Beadle's Dime Library, No. 406 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Jaa P F ~ <9 , ais ; © .) es ’ . e 4 ¢ + es’ - > =f | i Y aycey Old Pop Hicks, Showman. 9 —— _———— —— Jim grinned. | Pop hesitated. He had all ashowman’sgener- | lar fool of a show. Manager don’t know his ‘Tf [ didn’t you’d see fun some time when the | osity to a man in distress, own mind, and takes in a crooked guy, looks hosses come too near him.” ‘*Say, Bownsse,” he began, ‘‘ you must have | like a sharp, torun the machine. J don’t care. | lost a heap of money—” ‘You bet I have, but that needn’t worry you,” was the reply. They’ve got to pay me, Saturdays, or | know the reason why. I don’t go begging for engage- ments like some folks.” ‘‘ You mean he dislikes them?” ‘‘ He jest hates ’em.” ‘Then, if he happened to get loose while the Jim nodded gravely. *¢ Liveliest kind of trouble.” Would he hurt you ?” . Jim looked at him scornfully. ‘Hurt me! Why, dod rot his ugly old kar- | kidge, he dassn’t so much as give me @ cross look. No, that I will say for elephants, wlien + you've got ’em down, they stay down. Many’s the time I’ve come in, drunker’n a b’iled owl, and gone to sleep atween his feet. He wouldn’t let a army tech me. Lordy, gents, I remem- ber—” us, fighting each other, but you’ve got some fea- tures Pd jest as soon take off your hands, and combine the shows.” Bownsse grinned. ‘* And what would become of the rest? No, Pop. Each man to his own row. I ain’t bank- rupt yet. ye know. Maybe we'll see each other again. Good-by.” The rival showman drove off, and Pop went _ to bunt up Moone, to whom he said in his quick | way: ‘** Heard the news, hey? Heard it?” > performance was going on there might be trou- ‘** No; but L was thinking that we might make **'W ho’s the guy?” asked Moone, quietly. ~ ble.” _adeal, George. There ain’t enough for two of ‘* Blanked if I know. Call him Stone. But I say, Moone, about that story. I’ve gota splendid idea for you—” Moone cut him off. ‘*Keep it for the winter. Don’t talk of it. Ideas are money, general, Don’t breathe a “ word. Don’t you know story-writers are regu- lar thieves? Not a conscience among ten, to go round oneman. Are all your people here?” ypt nodded. ** All but Charley Noble.” ‘* Ah, where’s he?” The giant leaned over him to whisper myste- Here Jim laughe | at the recollection. | ‘Nothing but what I’ve expected,” said | riously: oa * After the muss at Popokus, when I laid out | Moone, tranquilly. ‘‘ Elephant Jim’s gone ona ‘Hush! hush! A lady in the case. Don’t 4 a feller with my drivin’-hook, they sent the | tear.” say I told you. It’s a mash in your show. YY, constables arter me and wanted to ’rest me, | Pop started angrily. Didn’t you see him in the parade t y?” my partner now.” Elephant Jim uttered a deep sigh, but kept his eye on the bills, which Stone kept on count- . ing before him. t last he said slowly; “Give me the money. I'll doit. But I warn you gents of one thing. Get your show out of the way, or yowll be sorry.” | tone laughed as he handed him the money. It’s a bargain. Pop Hicks has had his last show this season.” CHAPTER X. AN UNEXPECTED MOVE. WueEn Pop Hicks came back from tea that evening to prepare for the night show, he was fe foome and delighted beyond measure to see that his rival had taken down hissigns, and that et of the other show were packing up to epart, r. Bownsse, in his road-cart, was driving _ here and there, scolding and swearing in his -. usual style, the big tent was down, and the - wagons were loading up to go. e old showman at first was too much astounded to speak. He could hardly believe _hiseyes. Such an open confession of defeat was like oil to his troubled spirit. He did not go near his rival; for he was a - Man se yesice and did not want to irritate any one needlessly. But Bownsse saw him, drove over to him and : held out his hand frankly. ee Pop,” he said, with an affectation of resignat on. ‘* I know when Ive had enough and you’re too many guns for me. The world’s wide enough for both of us, isn’t it?” Pop instantly grasped the proffered hand. ‘‘ No malice between us, rge, I hope,” he said. ‘* Business is business, and you’ve given me the liveliest wrastle I ever had,” But, as you say, what’s the use of two men losing money? It’s my old route, and I couldn’t let a new man drive me off, could i?” ~ Bownsse pretended to be cordial. Saabs No, no don’t blame you a bit, Pop,” he gaid. ‘I'd have done the same if I could.’ Pm ‘* If there is, it’s your business to find it out. What do I pay you for?” _* You're quite right, sir,” calmly replied the little agent; ‘‘ and that’s just what I’m going to do. ill you lend me the cart?” ‘‘Certainly. Find out all you can. If there's any trick in it, Pll make it hot for Onion George, you bet your boots.” ‘*Onion George” was a name given to Mr. Bownsse in the profession, on occount of his great fondness for the succulent and aromatic bulb which forms a leading ingredient in Spanish cookery. He was called ‘‘Onion George” just as Jim Perkins was as often called ** Whisky Jim” as ‘‘ Elephant Jim.” Pop Hicks went off to his show, while little Moone took his cart and drove off on another road to intercept the Bownsse show, where he was well known and rather liked than other- wise by several individuals with whom he had traveled the previous season, Bownsse was not with the column, or Moone would not have gone near it; kut people in rival show establishments are very good friends _ each other, when the manager is not in sight. Moone pretty soon came across General Egypt, the Giant, who rode in a wagon, wrapped up in a fur coat, though the night was not cold. General Egypt was a remarkable giant in his way, for he fondly imagined he hai brains, and was very ambitious of becoming an author —in partnership with some one who would do the writing, while he furnished the “ ideas,” as he said. Moone had had a great deal of fun with him in the past season, and as soon as the general saw the little agent he held out his huge paw, saying: ‘* Just the man I wanted to see. How about that story we were to write, Moone? I tell you there’s millions in it, proper! handled.” ‘** I’m working on it,” replied Moone, gravely. “T can’t do much on the road, you know. In the winter we'll be. it out. Dut say, general, where are you going?” . Kinz Philip was there, and he jest made one “On a tear? It’s too bad. He swore he’d ‘*No. What did he do?” S rush and screech at’em, You'd orter seen ’em_ keep straight till the season was over, It’s too This was a lie; but Moone made a practice of Se put. Ha! ha!” _ bad. Consarn his skin! Are you sure of it?’ lying in his business, if he could gain a point on i | Stone listened to him quietly till he had fin- | ‘‘Saw him come out of the Porter House and | it. ve: | ished, when he asked him: _he’s got his war-paint on. We’re going to have The general laid his finger on his nose. . a ‘‘Then if he got loose you’d have no fear for | trouble, Mr. Hicks,” ‘Don’t say I said it. He was mashing on ae yourself?” Pop stam his foot. your leading lady. He’s gone—dead gone—it’s ‘*No, sir. But I'd pity the next man that got ‘“*1t’s too bad, too bad. And just as we had | a joke on him.” BA. _ in the way.” run Bownsse out of town, too. It’s enough to ‘*Is shea joke, too?” asked Moone. tad Stone leaned over toward him. make a saint swear.” ** No, no, bless you, no. Perfect lady, for all hae ‘‘How much would it be worth to let him Moone remained placid. He never showed | I know—” ‘Da have his own way to-night for a little?’ he ask- | surprise a‘ anything. “You may be sure of that,” interrupted te ed, slowly. “ Has Bownsse given up?’ he asked, ‘‘I | Moone, very dryly. = Elephant Jim started and looked at him fixed- | didn’t think he would, so soon.” ‘Of course, of course. And no one in the td _ ly, with a deep frown. ‘* But he has, he has, He’s moving out now, | show says a word to his face either. He’s a 1% ‘Why, carn your skin,” he growled. ‘You | and told me he was going to switch off at the | hard case, you know. Gad, I wouldn’t like to . ee don’t know what that means. He'd knock next town.” get into a muss with him myself, unless I had a ole things flying. They’d havea panic. Itcan’tbe | ‘* When did he tell you?” good hold of him to start with. He’s like his Es done.” * Just now.” own tigers in quickness, and kicks like a stud- ay Stone never wavered, while Bownsse looked Moone shrugged his shoulders, horse.’ ae on curiously. ** Then it’s lucky Perkins took his freak when ‘* And he’s stayed behind?’ asked Moone. ot ‘* How much is it worth?” asked the gambler, | it will do least harm,” he said. “Yes. That is, he didn’t come with his cages jes steadily. ‘* Would you get drunk to-night, for Pop snatched at the grain of comfort with | and left word he’d meet us next town. I | instance, for a hundred dollars, and take his | eagerness. wouldn’t wonder if you found him round your een chains off?” So it is, soitis. We'll have to do without | show to-night. But say, Moone, about that ar Elephant Jim, for the first time in the inter- King Philip to-night. We'll have all the guys! story. It ought to be worth a good dcal, han- my view, looked uneasily at the superior villain, an- | that’s left, anyhow.” dled right.” - —swering: Moone seemed to be unusually thoughful at Moone escaped from him by saying: "a ‘**No, nor for five. I don’t—want—to do—no | the news, for he repeated: ‘*T think itis. In fact, 1’m going to write to wa —such thing.” “So Onion George has caved in, has he? | some publishers, to-morrow, asking for the best * ig ‘Til hand you a thousand and sign your en- | That’s queer, very queer. Mr. Hicks, do you | terms. Ill let you know. Good-by. Sce you ° ‘gagement for next season at the terms you | know I think there’s a trick in it?” later.” eal mentioned, if you'll do, it to-night,” answered ‘* A trick? How can there? The man’s gone. Then he drove back to town, having found — Stone; and as he spoke he dived into his breast- | I saw him.” out what he wanted to know. “ Px pocket and brought out a big roll of bills. ‘* But he’ll come up, next place.” The cause of the move was a secretin the = ‘*Come, I’ve no time to wait. es or no?” “T expect that. He'll try to show a day | Bownsse show, and Noble must be the cnly Elephant Jim looked at the money and his | ahead of me, all the way. But what of that? | person who knew it, if indeed he did. a WP eyes glittered, but he still hesitated. We can skip a day, and head him off. i wasn’t The little agent drove back to town im a very aa ‘** And s’pose our show breaks up, what then? | born yesterday.” thoughtful mood. Hecould not yet quite um- ~~ I ain’t goin’ to get left, ye know.” Still Moone seemed unconvinced. derstand what was gcing on, but he suspected as ‘* You shall come into my show at once,” put ‘*T tell you there’s crooked work jin it all, Mr. | the worst, it being his habit to suspect every ae in Bownsse. “I'll be glad to get you at your | Hicks. You'll see it.” one in business, a own terms. I back all Mr. Stone says. He’s Pop looked vexed as he retorted: He arrived at the show just as the dcors a were opened for the evening, and scanned the people as they went in very carefully, after — having put up his horse. He was looking for the dudes of his fears, and half expected to see them. ’ Instead of that he saw a crowd of eager’ © ess country people, anxious to getfront seats, and = keeping the ticket-man busy taking inmoney, till the rush ended. Moone felt that thrill of virtuous pleasure which comes of gocd business, as he watched the steady stream of silver dropping in, and v was not surprised to hear old Pop’s voice be- side him, saying: | ‘*Got ’em this time; hey, Moone, hey?” ah ‘* Yes, sir,” responded Moone, soberly. “Is | Jim Perkins inside, yet?” r =e shook his head, and drew him back to w r: “Don't ‘mention it before them; but King Philip’s as ugly as sin to-night. Thank gocd- ness he’s well chained; but I’m afraid we’llhave — to give him a good lesson after the show’s over , _ He can’t go on; that’s certain. We'll put it all on Jim being sick, BY gum, it’s true: Even as he spoke, they heard a great noise of | trampling in the stables,and the angry scream of the elephant. tr. ae Hicks looked around nena oo ‘* Hope it won’s scare the guys,” he said. Se Ov the contrary, the noise of thescreaming attracted a crowd, and they began topileinto | the show faster than ever, sothat Mocnecb- served: ae ‘Let him holler. He’s safely tied, isn’the{” = ‘“*Oh, yes, for the matter of that we've got. him all crippled so he can’t move; buthe makes | such a noise he scares the horses. Isay, Mcone, sup you huntup Jim and get him tocome ae. and sleep with the King. It’s the only thirg ye that quiets the brute in one of his tantrums,” Ps. Moone was about to answer, when they heerd = a wild, drunken howl near the tent, and saw “J the redoubtable Elephant Jim himself approach- | ing them, waving his hatin theair,and scream- | ing at the top of his voice: ea. ‘I’m Jim Perkins, the Elephant Emperor, = | emma I rN ~ a ——— 5 meee CS | g to switch off at the next town, You're | General Egypt chuckled. and I kin whip any manthatever wore hair 200” i too many guns for me, and I’m off.” ‘* Don’t know and don’t care. This is aregu- his head. Whoop!” - “5% JOO q L ; - “4 ‘et “ek : <7 i . i @ : ee a a | ~ & ° : . fevers , 4 - 4 — es te et ; - 4 ad ~ ‘ . T' ‘ G S com com ey Lo