Beadle's Dime Library No. 297 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

“By my life!” muttered Broderick, ‘‘ what sort of a creature is this? Does this wild coun- try produce nympbs and fairies? <A prettier irl I never saw. Who is she? A resident of otspur, of course, and I’m a liar if I don’t know her inside of forty-eight hours! Such a rose must not blush unseen, or whatever the old tsaid. I’]l see, Pll conquer—veni, vidi, vici ! a! Jobn Broderick, my boy, life is not all a barren waste. While Mildred is sowing the seeds of discord in Colorado Rube’s home, you can be amusing yourself by a flirtation with Hebe, Diana—which of those old dames was the most beautiful? I hardly know, for ['m not up’ in bistory. But this mountain beau- ty beats them all—and she’s yours, Jobn Brod- ericl|” He gave his long, drooping mustache a ca- ress, and straightened his cravat as though about to enter Beauty’s parlor, but it was as much a surprise to him as to Zetta when a small animal darted across the trail just in front of the galloping horse and caused a sudden change in the scene. Ths high-spirited animal took fright at once, and wheeled so suddenly that his mis- tress barely kept ber seat and had no chance to uve the rein, and then came bounding along the back-trai. Zetta showed no signs of alarm and began to try and check him with all the skill of a practiced rider, but it was a chance Broderick did uot fail to improve. He saw that he could stop tbe horse witbout risk to bis precious per- son, and he resolved to do it. It was but step to the trail, and as the horse, which was fast losing his alarm, dashed to the spot, the man stepped out and grasped the rein. There was a brief struggle, and then Hero yielded and stood as quietly as though he had never been guilty of insubordination. Broderick lifted his bat gracefully. ** Pardon me for interfering, miss,” he said, *‘but I saw that the animal was taking you the wrong n> Oe Young ladies admire gallant deeds done in their own behalf, and such things usually in- vest themselves with en air of romance pleasing to a youthbrul mind, but Zetta never allowed romance to stand in the way of practical facts, and she was not at all pleased with the dark face which smiled up into her own, ‘*lam very much obliged for your kindness,” she answered, feeling somewhat guilty at hav- ing spoken so coldly, but unable to speak other- wise, ‘*] think you will have no further trouble,” he added. “Ob! Hero isall right now. He never allow- ed himself to act so before, and I don’t think he willagain. He tries to appear innocent, but I Verily believe he is ashamed of himself.” “Very likely, and he ought to be. You showed great skill in being able to retain your seat. ** 1 am not new to the saddle.” Zetta gathered up her rein. She felt an im- pulse to give Hero the word and dash uncere- moniously away from the piratical-looking in- dividual before her, but she was good enough to regard his service as disinterestedly given, and she decided not to do anything rude. He made a complimentary speech after her last remark,and then she once more thanke him and rode on, : “ A queen &mong women, upon my word!” he muttered, looking after ber with a dark smile; ‘¢L know of no prettier one. She did not enthuse #0 @ny great degree, and she would have th@nked me more warmly for saving a pet dog, bu it may be backwoods modesty, I'll know, atany rate, for I’m not going to let this acquaintance drop here. Til learn who she is, and theun—_ Well, we'llsee if my days of fas- cination are over.” : He stroked bis mustache complacently, and then, ashe could not hope to again appear as a f, saunterea back to the village, ihe had learned the identity of umford’s niéce!” he muttered. _the game assumes new propor- tions. he’s a prize well worth winning, and wie ber I will. But bow? Ha! I have it. I will no longer remain a cipher in Hotspur City; I'll forge a few niore papers, and blossom out as a great man, with my credentials in my pocket. First, 11 taddinate old Mumford; next, hurrah for the conquest of fair Zetta’s heart!” “CHAPTER XI. THE BugEARD BROTHERS’ PROCLAMATION, Like the ynil after the battle, there was for awhile nO further sign from the residents of Buzzard’s Roost. Smoke could be seen lazily nding from the house on the top of Sugar- af, but no one saw anything of the giant brothers. No one desired to. They had seen quite enough the night ofthe inauguration, and if the Buzzards would keep away, the young city asked no more. If they would keep away! This was just what the citizens were afraid they would not do. Bill Buzzard had sworn to make Hotspur "fl ¢ cs pis 2k ae ree ee 2 - = ~it9 — .¥ “« ¢ _ 4 : re : - : A PES ‘Al Py ae a < ; oot te ana ten |! Fa Wiley PE NL, Dp. Fe ae. ES A le ee NP Pie jaroah" ; ; é " e 7, : 7 ee : SS —...,,,,,, — _ = crmmmmnnnnm ncn LLL LL LLL LL LL CC tema, Colorado Rube. | a graveyard, and he certainly had the will to keep his oath. As to_his power, there was a difference of opinion. There were those who laughed at the idea of four men terrorizing a city, but it was noticed that none of those who laughed showed an ambition to march against the quartette; and a great many of the people lived in con- stant fear. Mayor Mumford was among the latter class. Fifty years of his life had been spent among peaceful scenes at the West, and he certainly was not the man to lead a city in a warfare, when his hair and beard were white with addi- tional years. Colorado Rube was the only really cool man in the town. He expected trouble from the Buz- zards, but he intended to meet it as he had met their first raid—with a bold front. Had he not been the husband of Mona, he would not have remained idle and let the Buzzards gather strength for a second attack. He wondered that the people did not march against and drive them from their lair, but they contented them- selves with remaining in idleness and, with dis- mal forebodings, watching the smoke which daily told that there was life at Buzzard’s Roost. The day following the events last recorded, Mayor Mumford and his secretary walked arm | in arm toward Independence Hall. They were together a good deal of the time since the city’s existence began, and it was generally under- | stood that Rube Ralston was the real power of | the town. This pleased the people. Mumford’s “ high- toned ” appearance gave character to the office, | and the active mind of the ‘‘ Strong Arm ” of the place would surely direct matters aright. On the present occasion they observed a crowd of men collected around the door of In- dependence Hall, all of whom seemed to be ear- | nestly discussing something. ‘** Business is waiting for us,” said the mayor. ‘*What is it now? Acaeof assault and bat- tery, or a suit for trespass?’ alston did not answer at once, but his eyes were busy and he finally replied: ‘They seem to be looking at something on the door. Possibly some one has put upa pla- card there,” ‘*We can’t allow that. The boys will have their joke, and ina certain way it is all right, but the decorum of our place of justice must be preserved,” ‘*Perhaps it don’t mean anything in particu- lar.” They had advanced near the door, and as the miners saw them they fell back a little and ceased talking, Rube’s suspicion had been well-founded, for there was a placard on tbe door, and though it was written in an irregular hand and badly spelled, they had no great difficulty in reading ib: ‘OFFICIAL NOTICE! * To ther men 0’ Hotspur City :— “Ther undersi’ned give notice that this city will be a’lowed jest three dais o’ grace, at ther expire Ation o’ which we will carry out Bill Buzzard’s threat ter make Hotspur a Graveyard. It is war ter ther knife after this, an’ we will spare neither Man, Woman nor Child. Take notice an’ beware o’ ther Heavy Hand! ‘*THER BUZZARD BROTHERS.”’ Mayor Mumford’s florid face changed color. He had been expecting some sign from tke giants of Sugar-Loaf, and it had come at last. It was only to be wondered at that they had not made their announcement by means of knife and re- volver, but the fact remained that they intend- ed to resort to their favorite method. In strong contrast to his troubled expression was Colorado Rube’s calm smile. * That’s an interesting bit of literature, Mayor Mumford,” he composedly observed, ‘* Interesting! Good Heavens! it is the same as a death-notice in a paper.” ‘Then you intend to move against them?” ‘* How?” * Didn't you say it was the notice of their death?’ ‘** No; Lonly wish it was. our death.” ‘* Leave me out: I don’t claim any share in it. I don’t intend to be carved up to satisfy the Rory impulses of the men of Buzzard’s Roost. eally, though, I think something onght to be done, that?” $ How can we help it?” r bey are four, all told; we have over a hun- dred ab &-bodied men.” ‘‘ By which I suppose you mean we ought to march against them,” said Mumford, gloomily; ‘but it can’t be done. Not five men in Hotspur would invade Buzzard’s Roost. The greater part of our people even think Sugar-Loaf is a sort of place accursed.” ‘‘That’s all ponsense,” was Rube’s practical reply. ‘‘I bave no horror of it. 1 went there and won a wife, and if you don’t pick up the glove thus thrown in your face, I’m going there again—alone!”’ ‘** Alone?” ** Yes,” It is the notice of Are they to defy and insult our city like == eo oe ES CS—OCEC 9 ** For what purpose?” “To return this placard. I want to tell the Buzzards that we disepprove of it. Ishall walk in on them and say: ‘ Your contribution to the literature of Hotspur City has becn received, read, and respectfully declined.’ ” **Good Heavens! would you do that?’?cried Mumford.” , ‘** Certainly.” ‘* They will kill you.” ‘** Not if I can help it.” ** But reflect: it is sheer madness. You would be perfectly helpless among those four giant desperadoes—” ‘* There’s a difference of opinion about that, but we will let the subject drop for now. When the board of aldermen convene, we will discuss measures of protection.” Rube carefully removed the placard, and when the aldermen—there were three, all told—ar- rived, the placard and the case were laid be- fore them. As Rube was not a city father, but merely a clerk, be took no part in the dis- cussion which followed. It occupied the entire session, but in Ralston’s opinion they did not once get down to solid business, Nothing was said about bearding the Buzzards in their den, which was the only way to manage the difficulty, but it was agreed to keep four guards on duty all night, that the enemy might not attack unseen. Practical, cool beaded Rube was disgusted at the way they met—or, rather, failed to meet— the emergency. Had not the men of Buzzard’s Roost been his wife’s brothers, be would have insisted that all Hotspur City turn out and rid the region of its pests. He was not the man to let any one ter- rorize him, On the contrary, the remainder of the citizens seemed to be just that kind of men, and they dealt with the desperadoes as though the odds of numbers were against, instead of in their fa- vor. “ It’s going to be hot work, Ralston,” said the mayor, as they walked homeward together, ‘‘T reckon it will, the way you are running the machine,” sarcastically answered Rube, * What can we do?’ “Do? Well, there’s a proverb which says if your eye offends you, you are to pluck it out. The best thing you can do isto pluck the Buz- zards before they open hostilities,” ‘* Four men can hold Sugar-Loaf against a hundred,” ‘*Pardcn me, mayor, but that’s nonsense. I'll agree to take five, if they are men of ‘sand,’ and clear Sugar-Loef of any four that ever handled knife and revolver,” ‘‘Ab! but the people won’t follow you.” ‘*] didn’t say I'd lead against the Buzzards. They are my wife’s brothers, you know. Still, they’re going to make matters hot for you if you let them have theirown way. You've let them see you—the people, | mean—are afraid of them, and now they think the earth is theirs.” Mumford did not answer, but he began to consider. the advisability of calling for volun- teers to march against the Roost. ben, how- ever, we say he did it to convince himself he was not afraid, rather than in real resolution the réader will perceive that the fluctuations of bis mind need not be followed. As they neared Mumford’s house, they had a glimpse of a man who was just entering. ‘* Who was that?’ the mayor asked. ‘‘ A stranger to me,” Rube replied. ** He was well-dressed; possibly we are about to gain another solid citizen.” ‘“‘He looks more to me like a gambler or blackleg of some sort. However, here we are; if you want me again to-day, send for me.” hey separated in the kindly fashion which bad marked their whole cfficial and private in- tercourse, and Mumford entered the house. A Chinese servaut announced thata visitor wished to see him, and the mayor went at once to the parlor. The visitor was John Broderick. He had come at such an hour that be thought the mayor would be busy at Independence Hall, and thereby give him a chance to be entertained by Zetta; but luck was against him and Mumford returned so early that his scheme was frus- trated. ‘*Good-morning, sir,” said the mayor, politely. **T am Cyrus Mumford. and my Chinaman tells me you wish to see me.” ‘‘ Such is the fact, Mr. Mayor,” said the plot- ter, with his most imposing manner, * and when I say I seldom call on any one except on business, you will see I am no idle caller bere, lam, sir, an agent of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company, and | amin your city to de- cidé on the advisability of extending a branch of our road to Hotspur City!” CHAPTER XII. COLORADO RUBE VISITS BUZZARD'’S ROOST. BRODERICK sprung this announcement upon his hearer with the sulemnity of a judge deliver- ing a charge to a jury, and at the same time with an air calculated to impress Mumford with the idea that, though Mr. Broderick’s name might not appear as president of the Denver & — a? ~ « 4 ' 7 ~ a” a + wa i in | id vi @ : ® . ‘ : i " P .v: ~— ~~. Set) >