Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

-born hb a * 4 = 2190) , } = = Y ne , =" ake ey ee ee Uncle Honest. | 23 the massive Leather-Jacket, and his face was woebegone; but there was nothing to indicate that he was afflicted with small-pox. If this little fiction on his part had been necessary, he would have overreached himself; he had named the trouble of which he had the greatest awe without being able to comprehend how absurd he was making himself, Uncle Honest directed him to take a chair, and then abruply added: “*So you have something*to tell me?” ** Yes, sir,” said Kmifebelt, meekly. ** About what?” ** The Ormes, sir.” ‘**T thought you claimed to have told all you knew.” ‘*T did, then, but while they was in prison I overheard them talking.” ‘Ah! I remember your room was next to theirs, Well, I will hear what you have to say.” ** Will you let me go afterwards?” ‘* Where do you want to go?” ‘* Back East.” ‘*-You don’t like the West, eh?” ‘6 No, I don’t.” ‘If I let you go you may try to kick upa Tow, and prejudice people against Hornets’ Nest.” ‘*T won’t say a word to anybody, and I'll get away as quick asI can. I’ve got into trouble enough along of the Ormes, and I don’t want no more of them.” The boy spoke with emphasis, and Outer- bridge was satisfied that he told the truth. ‘*1f you can reveal enough to deserve it, you shall go free,” he answered. ‘* 1 can tell you just who the Ormes are,” ** Indeed! Now you are coming to the point, Well, let me hear what you know.” ‘*T could bear them talk in prison,” said Knifebelt. ‘‘ The wall was thin and had cracks ‘between the boards. I got one ear up to it and listened, and when Joseph and Vashti talked, { heard part. I trmed to catch what they had been running away from, and I did it. "Twas officers of the law!” ‘The boy paused, and looked at Eliakim bir ‘* Proceed !” the latter directed. ** Joseph had worked in a bank somewhere— I think it was Chicago, for they spoke of it often—and he got into business trouble. He foaned money toa friend and put a mortgage ou their house—his ani Vashti’s—thinking the friend would pay up so he could clear off the mortgage. The friend didn’t do it, though, and the other man was going to foreclose on the mortgage. . ‘*The idea of losing his house made Joseph wild, and he forged some kind of paper and got money at the bank. With this he paid off the mortgage, but he was in even a worse fix, The forged paper was in the bank, and if it was not got out of sight in two weeks the forgery would be discovered. Joseph tried every way he could to raise money, but be didn’t do it. He had had a false key made to the bank, as a last re- sort, and on the last night of the two weeks he used it. ‘* He went to the bank and got in with the false key, and got the forged paper; but just as be was leaving, some one discovered him, I didn’t find out whether it was a policeman, or somebody who worked in the bank; but Joseph was so scared that he drew a revolver and fired to scare the mar. Joseph didn’t mean to hurt anybody, but he did--the man fell over on the floor, dead! ** Joseph was scared out of his senses, and he locked up the bank and ranaway. He couldn’t see any way to do but to leave the city, and he went right to Vashti and told her what he had done, She fainted, but when she came to she declared she would leave town with him. She did, and they started West; but when they got to some place out here they saw Joseph’s name as the murderer of the man in the bank, and they kept on running. ‘*T heard them say they hadn’t ought to have given their name at all, out this way; though it seems it wa’n’t really their own name. eir father took it about the time Jeseph was for he inherited. some money on condi- tion he changed his name from Rodrickton to Orme.” Uncle Honest made a violent start. ‘* From what?” he demanded, ** Rodrickton,” ‘* Was their father named that?” ‘* Yes, sir; so they said—Maurice Rodrickton. That is their real name, but everybody knows them by the name of Orme—” ** Aaron,” uttered Eliakim, in a hollow voice, as he turned to his son, ‘did you come here alone?” ‘* Stovey is outside,” fs Send the boy back to prison by him—at nce Knifebelt looked alarmed. ** But, sir, you haven’t told me—” ** Silence, you idiot!” hoarsely commanded the Peacemaker ; ‘*] will deal with you as I see fit. igs him away, Aaron, and then come back to “ All right,” Other expostulations were on Knifebelt’s lips, but the burly Leather-Jacket laid hold of him with one hand, lifted him from the chair and dragged him unceremoniously out of the room, Aaron had been startled by his father’s manner and expression, and be had no sooner delivered the boy to the man outside than he returned to Uncle Honest. Greatly to his surprise he found the old man sitting in a chair and laughing almost hysteri- cally. The sight brought tke deputy-sheriff to a standstill, and fora moment he was speech- less. Then he began to fear that his father had lost his mind. ‘‘ Great heavens!” he exclaimed, ‘* what is the matter?” Uncle Honest made an effort and succeeded in calming himself. *+G news is the matter,” be replied. ‘**T don’t understand.” ‘“*T presume not, but I do. I’ve heard the | most remarkable news of my life—though I ought to have suspected when I found out who | Storm Rider was. I didn’t suspect, and the revelation came like a thunderbolt. Ha! ha! fate is playing into my hands strangely, and my triumph will be even more glorious than I anticipated. AJl thingscome to him who waits, somebody has said, and I reckon there is some- thing in it; a glorious triumph is coming to me —ay, and sweet revenge, too!” CHAPTER XXX. PEGGY MAKES A REQUEST. UNCLE HONEST was in a highly exultant mood, but bis manner showed that he was again the level-headed man who had so long and ably directed the fortunes of the Leather-Jackets. ‘*T am glad you are pleased,” observed Aaron, ‘** but I haven’t the least idea why.” ‘* Did you hear the boy tell the real name of the Ormes?” ‘* Yes; but I don’t remember it.” ** Rodrickton.” ‘¢ That conveys nothing to my mind.” ** But it does to mine. It takes me back fur- ther than your day, my boy; to the days when I knew Maurice Rodrickton, their father. So he haa his name legally changed, it seems, It is not strange that I failed to recognize the name of ‘ Orme,’ but their faces ought to have given me a clew—though I did not know him well, and her looks are not there,” The speaker’s voice had grown low and me- chanical, for his mind was not on the present, but he suddenly aroused. ** Aaron,” be added with energy, ‘‘ the Ormes must be found.” ‘* Most certainly,” the Leather-Jacket agreed. ** There is still no clew?” ‘‘T’m afraid not; I know of none.” “My boy, I want you to move heaven and earth to find them.” ** Rest , sir,” answered Aaron, with a nod of confidence; ‘* they will not long be at liberty. We are after them sharp, and we are going to have them,” ‘*T cannot imagine who took them away.” **T still suspect Storm Rider.” “Then suspect him no longer, for I know him to be innocent. That man’s real name is Hen- dricks, and I knew him when we were both young—not intimately, butcasually. He recog- nD me when we met here, and when I knew who he was I decided that he was a dangerous man. I had him left in this house, but not lon did he stay. I took him away at the muzzle o a revolver; I compelled him to go to the hills; and inacanyonI[ fell upon him and beat him senseless, I thought he was dead, and I threw his body into a crevice and covered it over with bushes and sand. had only my bands with which to work, and it seems that the man came out of his grave alive; but I know he had not the amount of life necessary to rescue the Ormes.” ‘* That disposes of him, then.” ‘“*Tt certainly does. Now, who else could it have been?” It was the inquiry of perplexity, and Uncle Honest neither expected a definite answer nor received one. Aaron shook his head and ad- mitted that he was at fault. ‘* Do you think they are still in the hills?” ‘*- Yes,” the Leather-Jacket replied. ‘‘ That is about all I am sure of, but do feel positive that they are hiding in some cave there. Sawtooth Ridge is a bad place to follow a trail, but we are bound to have them; and when they are taken, it will be a good idea to string whoever helped them away up by the neck at once.” ‘“* That’s a fact, Aaron; and that reminds me of Yank Yellowbird. I am sure he had no part in the rescue, but ['m afraid of that man.” ‘Nonsense, father! Arrest him!—shoot him! —an 9m to wipe him out promptly.” ‘‘That is easier said than done. He is a bor- derer of life-long experience, and tbe whole West bears testimony to his shrewdness and bravery. The Indians call him ‘ Nevermiss,’ and it is generally said that he never fails to bring ruin to those he works against.” * All superstition, father—not that I contra- dict you; I refer only toramor. Nevermiss is human, and a bullet will settle him. Better order his death at once.” rrr Ss SSS -s—s~esitsnees—— “Pll do it to-morrow, Aaron. I’m glad to see you’re not afraid of the homely moun- taineer.” ‘* Not I! declared Aaron, putting out his brawny arm, ‘** You’re a brave boy, Aaron, and a good boy, I'm proud of you. hope you'll never turn against your old fatber?”’ The Peacemaker had remembered rebellious Peter, and there was sudden anxiety in his man- ner. ‘Turn against you!” echoed Aaron. ‘* Well, I should say not. As far as the duty of a son to his father is concerned, I’d rather practice than preach it; but self-interest, if nothing more, teaches me wisdom. The Outerbridges must pull together, shoulder to shoulder, without a oe motive. United we stand; divided, we fall!’ Uncle Honest’s eyes beamed with pleasure. ‘‘That’s the sort, Aaron!” he exclaimed; ** you've got a good bit of the old man’s horse- sense, You're the kind of aman I like to see, I'm proud of you, Aaron. Good, clear head, and muscles a gladiator might envy. I don’t know where other boys could be found like you and Isaac,” ‘* And Peter,” suggested Aaron. ** Ye-es, and Peter.” Uncle Honest spoke gingerly, but, as he was not inclined to let any one know of the a est brother’s fall from grace, more briskly Don’t forget added: “Right good boys, all of you. what the old man bas done for you, Aaron; *twas Uncle Honest brought you up in the way you should go. His eyes have been over you from the start. Yes, ves; and it was I who eg out good old Scriptural names for you to ear ‘*We’re allfully aware how much we owe you, father, and you’ll find us ready to back you against the world at any time.” The Leather-Jacket put out his hand, and a hearty pressure was exchanged. Business was over, and Aaron walked to the City Hall. Knifebelt bad been returned to his prison-room in a downcast, sulky state. He considered him- self an ill-used person to be thus incarcerated as soon as he had told his story to Outerbridge. Surely, ascompletea history of the Ormes as he had given deserved some reward—and it had come in the shape of a return to captivity. Isaac was pacing to and fro in the court-room in arestless manner, and his broad, dark face was even more grim, somber and surly than usual. Plainly, he was.in ill humor. ‘** How goes it, Isaac?” inquired Aaron, in a genial way. : ‘* Nothing new,” was the curt reply. ‘* The Grahams haven't escaped, have they?” ‘* Bet your life they haven’t!” savagely replied the elder brother. ‘* We must set a strong watch to-night.” ‘I’m watch enough!” declared Isaac, flercely, ** You don’t mean to send the men away—” | ‘Nothing of the kind,” Isaac interrupted; — then, after looking scowlingly at the corner o the room, and workiug his fingers nervou around the hilt of his knife, he added in a deep voice: ‘* To-night 1 shal) not sleep.” ’ ‘* Why not let me or Peter watch here? You need rest. You would not have fallen asleep, and slept so soundly last night, if you hadn been worn out,” The moody Leather-Jacket raised his grim — face to look at his brother. “ You are very good to find an excuse fo me. ‘*T only use common-sense judgment.” “Worn out!” repeated Isaac, with a short langh. ‘‘ Very good! The devil always sug- gests an excuse for his children, and l’m obliged — Aaron—not mean- to you for finding one for me, ing that you are Old Nick, or SH eng of the sort, brother. Yes, I was worn out; that’s it.” Again the short laugh, and Isaac was fast growing mysterious when one of the men ap- proached the Leather-Jackets. | ‘*The girl has somethin’ ter say,” he an- Ae cs “Yea® ** What does she want?” ‘* Leave ter go ter the house fur somethin’,” _ “What does she want there?” **T don’t know. I tol’ her you would prob'ly send fur the articles ef you penny ’em nec’- sary; but she lowed that wouldn’tdo, She said she needed sartaip things an’ only she could git — Said she wa’n’t goin’ ter have no ‘hea- | then man’ fumblin’ over her pussonal effecks,” _ A pretty idea,in- deed, to havea prisoner running about to get a — f them. ** You tell her she can’t go. few nonsensical articles.” * Wait a bit, brother,” said a mild voice. Isaac turned, and saw Peter. ‘Tll go with the girl to Graham’ wants,” added the youngest Leathe carelessly. that she don’t get away.” {saac Outerbridge did not know of the trouble — between his brother and his father, but be looked at Peter suspiciously. 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