Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 209 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 any drunken husband and his wife ever wran- gled in a hovel or tenement-house. This scene of domestic discord was interrupted by the arrival of a man who was an entire stranger to both of them. He was a brisk-looking man, no longer young, and yet not far enough advanced in years to be called middle-aged. He was dressed in a style of seedy gentility, wearing a high hat, that was by no means new, and a black frock coat, but- toned up. In his left hand be carried a bundle of prpted papers, and bis right hand was ex- tended oratorically as he entered the room witb- out knockiag or announcing himself. ‘“Let us have peace,” he said, spreading his mouth in a bland smile, as be halted. ‘ With malice toward none, and with charity for all, let peace prevail in this mansion.” ‘* Who the devil are you?” demanded Rosalba, turning upon him angrily. “ No devil, most sapient signior, but an angel of beneficence, come to pour upon these troubled waters the sweet and sacred oil of science and philosophy.” “Curve your impudence! What do you mean by walking into this house without an invita- ou” * Permit me to introduce myself. Parmenas Pratt, at your service, Master of Arta and Doc- tor of aires. formerly editor of t 6 Banner ef Health and president of the faculty of thy Universal University of Eclectic Empiricism.” ‘** What are you, anyhow—a corn doctor, or a traveling assayer?”’ **More and better than either, most noble Castilian. Iam at present the sole proprietor and manage of the great moral and scientific cabinet of wonders, known as the Maguoster- eopticon, which has been exhibited with un- bounded enthusiasm before the crowned heads of Europe and the effete aristocracies of the ancient empires of Asia, Africa and Australia. Hearing of the exalted attainments of your ex- cellency, and of the beauty and grace of her excellentissima, I have come to give you an opportunity of assisting at that unparalleled entertainment, for one night only, at the Grand Opera House, in the neighboring town of Death Gulch, I have the honor to offer fou a circular, sir. Favor me by accepting one, madame.” Iba glanced over the circular, which proved to be an extravagantly -worded an- nouncement of a magic-lantern exhibition. ‘We don’t take any stock in that sort of a show,” said he. ‘‘ We flatter ourselves that we are a touch above the twe-bit trasl:.” ‘* Two-bit trash!” exclaimed Parmenas Pratt. ‘A gentleman of your caliber should not mis- take the character of this unequated entertain- ment. If you will examine atientively the announcement, you will perceive that the charge for admission is six bits, children under ten half price, and I hope you have plenty of children though mine ears have not yet bean gladdened by the sound of infantile prattling. It would be a pity if a couple of such higt position and such rare attraetions should have failed to per- sere their features for the benefit of pos- by. - take some of the ticksts, Pedro,” said Benora Rosalba, “if only to step his tongue.” ‘Reserved seata one dollay, most gracious lady, and I assure you, mpoa my word as a tleman and a scholar, shat the entertainment well worth witnessing.” Rosalba purchased two tickets for reserved seats, and Parmenas Pratt went on his way roe- joicing. “Is it to-night, my dear Pedro?’ asked Senora Roealba. “ We will go there, and will forget eur cares and sorrows. Why should we bor- row trouble and fret about fancied dangers? As that man with the limber tongue said, let us have peace!” ** We will go, mé alma, to witness this small exhibition with the large name.” 4 CHAPTER XV. THE MAGNOSTEREOPTICON. THs style and quality of the Grand Opera House of Death Gulch did not justify the sound- jug title that had been conferred upon it. It was merely a shanty of unusual size, no better than a barn as to its exterior, ite sides built of planks standing on end, but with a false front as high as the ridge pol+. The green timber had shrunk so that outsiders could steal glimpses of the mysteries within, until the enterprisin proprietors put a stop to the free sight by nail- ing battens over the cracks. The interior was gorgeously whitewashed, and a raised platform supported a wall paper proscenium and some rudely painted scenery. Although the opera house of Death Gulch had never witnessed a performance of grand opera, or even of comic opera, and no legitimate dramatic company had yet ventured upon the town, is had already been invaded several times by variety shows, sleight of band performers, and the like, who had been liberally rewarded for the entertsinment they afforded to the doni- zens of Death Gulch. On the occasion of Parmenas Pratt’s exbibi- tion of the Magnostereopticon the hall was crowded. The aristocracy of Death Gulch and Warneton occupied the reserved seats, which a ec ne were chairs near the stage, and the benches were filled with miners, ranchmen, and citizens gen- erally. Pedro Rosalba and his wife were there, occu- pying a choice position near the frent. A large white sheet had been stretched across the stage, upon which the pictures were to be thrown, and the oh iden had stationed as- sistants at each of the coal oil lamps, to lower and raise the lights as the exigencies of the en- tertainment should require. Parménas Pratt, whose heart must have been rejoiced by the flow of cash into bis treasury stepped upon the stage at the time appointed for the opening of the exhibition, armed with along wand. He was dressed ashe had been when he visited the Rosalba ranch, and with the same grandiloquent flow of language which he had used in soliciting custom he made a speech to the audience, describing the nature of the entertainment, and announcing the neces- sity of darkening the room, that the effects of the Magnostereopticon might be fully appre- ciated, The lights were turned down. ‘Darkness is conducive to silence, and the hall was quiet when the exhibition began. The show was a fairly good one of its kind. The pictures that were thrown upon the screen were mostly views of scenery and noted build- ings in the new and old worlds, which were de- scribed in quite a graceful and interesting man- ner by Pratt, who pointed out the prominent objects with his wand, and interspersed his de- scriptions with many bits of accurate and val- uable information. Besides these views the exibitor occasional- ly introduced a comic face or scene, upon which be kept up a running fire of comments that were at least as funny as the pictures them- selves. As most of the figures had the power of motion and of sudden change, the effect upon the audience was exhilarating in the extreme. The crowd was very well-behaved. It is probable that the darkness had a sobering in- fluence upun them, and the lecturer compli- mented them as being the most orderly audience before whom he had had the pleasure of exhib- iting in a long time. Occasionally an uncouth comment or hearty expression of approval from some rough miner or ranchbman greeted a view of special interest, and each of the comic scenes brought forth a general burst of uproarious laughter. Pedro Rosalba and his wife evjoyed the en- tertainment bugely. Born and reared in Cali- fornia when it was a Mexican prov'nce, seldom had either of them seen any other life than that of the mountains and plains, and even a magic lantern show wasa treat tothem. Theystared at the serious scenes, and laughed at the comic ones, as fully’and freely as any cowboy in the crowd. ‘Now, ladies and gentlemen,” said Parmenas Pratt, when the funniest of all bis pictures had passed from the screen, ‘* I shall have the honor of exhibiting to you some views and events of local attraction, which will doubtless be readily recogiae by this immense audience. In the words of an eminent gentleman who dignifies the histrionic profession in the city of New York, I shall present to you themes of con- temporancous human interest. Scene the first illustrates one of the natural wonders of this region.” The picture thrown upon the screen showed a bare and rocky rigeh ders reaching to what seemed to be the edge of an abyss, as all was blackness beyond, until the top of another cliff could be dimly distinguished. ** Death Gulch!” shouted a heavy voice in the rear of the hall, “* The second scone,” said the exhibitor, ‘‘ adds the sloment of life to the desolate view, and shows one of the possibilities of the locality.” On the screem appeared the sanie view of Death Gulch; but there were stars in the sky, and the figures of four men standing near the edge of tue chasm, who held a fifth man, bound, and suspended horirontally in their arms. The faces of the four were turned away, but that of the fifth man was plainly visible. “Henry Warren, by all that’s holy!” was the shout that came from the rear of the hall. This cry was,followed by the murmur of many voices; but high above all rose the shrill scream of Senora Rosalba, who suddenly sprung to her feet, and fell back es Sag into her chair, As ber husband turned to assist her, the pic- sed from the screen. “Be quiet, Lucia!” he said, in a hoarse whis- r. ‘This some cursed game, and we must not lat it catch us.” “The third and last of these scenes of local attraction,” said the exhibitor, ‘‘ will close the evening’s entertainment, and I take this op- ture | portunity to return thanks for your liberal patronage aud kind atteution.” The scene gave the tame view of Death Gulch, with four men holding a fifth as if in the act of throwing him into the chasm. But the face of one of the seeming ex+cutioners, as well as that of their victim; was plainly visible to the audience. ** Ned Dorlon!” was heard from half a dozen voices in different partc of the hall. Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince. ‘** Pedro Rosalba!” was distinctly pronounced at the rear. A hoarse oath came from the front seats, and a man could be dimly diseerned there, strug- gling with a woman who sought to hold him. ‘** The transformation of this scene,” said the exhibitor, ‘‘is of thrilling interest.” The man who was bound flew from the hands of the four standing figures, out into the black- ness that showed the chasm. At the same instant the report of a pistol rung through the building. | ‘Try again, my Christian friend!” said Par- menas Pratt, as bland as ever. ‘‘It is simpler than throwing me into Death Gulch.” Suddenly the lights were raised, the picture faded from the screen, and Pedro Rosalba was seen standing by his seat, with a smoking pistol in his hand. Immediately an uproar arose in the hall. Men jumped on the benches, and pistols were drawn on all sides, ** Kill him!” ** Hang the old scoundrel!” ** Lynch the black-hearted villain!” Such were some of the cries with which the hall resounded, and stalwart men with threaten- ing looks and words began to crewd toward the spot where Pedro Rosalba still stood, the neatly figure of his wife clinging to his shoul- ers, Over all the confusion sounded the voice of Parmenas Pratt, in clear and commanding tones: ‘* Order in the ball! Men of Death Guleh and Warneton, let us bave peace! Nobody is burt, and the Jittle accident which bas just occurred is of no sort of consequence. I take it asa h gh compliment to my art and the excellence of my unparalleled exhibit:on,that my Christian friend has been so excited by its wonders as to forget himself and the company he was in. Let us separate, ladies and gentlemen, with feelings of anmiability and mutual good will, and quietly retire to our virtuvus couches, to dream of the glories of the Magnostereopticon. Again thank- ing-you for your kind attention and liberal patronage, I wish you all good night.” The readiness with which the audience obeyed the speaker, putting up their deadly weapons, and peaceably filing out of the hall, proved his ability to pour oil upon troubled waters, Pedro Rosalba was one of the last toleave the building, his portly wife banging upon his arm, and partly shielding his person, as if she feared that the mob might yet attempt to tear him from her and burry him to instant execution. They entered their stout and clumsy buggy, which had been left near the hall, and drove away, followed by scowling looks and muttered threats. | “* How could you do it, Pedro?’ asked Senora Rosalba, when they were fairly out of the town. ‘* Why did you fire at that man!” .T was crazy, Lucia. That cursed picture drove me wild. Itis strange that I did not hit him, as My aim was as as it ever was.” ** He deserved to be killed, I am sure; but that — snot the time or place for settling with im. “Tt was all a game, Lucia, a deep and devil- ish game; but I will get ta the bottom of it yet. The man must have been bired to show those infernal pictures; but who hired him? That is what I want to find out. There is somebody about here whe knows a t deal more than he ought to kaow, and who is using his know- ledge to orush me. That fact is growing plain- er every day.” “ Who can it be, Pedro?” ** That is the question, Who can it be?” Tho horse was moving siowly, and just ahead of the b could be seen a man walking dowm the road im the moonlight. As he approached the vehicle, he stopped, and oe ae sresied fare Gulch. frty t down the as you are going,” re- plied Rotalba, He stepped toward the bugey and its occu- pants observed that he was an d man, wearing a heavy beard, and with a slouched hat drawn over his face. ‘* It is the town of Death Gulch that I wantto find,” said he, ‘‘ not the hole in the ground that goes by that name,” ‘‘ I directed you to the town of Death Gulch,” replied Rosalba. ; ‘Many thanks to you both,” said the stran- ger, as he raised his hat, and the moonlight shone full iu bis face. Senora Rosalba screamed wildly, and fell back in the seat. Pedro Rosalba’s face turned ashy pale, and he brought down his whip with a earful cut on the back of the horse, which dashed away at breakneck , While the clumsy vebicle rattled and jolted over the stony track. The old man looked after them with a smile on his face, and then turned and walked down on the road, hie In a fow minutes he was joined by another man. ; ‘Why, Warne,” said the latter, ‘‘ you seem to have given those good people quite a scare.” ‘Yes, my son. I am afraid they must have taken me for a ghost,” JOOKSHEO com (E