Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-04-25
M | S C E L L A N Y.
From the Golden Era.l
SAN FRANCISCO IN EARLY TIMES
THE TAMBOURINE Girl"

ia
BY CHARLES L. Is. HOWL

The rain was falling in torrents. and the wind
drove past the slight structures as though it
would root them from their foundations, and
send the slight board tcnements a wreck into
the streets, deep with mud. Every spot that
could shelter person was occupied every
drinking saloon, sleeping house and gambling
table that was available was crowded to excess,
and those that found dry spot to sleep on in
their stores, considered themselves fortunate, for
the unexpected rains of 1910 found many with
clated hopes but 10 plunge them into the slough
of dependency at the dismal prospects before
them, held out by the winter weather. Mer-
camille business, however, did not flag on &C.
count Of the rain but when the weather was
fair, the goods needed no shelter when it was
foul, repairing could hardly be done, for no one
seemed 10 care about earning few ounces by
a job in the rain.
Midway between Montgomery and Kcarny
streets, on Clay, was large store full of goods,
owned by an Italian, and every effort to secure
the aid of a mechanic to roof over the tenement
proved Intellectual, and G~o, repuiroL very seaA,
it seemed as if the heavy rains would wash
store, goods and all from their location On
the morning in question, the proprietor, his two
clerks and porter went at the job in good ear
nest, and when night threw its vail over the
heavy atmosphere, the roof was finished, and a
dry store was insured against the weathers in
clemency. The store was closed for the night,
and warm stove sent out its genial heat, while
sa,ory smell tinged the nostrils and awoke
the appetite, although the repast had disappear
ed The proprietor leaned back upon box,
his feet raised in an elevated position TO keep
them from off the damp ground floor, while
huge volumes of smoke came rolling from his
mouth, as he dreamingy smoked on The
clerks, the statesmen and the porter were also
making themselves comfortable as best they
could.
swell, boys" said the proprietor, 1--WE car
keep dry after this, let it rain as it may and
think we have done a good days work, indie
fpendent of the sales we have made"
To describe The speaker, would be 10 have
him too readily recognized, and TO be the hero
of this sketch would not, perhaps meet his ap.
probation, as he has not been consulted in re-
gard to it.
"Yes," replied the porter, Il will bet that
some of our neighbors wish they were as well
protected as we are a board house with tigh
roof is poor enough, but canvas house-oh
how delightfully."- miserable !" and the thought
of wet blankets and wet bed made his ieetl
chatter, and the idea was so ludicrously con.
veyed that all joined in laugh.
"Walter, what about that tambourine girl =
inquired one of the clerks "they say you play
ed quite the gallant with her on two occasions ;
"What is that Walt has been doing ~ in
quired the proprietor
sob, nothing serious-ohly making love 10
tambourine girl, " he replied. San old woman
came in town few days ago, bearing on he
back an old-lashioned, gothic hand-organ, ac
companied by tambourine girl 1t seems tina
Walt. was at the 'Tontne,' or passing, and
big, lubberly fellow tried TO kiss the girl, an
he knocked him down; again, the old wona
got stuck in the mud, and Walt helps her on,
and then returns, lifts the tambourine Girl Il
in his aims and carries her across the street
losing one of his boots Tor his pains. Dea
work, that boots are worth one hundred dol
lars"
"Yes, rather dear, should think" sal
the salesman 'Is she prettyl"
"Walt. is very good Judge, ! should sa,
for when | was of his age was equally as ga
liant to the ladies'" said the proprietor
"Pretty! by the gods, know she is ~ sa
Walter, enthusiastically. "She is not moi
than sixteen or seventeen, rather delicate
form, yet her limbs are full and round and 81
is of that medium hight that so well becomes
woman her hair is dark as jet, and the iw
sparkling eyes that are so finely shaded benea
heavy eyeashes, equal her hair in the eboI
light, and"
"Stop" interrupted the clerk, cor "
swear you have whole chapter of love no
sense by heart. Let us see if we can find \
beauty that Walt has been so lavishly praising
he continued, turning to The others; tive wi
find them about some Of the saloons, and if v
do, we will have them come here, and then v
can all judge for ourselves"
So saying, they sailed forth into the storr
pushing their way through the mud to Kearr
street, and then from one saloon " another, u
Ill at last they found them al tho "Ijslls Union
surrounded by crowd Of persons eagerly lis;e
ing 10 the song the ianbourine girl was singin
Mother, am faligued tonight lei US
to our room," said the girl.