Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 915 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ae er, oes eS A sS-¢ . ye > a ad Lata 7 - > od © - 0 a * ~~ F. € eae ‘‘Then le’s go home. 10 ee crowd would not tolerate such violence on his part—now. ‘“ That settles it!’ he cried; ‘‘ you are a thief, an’ now you'll go ter the lock-up. Come along!” He began to pull, and Flip’s joy faded away. It would be hard to prove that Shoe- strings was not the wanted boy unless his own identity was revealed, and this never would do, Flip decided on another plan. Thus far no policeman wasin sight, and the crowd was inclined to give hearty sympathy to Shoestrings. Flip did not believe they would change their allegiance, and he acted with this theory in mind. Moon’s back was toward the building, and Flip suddenly shot out from his hiding- place. Putting all of his vim into the at- tempt he ran headlong into Moon, and once more that luckless person sprawled in the dust. ‘* Run, mand. He was afraid he would not be obeyed, so he caught at his friend’s arm and pulled him along. Shoestrings’s wits returned to him, and when they came he did not need urging. Side by side, the boys darted off down the street. The much-upset Mr. Moon Martin regained his feet after a struggle, but when he did so he just caught a glimpse of the pair as they swiftly receded. ‘Stop them!” he implored. It was a mechanical cry, for they were well away from everybody’s reach, but he was not disposed to give in so tamely. He rush ed in pursuit, but when he turned the first corner he stopped short. The boys were not to be seen anywhere, A convenient alley had afforded them means of retreat to the next strect, but the pursuer was long in making this discovery, and when he did so they were several blocks off and perfectly safe. When Flip was as- sured of the latter fact he let up on his rapid gait, much to Shoestrings’s relief. ‘“‘T guess we are goin, ter hev a thaw,” re- marked Flip, ‘‘ I feel kinder warm.” ‘*Oh! Flip, w’ot has happened?” ‘‘One moment, my frien’, Did you de- liver them letters?” ‘* Yes,” | ‘*That’s right; always be faithful ter your trusts, an’ some time you will be a poll-clerk in an election deestrict an’ git rich.” “ W’ot was the trouble at that house?” ‘Nothin’; only you had a scrap an’ smacked a feller in the nose.” ‘‘IT mean before that—w’ot trouble did you have?” | **Wal, me an’ Moon Martin was playin’ football, an’ I bucked the center an’ he tack. led foul, an’ I went around the end fer a gain 0’ two yards—” ‘“Flip, will you be serious?’ ‘‘ Mr. Shoestrings, ter be frank, 1 hev been rickkershayin’ with our enemies, the fire: bugs.” 7 “Was that them?” ‘*T guess et was.” ** You are awful reckless.” ‘*Not a hair; not a hair! You see, I’ve sold out ter the enemy an’ entered their em- ploy. Moon isa bit cranky, an’ me an’ him had a scrap, but we didn’t hurt each other. Et was all in good part, only I remonstrated against his usin’ the galso— Say where is that gal?” : ** W’ot one?” | ‘‘Didn’t you see nobody come flyin’ out o’ the house ahead o’ me?” ‘‘ Why, yes; there was a young lady did that.” ‘* Where did she go?” : ** Off down the street.” ** Fast?” ‘ Yes,’ Shoestrings!” was Flip’s com- We might as wal hunt fer a Welsh rabbit in a menagerie. , Mrs * \ ’ wr th ‘ ’ : : ' ‘ : ; rw + * ry ‘ - ’ ‘ ' 2 ‘ 4 ; ney: > Ne, 4 rs ny hil a OS ° fr e- ‘sia. > — . - ys rs a ~ a ih ANT ae oe sit one wale! tat 2 : coe “f, +. + ra * ey PS yy » fy Pd “a 1 i oy a 4 / . . * > ada?’ 7 te 4 ¥ ee Sn eee EC ee Does’ |— m'— "2 rvrn>=>=>Q®Q”_0, SS cece et LT LLL LL LY ~ mene thot fle gig aa 5 ‘ Flip Flasher, Ferret. | ™ ——— ——- ———— ——— ee ee Vell go home— No, we won't; we'll go an’ see Peter Mainford. I want ter know how he’s comin’ on with his case.” ‘‘T want ter hev supper, an’ then godown by the ferry an’ sell some shoe-laces,”’ ‘‘My frien’, your habits o’ industry will make you bankrupt some day. Shoot yer old shoe-strings! Comealong with me!” The younger boy was accustumed to hav- ing Flip domineer over him, and as he always yielded, he did so now. They went to Peter’s house and were soon in conversation with him. Flip had said nothing to Shoestrings about his latest adventures, and he was not more precipitate with Peter. That man was in despair, His house had been damaged by the fire, but he had insur- ance on his goods, so he would lose nothing. It was different with the model of his inven, tion. He was quite sure that if he could getit back before somebody else had used it to secure a patent he would become the rich- est man in the world—so he expressed it. ‘‘ Just think,” he added, with enthusiasm, “what it would be to have our streets lighted with electricity not as they are now —with a big, glariug light remote from its fellow lights—but small lights only a few inches apart—little jets attuched to the reds which would run under the eaves of every house and business building in New York. A big light, strong, steady, mild, glorious, Think of it!” He jumped up and began to pace the room excitedly, reveling iu the thought. ‘“ How about expense?” inquired Flip. slight. ‘‘ While Istood there, seeming to be the only idle person in the vicinity, my attention was suddenly arrested by sight of a young woman who was coming down the street with a burden in her arms so big and heavy that she walked with difficulty. ‘* Briefly, it was the box you sce yonder, but, as it was then covered with a cloth, Ll could make out no more than that it was mighty heavy forher. Hardly anybody was on the street, and she received no attention from anybody, but when only a few fect from me she suddenly staggered, leaned the burden against the wall of a house and then let it fall to the ground, ‘“*T can go no further!’ she exclaimed. ‘‘T thought she had a good face, and I was so moved with pity that 1 stepped out into plain sight and said: ‘** Can I help you, miss?’ ‘‘She started nervously, but I suppose she noticed that I did not look like a thief. She soon quieted down. ‘“* What can you do?’ she asked, with commendable directness, ‘‘* Well, I might give you a lift, or house the burden you have’—you see, I didn’t want to volunteer too much in a wet night—‘ or I would go for a carriage, if you say so.’ ‘«*Do you live near here?’ she demanded, almost fiercely, I thought, ‘* «Right bere, miss,’ I replied. ‘** Are you an honest man?’ ‘«*] think so,’ I said, after meditating for ‘‘No greater than now. My plan would | a bit. fix that.” ‘** Would you keep this box for me?’ ‘‘T hope ter see it, boss.” ‘*<Tf you wish, yes,’ «Let me look at you!’ ‘‘She came up right in front of me, and we faced toward the nearest street lamp. The light was not strong, for the fog was thick, but the way she looked at me was ‘You shall if the model is recovered.” ‘* How many men hev you told this to?” ‘‘Nobody but the companies I have tried to sell to.” ‘* No rivals?” trust you; you are honest!’ ‘*Then she made herself a little plainer. She couldn’t carry the box any further, and she was in trouble. She was law abiding, she assured me, and had nothing to fear ex- cept that she had enemies; but she had great need of that box being sheltered, ‘‘ Boys, it seems very queer, even now, Flip bad another question ready, but he suddenly paused as he caught sight of a something which seized upon his interest. ‘Say, is that another electric light box?” he demanded, abruptly. CHAPTER XI. _A MYSTERIOUS TRUST, As Flip asked the question he pointed to emphasize it, and Mainford easily under- stood, ‘‘No,” he responded, ‘‘ that is a different thing. In fact, I don’t know what it is.” ‘*]t’s a box.” ‘‘T know, but I am wholly ignorant, of the nature of its contents.” ‘You don’t say so. How is that?” As Flip spoke he rose and went to the ob- ject referred to. It was a box of wood, and quite stoutly made. It was not Jarge, but it had arrested Flip’s attention for good rea- total stranger!” ‘* What then?” demanded Flip, eagerly. ‘“*She went off, and I haven’t seen her since.” ‘* Wot was her name?” “She didn’t give it.” ‘““That’s odd.” ‘So it is; but she was confused, and 30 was I, ] guess. Anyhow, I took the box in for her, and there it is, She never has been after it, nor have I heard: from her, nor do [ know where she lives, or one single thing about her,” ‘« W'ot’s in the box?” asked Shoestrings, quickly, | ‘‘T don’t know. She didn’t say, and [ haven’t opened it. The box is fastened.” Flip was thinking. His head was lower- ed, and he seemed to find something very absorbing. He said er agi ‘Do you really think it is va ceeded Shoestrings. ‘*It may be.” ‘‘ Then why don’t she come after it?” ‘IT don’t know. There is a good deal of trouble in this world. The girl was in trou. ble then, and she may be worse off now. lL can’t, help suspecting that that is why she hasn’t come forit. She was a nice-looking girl, too—so fine and straightforward of look, sons. i : 7% There is astory attached to that box,” explained Peter Mainford, ‘‘ It came to me inan odd way.” ‘* Who from?” ‘*T don’t know.” ** How is that?” “Tt was left in my charge, but by whom and for what reason I can’t say, because I don’t know.” ‘That looks right mysterious on the sur- face, but mebbe you kin take the kinks out ef you will. Develop the secret, Peter, will e?” | -“T think I may safely tell all I know. It was like this. One rainy evening, about six weeks ago, I was standing at the mouth of the alley, looking out inter the street. It luable?” pro- OO - S _ ——___ rrr ——— ree Oe eS ee ee eee att tl LLL, , was one of those damp.foggy eveningsjwhich | you see. She wasn’t a bit like most girls are peculiar to New York, and folks had | around here,” | ae their umbrellas up even if the rainfall wis ‘* No.” enough to enable her to read my very heart. ° ‘Ever hear of a man named Addison | It was a trifle trying to me, but her manner Oates?” | was allin her favor—I did not get angry or ‘* No.” worried. f ‘ Or Moon Martin?” ‘‘ Finally she started back. SING? “* Enough!’ she cried, ‘I know I can but she corfided the box to me—andI a