Beadle's Dime Library No. 317 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 re CHAPTER II. “SHALL AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT!” ‘Br durned ef he didn’t do it, too!” muttered the worthy Barnacle, leaning forward with staring eyes, surprise making the sound mem- ber look fully as glassy as the one with an arti- ficial case. *‘* An’ he’s hit the mare ’twixt wind an’ water, too, or l’m a tenderfoot from Green- land!” There was more truth than poetry in this em- hatic expression. From a haughty, disdain- ul stare at the disreputable shape that dared to block his path, the mine-owner actually seemed to cower and shrink from Uncle Fuller, casting a swift glance around him; but whether medi- tating flight or to learn whether or no that strange name had been caught by curious ears, could only be surmised. Certain it is that Frederick Lyon turned pale as a ghost, let that emotion rise from auger or fear, as the case might be. Uncle Fuller grinned more broadly than ever, and there was something in his bloated coun- tenance that told even plainer than words what a hard taskmaster he would prove himself should fate ever place another wholly in his power. ‘‘Lawd love ye, Bill, ye shovelry! it does the ole man more good to see ye than a dose o’ salts! Shake, fer ole times, ard, when you was rastlin’ fer chuck in the lackhawk region down Denver-way! Putt it thar—eh?” Uncle Fuller made a grasp at the gloved hand of the mine-owner, only to have the light cane cross his dirty knuckles with a tingling emphasis, while Frederick Lyon drew his form still more proudly erect as he said, coldly: lookin’-glass 0’ this last sentence, and Uncle Fuller took it for a question, No,” he muttered, bis tones sounding me- ie age? | his eyes stupidly staring into that calm, sm ling face. ‘TI jes’ drapped down yer’ yest’'day; which I didn’t know but what I raought run acrost a ole-time pard or two, ‘‘And honored me by taking me for one of those friends?’ laughed the mine-owner, pleas- antly enough, but witb a trace of contempt in bis tones that sent a still deeper flush to the sun- burnt countenance of the broken-down Argo- -naut. There was a venomous glitter in bis eyes as they flashed a look upward, but his voice was ameekness itself as he said: * Reckon I was a duro fool, boss,” “Oh, not quite so bad as that,” was the light reply. ‘‘The best of us are liable to make errors, and on an occasion like this, it is even more natural. By the way, what name was it you mentioned, a bit ago? ‘* Bill Courtright, from down Denver-way,” slowly replied Uncle Fuller, keenly though covertly watching the face of his questioner as he uttered the words. But if he expected to see a repetition of the earlier scene, he was doomed to suffer disap- pointment. Those black eyes were watching him calmly, one gloved hand slowly smoothing the neatly-trimmed beard, and the tones were clear and distinct with which the mine-owner added: ‘*I never heard the name before, and if Mr. Courtright is in town, he must be a very recent arrival, Of course you realize your mistake now?” “‘Reckon I do.” slowly uttered Uncle Fuller, his eyes drooping before that steady gaze. Frank Lightfoot, ** At fu’st off I could ’a’ tuck my solemn ‘davy you was my ole pard Bill, but now—you don’t kerry a wart on the eend o’ your nose, big as a door-knocker, do ye?’ be suddenly cried, peer- ing owlishly into the face of the mine-owner as though in quest of that ornament. ** Well, I hope not,” laughed Lyon. *‘Durned ef ye do, nuther! That settles it, boss! You ain’t the critter I tuck ye fer, an’ I humbly ax pardin. J’d go furder, ef I could, but divil a rap hev I got in my clo’es, an’ your p’izen-slingers is too high-toned to hang it up fer a strange gent, I diskiver.” The gloved hand slipped into a pocket, re- turning with a gleam of silver in its palm. ‘*Oblige me,” and the coin changed owner- ship deftly. ‘‘ This celebration is partly in my honor, and no man must go hungry ordry while I can prevent it, Good-day.” ‘*Long life to ye, boss, an’ many more of ‘em!” cried the bummer, bowing and scraping, then drawing up and staring after the mayor with a curious gleam in bis bleared eyes, ‘It’s who so high an’ mighty as you, jest now; but wait—wait a bit, my covey! Ef they ain’t a bit in your mouth an’a ring in your nose afore your head gits any grayer, then | ain’t your Uncle Fuller—that’s all!” As the shape of the mayor vanished amid the — crowd, Uncle Fuller turned toward the spot where he had left the aged Barnacle, on whose bairy countenance was visible a broad grin of satisfaction. A little startled at first by the strange success with which the impudent advance of the bummer was attended, when that lithe cane doubled itself across the grimy knuckles, Aristabulus nodded his approval, set- tling down tw fully enjoy the scene which he felt sure was to follow, ‘‘You must be mistaken in the man, m ‘‘Stumbled onto a blind lead, didn’t ye?’ he good fellow. I know neither you nor the friend | chuckled, as the ragged bummer drew near. of whom you speak.” ‘Got the dirty shake from your ole pard, I Clear and cold came the words, without the | shouldn’t wonder?’ faintest trace of agitation, while the speaker **'Yas—in your mind!” drawled Uncle Fuller. stood gazing steadily into the face of the bum- ‘*Pesky queerious way o’ shakin’ paws, any- mer, a slight smile of amused contempt begin- | how,” ning to curl his mustached lip. “They was a ’skeeter on my knuckles, an’ A decidedly handsome, fine-looking man was | course he killed i',” unblushingly uttered the this newly elected head of Independence City. | bummer, tossing the bright coin into the air, Just in the prime of life, if outward appear- | catching it as it fell, then spitting upon it before ances were to be believed; tall, and athletic in slipping it into bis ket, ‘' for luck.” build, quick and graceful in his motions, dressed ‘Wonder he didn’t fall onto your neck an’ with a neatness, taste and care very seldom to | buzz ye fer ole times!” sniffed the disgusted be seen in a mining-camp, Frederick Lyon pre- | Barnacle. sented a strong contrast to the disreputable ‘Pore comp’ny, or mebbe he would, That figure with which Le was now confronted. was the why he acted so stiff; didn’t want to His complexion was dark but clear. His | make any o’ the cits jealous. He sais, sais he: eyes black as jot, full of fire and rong passions. | ‘Keep a stiff lip jest now, ole pard, but come His nose was slightly hooked, The lower part | ’round to the kitchen do’ afo’ you retaliate to- of his face was masked by a full beard, which | night, an’ we’ll talk over ole times acrost a mh was kept neatly trimmed, amidst the blackness | 0’ sometoin’ good an’ strong; now don’t go back of which could be traced here and there a silver | onto the ole man, honey!” thread. ‘* He tole you that? Mare Lyon?” Mechanically Uncle Fuller lifted his smarting “Ef be didn’t, ’'m a liar right from Mun- knuckles to his mouth, staring with a bewilder- | chausenville!” ed air into the face of the man whom he had ‘*T b’lieve it!” hastily put in the Barnacle. marked for his victim, bis whisky-soaked wits Uncle Fuller gazed at him out of the corner thrown into complete confusion by this sudden | of one eye, as though a Jittle dubious, but then and complete change. And his confusion in- | he thought it best to let the su! ject drop for the creased as Frederick Lyon gave vent to a short, | present, sending his g:.za in quest of Frederick leasant laugh as of mirth at his ludicrous em- on. He was almost immediately successful, rrassment, saying: for the tall figure of the mayor was visible ‘Tt’s rather early in the day, my good fel-| through the skurrying crowd, and a few mo- low, to be drank, but perhaps the occasion is | ments later stood in acleared space not many sufficient to excuse the excess. Yet I can hard-/} yards distant from the spot where the two an- ly believe you a citizen?” cients sat, talking earnesily to his present com- here was a slight rising inflection marking nion. Uncle Fuller gave a busky gasp, catching the Barnacle by the arm with a force that made Aristabulus wince, ‘* Consarn it, man—” ** Who’s he—who’s the critter talkin’ with the mare?” huskily muttered Uncle Fuller, staring with protruding eyes at the twain before them. ‘“‘They is two on ’em, ain’t they? It ain’t the snakes got me ag’in, is it? Durn it, be quick!” ‘‘They’s two, that’s sart’in,” deliberately re- plied the Barnacle, wresting his arm free rom that desperate grasp. ‘‘ The mare an’ his pard- ner, Jeter Burgess, mn yy Tare two gents as bought out the ‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” The ragged bummer sat like one transfixed, staring at the two gentlemen who looked as much alike as two peas taken from the same ! The same in bight and build; in complex- ion, in eyes, nose and fashion of wearing the beard! If any difference existed, it was that the new-comer bad a little more silver mixed with bis beard; but only for the sight differ- ence in the garments they wore, even Uncle Fuller could not bave told them apart. ‘* Which is which, an’ which is t’otherf’ mut- tered the ragged bummer, brushing a grimy hand across his forehead as though in hopes of thus clearing away the mists. ‘‘ One on ’em is my meat, but which?” ‘* Your mate?” laughed the Barnacle, sarcas- tically. ‘‘ Why, the one as axed you to call at the kitchen do’, in course!” This speech recalled Uncle Fuller to his senses, and he hastily arose, asking his new- found friend to assist him in driving another ** coffin-nail,” This was scarcely accomplished, when a wild hurrah arose from the crowd; revolvers, rifles the Miner Detective. a and giant crackers began to split the air, and Aristabulus hurriedly muttered: ‘‘The percession is comin’! Ketch up the music-box as quick as ye kin, pard! We've got to do our juety this day!” Casting aside all perplexing thoughts for the time being Uncle Fuller obeyed, and in another minute Yankee Doodle was sending forth a tremendous salutation to the approaching pro- cession of youth and beauty. The business of the day was about to com- mence, In the lead came eight stout men, each sup- porting on broad, shoulders one end of strong poles. Across these supports was placed a plat- form, covered over with evergreens, flowers and flags. Upon the platform a neatly draped chair, in which sat a vision of youthful grace and beauty. Her garb was that which tradition has given to the American Goddess of Liberty, even to the cap with which her proud head is surmounted. Only in this case the front bore the legend ‘‘ INDEPENDENCE.” Following this, came thirteen otber elevated chairs, all decorated after the same fashion, though witb less elaboration and smaller ip size, four bearers being sufficient to carry each platform witb its—more or less—fair burden. Candor compels the admission that all were not on an «quality with the beauteous Goddess who led the van, in either youth or natural charms. Some were decidedly homely, while more than one of the ladies had passed the boundaries of youth. But young and lovely women were not over plentiful in Independence City, and when one does their level best, criti- cism is odious. Slowly the procession moved along to the pavilion, where the Goddess of Liberty alighted and gracefully took up her station on the throne. One by one, the names of the thirteen original States were called by Frederick Lyon, the other platforms were vacated and the semi- circles below the Goddess were filled. Thus far everything bad passed off exactly as laid down in the prcgramme, and but for the over zeal of s me of the enthusiastic citi- zevs, doubtless thus wuld it have been to the end of the day. But tbose few were not satis- fied with the share they had tbus far played in the fete, and now touched off a mine of giant crackers which they bad prepared in anticipa- tion of this moment, There were a few little screams from the animated States as the Joud reports burst forth, seemingly directly beneath the seats, but a wild cheer drowned their exclamations, Cheers were given for the Goddess, for each one of the | States, and where the wild burrahing would have ceased, no one could tell, had not a scream of terror broke from one of the women. A brisk breeze was blowing, and a portion of an exploded cracker had set fire to the flimsy drapery, the flames suddenly shooting up about the terrified » omen! Instantly all was confusion and consterna- tion, The women, screaming bysterical'y, de- serted their endangered thrones, falling and tripping over each other in their mad haste to escape the flames, while the men, as yet unable to fully comprehend the meaniog of the panic, stared in amazement. ; ‘Keep cool, and all will be well!” cried the Goddess, in a clear, musical voice, setting an example herself; but only for an instant; then a wild scream burst from her lips as she saw the garments of one of her maids bleze up, and darting to the rescue, she fought the flames with her bare hands! ry ag then the entire background burst into a aze. CHAPTER III. THE BARNACLE’S LAMENT. It was an uct of heroism such as few women in the midstof a panic would save proven equal to, but the sight of ber bosom friend in such deadly peril conquered all weaker emotions in the generous bosom of the Goddess of Liberty, Favored by the brisk breeze, her own escape without ivjury was assured, but turning, she sprung to the side of the fallen girl, beating at the rising flames with her bare hands, crying aloud for aid, And then a fiery tongue lapped itself around her own form, igniting the fleecy msterial of which her robes were made, One instant, and then she seemed but a mass of flames! All this occurred with the rapidity of thought and, though for a few brief seconds the men be- low were at a loss to realize what bad occurred, the instant this was made clear, their action was prompt and decisive enough. Foremost among those who leaped to the res- cue were two young men, the foremost tearing with one swift grasp balf the blezing drapery from the screaming woman who represented In- dependence, then yielded ber to bis companion, himself stooping and raising the fallen girl to her feet. With a dexterous movement he whirl- ed her limp form about in his arms, extinguish- ing the flames with his own person even as he leaped with her from the fiery throne to the crowded floor below, This done, it was but the work of a moment to wrap about her the large flag which he took EOLA AIL: ES JOO mM (E()