Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

OF BIG NUGGET BEND: OR, Old Ketchum’s Tug of War. The Story of a Queer Crusade, BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘IRON-ARMED ABE,” “ BARRANCA , BILL,” “CACTUS JACK,” ‘ LONG-HAIRED MAX,” ‘‘ LEOPARD LUKE,” ‘‘ LADY JAGUAR,” “ THE SCORPION BROTHERS,” ‘“ BUL- LET HEAD,” ETO, CHAPTER L . A CRANK IN BROADCLOTH. Two miners, passing along the principal strect of Big Nugget Bend, found their way blocked as a tall, peculiar. looking man rolled a y- case out of Kipp & Turner’s store and dumped it near the door.. He left a narrow pe e and the miners migbt have gone on, t their attention had become fixed on the man and they looked curiously to see what he would do next. He was a p*culiar-looking man, we have said, Indeed, the miners bad never seen another like bim in their rough-and-ready border town, in the Colorado mountains, and as he did not look like one accustomed to handling dry-goods cages, they wondered what he intended to do with it, They’ were soon shown. The unknown mounted to the top of the case end stood revealed in all bis peculisrities, He looked to be a young man; one would not have eps bim at over twenty-five, though it was ard to say positively; and be had a good, though not remarkable form. His garments were remarkable for Big Nug- get Bend, wbere the majority of the men had pot sven a white garment in their hands for months, But be was dressed in broadcloth, the an dress-coat reaching almost to his knees, and his spotless white shirt was surmounted by a collar of like bue. Yet, be was not a dandy; beyond the fact ‘bat bis garments were rich aod costly, all was plain. [t was even noticed ae his black neck-tie was almost carelessly His bat resembled those in vogue in the West bot in its sober black color anid stiffness called up recollections of the old Quakers, as the min- ers ponerene imagived them. From under bis wide hat black hair descend- ed over his shoulders in waveless threads; no foppishness there, either. His face was clean- shaven, square, solid, severe and peculiar; and bis large, dark eyes had a sparkle and brilliancy rarely seen, _ More than the two miners first mentioned were looking at this man by the time he was fairly on the box, and when one would have passed x? thrust out a long, white band and wry him, ‘Hold! Where are you going?” he demand- ed, in a keen, incisive voice, ‘‘What errand have you now?” The man addressod, a stout miner, looked at the speaker with a mixture of resentment, ouyios ty and amusement on his face, Wal, 1 don’t generally account fur my in’ and comin’ nowadays, but 1 don’t mind sayin’ I’m arter a drink o’ whisky,” he bluntly replied, ‘Ay, that is it!” cried the man in broad- cloth, suddenly straightening up. ‘You are ali on the down road, every one of you. Who is there here who has not one vice hanging on him like a leech? How many of you can eee say you scorn the intoxicating “Ther man who don’t drink has gone to ther doctor's ter be treated fur ther jim-jams,” one of the crowd kindly condescended to say. - It was a larger crowd by that time, for every one that chanced to be passing was compelled to stop by their curiosity to see the man on the bex. dozen men were already there, and others were approaching. Men — together in crowds as naturally as buz- cards ) “§coff on while you may, for your day is short,” the unknown steadily resumed, his voice as incisive asever. ‘‘ Wickedness springs wherever man is found—” ** An’ alights on a dry-goods case,” interrupt- ed a big miner. “Better there than on a scaffold, which is where you are hastening, misguided wretch. _~ agget Bend is wicked to the core; thieves assassins tread her streets and her name will go down in bistory branded with dishonor. Beware, men of this town; reform while you <r ® made an impressive picture with his peculiar dress, long hair, severe face and quick, Mervous features, and as he talked his black ¢ iw Stonefist, | meee ee Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. er —— oo —_-—--—-~— —. ee eyes rolled restlessly and gave each man in the The man fn broadcloth remained as calm as crowd a glance, His last outburst bad not fallen agreeably. | Tke miners were proud of their town and a to having it criticised unfavorably. | ig Nugget Bend was good enpaan for them to live init was good enough for this long-haired ever. Neither the challenge nor the direct ap- plication of his sobriquet seemed to stir his blood the quicker, ‘‘T will try one blow—just one,” he said. “Yet, my fist is not made of stone.” He took position and looked keenly at the stranger to visit—if not, he could leave assoon | board. The spectators smiled, expecting to see as he saw fit. him fare worse than Black Jake, but Big Nug- So thought the miners, but they held their get Bend believed in justice and the “‘ reformer” peace yet a little further. Some took ma'ter pleasantly, and from such there were remarks intended to be humorous. ‘“*Hyar’s Spurgeon Beecher come ter tewn; burn up yer keerds, boys, an’ set fur a new deal.” ; **Ther comin’ man hos come!” ‘* Hurrah for Deacon Broadcloth!” These, and other remarks, arose from the crowd, which every minute increased in size until it was avery good-sized audience for Big Nugget Bend. he stranger went on in his keen voice, bis restless eyes never still, and as the wind tossed bis long, straigbt hair about it seemed, some- how, to mix with his abrup gestures. “T hear you ask who [I am,” he said. ‘‘My name is Bartholomew Blake and I have come to Big Nugget Bend to reform the town. I am not a preacher; I follow no creed; I do not preach religion, for religion is a step further than I expect to go. Ishall be content when I have reformed every man, woman and child from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Reformismy creed; reform is my life-work. Repent, peo- pis of Big Nugge® Bar. Bartholomew Blake is iere to give you warning. You are on the downward rosd; you gamble, drink, fight and rourder. What a fearful list of crimes! Your town is a hot-bed of sin and you are dragging it further down; itis you,in your wickedness, who must shoulder the blame,” ' “Now you're shoutin’, Deacon Broadcloth,” bir ES a big miner, ‘‘We must an’ we will, e don't allow any outsider ter help us, nur to dictate ter us; nur we won’t hey Big Nugget Bar insulted. What you've said is said, tut, by ther eternal peaks, you’ve got ter take it back!” And the speaker shook his fist at the stranger. A scornful smile crossed the latter's face, * Who are you who threatens so bravely!” ** Black Jake, they call me, an’ I’m a blizzard by express. Do you see that fist?” He held up bis brawny band, doubled it and presented an ominous weapon, on the whole, “T see,” Burtholomew Blake calmly an- swered, ‘* If twas ter hit you onc’t, you’d never know ther rerult.” ‘* You claim to strike heavily, then.” “) kin fell an ox in ther shambles.” ‘Even at your favorite trick [can give you lessons, We will see!” Tbe stranger leaped down, the crowd rolled back a little and be picked up a heavy piece of board. There were some who fell further back, for tbe opinion was gaining ground that he wa3 mentally deranged, but except for his usual oe way he showed no symptoms of vio- ence, ‘*I want to see you split this board with your fist,” Bartholomew calmly said, ‘‘ Stalwart men are an ornament to the race, and | would see you strike as you bave said, What two men will bold the board?” They were easily found, and Blake stepped back and waved his band to Black Jake. “Split that?” questioned tre latter, ‘* What, do you take mefor? 8’ my fist is made 0’ stone? Nothin’ shorter that would bu’st ther board,” ‘*] thought you claimed to be a powerful striker.” ‘So Ido an’ I kin hit ker fur double what you kin.” ‘‘IT venture to assert Ishall split that board like a shingle when vou . have tried and failed,” the stranger said, his mauner wholly free from boasting and just the same as when he was on the box. ‘**Got a ten-spot ter bet on it?’ ** | neither wiv nor Jose by sinful means, Do you try or acknowledge yourself beaten?” A growl came from the miner’s livs and he turned to the board. He felt perfectly sure be could not split it, but nis friends ‘vere Jaughing at bim and he was stirred byanger. He hada hard flat; if he could split the board it would be a great feat, for it was thick and hard. He calculated the blow nicely and then struck out solidly. The blow was a heavy one and those who beld the board reeled back, but in no other way did it show effect, ** Again!” cried Black Jake, It was beld up, and, regardless of possible injury, he struck with all bis force. One of the holders reeled, tripped and fell, but the board remained intact. . Not so Black Jake’s knuckles; there wasa red spot on each one and hé knew blood would soon show, “See hyar, ’'m no monopolist,” be growled. “IT don’t batter my beaury out on that plank, I say nobody kin split it unless he’s got a fist o’ stone. Mebbe, Deacon, you'll try it.” . the | —_—_—_——__. __ ee should be no exception if he had come to preach witbout a call. ** Ready2” he said, calmly. And then bis fist shot out like a flash—a short, sharp blow with the weight of the Deacon be- bind it; and with a crack the board parted from end to end. . He bad split it as cleanly as though with an ax, “Three cheers for the man with the fist of stone!” cried one of the miners, stirred up in spite of himself. But the applause was not given; Bartholo- mew Blake bad mounted to the case again end his long arms were stretched out over the crowd, his expression indicating that he bad forgotten the feat just accomplished. ‘“When I see men on the downward road I like to stop their wandering steps, My way- ward friends, I am here to save you; reform, to-day, and all will be well, Throw away your cards, break your bottles and live an honorable life. I am in Big Nugget Bend to show you your wickedness and I'll do it,” Some ons ventured to hint—mildly, because they remembered his heavy blows —thbat he might wait until he was asked, but the com- ment was unbeeded, ‘Your town is a wicked one, The Evil One bas hig grip on it, If cities were destroyed for wickedness as in the old Bible times, this would be the first to go.” This was putting it ratbers‘rongly, and many a miner whispered to his elbow neighbor that if Deacon Broadcloth was tarred and feathered it would be no more than he deserved; Lut there were enough moderate men there to prevent this dangerous sentiment from taking life, It was generally acknowledged that the man was deranged, and to maltreat such a person was not the way of Big Nugget Bend. ‘‘He’s a crank, but he’s harmless,” was the general verdict, ‘*I know of no worse place here than the liquor saloon of Jonathan Ames,” continued the Deacon, ‘ Liquor stealsaway the brains of men. Ames sells it, and you drink it until you are worse than the swine no Jew will eat.” ‘*See hyar, ain’t you putting it a Jeetle too strong?” asked one miner, conscious that a half- filled flask was in his pocket. “*T am here to tell the whole truth, and I will not shirk my duty. I say the saloon is the worst plague-spot in the town. AY) and the time bas come to removeit, Men, lam about to go to that place and turn the vile drink upon the ground; I will show youl am no reformer by words re So saying, e stepped down from the box and, parting the crowd, started for Jonatban’s saloon. He did not look bebind him, but he hed every manforafollower. They knew Jonatben to be a fighting man and expected some fun, not the less so because all were agreed that the ‘‘re- former,” himself, had a fist of stone. And as be strode down the street, his bair and coat flying in the wind, and the miners closely following, a picture was presented such as the Bend had never seen before, CHAPTER ILI THE DEACON BEGINS HIS CRUSADE. THE “reformer” did not once look around during BEL oastey and his severe face did + ot change. Even so might some fanatic of old have led bis followers on a mission to«ffrcta result in the name of reform, except tbat in this case the leader could not rely on bis com- anions, They were going merely from curios- ty, and Bartholomew Blake could not expect their support. , As he reached the door of Jonathan’s saloon end was about to pass the threshold, a young woman came out so suddenly that they almost collided and were left looking each other full in the face, There was enough to arrest attention on each side, nordid the girl fail to pay due attention to the reformer’s singular appearance, On her own part, she was apparently eigh- teen years of age, and a more charming looking girl was riot to be found in Colorado! Slightly below the average hight, she bad a form as Aa 3 as that of a well-fed prairie-cbicken and t was set off to marked advantage by a dress of the plaid variety which, retiring from a well- remembered rage at the East, bad, in this case, made its appearance in the West. Very pretty and dazzling she looked, but it was plain its lack of Jengtb, its color and its or- nament of ribbons did not impress Deacon Broadcloth ravore> > Her face was wonderfully attractive, Plump, finely formed, with plenty of color, a charming mouth, a shapely nose and large, dark eyes, she m sao) K ee ebooks.con 2