Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 508 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

age might be guessed at as about nineteen, though her hight, when she stood up, made her look older. She was neatly dressed in calico, with nothing unusual about her apparel, and her head was covered with a wide-brimmed straw hat. It may be added that her dark eyes were large and lustrous, and that her dark hair was tastefully arranged. Sbe arose when she saw Simon Marvel, and gazed at hira with a smile which he did not easily interpret. At first he supposed it to be a smile of ad- miration, and was ready to plume himself upon a conquest; but he was sharp enough to per- ceive, on a nearer approach, that if was a smile of amusement which possibly might not be a bit complimentary. He did not allow a little thing like that to bother him, as he was then very hungry, and he thought he saw before him a fine chance to get something to eat, and at the same time to enjoy the society of a pretty girl. So he advanced toward her, raising his hat, and carrying himself, as he believed, very gracefully. ‘“* Beg pardon, miss,” he said; ‘“‘ but [ve been | hunting.” Me ‘* You need not beg my pardon for that,” she answered promptly. Vy? ‘¢ Excuse me; I merely wished to say that I \ have been hunting.” “In your imagination?” ** In these hills.” She looked him over from head to foot with an inquisitive glance, and walked around bim, to make her scouting more complete. ‘*Beg pardon,” remarked the young man; ~ but, is there anything wrong about me?” ‘Nothing wrong that 1 can see,” she answer- ed, ‘*I was looking for your game. Is it pos- sible that you have a bear or a mountain lion ( concealed anywhere about you?” 7 It was clear that she was making fun of him, and Simon, smiled his best smile, ‘*That’s a very food joke,” said he, ‘‘ The r fact is, miss, that 1 have not shot anything to- day. I was too much engaged, you see, in ad- miring the beauty of the scenery.” ‘* And your own beauty.” . ‘Thank you. You flatter me.” **T did not intend to.” ‘““AsI was trying tosay, miss, I have been hunting, and the tramp up and about this moun- tain bas made me very hungry, andI hoped ee J might be able to get something to eat i ere. “* We don’t keep a hotel, sir,” ‘*Of course you do not; but you will surely as take compassion ona weary traveler. If you could let me have a little milk, I would be glad i to get it.” ‘Milk? Well, we may be able to get hold of some milk, I will see what can be done,” The girl whistled, and a beautiful black mare, with a frisky little foal, came out from behind the barn, and bounded toward her, neighing as rf she came, and stopped, as if expecting sugar or ae some other dainty. ry ‘Dolly is giving the colt plenty of milk,” said she, ‘‘and I suppose she could some to a weary traveler in distress, I don’t think I could milk her; but perhaps you are more ca- pable than I am,” , Simon Marvel opened his eyes wide at this rs Proposition. ne ** No, thanks,” he answered, ‘‘ I never milked . anything but a jug, and I really would not care for mare’s milk, I could get a few new-laid now—” eR Oh, that is not ‘impossible, though I am afraid that it would be rather difficult, Do you see that tree yonder?’ we! She pointed at a tall tree near the edge of the’ . pecan) which was bare of branches for fully Bea 3 ity feet from the ground. “I think I perceive the tree that you mean,” ‘*Is there anything peculiar aboutit?? — ; _ “A buzzard has made ics nest in the top of that tree. It may be a hard tree to climb; but, if you could get up there, it is quite likely that __- you _would find some eggs in the nest.” ‘ “Tam afraid it would be too much for me, - miss, Inever climbed anything, and I do not believe that I would relish buzzards’ eggs.” f “The best thing you can do, then, will be to step into the house and take what you can get. _ We have no milk or eggs, but you are welcome Z to what there i, **T will be thankful for what you are willing | Me to give me. Beg pardon, miss; but are you all acs PES He oe cy - aio z ~ a = Ne r . f : d ' 4 LA L 7 + + » answered Simon, ce ~ ;* \ ia aa “se x itm ae a > a fh : -_ ajone here?” “Just nowIlam, <At presentIam the only man on the place,” ‘** Are you not afraid to stay here alone?” Pes ‘“Not a bitof it. Lam pretty well able to | stake care of myself. Come on, sir.” She led the way into the cabin, and set before _ the young man some eatables which, though _ cold, were guite appetizing, and a hot cup of tea completed his gratification, ca" She left him there to enjoy his lunch at his ae Chee one nesnmied her seat and her sewing aS bile Simon Marvel was satisfying his appe- > ey pit tee # j - i> . ie Or ps ne ete ae = : . 4. ia Pesos - oom” tite, he inspected the interior of the cabin, and was surprised at the evidences of comfort and even of refinement that he found there. There were books in plenty, with many taste- ful articles and ornaments, such as he could never have expected to see in such a house or in such a locality, Having finished a hasty meal, he went out to where the young woman was seated. ‘* You bave given me a sumptuous repast,” said he, “‘and I am greatly obliged to you. If I knew of any way to repay you for your kind- ness— “You can do that easily, Mr. Marvel,” she answered promptly. ‘‘ You see that I know you. Youare the young man who got intoa scrape in Topnotch with Deadwood Dave and his gang, and my father happened along in time to get you out of the scrape.’ “Is po father, then, the man they call Top- notch Tim?” ‘The very same man, and I am Topnotch Tim’s Susie. My name is Susie Marlow, Mr. Marvel. You may tell me, if you will, who was that other young man who was with you, the one who came to your help? I have seen him since then with my father, who has never brought bim here, and does not seem to want to tell me anything about him.” ‘That man, Miss Marlow, is Burch Blanton, an engineer connected with the new mining company. He is my perticular friend, and one of the finest fellows who ever lived.” ‘Thank you. Now you may go.” **T am in no burry,” protested Simon, ** You ought to be. If you are going to shoot ee before night, you have no time to ose. ‘**T am not a bit anxious to shoot anything.” ‘*But you have been here long enough, and I, as the only man on the place, order you off the premises. Good-by, Mr. Marvel.” ‘**Good-by, Miss Marlow. You cruel,” The young man, loth to leave the place, slowly descended the trail by which he had reached the plateau. Hardly had he got down into the glen, when he was seized from the rear by a man who sprung out from behind a tree, and was quickly bound and gagged. Looking up from the ground as he lay there, he saw the big form and bloated face of Dead- wood Dave, whose features were as expressive as they could be of gratified malice. **T’ve got you now,” grunted the big ruffian. ‘ve got you now, you dandified tenderfoot and you are goin’ to git sech a thrashin’ as will make you wish you had never crossed the path of Deadwood Dave,” As Simon Marvel could not speak, he had no chance to argue the point, and could only sub- mit to his fate. But somebody else had a word to say in the matter. ‘Not this time, you big bully,” said a clear voice, womanly, but full of firmness and deter- mination, Looking around, Deadwood Dave saw Susan Marlow standing some ten paces from him, with a leveled rifle aimed ati his head. ; ‘*'You are out of your reckoning again,” sho went on to say. ‘ ee Tim is not here; but his daughter is on band, and is fully able to attend to your case.” ‘You had better go away from here and mind your own business,” the big brute growled. ‘* My business just now is to scatter you away from here in short order, and I mean to attend toitright upto the handle! Do you see this gun? It shoots seven times without loading, and nobody can shoot it straighter than I can, Be off, now, before I turn it loose and bore you full of holes.” As the ruffian hesitated, she ordered, him again, more peremptorily than before. ‘**Be off, I say, and be quick aboutit, or I will shoot, as sure as there is a God in Israel!” It was ciear that she meant whatshesaid, and Deadwood Dave sadly perceived that she had the drop on him, *< 1°l]l pay you for this yet,” be snarled as he turned and walked down the glen. Susan Marlow watched him until he wes out of sight; then she untied Simon, and removed the gag from his mouth. As soon as the young man could speak, he be- gan to be voluble in his expressions of gratitude, **T don’t want any thanks,” she protested. ** Tt was only fun for me to bother that big loafer. You had better not return to Topnotch by the way you came, as that rascal might be lying in wait for you at some other point. Come with me, and I will show you another trail.” ben Susan Marlow had taken the young man to the trail she spoke of, and had given him directions for finding his way to Topnotch, she gave hima ng word of advice. : ** You had better not go far away from Top- notch, unless you are in company,” she advised. ‘** That ruffian seems to have a grudge against you, and is sneak enough to work it outin a meaner way than you could imagine.” ‘*I believe you are right about that, Miss Marlow, and I shall follow your advice. But, I would like to come out here.” are very . "a to 2, “f EE a 5 ct Topnotch Tom, the Mad Parson. ‘‘ Never mind that. By the way, Mr. Marvel. of course you will not mention it to that friend of yours that I asked you about him, That would not be fair, you know,” Simon, who was just then inclined to be jeal- ous of Burch Blanton, promised tbat willingly, and safely found his way back to Topnotch, CHAPTER V. PLOTTING AT TOPNOTCH. In the course of time, and not a long time, the hew mining company had begun active opera- tions in the vicinity of Topnotcb. The new road up the mountain, which Burch Blanton had surveyed and laid out, with the ad- vice and assistance of Timothy Marlow, hed been speedily constructed, end proved to be a great success, rendering the town much easier of approach from below than it had been by the former route. The works had been fully established, the true vein had been struck in the mine, and every- thing indicated wealth for the company and a great revival of prosperity for Topnotch. Already there bad been a considerable influx of population to the town, and old buildings were being repaired and occupied, and new buildings were being erected. Business had started up briskly, and Topnotch. promised to again become a Jively and go-ahead camp. The old Topnotchers predicted that this ap- parent prosperity was only temporary, that the mine would soon peter cut, and Topnotch would go to seed again; but the otbers tock no notice of these prophets of evil, being content to enjoy the boom while it was booming. Among the chronic grumblers was Bart Mc- Ginley, in whose establishment there was no change. The same dingy windows were there, the same unpleasant interior, the same disreputable array of bottles and demijobns, and the same scowling but cunning face behind thecounter,. He had the same customers, too, baving at~ tracted no new ones, but easily keeping the old ones, who could scarcely be called profitable, Thus it happened that one day the seme four tough citizens, who bave been previously men- tioned in this narrative, were seated around @ table in McGinley’s saloon, sourly and bitterly discussing the boom that bad come to Toprotch, With them was seated the proprietor, who he- came so deeply interested in the discussion that he was quite liberal in answering the orders of his impecunious customers, as well as in furnish- ing drinks on bis own account, it was the unanimous opinion of the conclave that the prosperity of Topnotch could nct last; et there was no question of the reality of the m while it did last. “What do we git out of it?’ queried Dead- wood Dave. ‘ That’s the question.” The others looked as if the prospect of getting something out of anything was very faint just hen. ‘“That’s the question,” continued Dave, ‘‘ for us to consider as old Topnotchers and public- sperrited vitizens. What do we git out of it? he greedy grabbers may git rich and git away with the money; but whar do we come in? Jest nowhar,” | ** Jest nowhar,” echoed the others, “The money that’s floatin’ around Topnotclh about now ort to belong to us; but how are we to gi. at it? If we try to lay our bands onto if, what's likely to come o’ that? Times ain’t like what they used to was. Too much of what they call law and order has been piled up here in Top- notch, and that means the oppression of the poor and shettin’? down on us public-sperrited citizens, If we start in to bea bit enterprisin’, like as not we'll be jammed intosomebody’s jail. Talk, about 'a free kentry! Roosha can’t be wuss'n this is,” | } It was agreed that the speaker had faithfully pictured the sad state of affairs then prevalent at Topnotch. There could be no doubt that, things were as there for the acknowledged evils? . ‘‘What are we goin’ to do atout it?’ de- manded Dave. confess that I’m up a stump. If anybody sees light ahead, let. bim speak,” 2 aE ‘* It’s a question that concerns our whisky, observed Sandy McGuckin, ‘‘to say nothin’ of victuals and clothes, I’ve heen thinkin’ it over right bard, and it seems to me thatthe best thing we can do is toe forage on the enemy.” ‘Jest what we want to do,” grunted Dave. ® Byerybody knows that. How are we goin’ to do it? That’s the question.” ‘“‘That?s what set ovt to tell The enemy is the mine, Tbat’s where the money comes from, and that’s where we must a ply to get our share of it, What we've got to dois to write an anonymous letter to the mine people, telling them that they must send us a sum of money that we will agree on, or their machinery and buildings will suffer. Of course the letter must be anonymous,” “Must be what?’ inquired Dave, who was willing to admit that he was puzzled. ‘* Anonymous,” repeated Sandy, who was clearly in love with the word. ‘“ That means, ou. bad as they could be; hut what remedy was- ‘What can we do aboutit? I. a , } + Ty Ow * ? . 4, =a; € 4 r ' ‘Ae SES Bl CS >= ecomicbhoo SE a CO Pe penta ae, ae iGOr eel 6 4