The Republican journal., 1870-04-21
BROWN OF CALAVERAS.

BROWN OF CALAvERAs.
A subdued tone of conversation, and tht
absence of cigar-smoke, and boot heels, a
the windows of the Wingdam stage-coach
made it evident that one of the inside passen'
gers was a woman. A disposition on the
part of loungers, at the stations, to congre-
gate before the window, and some concern
in regard to the appearance of coats, hats
and collars, further indicated that she was
lovely. All of which Mr.. Jack Hamlin, on
the box-seat, noted with the smile of cynical
philosophy. Not that he depreciatedth the sex,
but that he recognized therein a decetful
element. the pursuit of which sometimes
drew mankind away from the equally uncer-
tain Establishments of poker-of which ii
may be remarked that Mr.. Hamlin was a
professional exponent.
So that when he placed his narrow boot
on the wheel and leaped down, he did not
even glance at the window from which a
green veil was futtering, but lounged up
and down with that listless and grave indif-
ference Of his class, which was, perhaps, the
next thing to good breeding His closely
buttoned figure, and selfcontained air, were
in marked contrast to the other passengers,
and their feverish restlessness and bolster
Gus emotion; and even Bill Masters grad
uate of Harvard, with his slovenly dress,
his overflowing vitality, his intense appre-
citation of lawlessness and barbarism, and his
mouth filled with crackers and cheese, [ fear,
cut but IN unromantic figure beside this
lonely calculator of chances, with his pale
Greek face, and Homeric gravity.
The driver called ''all aboard" and Mr..
Hamlin returned to the coach. His foot was
upon the Wheel and his face raised to the
Of fho< r;,,1o
moment, what appeared to him to be the
finest eyes in the world, suddenly met his.
He quietly dropped down again, addressed
a few words to one of the inside passengers,
effected an exchange of seats, and as quietly
took his place inside. Mr.. Hamlin never al
lowed his philosophy to interfere with decisive
and prompt action.
fear that this irruption of Jack cast some
restraint upon other particularly
those who were making themselves most
agreeable to the lady. One of them leaned
forward and apparently conveyed to her
information regarding Mr.. Hamlins profess
ion, in a single epithet. Whether Mr. Hamlin
heard it, or whether he recognized in the
informant a distinguished iurist, from whom
but Il lew evenings before, he had won several
thousand dollars, I can notsay. His colorless
face betrayed no sign his black eyes, quietly
observant, glanced indifferently past the
legal gentleman, and rested on the much
more pleasing features of his neighbor. An
Indian stoicism-said to be an Inheritance
from his maternal ancestor-stood him in
good service, until the rolling wheels ratified
upon the river-gravel at Scous Ferry, and
the stage drew up at the International Hotel,
for dinner. The legal gentleman and u
Member of Congress leaped out, and stood
ready to assist the descending goddess, while
Colonel Starbottle, of Siskiyou, took charge
of her parasol and shawl In this multiplicity
of attention, there was a momentary con-
fusion and delay. Jack Hamlin quietly
opened the opposite door of the COACH took
the lady's hand-with that decision and
positiveness which a hesitating and undeci-
ded sex know how to admire-and in an
instant had dexterously and gracefully swung
her to the ground, and again lifted her to the
platform An audible chuckle on the box,
fear, came from that other cynic, ''Yuba
baggage, Kernel" said the expressman, with
affected concern as he locked after Colonel
Starbottle gloomily bringing up the rear of
the triumphal procession to the waiting
room.
Mr.. Hamlin did not stay for dinner. His
horse was already saddled, and awaiting
him. He dashed over the ford, up the gray
ely hill, and out into the dusty perspective
of the Wingdam Road, like one leaving an
unpleasant fancy behind him. The inmates
of dusty cabins by the roadside shaded their
eyes with their hands, and looked after him,
the man by his horse, and spec
ulating what twas up with Camanche Jack"
Yet much of this interest centered in the
horse, in a community where the time made
by ''French Pete's'' mare, in his run from
the Sheriff of Calaveras, eclipsed all concern
in the ultimate fate of that worthy.
The sweating flanks of his gray at length
recalled him to himself. He checked his
speed, and turning into hy-road-some-
times used rs a cut-off-trotted eisurelv
along, the reins hanging lstlessly from his
fingers. AS he rode on the character of the
landscape changed, and became more pas
toral. Openings in groves of pine and syc-
amore disclosed some rude attempts at
cultivation-a Towering vine traled over the
porch of one cabin, and woman rocked her
Graded babe under the roses of another A
little farther on, Mr.. Hamlin came upon some
bare-legged children, wading in the willowy
creek, and so wrought upon them with Il
badinage peculiar to himself that they We're
emboldened to climb up his horses legs and
over his saddle. until he was fain to develop
an exaggerated ferocity of demeanor, and to
escape, leaving Denlnu some Kisses ana com.
And then, advancing deeper into the woods,
where all signs of habitation failed, he began
to sing-uplifting tenor so singularly sweet
and shaded by pathos so subduing and
tender, that / wot the robins and linnets
stopped to listen. Mr.. Hamlins voice was
not cultivated; the subject of his song was
some sentimental lunacy, borrowed from the
negro minstrels, but there was some occult
quality of tone and expression that thrilled
through all spirit inexpressibly touching.
Indeed, it was wonderful sight to see this
sentimental blackleg, with pack of cards in
his pocket and revolver at his back, sending
his voice before him through the dim woods
with plant about his ''Nelly's grave"' in
a way that overf1owed the eyes ofthe listener.
A sparrow hawk. fresh from his sixth victim,
possibly recognizing in Mr.. Hamlin a kim
dred spirit, stared at him in surprise, and
was fain to confess the superiority of man.
With a superior predatory capacity, he
couldt sing.
But Mr. Hamlin presently found himself
again on the high-road, and at his former
pace. bitches and banks of gravel, denuded
hill-sides, stumps, and decayed trunks of
trees took the place of woodland and ravine,
and indicated his approach to civilization