Copyright, 1885 & 1891, by Beadle & Adams, Entered at Post Office, New York, N.Y., assecond class matter. Mar. 25, 1900,

Mena M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers ;
No, 64. fasted gene © con miaiener —— padikgenie Vol, Vy
Peter colt 379 Pearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year.

 

 

 

 
 

 

——

 

 

 
a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

, Copyright, 1885 & 1891, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N.Y., as second class matter. Mar. 25, 1900.

 

> M,. J. IVERS &.CO., Publishers P
No 64 Published (James Sullivan, Proprietor,) : : Price 5 Cents. Vol, Vy,
eS . * Every Week. 379 Pear! Street, New York. $2.50 a Year.

 

YOUNG DICK TALBOT.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

 

 

TALBOT, WITH WONDERFUL QUICKNESS, CAUGHT THE RUFFIAN BY THE NORE AND J
: GAVE IT SUCH A TWIST AS MADE HIM ROAR WITH PAIN,

 

 

Ep par alts

SD

 
r

Young Dick Talbot.

 

~ Young Dick Talbot

A Boy’s Rough and Tumble Fight
from New York to California.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN,

AUTHOR OF ‘‘OVERLAND KIT,” ‘‘ ROCKY MOUN-
TAIN ROv,” ‘‘ KENTUCK, THE SPORT,” ‘IN-
JUN DICK,” ‘CAPTAIN DICK TALBOT,”
‘“GolD DAN,” ‘‘ TALBOT OF CINNA-
BA,” ‘‘RED RICHARD,” ‘KIT
CA4RSON, KING OF GUIDES,”

ETO., ETC.

CHAPTER I.
FATHER AND SON.

Our story of the early life of the man of
whom we have written so much, the daring
adventurer. whoin the wild western land was
known as Richard Talbot, or Injun Dick, com-
mences in New York city some forty years
ago. ay
eat that time the great metroplis was but a

weakling city compared to what it is now; |

Fortieth street bounded its northern limit, and
many well-to-do people dwelt in the down-town
atreets now given up to the demands of trade.
Hast Broadway was then a fine street, many
wealthy merchants had their homes there, and
‘among the rest were two brothers, Patrick and
Daniel Gwyne, partners in a flourishing import-

{ng business. \

rishmen were they ¥ birth, natives of the*
“Black North,” as the Protestant provinces in
the northern part of Ireland used to be termed
by the English officers who were always very
much averse to being detailed for duty there,
as the irhabitants were cold and formal in their
manners, a decided contrast to the fun-loving
people of the southern towns.

The two brothers were good representatives
of the cold north, both had heen married to
south of Ireland girls, both bad lost their wives,
but had a child apiece to remind them of their
helpmates. ¢

‘atrick, the elder brother, had a son, a boy
of eighteen, at the time of which we write, and
named Patrick also like his sire,
ne pat was blessed with a daughter, a blue-
syed,
of a girl called Bernice. s

The children were a most decided contrast to
their fathers, taking after their warm-hearted
southern mothers, being rash, .impulsive and
altogether wanting in the cold reserve and
prudent caution of their sires, ; ;

Bernice was but a child, peta. nearly ten
years younger than her cousin,‘Patrick. ~~
. She’ was the idol of both her father and

£4 cle, the latter being especially drawn towa’
ier, because he fancied he had good cause to be.
dissatisfied with his son, — ;

The wild, impulsive traits did not seem to be

so bad in the girl es they appeared in the boy.

_. _-Ever'since young Patrick was fifteen years -
old, when he left school to take a subordinate ,

\

Iden -haired beauty, a perfect little fairy |
y .

d been drawing further and further apart. —

Not but the boy attended strictly to his duties,
but day by day he more clearly showed that‘he
had a will of his own, and was not disposed to
yield implicitly to all his father’s whims. __

kind, the sire grew more and more stern,

‘| more disposed to force the boy at all hazards to

obey his slightest wish, as he fancied he per-
ceived an inclination on his son’s part to do as
he pleased. . eta

As time went on, there were hot words every
now and then between the two, for the boy was

father, which was beginning to develop into-
cee tyrapny. < rues
The old man was really not aware of this for
| he believed he was actin strictly for his son’s
good, and mourned greatly at the rashness of bis
impulsive son, never dreaming that he, ina great
measure, was responsible for it, for there was a.
great deal of the bigot and fanatic about the
stern old man, and with his inflexible rules he
_ was vexing the really noble spirit of his boy
| near to the verge of open rebellion. Es
| On the particular night that our story com-
mences, there was an open rupture between the
two, for the old man, yielding to a mean im-
| pulse had placed a spy upon his son and the re-

 

madness, .

rung old Pawxcn Bwyne held a family coun-
S oe young Patrick was cited to appear be-
‘ore it. \

old-fashioned arm-chair in a corner, a look of
‘apprehension upon her beautiful features, and
some face, faced his
niien. mS
Young Gwyne at this time had just reached
his eighteenth year, and being extremely well
developed for his age was an almost perfect
specimen of youthful manly ea NE
He stood fully five feet eight high, weighed
about one hundred and thirty pounds, was as
ve asac:t, and assubtleasasnake =
is face was a handsome one, with its regular

udges with an undaunted

oe “anh sing ie yee
nglets close to his perfectly s!
its Trighs, honest Seaeion!

A youth, right at the entrance of
path, with a great future before him, if all went
well, for he was one of nature’s noblemen.

‘A dark scowl came over
as he surveyed his son, %
The spirit of. independence so
in the boy’s a ca

would have fain seen

quail beneath his frown. i ;
The uncle too shook his head in asole

ner. Less hard by

‘inly visible
angry; he

 

he believed him to be ix right and deeply
less conduct should

cause so good
much trouble, _

features, all clearly ie ee
e ng in crispy
Bhead, and.

e face of the father

position in his father’s business, he and his aire :
a

And, as generally happens in all cases of | %

high-spirited, and resented the iron rule of his ~

ort made by this creature, excited him almost _
After the fashion of the race from which he |

young Patrick, with a proud look upon his hand-

his worldly

*

the youth tremble and —

I 1 , man. i
than his brother yet

In the somber parlor sat the two brothers, the ©
golden-haired fairy, Bernice, was nestled in an’

va

| regretted that his unlucky nephew by his grace- —
® father so

cM

 
¥

aioe your dissolute course,

ee. en

a “ug
= finuanente

\

defiance of your fath

a

i

8 iy BLOBD.
_ ‘The younger

- spect—he makes himself the judge,

*
“Bo, you have cothef” quoth the old man,
glaring at the boy with the angry frown of a
judge eagor to administer a deserved sentence
upon a hardened criminal. ;
“Yes, sir, you sent for me and of course I
- came instantly to learn your avon replied
the boy, perfectly cool and self- =
my. word, young man, you have the
of Satan himself!” exclaimed old
Ree enraged at the gallant bearing of the
youth,
“Shope not, sir, for I do not consider that it
would be a merit.”
“Oh, isn’t it ae set yourself up in open
“7am not aware, sir, that I have done any-
thing of the kind.”

‘Doy
ed im Heit obedience to all my wishes?”
the old man in a rage, shaking his uplifted fin-
ey carte hes, sir, that I ht to iy
your wishes, sir, that I o respect,
I have obeyed to the letter.” ed
“ Aha! do you hear that, Daniel?” the father
exclaimed. Do you hear how he talks like a
lawyer? AH my wishes that he ought to re-
yousee. If
J lay a command upon him that he doesn’t like,
he consults himself about the matter. He obeys
me when it suits him, and when it doesn’t suit
him, I may go hang for all he cares.”

“Upon my word, it is a shame!” interposed
the uncle. “Oh, Patrick, my boy, is it you
that ought to set yourself up in opposition to
the will of your father?” and he shook his head
in the most doleful manner.

ou dare to tell me that you have es
cri

So Ai, sta Ege Heaven’s name, am I?” cried

’ sorrow and shame not only upon yourself but.

youn
no will

Patrick, vehemently. ‘‘A slave, with
of my own—no right to do aught of my
own free desire? I am nota ¢hild, and do not
think that it is nen I should be kept in leading-
ctr inet, as though I was nothing but a boy of
D. i
_ © Patrick, you are upon the downward path!”
cried tbe father solemnly. ‘If you go on in
ou_will surely come to
hanged in the end. You will bring bitter

upon all who bear your name.

tf ae you are too barsh with me,” re-
_ sponde |
denial which had risen to his lips, and endeavor-

ing to reason calmly about the matter,
“Too harsh with you?’ exclaimed the old
~ man, oo more and more violent.- ‘‘ By my
soul! I have not been half strict enough. If I
could have foreseen this ten years ago, 1 would
have had you put in solitary confinement, and
fed upon bread and water, until I had broken
this satan-like spirit which has grown up within

: ms ead’ you ret a ae ae ot
- your goings-on; you thin am ignoran’
the tenes x

path that your feet have been
‘or the past three or four years.

"treading fot
: “But d know more than you dream of. I’ve

 heda soy een your track, and I know every-

we sn’t that true, brother Danielf”
_‘ Yes, yes,” responded the uncle, with a
brother was but an echo of
Acie Pata , ‘ , .

one

Young Dick Talbot. /

-tbe boy, choking back the passionate .

‘boy. But it’s all over now.
at last, thank Heaven! and I’ll soon make

 

oe elder, always agreeing with him in every-

t

Ag fs had you watched!” continued the old
man, growing more and more violent, as he re-
flected upon his wrongs. ‘‘ Think of that—think
of the shame of it! Compelléd to put a spy upon
my own son!” — :

«But there wasn’t any necessity of doing
anything of the kind!” cried the young man
indignantly the hot blood reddening his cheeks
and forehead.

“‘ Wasn't there?” asked the father in a tone of
withering contempt. :

“No, sir, there was not. If you had asked
me I would freely have told you everything
that ~ desired to know. Whatever my faults
may be, father, duplicity is not one of them. I
am of your blood, and tradition says there never
yet was a liar with the Gwyne name.”

“ And do you mean to say you would have
dared to stand up before me and tell me to my
teeth what I have found out about you?” |

“T donot know of course of what offenses I
am charged by this unknown spy, who, like ail
the class to which he belongs, no doubt did his
best toearn his money, but this I will say, I
would have told you the truth and abided by
the consequences.’

CHAPTER IL.
HARSH CONDITIONS,

~ You think to hoodwink me by this brava-
do!” exclaimed the old man fearfully exaspera-
ted, ‘but you’ll crouch and tremble when you
discover that 1 know rttslt tape 2

“No, father, to crouch is not in my nature,”
replied theson. ‘‘When I am in fault I am
ready to own it frankly and abide the result,
and now, when I look back over the past few
years I am conscious that I have not acted asT
should have done. I have been wild and reck-
less, but ina measure you are to blame; you have
ruled me with an iron rein and in the folly of
youth, rebelling against what I considered tobe
unjust treatment, I have been led into indisore-
tions, of which, otherwise, 1 should not have
been guilty.” ’

The rage of the father became increased by
this bold speech, the more so that in his heart
he knew that every word was true.

He had attempted to reduce his proud, high-
spirited son to the abject condition of aslave;.
was it a wonder that such a boy should have
resented the ill-treatment? sbi 3

‘Ah, matters bave come to a fine state indeed
when a ers son dares to upbraid his
father!” cried the old man in heat. ‘“ Of course
Iam to blame for all of it because I would not
allow you to go on in your own reckless way,
but endeavored to bring you up like a decent
My eyes are open

an
end of this disgraceful shame.” ;

OER apply those words to me, father, I
ean aly say that I have not done anything to
merit them.” ae ; aa,

“Oh, you hav’n’t!” exclaimed old Gwyne, —
endeavoring to work himself up into a passion, —
for he felt that he was in the wrong and was

S

4

 
   
   

4

Young Dick Talbot. —

   
   

 

trying to jash himself Into a fury so as to stifle
the voice of conscience. ;

‘No, sir I have not; I have been foolish, I
R own, but aot in the least degree criminal,”
: He Gib tie boy, firmly, yet perfectly respect-
y ful. 2 :

“ Ah, youll change your tune in a moment
when you find out that I kaow all about you!
Ob, it’s desd I would rather see you than have

ou live to bring disgrace and shame on me
5 my old age. Are you not a card-player—.
answer me that—a gambler that wins dirty
money from foolish tnen who can ill-afford to
lose it?” :

“¥ do play cards, sir, once in a while,” re-
plied the son, slowly, and in a regretful tone;
‘Tam a member of a social club where to pass
the time away cards are ae I, with the
rest got into the habit, but we do not play for
money, nor with any one but the members of
the club, so you see | am nota gambler nor the

* associate of gamblers.”
‘But there’s not one. of them that can play
% eards, with you; you always win, and that
Pe ithe that you cheat!) thundered the father,
ercely.

‘No, sir, forgive me for being obliged to con-
tradict you so abruptly. but it doesn’t prove
anything of the kind. It only shows that I

have a natural talent and skill for such things,
I win because I am a better player than my an-
tagonists and that is all there is to it.”

* And you're a pistol-shot, too, I am: told; you

 

 
  
  
  
  
        
 
 
    

nine times-out of ten; you are fitting yourself
to commit murder one of these days.”
‘Oh, no, sir, it is a harmless sport, and there
again you must blame nature which has blessed
m> with quick and correct eyes and/nerves of
iron. . i

      
   

say there is 10 one in the elub that can stand up
against you, that you’ve an arm like iron and
can lay out the biggest man there is there with
no more trouble thanif he was a big boy. The
next thing I’ know you'll be in training for a
prize-fight, I suppose.” :
- “Qb, no, not the least danger of that... We
‘only use the gloves at the club for amusement and
because they have been recommended by physi-
cians asa means of healthy exercise for young
iS eee ee myself who are confined to a desk all
day. ? j e
“Oh, you can find plenty of reasons no doubt,
but I object: to all these little innocent. amuse-
ments.- Pll not have ye grow ve to be a dis<
grsee to me in my oll age, a pistol-shot, a priae-
¥ ee a gambler, and a drunkard too no
ES err Sy ae Cyt :

  
 

    
   
     
     
   
   
 
  
   

Ae ng No. ;
woy, wartnly, bis pride touched ‘by the. unjus'

: aoa ‘No one can say with truth that

¥ ua "s e d
not only frov1 cho:

pak outer it; jiquor to me

- thananythi g else.” ~ _

The only virtu

: ; ; : all now living on earth who bear the Gwyne
practice at a es and can hit the bull’s-eye Lig? ee

te ety 4. ) accumulated. _
: “ And youre a boxer, too!” exclaimed the.
A father in atone of supreme contempt. ‘‘ They:

father, no, stop there!” exclaimed. the.

 

  
          
     
       
    
  
  
  

2 ER nih
father, as you have been to
useless for me to rep ue
I want to bring you - in the right way, and
set my face against all this wicked folly. When
I was a boy I had to do exactly as my father
said and I would have as soon thought of flying
as attempting to act contrary to his wishes, :

“From the house I went to the store, an
from the store I came back to the housé, and
never even dreamed of clubs and such wicked
in i Your uncle, Daniel, can bear witness to

at. ‘teks Beans
Tho brother solemnly nodded his head, — ag
“ And that is the reason why | am now a
thriving man; but you—what will you ever
make, going on in this evil ae Pes Saray ee

“Do I not perform all the duties allotted to
me to your satisfaction?” te ; E

“A cloak—a cloak to

  
 

“You are ee rig
moe for years, so it
“Unjust!” cried the father, fiercel,

     

  

  
   
    
  

  

  

 
    
    
   
     
     
      
 
   
 
 
   
 

  

  

i blind my eyes to the
evil ways you follow when you are not under
my eye!” cried old Gwyne, vehemently, ~ :

“Father, I will nob attempt to answer that
‘accusation, for I understand that all argument
on my part would be useless. You have séem
ingly made up your mind that J am everythin:
that is bad, and I do not suppose that any-
eae I can say will induce you to alter your
opin W ‘ tie Th BAY ine

nat No--for I. know the truth, and all
smooth speeches will not explain away the fa
Now listen to me. We four in this room a1

   
  
  
 
 
  
  

blood in their veins. get]

“Ts has always been understood between
your uncle and myself that one of these days,if
you proved worthy of the trust, you should be-
come the husband of Bernice, and so keep in-
tact the fortune that the Gwyne brothers have

 
 
  
    

  

“But you are a disgrace to the name, and
poth your uncle and myself are determined
that the money we have earned by honest in-
Sena shall never be squandered in riotous de-
auchery. ! i tint Sick s
“Tf you could only see yourself as others see
you, you would be amazed-at the spectacle you

resent. = coat : weet
seach, yale alee alae
eler ere a eh. ung man | UL,
(rod Wil sing anti

 
 
  
 
  
 

   
   
      
       

He'll rise, mark me, while you:

you reach a pauper’s grave,”
ee Rather, iy boner me to t
little even'a man whom I thoroughly se—
yet in this instance I must say that if, to rise
this life, I must take pattern by such a sn te
thi
oy

cringing cur as Thomas Atherford, then | :
I would rather remain a poor man all my life,
You believe in him because, for the sake of your
favor, be is willing to even kiss the ground where
Ik. He tries to be on good terms with

  
 
 
     

 
 
 
 

ough he knows I despise him, bi
1 tand what he is ap to—he
d that he may get
eo - . Young Dick falbot. _ : a

_, Youare blind, I see, to the faults ofevery leved that if they could remove young Patrick
‘one excepting the unfortunate soul unlucky from the store, their chance for a ivancement
_ enough to be your son,” the boy remarked, bit- was certain, and so they plotted with satanic-
é my mee > ; like cunning. : ‘ 3
__ You'll not better your case by attempting to For over three years it had been going on.
_ injure those two uprigi:t young men—and now Thomas passed in the store as a wodel young
_ listen to my determination in this matter,” said man while Robert went out of his vay to make
_ the old man, with all the sternness of a judge. the young man familiar with all tho fast life of
_ “7 will give you another chance to reform. thégreatcity, Hoe it was who introduced him
You must give up your clerkship in the store; to the social club, and although there wasn’t
ou must commence at the very foot of the anything wrong about it, for all the members
Tesaoe: and begin as the porter. I want tobu- were young men of good standing who had
- miliate you, and see if I cannot drive out this banded themselves together for good fellowship
pride and break your stubborn will. end mutual enjoyment, yet the schemers fondly
_ ** And as time goes on, if I see that you are hoped it would prove the stepping-stone to
- turning over a new leaf and leading a'different wilder pleasures such as no prudent young man
life, I will promote you gradually, as I see you should indulge in.
are deserving of favor. But all, your habits The affair did not progress, though, as the
of life must be changed. No more of these fine precious pair had anticipated. ee
-» - elothes; you must dress as a porter would dress. With all the vigor of well-developed youth
_ Straight from the house to the store you must’ the boy entered into the sports which the social
go, and when your work is done you must re- club fostered. As a card-player he was singu-
turn immediately to the house again. I must larly expert, seemed to be able to do about as
__. have an account of how youpass every hour in he pleased with the pieces of pasteboard, and
‘the day from the time you get up, until you re- could perform more tricks than any juggler or
_ tire to rest again.” — aE _ | eard-sharp in the land. . “
_ “ And if Ido not submit to these harsh condi-| As a pistol-shot he became. renowned, and
tions?’ the young manasked. | with the boxing-gloves, the retired pugilist who —
- “Then you are no longer a son of mine!” taught the club, admitted he was a “terror,”
cried the old man, sternlv, “I disown you! But at this. point bis wildness stopped. He
- You must go forth from this house and never did not drink, nothing would induce him’ to
return t while the breath of life isin my gamble, and his expertness in the ‘manly art
body!” ; | of self-defense” seemed only toinspire him with
“Oh, uncle, you will not be so cruel!” wailed an ardent desire te keep out of all quarrels.”
the child, Barnice, her big blue eyes filled with | This was the truth, but the stories that came
_ tears, © Reiss : to the father’s ears, thanks to the two schemers,
“Be silent, my dear, you must not plead for represented the boy in the worst possible light,
_ this wretched, stubborn boy!” exclaimed the old and old Gwyne, being by nature a crabbed, ob-
man, : stinate man, determined to put the boy through
“You are right, father, about ‘that; I am such a discipline as would effectually crush all
stubborn for I would sooner gain my bread as wildness out of him. eee
a day laborer in the street than submit to such = Either be must submit or else go forth into
legrading conditions. the worlda beggar. __ a x
“Tam your son, father, and as obstinate in ‘This was entirely due to the two brothers,
- my way as you are in yours. Farewell, I go who had made up their minds to rain young
forth into the world to seek my fortune; be it Patrick. . : gee
good or evil I will never darken your doors The blow at last had fallen, and as the boy
“again until you repent of the injustice which walked along the street he realized that he wes
yon bine done me this night.” ____ | hig own master.
_ ” @aking his hat he moved toward the door. The future was before him for him to make or
“Begone and take with you tue bitter curse mar, © SA ie Ae # ‘
of an outraged father!” cried theoldmanin@ — Desolate enough he felt too, although he was
fearfulrage. not absolutely helpless. : et oe
‘The boy replied not but went forth into the He had been in the receipt of a fair salary,
TUgMR ee te oe Eres <a. althongh he ae troubled -bimeott
os Be, ; : Pe | about saving any yet, as be was not 1n-
pel ee Ce aead tw BAC ee er olined to be expensive, f é uaually bad fonsid.
hans ee 2 a ied ' | erable money in his pocket, seldom being with- |
. ae ean See out fifty or sixty dollars, =~ . 7
__ Iv was with a heavy heart, despite his bold —_ As he strolled slowly along the street he ex-
ords, that the young man left the house. amined into the state of his funds. ee
_ Although he felt be had been treated unjustly — He had exactly fifty-one dollars in his pocket-
Ly i was no light matter to leave the roof book, and a good suit of clothes upon his back.
w

eee

had sheltered him almost from his birth. «Well, I am not so badly off.” he murmured,
Ina great measure the father was wrong for communing with himself. “Many a man bas
not guilty of the charges which had commenced the world with far less capital and
against him, but the mind of the yebachioved afortune,
systematically poisoned ais And ashepet thequéstion ae igh nh a
Pe at ee Ne And ashe put the. ion, U mind came
s Thomas and Robert Atherford, thoughts of the golden Pacific coast. The au-
lar favorites of the merchant, be- riferous fever had on in full blast for some

 
6 fe Young Dick Talbot.

years at the time of which we write, and the

- strange stories of the almost fabulous fortunes
which had been achieved by lucky adventurers
on the far Pacific slope had excited the wonder
of the stay-at-homes who had resisted the temp-
tations to wander afar in strange lands.

“That's the place for me, California!” our
hero exclaimed, ‘I will go there, and there
isn’t any reason why I shouldn’t make a fortune
as. well as’the rest who have succeeded. I’ve
money enough to take me there, if I am pru-
dent with it, and if I could return in five or ten

- years, independently wealthy, perhaps father
would change his mind about me. Itis worth
the trial, and I would far rather go away than
stay in the city. ;

‘“Now that I have lost the confidence of one
who ought to have been the last man in the
world to listen to evil about me, the quicker I
get away some locality where I will not
encounter any one but strangers the better.”

Wrapped in these ey, thoughts the youth
was proceeding slowly along when his medita-
tions were interrupted by a slap on the
shoulder, and a well-known voice exclaimed:

“‘ Gwyne, you're just the fellow I wanted to
see.

The young man turned and beheld the jovial
face of Johnny Calpen, one of the most promi-
nent members of the club to which Gwyne
belonged, and a particular friend of his.

“Ts that so?” :

“Yes, Pm cut fora time to-night, and I want
you to.come along.” :

Johnny had the reputation of being a pistty
fast young man, and for that reason, althou;
our bero was very intimate with him at the
club, yet he had always avvided going with him,
when Johnny started out to have what he called

‘a good time, j

‘I’m afraid you'll have to excuse me,” Gwyne

replied.

K Ah, that is what you always say; but this
time Iam not at allinclined to take no for an
answer!” the other exclaimed, passing his arm
through Gwyne’s, and falling in step with him.
“ And I say, what’s the matter with you to-
night? You look as if you had lost all your
friends.” 3 Sioa,

“Not so bad as that, I hope.” -

“ Are you sick?” ; ;

“Tm “not feeling very well,” the youth
_ replied, endeavoring to sheke off the depression

that weighed so pear uponhim.

“The more reason then that you come along
with meand havea good time. Come along,
and as an inducement I'll show you a rare
sight—one that will make you open your eyes

too.”
= “What is it?” gare
' “A liar and hypocrite with the mask off—
your particular friend, Thomas ‘Atherford, the

wily scamp that has been doing his best to make

trouble for you. I have come across his tracks
~ two or tree times in the club lately, and at this
place where I am going, I heard him boasting last

‘night to some of his cronies that a certain party
would oat the ‘sack before lone, and that it was
nn’

all his doings, too. He ’t mention any

Just for greens, you know!

 

certain things he said in con- good

¥

nection with the matter, I came to the con>
clusion he referred to you. .
“He didn’t know that I was around for when
Iheard him begin to talk freely I kept in the
background on purpose.” | re a
“T wonder that he so far forgot his usual cau-
tion as to openly expose his game, I knew hoe |
hated me, and I most certa’ ly despised him,
yet he always treats me with a fawning civility
hat is perfectly disgusting.” _ ta ee
“To tell you the truth, Gwyne, my ye BOI or
his companion .with a laugh, “the modest, re-
spectable and humble Thomas had been drink-
ing some ale and it bad got into bis h other-
wise I do not doubt he would have had sense
enough to hold his tongue. ee
“But come along with me to-night and sur-
prise the scamp in a place that he wouldn’t have —
your father know that he visits for a thousand
dollars.” = i eo
“Tve half a mind to go with you forit is a
strong temptation to behold the rascal 4s he
really is,” our hero observed. ‘I’ve just had a
quarrel with my father and I should not be sar-
prised if this low scoundrel is at the bottom of
the whole affair.” © pene eS
“No doubt aboutit, the sneak is mean enough
for anything. I know he has tried to back-cap
you—to use. the slang—at the club, and from
‘shea Bae age _ Richt S gated that the a
wasn’t the on ace where he has been D|
2 ae rea wth my tater
* He has cegtainly succeeded with my father, —
if he is the party, and I feel pratigr wall sania a
he is. My father told me that he had had a spy —
upon my track and had been informed of every-
$ibg Thad done for some time past.”
“Sly Thomas is the man depend upon it!”
Calpen cried. “I tell you what itis, Gwyne, if —
I were you ae feel precious like giying him
& good unding, een aaa ‘
‘If the fellow was any match for me perhaps
Tsbould.? bane ; eae
“Why he is twenty to thirty pounds heavier _
than you are and bigger every way; he is three _
or four years older too, isn’t he?? ee
; eS is is berate or three, Sere
and he is bigger than aminevery way, butfor
all that he sag match for a2 we " 7 A
“I don’t doubt that; I feel sure you can get
away with him, but as far as size and weight go,
most folks would consider it more than an even.
thing and say decidedly that the advantage —
was onhisside. Ne cdi emma oe:
“But I say, you'll come along with me, eh?
r Tl bet this sly ’coon
ee disgusted when he sees he is caught.”
‘Yes, I will go with you!” our hero exclaim- —
ed, elding toa sudden impulse, = by
‘That's right and we'll have a jolly time!” _

= CHAPTER 1V.. i
(0 gD BOP SE Me Ge gee

Ta two friends proceeded along Hast Broad- —
way until they came to Chatham square and
then turned into the nents Re OPW ok
“You wouldn’t have believed yh this fel-
low was such a confounded sneak, if you hadn’s
ood proof of it?” Calpen remarked, —

1

 
* Wo, I should not, although I never liked him |
and always had an idea that he wasn’t sucha
saint as he tried to appear.” |

“Not much of a saint about him as you will |

see before you are an hour older.” ld

‘The Bowery at this time was just about the |
same sort of a street as it is now, filled with |
saloons and all sorts of little shows, and one who |
walked along it jostled people of all nations and
listened to exclamations in almost every modern

lan; age. .
he Bowery has always been the most cosmo-
politan of all the New York streets.

Strangers, particularly those in search, of
owhat is pour known asa good time, seemed

. a oe their way to the Bowery almost by in-.
stinct.

The two friends went on until they passed
Hester street and then Calpen stopped abruptly
in front of a dingy, two-storied wooden house,
a much the worse for the wear and tear of

me. %

_ & saloon was on the ground floor, rather a
low-looking place and Calpen laughed as he no-
ticed the dubious way in which his companion

eyed it.

‘This isn’t Broadway, old fellow, and you

mué’n’t look for style in the Bowery,” be re-

marked. ‘This is a chats place, you know,
and does not disdain to rake in any. bing from
two cents upward, and if a man should be fool-
ish enough to display a roll of five-dollar bills
he would be looked upon as a millionaire.”

Just such low dens exist in the Bowery to-day,
and one can see plenty of the old-fashioned
wooden houses in a stroll from Chatham square
3 se street, although it is but a few

locks,

“You're a kind of a funny fellow, Gwyne,”

alpen continued, ‘‘and never had much curi-
osity about seeing the elephant while I always
went in for a sight of the animal, but to-night
you shall see what you shall see!”

In his present state of mind young Gwyne felt
reckless enough to go into any thing.

“This was to be the last night that he would
spend in New York, in all probability, for years,
and what mattered it then where he went? So

“without objection he followed his companion.
ane proceeded like one well acquainted with
way. x
: There was a shabby green door next to the
saloon entrance which evidently gave access to
the upper part of the house. ;

_ This door Calpen opened and the companions
found themselves in a small entry, illuminated
by a single gas light.

_, At the further end of the entry was another
door, tightly closed.

/ Cal vanced and knocked upon it.

A little door, about six inches square, in one
\of the upper panels was opened and the grin-
i we of.a negro looked 6ut upon the two.

- “Ts all right, Alpbonso!” exclaimed Cal-
pen, who delighted to fix high-sounding names
oe everybody at the slightest provocation. |

“This and myself are on a tour of

Young Dick Yafbot.

 

: tlemai
“inspection, Are the animals at home?”
— *T 'spects the: Cilig aeet responded the’! P°?

black, showing

a display of bis

y

ivories that he appreciated the wit of the

young gentleman. .. :
Then he closed the secret panel, and proceed-

ed to shoot back the bolts which guarded the

oor.

“This is a good stout door, you will notice,”
Calpen remarked, ‘‘and by the noise the fellow
is making with the bolts, it is apparent that it is
guarded as securely as the entrance toa jail.
The idea is to prevent unwelcome visitors from
getting in without considerable trouble. While

he door was being forced the people up-stairs
would have plenty of time to get out of harm’s

way.

By the time the explanation was finished the
door swung open.

“Many visitors to-night?” Calpen asked, as
they rpeneen the guardian of the door.

"No, sah, not yess too early, sah.”

“That is true,” the guide observed to Gwyne,
as they ascended the stairs which commence:
just beyond the door. ‘*The crowd whose
money really keeps the house going don’t begin
to §et in until about midnight.”

ur hero had not a very cléar idea of what
sort of a place it was that he was entering, al |
though, of course, he understood that it was
some den beyond the pale eof the law; there-
fore, he was not surprised to ‘find himself in a
regular gaming-room, fitted up in tawdry style.

here were half a dozen men in the room,
old and young, but only one or'two were play-
ing; the rest were lounging on the sofas and
chairs, keeping an anxious eye upon a side-
board, where a negro waiter was setting out a
“sumptuous” lunch, the principal dishes of
which were fried liver and stewed tripe.

Two of the men recognized Calpen and bis
companion the moment they entered.

They. were both young, about twenty-two or
three apparently, and looked enough alike to be
brothers, as they were.

Both had evidently been drinking, and were
slightly under the influence of liquor. -

_ These were the two brothers whom our hero
had reason to believe had been secretly working
to do him harm. :

“Young Gwyne, by all thatis wonderful!” the
elder brother exclaimed to his companion—the
two were seated on the sofa—the moment the
young men entered the room. Fae

The speaker was Thomas Atherford, the fel-
low who carried bimself so demurely during
business hours that all his associates looked upon
him as a model young man. -

The younger brother, Robert, was-not so skill-
ful an actor, and then, too, he was rougher in
every way, while Thomas was as smooth as
silk and as oily as a confidence operator.

. “Well, well, of all places in the world for
him to come!” muttered Robert in answer to
his brother’s exclamation. ; :

Gwyne was not so much astonished as the
brothers, for his companion had in a great meas-
ure prepared him for the meeting, but the four
came upon each other so unexpectedly—the
brothers were sitting close to the door, and Cal-
and Gwyne came face to face with them tha
moment they entered—that it was embarrassing
forallof them, RS

 
   

Young Dick Tathot. pe ge

   

 

Thomas was the first to recover.
All smiles, he rose and extended his hand,
“Why, my dear Mr. Gwyne, this is really
an unexpected pleasure,” he said. ‘I was not
aware that yo ever took a night off, enjoyin
the sights of the town... It’s very seldom that
do such a thing myself, but the quietest man,
you know, will go on a lark once in a while.
Of course, you understand that there isn’t any
need of speaking about this little sort of a spree
at the store. Your respected father is very
strict, and has some peculiar ideas about cer-
- tain things.”
“You bet, he’d kick up a rowif he knew of
us roe here to-night!” the other brother inter-
ected.
; ; **No doubt; no doubt,” observed Thomas,
withdrawing his hand in some little confusion
as he saw that our hero had no idea of taking

 

 

<

it.
“And quite right, too, because, really, we
ought not to be here. But the mischief is done
and crying over spilt milk will nat replace it in
the pitcher again. I sba’n’t yield to the tempta-
tion again, So we’ll say nothing about this little
meeting, eh, Mr. Gwyne?’ and he Jeered sug-

pS IE ae SET

silence, you know. You keep quiet about our
being here and we’ll be sure not to breathe a
4 : word to any one that we ever saw you in sucha
ee ' place, And in fact, when you come to consider
HH the matter, you have a deal more at stake than
we have, tt might cost us our places in your
father’s employ, but from the way 1 know he
feels toward you, a discovery might be fatal to
all your future prospects,” eae

“Oh, yes; it is just about as broad as it is
é long,” exclaimed the younger brother bluntly.
My “You are in more danger than we, so if you

- will just keep quiet, we won’t plash.”
‘Neither one of you need apprehend danger

 

} young Gwyne replied in cold contempt. /
The sbot struck fairly home, and it was so
unexpected that it made the brothers wince, °
be Tbomas was the first to recover bimself, and
he Penen to rub his hands softly together.
“ Ah, yes,” he said fawningly, ‘you are such
a noble young man; you are an honor to your
a. I spoke foolishly, of course, for I might
ave known that there wasn’t the slightest
danger of your betraying the secret, I wouldn’t
ha ask you to tell a lie for the world, you know,
re _ but as your pa cannot possibly have any sus-
Ph - picions about this little frolic, he will be cer-

 

 

tain not to ask any questions,
forget the service either, and one of these days
I will do as much for you.” :
__ * You need not be alarmed about the matter,
_ T shall not probably see my father again for
some time as I am going to leave the city to-
morrow morning.” ; ; ee
“Going away!” cried both the brotbers in a
breath, t Grong ty astonished by the intelligence
and heartily delighted at it, though they were
careful not to’show it, ; £2 OY
“Yes, itis true? —* a
ss Re oe ’ as
No, sir, upon my own
“You and. mn

  

4,

    

estively in the face of the other, ‘‘ Silence for

ie from me; I am neither,a spy nor an informer!” .

And I shall not |

| Boing to burst through th clin,
“On your father’s business?” asked the chief ' anger it

 
  
   
   
   
 
  
   
   
       
    

I hope?” and the speaser endeavored to look —
sympathetic. ad be rh,
“It would make your heart glad fo know |
that we had, I’ll warrant!” our hero exclaimed.
“ Oh, how can you say so?® i Z
**T say so because you are the snake who has —
made all the trouble, you sneaking villain]”
Gwyne cried, hotly. :
CHAPTER V. es ee
* THE ALTERCATION, — Epa
“On, really, Mr Gwyne, you wrong me!” —
Thomas exclaimed. ‘I wouldn’tinjure es for
the world, and I should be very sorry: indeed to
Jearn that there had been any so out be-
tween your respected pa and yourself, There
hasn’t been any such thing, I.hope,”
“You dou’t hope so, but quite the contrary!”
our hero exclaimed, bluntly. _ * You know very
well that you have been doing everything in
your power for three or four years to breed
trouble between my father and myself. You
have been a mischief-maker ever since you bave
been in the store and now learn from iene you
_ have succeeded in your dirty work, You will
no longer be put to the trouble of playing the
spy and the informer upon me. Ihaveleftmy —
father’s house never to return and I think that
in a great measure I can thank you for it, you
aoa sneak” ie ae 4“ “ i: Sas
ee here, you're ng pretty strong lan —
guage,” exclaimed the younger brother, etc
set, robust fellow, who rather prided himself on
Mi po reinal pepe A : , iiss
es, pretty strong language and altogether —_
uncalled for,” asserted Thodien who was also
Muscular in build, ; j ,
_ Now that their plot had succeeded and the
young man had been driven from home they did
not think it necessary ro longer wear a mask and
were disposed to show their true colors. —
“You're a pair of contemptible hounds Se
ba you ought to bein jail,” Gwyne re-
ried. ; : Phe
“What's that you say?” cried the younger
brother advancing in a threatening panens ae,
“‘Oh, don’t mind the young whelp,” Thomas
ejaculated. 5 aaa aca rae ea
In our hero’s present state of mind this ib
was more than he could bear, for his.
almost up to the boiling point when he reflected
that i- these two rascals he was indebted for —
Ahe position in which he now found himself, so _
without an instant’s hesitation, with the palya of.
his open hand he gave Thomas who had ad-
vanced close to him in an insolent and threat- —
ening way, a most : iti arate 8
The effect was as if the man had ric
by a hand of iron rather than b
and bone. . rah

ae 5 Kani ¢
He staggered: back, the report of the
wouniting tks See Ric

       

 
    
 
  
 

 
   
     
 
  

   
     
 
 
    
     

     
   

   

     

 
 

 
     
 
 
 
   
    
   
  
  
 
 
   

  

  
  
 
   

    
 
 
 
   
  
 
  
 
 
 

   
 
 
   
  

bh the room,
and the spot whereon the blow. fell ecame as.
red as fire; it really looked as if the blood wi

   
 
  

Jt was the first

 

 
  

 
 

and Your respected pa hav’n't auarrelee | goqsed.

  
 

       
  

 

  
    
    
   
   
  
   
      
  
    
  
 
  
 
    
    
   
   

 

  

Young Dick Talbot.

 

 

‘He was not allowed much time for reflection
though, for when the younger brother perceived

- how roughly his relative had been handled, with

_ a howl of rage, undeterred by the exhibition
Beet he had witnessed, he sprung upon young
wyne. ‘
Te really looked as if he was far more than a
_ match for the youth, for he wasa far bigger
- man in every way; but the way he was re-
ceived made the lookers.on open their eyes.
; Gwyne parried the yicious blows which his
antagonist showered upon him with the great-
_ est ease, and then, when his opponent paused to
- take breath, exhausted by the severe exertion,
he dealt hima slap in the face with his open
hand, exactly like the one he had bestowed
_ upon his brother, only this one was a trifle
harder, and the bones of the stricken man’s face
seemed to fairly crack under the stroke.

He reeled back with a gasp, and then the |

~ other brother, apparently rendered frantic with

_ the treatment which they had received, drew |
, Ppa Ragen knife, and made a dash at.

_ Gwyne. ¢ eee ,
‘The two closed in a ey ape struggle, which
‘lasted but a few seconds, however, for then
‘Thomas cried out: —_ :
‘Ob! heaven, I am cut!” ; eee
_ * The antagonists separated, the knife was in
Gwyne’s hand, in the struggle he had succeeded
in disarming his opponent, blood. crimsoned
the glittering blade, and Thomas, throwing
Pp his hands with groans of pain, sunk to the
Boots .<* : :
“Ob, I am killed—I am killed!” he cried.
_ ‘This boy has murdered me!” Mess
. _“ As Heaven is my judge, I did not intend to
do it!” Gwyne exclaimed. ‘I only. tried to
teke the knife away from him so that he could
pe erate) roa. kted. bica ox dse—yo
as sa lie! you killed him on purpdse—you
intended to doit. Men, help ats arrest The
murderer!” the brother cried, snatching u
conta if intending to assault the south

~ with it, spe

_ And the rest in the room, with the exception
of Calpen, who was horror-stricken at the tra-
gedy, manifested a disposition toaid Atherford,
who was their chum. ‘ ‘ :
“Stand back!” cried Gwyne, almost driven to
“madness by the fatal accident, for such in truth
it was, for he had not the least intention of
hurting bis assailant with the knife, being only

  

  

desirous of avoidi

too caught upachair, ~ oy
“Surrender!” cried two or three of the men,

producing weapons and menacing Gwyne with

em. i ‘
The oo was frantic, he did not pause to
reflect, but the instinct of self-preservation told
him to escape at all hazards. :

_ The assailants were advancing toward him in

 

t hand looking into the back yard.
He whirled the heavy chair which he had
snatched up around his head, and then threw it
force of a battering-ram at the group.

up

injury himself, and he

body, there was a medium-sized window on
righ h

| escape that way, but he had noticed the win.
= aie and was just in thé humor for a desperate
eed,“

The house was old, and he judged the window-
fixings were not particularly strong, so he
jumped headlong atit, and as he had calculated,
carried away the entire concern.

He and the window sashes went into the back
yard together, and, marvelous to relate, the

_yYouth sustained no material damage, landing
a ground on all fours with the agility of a
cat, ;

| Beyond a few scratches, he showed no signs

' of the perilous leap. :

Rising nimbly to his feet, he ran to the near-
est fence and climbed over if into the next
ard, and so he scaled ‘three fences in succession
oe he attempted to make his way to the

| street, i

- He could hear the cries of astonishment of the

fellows, from whom he had so unceremoniously
taken leave, and they ran down into the yard,
expectin

  
 
  
  
  
   

| that he was not there. é

| From the route he had taken—just by accideni,

| for in his haste he had not stopped tc calculate
upon the matter—he had got into the yard of a
house that fronted upon Hester street. -

| As it happened, there was a passage straigh
through the house to whigh the ground belonged,
from the yard to the street.

| Neither of the two doors belonging to the

 

 

  

| difficulty whatever in making his way from the

| yard to the street, and on his way he was so

_ fortunate as not to encounter a single soul.

| When once in the street, he crossed imme-
diately to the other side of the way, and turn-

    
 

|ing his back on the Bowery, walked rapidly

‘away. :
A: was usual at such an hour, the street was

least attention. © ne es ws
| He knew that he would have at Jeast ten min-
utes’ start of his pursuers, even if they should be

 

  
  

|

   
 
 
 

fences he had clambered, for it was just as

  

as in the opposite direction, -

 

went down a block until he came to Canal, then,

, entry were locked, and so our hero found no-

At the corner of the first street he turned and

to behold his mangled body, or at .
| least to find him badly wounded, and discovered

il of people, and Gwyne did not excite the

lucky enough to discover over which of the —
likely that he would go toward Grand street

turning to his right, he in effect retraced his

el Sie
aa

 

   
  
  
  
   
   
    
 

      
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
 

  

former steps by going direct to the Bowery.

_ He crossed the great artery and on the right-
hand side of the way kept on into Chatham
square, Then through Chatham street until he
came to the City Hall park. d =
_ Through the park he went, at right angles
from the course be had followed, crossed. Broad-

   
    
  
    
 

 
  
  
  

   

he came to the river.

ae from the scene of the tragedy as”

man,” he muttered to himself a hundred
at least as he bastened on b ie
And it was the truth that

_not the least inten

 

way to one of the side streets, and went on until .

 

Hoe had not taken this route from any cu
lar design, but only from a desire to EPLRe <a ‘

ssible,

eaven knows I did not want to hurt the = =
  
 

 

Wo

 

 

   
 
 
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
 
   

 

  

aot

Seto aE te

- lowed himse

‘people have known me since I was a child—
oh, no! Ican never endure that. =

Yoang Dick Talbet.

 

 

nate wretch, notwithstanding that through his
greta schemes he had been driven from his
ome,

Provoked beyond endurance by the man’s
conduct, he had slapped his face, and most cer-
tainly would have been quite willing to give him
a sound thrashing, but when the other had drawn

the knife and flung himself upon him with the |

say of a wild beast, his only thought had been
to disarm the man as soon as possible,

Tt_was through accident, really brought about
by Gwyne’s endeavoring to defend his own life,
that the unfortunate blow had been given, but
the unhappy youth was not satisfied with this
excuse.

“JT am a murderer,” he murmured, as he
walked out to the end of one of the piers, ‘It
was in self-defense, but I provoked the quarrel,
I must fly far from here or else pay dearly for
my rashness,” :

 

CHAPTER VI.
4 FORTUNATE CHANCE.

Ir was a bright moonlight night, so that all
surrounding objects were plainly visible, a
beautiful night, for the air was balmy and re-
freshing, and yet our unfortunate hero, as he
leaned against the post at theend of the pier and
gazed down upon the restless wa ers, felt strong-
ly tempted to leave the pleasant world and find
rest, forgetfulness and a grave beneath the sur-
face of the heaving tide. 4

“T should be safe then,” he murmured; ‘no
cruel hands could drag me to a prison, and from
there, perchance, to a scaffold. Asingle plunge
and all willbe over.” j

It was only for a moment, though, that he al-

Ip to think of such a thing.

“sf No, no,” he murmured, with a shiver of hor-
ror. “That would be a cowardly thing to do;
a fellow in this world Seas not to be afraid to
meet his fate, no matter what it is. It is all
very well for idiots and craven-hearted wretches
to avoid responsibility by eave a hole in the
water, but any one that has the least bit of
pluck ought to be ashamed to even think of
such a thing. ‘

“The world is before me and there isn’t the
slightest reason why one false step should ruin
my whole life. I did not mean to kill the fel-
low; in fact as far as the knife is concerned I
badn’t the slightest idea of using it. All that
I tried to do was to keep him from cutting me,
and it was only by accident that he got hurt,
~ SOF evan Cacs © uced sorry that the affair
took place, and if I ¢ d to do it all over again I
would act differently, but I was provoked. be-
yond all endurance, and I could not help slap-
ping the fellow’s face; yet at the most I only in-
tended to give him a thrashing if he dared to
resent the offense,

“T might give myself up and plead that I_

only: acted in self-defense, I suppose; it ought
not to go hard with me under the circumstan-
ces, but, somehow, I can’t bear the thoughts of
adopting that course of action. j
“To stand my trial here for murder—in the
eity where I was born and brought up—where

 

|

   

‘And to think that it shonld happen too on —
the very night that I left my father’s house— —
started out into the world to seek my fortune,
A nice a. I have made of it,” and the
youth laughed bitterly to himself.

“Well, there’s no sg back now. Old.
Father Tims always goes forward and never
backward in his flighty Let the dead t
bury its dead and, let me see what I will do in
the future, ‘ oes as

*“‘T must get out of the city; there’s no mis-
take about that and the quicker the better. ;

“Tt will not be safe to wait until morning for
by that time the authorities will probably be
on the lookout, and the chances are ten to one
that every depot and ferry-hceuse will be guard-

“There'll be a man placed at every avenue
leading from the city with instructions to |
seize me if I attempt to pass in all probability.

“ Atherford’s folks are all wealthy and in-
fluential and they will be sure to raise heaven —
and earth to capture me.

—and under the peculiar circumstances of my
parting with him too—he would be certain to
think it was his duty to ape the Roman sire
and give me up to justice with his own hands
if he could possibly get hold of me, rag

‘‘No friend have I in the wide world but

conquer me in the first bout. ; "

“T must get out ,of New York before the
daylight comes or else I am afraid that my —
chances for escaping are small indeed. d

“It will take time to put the police on the
track and I don’t believe they will be able to do
youch of anything until morning.” :

And now our hero fell into a brown study—
which was the best way for him to go to evade -
Ly urgent pursuit which he felt certain wassure —

o come. \ ; : ie

And while he meditated upon thisimportant
subject a man came strolling down the pier. ;

At first the youth was inclined to be he
for just now he was inthe condition of theman _
described by the poet, who inane
| “In each bush doth fear an officer.”

But when the man came up and greeted him
with a hearty ‘‘good-evening” he saw he was
mistaken, : :

The stranger was a pata aaeS man, thick-
set, plainly but comfortably dressed, looking E
like a well-to-do mechanic, and from the pe-
culiar nasal twang to his voice the youth judged
he was a New Englander.

‘Fine night, hain’t it?’ continued the man.
“Yes, very fine night.” ; Js
“If it hadn’t been for the gol-darnedest bit of

luck that ever happened to a critter I should be

a-looking at the moon now ’way outside of San- —
dy Hook ’stead of on this ’ereblamed old dock!”
exclaimed the stranger, with conside:able as- —

parity. : ete 4

‘Ts that so?’ asked Gwyne, who, of cotirse, —
did not take the slightest interest in'the man of
his movements, but he spoke because he saw that —
he was expected tosay something, =
_‘ Yes, sir-ee, that’s jest as sure as shooti:
ou see that old gundalow of a schoone

 

 

     
 
  

 

  
 
    
 

 

“And as for my father in such a case as this

myself, and so I must keep up a stout heart, - cs .
and not allow fortune to tripup my heelsand

 

 
   

  
 
  
      
  

 

Young Dick Talkot.

  

if

‘

 

and the man pointed to a ¥<ssel lyeng at anchor
out in the stream.

<< 3.08, Sir.’?|
“She's a good seaworthy craft, though she
ain’t han’sum. I’m a judge of sich things,” he
continued, ‘I’m something of a sailor myself;
kin take my trick at the wheel like an old salt,
and I calculate, too, when a ship-carpenter is
wanted I won’t be fur ahind the lighter.”
‘You're quite useful.” j ‘
\ “Oh, yes! I’ma Jack of all trades—master
- of none, maybe. That’s the old saying ae
know; but it’s a pesky lot of foolishness—like a
Bepeet other old yarns, }
“Yes, sir-ee, if everything had gone right
that ’ere schooner would be jest a-scootin’
through the briny deep outside of Sandy Hook
somewhere ’round ‘bout this time, with every
stretch of canvas spread, a-going for the south-
’ard like all ere
__ * How is it that she is at anchor here, then?”
Rum!” vesponded the man, sententiously.
“That’s the downright, honest truth, sure ’n
thunder. Rum—r-u m,” and the speaker spelt
| the word on his finger. | .
T do not understand.” :
so She’s for Mo-bile. Youknow

Xe is?”

ree *¢ Mobile.” ‘ ;

_ “Yes, that’s it—only you don’t hang on to the
last on it, and spit it outright—Mo- bile. Down
South, you know.”

Yes, in Alabama,”

_ *Kerrect—Mo-bile, Alabama, That is the

_way I used to figure it out when I was a younker
and went to the leetle red school-house on the
hill. I’m from Nantucket. Maybe you know
wae that is?” i fail 4 4
“Oh, yes—a great whaling port.” _

“Right you are; Raanioke: is all whale, and
I’m a piece of the blubber what has floated off
to foreign ports,” and then he chuckled hoarse-
ly at bisown joke. ~~ a -
“That schooner yonder is the Flying Fish,
_ anda Nantucket man is master on her, He’s
_a cousin of mine, and he’s somewhere ’round |

this ’tarsel big city as drunk as a D’iled owl;
end that’s the reason [ lay it to rum, and there’s
no mistake about it, young man—that’s what’s
_ the matter. Cargo on board, crew_all right,

papers ship-shape, but no eee We ought
- to have got off at twelve to-day, to catch the
ebb to help us out of the bay, but no skipper
turned up. ‘
‘We sent out scouts, and all we could learn
of the gol-darned critter was that he was on the
tallest kind of a spree. If we could only catch
and put him on board we’d beall right, whether
he was drunk or sober—but the craft can’t sail
without the captain
- “Some of the boys have got wind of where
he is though, and I reckon he’ll be on board by

- midnight, and then we'll be off.” \ ;

- A-wild idea came up in Gwyne’s mind. Sup-
. pose he could obtain passage on board of this
_eraft, it would most effectually baffle all pursuit
—butcoulditbe arranged? = =
“Jt is quite unfortunate,” he said. ‘Ih
the men will succeed in finding the captain. I

  

 

     
  

where Mo-bile

 
  
   
  
  
     
   
  

 

 
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
   
   
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
    
 

  
 
  
     
 
  
 
 

  
 
 

if I don't help

 

 

      

 

‘ou the voyage; it must be very pleasant | .
ote sume eee ea

ST warrant a But Pm ‘bound for a big _
iece beyond Mo-bile. At that’ere town my
parney. really begins, I’m for Californy,
a

‘For, California!” exclaimed the

heart beating high. :
“Yas, sirree, that’s my platform. There’s a

company going to sail from Mo-bile ’bout the
first of next month, and I’m going with ’em.
Colonel Stoddard’s Pape

“That's just where. I want to go. Do you
suppose there would be any chance? I’m out of
a situation, and want something todo. I hav’-
n’t a great amount of money, only about fifty
dollars—” ;

“See here, younker, I’ve taken quite a fancy
to you, you’re sich a blamed nice talker—you’ve
got the gift of the gab, you have, and darn me

a out. Can you come right
along? ’cos the Cap’s‘liable to arrive every min-
ite, and jest as soon as we get him on board,

youth, his

we'll up anchor, and let’er shiver.”

“All Pve got in the world is on me, and, as
P’ve no friends in the city, |can go immediate-
ly—I'’ve no one to bid good: by to.”

“You kin come right along, then! Ill see
that it sha’n’t cost you a cent ov board the
schooner, and arter we git to Mo-bile I reckonI -
kin fix things all right.’ ’

The conversation was interrupted at this
point by the arrival of the men with the cap-
tain. i s Lads

Twenty minutes later the schooner was on
her way. : !

. CHAPTER VII.
OFF FOR CALIFORNIA. : :

As our hero surmised the death of Thomas !
Atherford created a great excitement.

The wound had been a mortal one and the in-
jured man had died within ten minutes from ,
the time he had received the hurt. ; a

The Atherfords were well connected and the _
influential relatives of the dead ed made a
great time ubout his sudden taking-off.

Young Gwyne was denounced as a cold-
blooded murderer and a large reward offered ©
for his apprehension, enue east Oy

At the coroner’s inquest, Robert Atherford
and the gamblers who had witnessed the affray,
all intimate associates of the dead man testified *
that Gwyne had provokéd the quarrel, had
struck the first blow and that the dead man had
merely drawn the knife to defend himself from
being brutally beaten, whereupon the other had
wrested it from his hand and stabbed him.

Calpen, of course, told a different story, but _
the weight of the evidence was againsthim. It
was believed that he was trying to shield hig
friend, and so the jury promptly returned a
verdict of willful murder. : Z

All the gtk of the police a employed to
apprehend the fugitive, but thanks to the for-
tunate chance of our young hero encou tering
the Nantucket man he was far away before the
search began and the bounding billows left no
eee nd by means of which he could be

 

£ _The passage southward was a pleasantone, for
as the Nantucket man, whose name, by the rey; ep
vas Abuer Shingle, remarked, the schooner was _

 
 

 eourse, though it pears to me
remember.”

eal

Young Dick Talbot.

 

fike a singed cat, a good deal better than she |

looked,

The captain, Abner’s cousin, Jonathan Shingle,
was a whole-souled fellow, as good a seaman as
ever trod a deck, and with only a single weak-
- ness, and that was and insane desire to go ona
terrible spree when on shore.

Once in blue water he never troubled liquor
nor liquor him, |

It only took him a few hours to sober up, and
then when introduced to our hero by Abner |
gladly welcomed him on board ship.

“This ‘ere younker,” said the Nantucket
man, “‘has a big idee of Jining in a Californy |
trip. He wants to go out there and pick up |
some of those lumps of gold as big as your head,
which they say are lying round loose a-crying |
for some one for to come along and pick them |
up, and as I’m an awful Jonesum man I told |
him to come along and I guessed -you wouldn’t |
be steep on him ’bout the passage-money.”

“Oh, youre quite welcome, youngster, and I
don’t keer ‘bout any money, that-is if you've a
mind to give us a hand now and thenif we need
it,” responded the skipper, open-hearted and

generous like a true son-of the sea,

To this the youth readily agreed, only too
glad to secure’a passage under such easy con-
ditions, tS :

“By the way, I never thought to ask your
name,” observed the Nantucket man abruptly.

_ “Mine is Abner Shingle, and this ’ere A No. 1
skipper will howl like all pdssessed if you call
him Jonathan.” : ¥

i ¥

-. Our hero had never thought about a name,

but now that the question was put, he saw at

once that it would never do to give his own,

_ Mobile was quite a long distance from New
York, it was true, but still there were regular
means of communication between the two
_ cities, and the youth thought it was more than
likely that the police would send his name and
description all over the land. To give his own

| regard to charging the youngster f
money, he guessed that, by rights, the boot —

 

appellation then was dangerous, and so he spoke —
the first that came up in his mind, -
‘Talbot, you can call me Talbot,” he replied.

“That ain’t a bad name to tie to,” Abner |

, Temarked ‘

me as if I had known a man by that name

one’t, and it pears to me that he was the master

of some craft that sailed from Now York,
Mebbe a relation of yourn?”

‘No, sir, I haven’t any relatives. I am-all

alone in the world.” eS ee oe

“Then he couldn’t have been your. father, of

that you favor

don’t dis-

him a sight; his name was Jack, if

- » The yes egies scpumae 3 was a little hazy in
regard tothe man. | '

‘ anes name is Richard—Dick I’m commonly:
_ And this was the way in which the name was
* given, destined in after years to be one of the
most noted in the annals of the Golden State, —
“And T haven’t any father,” be continued.

+ This wastrue enough under the circumstances, |
- considering that he had been driven forth from |
the home of bis childhood and cast

““'Talbotd" observed the skipper, ‘(it seems to |

 

casb upon t

soon | ed
he | marked, and as he

On the voyage Dick, as we shall hereafter call Z

| our hero, did his best to make himself useful

out of pure gratitude for the favor thab

had been shown him, and as he was a naturally
handy lad, gifted too with unusual strength and

adroitness, by the time the schooner got into
| the Gulf of Mexico he had become quite expert

in the sailor’s trade, and as both the skipper and
the Nantucket man remarked for a ‘green
hand” he did better than any man they had
ever seen, and the captain further said that in —
assage- —

woul,
wages would be due. ~
The trip had made a-great change in the
youth’s personal appearance, too. He had
become bronzed by the sun, fill
able, and by the time they got into Mobile
Bay, our hero felt that no one would be able to
recognize in the sun-kissed sailor lad, the le-
faced fugitive who had fled from New
like a thief in the night. ,

be on the other leg, and ’bout a month’s

The passage had been a pleasant one: both ee

wind and weather had been favorable, and so —
the crew had a good deal of time to themselves,

and in order to while it away all sorts of ~

games had been called into
Cards and checkers were t

and with the painted pasteboards Dick easily

succeeded in astonishing all on board. ss

play. 3

Both the skipper and the Nantucket man ~

preg themselves upon being goodcard-players —

ut the youth soon convinced them that he was

their master. ‘ ‘ : : oi
He was such an exceedin

no chance at all with him.
The games were all for
ing wagered, but after some time, when the—
fact became apparent that there wasn’t a man —
on board who was a match at cards for the
youngster, as they all called him, a brilliant idea

seized upon'the Nantucket man, who prided him- :
| self upon his fertile invention. ie ee

“Say! Til tell you what we'll do!” he ex-
claimed,
every two-legged human critter plays keerds;
poker is the: ee they most hump themselves
upon, and in Californy too, the feller what can’t
play a good game of poker is no account at all.

ow I’m a pretty hefty poker-player myself,

1

I use to be agent for a northern ee i

house that had a la ree southern trade and
Seas all over the South and so got posted on
poker, | ae ee
_ “Now, poker, you know, is different from the
usual run of games, and as far as my experience
goes in poker the man who kin-cheat the best
without being found out is the best player.”
“S'pose we sail in on poker, ws
instead of money and so combine amusement
andinstruction.” = => Be ee eee
_ All thought that it wasa good idea and so the ~
poker playing commenced. —_- ree Ee
‘This was a game of which Talbot knew noth-
ingy for poker was not a common game in the
North at the time of which we write, but
: see as the skipper re-
was 80 usly ski
in handling cards, he was uibe to cheat

y,

ed out consider- ~

“fun,” no money be- —

“ Down hero injthis’ere sunny South, —

tk

e main stand-bys,

\

A

ly ekillful player
that if luck ran at all even the other two stood: —

 
    
         
     
   
       
       
           
         
         
       
        
      
     
       
       
  

     

Young Dick Talbot. 13

_ - es

the most bare-faced manner without any one : men out there don’t think amy more of a dollar

_ of the party being able to detect him.. | than. we folks in the Hast here of a five cent
In about two oa Dick won all the beans piece.” eis
* that there were on board. | . “Easily got easily gone, you know. I sup-

Then they were divided again andin ashorter | pose that is a true saying the world over.”
time than before the youth had them agains' | “I wee, if I git my hooks upon a big pile of
_ in bis possession, x gold, I will hola on to it like death to a dead

_ “Durned if ap ain’t a reg’lar blister in hand. nigger !” the Nantucket man remarked. :
ling keerds! bner exclaimed. — iad “But about this poker-playing; do you think
Inever saw anything like it in my life and it is exactly rizht” Dick asked, after a bricf
_ Ive seen some pretty big games in this ’ere silence. “I never played for any money in my
= pal tate ad ten Doemaiooigs Vas, dhol iat aot ett tt te barn, bal
y i yd ca a hum, but
The night that the schooner ran into Mobile these cusses down in this benighted region don’t
bay, it being bright moonlight, Abner and our look onto it in that light. All the male critters
~ hero stood in the fo’castle, watching the distant down here play from the time that they are
lights of the city. : ; Bh Rise iabs a grasshopper. They call it amuse-
Say, Dick, I’ve got a might big idee!” the ment. Why, I’ve seen a feller lose a hull plan:
: Nantucket man observed abruptly, atter quitea tation, niggers and all, and laugh as if he
Se i pero had observed that he was cogitat- seine oe Be a eens by in hae av 4
Saath aale i ng, é J in Turkey, do
* ing intently and so had refrained from disturb- | as the turkeys do,’ Now I don’t really think it
Eee ing his thoughts. : 5 em would be much of a sin for you to goin and
_. “ Youare famous for your good ideas, Abner,” | skin some of these cusses, who think they know
pot oe orn who had a genuine respect for | yew to play keerds with the man that invented
_. the ability of the man. . : em. ae :

_ “You hain’t got but bout fifty dollars fur to} ‘I know that I ain’t a-talking to you jest ex-
carr ae Siete ar as a Sunday-school superintendent would
“Phat is all. : alk. ; ;

“ And I reckon the tariff will be bout a hun- “T ain’t a-standing up for the morality of the
dred and fifty.” = thing. It’s pesky poor business, mighty mean,
Then I will be a hundred short. | and no mistake about it, and if I saw any other
“Yes, and to say nothing *bout clothes and way for you to git the money so you could go
a good outfit of we’pons which you ought to ahead as you oughter, I wouldn’t advise it.”
have.” — i. ‘ oy Go A “T-do not know of any, and if Idonot get —_~
a ae = a ae e cata es ie money OS such means, I do not think
Aad yes itis, red-bot. You o a can raise it.” .
three hundred at the least, for fet you git to | “That's my platform exactly!” Abner ex-
San Francisco you will need mohey to take you’ claimed. “In my opinion playing keerds, or
soup ar? to the diggings. Now! kin help you any other kind of. game. for money, is all-fired
a one a little, but I couldn’t spare more’n a poor business, but. there are times in this life,
hundred; but Pll give you an idee wuth five. as we preambulate through this ’ere vale of
Go for some of these Mo-bilians at poker, and tears, when a man is obliged to do some mean
- clean’em out!” , , | work, and, as we can’t help it, the best way is
; ‘ nee to buckle see at it. Vl take a part of the sin
/ CHAPTER VIIL ss on my shoulders, for I’ll be eternally cohsarned
= oto IN MOBILE, : Sot seis a hand in es thing ee re
Fase Rit ses: : : ao ies nd so it was arranged between the two tha
_ ‘Tum idea seemed to be feasible, and the youth Abner should bunt a some nice little poker-
pondered over it for a few moments. : party, so as to give Talbot a chance to make.
eet rs think I am good player enough?” enough money to cover his expenses,
he asked at last. ‘ As the Nantucket man shrewdly observed: _
_“Sartin! There isn’t any. discount on one ; “You ain’t so badly off; you were kinder _
_ Dye been here afore, and I know all about it. worrying the other day because you hadn't any —
You're Peat tet sen. you ene aus See trade eae wastin ae aoe fe clerk-  .
pave got ou it some way. It’snouse ing, so that if you were in a ti place you
RS strike place ike San eee unless you’ve | wold’ be lik ys = get a job right ara ot <
‘ot some rocks in your e - in t ie , any man that kin han ;
* “They are slink Baa ahers, every man-Jack keerds as we kin needn’t to worry himself so
-- of them. It’s each cuss for himself, and Oid long as he remains in a civilized and. Pe et
__-Niek for them all. It’s a hard place, from all ‘Any man that kin turn four jacks, hand- —
i mossantes_saceny Ses gambling and running, as you kin, and without a soul bei
AMgke a stick atina moutl of Sindays.” “ise nears to be allowed tystarva. "You'l gi
__ “It’s the kind of place that a man wants to along all right, don’t you be afeared of that.
go into well-heeled with money, or’ else. he'll You're a genius in that line; I’ve run afoul |
stand oa a mighty poor shart allt tos Ries Oe ‘pesky smart fellows in the keerd
ee i repr eee ot a ard” ‘nese, but you, kin Jest
But it’s the place to make money,” his com- bem
ion added. “Why, they tell me that the

   
 
 
  

  
      
   
   
  

  
   
   
  
  
   
 
 

     
  
   
 
   
 
    
       
   
   

   
  
 

 

 
    

   

  

   
    
     

    
  

 
 

   

he Ree
Pe che

   
   
   
     
 

          
      
 

    

    

    

 
   
 
    

=
a

ae

os
ES

44

Fe TE
a

Young Dick Talbot.

  
 

 

expedition was getting on which they had come

to join, |

deienet Stoddard was a wiry, weather-beaten
man of sixty, who had been one of the pioneers
woes the gold excitement had first broken
out.

\ He had been fortunate, made his “ pile” and |
returned home, but after a few months had
wearied of the quiet hum-drum Jife and had de-
termined to get up a large expedition and re-
turn to the Pacific slope.

_ His home being in Mobile, that city had been
selected for the starting-point,

A schooner considerably larger than the Fly-
ing Fish, had been chartered to take the ad-
venturers to Panama, then the programme was
to march across the isthmus—and)\ on the Pacific
shore to take the steamer which ran regularly
from there to San Francisco,

The colonel had got together quite a company;
as he had been successful in his first expedition
it was reasoned that he was a good man to head
another, , :

| The Flying Fish had got in justin time, for all
Fubar aheny had been made for the start and
he colonel expected to sail in the morning,

“Gosh! we haven’t any time to lose!” Abner
exclaimed when he learned thig fact. ‘‘ We'll
have-to hunt a poker-party, somewheres.”

The expedition was to consist of twenty-five
men besides the colonel, the schooner being just |
able to find accommodations for that number,
pretty bad accommodations, and mighty we:
crowded, as the skipper of the craft observed,

The Nantucket man made (he twenty-fourth,
and as it luckily peppeses the twenty-fifta
man, a young lawyer from Montgomery, Ala-
bama, bad got upon a terrible spree after arriv-

_ ing in Mobile, from the results of which be was
aid up and the physicians in attendance declar-
2d it would be as much as his life was worth for
him to attempt to leave his bed under a week.

So there was an opening left for our hero and
when pe proposed to the colonel, the veter-
an accepted him immediately.

: The adventurers were scattered all over the
city, the majority of them were
and nearly all pretty well-to-do,

Their chief rendezvous was at a French sa-
loon and restaurant on one of the main streets
of the town known as the Hotel La Belle.

, After arranging with the colonel for Talbot
to join the expedition, Abner paid his own pas-
sage-money and twenty-five dollars on account
of the boy’s ticket, s ating that his protege
would hunt up his friends that night; and get’!

_ the balance of the money from them and pay it
in the morning.

The colonel said this was perfectly satisfac-
tory but after they got outside our hero in
amazement asked his friend how he came to

make such a statement, :

Mobile men

 

“T/haven’t any friends, you know,
town; why I haven’t even an acquaintance ex-

3 rept the boys on board of the schooner,” Dick
“Sonny you are a leettle out in your calcula-
tions,” the Nantucket man replied with a broad
grin. ‘‘fguess that if we succeed in striking
the right party some feller is going to advance _
you monoy enough to see you through, and if

  
    

‘in the |

“Tu your man!” Abner responded with alac-
rity. ‘But as for skinning me 1 reckon you.
will not get enough hide and taller to pay ye
for the trouble of the job, for I’ve jest. :

 

that cuss won't be your friend, I’d like to know
what in thunder a friend is, anyhor!” Bs ;

The youth could not he!p laugirling at this ar-
gument, t

“Oh, you kin laugh but that is sood, sound
hoss sense!” Abner declared.

The two wens straight to the Hefel La Belle
as the colonel had told them that most of tke
adventurers would likely be found there; the
Nantucket man was well acquainted with a do-
zen or so of them, and that is how he happened
to come clear from New York to join the party.

Aghe had expected, near all of the pilgrims
were in the saloon, and they soon made thetwo
strangers welcome, although, asthe party were —
mainly composed of men who rather prided, —
themselves upon-their blood and birth, they did
not take much notice of the bronzed youth,
whom they regarded asa sort of asailor chap, |

Our hero was not at all offended at this, for he
shrunk from (observation, and did his bestbto _
keep in the background, being afraid thatsome _
one might recognize in him the fugitive who had -
fled from New York under cover of the night.

In reality, there wasn’t the least danger of
this, for at the time of which we write it wasa
long and tiresome journey from New York to
Mobile, and the police system was not so well
arranged as itis now, when descriptions of all |
persons accused of great crimes, -who seek to
avoid arrest by flight, are speedily telegraphed
all over the country. :

It was the adventurers’ last night on shore, —
and they were celebrating it in a befitting man-
ner; most of the party were chatting in the sa-
loon, but a select few bad adjourned toa private
apartment in the second story of the hotel,
where, in company with some of the bloods of —
the town, they were engaged in a friendly
game of poker, playing really more for amuse-
ics than money, for they were on a quarter
ante. ; ; AER, seeg at
This was the party that the Nantucket man
had been looking for, and being poe rtd :
with we of them, his comirg was cordially re- _
ceived. , ; i ot Se

“Hallo, you slab-sided Yankee!” cried ones of
the leadin te of the party, a vag fellow
known as Doe Peyton, whom tradition said had —
once studied medicine, hence his name; but, as
he always observed, be had never studied
enough to hurt him, ‘‘ You’re just the man we
have been looking for! You have made about
sixteen fortunes out of us careless, improvident
Southervers, and here’s a chance for you to lose
some of it like a gentleman. Sit down, you
Connecticut nutmeg, andgiveusan opportunity —
toskin you alive,” — g eens Re j us ar

A-burst of laughter greeted this sally. .

_ CHAPTER IX, bs
ALITTLE GAME,

         
       
         
       
        
      
       
     
       
     
 
      
   
       
          
      
     
 

 

 
 
        
             
 

      
       
        
      
       
     
       
         
    

 

    
    

Aas

    
       
      

come —
from Colonel Stoddard, having anted up my

     
  

   
   
   

  
    

passage-money, and I guess it wouldn’t break
an elephant’s back to carry my cashnow.”
, There was enother general laugh at this and

Peyton responded:

*

 

   

  

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%

        

ried the United States bank in your pocket.

‘last night we will s

_ sailor rig so changed his appearance that he felt
if the police had been warned to be ov the look-

_ luck in the golden land?”
_ “Yes, this is a particular friend of mine, gen.

_ been playing sailor to amuse himself on the
how things were in the city, we came ashore

stopped to change his clothes.”

mon sailor,

- introduction.

he

replied.

_ chance we will have to play keerds on terra-

_ quished their seats, ‘regularly cleaned out,” as
Mi ne of them expressed ie # a Were a

é Peyton in his jovial way, “that I’m having a
“magnificent run of luck to-night, and I’m bluff-

ORT ae one bestto bold

  

Young Dick Talbot.

i6

 

‘you always talk! you

SOA, that’s the wa
Ncaay money if you car-

would swear you hadn

But sit down and take a hand, even if you’
haven’t got over ten dollars to lose. This is the
nd upon shore for some
time, you know.” Peyton was one of the ad-
venturers; in fact, after the colonel he was the
jeading man in Sets oe the expedition.
‘“And, by the by,” he continued locking in-
quiringly at Talbot who was still in bis sailor
suit, which he had purchased from one of the
crew of the schooner, being afraid to come
ashore in his own clothes for fear a description
of him might have been sent. to the city, and the

pretty certain he would not be recognized even

out for him, “is this youngster going to try his

tlemen; gentlemen, allow me to introduce Mr-
Richard Talbot to you,” Abner said, ‘Mr. Tal-
bot happened to run across me in New York
jest as I was on the point of sailing, and made
uphis mind to try for gold. Mr. Talbot has

voyage, and as we were in a hurry to find out
the moment the vessel made fast, and he never

This explanation was readily believed, for
there was something in Talbot’s manner which
plainly told that he was far more than a com:

All the gentlemen bowed in response to the

“Will you try a band in the game, Mr. Tal-
bos?’ Peyton asked. ‘I have succeeded in get-
ting’ possession of about all the loose change
that these gentlemen bave to spare, and I am
hungry for more victims.”

“T am afraid that like my friend here”—and
laced his hand on the shoulder of the Nan-
tucket man, ‘‘ I haven’t much money that I can
affcrd to lose.”

‘Qh, we'll make it easy for you,” the other
“The ante is only a quarter and the
limit is fixed at twenty-five dollars; we are not
really gambling, you know, just playing for
amusement—to pass the time away, not for
money, only enough to make the game inter-

esting. :
ote Well, Dick, I guess we might as well take a
hand in the fun, seeing that it will be the last

firma for some time.” i
aL O, Se responded our bero.

So the two joined the party; room was made
for them at the table, two of the gentlemen relin-

“T give you fair warning, boys,” observed ,

 

worse than a Georgia major.” : |
f S our own ag’in’ |
you,” the Yankee remarked. ;
” Then the game proceed

hen eded. Ss
For three or four hands our-hero played verv |

 
  

cautiously, so-as to get an idea» how the game
was running before he ventured his money. _

The skill that the youth possessed with cards
was really wonderful.

it came natural to him, and he himself would
have been puzzled to account for the calcula-
tions which he invariably made with lightning-
like rapidity. © :

Apart from his manual skill in handling the
cards—and no pugsler, who depended upon
tricks with cards to gain his bread could do
better with them than our hero—he had a won-
derful faculty for calculating upon the instant
the chances of the game,

He had carefully watched the play, and by
the time the first half-hour was reached he had
come to the conclusion that the game was a per-
fectly fair one.

In this he was correct, for all the players
were gentlemen, not one of them particularly
expert with cards,(no gambler among them,
and Peyton owed his success chiefly to the fact
that he was a better Lethe than the rest, being
more acquainted with the value of hands; and
then, too, he was not afraid to ‘‘ bluff” the rest
once in a while when the humor seized him, and
80 on several occasions succeeded in capturing
the “ pot” by sheer audacity. ‘

In such a company as this our hero disdained
to avail himself of his skill in manipulating the
pasteboards; ht could easily, when it came his

turn to deal, have arranged it so that he would

know exactly what cards went into the hands
of the different players, so expert was be at thi

sort of thing, and if he had been playing with
men eager to uvail themselves of any and all
devices to’ win, he would not have hesitated for
a moment to pit his skill against theirs; but on
the present occasion, much as he wanted money,
be would have deemed it nothing more than
robbery to take an unfair advantage of the gen-
tlemen with whom. he was playing. :

So all he had te depend upon was his superier
skill as a player. - /

As the game progressed, and Abner saw that
his protege was not winning largely, he began
to get uneasy. He had been under the impres-
sion the youth would rake in the money from
the start; but being a pretty fair player bim-
self, he came to the conclusion that luck had
not been with the youth. — : ai

hen the opportunity came though, qur hero
was ahs to improve it. - ; ;

He had kept a close watch upon Peyton, and
being a shrewd reader of the human face di-
vine, fancied he could detect by the coun-
tenance of the gentleman whether he really had
anything in his hand worth betting upon, or
was merely “bluffing,” and so when he caught

some good cards he determined to test whether —

there was any truth in his belief. . as,
_ Peyton bet quite heavily. and the rest all
“passed” except Talbot. He felt sure from
the expression upon the young lawyer's face
that, he was only ‘‘ bluffing,” so ‘ went for”.
the gentleman, : ‘

_ When the limit was reached by Peyton, our
hero promptly “saw” him, and called. or a

show of hands, —

As he anticipated, Peytot haibonigca ss of
Aves, while thu youth layed three tum

 

        
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
       
           
     
     
     
     
         
     
       
      
   
       
     
       
   
      
  
   
Young Dick Talbot. —

 

he had been beaten on a bluff,.and he didn’t like

_. it, and the fact too that his successful opponent

» was only a lad added to his chagrin.
“ Well, young man, you succeeded in getting
- the best of me that time, but Pl get even with
you,” he remarked, :
A few more hands were played without any-
thing especial occurring, and then Peyton hav-
ing the luck to get three sevens, came to the

conclusion that they were good enough to cap- ,
| had learned wisdom and would not bet so large- —

ture the pile, ’

Some of the others were disposed to contest
this, and so there was some lively betting until
the limit was reached, and then, when there

The lawyer was nettled, It was the first time

was a show of hands, the youth again was for- |

» tunate enough to take the money, having four
three-spots, 4 ‘
Peyton was more annoyed this time than be-
fore, and he plainly showed it. | , ‘
sf Bag! old fellow!” he exclaimed, address-
ing Abner, “I invited you and your friend to
sit down with the idea of skinning you within

_ are going it really looks as if, instead of per-
forming the operation, I shall be the victim.”
' “Ts nothing when you get used to it, as the

| queens, he jum
*. aninch of your life, but from the way things |
| surprise pp

eook said to the eel when’ it remonstrated |

against being prepared for the frying-pan,” the

Nantucket ‘man responded, with one of his
‘comical grins, ‘ Si

His protege was now a little over fifty dollars

of
| boa:

ehead, and the prospect seemed good for the |

sucess of his plan.

“® Six or eight more hands wereplayed, but onl
a few dollars were risked on any of them, an
Peyton succeeded in winning all the pots but

one, which fell to Abner’s share, ;

‘My luck is beginning to return, I believe,”
he remarked, as he dealt the cards, it being his
turn to deal, and old player as he was, he could
not repress a twinkle of the eyes as he looked at

his hand.

He had four kings anda ten-spot.
Contrary to his usual custom he was rather
_ shy about betting, for he wished to lure ‘the
rest up to the limit, wanting to catch as much
money in the pot as he could, for with his al-
_most invincible hand—there being but-one bet-
ter in the pack—ho felt sure of victory.
But, to his disgust, all went out but tho youth.
_ Talbgt promptly responded to every bet until
the limit was reached.
There were about sixty dollars in the pot.
“I say, youngster, I can clean you out this
time,” Peyton exclaimed. ‘ What.do yous y
jo betting an even hundred outside of the limit?”
“Tl do it if youll allow me to throw out one
_ eard and take that queen there,” Talbot replied,

ferang a queen that had been accidentally

face 2 ,
Peyton guessed by this that queens were the

best his opponent had, and so he consented.
‘Then the money was put

CHAPTER X.. j

IN SAN FRANOISCO, gees.
Peyton leaned back in his chair, folded his
arms in his lap and stared at the cards for a mo-
ment, while the
unexpected result, ; ‘

About the most astonished man of the lot was

Abner, He had fairly trembled in his shoes

when his Srotegs so boldly accepted the banter
of the young lawyer, for he was afraid that ©
Peyton, having been caught twice on a bluff,

ly if he hadn’t fel ure that his hand could not
be beaten, . } ete
Peyton was completely astonished. He had
offered to bet the hundred dollars outside of the
limit, with the idea his opponent would bescared —
by the offer into the belief that he held an in- —
vincible hand, and when the youth accepted the —
bet with the proviso that the faced queen be —
given to him, the lawyer was certain that .
queens were the best he had, and, as kings beat
dat the chance: 9. ©).
“ Well, may I be hanged if thisisn’taregular
Peyton exclaimed at last. F
‘The money. is fairly mine, I believe,” the
youth remarked in his quiet way. : Brey
‘Oh, yes, there isn’t any question about that, —
I dealt the cards myself, so thereisn’ttheshadow
a gone that everything was fair and above —
; but Isay, what in the deuce did you ©
want the queen for when you had four aces?” ;
The youth laughed, and in fact there was a _~
brcad grin upon the face of every one at the —

table, for all understood now about the trapinto —

which Peyton bad fallen, ee

“Oh, just a fancy,” Talbot replied. — ;

“ Well, young man, it is a good. thing for me
that you didn’t press me to bet more money, for
if you had, you could have brcke me if I owfed
the whole State, for I would have been willin
to bet it all upon my hand, particularly after
you wanted the queen, But rake in the money;
it’s yours, sir, and fairly won, but I don’t see

' what on earth you want to go to California for,

A fellow that can play cards as well as you-can
make all the money he wants right here in Mo-
bile.” i : : THR oad = tayo

‘‘T would prefer to make money some other
way,” our hero replied. ‘This is the first time
that I ever played cards for money in my life,
and I woalend have played to-night only I’
rather short of cash, and I really need money to
buy supplies for the trip.” THe f

 

puree ae on slapped down his L
air of triumph, but imagine bis disgust, and the |

rprise of all the rest, when the youth quietly
four aces and the queen upon the ta
“I guess the pot is mine,” he said.

| you want a backer who is willing to

“You'll make a fortune in California without —
bothering yourself to dig gold, if you choose to
devote yourself to card-playing, and ae, ie

‘ is ho
tom dollar on your ability to clean out a raft of
poker-players, just call on me,” the young la
yer remarked, Ee ee ah ei

Then He looked at his watch, saw that

after midnight, and suggested that the party
‘eee lhad better-adjour.* ce See
our kings with an

This idea met wi

rest, and the compan

- Abner and Talbot 1

| and great was the rejoicing

when they heard the story of

 

During

 

rest looked on, amazed atthe
 

 

 
    

possible success. :

z i The two slept that night aboard the schooner
and early in the morning they visited Colonel
Stoddard, Talbot-paid the rest of bis passage

- money, and then, still accompanied: by bis friend
and aided by his advice, went to the stores and
‘purchased the articles that the Nantucket man
yegarded as being necessary for the trip.
At noon the expedition sailed. ;
Long and. tiresome was the journey, particu:
larly the march over the isthmus of Panama,
which cost some valuable lives, but both our
hero and the tough Yankee were fortunate

- enough to escape finding a lonely grave in that

- unknown land, so.dangerous with its body-de-

_ stroying fevers to the unacclimated stranger.

No event worthy of particular mention oc-
curred on the journey, although everything
‘was strange and odd to the young New Yorker.

| In due foes the steamer which conveyed the

~ adventurers up the Pacific coast petlad through
the ‘Golden Gate,” the far-famed entrance to
the harbor of San Francisco, and came to
anchor, Sy ie: ;
_. The wonderful city, which, like the. magic
. gtractures told of in the Eastern tales, had

   

 
    
   
  
   
  
 
   
 
    

throbbing
and the two friends when they came ashore
‘found themselves in the midst of ascene of great

excitement,

_ the town, nearly all the houses being composed
_ of rough, unplaned boards, put together in the
most careless fashion, and at least one third of
the inhabitants of the place were living in

tents. . ‘
_ = Such a wild, demoralizing city the world had
never seen before, z ;

-.» Drinking and gambling went on openly in the
face of everybody. __ é
Almost every saloon in the town bad a gamin

‘room attached to it, but what most astonishe

have plenty of money to lose, for these dens of
_ gin were crowded to repletion all the time.
Men really waited their turns at the bars to

office or barber shop. - i Z :
Colonel Stoddard’s bargain with the adven-
» turers was merely to convey them to San Fran-
‘cisco; there his responsibility ended and each
manu was free to go where he liked, 4

  
 
    

- friends were bound for a mining-camp on the

  
 

3 aoa: visit to the Pacific coast, and after con-
siderable deliberation Abner and our hero

Z _ determined to accompany the colonel as he

  
 

assured them the diggings se rich, and in fact.
dec! ef

it was his be there was no better
pets oon oe to make es

is r alriv' :
Sz grind morning, and/the colonel, who had
considerable business to attend to in the city,
snnounced that be would not be able to cet

  
 
 

  

Young Dick Talbot.

fish had learned to like the youth and there | away until the next day, so that all of his party
- wasn’t one of them that did not wish him all |

 

- sprung wp almost in a singlé night, was then |
th b rae the very hight of the gold fever, |

- There were very few substantial buildings in |

| ance whether he means business or not,” the
the new-comers was that every one seemed to

get a drink, and at the tables to be allowed a |
cuaidh-iesplays exactly the same as at a post- |

 

The colonel himself and ten of bis particular | >

notice, when I wasaboy, you couldn’t tell *bout
head-waters of the Mariposa river, known as—
-- Frenchman’s Flat, where Stoddard had made a_
strike some time before on the occasion of ;

an:
te an early
“em a wide

a s

  

i?.

   

would have ample time to see the sights of the
gold metropolis. ; ;

The colonel recommended all of the party to
put up at a big boarding tent kept by a friend
of his, where meals and a bed could be pro-
cured for fifty cents apiece, : :

. Having made arrangements at this place, the
Nantucket man and our hero sallied out to see
the town,

At the time of which we write, the gold ex-
citement was at its hight, and the city was
‘crowded with as motley a population as ever
the sun shone upon.

The majority of the men sported huge beards,
wore neither coats nor ves and stalked
through the streets with pis and knives
belted openly to their sides. t :

It was not a place to delight the heart of a
quiet man, for there were a. dozen rows a day, —
to say nothing of the night, and the antagonists
were just as ready to use their weapons as their
tongues and fists, ‘

“T tell you what it is, Dick,” the Yankee re-
marked, after they had strolled around for a
couple of hours and surveyed the busy, bustling :
town, ‘‘ this here is a place where @ man can’t =>
afford to let his tongue wag jest as it pleases,
unless he’s chain-lightning on the fight. Anda
feller to hold his own in this cussed crowd ought
to be able to handle his we’pons jist as well.as
his fists, for I notice these chaps are mighty apt.
to gofor their toad-stickers and their shootin’-
ace the minite they get to jawing one an-

er, .
“Yes, it seems to me that it is one of tha
kind of places where a man makes money by -
minding his own business,” Talbot observed. ~_

“'That’s so, by gosh!” Abnerdeclared. “It?s
the hardest place I ever struck, or hearn tell
on, either. V hy, some of these big fellersswag-
gering around lock as if they was jest boiling _
over for a fight!” rs

“You can’t alway:

 
   
     
   
   
         
     
   
   
   
      
  

   
  

   
  
 

        

   
   
  

  
  
  
  

   

    
    
  

 
 

 
  
    
 

 
   
    
   
 
 

   

 
     
    

 
 
  

    

 

3 tell from a man’s appear-

      
 
 

youth replied. ‘‘The loudest talkers are gen-
erally the poorest fighters; and I guess that
some of those fierce-looking fellows, with their
big beards, hats cocked over their eyes, weap-
ons at theirside, and a swaggeras much as to
say, I’m the boss of the crowd, would be apt to
come down in their pretension if they happened :
torun across a man whom they saw wasn’t
afraid of them.” pte OY
““Mebbe. they, would—mebbe so,” observed _
the Yankee, with a wise shake of the head, “I.
have see’ jest sich things afore, I allers used to

 

  
 
 
 

  
    
      
   
   

 
  
 
    
  

    
  

  
 
 

a chicken’s fighting capabilities by the loudness —
of his crow.” Bry Eo Nee Re
_“T fancy that men are ae much like
chickens’ in that respect. The men who talk
the loudest are generally the ones who do the ~
least. And if you notice, you will see that —
these praia fellows don’t seem to get into
trouble. Sop ei eta Mf eee ke
‘That's so, sure as you’re born! but I kinder —
sue

     

 

  
 
 
    
 

  
 
 

essed the rest were afraid of ’em
pining ‘oat we
Gg > ROUEN w

 
  
   
   
   

 

 

    

‘pair entered the first eating-saloon they came

 

PAT ne

   

18 Young Dick Talbot. —

*

made him sick if he didn’t have a man fur | it ain’t often that you get a chance to buy
breakfast at least once a week?” champagne by the glass.”

. “Oh, yes, I heard him, but I came to the con- This was the truth; at that time in San Fran-
clusion that he was only talking for the pleasure | cisco, it made no difference what you called for
of hearing his own beautiful voice and if any | in the shape of drink, the price was the same;
one should want to take him up, he’d be willing | ‘‘ two bits” covered the expense.
<o creep out of the smallest kind of a hole to| The beer was placed before the two and Ab-
avoid a quarrel, if he thought the other man’! ner, who was an observant fellow, remarked to
really meant business.” | his companion that the man would sell twice as

‘“‘Mebbe you're right bout it; there’s no tell- | much beer if he only filled his glasses.
Ing, you know, until you try it, and between| Then the two lifted their-glasses and the Yan-
you and me and the bed- ost, I ain’t so durned | kee winked his left eye an observed; ‘ Well,
curious ’bout it as to risking my precious person | here’s looking at you!”

4

 

for to find out,” But our hero was not destined to enjoy that
glass of beer, for just as he nodded in return of
CHAPTER XI. the Nantucket man’s salutation, a huge, dirty

hand came over his shoulder and snatched the
Are ae ee | glass without the least bit of ceremony.
By this time it was high noon, and asthetwo| Turning quickly, the youth found himself
were some distance from the boarding tent | confronted by a burly, ruffianly-looking fellow
where they had taken breakfast, the Yankee, | with a bloated face, the lower part of which
who was a hungry sort of mortal, suggested that | was covered. with a huge beard of tawny hue,
it would be a good idea to step into tbe nearest | no two hairs of which seemed to grow in the
restaurant and get some dinner. | same direction. ;
Talbot had no objection to this, and so the| The fellow was roughly dressed, huge boots,
reaching nearly to his thighs, breeches so stained
across. _ | that it would have puzzled a conjurer to have
It was rather a mean, low place, as they dis» guessed the original color; a flannel shirt which
covered after they had entered; still there were had once been red, but now was a dirty brown,
quite a number of patrons within, and they | and a high-crowned slouched hat, very much

 

 

 

‘seemed to be dispatching the food with as muc: | the worse for wear completed the attire.

enjoyment as though they were in a palace. | In the belt which girded in his brawny waist,
“ain't much like the Astor House, is it?’ were two extra large revolvers and @ hunting-
the Nantucket man observed to bis companion | knife of extraordinary size.
after they had entered and taken a look around. He opened his huge mouth and a grin over-
“No, not much.” spread his u>ly face as he beheld the astonished
“ Mebbe the fodder’s good, though. Iguessin | expression upon the features of the youth, who
this here country you can’t tell much ’bout any- | had been taken completely by surprise. *
thing by the way they show a Like a singed | ‘Ho, ho, ho!” roared the giant in a hoarse
cat, the thing may be a good deal better than it | voice which plainly showed its owner had been
looks. Say, Dick, will you have a glass of beer | indulging in liquor so excessively that bis lungs
to give you an appetite for your dinner?” | | had been damaged,” ’pears to me that this hyer
‘J had just as soon havea glass of water,” the | leetle joke o’ mine has completely upsot this hyer
youth responded, being extremely.temperate in | strange baby from the Eastward!” and then he
al) his habits, ‘‘haw-hawed” again as if he had perpetrated

 

“Try a glass of soda then, but for goodness’ | one of the best jests that mortal man ever

sake don’t say anything ’bout a glass of water | gonceived.

when there is any such gang as this ‘round. | The youth had assumed his citizen’s suit upon —
Ss

They'll think we’re greenhorns in a minite.” landing, and of course looked neat and genteel
‘J don’t care what they think; what business compared to the majority of the men who filled
is it of theirs what we drink?” { the streets of San Francisco.

“None at all, of course, but this is such @| . Talbot’s blood was heated almost to the boil-
pesky sort of a town that I think itis best notto jing point by this occurrence, though he was

attract any more attention than one can help,” but a boy, and apparently no match for the

the Yankee replied, in his cautious way. —_—_—_ bully who had interfered with him.
“ Possibly you are right; you haveseen a ggeat | The Nantucket man was thoroughly alarmed
deal more of life than I, so you ought toknow at this untoward event, and although no cow-

about it. I'll take a glass of beer'then, soasnot ard and geerale. able to take his own part —

to be out of the fashion.” | wherever he might chance to go, yet he was not
The two advanced to the bar, along which a anxious to heve any trouble with such an ugly-

string of customers were grouped, so many asto jooking brute as the new-comer, so bis first im-

keep two bar-keepers busily em lo

Nantucket man ordered the liquid refreshment. attention to the man,
“ Mighty me tone sort of a country this is for him. ct

anyhow,” ho said in a low tone tohis companion, — “ What do you mean by taking my glass out

so that the rest could not overhear him.. ‘‘Jest of my hand in that ae he demanded, a

ie look and see what the crowd are ene er perfectly cool, although in reality

! eT, champagne, whisky, gin, beer, and’

Talbot was too qui

- noti ey all cost the same, twenty-five cents ‘ W’ot did I doit for? haw! haw!” exclaimed —
a xe. y tell you what it ge if I had the intrader, “ why fesb to greens, you know;

 

known that I would have gone

Yj ft . Sd J oak

yed, and the pulse was to advise ee not to pay any —

ury of a demon was raging within his veins.

for wine, for jost for to keep you from making a beast «|

    

 
 
 
  
   
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
    
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
   
 
   
    
        
      
     
    
   
    
    
    
     
    
 
  

So
ea

    

pc

; y oereclt- Dont you know that a leetle chap
ike you ought never for to bother with strong
drink? It will muddle yer head up, make you
_. sic: at the stommickand play the old mischief
with you ginerally. Do you s’pose I’m jhe kind
o’ man for to stand by and see a babe like you
a-histing in p’ison? No, sir-ee, hoss-fly, Bob! I
couldn’t do it. It goes ag’in’ my aoe: every
time! Now, I’m an old soaker. Til put the
nasty stuff out of-the way and then you k:
smell of my breath afterward; it will do you
a heap-sight more good.”
“Youre an impudent scoundrel, and you had
better put that glass down or it will be the
_ worse for you,” replied our hero, his voice clear
and calm and the utterance so distinct that he
was heard allover the room. —
“Haw, haw, haw!” roped the bully, bis sense
of humor tickled by the demand and the im-
- plied threat. ‘‘ Why, you’re a real cunnin’ leetle
cuss, ain’t ye? right smart spunky, too. Wa-al,
kick me to death by crippled mules if I ain’t
glad I run across you. I’ve been_looking for
some fun for ever so long, and now I reckon Vl
- have a show; but you mustn’t git sarcy, you
- know, for I’m jest the kind of a mule-skinner
for to spank leetle boyees with too much gab.”
“Put that glass down, you big loafer!” cried
the yeuth, to the utter astonishment of every-
body in ties room. i
‘Eh, what—how?” cried the man. ‘Say,
: don’t go for to dare for to speak that way
: me, do you?” ye
@ Yes, to you, you big, skulking brute; put
-down that glass and apologize for having dared
to insult me by taking it out of my hand with
your dirty paw!” replied Talbot, resolutely.
“Dog-gone me, if this don’t beat anything I
ever beern-tell on!” exclaimed the man, so
utterly astonished by the bold stand taken by
the youth that for the moment he neglected to
resent it. é
The Yankee thought he saw an opportunity
@ patch up a peace and so was quick to improve

“Oh, don’t let us have any words ’bout the
matter,” he said. ‘We're all friends here, all
gentlemen, and I guess there ain’t any need of

our having a fuss. We'll have a quiet drink
all. round and say no more ’bout the matter,”
By the time this speech was uttered the
stranger bad ina measure recovered from his
amazement and he turned fiercely upon the Nan-
— tucket man. ae
_ “Who in thunder sed anything to. you?” he
- roared. ‘Are you a-running this shindig or
~ aml? I want you to understand that I’m the
nd of man w’ot doesn’t allow anybody to stick
their spoon in my soup! Jest you b’ar in mind

 

   
  
 
   
   
  
  
  
   
     
     
   
       
     
        
     
         
   
   
     
       
    
  
 
   

    

and you kin bet your bottom dollar they'll be
- done to a turn afore I git throngh with ’em
too.” And aac the handle of one of his re-
_ volvers he advanced upon Abner with so much
_ war in bis manner that the Nantucket man in-/
voluntarily retreated a couple of steps, but the
youth did not move an inch, ~ : ip,

 

  

the bully threw back his head and glared aroun
sao ier oe Si es arse
“Pm a wicked men, I am!” he declared.

  

 
 
   

 

Young Dick Talbot.

that I’m the cuss w’ot’s frying these hyer fish |

_” Satistied with the impression he-had produced,

 

     

“Pm a pike from Missouri, and as rough and —

tough as they make’em. I reckon that some
of you folks in this hyer burg must have heered
of me afore; my handle is Jim Laclede and onee
in a while some of my pals call me St. Louis
Jim, and I reckon that name fits me _as well as
though I was born with it. Now I tell you
folks, I’m just as gentle as a bob-tailed lamb,
when I ain’t riled, but when you get me roused,
I’m like the Big Muddy, a tough cuss to
handle.”

“You're a songh old blow-kard!” cried the
youth in a tone of supreme contempt.

A bum of astonishment arose on the air at
this rash declaration and the bystanders looked
at the youth and shook their heads; in fact quite
a number of them came to the conclusion that
the excitement had turned his head, for the
did not think it possible he would dare to af-
front the giant if in possession of his senses,

The rough fellow was so enraged by the in-
sulting expression that he let go of the revolver
he had grasped and shook both of his fists in the
face of the youth. Z

‘““Wot’s that you sed?” he fairly howled.
“Spit it out ag’in if you dar’!”

‘cipatnbooas

CHAPTER XIl.

_ A LIVELY DISCUSSION,
~ “J gat you were a tough old blow-hard and
so youare!” Talbot exclaimed, standing up to
the giant like a man, and with a look in his
syes that fairly astonished the Yankee, for the
youth had always been so guiet that the m-
tucket man never suspected there was anything
of the fighter about him. ps :

“Why, you ’tarnel little fool, do you know I’ve
killed men for much less than this hyer?” the
bully growled.

“You will not kill mo!” cried Talbot.

“T would in a mibtite if you was any kind of
a match for me! Oh, I wish you was a feller
somewhar round my sizal wouldn't I hammer
yer?” and the ruffian swung his brawny fists
around like windmills, :

“No, you wouldn’t hammer me, and if I was
within ten pounds of your weight you wouldn’s
dare to open your head tome. You are only
trying to play smart because you think Iam
but a boy and you can impose upon me, but 1
am not afraid of you, you big, overgrown hog.
You just put that beer down and apologize or it
will be the worse for you.” 5

The bully still retained the glace of beer in his
hand, and as the barkeeper, like all his tribe,
had been particular to give more: foam than
liquor, it had not suffered materially from his
eccentric movements, Ny a cee

“Pologize! oh, yes, of course, that is exactly
what I’m going to do—w’ot I’m jest dying todo,
and you kin bet all your rocks on it, too!” he ex-
claimed, sarcastically. ‘ Yes, sir-ee,. hoss-fly,
bumble-bee! When want a fust-class ’polo-
By, = Louis Jim is jest the feller you want for

call u i

es

oe Bolngtek cab and dried and kept to order.

If Teagen bes what you wantaxforit, =
© Inside of two wags of a mule’s tail, Pl show

you w’ot kind of a I make! sich

@ pesky leetle cuss

 
 
  

   
  
 

 

shat fear to use my we'pons

 

 

 
    
       
    

v

     
    

\

      
     
   
   

Rk ed
,

 
 
   
 
  

Talbot's iron-like grasp, bent almost double, .
Ta

- chance for to

re eyes

 

 

-noddle for to try liberties with
puch

Pg nen eget ep eNOS -_
52 : a mai .

  

Young Dick Talbot.

 

om you, 80 Pil jest wet my whistle with this
hyer drink; then I’ll wring your nose until you
beg my pardon and axes forgiveness for being
sosarcy. Here’s your jolly good health, gen’le-
men all!” i |
But as the giant raised the glass toward his
lips, with a quick, upward motion of his hand
Talbot bit the glass on the bottom with the back |
of it and the concussion sent the contents of the |
es in a shower of spray into the face of the

uly.

He had succeeded in getting the beer, but not |
in the way he had anticipated. ;

The action was)so sudden that St. Louis Jim
was taken ate by surprise, and as his
big mouth was open in readiness for the beer,
some of the fluid went into the capacious orifice,
snd, lodging in the windpipe, brought on a vio-
lent fit of coughing.

As soon as he recovered from this, with a
fearful oath he flung the empty glass at the |
head of the youth, but Talbot, with wonderful |
quickness, not only dodged the missile, but with
his strong right hand caught the rufflan by his |
extremely prominent nose and gave it sucha |
twist as to force from the lips of:the man a roar |
of mingled rage and pain, ft

“Ow, ow!” howled the bully, writhing in |

while his huge arms thrashed the air, and he
danced up and down, first on one foot and then
on the other, like a turkey on a hot plate,

The exhibition only lasted for a moment, but
the sight was so ludicrous that it made the spec-

rs roar with laughter. ; ‘

Then the youth released his grip and the big
fellow went sprawling over on his back, and
again the bystanders laughed. -

F ut when the bully rose to his feet and glared |
around the laughter suddenly ceased.
standing the sorry exhibition which the bold
youth had made of him, there wasn’t one in the
saloon who was anxious to incur his wrath.

It was really a mystery to them that the
youth should bave succeeded in getting the best

_of the ruffian, but now that be had recovered
from the effects of the surprise, they feared it-
would go hard with him.

' Run, you fool!” ejaculated one of theflookers-
on, who happened to be near the boy, in a’
hoarse whisper in his ear, ‘‘run, while thar’s a

give leg-bail. This big feller will

eat you all up.
‘ “Oh, no, he will not,” the youth answered,
“and if he attempts to try the thing on, I guess
he’ll find I’m about as tough a morsel as he ever
got hold of since he was weaned.” Tc
~ Talbot had spoken freely, and his words

_ reached the ears of the other, é

With a fiendish scowl he cast his evil-looking

upon the boy. : X F

You have been having a regular picnic at.

- my expense, I reckon,” he growled, “b

_kin bet all your pile now that the fun is over, ©

~ and business is goin: to begin, You're mighty
pet. with your | for a youngster, but arter

it through with you, I reckon you'll think
twice the next time you take tie oc ie
he nose of

then he com- ,

 

Te comet cgep ranch Bases

     

 

Notwith- ‘

| my horn feels as if it had been
. paw he caressed the injured member in a tender
but you

    

mMenced to roll up the Vleeves of his dirty shirts -
in a manner that plainly betokened business. 5

The Yankee beeame dreadfully alarmed. _
During his acquaintance with our hero he had.
never witnessed any display of skillin the box-
ing line on his part, and of course had-no idea
that he was at all accomplished in that line,

He knew that the youth was wonderfully
strong and extremely quick, and that on board
the schooner as a sailor be had easily held his
own with men almost double his weight, well- —
seasoned salts, with muscles fully developed and
toughened vs years of toil. Sev Ke? ,

‘But forall that he thought Talbot stood no
chance at all against the burly ruffian.

“See here!” he exclaimed, ‘‘this ain’t the.
fair thing at all! Jest look at the difference
atwixt you two! Why, you're almost big
enough to eat this’ere boy.” Ree

“And I reckon I could do it too, mighty —
easy, if he was only well buttered and salted!”
the bully replied, with a ferocious grin. “But
thar ain’t any use for you nor nobody else to
stick your spoon in this soup, This hyer leetle
cuss has insulted me in: the worst way, and I’m |
no man if I don’t make him sweat for it! Oh, —
I tell you, ’m an ugly buck when I get a-going! -
The wust galoot you kin seareup fromhbyer to ~
nowhare,’ * se nem

‘“Gents, I appeal to you!” Abner cried, “Is
this hyer the square thing? Jest look at the
difference between the two!” and he addressed —
the crowd, who were watching the scene with
great interest. ‘‘ This man hain’t got no cause
to complain. He was the first to give offense;
if he hadn’t taken the glass out of my friend’s
hand there wouldn’t bave beon any trouble,”

“That was only a joke!” exclaimed St, Lou
Jim, and he glared around at the bystanders as
much as:to oe ‘““Which one of you is anxious —
to take up this quarrel on behalf of the hoy?”
But there wasn’t a manin the crowd who was
desirous of having a band in the affair, ‘

The savage appearance of the burly ruffian
and the weapons he so openly displayed were ~
quite enough to make all in the saloon anxious _
not to provoke his anger, and there wasn’t a
man in the place who did not consider the boy -
a little cracked in the upper story for daring to.
brave the wrath of sucha redoubtable foeman.

“Yes, sir-ee, that was only a joke,” repeated
the ruffian, ‘‘and durn a cuss say I that ain’t
got the grit to take a leetle joke like that out

      
       
     
       
 
      
   
     
   
     
     
     
        
      
   
        
   
    
    
     
    
      
 
  

  

    

   

   
     
      
  
 
     
     
      
 
 
 
 
     

  

 

 
      
   

   
 
 
 

   
 

  

  

  
  

 

    

 
 

   
   

 

yer in Californy! Why, I’ve had it played on
me a hundred times and T never growled a mite
"bout it either, f bacearersyst

 
  

“TT didn’t go for to throw the liquor in the
feller’s face, nor-to “pull his nose, and I sw’ar
ante the
th-his huge loft

   

 
 
 
 
 
  
  

 
 
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  

erack of a door for sure,” and wi

manner, as he sp ,, 2s See et
“Are youa ee that you allow men
walk erent ‘albot demanded. | ‘‘ Because
if you areI am not, and although I may
be as big as a house, yet I am large er ouge

et

   
  
 
 

resent such an insult every time..
odds from anybody and though not a
Pm not afraid of holding my own,

    
       

 
 

 
 

Young Dick ‘Talbot.

 

 

  
          
       
     
         
        
    
       
   
   
   
       
      
     
     
   
     
   
 
 

*©¥ou are the loudest crowing rooster that I
ever run across,” the other observed. ‘‘ You’re
sich a sarcy leetle cuss that you really make
me smile. [ hate like thunder to have to warm
you, but it’s a oat L owe to the country, for if
. the conceit isn’t taken out of you the hull durned
-- goast wouldn’t be big enough to hold you.”
_. “Take care that you don’t make a mistake in
your reckoning!” the youth exclaimed, facing
is opponent in the most undaunted manner.

 

cussed leetle bantam!” the bully exclaimed.
“TH tell you what I will do.. You’re in a
‘arnel mess hyer, but seeing as how you air a
stranger and not used. to our ways I will give
you a chance to get out of this hyer scrape.
‘You see I’m a generous sort of a rooster if you
_ comb my hair the right way.
Jest you go down on your marrow-bones
and make me an humble ’pology, sa:

 

 

my bugle, then stand treat for the bull gang in
the saloon and [ll call the matter squar’.
-. . The standing treat idea suited the bystanders
exactly, aud nearly all nodded as much as to
gay that they approved of this mode of settling
the quarrel. :
Get down on my knees and apologize?”
_ “'That’s the peppergram!”
_ And if I don’t?” 2
“Pi jest welt you until you’re sick or sore!”
“Sail in!” and Talbot put up his hands in an
extremely scientific manner.

CHAPTER XIII. _
j SOIENCE AGAINST BRUTE FORCE.
 §r, Louris Juz surveyed the youth for a mo-
ment in amazement. He could hardly believe
he had heard aright, and the bystanders looked

pete surpris
“When the proposition was made, there wasn’t
- aman in the saloon who bad not at once jumped
to the conclusion that the ages would be only
too glad to avail himself of this easy mode of
‘getite out of the difficulty in which he had be-
- eomeinvolved. . ‘
ee i! do-you mean for to say that you won't
do it?” the ruffian exclaimed. -
“Net much!” Talbot ruplied.
_ “T reckon you’re jest

ing?”
Pe And if I am,I reckon you’re not the man
able to give it to me.” Sak 3 i
“Boys, [ hate like thunder to welt the leetle
~euss, but you see he’s got to have some sense
knocked ea eet si i“ pesinesto
_ the crowd. call upon the hull b’iling of yo
to witness that I offered to let him out, and he
_~ wouldn't have it. He’s anxious for fun, and be
won't have no call Gounae he gits a leetle
ore than he expects. Now look out for your-
self, for it’s an earthquake that’s ‘penal es
» bystanders were all eyes, while the Nan-
man was ina fever. In his opinion the

 

 

   
    
   
  
   

   
     
     
 

 

 
   

“Darn me if I don’t hate to thrash you, you |

you're |
_ sorry for throwing the beer in my face, and |
‘that you feel meaver’n thunder, ’cos you pulled |

ungry for a thrash- |

 

; ou,” St. Louis
that I shall be obligated to

 

   
  
  
 
    
   
   
  
 
 
    
  

yet he had determined that he would not stand
tamely by and see his protege brutally beaten.

St. Louis Jim, like all men of hic class, was
considerable of a rough-and-tumble fighter, but
almost totally ignorant of the true principles of
the boxer’s art, )

His idea of a personal encounter was to close in
with bis agg ig as soon as possible. In the
school of fighting in which he had graduated,
kicking, biting and gouging were all allowed.

Anticipating then an easy victory, for he felt
sure he was strong enough to crush his puny
antagonist almost to death the moment he got
a good hold on him, he advanced with very
little caution. °

He sparred with his huge arms, just asif he in-
tended to knock his opponent insensible at the
first stroke. ‘ 5 Reds

In fact, his idea was to hit the boy two or
three heavy licks right at the beginning, think-
ing that the blows would take all the fight out
of bim. j 5 :

When the two came within arm’s-length,
for Talbot had advenced equally as quick as the
giant, much to the astonishment of the bystand-
ers, who thought the youth was crazy to be
thus eager to rush into a contest where all the
advantages seemed to be against him, the con-.
trast between the two was not so great as all
had imagined. 5 é

Jim was perhaps by fifty pounds the keavier —
man, but not over an inch taller, and no longer
in the reach. j ; :

But the contrast between the style of the two
was wonderful, and there wasn’t a man in the
room who did not remark it. i

Talbot was easy and graceful, the other
clumsy in the extreme. eee Os he ae

Wher they came within reach they sparred
for a few moments, seeking for an opening to

put in a blow. “¢

“You've got a pretty nice-looking head on

im remarked. ‘I’m sorry |

le it for life.” ~

“JT can’t return the compliment for you are
about the ugliest-looking brute that I ever en- —
countered,” the youth ee Rie Neer one

“Oh, I’m ugly, am cried the other with a —
furious scowl, working his brawny arms like a
pair of wind-mills, striving to measure his op- -
ponent so as to put in a tremendous blow. ‘
“Very ugly,” answered Talbot, gradual! %
weaving in, and bracing himself for atremen. —

dous effort. ; :
t through with you if you

     

     
   
  
       
    
 
  

  
   
  
   

   

a till I | tne bully ce
wani see an ugly cuss!” the bull eee ce!
‘Hardly had ie ack left his lips when —
quick as a flash has ee of the youth shot
outand its iron-like knuckles, landing on the
ney of the , right under the eye,
with a smack that sounded like thecrackofa
peehctnte: whip, knocked the man backward

    
  
   
  

  

 

bag n his the
youth s no chance atall, and while he knew |
that it would not do for him to interfere in ' of
ginning, as the bystanders were evidently the rufflan
‘ined inte with the bully, for there were y
far more scamps than honest men in the place: | _

 
      
 

  
~ had never beheld before, took a look at the fal-

‘abruptly, as he perceived that the fight was

-

what had happened, pies ae
- “Cuss me if you ain’t jest old lightning!” he

‘and the youth, having his man “measured,®

Young Dick Talbot.

 

{mbedded in the floor, and as his €nta ‘onist
rushed upon him, out shot his powerful left arm
and this time the blow caught the bully right
between the eyes, bringing him up, all a-stand-
ing as the seamen say, and for a moment St.
Louis Jim was favored with a private view of
more stars than he had ever seen in the heavens,

The blow tilted Jim’s head upward slightly,

let fly his right arm and the stroke catching the
ruffian right under the chin, seemed to fairly
lift him from the floor, and he went over back-
ward, his bull-like head striking the rough
boards with a terrific whack.

The contest was over, for, to use the lan-
guage of the sporting gentlemen, St. Louis Jim
was “knocked out.”

The shock had stunned him.

And no wonder for more than one in theroom
asserted that the blow had been given with suf-
ficient force to have felled an ox. %,

There was a moment of silence as the specta-
tors, amazed at the sight, the like Of which the

len man and then turned inquiring gazes upon
each other as much as tosay: ‘ What sort of
a fellow is this, anyway?” referring to the con-
querory 3
‘ Hooray!” ejaculated the Nantucket man,

ended, for he felt pretty certain that the ruffian,
after what had occurred, would not feel much
like continuing the fight. “By gosh! I guess
he bas got.all he wants!”

“Say, give me some water, you, clerk,” said
ons of the crowd, beginning to fear that the bi
fellow was fatally injured, as he did not mani-
fest a sign of life.

But the suspicion was not correct, for after a
sponge with water had been applied to his tem-
ples, he sat up and looked around him for a mo-
mentin a wondering sort of way, as if he didn’t
exactly understand what had occurred.

This doubt did not last. long, for the moment
his eyes fell upon his antagonist he understood

exclaimed, rising slowly to his feet. Page it
ain’t possible that you bit me with your fists?
Ain’t you got a club ora pair of brass knuckles
or something of that sort?” 5
The youth shook his head, while the bystand-
ers hastened to assure the bully that he had
been whipped in the squarest kind of a fight, ~
‘*Durn me if I understand it,” and he shook
his head in a dubious sort of way. ‘“Why, my
noddle feels as big as & bushel basket, and that
last lick you gi’n me under the jaw ’bout
cracked it, I reckon.” ‘ ;
‘““Are you prepared to apologize now?” the |
youth asked, ee ie ;
“Eh, w’ot’s that?” and the ruffian appeared to
be intensely surprised. : ;
Ricxth ‘ou if you were

 

repared to apolo-

Lasked J, P
zo for insulting me by snatching the glass of
_ beer out of my hand!” Talbot exclaimed, ap-
-proaching in such a aeaiarey eer a man-

ck until his re-
de ofthe house. =,
shak- |

ner that the ruffian step
treat was cut off by the a
_ ‘Hol’ on, w’ot are you ’bout?” he cried,

_ be a waste of money to invest in any; but, —
' Dick, I’m going’ to put some cash in some now, —

ing his big head like a bull at
oring to look flerce,
“ Are you going

which had so mauled the bully. ‘
“Take care! don’t you come near me, unless
you’ve got
claimed St. Louis Jim, clutching one of his re-
volvers. $ 3 :
“You big, brute, ain’t you satisfied with
what you have already received?” the youth de-
manded, drawing back his strong right arm in
readiness for another terrible stroke,

bay, and endeav-

j : i
to apologize?” the youth de-
manded, doubling up Steieccies terrible fists

fie! graveyard picked out!” ex-.

you attempt to draw that pistol, or Pll hammer —

you without mercy long before you cancockit
‘in readiness for use, You have got to apologize,

I want you to understand that, and I don’t in-
tend you shall get out of it.” :

“You hain’t given me any show for my
money,” the ruffian grumbled, anxious to draw
his pistol, and yet afraid to do it as long as the
terrible right arm of the youth menaced him. —

“You have had all the chance that a man
could have,” Talbot replied. ‘‘ You have been
fairly whipped in a fair fight, and you ought to

be satisfied, but if you are not, now is the time — 2

to say so. You are complaining that you
haven’t had a fair show, an
draw your revolver on an unarmed man,
you call that the fair thing?” ROSS :

The ruffian was in a hobble. He was cor.

nered, and he saw no way to escape from the

dilemma. The punishment he had received had _

cowed him, and though he hated mortally todo
it, yet as the only thing possible under the cir-
cumstances, with an ill grace he apologized, and

then, with a covert threat that the day might ~
come when he would have a chance to geteven, ¥

he slunk away.

yet you want to —
‘Do

“Don't

A

The bystanders gathered around the youth —
and loudly expressed their approval of his con-

duct, but as soon as
protege departed.
_, , CHAPTER XIV. —
| FRENCHMAN’S FLAT, tes
“TT rern you what it is, Abner, this is a coun-

possible Abner and his
¥ a:

try where a man will have to look out, or he'll

be & dead man before he knows it,” Talbot re-—

marked as he and the Yankee sauntered down
the street. : :

*“*-You see, Dick, old Stoddard wasn’t goking
when he said that in California a feller needed

‘ood weapons as much as good tools,” observed —

fre Nantucket man.

“Yes, and we ought to have heeded his ad-

ies pe got an outfit in Mobile.”
knowledged.

guess that was my fault,” the Yankee ac-
“But I never had oecasion to

need any weapons, and I thought it wou'd only —

right — pes ch tne
‘I think it will be advisable, for it is evi-
dent there are plent: I
country who care nothing for the law, and as
se Gon go armed ieee bier tier aoee te Ud be
presume upon the faci came ac
oman who was not armed. If this fell

At ,

by

of rough fellows in this —

 
 

 

 

 

- ell the time,”

_ ways fight as much as any other two members

_ know anything about

_ to anything wouldn’t go out of his way to pick

_Tight at the beginning that I would strike him

 

when he reflected upon the discomfiture of the
“bully, 4

 

- with knives and pistols barnessed to ’em, I
: eee ought not to be out of the fashion.”

one invested in a pair of revolvers and a good-
sized bowie-knife, together with a plentiful sup-
ters, and there met

_ formed them that all preparations
_ would set out at five o'clock next morning.’ —

succeeded in drawing his revolver to-day, it
would have gone hard with me, for I haven’t
the least doubt that the scoundrel would have
shot me down in cold blood, without any mer-
cy. ;
_‘Sakes alive! how you did handle him!” ex-
claimed Abner, chuckling over the remem-
brance of the scientific way in which the bully
had been thrashed, ‘Upon my word, Dick, no
one, to look at you, would have believed that
ou could have done it. Why, the critter was
ig enough to eat you. I trembled in my shoes

“Tam well develo; for my age, and then
too, men who are judges in such matters say t
am unusually powerful. In fact, I could al-

of the social club to which I belonged, and at
the club I learned to box and wrestle. Ihada
natural taste for all muscular amusements, and .
80 tok to them; but I never thought that my
aq omplishments in that line would ever come
in so handily as they bave to-day.”

“ By. gosh! you handled him like a prize fight-
er. I’ve seen a good zany scuffes in ed time,
oe T never saw a man whipped so quickly be-

‘ore.
“The man was strong enough, but he didn’t
th eames and that gave
me a terrific advantage; and tben, too, the fel-
low was a coward at heart, despite of all his
bravado. I felt pretty sure of that when he
troubled me, for a man who really amounted

a quarrel with one who, apparently, was no
match for him.”

“That's law and gospel the world over,” the
Yankee assented. ;

‘* And the moment the scoundrel came at me,
T saw from the way be put up his hands that he
hadn’t any knowledge of the boxer’s art, and so
it was an easy matter for me to hit him when
and where I liked—and I made up my mind

for all I was worth.”

“And you, did, too—there isn’t any mistake
about that. I never saw a critter keeled over
more beautifully in all my born days!” Abner
exclaimed in glee, and he laughed outright

Just then they came in sight of a store in the
windows of which a fine assortment of weap-
ons: were el debt

‘‘Here’s the place for us to stock up,” said
the youth, directing the attention of his com-
panion to the store.

‘When you're in Turkey, do as the turkies
do,” responded the Nantucket man, with a griv.
* And as all the critters in these parts go’round

he two friends entered the store, and ezch

ply of ammunition. ;
‘rom the store they proceeded to head-quar-
colonel Stoddard, who in-
had been

made for the journey, and the expedition

  

    
 

 

Young Dick Talbot. 83

“¥ sha'n’t be sorry to’ get out of this pesk
town,” Abner remarked. ‘The critters es
are too piel ineeacd to be quarrelsome to suit
me; and I tell you, Dick, after what happened
to-day, it is just as well for us not.to tarry any
longer in this ’tarnal town than we kin -help.

“That big rascal is an ugly coot—l’d be will-
ing to bet ninepence cn that!—and if he found
out we wasin town, he’d git together a gang of
roughs some night jest for the purpose of getting
even with us.”

‘‘He’s none too good for it,” the youth as-
sented. : H

‘Therefore, the quicker we get out the
better. For my part, I would be better
pleased if we started to-night than in the morn-

ing.”

Son, we mustn’t run away from the scamp.
you know.”

“Run—not much! Oh, no; I wouldn’t ruu,
not for the world; but rather than have any
trouble, and being obliged to kill a dozen or two
of tbe land-pirates, I would walk mighty
fast,” replied the Yankee, with his everlasting

n. ~ ‘

Promptly at the appointed time in the morn-
ing, Colonel Stoddard led his party out of San
Francisco. Sue

There were fifteen pilgrims in the expedition,
who had been persuaded by the colonel’s
te to try their luck at Frenchman’s

at.

The journey. was an uneventful one, and
z due time the party arrived at their destina-

ion. :

The*place was situated on the upper Mari
river, and possessed a population of possibly a
hundred souls all told—all men, with the excep-
tion of the wife and daughter of one of the set-
tlers—a gaunt old man, who acted as the express-
agent, and kept the only store in the camp. He
wag known as Thomas Richardson,

It was just about supper-time when the trav-
elers rode into the town, and therefore all the
inhabitants were at home, having knocked off
work for the day. é

Richardson’s store was the general lounging-
place, being a capacious two-storied shanty; ti
store was in the front part, and in the rear a
sort of restaurant, for Mrs, Richardson, with
ne assistance of her daughter, ran a boarding-

ouse. ; ; .

‘Tae principal income of the store was from
the sale of whi ky, for the express-agent ran a
regular saloon in one part of the store.

‘Isee you're all settled and in running order,”
the colonel remarked as he rode up to the hotel,
for Richardson bad dignified his establishment
with a rudely-pain sign, which displayed
. i as e, and the words, ‘‘ American

otel. me

“Oh, yes: all in apple-pie order, colonel,”
responded the lnadieed shaking bands with
Stoddard after he dismounted. ‘You've got
quite a party with you,” he added, running his
eyes over the new-comers, and mentally calcu-
lating how much he would be able to make out
of the crowd. eae att :
“T reckon so. I told the
find a better yee to drive th

CS dae

ey couldn't
stan than at

   

   

    

   

Frenchman’s

 

   
     
    
    
  
 
 
  
   
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
   
    
 
   
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
 
 

 

24 Young Dick Talbot.

 

“¥ reckon you are about right there, colonel.
The claims are panning out first-rate; some of
the boys have been making at the rate of ten
and twelve dollars.a day, and there isn’t one of
them that isn’t making a good living,” Richard-
son remarked, while the new comers listened
with eager ears to this cheering intelligence,

“But walk right into the house, gentlemen,
and I will do my best to take care of you until
you fix up places of your own,” the old man
continued, ‘ Supper is about ready, and you’ve
just got time to join me ina social drink afore
you sit down to the table.”

Then the speaker conducted the strangers into
the store, where a shock-headed youth, who
acted ag general assistant to the old man, set
out the whisky and glasses,

Abner and the youth were the last to enter,
and they rather kept in the background; for
neither one of them had any liking for liquor,
ind they hoped to be excused from accepting
tie proffered hospitality.

But. the old man. bad his eyes on our hero,
who in his appearance was so different from the
rest, who were somewhat rough in their appear-
ance. ‘

“Come, youngster!” Richardson exclaimed,
“step to the front and take a swig of whisky;
it won’t burt you but on the contrary build you
up and ‘make a man out of you. Jest you drink
whisky enough and you'll be a man afore your
mother!”

And the rest, rendered somewhat jovial by
the landlord’s hospitality, laughed heartily at
the old-time joke.

‘‘Pm very much obliged to you, sir, but I do
not care for it,” the youth replied, quietly.

“Neither do I!” the Yankee exclaimed.
“I’ve drank more whisky now than is good for
me since I was hatched and I guess it’s ’bout
time for me to quit.”

‘““Oh, you ean suit yourself, of course, this is
a free country,” Richardson remarked in a
rather insolent sort of way. ‘‘ You are stran-
gers to this coast and cannot be expected to un-
derstand Our ways, but you will get used to
them in time, but I can tell you that there are
some camps in California where it wouldn’t be
wise to refuse a drink when it is politely ten-
dered by a gentleman.”

“Oh, the youngster will come to his milk one
-of these days,” observed the colonel. ‘‘ Let’s
drop the subject now and go in to supper.?

And so no more was said about the matfor,

At the supper-table the adventurers were
given an opportunity to see the wife and daugh-
ter of the landlord.

The wife, Mother Nance, as she bad been
nick-named by the miner, was a hard-featured,
ugly, old woman with a masculine appearance,
but the daughter, Laura, was a most decided
contrast, being only about eighteen, a blue-eyed
blonde-baired beafity, witha buxom figure and
a charming face.

She was a pleasant, honest sort of girl, and as
our hero afterward discovered, as much liked
as her parents were disliked by the majority of
the miners.

Richardson introduced his wife and daughter
to Colonel Stoddard with a great flourish as

they had arrived during his absence and then
they all sat down to supper.

 

CHAPTER XV.
A CHEATING TRANSACTION.

AFTER the meal was ended, the Nantucket
man and his protege took a walk around tewn to
see what it was like.

Darkness had arrived by this time but as the
full moon came up early the pair were able to
get a pretty good idea of what the town was
like,

‘That Richardson is a kinder queer ‘old
rooster,” Abner observed as they strolled along.

** Yes, I don’t admire him much.”

‘Neither do I; I didn’t like that whisky busi-
ness afore supper, I didn’t come out here to
work like all-possessed for gold and then go and
throw it away on bad liquor. That standing
treat was jest a bait to attract customers. I
would be willing to bet a big apple that he
makes more money out of that place.of his’n
than any ten men in the town,”

“JT ghouldn’t be surprised, and I think too
from what I heard Stoddard say while on the,
way here that he has an interest in it.” ‘

“Very likely, he’s a sort of high-cockalorum
in this camp. Say, Dick, did pos happen to
notice at the supper-table how he cast sheep’s
eyes at the leetle gal.”

“Oh, yes, he was evidently impressed by

r

“ And, Dick, don’t you think that the colonel
is a leetle too old for to be shining up to sich a
young heifer?” asked the Yankee, shrewdly.

“Decidedly too old, and someway [ve an
idea that the lady was not pleased at the way
in which he looked at her. Any idea of marriage
between the two is utterly ridiculous, to my
eng Why, the colonel is a man of fifty
odd.

“Sure as you’re born, and the gal is in her
teens; another thing, Dick, don’t ever let on that
I said anything about it,” and the Yankee looked

around him cautiously, as though afraid of be-
ing overheard, .

‘Certainly not; you ought to know me well
enough by this time to understand that there
isn’t any danger of my talking too much.”

“That’s so; you're ’bout as close-mouthed a ©
critter as ever.I run across, .Well, what I was
going to say ’bout the colonel is, I guess he can’t
git spliced to-any gal very well, for I’m pretty
certain he’s got a wife in Mobile,”

“ That would rather interfere.” i

“Yes, I believe that they have separated, but
\I understood that there hadn’t been any legal
divorce. As I heard the story, his wife comes
of a good family, and there’s a big chance she
will come in for a beap of money one of these
days, and so the colonel is anxious to keep the
knot from being untied. He’s been a pretty
wild chap in his time, but his wife is one of the
particular sort, and she would rather live apart
from bim, and make believe not to know any-
thing about his didoes, than to go into a court
| and so publish her wrongs to everybody.”
|

 

‘“‘Of course I don’t know much about the
| colonel, but I haven’t a very high opinion of -

  

 

 
Young Dick Talbot.

 

him. Pm inclined to belfeve he. would be ex- |
-tremely ugly and disagreeable if he fancied any
one was in his way,” the youth observed,
thoughtfully. ;
“T guess you’ve got him sized up "bout right,” /
Abner admitted. j
_“ But. as we are not likely to come in contact
with him, it wil] not make a particle of-differ-
_.enee to us even if he is high-tempered and dis-
‘posed to be dogmatic.”
‘* Not a mite!”
“But about this girl affair, suppose the
x Bere bs does go after her?” asked the-youth,
- slowly.
“Well, what if he does?” asked the Nantucket
- man, with a covert glance into the face of the

other, |
__“ Would it be right for us to permit him to go
abead, knowing, as we do, that he has a wife
living, and that he can’t legally marry this one?”
Dick asked, his yoice earnest and a thoughtful
look upon hisface. . _ ‘
“TL swow, boy, you are putting a wor |
knotty question tome!” Abner exclaimed. ‘A |
jaw yee might get ’round it by saying that as it |
ain’t any of our business, we ain’t got any right |
to interfere, and might strengthen his position
by repeating the old adage that he had known a
ood many men in this world to get rich by at-
tending strictly to their own business.” |
“But would it be honest for us to allow the
colonel to act like a scoundrel when by a word |
we could prevent it?” the youth demanded ab- |

ruptly. a !
“No, I don’t think it would be exactly the
square thing. : |
“If she was a daughter or sister of ours, |
_ wouldn’t we thank the man from the very bot-
tom of our hearts, who was bold enough to step |
forward and prevent thé crime, for it is a crime |

_ and in my opinion an atrocious one.” a4
“ Well, you can jest bet all the wealth you’ve

; ae ee we would!” cried Abner, all his better
‘eelings aroused by the appeal of his companion,

Fa ‘Phat is the way I feel about it, and I tell
_ you, Abner, ’'m not going to pees tamely by

und see the girl wronged, Pm npt anxious for a
quarrel, and Jeast of all with thé colonel, for he’s
tt hot-blooded Southerner, with the reputation
: rf being an expert duelist, and if there is trouble
it wi in all probability, lead to bloodshed, but.
right is right, and when the time comes I do not
_ intend to be found upon the wrong side. —
‘We may be borrowing trouble in this mat-
ter, you know; the colonel may not bave any
intention of pursuing the girl, but, somehow,
from the way he looked at her, the idea came
into my head that he was attracted by ber and.
60 I thought you and 1 might as well come to an

erstanding. ; ;

. ‘1m Oe carioalinc it will not doa mite of
_ hurt to be prepared even if nothing comes of it;
but, Dick, jest you make up your mind that

ie depend upon me clean through,” replied
paar tie time the twain had arrived at the hotel
so the conversation ended. :
T mmodations afforded by the Ameri-

Reset

ers slept in one large room. Some |

| when he stroll.

- actions that

rude bunks composed of pine boughs were #

ranged on the floor and each individual spreaw
his blanket and camped down upon it, not the
least bit of bed-clothes being provided. :

But some way in spite of these scanty accom~-
modations the men slept splendidly.

“All were up betimes in the morning and
Abner and Dick, having taken counsel from the _
men who. were posted in regard to the claims
offered for sale in the neighborhood of the town,

urchased a hundred square feet from Colone

toddard, being the upper end of a claim of his
known by the peculiar name of Nip and Tuck.

Neitber one of the partners was able to guess
why such an odd name had been given to the
claim, but after they had been working it for
a week with very poor success, hardly getting
enough out of the claim to pay living expenses,
their neighbor, a grim griaaiel old fellow of vast
experience in mining matters being one of the
pioneers of Soighine, enlightened them one day

led over at sunset ‘to see how they
were Sebtisig. alone, :

“ You reckon it’s a kinder queer nam
observed with a chuckle, when Dick let
remark in regard to the queer appellation.

** Tt seems so to us,” Abner answered. F

“ Afore you git through with it you'll find it
will be nip and tuck with starvation as long as
you try to git a living outen it,” the veteran re-
marked. “

And then the truth came out; the claim was
considered worthless by all the experienced men
of the place, and the miner more than insinu-
ated that Stoddard had acquired all the lucre
he possessed not by successful mining, but by
speculating in claims, buying up lands of little
value and disposing of them to guileless fortune-
seekers at an enormous advance. - oa

After they ascertained these facts, the part-
ners held a consultation, == Tes :

They had bought the claim with their eyes
open and there wasn’t any use of Pd sata 3 to
the colonel about the matter, and so they came
to the conclusion. that the only thing to do
was to hold on to it while they could get a
living out of it and at the same time keep on
the lookout for a better spot. 4

As in more civilized communities this kind.
of sharp practice on the part of the colonel was
not regarded as being particularly dishonest,
and it did not seem to burt his populerity in
the least, for when the miners came to the con-
clusion that the camp had grown big enough to
be organized into a regular town, Stoddard
-was chosen for alcalde by an almost unani-
mous vote. : 5 eee

On the night after the election, when the —
result of the-contest was made known and the

rtisans of the successful man were cele-

ting his election by a huge bonfire in front = __
of the hotel and the colonel, from a second-
stery window, was returning his “heartfelt _
thanks” to his fellow-citizens, who, by their
ai day bad caused his bosom to —
thrill with pride when he | l that he
was “an Ameri 4 ;

e,” be
fall a

worse than any thing thatthe m;
iyot struck in the Golden State.

 
Young Dick Talbot.

 

ed on their miserable claim, watched the re-
joicing from afar. os

‘There used to be an old saying when I was
a boy ’bout cheating never prospering,” Abner
remarked in a rather doleful way, as he noted
the bonfire blazing up against the night andy
the cheers of the celebrating miners came dis-
tinctly to bis ears, ‘but I swow it seems to me
as if that ’ere thing don’t hold good out in this
country, for jest see this pesky sarpint of a
colonel. They say all ’round town that he has
bitten every man that ever traded with him,
and, by gosh, he’s getting on better than any
man in the place, Old Jones "—the veteran be-
fore mentioned—‘ said this morning that there
wasn't any doubt ’bout the colonel’s election,
for the biggest rascal in the camp was always
chosen for alcalde, and everybody knew that
old Stoddard filled the bill to a T.”

‘‘<T#s a long lane that has no turning,’ ”
Dick kescaced, ‘Cand I’m not satisfied to cry
quits with the colonel yet. Alcalde or no al-
ealde, I’m going to have satisfaction for this
mine swindle, and ee soon, too, you can
depend upon it. If I can’t do it any other
way, I'll skin him at poker. Ho thinks he can
play, but I’ll make him change his opinion.”

CHAPTER XVI.
THE COLONEL’S DEMAND,

For some three weeks affairs in the camp
went on without anything occurring worthy of
mention. ;

Colonel Stoddard paid such devoted attention
to Miss Richardson that it was the talk of the
town, but the girl did not seem to be es
with his endeayors, although the old folks
helped the colonel along in every possible way.

In such a small community it wasn’t possible
for any of the members to remain long strangers
to each other, and so Miss Richardson and our
hero, young Talbot, became acquainted, and a
mutual liking sprung up between them, although
the old man and his wife never lost an oppor-
> to revile the partners. —

_ Neither one of them patronized Richardson’s
whisky-shop, and in fact, if they had been so
disposed, their claim was not producing enough
to allow them to indulge in an y luxuries,

It was as much as they could do to get a bare
living out of it, and even then they had to live
in the most a manner, | ; ie

Frenchman’s Flat was like all other places in
this world, and the tale-bearer was not absent,
and so it soon.came to the colonel’s knowledge
that Miss Richardson was accustomed every
now and then to take a walk up the valley, and
when she passed the Nip and Tuck claim,
usually stopped and chatted for a few minutes ,
with the partners.
An ugly aman les
mind in regard t

 

grown up in Stoddard’s
- ankee and Talbot; he
knew that he had swindled them in regard to

the sale of theclaim, and was aware er were |
su of the fact, and like all men who suc-
ceed in injuring others, he was afraid his
victims might attempt to get even with him
and then, too, since he had become alculde of ©
the town, he fancied that the pair did not treat
him with the respect due to his exalted station.
This was true enough, for bota the Yankee

s

and Talbot were—to use Abner’s

“to Nip and Tuck claim for the

ression, ‘‘as independent as a hog on ice,” and —

olding the colonel to be a mean rascal, they
did not go out of their way to truckle to him.

Stoddard, when he found that his suit did not

roduce the impression he desired upon the

dy, and-about that time heard that she was
fond of talking to the youth, immediately
jumped to the conclusion that in Dick he had a
rival, and so in his bull-headed way he came up

; purpose of saying —

®, few plain words to the youth. s
“See hyer!” he exclaimed, as he approached
Dick, who was busy with the pick getting out
the dirt for his companion to wash. In thedays
of which we write it was about all surface
mining in California, and carried on in the most
primitive way. ‘‘I want to havea little talk
with you, young man.” ; ;

Stoddard’s manner was domineering and
offensive in the extreme,

“Go ahead, I can hear what you

ing the’ colonel with anything but a friend!
expression. ‘I’m not deaf.”

“Tm going to say a few. words to you for
your good, and I hope to speak*so plain that
you will not misunderstand me,”
scowled in an ugly way.

it ex-

say,I guess.”
replied Talbot, leaning on his pick and survey- tesa
iv ;

¥

Our hero returned the look with interest,

though, for he had made up his mind not to
yield an inch to the old scoundrel. Wes

“You are new to these diggings, and not as
well ms as you might be,” the colonel con-

ue! e :
“Right you are about that. If either myself
or partner had been posted, it isn’t likely that

ae would have been able to havé stuck us with

this worthless mine,” replied the youth, shortly.

The colonel grew red in the face as this an-
swer fell upon his ears.’ He bad not expected to
have the truth so plainly delivered tohim, _

“Ob, you don’t think the claim is good for
anything, then?” a Sea

“Yes, I do; first-rate to give to a man that
you don’t like and whom you would be glad tosee —
starve to death.” ¥ the ne

““T have understood that you have been shoot-
ing off your mouth pretty lively about this
claim, and I want you to know that I am not
the kind of man to allow. any such talk!” Stod- —
dard exclaimed, threateningly. . :

“‘Oh, you swindle a man first and then stand
rt to kick him if he complains,” Dick re-

7 ~~,

“You're using hard words, young man!” the
colonel cried, not exactly knowing what to
make of the bold front that the youth has as-

sumed, ; ;
‘It’s nothing but the truth, and I gu you
know it as wall ae Ido,” and Tal Serored the
other with a significant glance that
fairly glow with rage.

*¥rom the way you talk 1 should fancy you

wanted to provoke a difficulty!” and Stoddard —

assumed a threatening Jook, ae wie
“Oh, no, I’m not anxious to saps with any ©
one. |'m just as peaceable a fellow as you will
find anywhere, yet I don’t believe eG
every body to walk over me, and if any man,\!
Gon’ care who he is, attempts to rub’ my hair

TR

dt

made him

and Stoddard

goes

 
   

 
 

 

 

Young Dick Talbot. BY :

 

the wrong way, it fs more than likely I shall
get cp bl

“Neither am I anxious to have a difficulty
with any person,” Stoddard observed, endeavor-
ing to restrain his anger and appear calm, for
he was conscious that if he allowed his. temper
to get the better of him, the youth would have

a decided advantage, for he had not come for |

the purpose of bringing the matter to a head.
In fact, in his overweening self-conceit, he bad
n idea that a hint or two from him would be
fficient to make the youth steer clear of his
track for all time to come.

Of course he had made up his mind that if
Talbot was.stiff-necked and obstinate, he would
provoke bim to a personal encounter, relyin
upon his skill with weapons'to kill the boy, an
so remove him from his path for all time to
come. ;

But this was no place for the carrying out of
such a plan. The colonel wanted plenty of wit-
nesses; and it was bis game imall matters of this
kind to provoke his antagonist to begin the

- quarrel, so that if the affair had a fatal ending

yhe would be held free trom blame.
His idea was ‘o threaten the youth with his
vengeance if be did not carry himself more care-

fully, and a he had made up his mind to

kill Dick if he did not heed the warning, yet not

- for an instant had he imagined such a =

would become necessary, for he farcied he coul
- trighten the boy into doing as he wished. /
~ Palbot’s bold front therefore surprised him.
“Tt is my way,” the colonel continued, ‘‘ when
® misunderstanding arises between myself and
anybody else to go right to the party and have
an explanation. I think it dlways saves
trouble.”
‘No doubt at all about that.”
_ “Now I have beard you have been talking
pretty loosely about me in regard to_the trans-
action concerning this claim, and I made up
my mind I would come right to you about the
matter. I don’t want anybody to go round the
camp telling lies about me, you know,” and
Stoddart shook his finger impressively in Dick’s

When this offensive speech escaped from the
colonel, it was as much as Talbot could do to
restrain the impulse which bade him smack the

peaker’s face in such an emphatic manner as to

loosen all his teeth, but by a great effort he con-
- trolled himself,

‘If the colonel had received a whack from

. Dick’siron-like hand, he mostsurely would have

changed his mind in regard to the capabilities
ae antagonist whom he was much under-
rating. \
Talbot’s muscular powers were entirely un-
Jmewn to Stoddard, for at the youth’s reques'
his encounter with the bully in San ncisco
had been kept quiet, for Dick was not anxious

_ to acquire the reputation of being a hard nut to

“T hav’n’t told any lies about you, colonel,”
he replied. ‘In fact, I hav’n’t said much of
‘anything about the claim to any one.” And
this was the truth, for Stoddard’s idea that the

ekednkactca “him on account of
wale of the mine, arose fr¢ a guilty knowl-

 

wie
| edge that he had most grossly swindled the

 

brgaspenting ilgrims in the sale.
“ All the old inhabitants of the valley know

that the claim isn’t good’ for anything,” Dick |
_continued, ‘‘and that no one. has ever suc-

ceeded in making a living out of it yet.

** All the talk about the matter has come from
the sharps who have called to see bow we
were getting’ on, and who laughed at the idea
of our paying you two bundred dollars for a
claim that only cost you five.”

‘“That’s a lie!” cried the colonel shortly.
“The fellows owed me over a hundred and
fifty dollars good, honest cash. I gave them
five dollars to help them out of the town, took
oe claim for the debt and so squared the
thing. :

‘Of course I don’t know anytbing about that,
I’m only telling you what I haye heard, and
you have it as cheap as I got it, Ty opinion

hough, is, that if you only paid five dollars for
the claim, you were badly swindled, for it is
absolutely worthless.” :

“Youre not experienced miners and proba-
bly don’t know how to work it, but I want you
to understand I don’t wish to hear anything
more about it,

“And then there’s another thing I want to
talk to you about. I understand you have
been putting yourself out of the way to address
Miss Richardson lately, and as that lady will
shortly become my wife your conduct is not
pleasing to me and I want you to stop it.” :

“ Anything else?” asked Dick, so calmly that.
the colonel was completely deceived.

“No, nothing more that I can think of at pres-
ent. Well, you understand now how the Jand
lies 80 look out in the future,” and then with
an imperious nod of the head Stoddard saun-
tered away, satisfied he had crushed a possible
rival out of his path. -,

Never. was a man more deceived.

CHAPTER XVII.
AN EXPLOSION. _ ;

Axne® after the colonel’s departure came in
haste to see what was up, for, although he was
too far off to overhear the conversation, yet
from the appearance of the two curls the talk,
he had guessed that the interview had not been
a pleasant one, ;

ick related all that had occurred and the
anger of the Nantucket man was great.

“Why, the p’isoned sarpint!” be exclaimed.
“He wants to add insult toinjury. He ain’t
satisfied with skinning us out of our money but
he wants us to back him up for his liberality in
selling us the darned thing. What are youa-go-
ing to do ’bout it, Dick?” . :

‘Cut his comb so closely at the first favorable
opportunity that he will never be able to bold
up his head high enough to crow again in this
region!” replied the youth, abruptly, and the
expression upon his clear-cut features showed
that it was no idle boast. i

“How soon do you calculate to try it on?”
the Yankee asked. a s

“To-night, I guess, This is one of the kind of

better, After what

affairs that ought not to be delayed; the pee
p 3 00-

it is settled 6

  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
 
   
    
  
    
   
 
   
  
   
 
   
  
   
   
   
  
 
    
    
   
     
       
          
            
   
    
      
  

BS ae

       
 

   
 
    
 

4.

lagi fie.

both the colonel and myself unless one of us
knocks under. He intends mischief to the girl
too, for he announced that she would shortly
become his wife.”. :
“Anil that don’t please you much I guess,”
Abner remarked with a grin. ©

** You are right, it does not,
honestly. ‘The girl is a good girl and since I
have made her acquaintance and learned her
character I have become more and more deter-
mined that old Stoddard shall not make her his
victim. Iexpect we will have a lively time,
but I shall go amply prepared and before we
get through one of us will be apt to besorry the
picnic occurred.”

“T say, Dick, if the colonel knew how you

“handled that big feller in Frisco afore we start-
ed I don’t. believe he’d be so anxious for a fuss
with you.” :

“There isn’t much doubt about that,” the
outh remarked with a smile. ‘‘ Stoddard in
ringing on this quarrel presumed upon the

fact tha I am only a boy, and he thinks he has
asoft thing.”  ~

‘But afore he gets through he may change

his opinion ’bout that matter,” the Yankee re-
- marked eee ee
.,He had such faith in bis companion that he
did not doubt in the least in regard to the result,
_ He was suré that if Stoddard ventured to
bring on a struggle he would very soon discover
he had caughta Tartar.
Atsundown when the partners came to figure
up the product of the day’s work they found
‘that they had only succeeded in getting about
two dollars worth of dust. F oie

“Blamed if the thing ain’t gitting worse in-

stead of better!” the Nantucket man exclaimed,
discouraged by the unprofitable result, “If it
ie keeps on in this way it will peter down to ’bout
fifty cents a day and then I reckon we'll have to
hustle round pretty lively for grub or else learn
‘to git slang ih aye ; - .
“It is about time that we kicked up a little
fuss with the colonel in regard to this swindle,”
Dick observed thoughtfully. f
“That is so.” : s
“The swindle is really too big. If he had
struck us for fifty dollars we could afford to
: ee and bear it, but two hundred is altog: ther
é bad—too big a profit on an investment of
‘five dollars.” .
His p:

a Dick answered

ys artner coincided with our hero in regard

_ to this, and so, after their frugal supper was
ended, they started for the American Hotel,
which, after nightfall, was the general rendez-
vous for the miners, ‘eieigide ret
It was dark by the time they reached the cen-
ter of the camp, and when they came in sight
of the hotel the Yankee suggested that as there
‘was a peas of their getting into a row in

ease they had any words with Stoddard, it
would only be prudent for them to examine
their weapons and see that they were in work-

ing order, = : ot ;
- “Tn a leetle discussion such as we are apt to
eee miss-fire would be apt to cost a man

,” he observ a pengt as
assented to this, and the two retired to

x

     

Young Dick Talbot.

curred to-day this camp isn’t big enough to hold | the shelter of a convenient little

| abruptly, —

 

 

 
      
           
         
     
     
   
    
 
    
        
    
    
 
     
          
       
     
    
      
    
   
     
        

clamp of
bushes and examined their weapons, ne ;

Hardly was the examination completed whea
they became aware that two men were ap-
proaching the spot busy in conversation. —

The two, sitting in a little open spot in the
center of the bushes, were completely concealed
from view, and the new-comers halted within
earshot of the partners, without the role :
ee that their conversation could be

eard, pee

“T tell 7 what it is, old man,” said one of
the two, in a voice which both of the listeners
somediately recognized, ‘‘you have got to com
_ some decision in this matter, and speedily.

The speaker was Colonel Stoddard. he Bi

“ Well, colonel, you needn’t git buffy "bout
the matter. I reckon I’m doing all 1. kin for 5

ou,” replied the other, who was the-hotel-

eeper, old Richardson, s tes

The Yankee could not help nudging our her a
for Abner considered this: accident tobea rare
bit of luck, ‘ Z Reg ar

There wasn’t the least need of calling Dick’s' —
attention, for he was on the alert, having recog-
nized the speakers the moment he heard their
voices. Bs ae pHi as

“But you are not doing enough. You know
I want the girl and that ought to be sufficient,” _

the colonel complained. ‘

“ Ain’t I talking for yon all the time, both me
and the old woman? hy, colonel, we never
it into her earswhat a

lose a chance to din,
splendid catch it would be for her if she.
T don’t doubt

only Let you.” .
“Yes, yes, that is all very well;

that you talk, but what good does it do when —
you allow the girl to roam around at her own —
sweet will? Don’t you know that she goes upto —
that cursed Nip and Tuck claim shel geee: :
day, sits down on a rock there and talks to tha’ e
young whelp of a Talbot by the hour together
demanded Stoddard, angrily. bo Pete ie sta

_ “ Well, colonel, honestly, I didn’t know any- ts
thing about it until this afternoon and then one es
of the boys commenced to joke the gal about the
matter, and I saw from the queer way she acted —
there was something in the thing. I questioned
her about it but she was as contrary asa muls, —
and said) she reckoned she didn’t walk up that
way any oftener than she went down the
river, and of course as I really didn’t know any- —
thing sure about the matter, she kinder had -
WET Oe Sis donoaly Uae
i 3 gO! 8 ;_ that’s all t As
about it!” the colonel remarked ina peremptory
manner. i a Nt Bes Pay ag

“Pll do all I can, of course, but-I tell you, —

Stoddard, it isn’t any easy with such a contrary —
heifer as my gal. If you attempt to puta tight —
rein upon her she is mighty apt to kick over the

“See hyer, Richardson, I’ve been a good —
friend to you, haven't i?" the other demanded,

ww
Sea

  

   
    
    
      
       
    
       
          
    
     
    
      
    
     
   

   

  

 
  
 

 

 
      
    
      
     
      
     
    

 
 

 

      
   
  
 
  

Sutera cee

+ a

   
    

  

ee # See

 
    

/ you would have had hard scratching, while [
‘could have got another man to answer my
purpose about as well as you have.”
“Bartin, colonel, I ain’t a-saying anything
ag’in’ that,” the hotel-keeper-admitted,

teat BEN Gaye { want you to do mea favor, and you
‘re not willing.”

“Come, come, colonel! Ain’t you putting
it rather strong to say that?”

“Not at all—it’s the plain English of it, and
that’s what’s the matter. 1 want your daugh-
ter; the girl is foolish and headstrong, like nine-
tenths of the girls at her age. She has got to
be made so mind—that’s all there is to it. You

want to put your foot right down, say Colonel
Stoddard is thé husband I’ve picked out for you

_ you must get ready to be married next week,

eee wouid settle the matter for good and
a.

_ “8pose she cuts up rusty, and won't listen
to reason?” old Richardson inquired, in a dubi-
-ous sort of way. ;

“Lock her

cried Stoddard angrily. ‘By Jove! sir, I tell
what it is—if [had a daughter inclined to
be disobedient, ’'d make her come to time, or
I'd flog the life out of her just the same as if she
- was a refractory mule.”
_ “Jd do it in a moment, of course,” the old
man observed, ‘‘ for I haven’t got any more pa-
 tience with such a thing than you have; but the
old woman, her mother, you know, is dread-
fully set in her way, and I reckon she’d kick
‘up a row if I tried anything of that kind.” —
“Oh, you’ve got to contend with both the old
woman and the girl, then?” exclaimed Stoddard

x bares tel aga wr A
“Well, it ain’t quite so bad as that. The old
_ ‘woman is on your side fast enough, but I doubt
_ whether she would egree to harsh measures,
such as starving and flogging, you know. She,
— thinks we can uade ber. ;
“Perhaps it might be done if we could afford
to wait a year or two for it, but Lam not will-
ing to do that. I want the thing settled within
a couple of weeks at the furthest—and, look-
yel Richardson, you must bring the girl to

terms. ;
- “JT will if I kin, but if so be as how she won't
have it, what kin 1 do?’ and there was a dog-
3 dens in the way the old man put the ques-
tion that plainly So he was annoyed.
By the way, Richardson,
of the East did you come?” asked the colonel,

“abruptly, >
, from Illinoy,” and there was surprise

  

 

Pp
Ce NY
_ 42 the old man’s tone, as if he wondered why

the question wus asked. ° e
“Oh, I thought yuu was from Montgomery,

Alabama.”
in my lifeP’and now there

 
  
  
 
 

     

 

“ Never was thar f
s general ularm in the yoice, —

iL was going
Y ¢

 
 
  

to put you in the
Ming. A Jackson Sniith, of Montgomery, ab-
se eonda rom Montgomery about two thin of
_ with some ten thousand dollars that he fraudu-
rs ay a his hands upon, came to Frisco, lost
6 all his money a ie oa then fled

the officers were

   

Young Dick Talbot

“Yes, that is true enough, only without me

: and. keep her on bread and |
wafer uotil she is willing to do as she is bid!” |

from what part

way of a good

2¢

   

after him; I met the party in Frises on this
trip. They’re offering a reward of a thousand
for the capture of the man. He wes accom-
nied in his flight by his wife and caughter,
f we could get our hands on him, old man, we
could make a strike,”
“Yes; but we don’t want to bother ourselves
about it. You can depend, I’ll fix the girl all
right.” ;

| CHAPTER XVIII. —
JUSTICH AT LAST,

Tre two men, having arrived at an under-
standing, resumed their walk, and the inyoh.a-
ee listeners heard no more of the conversa-

on. 5

After the colonel and the hotel-keeper got
away toa safe distance, the partnerscame from
their retreat in the bushes.

“By gosh! the colonel has got a ring in the
old man’s nose, hasn’t he?’ the. Yankee cb-
served, as the pair proceeded toward the

otel,

“Tt looks like it.” ‘ :

“T allers felt sure that Richardson was a
mean scamp. The idea of his levanting with
ten thousand dollars, and then gitting rid of it
gambling.”

: «Til got, ill gone, you know.”

“Tsay, if you settle Stoddard, you'll be able
to work the old man all right; for you'll
re jest as big a pull on him as the col-
onel. : :

“Yes; and with such an old rascal, I shou'd-

_ n't hesitate to use theknowledge, Isn’t it strar.ge

' that such a vile old wretch should have so beau-

tiful and good a child?” ‘

Abner agreed that it was wonderful and after

afew more words of unimportant conversation

_ the pair entered the hotel. , St

| The place was well filled with miners, drink-
ing, smoking, some ‘playing cards and others.
engaged in conversation, = ; a ‘

The colonel and the old ‘man stood leaving —
against the bar and their eyes fell upon the
partners the moment they entered, .
Stoddard had made up his mind@ to bring mat-
ters toa head. He had resolved to pick a quar-
rel with the youth and drive him from the
carap, so after the two were fairly in the room
he stepped forward and said; :
_ “Gentlemen, as you are all friends of mine
and I know you take an interest in my welfare —
let me announce to you that an important
event is about to occur in my life. I’m going to
be married, fellow-citizens, and as it will be the |
first marriage that has ever taken place in this
camp I intend to celebrate this ceremony in a.
style that will make all of you open your eyes.
Thereby invite every man in the room to the _
wedding and I promise you that you shall have —
-abang-up time, You are all acquainted with —

the bride, gentlemen, it is the daughter of our _

worthy friend here, Richardson,” and he patted
the old man on the shoulder. “Now, gentle- —
men, I want man in the See

      
     
       
     
      

 

      
       
     
     
      
       
     
 

   

   
      
 

    
 

19

 
     
         
     
       
        
      
      
 
 
    
   

  
  
   
 
 
  

  
  
  
 
   
   
 

  
 
   
  

  
     
  
  
 
 
 
 
 

      
 

    
  
  
 
 

 

  
 
    

  
  
   

ea

 
 
  

20

Young Dick Talbot.

    

fv

coe epee

 

1 Le colonel had his eyes upon them, for this
{invitation to drink was only a cunning device
on his part to bring about a quarrel,

He felt perfectly sure that the two would de-

cline his treat and so give him a chance to
bring on an altercation.
_ “* Hallo, ain’é you two going to b’ist in a little
eoison at my expense and congratulate me
upon my approaching union?” he asked, com-
tng up to pian the two stood quietly in the
background, a scowl upon his face.

“ As far asl am concerned, V’m much obliged
to you for your invitation,” Dick answered,
“but I hope you will excuse me. You know

that I don’t drink, and so no discourtesy is in-
tended by my refusal.

‘“*You don’t like the idea of the marriage
though, do you?” the colonel exclaimed, planting
himself squarely in front of the youth, and sur-
veying him with an evil eye.

‘Well, now, really, I don’t know as that is
any of your business,” the youth replied,
bluntly. “I bav: ’+ made any objection that
I know of; and as far as my private thoughts
are concerned, those are my own property.

“Oh, I s’pose it’s rather rough to take your
girl away from you, but such things will ee
pen, The idea, gentleimen, of this young whelp
daring to lift hiseyes to:such a girl as our friend
Richardson’s daughter. Bah! she wouldu’t
wipe ber feet on you!” Stoddard cried, taunt-
ingly, while all in the room Jooked on in won-
der, for they anticipated that these rude words
would lead to a quarrel. ig

“Oh, she wouldn't!” exclaimed Talbot, ban-
teringly, but at the same time a wild, fierce
look shone in his eyes. ‘‘ Well, whether she
would or not, I can tell you one thing, and that
is, neither she nor any other woman will ever
get the chance; but, I say, colonel, how can you
marry anybody with that wife of yours in Mo-
bile, from whom you have never obtained a di-
Vg ONS you have’ been separated for
years?” Mao

Stoddard grew white in the face, and then
dark with rage. 2 :

The shot. was entirely unexpected, and struck
home. He clinched his pine together, and

- glared fiercely at the youth.

“You lie, you scoundrel, you lie, and you
know you do!” and Stoddard, convulsed with
passion, shook his fist in Talbot's face.

- But the youth only laughed contemptuously.

He knew the game of the colonel as well as
though he had planned it bimself.

Stoddard’s idea was to provoke him into strik-
ing a blow, then under the excuse of the assault,
the colonel could draw his revolver, and shoot
him down in cold blood. Pipe Forest

“No lie, but truth, honest, gospel truth—and
that is the reason that you are. so angey about
the matter,” the youth replied. ‘‘ You are a
miserable old’ wretch, and you ought to be
ashamed of yourself to attempt to deceive a

oung and innocent girl. You know you can’t

_ Jegally marry her, and the ceremony will not
be anything but a fraud.” — wea

_ Stoddard was fearfully exasperated, and de-

termined, since words did not seem to be of any
_ eveil, to provoke the young man to attack him

 

  
 

 

 

| self-defense he had slain his

   
 

by deeds, 50 that he would be enabled to get &
chance to use his pistol, and so end the matter. i
“You young cub of Hades! J’ll wring your
nose off!” he cried, springing upon Talbot. ‘
It was his intention to provoke a blow, for he
felt sure the youth would resent the insult.
The result more than justified his expecta-
‘tions, for he received a stroke such as never had
fallen upon his person before. *
With a single powerful blow, planted squarely
between the eyes, Dick lifted the colonel from
his feet and hurled him backward as if he had
been shot. \ OR
Down went the colonel all in a heap and then
gasping for breath and half-blinded from the
effect of the terrible blow, he staggered to his ;
feet drawing his revolver and cocking it as he a

  
 
   
   
    
  
   
 
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
    
  
  
   
   
    
 
  
 

 

rose.

And Talbot, Paes the motion, also drew
/his weapon and raised the hammer. cies aie

The lookers-on scattered. ‘ i

Some, who were near the door, rushed out.
into the street, others vaulted through thawin- ‘
dows, taking glass, sash and all with them in
their eager haste, a few found protection be- | f
hind the bar, oyer which they leaped hot
anes to get out of the way of the bullets,

hile a few almost paralyzed by fear creuch- — ;
ed in the corners, glaring with staring eyes up- ae
on the scene. » ¥ Z “

Two men only held their places, the faithful.
Yankee, who, reckless of danger, stood near ty
catch Dick in casé he should be hurt, and the old ae
hotel-keeper who gazed upon the contestants %
with straining eyeballs.

The antagonists were not ten
both fired simultaneously, __ / ne
For the first tine in his life the veteran duel-
ist, Colonel Stoddard, missed the mark for which |

he aimed—the heart of his opponent, but the
terrivle stroke he had received had damaged the
sight of both of his eyes and sorendered, his aim _
uncertain. — . ;

The bullet tore a hole thyouah Talbot’s side,
inflicting a flesh wound, painful but not at all
dangerous, 2 oe

But the leaden missilc of our hero went as
true to its mark as the magnet is to the pole. _ :

He had realized that it wasa duel to the death,
and he had fired to kill. a tcc

It was either his life or the colonel’s, and in

8.

Stoddard stood erect for - moment after re-
ceiving the ball, his face like marble; he en-
deavored to raise the revolver for another shot,
forgetting that it was not cocked, then with a —
slight gasp he fell forward on his face.

There was a moment’s pause, then, as the |
fallen man did not stir, the lookers-on came |
hurrying to his side. ©. - : seeded ane

They turned.him over on his back. ;

He was stone dead, the ball had gone directly —
through the heart. . Ye oe ee Deg tae
‘He’s gone!” exclaimed one of the miners, —
who bad been the first to examine the falien

mey 2 all to witness
ou all to w: f

 

feet apart when

 
   
       
     
        
  

 
       
 
        
   

 
    
 

 

“J call upon y Hlemen, :

that this quarrel was forced

ge exclaimed, ‘‘and that from the.

to the end Ihave acted strickly in self-
“a eS ISLEY Sy

  

,
4
Young Dick Talbot.

   
 

ei

 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
  
     
   
      
        
         
   
     
 

sm sorry that I bad to kill the z.an, but if

- badn’t he would have ended me. It was
a square fight and I hope no man here will

say thas I attempted to take any unfair advan-

ta e.

Mey ty s, yes, a fair fight!” exclaimed half a
baer ‘Of the bystanders and then the partners
withdrew. ~

The duel was the talk of the town next day
and after the colonel was decently buried old
Hichardson took into his head that a Vigilance
Committee ought to be raised to try Dick for
killing the colonel, but while he was trying to
talk the matter up, the Yankee quietly called
upon him in regard to a certain party who had
_ levanted from Montgomery, Alabama, with
moneys not his own, and the hotel-keeper was
glad to shut up.

he camp really breathed freer_after tho
-colonel’s death, all justified Dick’s actions, and
“when a meeting was called to choose a new
alcalde he was unanimously elected.

Stoddard’s mining claims were all sold at
auction, for as there wasn’t anybody to repre-
sent him, the miners took it upon themselves to
settle up ‘his affairs.

Dick and his partner secured one of the best
claims of the lot, and in a single month from

the time of the duel the two were on the high

road to prosperity.
Old Richardson, too, said that if his daughtei
took a fancy to Dick he should not object.
Reader, the story of _a boy’s rough-and

tumble life from New York to California i

pe and so for the present we lay down th

pen

The after adventures of daring Dick Talbo'
in the golden land from the time he became thx
alealde of Frenchman's Flat until he figured bx
- the:side of the Reese River as ae Kit, we
may hereafter tell. : :

THE END.

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Dime Dratoauss Numper Five. Dmer Drarocues NuMBER TWENTY. ~
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Dire Dratoaurs Number Bicxy. | Dime DiaLoaves Numper TwENTY-ToRER _

Dow DiaLoauzs Numper Nive. Dime Drarocurs NumBer TWENTY-FOUR,
Dime Diatoaues Numerr Ten. Dime Dratoaurs Ntmeer Twenty- goa
‘Div DiaLogurs Nummer ELeyen. Dims Dusocurs NumBer 1

eee Dravogues Numeor Twatve, | Die Diaroaves Numper TWENTY-OEVES-

 

NUMBER THIRTEEN. | Dime Diacocues Number TWENTY-nIGHT _

Die DiaLroaves NuMBER TWENTY-NINE.
Dire Dratocurs Number Torry.

imax DiaLoauns Noumper Wirrken, —
Dime DiaLogurs Numper TuIRTy-onm,

Dow DiaLoeves Nomppr te .
Each volume, 100 pages
en er by all newadealers or sent, post-paid, toany address, on Tees:

§ Numerr Fomrrren. |

re

aA%

2me., containing from 15 to 25 pieces. re

 

 

 

 
 

 
Deadwood Dict
@

@ Library e

BSVOZ0O0

82 Pages. ‘sued Every Wednesday. |

Price 5 Cents.
Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest!

 

Uxtracts from the New York Evening Sun.

TWO REMARKABLE

in only one sense of the word can it be regarded as a
avovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera-
ture has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps
more than one reader will have to think a moment over
this remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit
strikes home,

But it is most essentially a half dime novel statement
that will be news to many when it is added that litera-
ture, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam
was a mere child down to the present day, would show
but few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be
even judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest
heroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re-
veal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr.

* * * The modern heroes of fiction for young America,
who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of
whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important

* t is but natural that their * * * should bear
cas iting palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left
far behind In the race,

It can be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks
are so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature
for, boys and young men, that thelr position is assured

and that they stand to-day head and shoulders

BERORS.

above all rivals in the eyes or \he public for which they —
have lived, and for which one of them has died.

American boyhood, and that 1s a tremendous factor in
the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good beal bet:
ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young
minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in his
everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending
solving of impenetrable mysteries, *

Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks
his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the

victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungrily

for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appears
with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set
eh Pues thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Call

ornia :

There are the volumes each so crowded with thrills ond 4
heart-tugs that It were madness to hope to do jitate ver
them collectively and rank injustice to discrin| ate be
tween them,

To abandon the idea of giving a few ‘extracts causes In-
finite pain, but if once a start were made in that direc-
tion, it would be cruel to The Evening Sun's ers to.
stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one mand
adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean a
well written. ;

DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY.

1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road

8 The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance

8 The Buffalo Demon; or. The Border Vultures

4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol

6 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval

6 Death-Face, the Detective

7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza

8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild
Edna, the Girl Brigand

9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian

40 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick
in Danger

‘1 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to

Deat
12 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood

Bar

18 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team

14 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter

15 Deadwood Dick on Deck: or, Calamity Jane

16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo

17 Sete Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the
Gulch

18 Idy], the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand

19 Photograph Phil: or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance

20 Watch-Hye, the Shadow

21 Dearw cpa Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double

ross

22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief

28 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke
for Liberty

%4 Deadwood Diek as Detective

25 Gilt-Kdge Dick

26 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve

27 Chip, the Girl Sport

28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune >

29 Boss Rob, the King of Bootblacks 3

cv Deel mene Diek’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s

Gulch
91 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base :
a Solid Sam, the Boy Road- rage Re aan

 

83 Tony Fox, the Ferret: or, Boss Bob's Boss J

34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big

85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked

86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective

87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras

88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo

89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane's Last —
Adventure

40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road

41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel

42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp

43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of | ues

44 te =e Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's

ame

45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme f

46 The Jimtown Sport: or, Gypsy Jack in Cola ae

47 The Miner Sport; or. , Sugar-Coated Sam‘s Claim _

48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the —
Road- -Agent A

49 alae Sam, the Detective

508 yk Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect-

51 Sierra Sain’s s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough
aneh

52 The Girl Sport: or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise F

58 Denver )oll’s Device; or, The Detect ive Queen ;

54 Denver Doll as Detective

55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Rucksk

66 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s

57 Deadwood Dick Trapped

58 Boge pete Detective; or, The Messenger
oO

59 Dealeans Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt,

60 Dumb Dick's Pard: or. Eliza Jane, the Gold

61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission

62 Spotter Fritz: or, The Store-Detecti

68 Thi ee eet Road-Agent; or, The