Beadle's Pocket Library, No. 307

Nick, the Boy Sport: Three Plucky Pards This serial adventure by Major E. L. St. Vrain follows Nicholas Leon, known as "Leadville Nick" or "the Boy Sport," a handsome beardless youth in his late teens. In Leadville, Colorado, Nick becomes entangled with the smooth-talking schemer David Sargent and the brutish Rufe Bonney. Having previously owed Sargent a debt, Nick is coerced into participating in a burglary at the Eagle Hotel. During the break-in, Sargent fatally stabs the awakening victim—Edward Russell—forcing the conspirators to flee. Nick is horrified by the murder and wracked with guilt, but Sargent manipulates him into staying in town, arguing that flight would raise suspicion. Nick reluctantly agrees to maintain his public persona as the carefree "Boy Sport" while remaining trapped in Sargent's criminal scheme.