Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 500 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

a ee SSS S = i ate? Me et ‘a ‘in - a rc as ‘ +t. -~ a el a - oe} AL rhe = a . i teh > ae = on es The True-Heart Pards. _ in his early youth a very important part of the goods and chattels of Major Bilberry’s father. However that may have been, Cudge had never known any other place in life than that of an adjunct, a kind of factotum to the Bilberry family. He was now proving his devotion to them, in the only way in his power. He had no famer or mother, to speak of, or doubtless he would have been willing to bave forsaken them; but he was, or had been, supposed to be mar- ried, and he now evinced a readiness to desert the wife of his bosom and join *‘ Mars’ Maje” and ‘‘ Miss Ca’line,” and ‘‘ de chillins,” in their journey to the Canaan northwest of the Gulf of Major Bilberry had been unwilling at first to accept tuis willmg sacrifice, but his scruples vanished when Cudge coolly repudiated the marriage tie, alleging that they had only ‘‘ tuck up,” and as the lady in question offered no oppo-. sition, that matter was easily settled, The daughters of the house rejoiced in the names of Nancy Ann Jane, and Betsy Rebecca, respectively, and were both somewhat inclined to the intense type of femininity. They both welcomed Miss Davenant, as Thad had predicted, feeling that they bad nothing to lose and might have something to leard. ‘‘ Whar mought you ha’ bin raised?” drawled out Marm Bilberry, soon after they had started. ** In New York,” Dolly replied. ** Bless gracious!” exclaimed theold lady. “TI hain’t seen nary soul from thar, thet I minds on, in all my borned days,” ** Yes ye has, too,” suggested her first-born. ‘Who was they, Nancy Ann Jane?” ‘*'Yankees,” was the young lady’s answer. ** Massy tome! I warn’t thinkin’ o’ them.” “Yer ever bin ter Alerbam’?’ questioned Miss Betsy Bilberry. ‘** Never,” was the reply. Both the young ladies looked triumphant at this. They had been somewhere of which this stylish-looking stranger knew nothing. ‘**We-’uns hes lived thar all our fives,” said Nancy Ann Jane proudly. Dolly tried to look as if surprised at this. ‘| didn’t want ter leave,” said the old lady; ‘‘an’ I stood out ag’in’ it jest es long es I could, but I didn’t git no great backin’, so ’n away.” ‘*T reckoned hit’s like ter be right pleasant,” said Betsy. ‘‘ Alerbama ain’t so slow, but Tex- as’ll be a change. Heaps o’ y’ung men gwine thar lately,” she added, innocently. ‘‘ Thet’s about all ye’re thinkin’ on, gal,” put in her mother with an air of reproof, ‘* An’ yer bain’t but risin’ eighteen, nother.” ‘*T wonder how much older you was when you tuck ter hevin’ beaux?”, was the dutiful rejoin- ’ der of the young lady. ‘* None o’ yer bizness!” was the reply. “‘l’m past nineteen,” said Nancy Aun Jane, ** How old are you Miss Davenant?” **T am twenty,” replied that young lady. ** Hed any beaux yit?” inquired Betsy. ** Not any,” was the amused response, ‘* Great Peter!” the girl exclaimed, _““No more you never hedn’t,” said her elder sister. ‘** Well, I hain’t nowhar nigh so old; an’ sides you needn’t crow. You never hadn’t none yer- self, lessen hit was Jeemse Spooks,” ‘“‘T hed two, Thar was Joe Jarnigan,” ‘“‘He didn’t count. He had a wife a’ready. Hadn’t he maw?” “Ob, you galsdry up! Ye drives me plum crazy, ‘long 0’ yer gab.” Dolly was relieved to find that the youn ladies acted on their mother’s suggestion, an began to give their attention to the cut and fit of her traveling dress, When they halted for the night, Marm Bil- berry, having now an,addition to her audience, began to ventilate her grievances in having to leave her “‘right rich home in the piney woods of Alerbam’.” She had no great opinion of the merits of Texas, as_a field for immigration, and she vowed she would oe a disappointed woman if by any chance it turned out different. ‘“T never did bave my way in nothin’,” she whined, as she settled herself after supper. ‘‘Wa-al, ‘twan’t ’kase yer didn’t try heard enough,” replied her busband. “T allers was plum ag’in’ this byer under- takin’; an’ I don’t feel no diff’rint till yit.” ‘“‘Nater’ly,” said tbe major. ‘‘I b’heve in my soul ye’d pose my gwine to Heaven!” **T hain’t see’d yer started thet-a-way yit,” was the rather sarcastic reply. ‘‘ But heaven's one thing an’ Texas air another, an’ ’sides thar’s ther Injuns.” “Thar’s yer granny!” exclaimed Old Man Bilberry with stolid contempt. ‘“ Wa-al wait till yer aa’ters is captivated.” ‘Oh, maw!” screamed one of the young ladies, “Do fer massy’s sake git them dratted Injuns outen yer head. Hit’s right down frightsome.” ‘‘Let ber_keep ’em thar, gals, father. har’s safe. I reckon.” , . * Yer hain’t got much ter lose,” grumbled his wife. ‘All ther better,” said the philosophic major; “they won’t make much outen me then. “Say, Mister Thad,” put in Buck Bilberry, *¢ ve recken ther Injuns is anywhar clos’t?” a. ae Le r . pee etek . re ~~ f Toate +. ee ie f 7 i, « ie e. : ns . at “= -G) ~ee . - ” advised their ***Long as they ain’t nowhere else, our ‘* Not anywhar this side 0’ two hundred mile.” The yvuung man tried bard to look discour- aged, for his intention had been to distinguish himself in taking scalps; but the effect was quite the opposite on the female members of the party. Still it must be confessed that Marm Bilberry rather regrected that the opinion had been so confidently expressed in the hearing of her hns- band; for it had been no small comfort to the good lady, ever since leaving Alerbam’, to pre- dict scalping and torturing for all hands, and she had not been without the hope that the major would come in time to believe it, though she was veuy far from having tbese apprehensions her- self, ‘* Does yer ’spect to settle down in San Antone fer good, Miss Davenant?” asked Bud. ‘““T have not decided,” she replied. ‘NX y in- tention has been to spend the winter there,’ ‘**T don’t reckon Buck ‘ll keer ter go no furder,” the youth remarked, significantly. His sisters giggled at this while Buck reward- ed his wit with a vigorous kick, Delly began to have premonitions that she would not make intimate friends of any of her new acquaintances; but they were amusing in their way, and she wisely resolved to take what enjoyment she could out of the party. he scene though in no way remarkably pic- turesque was to Dolly a novel one, and ske sat upright for some time and watched it with a sense of pleasure, that one would hardly bave expected from a young lady situated as she was. In the dim hght of the camp fire she cvuld see the tall, commanding form of the Alabama ma- jor, his hands plunged in his pockets, pacing ack and forth in meditation, which, though it might not be entirely pleasant, was certainly not gloomy. His excellent spouse finding that all her grumbling was as so mary blank cartridges, and probably feeling the need of rest, had already sunk into repose. The two sweet sisters bad dropped their stri- dent voices into a low monotune, broken at in- tervals by theinevitabie giggle; but Dolly was neither interested or annoyed by it. Buck and Bud were quarreling in a brotherly way, and the young lady was not without a suspicion that she was herself the innocent cause of this unnatural strife. Cudge, the faithful colored adherent of the fortunes and misfortunes of the master’s house, was interviewing Texas Thad, in a very earnest way; probably with reference-to bis chances of securing, when they should reach their destina- tion, a substitute for the sable charmer he had so informally divorced before leaving. As soon as Dolly’s old friend was released he came up to where she was seated. The young lady welcomed his appearance, as she had been. unable to have any conversation with him since they had set out. ‘*T enjoy this so much,” she said, as she in- vited him to be seated near her, **Then yer ain’t noways sorry that yer tuck my advice *bout travelin’ ‘longer this hyer outfit seein’ yer had ‘cided ter try an’ make ther riffle some way?” ‘* No, indeed, my friend; it is al], thanks to you, ever so much nicer and _ pleasanter than I expected. I can never be half grateful enough for all your kindness.” **Now come, Miss Davenant, just let up on thaf, it makes me feel small somehow. But, say, yer don’t mind ther cacklin’ o’ ther ole hen an’ ther puilets, does ye?” ‘*Not in the least. “I rather like it.” ‘*Nor ther crowin’ o’ ther young roosters? *Kase ef yer does, dog'd ef I] don’t wring their durned necks!” - Dolly laughed softly at the old man’s indigna- on. ‘You have no idea how it amuses me,” she said, reassuringly, ‘Then hit’s all right, I reckon, till we gits ter San Antone.” pe so, indeed. You think we are not in any kindof danger?” ** Don’t know whar hit c’u’d come from,” said Thad. ‘‘Thar b’ain’t no Injuns, an’ thar hain’t no road-agents, an’ | h’ain’t lookin’ for a No’ther,” was the assuring reply of Texas Thad. CHAPTER XX, COMPARING NOTES, 5 PRAIRIE PINK, having succeeded without dif- ficulty in finding out from Endicott the object of his mission.to San Antonio, was not long in acquainting bis pard, Butternut Ben, with all the facts, Indeed, having promised the former that he would secure the assistance, in carrying out bis design, of a man who could be relied on, he very naturally thought at once of bis long- tried and true pard. But tbe question now was, would it be safe for | Ben, who had already been seen, and probably closely noted by Endicott, to ie before bim in this confidential character? Pink felt a little dubious in the matter. The sconts were seated ina room at the tem- porary lodgings of Butternut Ben, and the lat- ter was opening his eves. and occasionally bis mouth as well at the revelations that were be- ing made to him, Ly. 02 {aa =. wee | this cuss Endicott are layin’ fer now in San An- Aca * ee . rn Os > d a a A +s nay a : # a <a he ch’ 7, Ww, iy « : 7 a? > - + "F d - a . A. Oe - aE tn i ey ‘ ~ 5 s Se Te. a , _~ his ae. . Ria > +» * >» f ' ” he j . ‘ ? ve 1 9G , , [ + ve } ‘Yer see, pard,” Prairie Pink was saying, ‘*ther famerly seems ter hev consisted o’ these two—ther young citerzen what disappeared so kinder mysterious, an’ this yere gal, what’s sup- posed ter be lately ’roved in Injinoly, an’ what tone.” ‘*T made thet much o’ a diskivery myself, thar in York,” remarked Ben. **So yer did, pard, I hed cl’ar disremember- ed thet. Wa-al yer see, ther ole man fore he bu’sted a trace, made a will leavin’ nigh onter all ther wealth he hed ter this boy o’ his’n what warn’t it "pears over strong; an’ pervidin’ in the ewent o’ ther young rooster’s peggin’ out, thet this durned kiote, Endicott, should hey ther last cent.” ** An’ he’s made sure, yer says, that ther younker air gone up?” ‘Sure as taxes,” was Pink’s reply. ‘*Then what in thunder war Texas Thad a- doin’ an’ wbhar air he perergrimatin, ter now? When I want’s a man fer picket duty again Ill volunteer for ther post myself.” ‘Ther gal bein’ alone bow, es it war, an’ *sposed ter all kinds o’ danger an’ sich, this hyer Endicott hes come on ter be sorter in ther way, in case he’s wanted. ‘* Hit’s a strong suit, this yere comin’ in on ther nick o’ time, an’ hit air mighty sure ter hev right smart influence on ther gal. Ther cuss hes made his calkerlations dog-goned clost, — an’ ther chances air if mebbe so she ain’t p’isen- sot ag’in’ him, thet he makes ther riffle. He seems most dead sure on hit.” ‘*Then ther cowardly gerlcot don’t ’tend no harm ter ther galf’ added Butternut Ben. **Only jist so fur es marryin’ of ber mought be sot down as bodily injury,” said Pink; ** an’ ther way I looks et hit, durned ef ther don’t seem thet objection ter ther perceedin’s.” ‘*But what ye reckons ther gerloot wants 0” ther gal, when he steps inter ther money with- out tiein’ up? Didn’t he let out thet ther bull shebang fell ter bim when ther-younker passed in his chips?” ‘* Jist what he said,” essented Pink. ‘‘Then I says ag’in what in ther name o’ Davy Crockett do he want o’ ther ka,iker{” e he frape ther durned cuss air deadin love with ther gal, Thet’s ther ’scuse he gi’ns fer bein’ on the trail, an’ hit seems sorter nat’ral,” ‘“Ther dog-goned cowardly murderin’ pirut! Ther condemned kiote, what put outen ther world, er w’at’s ther same thing, sot on a par’ o” cut-throats ter do ther biz for him, ther gal’s brother, ter get her wealth and bis’n; an’now © ter pertend he’s in love with ther gal—hit’s enough to make a dog strike bis step-father!” re ‘* Yer don’t t’have he car’s for her then?” ** Course he must in his way,” said Ben; ‘* but durn his way. In love with the gal— Bah! Hit ’u’d make a cat have fits, jist ter meditate on hit. Ef thet’s bein’ in love, I air dog-goned glad I never ’perienced ther sensation!” It was quite evident that however much the old scout might believe in love, he bad very lit- tle faith in the purity of the sentiment that was now the ruling passion of James Endicott’s life. ‘*Wa-al,” continued Pink, “thar aint no | sich thing, I don’t reckon, es countin’ on ther course a human air like ter take in love er polly- tics, when onc’t he gits offen ther right trail.” ‘*Dog me!” interrupted Ben; ‘‘ef I bilieve this tarnal cuss war ever onter hit, ’vehearm somewhar, bout some what bas been born wick- — ed, an’ I air ready ter sw’ar this sneak Endicott _ fills ther bill.” “ **Jist es likely. Wa-al bowsomeveryhe hes made one thing purty clear. He air boun’ter _ hev ther gal. An’es he’pears detarmined ter make a good impression et ther start, hitdo seem that he must hev no slouch of a’pinionof er. ent, ** Es you just spit hit out, now thet he hes ther spondulicks what belonged ter the girl’s brother, __ an’ what, ef ber ole dad hadn’t bin what I reck- on he war, a wrongheaded ole catawampus cata- mount, orter bin hern now, thar don’t seem no reason why he shu’d want ther cabker tied « onter him. <a ‘But yer sees, pard, he hes comeon pat smart of along trail arter ther game, an’ hit stan’s ter sense thet he must vally hit accordin’.” res ‘* Av’ he opines thet ef be could kinder gither capter’d an’ come in as reskyer, bit ’u’d pat hm jist whar he'd Jike ter be in ther gal’s “fec- | tions?” Re ** Dog’d ef be ain’t a sharp!” ; ea How far James Endicott was likely to justify — this encomium from tbe old scout remains tobe seen: but, of one thing we are certain—what- ever had been alleged and justly against that worthy young entleman in the quarter of a nf century that he had passed on this rolling sphere, | : no one had ever accused him of being a “flat.” His plan now as he had explained pretty fully _ to Prairie Pink, was to appear before Miss Davenant, in the character of her nearest male relative; as having come to San Antonio, on hearing of her loss, that he might see thatshe — had every comfort and protection that could be procured for her. ' eee Along with this he would bave, torecommend him, tbe knowledge on Dolly’s part: that he was bow wealthy; and not that alone, but the pos- — i » . « eS. > Ecomicbooks.com ~~ oe “e Pd eg ~~ oes ee