Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 438 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

or 20 ae ae Ce ee ————— —=- when the guide stepped forth, followed by his two aids, who led in that curiously vailed figure. As Boomer Balt uttered that stage whisper, he nodded to the enping soldiers, one of whom -dropped a heavy hand on the head of the blan- keted shape, forcing it to bow. “%Scuse my pard, ladies an’ gents,” blandl bowed Boomer Balt. ‘‘ He feels kinder bashful, jest at fu’st. That’s why we hed to kiver his lushin’ face with a blanket, Never knowed but one bushfuller an’ modester gent in all my life; would tell ye his name, ef it wasn’t ag’in’ the rules 0’ pot breedin’ fer a man to sing his own praises in meetin’—ahem ! ** Ladies an’ gents! The subjeck which I per- fer to show up this evenin’ is one that ll interest the hull kit-an’-b’ilin’ of ye! like to call it a lectur’, I ain’t objectin’, an’ would meekly hint that a title somethin’ like ‘The Nat’ral Cussedness o’—’ But that won't work, nuther! They ain’t nothin’ human ‘bout my subjeck ’cept his shape.” " Call it a surprise-party, and let her went!” cried Dick McBride. ‘“* By any uther name he'll smell jest as sweet, so let it go at what the good gent so kindly sug- gests,” bowed Boomer Balt, then clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders like one ** get- ting down to business.” “Once upon a time they was a young feller who struck a streak 0’ mighty bad luck. We won’t call no names, fer they’s them in hearin’ who mought feel hurt ef we did. ‘Nough to say that this young gent was ’cused of murderin’ another feller. after a night 0’ gamblin’ an’ drinkin’ in comp’ny. They was tol’able hefty proof fetched ag’inst him when he hed his ‘limi- nary *zamination—so hefty it seemed that he was held fer furder trial. ebbe I ain’t dead- open-an’-shet on my legal tarms, but I hope the orjience ‘ll ’scuse me, ‘long of a powerful sore throat!” Henry Hornkohl smiled faintly as he recog- nized that old change of voice, then cast a swift covert glance around at the pale, startled face of Otelia Wright. She was gazing intently at the speaker, her red lips parted, her breath coming fast and short. “Waal, to make a long story short, that young feller manidged to git out o’ the jug, an’ run clean away afore the law could hang him, es more’n one counted on it todo. An’ why did he run away? Beca’se he knowed that he never killed George Humphrey. Beca’se he knowed that ef he was to stay an’ stretch hemp fer what he never done, he’d stan’ a ’mighty poor show o’ ever bein’ able fer to show who did do the killin’. An’ right thar’s whar I think the lad’s head was ‘mighty level! ‘Ef Maurice North didn’t kill George Hum- phrey, who did ? Pard;” and Boomer Balt turned to the blanketed figure, ‘‘ kin you tell us?” One of the soldiers forced the covered head to ‘bow assent. ‘*Pard, was it you did the killin’?” Again that enforced bow, ‘*So much settled, ladies an’ gents,” cheerfully added Boomer Balt, with a gratificd grin as he again faced his startled, wondering audience. That's the fu’st chapter; now fer the second.” A wave of his hand, and the soldiers took their charge back behind the blanket, returning with Jerry Viggles and Jack Howgood in charge. Both were bound, and between each pair of jaws were inserted stout gags. Each rascal looked frightened nearly into fits, and had to be supported by their guards. ‘*More nat’ral cussedness, ladies an’ gents,” bowed Boomer Balt, his rosy countenance ex- pressive of intense disgust as he slowly surveyed the two prisoners, ‘‘ When I git more time, Pll it down on the two knees o’ me an’ chaw dirt er ’sultin’ of ye with sech comp’ny; but jest now— ’Tention, critters!” The prisoners started, shivering with terror, but managing to keep their eyes fixed on the face of the Wwhite-haired lecturer. “Jerry Viggles, an’ you, Jack How-mighty- bad, wasn’t you the two tramps that swore to the killin’ of George Humphrey?” The prisoners nodded assent. **'Wasn’t you hired to tell that story? Wasn’t you paid to stick George Humphrey? Didn’t you do it? Didn’t you kill him with the knife your K ad pe give you?” And to each question asked, the trembling rascals nodded assent. A motion, and the prisoners were taken behind the blanket. Back the soldiers came, leading the blanketed figure. And closely following them came Molly Feathertop with her twins. The voice of Boomer Balt was softer, more natural as he spoke: ‘* Molly, I hate to do it, but jestice demands that I ax you, afore these ladies an’ gents: do you know who that critter is?” “My busband,” coldly responded the Indian ‘woman. “You ain’t makin’ no mistake? You've tuck a good, squar’ look under that kiverin’? Ef you ‘was axed, Molly, you’d take oath that you was regularly married to that man?” “*T will swear to all,” was the deliberate re- sponse. ‘* He came and said he loved me. I was only an Indian girl, but my people were rich; Ef you | Oklahoma Nick. eee - se me ow ee ee ee — ee te ee they sent me to the white man’sschool. There I learned too much not to be sure that the mar- riage was legal. I married that man. A preach- | er of the gospel performed the ceremony. He lived with me, claiming all the rights of one of our tribe, until our children were born. Then— | he robbed me and run away,” ‘From the twins too, mind ye, ladies an’ gents!” added Boomer Balt in ‘a solemn tone, shaking his head He! hor as he gazed won- deringly at that blanketed figure. ‘‘ An’ sech twins! Look at ’em, an’—” But Molly Feathertop caught them up and beat a hasty retreat. Boomer Balt stepped forward and swiftly lift- ed the covering from the prisoner. And there stood revealed Nicholas Van Bibber. Pale, wild-eyed, but defiant. Defeated at all points, yet refusing to quail. In only one thing did he show feeling: he never once permitted his gaze to wander to where Otelia Wright st, tremblingly clasped by the one sound arm of the young giant. Boomer Balt cut the thongs that kept the gag in place, then stepped back, cold and grave, his voice hard and stern as he spoke: ‘* You have heard all, Nicholas Van Bibber. Dare you deny aught that has been told here this evening?” Oklahoma Nick laughed harshly, then replied: ‘It’s truth, as far as you’ve gone, Maurice North, but—” A faint, gasping cry came from the rear of the cavern, and Otelia Wright sprung erect, her arms outstretched. And Boomer Balt only took one leap to cross the intervening space. The night was far spent, yet not one of all the yarty even gave a thought to the lateness of the 10ur, or of sleep. There was so much to tell, so much to listen to in return! Oklahoma Nick, when he found that Jerry Viggles and Jack Howgood had betrayed him, in hopes of lessening their own punishment, knowing that he had forever lost the maiden whom he loved so insanely, made a reckless con- fession in which many an otherwise puzzling point was cleared away. He had planned the death of George Humphrey and hired the two desperadoes to carry out his foul plot. Even then he was in love with Otelia Wright, though he went away when she reject- ed his suit, some little time after the escape of aris North, which she and Perry had effect- ed. Drifting into the Indian Nation, Van Bibber saw that a fortune might easily be made by an unscrupulous man, and to guard himself against ejectment, be courted and won Molly Feather- top, daugater of a Cherokee chief. But the old mad love haunted him, and he made poor Molly but an indifferent husband. It was during one of his occasional trips to civilization that he met Henry Hornkohl, and was startled by bein asked about Evander Wright. He had hear some idle chat concerning ‘‘ Uncle Oney,” and suspecting something of the truth, he drugged the detective, robbing him of his papers, then killing him, as he believed. Learning of the vast fortune left the Wright family, he resolved to gain at least a portion of ic, and at once set out for the place. He found Evander Wright dissatisfied, and already inter- ested in the then famous Oklahoma region. This gave hima clew, and ing. Otelia treated him eoldly, he persisted until Evander Wright sold out, and with him as guide, started on that eventful trip. Oklahoma Nick felt that the old people were on his side, and so he resolved to spare their lives if he could win Otelia by fair means. Per- ry he doomed, both because he felt the youth disliked him, and would uphold Otelia in ler re- fusal of his suit, and because he would be a sharer in that coveted fortune. It was with a double plan in view that Okla- homa Nick set Jerry Viggles and his gang to work. If Perry could be won over to adalat Tito in winning Otelia, he would spare his life. If not, a trap was set to bring about his death. The reader knows how Oklahoma Nick tried to win the young giant over, feeling that with his per suasion, Otelia would soon yield to his love. Failing, he led the youth into the trap. That failed to work quite as smoothly as ex- pected, owing to the mannerin which the young giant leaped upon Grasshopper Boy, dragging the Indian down to death. farce. It was to make sure Perry was dead, rather than through any motives of mercy that led Oklahoma Nick to his side, down the canyon. And when Perry begged the guide to bring ’Telie, a new ho brain. And he ha his intricate plot. tive was part of the scheme, and the firing but a specious blind. 'So, too, was the falling in with the outlaws under Jack Howgood. But Okla- homa Nick had not counted on that, after the wine of Pe sin * leam o tha e, he would have taken her at once to 201 Pirate of the 233 The Old Bo 241 Spitfire Sa , , 249 Elephant Tom, of Durango. | 257 Death Trap Diggings. 283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines. 286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand. flashed across that cunning | stened to carry out the rest of | Of course the encounter with | Jerry Viggles and Jimson Joe with Otelia a cap- | Wright; if he could have won a | hope from the maiden during | — ——— aT the camp where her parents were left, then has- _ tened back to the canyon where Perry lay. But Otelia would not listen to his suit, and his new hope was at once abandoned. What fol- lowed may be readily interpreted by the reader without any further waste of words, Laughingly ‘* Boomer Balt ” explained why he had sought to mystify Henry Hornkohl. He suspected him of having more than one purpose in view; suspected him of hunting for Maurice North, for whom, as an escaped assassin, there was a liberal reward offered. And to cover his own identity, he half hinted that he was none other than the eccentric ‘* Uncle Oney,” come to life for some odd purpose. And, too, he let drop hints that he believed the detective Maurice North himself, as a still further safeguard. Never mind the explanation he gave of his long absence and complete silence after his escape. [Enough that he suspected Nicholas Van Bibber, and kept close on his track, hunting proof to confirm those suspicions, It was during this search that he made the acquaintance of Molly Feathertop and her twins. She had left her people, to live alone in the hills, after the desertion by her husband. Many a night had ‘* Boomer Balt” passed beneath her roof, and hence it was that he thought of going for her when Perry Wright needed good nursing. Molly Feathertop willingly consented to take part in the ‘‘surprise party” when she learned how evilly Oklahoma Nick had ‘plotted. Her love was dead, and she longed for revenge of some sort. Satisfied that ‘‘the boomers” would not re- quire an armed escort out of the Territory, Dick McBride parted from them, with his prisoners, promising to put Jerry Viggles, Jack Howgood and Nicholas Van Bibber where they could readily be found when wanted to answer for their crimes. And, to dispose of them briefly, the two for- mer were convicted of murdermg George Hum- phrey, while Oklahoma Nick went to prison for a good long term, as an accessory. ‘* Boomer Balt” safely piloted the Wright family back across the border, then blossomed out as Maurice North, the husband of Otelia. Henry Hornkohl reported his complete success to his employers, and received a reward far greater than he had expected, even in his most sanguine moments, after the will of Onesipho- rous Wrigh twas probated and all legal formali- ties were complied with. And then, a year Jater, Maurice North and his charming wife, paid a visit to the Cherokee Nation for the express purpose of seeing Molly Feathertop and those remarkable twins. The found the deserted wife once more living wit her people, and quite contented. And what a jolly time *‘ Boomer Balt” and ‘‘ those twins ” did have! THE END. Beadle's Dime Library. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 28 Three-Fingered Jack, the Road-Agent. 30 Gospel George; or, Fiery Fred, the Outlaw. 40 The Long-Haired Pards. 45 Old Bull’s-Eye, the Lightning Shot. 47 Pacific Pete, the Prince of the Revolver. 50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport. 64 Double-Sight, the Death Shot. 67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness. 71 Captain Cool Blade; or, Mississippi Man Shark. 88 Big George; or, The Five Outlaw Brothers. 105 Dan Brown of Denver; or, The Detective. 119 Alabama Joe; or, The Yazoo Man-Hunters. 127 Sol Scott, the Masked Miner. 141 Equinox Tom, the Bul'y of Red Rock. 154 Joaquin, the Saddle King. 165 Joaquin, the Terrible. 170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective. 180 Old *49; or, The Amazon of Arizona, 197 Revolver Rob; or, The Belle of Nugget Camp. Placers: or, Joaquin’s Death Hunt. of Tombstone. , King of the Rustlers. ee ee 292 Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. 302 Faro Saul, the Handsome Hercules. 817 Frank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. 824 Old Forked Lightnin~, the Solitary. 331 Chispa Charley, the Gold Nugget Sport. 339 Spread Eagle Sam, the Hercules Hide Hunter, 345 Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective. | 351 Nor’ West Nick, the Bordér Detcctive. ll but that was a | 355 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete. 360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown. 367 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown’s Big Game. 372 Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record. 379 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters. 387 Dark Durg, the Ishmael of the Hills. 395 Deadly Aim, the Duke of Derringers, 403 The Nameless Sport. 409 Rob Roy Ranch: or, The Imps of Pan Handle. 416 Monte Jim, the Black wags 4 of Bismarck. 426 — — Detective; or, The Spy of the Secret rvice. 433 Laughing Leo; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard. A new issue every Wednes ay, Beadse’s Dime Wibrary is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail om receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PrexisHers. 88 William Street, New York, Gomicbooks.co ~ oe a tin