Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 860 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

t.a% oe sats caaalilal a Kit Clipper, the Boat-Club Mascot. See eee ie CL LL LLL LLL LLL LL LLL AL OE OO ———V——V_ occurred between the Battery and High Bridge. ‘¢! am terribly worried about Charles.” ‘* You hev reason ter be, I should say.” ‘* can’t imagine where he should go after he left the boat-house—” ** Did be leave the boat-house, at all?” ‘‘Oh, yes; I told you that he was seen to letve,” ‘*So you Gid, but yer witness was open ter doubt. Now, don’t understan’ me as sayin’ pos- itive thatI think Charles went out o’ sight in the boat-house, fur I ain’t a hair o’ reason fer thinkin’ so; but all things must be considered when we’re lookin’ up crooked cases. As fur this case, I’ve a good mind ter set right to an’ find Charles,” ‘Oh, Kit! if you will, Pll be your friend for- ever!” ‘* B’glory! that’s a prize worth workin’ for, an’ I’li do it!” The speakers were a boy and a young lady, who were seated in a front room of a house on Charles street. The latter was named Louise Birdston. She was about twenty years old, and pretty of face and charming of manners, She was not so vivacious as the average New York girl, but, reserved in the presence of casual ac- quaintances, was lively enough when with her friends, Her present companion was Kit Clipper. When John Clipper had occasion to name a son, he thought that a plebeian name like his own was not goodenough for the boy. He called him Christopher, only to see the name:cut down to ‘‘ Kit” by those who knew the boy in later years. Kit was now sixteen years old, but small for his age. He was healthy and strong, however, and accustomed to outdoor life. His face was bright, but not handsome, the features being somewhat irregular, His father had been fairly successful as a gro- cer, but had retired from the business and was living an easy life on his savings, Kit was not yet in business, or, indeed, done with schoo}, @ was quick to learn, but indif- ferent as to the application of what he knew. Neither at home nor among his usual associates did he hear the English language spoken with care, and the result was that ne chopped up his words in breezy disregard of grammar and spelling, revs his latest-made friends had been Charles Birdston, a young brick-mason., They had met casually, but Charles had at once become interested in his companion, and had asked him to the house where he and his sister, Louise, lived, Kit had. confirmed their first good impressions, and, at the end of six months, ranked among their most valued friends. There was troublé in the Birdston house, bowever—Charles was missing. He had been working at his trade in the boat-house of the Sea-Horse Club, but had not returned home as usual, one evening. inquiry elicited the statement that he had left there at the usual hour, but that no more was known about him or bis movements. Nearly a week had passed, and Louise was in despair, She had reported the case to the po- lice, but without apy good resalt. How much they had done she could not tell, but they stated that they were unable to find any one who had seen Charles after he left the boat-house. Asthe young mason was temperate, honest, of good habits and devoted to his sister, the case was mysterious. The police suggested that he had eloped, but, though he was twenty- three years old, his sister felt sure that he had no love affair. Her theory was that he had met with foul play, and she had worried over it until nearly ill. Kit Clipper knew something about the Sea- Horse Boat Club, It had been composed, origi- nally, of a number of old'sea-captains, and had resembled the usual boat-club but little. Later, young men were taken in—some of them the sons of the old captains, but mainly persons picked up at random. Nobody had ever spoken unfavorably of the club in Kit’s hearing, but he knew that the members, individually, had no superfluous respectability. Whatever the old captains were, some of the young men were very ‘‘tough,” to use the terse expression of the day. When the youth spoke slightingly of the Sea- Horse Club, he did so vaguely, but the words led to the mental inquiry:*If Charles had met with foul play, why was it not as likely to have been in the boat-house as outside? No outsider had seen him leave the place, ** Kit,” said Louise, earnestly, ‘‘if you can d poe brother, I will do my best to reward you. Your father is richer than I am, and perhaps you bave all the money you can use—” ‘¢ Jes’ so; don’t talk about that. All I should want would be your good will and Charles’s,”’ ‘¢ That you shall have.” ** Tl look inter it. I don’t see what more I | a sigh. kin learn than the perleece, but I kin try. PU do it now!” He arose to go, but Luuise had more to say, | and our avenger. She gave him credit for considerable shrewd- ness, and it awakened fresh hope to have him give the promise, She encouraged him all she could, and then he left the house. His own home was on Ninth avenue,so he started up Hudson street in that direction, He had reached the corner of Jane street when his attention was attracted by the sound of excited voices. Looking into the cross-street he saw three men on the sidewalk, one being a cabman who stood by his vehicle, while the others had the appearance of having been his patrons, These men were engaged in an altercation, Trouble has an attraction for both old and young, and Kit hastened toward the scene. He saw that one of the men was old, white- haired, somewhat feeble and bent, while thé other was scarcely old enough to be called more than a youth. @ was, however, a muscular, heavy-built young fellow, and his red face was the index of a rough,turbulent nature. The old man,on the contrary, was refined-looking* Both were respectably dressed. Thefirst distinct wordsthat Kit heard were in the old man’s shrill voice. ‘‘ Don’t you deny a thing!” he exclaimed, “‘ for I know that you are guilty!” ‘‘Oh! come off!” the young fellow coarsely re- torted. , ‘¢ Your word is not to be believed, anyhow.” The younger man looked scowlingly at Kit, and then answered in a more persuasive voice: ‘‘Say, Uncle Steve, hush up, will you? You’ll have a crowd collected here.” ‘*T don’t care if I do!” *¢ Do you want to advertise all our troubles?’ ‘| want to advertise the fact that you tried to rob me,” ‘*T did nothing of the kind.” ‘‘T say you tried to ‘ bunco’ me.” ** You're a liar!” The young man shot out the retort’ with dis- gusting disregard of his companion’s years, but it appeared to bein keeping with his nature, ‘ve a zood mind to have you arrested,” ‘* You hadn’t dare!’’ ‘‘Hadn’t 1? Here, boy; go for a policeman!” ‘* Do it, and I’l] smash you in the face!” Both of the latter speeches were leveled at Kit Clipper. ‘*Uncle Steve” was angry and excit- ed; the younger man was as coarse and low as those of his nature usually are. Kit stood ina state of uncertainty. ‘‘ Hadn’t ye better patch upa truce?” heasked, ‘No, we hadn’t, and we won't. Wijl you go for an officer, or shall I send some one else?” Allof Kit’s sympathy was with the old man, who kept his gentlemanly air even 1n his trou- ble and anger, and it occurred to him that a blue-coat would be likely to bring about the truce he had suggested. ‘¢Tf you’re bound ter hev one, I’ll go,” he re- lied, r He started, but the young man caught him by the collar and flung him violently to the pave- ment, ‘‘Tie there, meddler!” he exclaimed; and then he ran away down the street at a rapid ace, r The old man did not heed his dnparen es he was gazing in a bewildered way at Kit Clipper, The latter would not have heeded his fall ordi- narily, but his head had struck against the curb- stone, and be was half-stunned, He arose sJow- ly and, putting his hand to his head, took it away stained with blood. He had a bruise just sufficient to start the red fluid, but not of a nature to worry him, ‘‘What next?’ the old gentleman uttered. ‘The misguided boy is almost a murderer!” ‘‘Not on me; I’m all right,” Kit returned, uickly. / ‘*But think what might have happened.” ‘Dm thinkin’ what did happen,” si) an- swered, looking toward the corner around which his date assailant was just vanishing. ‘* You are bleeding.” ** An artom,” ‘‘Your skull may be fractured!” ‘‘Not a fracture; I’m made o’ tough ma- terial.” ‘‘ Horace shall answer for this—he shall be arrested.” ayy ade % | | s__- i tC LL LL LLL LLL ALL LC eenn nnn nnnncn nnn —_ —— ni ae ‘You're too late for your game,” observed the cabman, phlegmatically. The old gentleman had recovered from his bewilderment, and he saw that it was as the man had said. Horace had made good his es- cape, i Well, well, it may be best so,” he said, with ‘I should dislike to have my sister’s son arrested, richly as he deservesit. Let him go, for his own deeds will be his worst accuser But you, my boy—you have been hurt in my service, and must go to my house to be cared for.” Kit Clipper smiled, ‘*Oh! this don’t amount ter nothin’. See! it ain’t bled enough ter fill up a moskeeter, an’ I don’t mind it,” ‘* But you were‘hurt while helping me—” ‘“Not at all. I didn’t get a chance ter hel?” ye, an’ ain’t hurt, nohow. Let it pass! But you’d better keep an eye on yer nephew, fur he’s bad clear ter his socks.” ‘¢ The Sea-Horse. Boat Club has been the ruin of him.” Kit’s eyes opened widely. ‘* Wot did ther Sea-Horses do ter him?” ‘He went among evil associates when he made their acquaintance. Theclub isn’t com- posed of good men. 1! know, for I live near the boat-house, and I know some of the members, personally or otherwise.” ‘‘ What might yer name be, sir?” ‘‘Stephen Leechmere. I come of a good family, and there was never a black sheep in it until Horace grew up. He is my deceased sis- ter’s son. She married Leander Paulson, and Horace is all that’s left. My poor sister was weak and yielding, and her way of dealing with rough Horace when he was a boy has made him what heis, He had his own way then, and the headstrong boy has become a criminal young man. But we wander from the subject. I real- ly desire you to go to my house, my lad.” ‘¢ All right, sir; jest as you say.’ Kit Clipper’s sudden change of opinion was not without cause. The moment he heard that Mr. Leechmere lived near the Sea-Horse Boat Club, and knew a good deal about its members, Kit decided to accompany him. The chance was presented, he thought, for him to make a start in investigating Charles Bird- ston’s case. Tho cab still awaited Leechmere’s commands, and he and Kit entered and were driven away toward the north. Itwas a ride of considerable time to the old gentleman’s house, but they reached it at last, a When they alighted, Kit cast a quick, earnest glance toward the boatthouse, It was a notable feature of North River life at that time—though unknown to the ale le decade—and had a good situation on the bank of the stream. Inevery wayit outdid theaverage boat-house. It was larger, more exclusive in its style of architecture, and, though imposing, a place about which outsiders had never been given any chance to get much information. To Kit Clipper it looked particularly imposing on this occasion, and as he viewed the grim, secretive walls, it looked just like the proper place for the commission of crime, CHAPTER II. ALARMING NEWS. STEPHEN LEECHMERE led the way into the | house, ‘‘T live here with my sister,” he explained. ‘‘We arealone except forthe two servants we keep. You will not meet with much form and ceremony, for | am opposed to such things. Vil call my sister and have her attend to your hurt —she’s very skillful in such matters. Remain here, please, until l summon her.” Kit Clipper did not object, and Leechmere left the room, The house was one which would average well in New York, without making undue show, and the interior was fairly furnished and very neat. Leechmere soon returned, accompanied bya lady a few, years younger than he, She exam- ined Kit’s hurt and pronounced it trifling, but, at her brother’s request, washed it well in « skillful way. While she washed, she talked. Ram ‘‘We may as well let Horace go to ruin if he is to run away with the boat-club boys!” she declared. ‘‘T believe you, Elvira,” Leechmere sighed. ‘‘ That place is a den of iniquity !” She ceased work, stretched out one arm fc ward the boat-house, and looked very dramatic ‘¢+] don’t know what we can do about it,” her brother admitted. — f ‘Tf I had my way, the people weuld rise anc omicbooks