Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 375 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

- a ia Z ‘ bp trying. 4 4 . x Alo >i 2 the wrong side. and shot with a perfect looseness; and when the town was in process of being painted red the preliminaries generally began there or thereabouts. There were several reasons why Gentle Joe should make his re-enter there; but it was an odd place fur Mr. Cathcart to come strolling into with his most innocent air; though it was hard to say whether he was surprised or not when a hand clapped him on the shoulder; and looking around he saw Lipscombe. ‘* See here, old man, I reckon you're pretty square, and so lll give you a word of warn- ing. This isno place for you; and the best thing you can do is to go back to Andy’s, and stay there till you get ready to leave the town. It looks as though there will bea heap of killing before they get though; and as you're a stranger, as like as not they will begin with you.”’ ‘Thank you, whether that is a warning or a threat; after the specimen of the love the town bears you, as shown by the row last night, I should suppose it would be your own precious health you would be looking after. Or have you made it square with the ruffians of the camp?” ‘‘T don’t ‘square’ things with anybody; but paddle my own canoe and risk the breakers, I just got in, and from the way the boys are squinting I wouldn't be sur- prised if there would be a circus by and by, but that’s my lookout. They may carry on the joke or they may let it drop; but either way won't help youany. You may be tread- ing on toes that you haven’t seen ve If you are—look out for anawful squall. You may only be getting it in fer Gentle Joe—if so, and you don’t take warning, you'll be apt to fecl something drop. And don’t gamble on one thing. As between you and me, and fare affairs and my affairs, the town won't elp you worth a cent.” ‘‘Perhaps, as far as the camp goes you may be correct—the social code here, or what passes for such, is about as lax as any one could well imagine—but there is a man known by the name of Singular Sam, who has a specia) interest in the young lady named Stanley, who, I believe is his niece. Whatever the town may feel disposed to do, he vill be apt to press an investigation to its utmost; and call any and every one engaged in the outrage of her abduction to a strict ac. count.” “ Ain’t you a little previous? It is not at all certain that there has been any outrage. Pray remember that you are in Blazer’s Bar, where things are run, as you allow, on a dif- ferent schedule from the eastern ones with which you are acquainted. Of course it is of no earthly interest to me what view you take of the thing, but as an apparent friend of Mrs. Ormsby’s it looks like the correct thing to give you a word of warning.” “Then you admit that there may be some truth in the statements you so utterly denied last night? It looks more and more as though my suspicions were correct. And yet, outside of personal feeling, I cannot see that you have any interest in her removal. In fact, I should think it would be the other way, unless you have some intelligence that we are unaware of,”’ Gentle Joe gave a light laugh. ‘So you're willing to feel for me in spite of what you think Yam. That’s business; but I guess you and I can’t hitch teams. When we doit will be on some other racket than this. You go talk it up first with Sin- gular Sam, and see what he says. He’s the man for your pard. I couldn’t come in without injuring my reputation.” “ Ah, you begin to see that 1 have an in- terest that may be in line with that of Singu- lar Sam? Ahem! Well, of the two I think 1 would prefer your assistance. It’s a toss ap, of course; but when it comes to honesty oF parpose you have rather the better eye. What do you say? Isit toolate to arrange for a campaign together?” ‘*You don’t spread the butter on ver thick, and I guess you’re not more than half Anyway, you and I can’t be pards; but I don’t want you to get in the way so that I'll have to set you out. You may be honest enough, but you’re bound to be on That's more of a warning than I generally give; but you're a stranger here, and I want to do the square thing. If : you're wise you won’t crowd me after that.” . z Ps Se My e “~\s- . 4 Ay ’ oS ttl la = ‘But if you would listen it might be for the interest of everybody concerned. I don’t | think a man of your caliber cares to live in this country a day longer than he has to, and we might come to some sort of a compro- | There's money enough in it for all | mise. hands, even if you’re not the original Jacobs, as I half believe you are.”’ ‘‘There’s where you're fooled, as well as Mrs. Ormsby. and may do you a heap of harm. But you stay out, anyhow, till the lady gets back. Maybe she’ll have a point; and any- way it will save a heap of trouble. O long.” ‘“A moment, if you please. I believe I said nothing about Mrs. Ormsby’s absence, If you know of it, you may know more. Last night there were loud threats on ac- count of Bess Stanley; add another item of the same sort, and the Bar might rise at you | in earnest. You had better make terms while you can,” ‘‘Thanks; but you can’t peddle goods un- less you’ve got something to sell; and as for the Bar—let her rise. There’s Mart Ham- mers now. I judge he’s heard I’m back, and wants to get in his work while he can do it on the square. If you think the fun is going to pay for the pleasure, wait and see it out. I think I can promise that the first stray bul- let will come your way.” ‘*Do you mean that you—” ‘Oh, no,” laughed Joe, with a shake of his handsome head. ‘‘ I don’t have any stray bullets: I don’t shoot often; but when I do, they go for good and keep. whether I live or die, and so the chances are rather in my favor; but you want to live, | and that makes it sure that you will be gathered in. Now, clear out. after my warning, down you go.” The last few words were spoken in a more resolute tone of voice than he had yet used, I don’t care | If you chip | Royal George, the Three in One. | try ter fight the Bar. from Jumptown. It was a sight to see him pull.” ‘‘T guess you've got me foul,” rumbled Dave Dukely, who was not notorious for the amount of sand he showed when held at a disadvantage, ‘‘ but after ther way yer tcok water las’ night we know yer ain't goin’ ter Better draw in yer ' horns ’afore it’s too late.” I can’t do you any good; | and then Joe turned in time to face Mart | Hammers, who was slowly sidling toward | him, with three or four men at his back. ‘* What is it, Mart? Just note my hands are in my pockets, though I don’t want to shoot unless I have to. Judge Lynch don't generally hold office for more than twenty- four hours, and if you're after me about the little racket at the Golden Lamb last night, you'd better let it blow over anyhow. It wasn’t much of a breeze after all.” ‘‘Don't be quick on the trigger, Joe; I ain’t after you fur nothin’, ’cept yer own good. You got it purty straight then, an’ we tho’t yer hed took ther warnin’ an’ cl’ared out. It wa’n't a wise thing, an’ it wa’n’t a safe thing fur you ter kim back, They gin- rally hang a man right up on sight when he goes ag’in’ ther town, an’ treats Jedge Lynch with contempt. Not ter say that J think that way; but I tho’t if I could speak to yer quict like, mebbe you’d keer ter save yer neck, an’ ther camp a heap ov trouble, by quietly goin’ out ag’in, an’ stayin’ out.” ‘*See here, Mart, they're putting you up for a figure-head hecause they know I like you, and think I won’t shout; but like or no like, if you crowd, down you go.” “Jest what I heard yer a-tellin’ ov ther other man. But, Joe, 1 can’t help it, an’ I can’t help you any ef yer don’t take my ad- vice an’ git, an’ git quick. Ef they once be- gin talkin’ Bess Stanley ag’in yer, salt wont save yer; though I ain’t never b'lieved yer war no sich man ez that. What’s it goin’ ter be?” ‘“You can bet I’m here to stay, and the rest you can fix to suit yourself.” ‘That ain’t no kind ov talk,”’ growled one of the men who had come with Hammers. ‘‘Jest snatch him bald-headed, an’ we'll kerry out ther coffin.” ‘Don’t, Dave; you make me tired. “You want to live, don’t you, and I have observed that men who talk that way generally die a violent death, not long after.” ‘“What kin you do ag’in’ six, with ther hull town anask ov us? Hands up, Joe, an’ no nonsense.” ‘*Thanks for the warning. Don't try to draw that weapon, Dave; here’s all the big trumps in my hands, and no show for you to take a trick. Hold on,.I say, hold on p The hands of the men were all on their revolvers, so that they had but to draw and cock them. At the warning they knew enough to wait, for at the same instant up came the terrible revolvers of the little man oe : ‘ z * * 4 «7. me ae 8 = ‘ ' Li F-. oS, Nees * pete Poa r? 4 : “ nae stip BIC sept RY Pena es ee » o” >* Se ‘‘Ha, ha! So Gentle Joe took water, did he? Don’t gamble too much on what he did then until you know the reason wby. I’ve been around these regions for scme time, and no man can say he ever heaid of my breaking my word, or missing my aim when I was in earnest. J’m in earnest now. If you fellows want a circus, say the word. The first move and I’Jl cut loose for al] I’m worth, and if any man gets a shot in before I have three or four barrels empty I’m will- ing to go up the flume. Sabbe?” . The laugh went out of his tones as he spoke, and there was a steely glint in his eyes that showed he was in deadly earnest. And when Gentle Joe was in earnest there was no discount on his industry. Dave Dukely knew that he would be elected sure; and the rest of the little crowd at Mart Ham- mers’s back had pretty strong suspicions, The rest, as yet, had not made it their con- cern. Mart was the coolest and the coldest; per- haps because he was the nearest approach to an honest man there. ‘* Look hyar, Joe, it’s not me that’s speak- in’, but the town behind me. Ef they say git, bein’ ez how I’ve took on me ter run things, how kin I belp sayin’ go? Tharmay be wuss men right down hyar in Blazer’s, but they ain't ‘afore the court. We're tryin’ ter let ver down easy, an’ | hope yer don't s’pose it’s a pers’nal matter a’twixt me an’ you.” ‘*Not between you and me, Mart. You're just old honesty, and nothing shorter. But about the time I got started on the road to Jumptown, some of these fellows that have been scooping the pilgrims would take a sit- ting shot at me, without leaving a chance to hit back. I don’t want to bluff you, Mart, because you won't bluff worth a cent, and my old hold would be a snap-shot, plumb center; but there’s a little infernal bad com- pany behind you, and if you'll just pull out a bit, you'll have a chance to see them kick if they crowd me.” It was wonderful how he kept the half- dozen covered as he spoke. Mart Hammers and his men were bunched together by them- selves, but they made a reasonably large sae for one man to handle, and they all bad. ‘* Ye’r’ onreasonable, Joe. Ther hull camp is ag’in’ yer—” ‘‘Don't fool yourself, Mart. You're only talking for a section of it that’s putting you up to rake their chestnuts. Go ’round and count noses again. Take a square vote, and then come and tell me Blazer's has gone back on me, and we'll start fresh. Right here’s a smart sprinkling of voters, but they don’t seem anxious to speak up; and | guess you'll find it that way all over town.” ‘*Mebbe ye’r’ right,”’ responded Hammers, in a moderate tone, as he looked around him. ‘‘They did seem very sot on it down-street, but they don’t pear ter be so anxious hyer. Ef I thort it war so, I’d give of ther doubt till I could see furder.” ‘Oh, I’m not begging off, and I’m not running away. You can't miss anything but a coffin by giving me a square shake, and when you come back you'll find just as good a business-opening as ever. Take it or leave it, and talk quick. You’re in the higgest mistake you ever saw, and I wani to get you out of it.” ‘*Blamed ef I don’t do it, Joe; but ef ther town rises at yer, that’s another show, an’ yer must look out fur yerself.” “That’s all right, Mart; I’m easy now. Does any other part of the town that is here want to rise? because if she does, it’s just too lovely a chance fer anything.” Joe’s words fell clear and quick, and he stepped toward Dave Dukely and the pards that backed him, as though he would only be too willing to fight the gang. ‘‘ Not ter-night, Joe, but some other night. Dave Dukely ain’t burnin’ his fingers me now, when your gang are holdin’ ther jun- gie.” ys - F yi L \ sa | (ee) — ¢ er ther benefit : ———— a ~~ ee way = & & * oa