Beadle's Pocket Library No. 333

Bootblack Ben, the Detective This issue's featured serial, "Bootblack Ben, the Detective" by Anthony P. Morris, begins with a street rescue: Ben Brush, a young boot-black working in Baltimore, saves a girl named Garnet Fawnworth from being trampled by horses at Calvert and Baltimore streets. The orphaned Garnet has traveled alone from Richmond to meet her supposed guardian, Thomas Rugby. When a man claiming to be Rugby appears, Ben recognizes him as "Pooler Jim," a disreputable poolroom loafer, and warns the girl. Fighting erupts; Ben's assailants escape in a cab. Both are taken to the police station, where the captain releases them. A detective named Jack Grip investigates, suspecting Pooler Jim's involvement in a scheme targeting the girl, particularly given that the real Thomas Rugby is reportedly wealthy. Ben takes Garnet to his mother's home while the detective works the case.