The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-03-25

mered, and seemed confused and embar-
rassed.
Mr.. Hamlin smiled the smile which he
had before worn on the Wingdam coach,
and sat up quite refreshed, and ready for
business.
''You didn't came up on the stage, !" con-
tinued the newcomer, ''dld your
'.No," replied Hamlin; Il left it at SCOTS
Ferry. 1t ism due for half an hour yet
But how's luck, Brown"
Bad" said Brown, his face suddenly as
Stunning an expression of weak despair;
I'm cleaned out again. Jack" he con-
tinued, in whining tone, that formed q
pitiable contrast to his bulky figure, ''can't
YOU help me with hundred till to-mor-
rows cleanup? You see I've got TO send
money home to the old woman, and -
you've won twenty times that amount from
me.
The conclusion was, perhaps, not entire
ly logical. but Jack overlooked it, and
handed the sum 10 his visitor. 1.-The old
woman business is about played out, Brown.
he added by way of commentary; why,
don't YOU say you want to buck agin faror
You know you amt married.
Fact, sir" said Brown, with sudden
gravity, as if the mere contact of the gold
with the palm of the hand had impaired
some dignity to his frame. 1--WE got g
vife-a d good one, too, if do say ii
in the States. Its three year since
seen her, and year since I've writ to her.
When things is about straight, and We get
down to the lead. I'm going to send Tor
her"
'.And Kate2" querted Hamin, with his
previous smile.
Mr.. Brown, of Calayeras, essayed an
archness of glance, to cover his confusion,
which his weak face and whisky muddled
intellect but poorly carried out. and said:
"We1, Jack, a man must have little
liberty, you know. Bu& come, what do
you say to little game? Give us show
10 double this hundred.
Jack Hamlin looked curiously at his fatu-
GUS friend. Perhaps he knew that the man
was predestined to lose the money; and
preferred that it should flow back into his
own Golfers, rather than any other. He
nodded his head, and drew his chair to-
ward the table. At the same moment there
came a rap upon the door.
sits Kate" said Mr.. Brown.
MIR. HamIin shot back the bolt, and the
door opened. But for the first time in his
life, he staggered to his feet utterly un-
neIved and abashed, and for the first time
IN his life, the hot blood crimson his color
less cheeks to his forehead. For before
him stood the lady he had from the Wing
dam coach, whom Brown-drOpping his
cards with hysterical laugh-greeted as
'sMy OLD woman, by thunder"
They say that Mrs. Brown burst into
tears, and reproaches of her husband. l
saw her, in 1857, at Marysville, and disbe-
lieve the story. And the Wingdam Chron-
icle. of the next week, under the head OF
Touching Reunion" said: lone of those
beautiful and touching incidents, peculiar
to California life, occurred, last week, IN
our city. The wife of one Of Wingham' S
eminent pioneers, tired of the effete civill-
zation of the East, and its inhospitable
climate, resolved to Join her noble husband,
upon these golden shores. Without form
ing him of her intention, she undertook
the long journey, and arrived last week
The ioy of the husband may be easier i'm
aoined- than described. The meeting is
said to have been indescribably affecting.
We trust her example may be followed"
Whether owing to Mrs. Browns inhu
ence, or to some more successful specula-
tions, MIR. Browns financial fortune, from
that day, steadily improved. He bought
out his partners in the nip and Tuck"
lead, with money said to have been won at
poker,a week or two after his wife's arrival,
but which rumor, adopting Mrs. Browns
theory that Brown had toresworn the gam
alleged to have been furnished
Mr. Jack Hamlin. He built and furnished
the '.Wingdam House, which pretty Mrs.
Browns great popularity kept OverfOwing
with guests. He was elected to the Assem-
bly,, and gave largest to churches. A street
in Wingdam was named in mis- honor.
Yet, it was noted that in proportion as
he waxed wealthy and fortunate, he grew
pale, thin, and anxious. As his wife's pop
ularity increased, he became frettul and i'm
patient The most uXorious of husbands
he was absurdly jealous. If he did not
interfere with his wEfe's social liberty, 1t
was because it was maheiously whispered
that his first and only attempt was met
by An outburst from Mrs. Brown that terri
fed him into silence. Much of this kind
of gossip came from those of her own sex
whom she had supplanted in the chival-
rous attentions of Wingdam-which, like
moss popular chivalry, was devoted to an
admiration of power, whether of masculine
force or feminine beauty. 1t should be re-
membered, too, In her extenuat:On, that
since her arrival she had been the uncon-
scious priestess ola NEUROLOGICAL worship,
perhaps not more ennobliDg to her woman
hood than that which distinguished an
older Greek democracy. l think that Mr..
Brown was dimly conscious Of this. But
his only confidant was Jack Hamlin, whose
nfelix reputation naturally precluded any
open intimacy with the family, and whose
visits were infrequent.
1t was midsummer, and moonlit night;
and Mrs. Brown, very rosy, large-eyed, and
pretty, sat upon the piazza, enjoying the
fresh incense of the mountain breeze, and,
it is to be feared, another incense, which
was not so fresh, nor quite as innocent
Beside her sat Col StarboJtle and Judge
and later addition to her
court, in the shape of foreign tourist
She was in good spirits.
WHAT do you see down the road?" in
quired the gallant Colonel, who had been
conscious tor the last few minutes that Mrs.
Browns attention was diverted.
s'Dust," said Mrs. Brown, with a sigh
"Only Sister Anne's flock of sheep"
The Colonel, whose literary recoilections
did not extend farther back than last
weeks paper, took a more practical view.
at amt sheep" he continued; its horse
man. Judge, amt that MIR. Jack Hamlin's
gray?"
But the Judge didn't know; and, as Mrs.
Brown suggested, the air was growing too
cold for further investigations, they retired
to the parlor,
MIR. Brown was in the stable, where he
generally retired after dinner. Perhaps 1t
was to show his contempt for his wifes
perhaps, like other weak MAJ
lures, he found pleasure IN the exercise o.
absolute power over inferior animals. He
had certain qualification in the training
of a chestnut mare, whom he he could beat
or caress as pleased him, which he couldn't
do with Mrs. Brown. 1t was here that he
recognized a certain gray horse which had
lust come in, and looking little farther on
tound his rider. Browns greeting was
cordial and hearty; Mr.. Hamlins somewhat
restrained. But at Browns urgent request
he followed him up the back-stairs to mar
row corridor, and thence toa small room
looking out upon the stable-yard. 1t was
plainly furnished with bed, table, afeW
chairs, and a rack for guns and whips.
''This yer's my home, Jack, said Brown,
with sigh, as ne threw himself upon the
bed and motioned his companion to chair.
'.Her rooms tother end of the hall. It's
morn six months since we've lived togeth-
er. or met, except at meals. It's mighty
rough papers on the head of the house -
Al