Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-12
CHAPTER l.


Tn huge granite building twenty stories
high ON Wall street, New York city, for
fourteen hours day Ed Mortimer, better
known among his friends as Iron Bound
Ed. occupied the humble but useful posi-
ton of elevator boy From early dawn
till late at night a steady hand clutched
the rope, keen eye glanced through the
grating, and clear voice called out,
"Ground floor, all out"
Such was our hero.
The average person who viewed his SYM
metrical figure and handsome counte-
nance and remarked the well knit frame
would hardly suppose that but seventeen
summers had passed over our hero's head.
Yet such was the case. Upon this day
upon which we introduce our hero thick
set man, disguised as gentleman, entered
the elevator, and in a surly tone said,
Fifteenth floor, rooms of Blanchard, the
banker"
One glance at the man and our hero had
recognized him. 1t was his old enemy,
Billy the Bilkl
"What can he wantf" muttered Iron
Bound Ed. Surely it was nothing connected
with Mr.. Blanchard's beautiful daughter
Irene, whose life he had saved last sum-
mer at Coney Island.
Reaching the fifteenth floor the william
stepped out.
"Bewarel Billy the Blk" muttered oul
hero; Iron Bound Ed is on your trail.n
He then hurriedly placed the sign "Out
of Order" on the elevator door, and in a
few moments was crouched at the key.
hole Of Mr.. Blanchard's Office
"Spare me-" he could hear the pleading
voice of the banker say. Remember, this
would ruin me-"
"I know that" was the williams cool re-
ply; 80 come to my terms, old man, or
will give your dreadful secret to the
world"
II will accede to your demands as re-
CARDS the million dollars. But spare me
child. Remember she is so young to be a
child. Heavens, man, sheis not yet forty -
"She will be older than that some day."
was the sneering reply. "Why should /
spare one part of my revenge when can
have both9''
l.i"Never, villiani neverr' cried the old
man.
"Very well. then," was the reply of Billy
the Blk; 'the whole world shall know
that the great Blanchard is a victim of the
cigarette habit. Then of what avail will
be all your wealth."
Heavens, man, have you know pity?"
"Quick, then; give me the money. The
girl shall marry me tonight"
Then our hero saw the trembling banker
count over the million in money and hand
it to the william.
Our hero smiled grimly. When Billy the
Blk came out few moments afterward
he never noticed the firm, determined look
of the elevator boy. Bottom fioorr' he
Kissed.
But between the tenth and eleventh floors
our hero calmly stopped the machine and
faced the pugilist. "Billy the Blk" he
said quietly, ''I'll just trouble you for that
money" And he sprang upon him. The
william struggled, but he was no match for
Iron Bound Ed, and soon the million of
silver dollars was in the pocket of our hero
Just at this instant there was tearing
sound. The weight of the money had
broken the elevator rope!
I Billy the Blk Showled for mercy. But
our hero folded his arms and not muscle
moved.
He had faced death too often crossing
Park row at noon to fear such little
thing as four ton elevator falling through
eleven stories and sub-cellar.
There was crash, and the continuation
of this story will be found in the next
issue of the Messenger Boys Companion
Price five cents. All newsdealers.-New
York Evening Sun.