m goin’ straight to her. Jemima! wouldn’t it be jolly ef I’ve struck the trail, an’ kin have sech a kind old lady ter help me!” Youth is sanguine, and, cool as Caleb usually was, he began to get in a fever. Reaching the house, he rung the bell. CHAPTER XIV. WITH A REVOLVER UPON HIS KNEZ. ‘CaLEB CINDERS was a natural admirer of charming things, and he was duly impressed when, in response to his ring, one of the neatest, most rosy-cheeked and haem servant-girls imaginable appeared at the door, He removed his hat with a graceful sweep. ‘‘ Mrs, Richardson in, mum?” he asked. ‘No, she isn’t, sir,” replied the pretty girl, with a twinkle in her eyes. ** Is she out fur long?” ** Well, for some hours, for she left word that she would not bo home to lunch,” ** That’s bad!” ‘** Do you want to see her on business?” % a did, that. D’ye know where she went?” oO. ‘*Sa-ay, has she relatives named Proctor- ham?” The pretty girl grimaced. ** No, ve heard her mention them—one of her relatives married into the family—but she won’t own any relationship, She don’t like them!” | ‘*Shows her good sense. Is Mr. Richardson in the house?” ** Why! he’s been dead ten years!” ‘*Oh! ’scuseme, Any children?” ‘‘No. Are you the census-taker?” The pretty girl spoke with a spice of sarcasm, but Cinders coolly replied: ‘*T be, mum,” 11 ee te ee ee ** You look like it!” ** Blood will tell!”’ The Castaway lifted his hat again, and stirred up his luxuriant hair with four plump fingers. ‘* Wish L knowed where Mrs, Richardson has gone!” he added, wishfully. ‘* Perhaps | can tell,” remarked a new voice, and another servant appeared at the door. ‘*Just before she went she wrote on a card. She meant to take it with her, for after she got into her carriage she observed to me; ‘ I’ve for- gotten my card, but it don’t matter!’ Here’s the card now.” She bad taken a bit of pasteboard from the table and now extended it to the apd ay Several words were scribbled in pencil upon it, and he read as follows: ‘* Mrs, Beck, No. — Greenwich avenue,” Caleb looked up in surprise. ** Who is Mrs, Beck?” ** Don’t know,” ** Ever hear of her afore?” sé No.” Cinders had—at least, the resemblance be- tween the name ond that of ‘ Mother Beck” struck him very forcibly. Could it be that the old woman had removed to Greenwich avenue and was the same whom Mrs, Richardson had gone to see? He stood studying the card until the pretty girl became impatient, ‘* Well, are you ‘in’ for thirty days?” she asked, pertly. ‘No; they let me off easy fur turnin’ State’s evidence ag’in’ you!” retorted Caleb, as he handed back thecard. Then he raised his hat again—thero was a tremendous fund of polite- ness in our Castaway—end bowed low as he added: ‘‘ Ladies, £ hev the honor ter wish ye good-day! May yer shadders never grow less!” Then he walked down the stoop and away from the house, ‘¢]ll be chewed up, individooally an’ collec- tively, ef I know what ter think 9’ this!” he muttered, ‘**Gone ter see Mrs, Beck, has she? Who’s Mrs, Beck? Is she my charmin’ frien’ who set on her household goods, or ain’t she? Anyhow, Mrs. Richardson is the Mrs, R. I wanted fur ter find, an’it strikes me as odd thet she’s gone ter see Mrs. Beck. Wal, b’jinks, I’m goin’ ter do the same! Wish I had a vehicle— harnsome cab or coop—fur I'm gittin’ ter be a perdiguous trav’ler,’ Not having the coveted vehicle he bad to rely on the means open tohim., Norway’s liberalit had given him plenty of qed rramag and this helped him along so well that, after using two cars, he finally found himself at the corner of Eighth avenue and Fourteenth street. He trudged along toward Greenwich avenue, which is buta few rods below, Jackson Square was clad in its brightest green, and several children were enjoying themselves in that little oasis of city life, but parks and recreation had ee charms for the persevering investigator en. It was not many minutes’ walk to the number which he had found on the card, The house, like pe! by on the dingy avenve, was of plain brick, and had seen its best days. hone before Caleb Cinders saw his first day of ife. There are some houses in every city that seem to have the character of their occupants spread upon the very building-stones, good or bad; but others are of that rusty medium which gives no clew, and they may shelter saints or sinners, < Such was the case with the Greenwich avenue ouse, No stylish carriage stood at the door, and Caleb concluded that he was not to see Mrs. Richardson, but he hardly had expected that he would; it was the magic of the name ‘‘ Beck”’ that had brought him there, After using his eyes for awhile, he walked for- ward and pulled at the door-bell, A small boy with a distorted face soon an- swered the summons, ‘‘Mrs. Beck in?’ briskly asked the Cast- owe sé es, ” ‘‘' Tell her a gentleman wants fur ter see her.” ‘¢ Come in!” The boy was as mechanical as a machine, and there was no cause to snspect that he had am emotion of hisown, If the calmness was genu- ine, his stoical air would indicate that Caleb roy, fy have asked for a lady-bug, or the Queen. of Reape without causing him surprise, Caleb entered, and the. boy closed the door. Then he turned his face toward the stairs. ‘* Come up!” he briefly directed, z ‘“* Has Mrs, Beck lived here long?” asked Cin-- | ers.