Beadle's Dime Library No. 351 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

| ni i a ae 24 Nor’ West Nick, the Border Detective. the Arlington House were thrice each day summon- | guarded like the others, but without the degrading ed to their meals. Back which hemmed in the little valley came the echoes, | | | strangely twisted and distorted by tueir struggle with a thousand rival echoes which found birth among the crooked canyons and devious defiles—but from the frowning rocks , manacles, stood revealed. She spoke rapidly, but without the slightest trace of emotion, unless the glittering, reddish light in her dark eyes could be called such. Se freely ac- knowledged her connection with St. Clair Guthrie, high above them all rose a human voice, chanting a | and that she had Jong known that he was the noto- | rious outlaw, Captain Slyboots. strange and curious morning hymn: ‘*Roll up, tumble up, any way to git up—jest 50 ye don't slip up an’ miss yer fust an’ only chaince o’ feastin’ yer cyes an’ regalin’ yer ears on the mar- velous marvels an’ wonderful wonders, which air jest now ready for to be exhiberated an’ explainified to ho limited comprestandin’ by yours truly, Nor’ est Nick, the forked-tail hummin’ bird o’ Rocky Bar! Right this way, ladies an’ gents! ‘Mission free, an’ children only hafe-price. Box-sheets open, an’ ef ye lose another minnit ye ain't got no show fer a front seat in the dress circle. Fust an’ only chaince fer to see the great ge-wholloppin’ pinny-pinny- poppy-show—the greatest gatheration o’' livin’ an’ movin’ wax-works which the mighty past ever will, or the glorious futur’ ever did gaze upon—amen !” At each period came a resounding thump on the gong. and those huge, flery-red mustaches kept antastic time to the tongue wh ch wagged so nimbly . beneath them—for the speaker was none other span Norton Weston Nickerson, self-styled Nor’ West ic . Day had fairly dawned over Rocky Bar, a the sun had not yet made its appearance above the hills tothe east. It was an hour earlier than the usual time set for the gong to warn Colonel Gordon’s boarders, but this m' ght not have created remark, only for the fantastic words and actions of tie fat claimant. His stentorian tones aroused every soul within the confines of Rocky Bar, and soon the spice before the Arlington House was crowded with laughing wondering citizens. “*Pention, ladies an’ genis an’ young-’uns, ef any sech trundle-bed trash thar be within the scope o’ ay gen‘le fish-horn! Bsiness is business, an’ Nor’ est Nick is its prophet! I’ve got the almightiest circus to show ye here, frees, gratis, fer nothin’, withouta pesky red cent to pay—but at the same time, it’sashow that won't stan’ more’n one boss, an’ that king-bird is the same chicken which now addresses you all, Look an’ Jisten—that’s all right! Try tohelp b gee the wires which move the puppets, an’ the band will play a walk-around— Let ’em hev asquint at your music-boxes, critters!’ he added, wit a wave of his hand. Out frcm the open door behind him, through the open windows were thrust the muzzles of rifles and revolvers. Back of these were dimly seen forms, but (he gloom was too great inside the aig — the startled and amazed citizens to distinguis aces “What ‘re you trying to get through you, any- how?” Rettasted a yolbe from the crowd: : * Straicht talk, an’ that’s jest what I like.” said the fat claimant, witha nod of approval. “’Cause it’s what I use my own self. Never waste one word when two kin be slung in. “Open Re? ears, now, ’cause I'm goin’ to fill "em chuck-full o’ the dog-dingest news you ever sucked in! Heap o’ dirty work bin goin’ on right under your blessed noses, 0’ late, an’ nary one o’ ye smoked the truth o’ it. Tuck a white man from *way up the divide to git at the bottom o’ the black- est, foulest, loudest-smellin’ pool o’ nat’ral cussed- n ss that ever festered on the face o’ the airth—”’ “Cut it short!” came a short, impatient voice - from the shadows which vailed the * orchestra.” ‘-*Tention, citizens o’ Rocky Bar! The lecture is over, an’ fust one o’ the wax-works will show its sweet mug.”’ A flourish of his arms, and out from the cpen door moved three human shapes, one heli or supported between two others. Black cowls concealed the features of the latter, but the other was visible to all, and acry of mingled wonder and anger arose from the crowd as they recognized the sport of gee Bar—St. Clair Guthrie! *“Hyar ye hev him, big as life an’ twicet as nat’ral,”’ commented the fat showman, with a bland smil>. “ You all think ye know him, but ef I didn’t b'long to the church, I'd bet a nickel that you'd say he was St. Clair Guthrie!” ** What has he done? What does this mean, any- how?’’ demanded the same man who had questioned the fat showman before. ‘* Who put those irons on his wrists—for what crime?” “*Take him back Sans, afore the risin’ sun sp’iles his *plexion,”’ said Nickerson, with a wave of his hand, and the rambler dingprcered with his guards, ‘You axed a question, ‘lieve, Mr, Anderson— an’ now I’il answer you, chuck-up! That moral wax- work which you jest clapped P hon two peepers onto, is the great an’ only 'riginal Cap’n Slyboots! I kin prove whatI say. Next!” Out from the shadow came Tim Toplift, his head bandaged, his face pale as that of a ghost, his wrists connected by handcuffs. guards held him by the shoulders on either side, Ped free bands holding cocked revolvers. up an’ toes out, Timotheus Toplifticus! ean to the gents an’ ladies, an’ tell ’em how ‘shamed you be o’ the sp’ilt taffy which you gave ‘em last night. Tell’em the true Gospil o’ Arthur Ovelman an’ St. Clair Guthrie.”’ In mute amazement and growing bewilderment the citizens drank in the words which fell from the lips of the self-convicted traitor and perjurer. No need to repeat them here. The truth has been suf- ficiently exposed for the comprehension of all— enough that he made a clean breast of the whole affair, clearing Dan Brown of the damning suspi- cion which had been cast upon him by the devilishly eunning arts of the arch-plotter, St. Clair Guthrie. He admitted being a member of the Anti-Monopo- lists, and swere that St. Clair Guthrie was n: ne — than the redoubtable Captain Slyboots him- self. A wave of the hand, and he was taken back. An- other signal, and Colonel Gordon was brought forth to confess that he also was a member of the out..w - band, though his part was mainly in spying out the secrets of his guests. He, too, made free and open confession, then gave place to Wilkins, who was in turn followed by others, until the gaping con a- tion could hardly have told whether they stood upon their feet or their heads, ; The cap-sheaf came when the woman, Belle, | The two cowled |: She had been true to the gambler, until she found that he meant to play her false; then she struck first. She drew him on to confess all his crimes and cun- ning plots, in the hearing of the gentleman who was so deeply interesting them with his little surprise- party. She gave him a drug which, while it counter- acted the effects of the brandy he had swallowed, held him fast locked in slumber until fe was wanted. Through her arts Captain Slyboots was captured, and as soon as she could secure the rewards offered for his apprehension, or such portion thereof as she = be entitled to, she would bid Rocky Bar adieu— The fat showman waved his hand, disgust pay imprinted on his battered countenance, and the wo- man was taken back into the house, “*Gents,”’ he said, bowing low, with an apologetic air, ‘**I counted on showin’ you one o’ my greatest attractions in the moral wax-work line, but onhap- pily I’m disa’p’inted, all owin’ to the onreasonable- ness of the contrairy critter in turnin’ toes-up an’ kickin’ the bucket; but I'll do the best [ kin.’’ The masked guards came fo:th, bearing between them the limp, nerveless figure of a corpse. They lowered their burden, then raised his head so that the face was distinctly visible. A low murmur ran throuch the crowd, as they recognized all that remained of Dave Nichols, the giant claimant! ‘**He never was noted fer his beauty o’ face or sperit.”’ said Nickerson, eying the corpse critically. “Nur that slit in his cabeza don’t improve his hand- some any to speak of, though it’s done wonders fer his goodness, an’ though you moughtent think it, thar lays a thorougbly reformed character! ‘Some three hours ago, more or less, he crept up ahind the gent what makes a livin’ ridin’ fiery, on- tamed black bulls o’ the long-horned Texan variety, an’ tried to wentilate his 'natomy with a bowie. He didn’t quite do it, owin’ to sarcumstances over which he didn’t hev no control-—a sarcumstance jest ‘leven inches in the blade. That sarcumstance was gripped in this grub-hook. I did it to save a man—an’ I saved two on ’em! Trat beauty, who won’t never no more np ag ts disgrace all over the honorable name o’ Nor’ ¥ | ~ ick, an’ this yar gent—Kyrle Dando, Double uire!"’ he head of the dead giant was lowered, and the two guards flung aside the cowls which they no long- er needed, revealing the faces of Dan Brown of Den- ver and he whom the citizens of Rocky Bar had thus far known as Nor’ West Nick. The last-named stepped to the side of the fat a and rested one hand upon his shoulder as e spoke: ** Citizens of Rocky Bar, I, too, have a confession tomake, This seems to be a general unmacking. and I will follow suit. For reasons of my own, I gave myname as Nor’ West Nick. I now renounce all claim to the title, and transfer it to the rightful owner—this gentleman—who has brought order out of chaos, who has unmasked the guilty, righted the wronged.” ** AndI also wish to say a word before the curtain is drawn on this little surprise-party,”’ said Dan Brown of Denver. “I ownup beaten at my own trade. I knewthat Mr. Dando was masquerading under false colors, and I believed that he was Cap- tain Slyboots, playing a lone hand for some end which I could not exactly make out. I concluded to S my wits against his, and for fear of having the riumph wrestel from me, I backed him when you rose to have a lyinching-bee. Then the man whom we have known all alongas Mr. Dando scented it out. He shot the fellows—members of the outlaw ang—who had been left to guard me, and then we Sined teams with the genuine Nor’ West Nick— who, by the way, is not near as handsome when he coms out of the shell which he has seen fit to don, for this occasion only—and the rest you know.” “The great an’ only moral wax-work show is over, gents, an’ afore tharkin’ you fer your kind at- tention an trooly liberal patronage, I’ve got jest one more word to say. *‘Tain’t no hog,ef [ dolook mightily like one in this dandy rig-out. A powerful sight o’ the work was done fer me, by the men what I sent on ahead fer to spy out the lay o’'the land. Them I mean makes part o’ our orchestra thar; the rest is men eer from your own ranks. ‘Cause why; we idn’t know but what you mought take another lynchin’ idee into your minds, an' we was deter- mined that Cap’n Slyboots should hev a fa’r an’ squar’ trial, afore the proper *thorities—an’ he'll git it, too—bet vov life!’ There is litthe more to add before we follow the example set by Nor’ West Nick, and draw the cur- —_ over this brief drama of wild life in the western mines. While in Denver, Kyrle Dando found on the street a note-book containing the commission of Nor’ West Nick, and a letter from the chief of the map | Mountain Detective Association, giving him full authority to use whatever means he chose to detect and break up the gang of Captain Slyboots. There was no clew tothe owner of the documents, and being in a rather reckless mood, Kyrle struck out for Rocky Bar, resolved to try his hand at detective work. How this resulted, the reader has seen. Arthur Ovelman was buried near where he met his death, and though Marjean shed many tears over the lonely grave, his treatment cf her and her lover partially weakened the shock, and her old- time cheerfulness and beautv were not long in re- turning, particularly as Kyrle became convinced — she had not wiliingly or wittingly sinned against m, But this is a story in itself, too long to relate here. Enough that the truth of that pretended forgery came out, through the tool which Arvhur Ovelman had made use of, and with his name cleared, with a loving wife and steadily growing business in the same place from whence he had fled a condemned felon, Kyrle Dando is as happy as though his life had always flowed smoothly and peacefully. —— -_ Dan Brown of Denver is still in harness, thouch he follows his perilous profession through choice. not necessity. Nor’ West Nick still flourishes, though he does little in the thief-catching line at present, preferring to develop the wonderful] resources of the *‘ Jealous Girl,”? which he secured on easy terms from Dan Brown, and at this writing heis a power in the land —of Rocky Bar. Captain Slyboots was brought to trial, end with the ee proof against him—for Tim Top- lift was admitted as evidence against him, as well as the woinan, Belle—the result was certain from the outset. He died as he had lived, cool and iron- nerved, game to the last. As for the part which he had played in. conjunc- tion with Dave Nichols, when Arthur Ovelman had that unpleasant experience in the old cellar, Nor’ West Nick frankly confessed to Kyrle Dando, as ‘prospective heir’’ to the speculator's worldly goods, that he had “done evil for good's sake.”’ He was confident that Dave Nichols was connected in some manner with the gang of C: ptain Slyboots, and in hopes of getting a hold on him, through which he could coax or frighten the truth out of him, he concocted the plot which was so audacious- ly carried out’ By Dando’s advice, Marjean never knew what her unfortunate parent had undergone at their hands, and the money which Nor’ West Nick returned was consideied a part of the plunder which St. Clair Guthrie obtained by his cold-blooded assassination. THE END. RS Beadle’s Dime Library. 283 SLEEK Sam. By Jos. FE. Badger, Jr. .... ... 10¢ 284 Tue THREE FRIGATES. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 10c 285 LIGHTNING Bott. By Capt. Mark Wilton.. . 10c 286 Pisro. Jonnny: or, One Man in a Thousand. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. vy PE A oe 10¢ 287 Danpy Dave. By Buckskin Sam..... «.». 106 288 Exvecrro Pere,the Man of Fire. By A. Morris. 10c 289 Fiusm Frep’s Fut, Hann. By E. Willett..... 10¢ 290 Tue Lost Corv tre. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 10c 291 HorsesHor Hank. By Capt. Mark Wilton.. 10¢ 292 Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. By Jos. Beer df: fo. ce: rR oe Be 293 STAMPEDE Steve. By Buckskin Sam.... .... 10¢ 294 BroapcLoTH Burr. By Capt. H. Holmes.... 10¢ 295 Otp Cross-Eyr. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 10c 2°6 DUNCAN, THE Sea-DIvER. G. St. George.. 10c 297 CoLORADO Ruse. By Wm. H. Manning..... .. 10¢ 298 Loacer Lem. By Edward Willett... ...... 10¢ 209 THREE OF A Kinp. By PhilipS. Warne...... 10c 300 A Sport in SpecTACLES. By W. R. Eyster...10c 301 Bow.LpErR Britt. By Buckskin Sam... ....... 16¢ 802 Faro Savi. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.... . 10¢ 303 Top-Notcn Tom. By Capt. F. Wlittaker ... 10c 304 Texas JACK, THE PRAIRIE RatTLeER. By Hon. Wm. F. Cody—“ Buffalo Bill”..... .. °°... .. 10¢ 305 SinveR-PLATED Sot. By Capt. Mark Wilton 10c 306 Tae Roveus or Ricumonp. By A. P. Morris. 10¢ 807 THe PHANTOM PrrRATeE. By Col. P. Ingraham. 10c 808 Hemiock Hank. By Edward Willett........ 10¢ 309 RAYBOLD, THE RaTTLING RanGceR. By Buck- Snitt Gam... ¢ Ses Af. on Se Pe est 10¢ 810 THe MARSHAL OF SATANSTOWN. By Captain Fred. Whittaker...... gach Eevee wee 311 Heavy Hanp. By Capt. Mark Wilton.. .... 10c 812 KrnxFoot Karu, By Morris Redwing. .. .. 10e 318 Magic Mark, Detective. By A. P. Morris.. 10c 314 LAFITTE; oR, THE PIRATE OF THE GuLF. By Prof. J. H. Ingraham...... aisespivale Fae 315 Fivusu FrRep’s Dovsie. By Ed. Will tt.. .. 10e 816 Larirre’s LizuTENANT. By Prof. Ingraham. 10c 317 Frank Lieutroor, By Jos. E. Badger....... 10¢e 318 Tae INDIAN Buccaneer. By Col. Ingraham.. 10¢ 319 WaLp Brit. By Buffalo Bill. .... 10e $20 THe GENTEEL SporTTerR. Ky A. W. Aiken.... 10c 821 CaLIForNIA CLaupE. By t. H. Holmes.. 10¢ 822 THe Crimson Coyotes. By Buckskin Sam . 10c 223 Horspur Hveuw. By Capt. Mark@Vilton . 10¢ 824 OLD ForKED Licutnina. By J. FE. Badger. Jr. 10¢ 825 Toe GENTLEMAN Prrate. By Col. Iggraham. 10¢ 826 Toe Wairest MAN IN THE Mines. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker .. ky DA. 827 Terrapin Dick. By Edward Willett... ... 10¢ $28 Kine Kent. By BuckskinSam .... ... . 10e 829 Toe Leaaue oF THREE. By Col. Ingraham.. 10c 830 Cop Cour. By Charles Morris..... .. .. 10¢ 331 CuispaA CuHarLey. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 10¢ 832 Sprinc-Heev Jack. By Col. T. H. Monstery. 10c 333 DerrincerR Deck. By Wm. R. Eyster. ..... 10¢ 834 Tue CrpaeR DETECTIVE, “3 3 A. P. Morris.,.. 10c 885 Fiass Dan, the Nabob. By Capt H. Holmes. 10c 8386 THe Maaic Sure By Col. P. Ingraham..... 10e 837 O_n GABe.the Mountain Tramp. By E. Willett, 10c 838 Jack SANDS, Sport, By Philip S. Warne 10¢ 8839 SpreaD EaGitr Sam, the Hercules Hide- Hunter. - y Joseph E, Badger, Jr. : 340 CooL ConraD, the Dakota Detective, By Capt. H, Holmes. .... OPER 8 hee, Ai 341 Tue Sea Desperapo. By Col. P. Ingraham. 10¢ 842 Buanc) Bru, the Mustang Monarch, By Pramas GO. wack ede Ae 343 THe Heap Hunrrer. By A. P. Morris........ 344 DovusLe SHor Dave or THE Lerr Hann. By Wm. R. Eyster.. | So) bee ne . 10c 3845 MASKED Mark, the Mountain Detective. By J08. Hi, Badger, Jr... oie Cae .. 10¢ 346 OcEAN GuERRILLAS. By Col. P. Ingraham . 10c 347 CeNTIPEDE Sam, the Death Spider of Texas, By Capt. Howard Holmes...._.-..-. .. 10¢ 348 Dan Ditton, King of Crosseut. By E. Willett. 10c 849 Lion-HEARTED Dick, the Gentleman Road- Agevt. By Albert W. Aiken, 3+ »2 +. 10¢ 850 Fi'sH Fatcon, the Society Detective. By Weldon J. Cobb.... 351 Nor’ West Nick, the J, E. Badger, Jr.. .--. , tts 852 Ture DespeRATE Dozen. By Cap. H. Holmes, 10c 853 Bars Brennan, the Train-Wrecker. By Jobn CR l cue abn etensees ob) 3 ‘ptae 1Ne 854 Rep Ricnarp. By Albert W, Aiken.......... 10¢ A new issue every Wednesday. Bseadle’s Dime Library is for sale vy all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by lon receipt of twelve cents each. EADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William street, New York. (ECOL Ebooks coms ke tt a > _ Pie te pe a —— ~- te | = — — Se eS eo - q * a = + ° e a om :; om iad . ~ Sl eal 4 = : | 7