The Shasta courier., 1861-09-14
SHASTA COURIER,
The Blurderer's Ordeal.
A cALIrossrAs's STORY ,

Twas always fond of the science of physi-
ognomy From my youth up. was noted
for my proclivity for reading the character
Of a man from his face; and finally became
such an adept in the art that could occa-
sionally guess the very thoughts of the indi-
yidual whose countenance was studying.
Soon after the gold fever broke out, went
to California and there, | must confess,
had grand opportunity for exercising my
skill upon all sorts of faces, seen under all
sorts Of circumstances, from the highest tri-
umph of success to the deepest despair of
failure. l first tried my luck at digging gold
myself, but soon tired Of that. and believing
could make money faster and with less la
bor.eI opened kind of srocery and provision
store, and went regularly INTO the business
oftrade. buying most of my articles at Sacra-
mento, getting them hauled to my quarters,
and disposing of them at fair advance to
the miners and others.
My store, as dignifcd mysplace of trade,
consisted of a rude skeleton of poles, with a
suficiency of cheap muslin drawn over them
and pinned down to the earth, and was stock
cd only with the most saleable articles, of
which -four, pork and whisky found the mos.
4 ready market, especially whisky. In t.
season it was very dusty, and everybody
seemed to be dry with thirst which mere wa
ter could not quench. If ony man was sue
cessful, he wanted whisky to bring his body
up to the altitude of his spirits if unsuccess-
full, he wanted whisky to bring his spirits up
to the altitude of his body; if it chanced to
be little cool, he wanted whisky to warm
him; if it was very hot. he wanted whisky to
cool him he needed whisky in the morning
to make him bright and active; he needed
whisky at night to rest him, and make him
sleep well he wanted it when he bought, and
when he sold, when he won. and when he
lest, whom no stsssls up ssaa when he sat down
in short, whisky was the great regulator of
all human feeings-the genuine elirir rite
and consequently did an immense busi-
ness in whisky.
Now this, though somewhat irrelevant,
brings me to my story.
Ny store being the headquarters of that
locality for whisky and provisions, | was
brought in coutact with nearly every speci-
men of the genus homo that ventured in that
region and such another conglomeration of
white, black and red-such another mixture
of gentlemen, laborers, mountaineers, gam
blers, thieves and assassins-it would be hard
to find outside the limits of California. OF
course | had chance to study all sorts of
faces to my hearts content; but having, as |
have said, become an adept in the art an or
binary circumstance, or a man governed by
ordinary passions, whether gentle or british,
did not interest me. | wanted to get hold of
what is termed a character-or one whose ex-
ternal would give no indication of his internal
to any but connoisseur-or one that would
really puzzle you to tell what to think of him.
Among the many, such an one / at length
found. At first did not notice him-did not
think of him. AT casual glance there was
nothing to distinguish him from the herd.
He came in quietly, unobtrusively, purchased
aquantity of flour, pork and tea, paid for the
same in gold DUST and went out about his
business. He erepeated his visits, at different
intervals, perhaps some half-a- dozen times,
before he attracted my attention to anything
peculiar in his appearance, and then should
have been at a loss to say what saw more in
him last than at first.
lie was apparently about twenty FIVE years
Of age, of medium hight and slender figure,
of dark complexion, regular features, with
dark straight hair, dark eyes, and a beard
that covered the lower part of his face-in
all of which there was nothing remarkable
nothing striking. He was quiet-not talk
at.ve-had nothing to say except about the
business he came on-got what he wanted
when was disengaged, paid for what be got
like gentleman, and generally retired with
al ordinary GOOD day." or some similar
eiyility. And yet, as l have said, he began
- attract my attention at last, and began
TO wonder Why Was it because he was so
quiet, reserved aud gentlemanly, and did not
purchase whisky like the rest, and occasion
ally get excited CT boisterous? or was it be-
cause there was something about him | could
not readily tathom? At all events, he had be
gun to interest me in some way /; and the
very fact perhaps, that could not tell how
or why, led me into q closer scrutiny, deep
er study, of the man.
After this prolonged his visits as much
as could without causing him to suspect
did so Intentionally. The things he wanted
generally had some trouble in getting, and
filled up the interval by remarks about the
weather, the country, the mines, the success
Of some and the failure of others-in a word,
anything could think of to induce conversa-
ton, watching him furtiyely all the while.
He answered easily and readily, and yet with
that peculiar kind of reserve that was not
suggestive, or tending towards familiarity.
His replies however, evinced o man of mind
and education, and began to give him cred
1t for being thinker-perhaps practical
and selfish dreamer, if | may use paradox
ical term that best expresses my idea.
One day, | scarcely know how, l touched
upon the general superstitions of mankind,
an to my surprise saw that at last he was
interested. His eye changed expression, and
frightened, and emitted strange and pecu-
liar CLEAN; and my attention being thus d.
rected to his eye, now bethought me tis.s
had never seen one exactly like it-one capa-
BILE of being so apparently open down to the
soul while concealing so much. 1t was off its
guard now-the door was really open down
TO the soul of the man-and l looked in at
that door, that opening, and saw that the
soul of that man was dark one. A name
less fear came overme-a strange thrill pass
ed through me, like an lectric shock-f felt
an internal shudder OF dread. No wonder
had not been able to aad him before: the
man had been wearius an impenetrable
mask.
| now had the KEY to the mystery, and to
him, and used it. He was Interested in su.
perstition-he was superstitious himself.
Whyg Good men may be superstitious-ba
men always are, because they carry hell of
wild fancies within them. Thus it was with
this man, as could see by his eye, and made
his fancies work upon him. 1 told him sto-
ries of sorcery, witchcraft and magic-of
ghosts, hobgoblins and devils-till he became
pale with fear. breathed with compressed lips
and fran, hlei in snita Of h,s ...,,s ,,,,....