Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 962 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

--* ~*~ TO welaret A, = Hr Oo 4 At that suspicion Amariah only waited long enough for Hank to strike once more, and then he cross-countered terrifically. From the shoul- der out went the blow, straight as a die, and the resul6 was all that te could have wisbed for. Hank was lifted fairly off of his feet, and driven solidly into the crowd, that was thus thrown in- to some confusion. With a sharp whistle and a snap of the thumb and finger, he turned to Dandy; and Bruin lum- bered forward. A gesture and the bear rolled heels over head through the window, and with- out the delay of a second, Amariah and his pro- tégés followed. —- =o CHAPTER VIII, AMARIAH MAKES A TOUR OF INSPECTION, THE day following the affair at the Hive, the articulars of Holdtast’s appearance, the exhi- ition which he and -his companions had given, and the singular finale to the evening’s enter- tainment, were all well known in‘the various saloonsand places of resort in Hard Pan, What it had all been about was more than was gener- ally understood; but it was considered that the spectetors had got the worth of their money, and that Amariah had shown himself to be a wonder of a man. There was some curiosity in regard to Happy Hank, moreover. He had risen from the floor, stared around, learned that Amariah had van- ished, and then, without a word of either anger or regret, bad taken his departure. The men who had seemed to be in collusion with him had also managed to slip away without being called to book for the little damage they bad done, and the vast amount of noise they had made, The folowing morning aes was to be seen of them; and some casual inquiry revealed no traces that might show which way they had gone, It was a case of mysterious disappear- ance; andif Amariah had also been missing it is likelv that public opinion would have sus- ted Darby and his men of having followed im up, and got away with him after all. The retreat, though it was deftly managed, had, of course, been noticed by some, and had been looked on as an injudicious move, If Amariah wanted fair play, and everything open: and aboveboard, he would bave been more apt to have it if affairs came to a crisis at the Hive than in the loneliness of his own camp, which was understood to be somewhere outside of, though near the town, But Amariah was not missing at all. He turned up, strolling through the town, with the small boy at his heels. He made several pur- chases at the stores, did not seem at all alarmed about his safety, asked few questions; and final- a dropped in at at the office of Ebenezer Crow- ut When Amariah knocked softly at the door, Crowfut requested him to enter, although he had a visitor at the time. Perbaps if it had not been for the visitor, he would not so readily have admitted him. Jarvis Jackson had returned; and after show- ing the letter from Mackenzie Murdock, had opened up a conversation that was not alto- gether pleasant to Kbenezer, since it was in- terspersed with questions that, though care- fully worded, seemed to have a bearing on the lady visitor of the preceding afternoon, **Tam not a detective, Mr. Jackson,” he had just said; ‘‘and though an old settler, so to speak, [ have never made it a matter of habit to keep track of the other inhabitants. I have been doing a cash business, and the going and coming of the population, in the main, has been of little interest to me. I would be glad to ac- commodate Mr, Murdock in almost any way that was in my power; but this is entirely out of my line,” ‘But there are thousands depending on it!” exclaimed Jackson, ‘‘I might almost say mil- lions. It is not ag Ae matter of rizht, but a matter of money. e person who sets me, or those who employ me, on the track of Simon Sanford, could almost command his reward, Look at it in its pecuniary sense, if you will not jo any other,” For all the sign his face gave, Ebenezer Crowfut might as well bave never before heard the name of Simon Sanford. He showed no sign of recognizing it, at all events, He thought that Mr. Jackson was very much mis- taken if he imagined he could draw out of him anything of what Mrs, Sanford had told him by such roundabout methods as this; and if the man was actually in search of Simon San- ford, why, as his interests and those of the aS p red to clash, he was committed to the er side, ' riip-miap rrea at ard ran. SS It was just at this juncture that Amariak Holdfast came in, with a bow and a scrape. ‘*Excuse me; but this air Mister Ebenezer Crowfut, | conceit?” Witiiout the smallest attention to Jarvis Jackson, he addressed the merchant, who did not evince any impatience at the interrup- tion. ‘You are correct, and if you have any busi- ness I will be at your disposal in a moment or two, I have been inter¥igwing this gentleman; but we have little more to saysto eac.: other. If you will take a seat I can attefid to you soon.” Since the previous doy there fad been a slight change in the furnishing of the room, Ebe- nezer had seen that circumstances could arise in which the poverty of his office in fixtures would be a disadvantage, and bad introduced a couple of common, hard-seated chairs. One of these was already occupied by Jarvis, Jackson, and without hesitation Amariah possessed him- self of the other. Nevertheless, it was not in the Holdfast nature to wait for anybody. ‘* Mebbe it would be a heap sight ther quickest tew git rid ov me first off. Ef you know what I want tew know I might be prevailed on tew stop awhile. Otherwise, an’ ef not, time air money, an’ I better be goin’. This gent looks ez though he didn’t think he could git threw in no eich time ez yew menshun, an’ so, mebbe, yew hed better cast yewr awrickulars in this d’rect- shun, an’ let bim be considerin’, Hope 1 don’t intrude, all ther same,” There was something ludicrous about the way that Azariah threwin this afterthought, that made Crowfut smile, > **No intrusion at all. Business is business— and you would hardly call here without it. If you will state the nature of yours I will be able to judge better whether it shoul take precedence of that of this gentleman. Unless, indeed, it should be of a private nature.” ** Nothin’ that ther bull world mightn’t hear. Azariah Amariah Holdfast is not a man ov secrets. I wanted tew ask ef yew ever knewa man by ther name ov Simon Sanford?” An exclamation of disgust rose to the lips of Ebenezer. Here was a third party in search of this Simon Sanford—and they all came directly to him—as though he knew anything about the man! ‘* It makes no difference, then, if that be your errand, [can dispose of you both together. I have jast been trying to persuade this gentle- man that I know nothing about such a person- age; and from what little [ bave heard of him am very glad that I don’t, These men that hide, and have to be hunted up, and all that, are generally unmitigated rascals, And that is the class to which Iam inclined to think that your friend belongs. If you will both accept that as an answer, and take your departure together, you will be doing me a favor. I have some- thing to do besides worrying my mind for remi- niscences of Simon Sanford,” ‘* Then yew really believe that ther’ is such a pusson?” Amariah managed to get a great deal of mild incredulity into his tone, and meantime looked at Jarvis Jackson in a reproachful sort of way, as though the remark was intended as much for him as for Ebenezer. ‘Eb! Bless my soul! And so there is a doubt of it? Glad tohearit. Thought the name was not familiar. Glad you called, since it gives me a new idea, Mr, Jackson, 1 must first be satisfied on this point before I can listen to any suggestions about overhauling my memory, and looking through my old day-books on any such a wild-goose chase, Very good suggestion, that. Js there sucha man? Take it out with ou, Mr. Jackson, and look it over. When you ave any proofs call again, Anything that I can do for my old friend Murdock will be done most cheerfully; but before [ go further in this I must know, is there such a man?” The merchant spoke rapidly, and cheerfully, The point was well taken. hen Jarvis Jack- son furnished proofs of the existence of such a man—past or present—he would no doubt at the same time unvail enough of the past life of that individual to give a more satisfactory ae ak tion of why he was being hunted now. it was well enough to say that there was mouey in it, Of course, there was, or this trouble would be saved—but so far} no one had explained why the man was missing, or why bis return was an ob- ject worth working for. However loyal he might be to the lady, Crowfut was not above the failings of human nature, and his curiosity was more than ever excited by this brief and vertinent query. , Jarvis Jackson did not think it was conclu- ns ———<$<$—=. sive. On the contrary, it opened up the w subject again. He cast a glance at Amurial which, however, was not exactly one of grati tude, and began at Ebenezer: ** Bless your soul as much ag you want to. but listen to ssnse a little, at the same time The only way to prove that there is such o person is to find bim; and the only way to di that is to go back to a starting-point where w: have him sure enough, and then trace hin along down to the present time, or note wher: be drops out, It is certain that he was here ir, the early history of the place; but the early set tlers have mostly gone the way of all flesh. Those that are left behind are unaccountabls unwilling to try to refresh their memories; and some of them seem to have no memories at all. You, Mr, Crowfut, could aid me if you would and I believe that you will if you think the matter over. I know that Lapproached you at an inopportune time, and in an unfortunate way,for which I feel like again apologizing, If you will allow me to call once more, perhaps by that time you will have somewhat modified your views, At present [ shall only say good- morning. Youcan conclude your business with this gentleman at your leisure,” Having said this in a deprecating sort of way, Jarvis Jackson bowed politely and took his departure. ‘* Very good hit, that, of yours; and served the purpose of getting rid of that man, whom I confess I do not like. Was it a chance shot, or do you really know something about this wanted man?” ‘‘ It air no wonder yew don’t like Mister Jackson. Most people don’t like a detective, an’ he hez his bizziness writ on hisface. It war not prezackly a chaince shot, sence it wag fair- ly aimed, an’ hit about whar I wanted it tew go. § hev an eent’rest in Simon Sanford’s af- fairs—sich ez itis—an’ !m’most main anxious tew find out whatI kin about him, Eza open secret, I hev his darter in tow, an’ I’m lookin’ round tew see ef I kin dew her — | ater I've heard thar’s money sumwhar; an’ [ don’t. know arybody wants it wuss than ber an’ Amariah Holdfast.” ‘*Her daughter!” Ebenezer was ouce more astounded. Here was a secon! daughter—was this also a genuine article, or was it made to order?. And was Amariab an indepeitent investigator; or was he in the employ of JarvisJackson?” ‘‘Excuse me. 2 sed his wjarter—not h°"* She’s a estimable young lady, an” Kin walk ther tight-rope like a, leetle angel. I hed thort ov bringin’ her along; but I hed ter leave sum’un ter keep Dandy straight, an’ ther boy sin’t quite ez well *quainted with ther D’ar, iii yew want ter see her 1 kin bring her ary time yew men- shun; er we'll be happy ter see yer at bum— ourhum,. Arter that, l’ll hev a propersition ter make,” **Good heavens! Here is another of them, os ea was it that you thought of propos- ing? ‘* Knowin’ ez I do ther kindness ov heart ov Ebenezer Crowfut, I hed thort p’r’aps you’d be willin’ tew take ther leetle gal inter yewr family a bit, ez a boarder, while I look ’round after this missin’ dad ov kern.” ‘‘Of course. Never heard anything more modest in my life. She walks the tight-rope, and performs a trained bear, She is exactly the style of young lady that I have been yearn- ing for in my family, no doubt. Certainly, sir. Shall be glad to accommodate you. Bring her along at your earliest convenience, And if you find this scallywag father of hers, bring bim along, too, I might add that the opinion of my wife, who has the internal management of my residence, might not be exactly the same as mine; and to make the matter a fixed fact it would be as well to get her views on the subject; a as far as Iam concerned you need not hesi- ate, ‘Glad to hear that you have not altogether forgotten her,” shouted a shrill voice. ‘“Mrs, Crowfut is here to speak for herself, and she puts her foot down hard, and says, no!’ CHAPTER IX, FANNY IS NO1 FOUND AT HOME, Mrs. Crowrour was a lady who had her own way when she wanted 10; and she generally wanted it all the time. Jn the Matter of Laura Lane she had accepted the statement of her hus- band without expressing 8DY Opinion at all, or indeed giving it a second thought. When he asked if the daughter of eto of his cosld spend a few days with them she had simply assented, her mind belng Occupied just Geom JOOKSHECOM