Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

20 , duct, he did not show any disposition to meddle ‘with things not his to care for, and Lockyard, looking down from the small opening made to watch the new clerk, could certainly find no fault so far. Bennett's first experience alone with a cus- tomer came out in this wise: Nearly every one at the Bend knew a succes- sor to Allen Sterling was on duty, and when Daddy Clover learned the glad tidings, he was filled with a zgalous longing to meet the young man, He entered the office with a free-and-casy manner, his battered hat perched buoyantly on -one side of his head, and immediately put out his hand to the clerk. ‘‘Goodd-mornin’, dear friend—good-mornin’, I bev come fur ther triflin’ Joan you promised, an’— Hello! ‘tain’t my ole friend, Al Ster- Ming” ; Mr. Clover started back with a tragic air of “surprise. ‘- | beg ten thousand pardons, sir, fur my mis- take. I thought ’twas Al—a man who knew just bow good my word was, an’ never refused loan. An’ he never lost one on me—I say it proudly, sir—he never lost one. Honor, sir, is my cardinal principle. Kin you tell me where .Al is keepin’ hisself now?’ ‘* He has left the office, and I am his succes- .sor,” tersel replied Bennett, not at all over- come by Clover’s eloqueuce, ‘““You are—you ?” cried Daddy. ‘‘ Wal, I :swear, you do fill ther chair o’ state, don’t ye? An’ allow me fur ter say, [am right glad on’t, -I like yer face an’ don’t hesitate ter say so. You'n me, will be high ole cronies, 1’minbyar ‘every mornin’; take out ten dollars an’ pay it ek at dark—a peculiarity o’ mine, See al, I’m jest a leetle pusbed fur time, ter-day, an’ Ali take ther ten an’ jog along.” * All right,” said Bennett, coolly. ‘é Bb “‘T said, all right.” ‘*So I thought,” replied Clover, ‘‘an’ I said T'd tuke ten dollars an’ jog along.” ** Well, why the blazes don’t you jog?” ** Because | hain’t got ther ten,” said the old aman, with a ghostly grin. ‘Well, you won’t get it here.” “Eh?” ‘*See here, you old whisky-barrel, I’ve seen such men as you before. We raise them where I came from just as cattle and sheep are raised in Colorado, and they are all branded on the nose with the ten-spot of hearts, same as you are, Now, you never borrowed a dollar here and you never will. Put your best foot for- ward and et out of this!” Daddy Clover stood with cold horror pictured on his face, bis eyes expanded and one arm out- stretched like a;ypump-handle, “This ter me!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ An’ darest thou then ter beard ther lion in his den, ther Clover in his ball? My hot blood awakes at this byar insult!” ‘* Go outside and cool it then,” Daddy Clover’s arm fell. He sighed deeply and his chia dropped to his breast, ** An’ bas it come ter this? [ am a poor ole man, a King “Lear in a cold world. Young man, be not bard with one around whose rock- bound castle ther rough winds o’ winter are lowin’, but ef yer can’t give me ten dollars, anake it ten cents,” ‘*That’s quite a come-down, but it won't ‘work in this court. Go outside and dust off ‘your hat!” Bennett spoke with Bowery briskness and ‘Daddy Clover knew be had found his Waterloo. Without another word, with only a deep sigh, dhe turned and went away. His little experiment had failed. The new elerk had opened well, and there vecould be no doubt but be was shrewd a_i for the position. The only danger was that be was too sbrewd, The day passed without events of importance, ‘but the prolonged absence of Allen Sterling, <oupled with Jack Bunker’s assertion that measures had been taken to have him put out of the way, left little room to hope for bis ulti- mate return. His faithfulness to Lockyard had andoubtedly cost bim his life and the lonely trail would keep the secret—keep it, because the man sent out by his friends had failed to gain any clew. As night approached Father Lockyard be- ame so nervous that there was danger Bennett would obs-rve it and suspect the cause, but plot ‘and counterplot were so new to the money- ‘dender that he could not control bimself. Zora, however, came to the front and carried mmatters along so victoriously that her father's mod was not seen, and, if the truth be told, young Bennett was so dazzled by her loveliness and brilliant ways that be would have turned ‘traitor to the men who put him there had he deemed it feasible, At the usual hour the office was closed, and shortly after it seemed as though all had os to bed and that the field was open for burglari- ous work, Bennett, at least, had no suspicion. He be- _ lieved the money-lender and his daughter had getired as usual, little suspecting that from the er os eee upper room Lockyard and Ketchum watched the office and waited for the plotters to begin their work. What would the night bring forth? CHAPTER XXVI. DANGEROUS COMPANIONS. ALLEN STERLING found himself at the mercy of his enemies when he hoped to carry the war into their own camp and save himself by a bold effort. As his head grew clearer he had sup- posed the power of the drug was passing away, and it bad never occurred to him that it had settled elsewhere. But, as we have seen, when he attempted to leap from the couch he found his limbs like lead, and he sunk back, to be speedily menaced by Yates’s revolver. There was murder in the fellow’s heart then, and murder’s light was reflected on his face, and had Allen’s arms been in the same condi- tion as his limbs he would never have seen an- other day. But the numbness was only upon his legs, and just as the ruffian was about to press the trig- ger he threw up his bands and seized the re- volver, turning it from the dangerous bead on bis head, A moment later and Warren too grasped the would-be murderer. ** Hold on!” he exclaimed. ‘‘Don’t spoil all our plans by such infernal folly!” “But be has heard all!” replied Yates, hesi- ee ‘ at of that? Since we intend to shut him up, anyway, what difference does it make to us?’ Yates wrenched his revolver from Allen’s grasp by a quick effort and put it in bis pocket. ‘*Have your vwn way,” he replied, ** but if a live to be sorry for this, don’t blame me. be fellow has pretended to be laid out when he was as Clear-headed as we are, and such a man is dangerous, Look out for bim, I say!” Warren turned to Allen, who bad taken the time he could not better employ and used it in thought. ‘*Get up!” he ordered. “Unfortunately, I can’t do it,” Allen replied. ‘Tf Tjould, you would not now have me so completely in your power. You saw me at- tempt to rise and fail? Very well; the reason is tha wmy limbs were like lead—the work of your accursed drug, I suppose,” Yates laughed. ‘Yes, and if you had smoked etn you would be like lead from top to toe. Well, since you’re awake, we will bind you and give you time for thought.” ‘‘ Men,” said Allen, earnestly, “‘let me say a few words before you go further. Let me ask he to reconsider your plans and release me. ou have been led astray by those that hate me, but it seems you have no great love for them. Such being the case, release me and I will pay what you hope to get from Warfield. By doing this I swear you shall never lose any- thing, and you will be arrayed on the side of justice,” Both men laughed at once, ‘‘That would be something new, startling and strange for us,” Warren observed, ‘* Accord- ing to the papers of the State, we and justice don't hitch borses,” ‘‘ Shut up!” said Yates, angrily. ‘‘ Don’t let your tongue run too fast. As for you, young man, we must decline your offer. Your first step, if set at liberty, would be to put the officers on our track.” ‘‘I swear I will not,” Sterling earnestly re- plied. ‘* You shall not be punished, but re- warded by a gift of money. Look you, I claim to be a man of my word, and I say this shall be done; but the way of paying you the money may be so arranged we cannot trap you, if we would, and—” ‘‘That’s enough; hold right up. We won't ee any man who claims to be such an angel. ince we are in the game we will run it to suit ourselves, Get the strings, partner!” Warren approached with cords in his hands. Sterling’s eyes flashed, but what could he do? Unable to move his lower limbs, and without a weapon, either man might have overpowed him, Such being the case, he resolved to sub- mit without further words and beld out his hands in a way which made the men regard him suspiciously. City: They found tbat no trick lurked behind it, however, and he was duly bound. Then the men went to the further side of the room to consult. Sterling knew that his future depended large- ly on that conversation, and watched with keen interest. Perhapsthe men might repent having spared his life, and return to do the work War- field had hired them to do. The young man would fg pt meet death as calmly as any one would under such circum- stances; but he had no desire te cut loose from life, least of all in such a way. But the conference did not end as he feared; when the men had finished they returned to the es sat down and smoked quietly, saying but tle. - ~Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. Cnn TEETER A ———————————————————————————————— TT — Then, after looking once more to his bonds, they lay down to rest, An bour passed. The men were asleep. The natural condition was returning to Allen’s legs, and he began totry his bonds, If he could Lut get his hands free be had the will and the way to effectually turn the tables on bis captors. Long and earnestly be labored, twisting and straining until the cuticle was raised from his wrists, but be might have spared his pains. The bonds bad been put on to stay, and they stayed. He ceased after awhile, and lay looking at his companions. Who and what were they? Desperate men, certainly, though they were sufficiently educated to use good language, but none the less undesirable companions. The mountain cabin was, beyond a doubt, their home. It certainly was not a Government station. And as train-robbers and stage-rob- bers were to be found in Colorado, be believed they must be of that class. From this subject be fell to thinking of Lock- yard, and the peril that menaced him, Plain- ly, Warfield was resolved to have the old man’s money, and be feared he would be able to get it in some way. Still thinking, the prisoner dropped asleep. It was daylight when he awoke. Yates and _ Warren were moving about the cabin, and he soon discovered that the former was pmo op todepart. Sterling lay motionless and watche through half-closed eyes. Yates put on bis outer garments, and then looked at the prisoner. ‘* Don’t allow him to escape,” hesaid. ‘I be- lieve we can make a goodly raise out of this game. I wish Mortimer was with us.” ‘Why? Warren questioned, ‘A half will suit me better than a third,” ‘*Tbat’s true enough, but there is no getting aera the fact thut our worthy ally bas along ead, ‘* Well, I reckon we are long-headed enough for this work. I'll trust you forthat. Besides, where is Mortimer? ‘He came like a simoom; he vanished like the wind,’ or something of the sort, Our wortby ally is a will-o’-the-wisp,” ‘‘ But a man wonderful in his way and true as steel, There isn’t another like bim in the United States. Well, hang on to this fellow for my life would not be worth a picayune it he got back to Big Nugget Bend ce found me there,” ° ‘*T’ll hold him like a burr; never fear.” After afew more words the twomen went out. Allen soon beard the sound of a horse’s footsteps and then Warren returned alone, He sat down by the table and began to smoke, but, so deeply did he fall into thought, his pipe soon went out and left bim still thi k- ing. Allen kept quiet, resolved to let him bave it out, but the man finally arose, came to bis side and shook bim by the shoulder. ‘*Open your eyes!” he ordered, ‘‘I suppose ou want a breakfast and you must take it while t’s on the board.” The prisoner aroused, yawned a few times and then ate beartily of the breakfast given him. He was fed like a child, but he knew the folly of asking a greater favor. arren was in good bumor, and when the breakfast bad been cleared away fell to talkin from choice. He seemed anxious to tell of h exploits, and, taking no pains to conceal the fact that be was a law-breaker, told several wild adventures, giving no names, which con- firmed Sterling’s previous impression. Beyond much doubt, the fellow and his part- ner bad robbed many a train and stage. In these adventures a third party often fig- ured, and Allen was not troubled to connect him with the mysterious ‘‘ Mortimer” before men- tioned. By and by Warren grew unessy and finally prcpoeat & eae of cards, Allen did not see 10w be was to play with his hands bound, but the outlaw soon bridged the chasm, He arranged a board which tipped toward Allen and away from him, and on this the pris- oner’s cards were placed, He directed his com- panion what cards to play for him, by number, and several g:mes were thus played. It was rather comical, at first sight, but War- ren was in earnest and Allen hoped toso win ps good will that he would ultimately free im. The day passed in this way, and Warren, at least, was in the best of spirits.” Toward night Sterling ventured to make an- other appeal for freedom. ‘‘ Now, see here, this isn’t right,” said War-— ren, in an injured way. ‘* Haven’t I used you well?” ; ‘‘ As a prisoner, you bave, but—” ‘*Can’t consider you in any other light. My artner believes in me; he has tried me before; e knows me to be an honest and upright man. What would he say to come bome and find the fire gone out and bis partner gone to parts un- known? I never turned traitor in my life!” So earnestly did the fellow speak, Allen felt. almost like a criminal for tempting him, but with a life at stake he could not afford to let: any false notions getintohishead. = = 8 £©* o . He presented the case from his point of view, e¢om Ehool