Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 292 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

ey wo Moke Horner, THE BOSS ROUSTABOUT; OR, The Fresh-Water Sharks of the Overflow. A Romance of Mississippi River Life, BY JOS, E. BADGER, JR., AUTHOR OF “ PISTOL JOHNNY,” “‘ ELEPHANT TOM,” ‘‘ JOAQUIN, THE SADDLE KING,” * OLD ’49,” ETC,, ETC., ETO, ——— CHAPTER I. . A * HOODOO ’cooNn,” “Wa is 7? An’ it’s you dat’s axin’—you taffy-colored tub o' soap-grease? G’ way, you yaller niggah, wid you’ foolishin’ an’ monkey- shines! b’is 1? De—good—Lawd |” * Dat’s jes’ what I say: wh’ is you, anyway? A lamp-black niggah, wid jay-bird heel an’ crooked shins, trvin’ to put on scallops ober common folks! Wh’ is ye, an’ whar’d ye come from, a-swellin an’ a-struttin’ an’ a-gobblin’ wuss dan a ole turkey-cock in trompin’-time? Dat’s my sarmon, it is!” In strong and comical contrast were the two worthies whose words are recorded above; one tall the other short; one fat and clumsy, the other * built from the ground up,” an athlete done in ebony. Who and what were they? Two-score years ago there was not a building in. all New Orleans that was better known or more popular, among a certain class, than the saloon of Pere Godet, ‘* Tne Tri-color.” It was an Old building then, and to-day it does not look a whit more dingy or disreputable than ou that fair spring evening in the year of grace, 1844.- But there is a difference, for all that, Then it stood almost the only representa- tive of its class, while now its counterpart in all essential particulars may be met with on almost any street where Bacchus is king. The little, dried-up Creole had but one god; and those who knew him best said that the Tri- color stood for red, white and yellow—copper, silver and gold, And it was to capture the q¢ bumble coin of the colored population, as well as the more valuable tokens of bis paler cus- tomers, that Pere Godet conceived the idea of running a double sal %, one-half of which should be sacred to the pale-faces, while the other, with an entrance on another street, served for the negroes. A frail partition divided the room in two parts, the bar runnigg at right angles with the dividing line, giving room behind the counter for Pere Godet or his assistant to pass from one portion of the saloon to the other without the ains of opening doors, two of which, swinging loosely on reversible binges, and hung with figured chintz, formed a portion of the division wall. The building itself was situated not far from the steamboat wharf, for Pere Godet catered almost exclusively for the river men and rougher classes, though an occasional party of “bloods” would drop in, on a “lark,” to take a brief taste of ‘life on the lower level.” On the evening in question, the Tricolor was unusually well patronized, both sections of the saloon being full, particularly that portion devoted to ‘‘gentlemen of color.” veral steamboats had landed at New Orleans that afternoon, and the river-men were anxious to “wet their wages” as fast and as thoroughly as possible. Laughing, singing, joking, cutting up shines and playing tricks en each other, the negroes had n enjoying themselves without stint, Plenty of whisky and ‘‘turpentine-gin” before them, with the means in their pockets to secure enough of the fiery poison to “‘make drunk come,” what negro of that day could ask for more! Yet it was all good-natured; all sport and no malice, even when their horse-play grew roughest. ‘ Prominent among the party, gayest and most tricky of all, was a fat, roly-poly mulatto. Rollicking good-nature oozed out at every pore of bis shining countenance, in every twinkle of his fat-imbedded eyes, and each note of his peculiar voice, This, in itself, was as ‘‘ good as a circus,” being apparently wholly beyond the control of the owner, ranging from deepest bass to shrillest falsetto, running the gamut with most astonishing irregularity, and imparting a comic flavor to what might otherwise have fallen flat and stale, Yellow Jack, as be bad called himself, was a stranger to nearly every one present when he entered the Tricolor, ‘but before a half-hour passed by, he was hand-in-glove with them one and all. What be lacked in altitude, he made up in. breadth and width, being naturally very stoutly built, and new a very mountain of fat. Ragged, greasy and dirty; bare-footed and bat- less; yet be had silver in his pockets and could spend it freely as the best. Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. His eyes were very small, jet-black and keen asthorns, His flattened nose was almost lost between two huge cheeks that shook and quiver- ed with his every motion. His mouth was enormous, turning up at the corners with a comical twist. A few tiny spirals of crisp wool were scattered over the top of his skull, but at a casual glance, one would have pro- nounced him absolutely bald-headed. While the crowd was roaring at one of the sallies born of Yellow Jack Tandy, the outer door swung open, and a single man entered the saloon with a dignified strut, waving one be- ringed hand toward the barkeeper with lofty condescension, the gesture serving the double purpose of a salutation and an order for refresh- ments. Leaning lightly against the bar, the new-comer coolly gazed around the congrega- tion, a barely perceptible nod acknowledging the few salutations which greeted bim. His skin was black and glossy as polishec ebony ; but that and his manner of speech alone reminded one of bis nativity. His features were regular and clean-cut. His nose was straight and thin, neither flattened nor widened at the nostrils. Though of gever- ous. size, his mouth was duly proportioned and his lips thin. His forebead was high,and promi- nent, while his head was well balanced, as far as could be seen for the crispy, wavy, well-oiled locks with which it was generously covered. heavy mustache covered his upper lip, meeting and uniting with flowing whiskers which cover- ed his jowls, leaving bis rounded chin clean shorn. But the particular which naturally at- tracted the closest attention from those who met this peculiar character for the first time, lay in the negro’s eyes: theirises were of a deep, yet bright blue. A trifle over six feet in hight, and weighing in the neighborhood of two bundred pounds, this peculiar-looking gentleman of color, was rigged out in a suit of light-blue cottonade, fresh and spotless as though just from the tailor. His linen.was snowy white, and the carefully fluted frills which filled bis broad bosom were miracles of stiffness;dittothe long-eared collar that en- circled his sinewy throat. A flaming red cra- vat, a huge glass and brass pin; a beaver, care- fully brushed, but still showing signs of long service; white cotton gloves on the brawny bands; massive hoop ear-rings in each perfor- ated lobe, and rings on full one-balf of bis fin- ers, of brass and silver, one being carved from one, with a well-executed skull for crest; all this, together with his supercilious air and lofty condescension, seemed to nettle the jolly fat mulatto, quickly leading to the interchange of words with which this chapter opens. ‘“Wh’ is I?’ repeated the colored dandy, in a tone of languid surprise that an answer should deemed necessary. ‘“I’s a bad man, J is, when I turns on de steam. I takes a straight chute an’ nebber stop fo’ towheads, shoals or snags, J don’t! . ‘*Wh’is I? I’s Moke Horner, de Boss Roust- about, an’ I own de Massiss p clean from spring to salt water! I’s de king chew-chew ob de ribber, wid alligator keel, catfish b’iler, a sna pin’ ome ee eiaiee, an’ I kerry de pena up atween my smoke-stacks—I des does, one . “De good Lawd! ef he cain’t talk!” gasped Yellow Tandy, | Bepumiption.of wonder and awe that drew a subdued chuckle from more than one of those who had fallen aside to ele the colored dandy full pbc But not a smile was to be seen on any face as Moke Horner cast his keen blue eyes around — * Brees ve ssin ee. For Rex? cause or er, the negroes held bim in thy awe. “Moke Horner I is, des in wid a pocketful ob rocks, head full o’ music an’ heels des a-runnin ober wid double-shuffle an’ pigeon-wings! I jles my runnin’-gear wid ebain-lightnin an gits up steam wid gol’ an’ silber—des so! Cockin rusty beaver over one eye, Moke Horner ph his right hand to the elbow in his pocket, drawing forth a number of coins, which he tossed into the air in swift succession, * sompe em the glittering shower with rare dexter- ity in his capacious mouth as the coins de- scended, giving basty gulps as though swallow- ing them. Where else they went, if not into his stomach, not one of the eager watchers could have explained with any certainty. / 4 But Yellow Tandy was not to be so easily put own, ‘‘ Hoo! dat’s nuffin,” with a desperate attempt to turn bis nose up, despite nature. °' Des watch dis nig—” and he hbasti!v fumbled in ‘ket after pocket among bis fluttering rags. ‘De good Lawd! ef I didn’t leabe my pu'ss at home on de pianny! Des len’ me a ban’ful o dem ’ar—” “@ way, you yaller trash!” with a scornful wave of the skull-adorned hand. ‘‘I’s a hoodoo ’coon, Jis! I wu’k de rabbit-foot on you—’fore de good Lawd I'll done it, now!” Nothing if not superstitious, the negroes fell further away from the last speaker, for of all varieties of ‘‘conjuring,” there is none more potent or dangerous, in their estimation, than that of ‘‘ the rabbit-foot.” Even Yellow Tandy turned a shade lighter, and fell back a pace, but as quickly rallied. _““ Hoo! who keer fo’ de yabbit-foot? Not dis niggah, while he totedis yere!” luggin out a littie bag from where it bung aroun hits neck by a string, both dirty trom long wear and shining with grease, ‘*G’way wid you’ yabbit- » She /’s cunjer-man too, J is—’way up hoo- o0—” A mocking laugh cut his shril] treble short, and Tandy hastily retreated a few steps ag Moke Horner advanced, drawing a small package from his bosom and shaking it at bim. There was a stern frown on the face of the colored dandy now, and all trace of languidness had vanished. His blue eyes glittered like coals of living fire, and his white teeth became vis- ible below bis jetty mustacbes, while his voice rung out clear and menacing: ‘ You cupjer-man! You laugh at de rabbit- foot? You know hoodoo? You—a pore white trash dat de debble ketched by de heel an’ soused in a tub o’ sulphur, den senf up yere fer to do sbame to de eclored people? You, dat a = th — nur yit peptaies ‘Fore e good Lawd! I’s a mind ow de rabbit-foot is!” iy Jigtyn. In his white-gloved and ring-adorned hand the rabbit-foot. quivered, wrapped round with red flannel and tied with many a fold of string. Yellow Jack Tandy eyed it with evident un- easiness, but still clung to his faith in his “‘ cun- jering-bag.”’ “ oar you jay-bird-feddered monkey— g’way! ain’t got time to fool wid sech low trash, or I'd show you whar de yabbit-foot comes in, Cain’t tetch dis nig while | shake dis at um—snake-rattle, dead man’s toenail, bit 0’ hangin’ Sl gel You will hab it, den?’ and Moke Horner drew bis fine figure up to its utmost hight, bis blue eyes glowing, his white teeth grating; then be held the rabbit-foot between bis hollowed pélms, breathing upon the red package, mumb- ing in low tones, his eyes all the time riveted upon the face of bis doubting rival. . Yellow Tandy clutched his charm-bag more tightly» but for all that it was plain enough tbat he was growing uneasy as he closely watched the movements of his rival. Scarcely less anxious were the other negroes with their inborn superstition fully aroused as they watched the twain. And the curtain which hung over one of the doors between the two sections of the saloon was new pushed aside, and the faces of three white men might have been seen peering curiously into the part set aside for the colored race. With a swift motion, Moke Horner shook his rabbit-foot at the mulatto, crying sharply: **Put dat cunjer-bag back in hag ¢ buzzom, boy! It’s de rabbit-foot dat speaks frough my lips! Put it back, you!” ‘Deed I des won't!” muttered Tandy, but at the same time, like one obeying a superior will, his trembling fingers thrust the charm back into bis bosom. The scowl vanished from the brows of the negro as he noted this prompt obedience, and there was a trace of good-natured ridicule in bis mellow tones as he added: ‘* You young yit, yaller boy, an’ you’ bringin’ up ain’t so much to blame, a’ter all, an’ I’s wine fer to let ye off easy dis time. You'll do Better when you come to know what de rabbit- foot is able to do in de han’s ob dem what kin bring out all its wartues,” ** Yabbit-foot bumbug—vain’t tetch my cun- jer-bag!” Like one speaking in a dream, Yellow Tandy muttered these words, not a muscle of bis fat face changing as he stared with lack-luster eyes at the Boss Roustabout. Awe-stricken the other negroes looked on, not one among their number doubting for an instant but that the impious scoffer was wholly at the mercy of the mighty charm which his unconscious tongue was even then reviling. ‘Humbug, hey?” grinned Moke Horner, mis- ehief dancing in his blue eyes. ‘‘ We see what sort o’ humbug purty soon. You yaller '‘coon— look right dis way—so /” ‘*Won’t do it—humbug—/ hoodoo ’coon too, Tis?” squeaked Tandy, but facing fairly around and staring the conjurer fully in the face, ** Rabbit-foot talkin’ now, yaller boy!” rum- bled the Boss Roustabout in his deepest tones. ** Rabbit-foot say treat a fool like a fool. Rab- bit-foot say git down on you’ knees!” **"Deed an’ double deed I des won't!” drawled Tandy, at the same time belying himself by dropping on his hunkers, pan _‘*it’s a rabbit-foot dat says it, boy!” con- tinued Moke Horner, after a patronizing glance around upon the wondering blacks, and show- ing his teeth in a grim smile as be noted their sable hue growing ashy and beard their strong teeth begin to chatter yike men with the ague. ‘It’s rabbit-foot dat tells you to turn wrong eend up’ards now. Hist dem ar’ toad-squashers ef dey tum’le ober an’ break you’ fool’ yeck!” At this shameful demand, pally tried to re- bel, shaking bis head until bis fat cheeks swayeg back and forth as be looked up at his master, his little eyes almost popping out of their sockets; but Moke Horner stopped a pace nearer i d shaking the potent charm fy) ;,. stooping an mM full in the upturned face, and with a groaning ~ ~ = _- é — hl +. £- (el eVveye) (@ a _= ‘io ~— 7¥ be