Beadle's Dime Library No. 51: Red Rob, The Boy Road-Agent — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Red Rob, The Boy Road-Agent. This youth had ju&t arrived, and his handsome faee, his fine form, and unobtrusive martial air, ‘set off ‘in his flashy uniform, revidered’ him “a conspicuous object for ey, in- quisitive and critical eyes. When St. Kenelm had singled him out, the youth stood with the side of his face toward him, yet with this partial view the major became vaguely impressed with the belief that,there was something familiar about the boy’s features; but to save him, he could not recall the face from the depths of the, past, However, he kept his eyes upon the youth, whom he, as well as. old Aunt, Shady, knew had won his sister’s heart. He saw the young lad run his eyes carefully over the as sembly, and when they finally caught sight of Octavia’s face —when their eyes met, there was that mutual recognition of two loving hearts visible in the faint smile, the drooping eyelids and the momentary embarrassment of each, The young.ranger’s search seemed ended now, and he turned his eyes upon the dancers. St. Kenelm studied his face closely, then said, in a reflec- tive tone; ‘“He is a manly-looking youth, Octavia, and I have cer- tainly met him before.. But it was not in Missouri, nor in St. Louis, nor on the way here, I am ste.” fH GT never saw him until the day before we reached ‘Cones, * said Octavia. 4 Let i me see,” continued the major, thoughtfully, ‘ wasn’t it the night I was at the ‘ Swill-Pail’ saloon that I saw him?: —yes, by heavens, it was! That is the very country-boy wee cone in dressed in citizen’s clothing, and looking so ‘green’ and awkward, and whose presence there got Dan and I into trouble. Yes, it’s the very same lad.” “Are you sure of this, brother?” Octavia asked. 4 I am positive of it now, and shall manage to speak to him soon. That boy is a verification of the old adage, ‘ Still waters run deep.’ Since you and he exchanged glances, sister, 1 know full well the feeling that exists between’ you and him. You love him, Octavia, and before your acquaint- ance goes any further, I must know who he is, where he be: ' longs, and in fact all about him. I observe that he is the center of an attraction ‘that seems very inquisitive, but he meets their impertinent glances without flinching. He ‘is the very boy, yet how different he appears, from when Mis- | souri Moll tried to force the liquor on him. I think now th re ‘was a purpose in the unsophisticated look he assumed when hé entered the saloon: It is queer these people don’t inquire into the character of a stranger before he is per- mitted to take part in the dance. I dare say he will soon march up to some Mexican belle and lead her right out upon the floor without the least ceremony.” At this juncture the music ceased and the dancers sought their seats. Then the announcement was made that a ‘! set for a cotil- lion would form on the floor.” Before*the words were scarcely uttered, the young stranger was séen io his way across the staging toward our three friends,’ ho) OHAPTER XVIII. A BTARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT. ‘As he approached, the young man put out his hand to- ward St. Kenelm, saying: “Senor, I am “supremely happy to see you here, and to know that you escaped unharmed.” “'T ‘presume I know,” replied St. Kenelm, grasping the youth’s hand, ** what you have reference to,” ‘The saloon,” said the lad. ‘The same, ” responded the major, ‘‘though I scarcely recognize the bashful boy in citizen’s gray in yourself.” The youth smiled, and, turning to Octayia, lifted his hat, and said: “Senorita, I congratulate youon your escape from, the » savages the evening I met you on the road.” ““ Thank you, sir,” Octavia replied, blushing crimson al- most; ‘‘ and to you, I erage is owing the salvation of our whole train.” “Tt is a pleasure to know that I was near enough to be of gefvice to the train. ‘But, fair senorita, you and I are Amer- icans, and Americans dance cotillions. mé with your company, this dance?” With pleasure,” replied Octavia, half unconsclowsly, aie Would you, honor 21 rising to her feet, she accepted the proffered arm of the young cavalier, and*was escorted to the floor. Major St. Kenelm did not approve of this act of his sister. To him it seemed too familiar for such limited acquaintance, But then he saw that, Octavia’s girlish infatuation had led her away, and while he decided not to reprove her for this first ‘unbécoming act, he determined; it should not be repeated on that or any other. occasion... He, felt in no, way indignant toward the youth, for he but followed the too familiar cus- toms ‘of ‘the country. Moreover, he, as, well as the whole train, was under a life-long! obligation to the boy who, had, upon Octavia's own evidence; saved the whole train from an Indian massacre. The music finally struck up, and Octavia and her compan- ion were soon whirling away in the dance. The major and ‘his pretty sweetheart. watched them with an admiring gaze through the whole;dance, . When the music at length ceased, the»youth escorted Octavia to her, former seat by her brother’s side; and thanked her with the fervent gallantry of a young knight, for the honor she had conferred / upon him. Then, with a polite bow to all, he turned and _ moved away toward the opposite.end of the platform. He was near the middle of the floor, when a rock, hurled by an unseen hand, whizzed past his head and struck the ground several paces beyond.;; Another ;stone fell on the | floor at his feet. The youth stopped on’ the floor and gazed’ around him, with'a calm, defiant look, for the authors of the cowardly act, ‘““ That’s him! that’s him!” suddenly burst from the lips of _ one of the rowdies standing off ‘at one’ side, ‘‘ that’s the very lark that caused the trouble t’other night at the saloon.” The boy advanced to thé'edge of the platform, and, fold- ing his arms upon his breast, said, in a calm, defiant tone: ‘“* Villains, I’ defy youl” | For @ moment a general row was threatened. The roughs gathered in a body at one side, brandishing knives and pistols and uttering fearful execrations. |. The manager of the baile advanced to the edge of the plate - form and addressed thé rabble in kind words, begging them not to raise a disturbance in the presence of the females. But he was only answered. by clamorous demands for the boy, and, like wolves, gradually growing! bolder, they edged and ¢rowded toward the; platform. |: They held the balance of ‘power in point of numbers, and _ a knowledge of this fact emboldened them. ‘We want that boy,” shouted one of the desperadoes; ‘‘he’s the very chap that: caused the death of Zeke Tarlo, Tom Eakers and Long John t’other night at the ‘ Swill-Pail.’ We-don’t want to raise a fuss here, but we do want that — young, white-livered cuss, oss what’s more, we'll have him or die.” ‘‘ Gentlemen, or rather rowdies,” said the youth, advanc: ing to the edge of the platform nearest. to them, ‘I’m afraid you'll die, for, you;can not haye your wish gratified. I did not.enter the saloon the other night to raise a disturbance, and so I am not responsible for the death of your friends, — I sincerely regret that there was any blood shed at.all; though, I daresay, Conejos and the world would be better off to-day if you had all been killed. I did not come here to-night for a fight, and at any other time I am willing to meet you whenever and wherever you, may appoint, and adjust this _ matter—this grudge you hold agains me for fancied in- juries.” ‘* Hear, will ye?” vented an outlaw,, a“ the young squirt | talks as though he wara host. But, that won’t work, my. gay and festive young cuss. You can’t intimidate us fellers that’s on our muscle. You've .got to walk-the-chalk right out of thar, or else, we'll snake ye out by the heels.” __, By this time the confusion among the dancers amounted almost ‘to a panic... Maggie and Octavia were trembling with | terror. A commotion of fear swayed the crowd. The des- peradoes advanced still oloser and closer toward the. brave, unflinching, boy. ‘* See here, villains!” the youth suddenly exclaimed, in a stern, resolute: tone, holding above his head, between his thumb aud forefinger, a small silver whistle which all could see distinctly, ‘‘if you persist in a row here, I will make it a bloody one for you. ,, You will not, get. off as you did a the saloon the other night. you have mocked, my youth; but let me tell you, despera- does, that one blast upon that. whistle will bring a troop of armed men upon you. J am Red Rob, the Boy Road-agent, ee em ema petite tot within rent a AO eo1ce tt ; . / ‘ Tosi Vy] I Mies ‘Pee | re OoOoOY eee 4 ‘*a* - JOO lo : You haye scorned my power—-_