Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Ee ee neon RR age me - Pad - Garry Kean. ) ~=7¥ és 9 judgment were beyond question; he was nearly always selected; and he did the work carefuily and patiently. On this occasion he would greatly have pre- ferred to avoid going away, but the case was serious, threatening violence on the part of the dissatisfied mea, and he did not refuse. He ordered his carriage and was driven away by his man—who, by the way, was not Mrs. Brackett’s uniformed stetue. She had the ex- clusive use of her famous outfit. Before his departure, the judge had gone to Alice’s room to bid ber good-by. The event made little impression upon her mind—she had the belief that every one respected her father too much to do him harm—but thoughts of Garry Kean made her melancholy. ‘¢ Miss Alice,” pronounced Electa Parsons, in her usual abrupt, masculine way, ‘“‘ you are in the dumps !” ** Am I?” “You be; I kin see it plainly. You should brace up. The world is but a vale 0’ woe, an’ va should git used ter trouble, an’ laugh at it, o! ‘** Ah! but you have no trouble, have you, Electa?” ‘“* Not now, but I’ve seen my sbare,” was the grim response, ‘* What was the trouble? “T'was a diffikilty o’ the heart. What caused it? A man! What causes all troubles? Man, perfidious man! Men! Hum! I know _’em! You can’t tell me anything about em. They are like the wild beastsesses we read about, that go forth ter seek whom they may devour an’ eat up!” This was a severe arraigument, and one cal- culated to make a member of the male sex blush for his kind, but it was a fact that Electa’s ‘‘ bark was worse than her bite.” She was by no means the severe man-hater she assumed to be. If she had ever had her affections blighted, the blight had not been serious. She had good will toward men, as well as toward women, but aspiring to be a practical woman, she felt it necessary to bring all classes to the bar of jus- tice, now and then, and pronounce sentence upon the members thereof, ‘* Blecta, I am nervous to-night,” Alice added. ‘‘Nerves, no one should have, They are a superfluity, an’ superfluities are an abomina- tion!” ** What shall I do?” ‘““You might take some valerian, but I can’t recommend it, an’ we aih’t got none.” 43 Suppose we call upon . Townley?” **1¢?s ’most nine o’clock.” ** But the night is pleasant, isn’t it?” ac Yes. ” ** And not very dark?” ** Not very.” ‘* Then let us go.” ‘Your orders is my law, A good soldier al ways obeys an’ never looks behind him. Lot’s wife was a poor soldier. She looked back, an’ you know what came on’t. Orders is the rule o’ my life. I obey, an’ nobody kin say I don’t!” Miss Parsons placed her arms akimbo, tipped her head to one side, and mutely defied any one to prove that she had ever been lacking in obedience. ** Please fill a basket, and let us get ready as soon as possible.” The idea was not new. Alice had always been noted for her charities, and in that occu- pation she found one of her principal sources of pleasure. Her blindness shut out one-half of the world from her, compelling her to forego many of the amu-ements common to those of her age, but the ability to practice charity re- mained, as the poor and unfortunate were well aware, Electa always accompanied her on her visits, and a more capable person could not have been found. Electa was a stout obstacle in the way of egy, Often Alice would have been de- ceived, and led to give to greedy swindlers, but her assistant was not to be misled. Electa had eyes; she used them; and, despite her eccentricities, she had such good judgment that no impostor could impose upon her, Asa result, when Alice gave, she gave wisely. The Mrs. Townley before mentioned was the wife of } miner who was confined to his bed with a broken leg. He was not an object of ity, but his wife was, He had been a rough, runken fellow who never laid by a cent, and was a shining light among the “ Reds,” she was a patient, long-enduring woman who deserved a better lot. ce was Shetping ber, but the aid was given so wisely that Job Townley’s only benefit from it was in the way of actual neces- saries—he received nothing to spend foolishly. The busket was duly prepared by Electa, She put in food and wine, and what she thought necessary, and then returned to Alice. They donned their outer garments and left the bouse. Electa’s mind was not wholly atease. She felt that the hour was later than Alice ought to go out, but she remembered the r t univer- sally shown the blind girl, and hoped that no ill consequences would come of the expedition, CHAPTER X. ALICE HEARS STARTLING NEWS, JoB TOWNLEY was ina bad way, and going dead back on his Christian name, Hig broken leg had taken an unfavorable turn and was giving him considerable pain. This trouble he did not endure with the amiable patience of that Job to memory dear. Job Townley cast patience to the four winds and raved angrily. He com- menced by compelling his wife to attend to him closely, and abusing her for all she did; then finally drove her out of the room, with the threat that if she came back he would beat her. Sne was sitting in another room when Alice and Electa called. One of Job’s boon compan- ions had just been in, and she supposed that would be the last, but the coming of her good Samaritans pleased her none the less, The con- tents of the basket was very welcome, too, and the good woman gave suitable thanks, Alice questioned her, as usual, in regard to her husband. She answered frankly, but ina | peculiar way which did not escape the girl's attention. ‘“You are worried about your husband,” Alice observed. ‘*Oh! not particularly. The doctor says the new trouble is the result of his restlessness, and that he is doing very well.” | **T thought by your voice that you seemed to be in trouble.” ‘* Not about that,” was the hesitating reply. ‘* Something new,” Electa suggested. ss Yes,” ‘Out with it, marm; we are mother con- fessors,” grimly declared Mrs, Parsons, *‘T am worried—frightened,” Mrs. Townley confessed. ‘** About what?” ‘*T don’t know that I ought to tell. Yes; I know I ought to tell, but I’m afraid to.” Her manner did not belie the last statement. Sbe appeared to be nervous and frightened. ‘‘“My advice is, speak right out,” answered Electa. ‘* Was the young man they call Garry Kean arrested to-day?” was the slow inquiry. Electa looked quickly toward Alice. ‘¢ Yes,” she briefly replied. ‘* Have ycu heard any talk against him?” ** Not much.” Mrs. Townley was silent. ‘¢ What hev you heerd?” demanded Electa. “One of my husband’s friends called a little while ago, and I heard partof their talk, un- known to them, They spoke of Garry Kean, and I am afraid—” a long pause, ‘‘ that he is in danger!” **In danger,” echoed Alice, ‘* What kind of danger?’ ‘** From the lynchers !” The words were uttered in a frightened way, but Mrs, Townley did not know the effect they would have. She had never heard of any ac- quaintance between the young actor and Alice, and supposed that she was referring to that which was only of common interest. Electa glanced quickly toward Alice. again, and the swift rush of color from the girl’s cheeks alarmed her. . ‘¢ Nonsense!” cried Miss Parsons, with energy, ‘The man said so, anyhow.” ‘*T reckon this town ain’t such a place.” ‘*T only know what I heard.” ** Tell me just what it was!” The last direction was from Alice. She had been making a strong effort to control herself, and her success was such that Mrs. Townley still remained unconseious of the dismay she bad caused. ‘“What I heard,” was the reply, ‘‘ was this: Ben Soper told my husband it was a pity he was not able to get out of doors, for the ‘ boys’ were going to have some ‘fun’ to-night. Job asked what it was. Ben answered that Garry Kean bad turned horse-thief, was under arrest, and that the people were so wild over the crime that they were going to visit the jail in a body and |- lynch Kean!” ‘“Was Ben Soper drunk?’ harshly asked Electa. ‘* He was wholly sober,” ** Was he crazy?” ** Certainly not.” ‘Then he must ’a’ been “a fool! declared Electa, severely. ** Why do you say that?” “The idee of lynchers in this town is ridic’- ous, ‘*T am afraid—terribly afraid—he told the trutb. He lowered his voice confidentially, and I heard but little—no particulars whatever-—but I haven’t a doubt that a plan has been laid to visit the jail, take Garry Kean away from the guard, and iynch him. Dear,dearyme! DTmin a panic!” Alice Brackett abruptly rose. ‘¢ We must go now,” sheannounced. ‘‘ Come, Electa!” Her voice was calm, but Electa felt that the composure was unnatural, That sagacious wo- man knew that a plan had been formed by Alice, and that it pointed to the saving of Garr Kean from the lynchers, Electa was dismay She was willing to risk a good deal to save an innocent man, but for Alice to again figure in Kean’s case was more than Abram Brackett was likely to endure patiently. In what had gone before Miss Parsons had, in a measure, been a confederate, but she had found the judge unex- ~ pectedly merciful. He would not be so, she be- lieved, a second time, Their parting with Mrs. Townley was some- what unceremonious, and the door had no sooner closed than Alice exclaimed: ‘‘ Take me to Sheriff White’s!” ‘‘Oh! Miss Alice, surely you won’t—” ‘* His life is in peril! Did you hear that?” ‘Yes, but—” “No more, Electa! We should be doing wrong to ignore his danger, even though be were the worstof men, As it is—Electa, say no more; take me to the sheriff’s!” There was an unusual firmmess to her manner, recalling the Iron Judge, himself, and Electa gave way. Anyhow, tbey bad only to warn White, and the matter would soon be settled. Possibly, no one but the sheriff would ever know of their cail. Arm-in-arm tbey moved quickly through the dark street. Reaching White’s house, they knocked and were soon admitted to bis presence. He looked greatiy surprised, but did not fail to pay due respect to Miss Brackett. Then the whole story was rapidly told him, He looked incredulous, ‘““T bave heard nothing about it,” he re- marked. ‘‘ Do you suppose the men would come and tell you their intentions?” Alice demanded. ‘‘T am usually around about town, and there is but little going on that I don’t know,” Mr. White asserted, with considerable dignity. ‘* Surely, you don’t doubt the report?” ‘*But Ido. Ben Soper is a notorious liar, and he was telling a prize yarn to make Job Townley feel good. The idea of lynchers here—in a place where ] am sheriff—is absurd.” ‘*So I said,” coincided Miss Parsons, **Blecta, will you be silent?’ Never before had her young mistress spoken so severely to her, and the maiden lady at once became a trifle sulky. ‘“‘ At Jeast, sir,” Alice added, ‘‘ hg will place such a guard over the jail that Mr. Lawrence will be safe.” ‘*T have two good men there, already.” “Two men! Do you suppose they could resist a mob?” Alice indignantly demanded. ** One of them could run up here and tell me.” *‘ And what would the rioters’ be doing in the mean while?” ‘* My dear young lady, there will be no riot!” ‘* Do you intend to proceed upon that theory?” ‘** Such is my idea. '‘Mr, White, are you sheriff of this place, and thus trifle with human life?” It was a vehement outburst, full of spirit and indignation, and the pallor in Alice’s cheeks had given place to the flush of anger. She looked ic or pe pretty, but more than that was re- vealed. Those who had thought her so gentle and retiring might well be surprised at ber spirit, but it was plain that she had some of her father’s strong will back of her amiable ex- terior. ‘‘ Lord bless me!” the sheriff answered, “I have no notion of trifling with anybody’s life, but Iam not to be frightened by a shadow.” ‘*Ts it, or is if not, your duty to keep the peace when you learn that threats of violence have been made?” ‘“*Zounds! you ought to be a lawyer, Miss Brackett!” ** Sir, will you answer me?’ **Miss Brackett, 1 beg that you will not be offended, but you do not understand business af- fairs. I have beeu sheriff, in this and other counties, for many years, and I never have made a mistake yet. Having been so long an officer, I brin th instinct and judgment to my aid; I read the public like a book—ask Judge Brackett if 1 ever fail in my duty.” ‘‘Tn one word, sir, do you refuse to strengthen the guard at the jail?” uf must,” ‘** And you will take no precautions—” | ‘* Sufficient precautions are already made.” The sheriff spoke curtly. Thepretty daughter of the eminent judge was not a person to be ig- nored, but White had views of his own, and one was that an old sheriff ought not to be told his duty by any woman; ce y not by a mere girl. e had grown weary of the discussion, -| and spoke with considerable sharpness, Alice at once arose, ‘Take me away, Electa!” she directed. She moved toward the door. +, is hope you are not offended,” observed ite, ‘** And I hope you will not have the death of a — fellow-man registered aguinst you!” The earnest, solemn reply gave the sheriff an unpleasant feeling, and when he bad recovered his wits, Alice and Electa were gone from the house. They went several yards in silence, and then Alice suddenly paused. | ‘* Where are you leading me?” she asked, ** Home.” ‘*T’'m not going there!” _* Not goin’ home?” if No,” ‘* Where are you goin’, then?” ‘* Heaven help me! I don’tknow. Wewould ride to the mine and warn my father, but # might be too late. What are we to do, Electa?” ICO com Si (E