The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-05-22
Mistrllanrons.
From tAs Golden Ere
SAN FRANCISCO IN EARLY TIMES.
The Tambourine Girl.
BY CHARLES L. d. HOAX.

BY CHARLES L. ID. HOAX.
The rain fell in torrents, and the wind
drove past the light structures u though it
would root them FROM their foundations,
and send the board tenements wreck into
the streets, deep with mud. Every spot
that cou.d shelter person was occupied
every drinking saloon, sleeping house and
gambling table that was available was crowd
cd to excess, and those that found dry spot
to sleep on in their stores, considered them
selves fortunate, for the unexpected rains of
ls49 found MANY with cla,ed hopes but to
plunge them into the slough Of despondency
at the dismal prospects before them, held out
by the winter weather. Mercantile business,
however, did not Gag on account of the rain
but when the weather was fair the goods
needed no shelter when il was foul, re-
pairing could hardly be done, for no ono
seemed to care about earning few ounces
by job done in the rain.
Midway between Montgomery and Kcarny
streets. on Clay, was q large store full Of
goods, owned by an Italian, and every Of.
fort to secure the aid Of a mechanic to roof
over the tenement proved Intellectual, and If
not repaired very soon it seemed Us If the
heavy rain would wash store, goods and oil
from their location. On the morning IN
question, the proprietor, his two clerks and
porter had each of ;hem went ut the job in
earnest, and when night threw its veil over
the heavy atmosphere, the roof was finished,
and dry store was insured against the
weather's inclemency. The store was closed
for the night, and u warm stove sent out its
genial heat, while syory smell tingled
the nostrils and awoke the appetite, altho'
the repast had disappeared. lheproprietor
leaned back upon box, his feet raised in
an elevated position to keep them from of
the damp ground door, while huge volumes
Of smoke came rollin, from his mouth, as
he dreamily smoked on. The clerks, the
salssmen and the porter were also making
themselves comfortable as best they could
"well, boys" said the proprietor, 'we
can keep dry after this, let it rain as hard us
1t may and I think We have done n good
days work, Independent OF the sales We
have made"
To describe the speaker would be to have
him too readily recognized, and to be the
hero of this sketch would not, perhaps, meet
with his appreciation, as he has not been
consulted in regard to it.
"Yes," replied the porter, 81 will bet
that some Of our ncighbors wish they were
as well protected Us We are; board house
with tight roof is poor enough, but can
vass housc-oh! how delightfully."- mlsera'
BILE :" and the thought Of wet blankets and
wet bed mad, his teeth chatter, and the
idea was 50 ludicrously conveyed that al
Joined in a laugh.
"walter, what about that tambourint
girl?' inquired one Of the clerks; "they
say you played quito the gallant with hci
ON two occasions
"what is that Walt has been doingT
inquired the proprietor.
"oh, nothing serious-only making love
to tambourine grl," he replied. "Ar
old woman came into town few days ago
bearing on her back an old-fashioued, gothic
hand organ, accompanied by u tambourin'
r,rl. Ii seems that Walt was at the TOR
nine,' or passing, and = big, lubberiy fellow
tried to kiss the girl, and hc knocked hin
down; again the old Woman got stuck in
the mud, and Walt helped her out, an
then returns, lilts the tambourine girl "
in his arms and carries her across the street
losing one Of his boots for his pains. Dea
work that boots are worth one hundre'
dollars" .-... ...
..Yes, rather de o r, I should think, " sai'
the salesman. "ls she pretty"
"walt isa very good judge, ! shoul'
say, for when was OF his aso l was cquall!!
as gallant to the ladies'" said the propric
\ tor. .E as-
"Pretiy! By the gods, know she is
said Walter enthusiastically. "She is no
morc than sixteen or seventecn, rather dell
cate in form, yet her limbs arc full an'
round, and she is of that medium heiSh
that 50 we'll BECOMES woman her hair
as dark as jet, and the two sparkling eye
that are - finely shaded benoash heavy eye
lashcs, equal her hair in their ebony ilsh
and-"
"Stop," interrupted the clerk, "or vii
swear you have whole chapter oil low
nonsense BY heart. Let US sec II We caI
end the beauty that Walt has been SO Law
-..-.. - - <ons,nnad turning n