Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

‘ i ' it tt = -—— a ——— <A ee ce — —— > — nei _ — ee ee ene = ——————— = = — ee ——— —— = LL A RR a + ar. sas _—_ + ae SS ee ee eee eee ee _eeeeeeee * 12 But if your experience with me has been dis- agreeable, it is no more than the lot of all who know me; [am not an agreeable person. Let me say one word in defense of myself, however. I am in Colorado under peculiar circumstances and am for the timea victim offate. I have been obliged to deal coldly with many who would have been my friends in the past and must continue to do so in the future.” She made this long speech slowly, selecting every word with a care which surprised Ster- ling. He felt some natural bewilderment as she went on, but all else vanished at the end, when by a delicately conveyed bint she dashed his hopes to the ground. ‘It seems to me you are young to forswear the world,” he gravely said. “[ have not done that entirely; I hope to leave this life scme time.” ‘“‘ And what then of those who would be your friends now?” He asked the question as delicately as possible, but he knew she understood. **T don’t know,” she slowly answered, ‘friends are not always to be found.” ‘* You have a meaning, but I do not under- an hour before sunrise and we'll blaze away at each other.” ** Remember it is to the death!” “You did say so, didn’t you? It had es- caped my mind. Say, will you just mention it again in the morning, so I won’t forget to put a eartridge in my revolver?” ‘* Will you be serious?” demanded Benway, with a groan. Sterling was obliging enough to say he would. He dropped his bantering air and became seri- ous 6nough to suit Benway. He accepted the challenge, agreed to the place and time of meeting, and to the weapons; and when the messenger went away, there was a prospect of bloodshed not far off. Daybreak found Kellogg and his second on the ground. The guich was gloomy and damp, and Benway feared for his principal’s courage, but Horace was not a coward, At last Stirling turned around a point of rock and advanced toward them. He was ac- companied by Daddy Clover, who seemed just a trifle less drunk than usual, “What's that old fool here for?’ muttered Kellogg. ** Just what we will ask Sterling.” The latter came up smoking a cigar, and nod- ded pleasantly. The smoke of battle did not show around him at all. ‘“Nice morning for the shooting, gentlemen,” he observed. “It’s well enough,” said Benway, surlily; ‘but why have you brought that old idiot?” “Therefore, is it not best to retain them when found?” He asked the question in a manner at which she could not complain, and he was pleased to see ber consider it seriously. ** Perhaps you are right,” she said, ‘‘ but Iam 5O peculiarly situated that I cannot say much; I dare not. He pointed to Daddy Clover. ** You dare not?’ ‘* Why, I thought we were to have seconds.” **T dare not.” So you are, but—” ** Well, Mr. Clover is my second.” ‘Fact, gen’tlum,” said Daddy, with dignity. “ Had important business on my bands which should bave been ’iended to, but come jest ter obleege you. Like ter see boyees o’ spirit, I do; an’ I may add, I like ter see any kind o’ spirit. Got a flask with you?’ Benway turned to Sterling. “T am tempted to strike you,” be said, hotly. ‘Do it,” was the cool reply, “and you will not strike another blow for a week,” He looked at her in surprise. **You think me a very peculiar person,do you not? Well, I am, More people than you have tried in vain to understaud me; if you try you will only fail.” “But if I am content with your friendship, witbout seeking to understand ‘* Ah! now yougo too far. I have not said my friendship is yours—but I have not said it is not yours. But here we are at the vil- lage; let us part for now. When we meet n°xt I shall use you ina more becoming manner than when you called at the school-house, and—I hope Benway did not strike. you will overlook my imperfections.” **Do you seriously present this man as your **T have never discovered any,” be could not | second? 4 Belp saying, ‘‘ But here we will part, as you ‘ony'ue ” said. One word, first. The man we saw on the ‘“* A miserable drunkard—” mountain may annoy you further. If he does, “Not at all,” said Clover, genially, ‘I’ve Jhope you will let me know. Sines you have | had half a pint this mornin’ an’ I’m happy, not miserable, ‘*What do we care?’ said Kellogg, a sudden gleam in his eyes as they thougbt that the old man might possibly be over-reached. ‘' All we want is to have the duel goon. Arrange the preliminaries, men. ’ ‘‘ That’s ther idee,” said Daddy genially. ¢ Pil pace off ther requisite distance ter onc’t.” He started to carry .ut bis idea, but his un- steady legs wobbled around so that it looked as though he was trying to describe the shape of a rail-fence, Kellogg and his man were surprised at the way. affairs were going, but a few words to- gether made them sincerely pleased that Clover was to officiate. Benway happened to bave a blank cartridge, and it was decided to slipit in- to the weapon to be used by Sterling, trusting that the drunkard’s dim eyes would not detect the cheat. 6 apo sat down on a bowlder and proceeded top no relative here | will care for Mr. Kellogg and ask no payment.” ‘*] fear you have more cause to look out for him than I have.” **On the contrary, he seems more inclined to persecute women than men, But, of that, anon. Remember what I have said and—good- yo ” e lifted his hat and turned away, And as Altbea walked homeward, Betty Pollack, marching gravely and silently at ber side, won- dered to find ber teacher in so sober a mood, A few hours later a man walked into the money-lender’s office where bis clerk was alone, “Mr. Allen Sterling?’ questioned the new- comer, stiffly, “That’s my name, sir,” the clerk replied. “Mine is Benway. am a frien Horace Kellogg.” of ‘Yes? questioned Allen. acidly finish his cigar while ihe seconds ar- ~ ar . Kellogg considers that he has | ranged the prelimi es. Daddy Clover made been rossly insulted by you.” a great show of widholt: so great, in fact, that “When?” asked Allen, as though making an he betrayed lamentable ignorance, They loaded the revolvers together, and Ben- way quietly sh ‘the blank cartridge into the one he intended for Sterling, Clover allowing him to dothe work under the excuse that bis fingers were “ stiff from ther cold.” effort to remember. ‘To-day, sir, and on the mountain, add that he has a black eye.” “Raw beef will bring if around all right,” carelessly replied Sterling. I may Ee Oe a bi **Raw blood is what he wants!” said Benway, t was re tourer as the plotters had ar- fiercely. ranged it, but they came of a stock that cared * Possible? What's the matter with its being nothing for that; they were more than willing ooked?” that Sterling should be shot down without a “Sir, I did not come here to be insulted.” charies for his life, st: “Then, what in thunder did you come for?’ | Andeso he would, unless the unexpected hap- demanded Sterling, enjoying the situation. pened, _ é‘ ‘“T'm the bearer of’a challenge from Mr. Kel- tae tee logg to you. He demands satisfaction for your’ treatment of him; he demands that you meet him at Lasso Gulch, at sunrise, to morrow, there to fight a duel to the death with revol- |= ' vers,” : is be pat ie the last cartridge. “ Considering that “he claims the right to set-|~ ‘Hol’ ow a bit,” said Clover; “thar is one tle all the other points bimself, I wonder he pre preaeety.. _ “Whatis ‘hat?’ didn’t insist on my staying at home so that he ctl yt ke CHAPTER XV. DADDY © LOOKS THROUGH THE BARRELS, “TY BELIEVE we are all ready,” said Benway, ‘could fight all alone.” Pas els may be clogged up. | Hev ‘*He wants you fora target, sir.” knowed men ter miss a target afore now ‘Cause **Oh! yh g he dickens didn’t R de mention | a spider had spun his web in ther barrel. The the fact at first? Then, it is only in sport?” ari 1 0’ a bullet, even though it be ther Varié Sterling looked innocent and Benway gasped | fractia: ‘hair’s diameter, often sp’ilesa good and glared at him most ferociously. He was 4 _ Lemme look in ther barrel. enough to commit an assault on the pro-! His drunken gravity made Benway smile, and voking clerk, but he notieed the development | eee over the revolvers, taking care that of his body and arms and thought better of it. | they were not mixed. Clover looked into the He swallowed twice and then replied: shining tubes with owl-like wisdom, avd then “T tell you it isa duel to the death, Will | removed his hat. 28 , you fight” “ Reckon I'll try them a bit,” he ead: and “Rather than to have hard feelings, I ré Benway could protest had pointed will. Yes, Mr. Benway, Ml ip arotnd uside his hat and pulled the trigger. ’ ~~ « ; | =~ a = anes * = - ‘to the p Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. An explosion followed, and then Clover held his hat bigber, his look of wisdom increasing. ‘Sing’ lar fact!” be observed. ‘* W bat is it? Benway uneasily asked. ‘“* Toer bullet in that thar cartridge must hev been a durned curious piece o’ lead, Thar ain’t no hole through my hat!” Benway began to feel uncomfortable. The revolver used had n the one intended for Sterling; the one without any lead in it, and that showed why there was no hole in the old man’s hat, ‘*T’ll try t’other,” resumed Clover, and he did as he said. This time a Jump of lead went tearing throug lk: his hat. “"Nuther sing’lar fact; don’t understand it,” said be, ‘Let me explain,” said a voice at bis elbow and he turned to see Sterling. The latter, still carelessly puffing his eigar, added; ‘‘ You see, Daddy, our friends took us for fools, and put a blank cartridge in one revolver; tke one intended for me. It was their game to have me shot down without a chance for my life!” ‘‘ What do you mean, sir?’ blustered Benway, bert he lost color in spite of his show of indigna- ion. ¢ sane 3 that when you pick up Daddy Clover fora fool you get taken in. We sus- pected the character of the honorable gentle- men with whom we had to deal, and let them set theirtrap. We sprung it, but we are not caught. Enough said; load up again, and let the show proceed.” He walked away as carelessly as ever, and as Daddy invited Benway to reload the latter had no words in which to decline, In fact, he felt chilled and dumfounded, and it was a copun- drum to him how to explain away what had occurred and leave him his reputation as a ‘square man.” Of course be could throw the blame on the makers of the cartridges, but after what Sterling had said he felt it would be useless. Once more the revolvers were loaded; this time in proper shape, for Benway had grown afraid of Daddy Clover, and the principals were invited to take their places. They did so, and weapons in hand, faced each other. A marked contrast was perceptible im their manner. Sterling remained cool, but tie discovery of his murderous plot bad ups+t Kellogg’s nerves, and his hand shook as he toc! the revolver. The tide was turned, and the seekers for blood would have gladly thrown up the spon,¢. Benway took Daddy Clover aside. ‘“Is there no hope of a compromise?’ he asked, “Not a shadder!” Daddy replied. ‘‘ My man is jest ready ter run out his tongue an’ pant fur gore: Thar’s a bucketful on’t in hiseye, Ob? e’s a desperate galoot when he gets ter goin’, now you jest bet!” ‘“‘Tf either one of them survives he will be lynched,” ‘‘Sartainly, an’ you'll find me thar ter pull on ther rope. ou’n me git all ther fun, Ben, an” none other danger. Come, let’s wrastle this thing cff’m ther books, an’ then go down ter Pepper’s an’ get b’ilin’.” enway could say no more, and as be saw Kellogg so unfit for work be mentally decided be would have to wear a weed for his principa} during the next month. It was his duty to count for the duelists, and “Two!” : The men took aim. Sterling was as cool as ever, but Horace Kellogg’s hand shook worse than ever, A third word came, but it was not from Ben- way, nor 1n @ masculine voice. Such was its tone, all were surprised, and the duelists paused and turned their faces toward the side of the gulch from which the voice had sounded. Two persons had appeared; Altbea Lawrence and Betty Pollack. They came forward repay: the small girl clinging to her teacher, and the latter looking stern and angry. Dead silence reigned amon the men as she a hed; her coming ha proved more potent than would have a score of men from the Bend. £ ‘“So these are the two men who aspire to commit murder!” sbe said, looking at the duel- ists with scorn imprinted on her face, ‘‘Truly, , it is a rare honor! . “Thar’s nuthin’ half so sweet in life,” ob- served Daddy Clover, but no one heeded him. The duelists stood trute, and on Sterling’s face was a look of shame and sorrow. He had gone to the field from a mistaken sense of honor, but it was clear Miss Lawrence would not give him credit for it. And Kellogg was abashed, though he bad nothing to gain or lose. “T had thought,” resumed the bay the barbarous practice of dueling had been lef behind in this enlightened age, but I see there are some men whc do not think like me.” “Mv dear madame,” began Benway, ‘it is the salve of wounded honor—” “ Bnough, sir; | wish to address my remarks cipals in this affair, Comenearer!” - GEomilchoo S.CO Shee as ;