Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 292 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. recognized him, only for that tell-tale shivering and muscle-twitching. ‘‘If you say so, l’ll go,” he muttered, dog- gedly, a vicious gleam in his shifting eyes. ‘**But when your proud daughter comes to ruin and shame, then you'll curse the hour you re- fused to hear me out.” Impulsively Horace Ward took one step to- ward the speaker, his fist clinching and seeming ready to strike the fellow to the floor, but he paused as suddenly as Shaky Joe swiftly drop- ed into a position of defense that betrayed ow familiar be was with the tactics of the ring. ‘*You drunken dog!” grated the merchant, his eyes glowing and his cheeks flushing hotly. ‘*Dare to mention her name, and J’ll bave my servants drive you from the place with whips!” The fellow’s defiant attitude was instantly changed for one almost directly opposite, and there wasa cringing whine to his tones as he oke: ““T didn’t mean no ’fence, gov’nor, and I wouldn’t even presume to hint at one so far above a poor devil like me, if I could get along without it; but it was to do her a favor almost as much as it was to get even on my own scores, that I came here to-night. If you won’t listen, all right; but you'll weep tears of blood for your obstinacy before the new year if you drive me away without first hearing what I have to sa 9 Despite tht disgusting whine there was some- thing in the tones aud words of the fellow that caused a chill to creep over the merchant, and almost involuntarily he demanded: ** What connection can there be between my child and a low ruffianlike you? Bah! Laman ass for listening to you!” Shaky Joe laughed shortly, and resumed a degree of his customary insolent independence, for he was shrewd enough to see that his bait was taken. Horace Ward would no longer think of ejecting him, until he bad learned all. ‘If you don’t listen, blame yourself for the shame which will fall on yeur daughter, sure as the sun will shine to-morrow! Say the word, and [ll go, without giving your flunkies the trouble to kick me out.” ‘*What isit you mean? What have you to tell? Out with it, in one word!” muttered Horace Ward, flushing anew, The ruffian cast a snaky glance into his face, showing bis teeth a little as he replied: “Pll tell it after my own fashion or not at all. Itcan’t wel’ be crowded intoa single word, and then I want you to fully appreciate its value.” “Tf you think to blackmail me or mine, Vil turn the whole matter over to the police,” coldly threatened Ward. **Of course I expect to make enough money out of the job to pay me for my trouble,” was os ag response; ‘‘but I’m after revenge as well. sé d w ” Me eoere on whom? Horace Ward flung out one hand impatiently. ‘Why do you come to me, then, if it is your son you are seeking to punish? What interest can | have in such as he!” ‘*More than you think, maybe, Unless the boy talks and writes lies, he expects to become your son-in-law before the passage of many weeks— Ha! I thought I would touch you at last, despite your proud and mighty airs!” the villain chuckled grimly, as the merchant in- voluntarily staggered back a pace, his face growiug pale and a startled look coming into seyes. ‘Shall I ring for the flunkies to show me out?” With a violent effort of self-control, Horace Ward recovered himself to arrest the grimy hand that seemed about to fall upon the silver call-bell that stood on the table. “You have said too much not to say more. You do not leave this room until you have fully explained your hints—look to it that they have good foundation, or you shall suffer for your matchless impudence as man never suffered rie el he muttered, his voice strongly agi- ted. With an adroit and peculiar twist, the fellow freed his wrist, dropping into one of the cushioned chairs and tossing his mangy skin cap on the table. His tone and manner were insolent and offensive, bis ovary. action that of a brutal, balf-drunken bully and vagabond, “It’s my turn now, old cock!” he said, with a coarse laugh that caused the cheeks of the proud merchant to tingle and bis eyes to glow angrily. ‘‘ You played the boss long enough for one with your weak hand. I hold the trumps, and now you can play second fiddle for a while.” } ‘‘Say what you have to say, and then be- gone!” ‘*Ring up one of those coy flunkies of yours, and tell bim to trot in double rations of rub and lush—particularly the dampness. I’m ungry anddry. You hear?” It was a daring venture, but Shaky Joe wasa keen judge of human nature, and took the risks without much fear of failure. Horace Ward hesitated, struggling against bis choking indig- pation, but then the thought of his idolized daughter—of the story which Marcus Dingeon had told him, only four and-twenty hours before, and then his hand struck the bell. Shaky Joe grinned sardonically as the mer- chant ie ae to the door and stood so that his own portly form cut off all view of the ragged wretch lolling in the easy-chair, bidding the servant carry refreshments into bis private study. ‘‘Follow me,” coldly uttered the merchant, turning toward the fellow once more, ‘‘ We will be more private in another room, and there you can tell your story, if you have one. If not—if this is what I suspect, simply the ruse of a half-drunken scoundrel to get a meal and make a few dollars, I give you free warning that you will be the sufferer,’ ‘*So you said before,” was the careless retort, as Shaky Joe arose and cap in hand, followed the lead of Horace Ward. ‘If you ain’t satisfied with what I have to unfold, then you’re mighty hard to suit!” Horace Ward remained standing until the servant appeared with refreshments, then closed and locked the door after him. ‘‘ Bat and drink your fill, then speak out,” he said, coldly. Shaky Joe obeyed, so far as freely sampling the liquor was concerned, but despite bis asser- tion, he ate but little. Then, with a rude blunt- ness he asked: ‘‘You know a young fellow named Marcus sa eee gov’nor?’ orace Ward bowed in silence. ‘*Son of the old judge? And I reckon he’s here to-night?” Again the merchant bowed, icy cold outward- ly, though his pulse was bounding rapidly and there was a vague fear taking possession of his heart, “Mighty smart young fellow, too, folks say. Hendsome as a picture, well-bred, talented; just the sort to take the maiden fancy of a romantic young girl, eh, gov’nor?” “What bas this to do with your communica- tion?’ sharply demanded Ward, his brows con- tracting. ‘‘Come to the point without any beating ’round the bush, ou say you want to be revenged on your son. Who and what is he? npr gy am | expected to be interested in im ‘‘Not at all, of course,” was the slow reply, Shaky Joe keenly but covertly eying bis unwill- ing host, while pretending to squint at the light through a fresh glass of wine, Horace Ward sunk back into his chair, unable to wholly suppress a sigh of intense relief at this answer. Though he kept telling himself that his fears were worse than idle, he could not help recalling the story of Marcus Dingeon before asking permission to pay bis addresses to Drasilla. It was monstrous! There could be no sort .of convection between this degraded ruffian and the aristocratic young lawyer. Sbaky Joe replaced his empty glass on the table, smacking his lips and giving vent to an audible chuckle. Was it because of the rich liquor, or was it born of that cunning scrutiny? ** Not at all, of course,” he repeated, smooth- iog down his grimy face witb a still dirtier hand. “ Only P am naturally interested in all smart lawyers, after the dealings I have had with them. But let that pass, 1 mentioned his name, because I heard something about his Go, ing to marry your ons grote and thought "d see if there was any truth in the rumor.’ ‘‘Curse your insolence!” grated Ward, dash- ing his clinched fist on the table with a force that caused the dishes and decanter to dance. ‘‘ Mention her again, and old as [ am, Ill pitch you through yonder window, if it breaks your neck!” ; “You've answered. me with sufficient plain- ness, wy dear sir,” laughed the ruffian, with a mock bow. ‘I’m satisfied.” ‘‘Who and what are you? What motive brought you here?” A sudden and complete change came over the man, All trace of drunkenness vanished, his form was drawn up erect, and his voice rung out clear and distinct: ‘Once I was a gentleman, proud and haughty as you are now. Once I could command m scores of servants, hundreds of slaves. Once lived in a house large as this, and equally as well filled with rich and costly furniture. Once my ‘word was good as your bond, and I could sign my checks for tens of thousands, and scat- ter them from right to left. Once I was called blessed by all men, for I was rich, talented, wedded to a beautiful woman, father of a noble son, But now—look at me! ‘A miserable wreck of what was once a man! An outcast from all that proud men hold pre- cious! A common drunkard, a hardened crimi- nal, a branded convict!” ** And a lunatic as well!” curtly added Hor- ace Ward, as his strange visitor choked and gasped for breath. ‘ Those cutting words acted on Shaky Joe like a douche of icy water. Instantly all trace of emotion vanished, and his tones were clear and even as he added: “Tf filial nga tin ds could have wrecked my brain, 1 would have filled a -house cell long years ago, What I am now the base treachery oe $a a SSF Or 8 LL eae is of those who should have loved and honored me, have made me.” ‘No doubt all this is interesting to you, but very tiresome to me,” impatiently interposed the merchant. ‘‘ Will you please ceme to the point? If you desire a little money to set you on your legs again, apply to me after the ordi- nary fashion, and I may grant you aid. You certainly cannot force it from me by a resort to mock heroics of this style.” ‘‘And yet you will pay me one thousand dol- lars before we shake good-by this night,” laughed Shaky Joe. orace Ward leaned forward to touch the bell, but with a swift gesture, Shaky Joe foiled him. The merchant leaped to bis feet with an angry exclamation, his fists clinched, his eyes glowing hotly, but the ragamuffin never stirred from his seat as be leaned back, coolly gazing into tbat inflamed countenance, And his voice was calm as ever when he spoke: ‘‘ Don’t bein a rush, gov’nor, What do you want of the bell, if I may ask?” ‘(To summon a servant to save me from soiling my boots by kicking you out of the house!” With a sneering laugh, Shaky Joe pushed the bell across the table again, leaving it within reach of the angry merchant, saying lightly: “A willful man must have his way, and I'll try no longer to balk you in cutting your own throat. Ring the bell and summon your flunkies. ‘You can kill two birds with one stone, by send- ing for Marcus Dingeon to bear me company when I make that dramatic exit.” ‘That name again? What have you todo with him? What is he to you?” cried Ward, then sinking back in his seat with a short laugh as he struck the bell sberply. ‘‘ Bah! I am an iss for paying any attention to your ravings!” ‘“You may live long enough to discover a method in my madness,” retorted Shaky Joe, adding with a deliberate emphasis: ‘“You ask what interest I bave in Marcus Dingeont Not much. Whatis he tome? Only my dearly beloved son!” CHAPTER V. A WHIFF FROM HADES, HORACE WARD sunk back in bis chair, star- ing bewilderedly into the grimy face of his un- welcome visitor, shocked beyond measure by those bold words. Something of the sort he had anticipated from what had gone before, but there was a peculiar, cool audacity in the tone and manner of Shaky Joe that seemed to say he had no cause for either doubt or fear. Almost instantly there came a gentle tap at the door in respense to the call of the bell, and Shaky Joe nimbly sprung to his feet, with a side glance into the pale face of the agitated merchant. A deft twist of bis] practiced band turned the key in its wards without the slightest sound to betray the fact of the door having been locked, then be turned the knob and swung open the barrier, addressing the servant: ‘*Go fetch a box of cigars, Johnny—the best ou have on the plantation—and pick up your rotters pimbly, too! Meand my old purd here wants to raise a bit of a smudge.” The dignified servant stared in open-eyed as- tonishment at the free-and-easy bummer, then glanced toward his master for the order to be confirmed or denied. . ‘ Yes—bring cigars,” hastily uttered Horace Ward, his proud nature recoiling from the ex- sok and scene which must swiftly follow a enial. Shaky Joe laughed softly as the servant bowed and turned gyn $ He swung the door to, then glided back to his seat, “JT thought I'd gene you just one more chance to save your bacon, my dear fellow, If you think it is not worth the trouble, when the flunky returns with the fumigators, you can broach the kicking-out prccess just as well.” ‘‘ You malicious devil!” grated the merchant, almost suffocating with rage, yet even then re- membering to guard his tones against reaching other ears than their own. ‘‘ You shall prove your words, in every eeseealar, or Pll spend my woe fortune but I'll lodge you behind the rs! ‘* Which would be no new anpemace to yours truly,” the impudent rascal grinned; then add- ing sharply: ‘ Simmer down a bit, unless you want the flunky to smoke it all!” His keen ears had caught the sound of foot- steps coming that way, and a moment later the servant entered with cigars. Though it cost bim a sharp pang of inward shame to so dissim- ulate at the bid ing of a worthless rascal like his present tutor, Horace Ward forced a smile and careless ease as he said to the servant, with a motion of his white hand toward his disrepu- table appearing guest: ‘‘Tf any one asks for me, James, I am en- gaged with an old employe. You may go—but remain within call.” . James bowed respectfully, then retreated. Horace Ward turned upon Shaky Joe with smoldering fury. ‘‘Now, you infernal scoundrel! offer some good excuse for your abominable actions, or [li t you toa mummy before turning you over to the police as a drunken blackmailer!” ) (Ele) micbooks -~