The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-08-13
COL. DEM. .---VOL. XXXIII.. mo. 25.

we could SEQ that the walls were paper
ed with illustrated journals, arranged
with feminine taste and discrimination.
The furniture was extemporized, and
adapted from candle boxes and packing
cases, and covered with gay calico or
the skin of some animal. 1he arm
chair of the helplessJim was an ingeni-
Gus variation OF n -four barrel. There
was neatness and even taste for the
picturesque to be seen in the few details
of the long low room.
The meal was culinary success. But
more, 1t was social triumph-chiehy
I think, owing to the rare tact of Mig
giles in guiding the conversation, asking
all the questions herself, yet bearing
throughout frankness that rejected
the idea Of any concealment on her part.
SO that we talked of ourselves, of our
prospects, of the journey, of the wealth
er, of each other-of everything but our
host and hostess. 1t must be confessed
that Miggles' conversation was never
elegant, rarely grammatical, and that
at times she used expletives, the use of
which are generally yielded to our sex.
But they were delivered with such
tightening up of teeth and eyes, and
were usually followed by laugh-a
laugh peculiar to Miggles--so frank and
honest that it seemed to clear the moral
atmosphere.
Once during the meal, we heard a
a noise like the rubbing of a heavy body
against the outer walls of the house. This
was soon followed by a scratch and
snitiling at the door. That's Joaquin
said Miggles, in reply to our question
ing glances; would you ike to see
him" Before we could answer, she
had opened the door, and disclosed a
half-grown grizzly, who instantly
raised himself on his launches, with
his forepaws hanging down in thepopu-
lar attitude of mendicancy, and looked
admiringly at Miggles, with singular
resemblance in his manner to Yuba Bill.
That's my watch dog said Miggles, in
explanation. %, he don't bite,' she
added, as the two lady passengers hut-
tered into corner, Does he, old Top.
py J. the latter remark being addressed
directly to the sagacious Joaquin.) Il
tell you what boys,' continued Miggles,
after she had fed and closed the door on
Ursa Minor, you were in big luck that
Joaquin wasn't hanging round when
you dropped in tonight"
"Where was he ?" asked tho Judge.
"With mo-" said Miggles. Lord love
you, he trots round with me at night
like as if he was man.
We were silent for few moments,
and listened to the wind. Perhaps we
all had the same picture before us-of
Miggles walking through the rainy
woods with her savage guardian at her
side. The Judge, l remember, said
something about Una and her lion but
, Miggles received it as she did other
compliments, with quiet gravity
, Whether she was altogether unconscious
of the admiration she eXcited-shC
! could hardly have been oblivious o
| i
her very franknesS suggested perfect
sexual equality that was cruelty humil
!, iating to the younger members of oul
party.
The incident of the bear did not add
anything in Miggles favor in the opin.
ion of those of her own sex who were
present. In fact, the repast over, a
chillness radiated from the two lady
passengers that no pine boughs brought
, in by Yuba Bill and cast AS sacrifice
J upon the hearth could wholly overcome
Miggles felt it and suddenly declaring
that it was time to turn in offered t(
, show the ladies to their bed in an ad
joining room. You boys will have Il
camp out here by the fire as well as yol
can,' she added, for thar amt but tn,
one rOom.'
Our seX-by which, my dear sir, l al
lude to the stronger portion of human
ity-has been generally relieved from
the imputation of curiosity, or fond
ness for gossip. Yet am constrained
to say that hardly was the door CLOSED
on Migglcs than we crowded together
whispering, snickering, smiling and ex
changing suspicious, surmises, and ,
) thousand speculations in regard to GU
pretty hostess and her singular compan
ion. l fear that we even hustled tina
r imbecile paralytic, who sat like voice
less Memnon in our midst, gazing will
the serene Indifference of the past il
his passionless eyes, upon our word!
council. In the midst of an exciting
discussion .the door opened again, ant
Miggles re-entered.
But not, apparently, the same Mig
giles who a few hours before had ilashe1
upon us. Her eyes were dOwncast, ant
as she hesitated for moment on thu
threshold with n blanket on her arm
seemed to have left behind her thu
frank fearlessness which had charmet
us moment before. Coming into tn,
room, she drew low stool beside tn,
paralytic's chair, sat down, drew tn,
blanket over her shoulders, and saying
'If it's all the same to you, boys, n
we're rather crowded, pll stop here to
night, took the invalid's withered han'
in her own, and turned her eyes upol
: the dying fire An instructive feeling
that this was only premonitory to NOR
confidential relations, and perhaps som
shame mt our previous curiosity, KEEP
! us silent. The rain still beat upon in
. roof; wandering gusts of wind stirre,
: the embers into momentary brightness
until, in II lull of the elements, Miggle
suddenly lifted up her head and throw
ing her hair over her shoulder, turne'
her face upon the group and asked:
is there any one of you that know
q me?'
!, There was no reply.
5 'rhink again lived ut Marysvill