Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 947 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

Les * *s es = * a! . tah , . e & Pa Ad at 2 , * Ps - 4 * eS - * { a a ait an | A * a . = “> | ee , i Sener . - — - = F é aa hi . . “ > ~_ - - ~~ a. ee a | — a“ 7 . >. a a. me ‘a * half ft 2 + > ieee A » A‘ 2th > - a¢ “ f. we, about, as they recalled just how the rascal had looked and acted. The sponge was put to soak, and there was no training done. It was agreed that it would not do for them to be seen leaving the house to- gether, so Buck put out the lights and went away first. Some time later his boy backer quietly took leave. Desiring to see his friend, Jerry, he bent his steps in the direction of his lodg- ing. s he drew near the house, he saw the officer come out, and, feeling in a particu- larly jolly mood, he could not resist the temptation to break out In song, which he alid to this effect: ‘When I am a copper, I'll be a lady’s man, All polish and politeness, I'll please them all I can. And when I have picked out one That suits me to a T, I straightway shall arrest her, And she my bride shall be!’’ Jerry of course knew who wus coming. And he had to smile as he caught every word. Timmy sang loudly enough for nothing to be lost upon his friend. There was no mistaking the point this time, either, for it was too plain to be misap- prehended. * At it again, are you?” Jerry cried. “Tf you only knew how good I feel, Jerry, you would excuse me.” ‘Why, what is the matter?’ **Tt isn’t matter this time, it is all mer- riment.”’ » Forthwith Timmy told all that had taken place, and the officer joined in his rejoic- ing. * But the other matter—what have you heard?’ asked Timmy. * Nothing, since this afternoon, and you know what that was. Now, what have you heard?’ | ‘* You know, of course, they heard from Washington, and it has been shown that the bride there isn’t your Julia.” “Yes; and it was good and clever of you to keep that from me, too, Timmy. You are older in the head than you are in the body, my boy, and you understand a thing or two.” “ Where are you going?” “Down to the dock to see if either of the detectives comes up from Bay Beach on the next boat.” “All right; I will go with you. Of course, you will be on hand for the match to-morrow night. Won’t you? Buck says he is going to dump Bowery Brag or die trying.” ‘“T shall be there, Timmy, if I have ' nothing else to do. Anything to kill time while I am under this terrible strain of suspense., It is the worst that I ever had in, my life, I tell you honestly.” “ don’t wonder at it, Jerry, not a bit.” Thus they chatted until they reached the dock. They were just in time, for the boat ‘was im and was making fast. Keeping close watch, Jerry soon ut- tered an ejaculation at sight of one of the detectives. The detective saw him at about the same time, and came forward to meet the policeman, and as they shook hands the detective proceeded to give Jerry words of encouragement, They had managed to get hold of the letter written to Hodgley by Miss Claver- ton, and it had confirmed their suspicions connecting Hodgley with the story that had been told them by the Valewood law- yer. But they had not yet discovered the hiding place of the young lady. On the following night at midnight, how- — ~— ; - B ott ces ~ * — -- — “ye me, ae | S > 2S & ae ~~ _ nai _ - >. - ’ 1 ;? 2 ~~ . , The Bowery Wrestler. SRE EERE EERE EeeeeeeeeeeeeeennE ee pointment Hodgley had made, and it was believed that would reveal everything. CHAPTER XVII, HOW THE MATCH CAME OFF. “We'll be there, bey, Jerry?’ cried Timmy. “You can bet that I will, if I am any- where,” the policeman answered. ‘And that will give us plenty of time to see the wrestling match first, if the time is midnight.’’ “Yes, for Hodgley haS arranged to be present at that match,” said the detective. “He is a sly old rat, that fellow is. All this is a part of his main scheme, you see.” “How so?” asked Jerry. “Why, he has been spending days at Bay Beach; how can he know anything about the young lady? And, interested in this match on Saturday night, how can he be interested in anything else at the same time?” “We'll try and make it interesting for him, you can bet!” declared Timmy. “I am all cocked and primed for him; all I need is to be touched off, and if there won't be fun you can fly me for a kite!” The matter was discussed to some length, and the trio separated for the night. And as Timmy went off in one direction, hoping to fall in again with Buck, he voiced another verse of his nonsensical rhymes for Jerry's benefit. Now that the skies were brightening he felt that Jerry could stand it. ** When I am a copper, Vil be a Sonny fly. You bet that I'll keep order Upon my beat,~wr die! And when I get promoted, Then I'll be flier still; And when I’m made a captain I'll be too fly to kill!’ Before Timmy reached his destination he came suddenly upon Brag Clawson and Stainer, and had just time enough to dodge out of sight before he was discov- ered. “I can’t understand it,’ Stainer was saying. “I had it all arranged before he got there, and how I made such a mistake is more than I can see. My face and neck are beginning to burn like fire!” “Serves you right!’ cried the Bowery Wrestler. “You will know what you are about another time, I hope. Now, there is doubt about my doing Buck up, for he is as strong as an ox, and looks to be in first-class condition. But, maybe Hodgley can pull me out all right.” “You think so?” ‘Well, he has bet heavy on me, and he will do it if he can.” “T hope he will, for I.have got some sly bets laid on you myself. I felt sure of dosing Buck, so he would not be in it.” The Weasel grated his teeth as he list- ened to this. : He resolved that he would be in it, and that to the last minute, if no one else was. Listening to all they had to say, he waited until they had parted company, when he stepped out from his place of tem- porary hiding and went on his way to find his friend. Buck was found, and their further plans were laid. ) | Saturday night. : The rear room of one of Hodgley’s Bow- ery saloons was well filled. It was the time set for the match, and the wrestlers were on hand in their tights. Bowery Brag had his trainer, Gibbins, but as Buck’s man had failed to put in gn appearance, Buck had given that import- P , ~ Lace ” Prt > - , : 4 “- ~ ~ - ' ; =" The betting was even, for the tw young men were of a size, and no one ap- ~ peared to care to lay any odds that either ~7 the one or the other would win. But the ~ betting was strong. Hodgley was there, the biggest man the place, and the most imposing in dp- pearance. Ever? one paid deference to him. Timmy had his eyes upon him, without seeming to be watching, and’ once he caught him and Bowery Brag exchanging some remarks. It was done in a moment, almost, and the big man shook his head as he turned away. This was not lost upon Timmy, and he meant to have “an eye out for squalls.” At the proper time a ring was formed, and the two wrestlers faced each other, Jerry McKenna was there, aS were aiso the two detectives. The word was given, and the two young athletes grappled with each other and the great match that had been the theme of local interest for weeks was actually on. There was not much advantage for either one the first time, for they ap- peared to be even in strength, and their holds had been about equal. It was a tough tussle. The interest was keen, and when, final- ly, after a good deal of time and effort, Buteher-boy Buck floored his antagonist, there was a round of. applause. Hodgley frowned, and stepped bar for a drink. Securing it, he turned away with the glass in his hand, giving his attention to what was going on. 3 The Weasel, watching him narrowly, saw an exchange of glances between him to the and Bowery Brag. Timmy knew that something was inthe wind, but could not guess what. 4 The betting was now stronger in favor of Buck, and Hodgley, through a man who was with him, was taking everything that offered. | In due time the wrestlers came up for the second trial. This time Buck got an advantage, and it looked as if the match would soon egd. But Brag was game to the last. | The excitement was great, and some pressed rather close, among them Hodg- ley, with the glass of liquor in his hand, and presently, in an attempt to step back out of the way quickly, some of the liquor was spilled. | In the same instant, it appeared, Buck’s foot caught the wet spot, and ‘he slipped, | and before he could recover himself Brag had placed him on his back. Then the other side did the cheering. | Timmy Keén believed he saw through the scheme now, and when he saw Brag smile as he glanced at Hodgley, he felt sure of it. ) ' The Weasel worked himself around until he was in front of the big man, and when the wrestlers came up for another and the final test, turned to him and cried out: “T am onto your game, Mr. Hodgley! You can’t play that trick a second time, you bet! If you spill that, I will punch my fist into your paunch clear up to my elbow! I have been watching, and I am ont8 your haze as big as a house! Fair play, here!” | | The boy shouted out aloud, so that all might hear, and the big man grew very red. | “ What do you mean, boy?’ he roared. “Mean just what I say, that’s what? You have done it once, but you won't. again!” _ A may. ‘That was enough; others took up the cry now that their eyes were opened, anc if ©= | | was not likely that the trick would be § | ever, was the time of an important ap-| ant office to Timmy the Weasel. ; ve e freee w . . 3 yf " 4 | Fa ® ~> “ . ; : : * a ~* » “ol ' ‘ : - " -« Dos S ‘ r x “-- . ‘ é. . K wf ls + ? . 7 th .” ot i : th, 7 7. * - i d 4 4 F) 4 . val i. >a oe , tay . + , a * 4 » # pe ° : " 5 ’ FS ts du» : + . ~ ie) | "4 “ a ° : : : a a i ~F . r. my ~ ? Dated Pl ere a oi’ a ny IP ey eS ae ee ae * ‘ ar, a Jue!) 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