Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 917 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

‘lash Lightning, HE MOUNTAIN MASCOT; OR, JERRY JACOBS’ DOOM. A Romance of Payrock. BY CHARLES MORRIS. CHAPTER I. AN INSULT REVENGED, Far within the mountain-girdled and silver- vielding State of Colorado lay the village of Payrock, a mining-town of no great pretensions as a centerof civilization, but with silver enough in the rocky heights around it to builda palace for every one of its tumble-down sharties. The town was an old one for that region. Its first house had been built fully twenty years before, a length of time sufficient for the birth, rowth and death of many a mining settlement, ut the clatter of the stamp-mills showed that Payrock was full of life, and that its mines were still yielding their silver stores. However, we are not at present interested in the town, with its whisky-shops, its gambling saloons, and its rough-hewn and weather-beaten inhabitants. Our interest lies in but one of its many mansions, a two-storied log house that lay in a grassy hollow to the left of the town—a roughly-buiit dwelling, but with green vines twined over its doorway, and a gurgling little stream, from the hills near by, flowing close be- side it. In front of this dwelling stood, on a fair morning in May, 1884, a broad-shouldered, stal- wart man, of past middle age, but with a face so rugged and embrowned that it look d as if it might have stood the storms of a century. A long wiry, gray beard drooped on his breast an his thin hair lay in a mop on his uncover But, rough and weather-beaten as the old man appeared, his face was full of warmth and pence and there was a kindly look about his wrinkled eyes that would have made the most suspicious trust him, A perplexed and careworn look marked his face as he stood in front of the doorway of the corre rubbing his chin reflectively with his and. ‘‘ Folks round yere dub me Old Dug-Out,” he said, ‘‘ and mebbe they’re bout compos mentis in that there. But ther’ must ha’ been some other coon dug out ’bout the same time as me that tuk all the brains and left me only the muscles, I’ve got plenty o’ the one, but I’m everlastin’ short on t’other,” He stretched out his bare and brawny arm as he spoke, and gazed at it with a dissatisfied air, “Paon’t see as muscle’s brung me anything cept hard hits, and that ain’t no glory nor satis- faction to an old man as is gittin’ weak in ther jints. Brains wana out as long’s ther man lasts, ut muscle is bound to gi’n out ’fore he’s ready cer hand in his checks,” He walked up and down uneasily, his face working as if in deep reflection. ‘‘l’ve done one good job, anyhow; I’ve made a man out o’ Flash, and that I was bound ter do "fore I let the little ’un ry 3 outer my fin- gers, Ther’ can’t nobody sp’ile him now, nary time, That job’s done, and it’s "bout time I was takin’ up t’other. The boy must be nigh oa ter twenty-one. and he oughter know who he is and what he is,”’ Old Dug-Out sunk his chin in his hand, while his face grew full of thought. ‘* It’s doubtersome if we’ll ever know who the lad’s parients was. I kin see ’em now as they laid with their heads smashed in by the bloody Injuns, The wagons was all afire, and I snatch- ed the kid out jist in time to save him from be- in’ roasted. Poor little coon! he looked at the blaze and sung out ‘Flash Lightnin’!’ That’s the reason I guv him that name. ‘‘ His parients must ha’ been no common folks, fur they was dressed nobby; and so was the kid, fur that, And, lawsee! anybody kin see he’s got good blood in him, fur he’s jist the tightest and brightest lad in the Rockies, ‘*7’d sooner lose an eye-tooth than ter lose him; but, right’s right, and 1 reckon I’ve got ter git somebody as kin read ter squint over them papers ascome withther youngster. But if he’s tuk off East, itl? tbe a wuss loss to the Rockies than +o lose a gold-mine, for a lad like Flash is 99% + Len times his weight in solid gold hyer.” ‘““That’s so, Uncle Dug-Out!” cried a silvery voice, at his elbow. ‘' But, who’s talkin’ ’bout takin’ Flash away? I'd like to see thechap that’s to do it,” The old man turned quickly and fixed his eyes on the speaker. He saw before him a girl with pretty face and roguish black eyes, while her lips were full of mingled fun and feeling. She was well-grown, but was dressed in ragged and dim-stained at- tire, while her soft, brown hair darieed in elf- locks over her eyes. ‘‘ Hillo, Bess!” cried the veteran. ‘Why don’t you whistle afore you settle down on a chap in that suddent way?” — ‘What's this you’re sayin’ bout Flash?” she demanded. ‘‘ Nobody sha’n’t take him off, now, you bet! Not while I’m round the Kockies.” ‘‘- Your ears are too long, and your tongue too spry, young lady,” answered the old miner. ‘* Wait till you're axed, is my motto. What are you doin’ with them there stockin’s?” He pointed to a pair of well-worn stockings she held in her Mand. **Darnin’ ’em, that’s all. me at it, and I dunno what’s the use. keep the holes from comia’.” ‘“T spose she wants you to look respectable,” ‘“That’s jist old aunty. She says I’s got to wear shoes, ’cause it’s respek’able. Them’s re- spek’able, ain’t they?” She thrust out ber foot, which was covered with a sorry apology for a shoe. ‘*T don’t like shoes, and I won’t wear ’em— there !” A toss of her foot sent the shoe flying through theair. This revealed a foot that was covered with a stocking more dilapidated than the one she held in her hand. ‘¢ Look at that!” she cried, spitefully. ‘‘ How did them holes git there? Is’poses that’s got to be darned, too; and there’ll be more darn than stockin’ after ifs done, Ain’ta gal’s foot pret- tier than sich plunder as them?’ ‘““Maybe it is, Bess,” answered Dug-Out, laughing. ‘‘I fancy Fiash’d say yourn was, But yer aunt’s got a level head fur all that.” He turned and walked into the house, The girl flung her work disdainfully to the and, ‘‘Them holes’ll come ag’in, and what’s the use fillin’ them up? Is’pose next thing Flash’ll be wantin’ me to be respek’able, like they all does. Somethin’ this way, isn’t it?” She thrust her foot into the discarded shoe, and began to page near to and fro over the grass, holding her dress primly, and putting on all the fine-lady airs she knew. ‘‘That’s Miss Martin as a respek’able young lady,” she said, with a laugh of disdain, ‘‘ Now, here’s little Rags-and-Patches when she ain’t re- spek’able, but is havin’ a good time.” She broke into a sort of Wild West break- down, while the hair danced wildly about her face, and her eyes snapped and flashed with merriment. Thus occupied, she failed to perceive that an- other person had come upon the scene, and was gazing at ber with undi admiration. ‘‘That’s me, both ways, Which do you} like best?” she demanded, with a low courtesy to a tree that stood before the house. ‘‘ How’s a chap goin’ to say which he likes best,” demanded the new-comer, ‘‘ when a girl’s so dashed pretty all ways?” The speaker was a lank-featured personage of some thirty years of age. His face looked half- rogue, half-< own. Hewas dressed witha cheap affectation of smartness, The girl’s eyes flashed spitefully. 7 Folks round these diggin’s generally wait till they’re asked,” she replied, tartly. ‘““Oh, come, now, don’t be sospry. "Tain’t no harm to tell a girl she’s pretty. My name’s J gh Jacobs, hat’s yours?” + "Pose you ask my Aunt Molly. She'll tell Aunty will kee You pant ou, ‘What does Aunt Molly call you when she wants you?” ‘* When she’s in good humor, she calls me Bess. But when she’s out of sorts, she yells out: “** You, Bet?” Does that bring you?” ** You bet!” “*Good!” cried Jazobs, grinning. ** Tlike you, Bess, and I’m glad to know you. ye I ‘wouldn't give a moldy oy brehegs to know you. And, jist you mind this—if Flash was here, you’ have to slide,” | ‘‘Flash! Who’s Flash? a rat-tarrier?” ‘Tf you wake up Flash, you'll find he’s the ere of the Rockies, and don’t you forget ay , Ch a Da QMS Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot. vs SSS ‘‘T won't forget that you’re just the prettiest girl in the Rockies. Dash it all, Bess! ’m in love with you at sight, and [ want a kiss from your rosy lips,” ‘¢ Now, you git, and lively, fore Flash comes, or there won't be a grease-spot left of you.” ‘¢ Bah! [ don’t carea fig for Flash. I’m bound to have that kiss, you bet!” He caught her before she could escape, flung bis arm round her neck, and tried to steal a kiss despite-her struggles, ‘“*Let me go!” she cried, angrily. ‘' Let me go, or P1JI— Flash! Oh, where are you, Flash?” ‘* Jist about here, I reckon. What’s the row? Hillovy? The speaker was a tall, well-built, agile and handsome youth, who had just appeared over the brow of the hill beneath which this scene was taking place. He was well-named, for he had come like a flasb’on hearing her cry, and his eyes flashed like steel-points at seeing what was going on, ** Klash!” cried the girl, with sudden joy and hope. ‘* Do you see—’ “Yes, I see. Explanations ain’t in order, We don’t want no lawyer to cross-question the witnesses, But, if that game’s open for outsid- ers, I’ll take a hand,” acobs had released the girl on discovering that a rescuer was at hand, He stood inan un- certain attitude, as if not decided whether to fight or fly. He did not have much time to decide. With a spring like that of a leopard the youth was on him and had him by the collar. ‘* What was he after, Bess?” “Trying to kiss me, the tramp!” _ It’s a kiss he wants, is it, bless his sweet soul! He shall have one, then,” ‘*Let me go!” cried Jacobs, struggling and squirming. ‘* Yes, PH let you go; like the fox lets the chicken,” In a moment he twisted him round, bent him down, and thrust the toe of his boot into bis mou Jacobs seemed no more than a feather in his hands. “Kiss that, you dirt ycur pretty face washed.’ Grasping him by collar and waist-band, Flash hae back and disappeared with him behind the ouse, While this scene was enacting, Bess seemed beside herself with joy. She laughed, clapped her hands, and danced up and down with an elfish satisfaction. “‘T never see’d anything so jolly! Give it to him, Flash! Let him see that folks don’t get kisses for the asking in these diggin’s. They’ve got to work for ’em.” In a few minutes Flash came back empty- handed. ** What did you do with him?” she eried, in some alarm, ‘* You ain’t gone and—” ‘* Only left him in the duck-pond back of the hill. Hecan‘cool off there.” ‘** You ain’t drownded him?” ‘** That kind don’t drown easy, Bess. He was made to stretch a rope, not to spoil good water. So he wanted to kiss you?” ‘*' Yes,” Bess flushed and covered her face with her bands. ** And he didn’t?” ** No,” looking out between her fingers. ** Then there’s a kiss lying around loose, wait- ing for somebody to pick it up.” ‘* Yes,” said Bess, meekly. ‘* 1t won’t do to waste it. to fasten on to that buss.” ‘*'You can’t have it, ’cept you'll go a-froggin’, I know where there’s some jolly big bull-frogs.” Her eyes danced merrily. : “All right, Bess, lLet’s have it, then, Id sooner catch busses than frogs any day.” ‘** You’ve got to catch me first. What's worth having is worth working for,” With a gay laugh she ran swiftly away. Flash followed her more swiftly still, and soon Be well-matched pair disappeared over the dog. Now you want IT reckon I’ have CHAPTER II. THE ROGUE’S RUSE, TrN minutes passed, and then a new-comer appeared upon the scene, a very different per- sonage from those who had just vanished, He was a tall, stout, middle-aged individual, well dressedj and of gentlemanly aspect, Yet, toa judge of human nature, there would have been something doubtful in his aspect, with its thin lips, retreating eyes, and foxy expression. He looked around him asif in search of some — thing, with keen eyes and a cautious manner. |