Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-03-17
Selected ;9iisrrIlanp.
BROWN or CALAVERAS.

A subdued tone OF conversation, ana the
absence of cipar-smoke. and boot heels, at
the windows of the Wingdam stage-coach,
made it evident that one OF the inside pas
senpers was a woman. disposition on
the part of loungers at the stations to con-
preeate before the window, and some con-
Germ in regard to the appearance OF coats
hats and collars. further indicated that she
wa lovely. All of which Mr. Jack Ham
lin, on the box seat, Loted with the smile
Of cynical philosophy, Not that he de-
preciated the sex, bat that he recognized
therein deceitiul element, the pursuit OF
which sometimes drew mankind away from
the equally uncertain Establishments OF
poker-of which it may be remarked that
Mr.. Hamlin was 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 fiut ering. but lounged up
and down with that listless and grave in
difference of his class, which was, perhaps,
the next thing to goCd.breeding His
closely buttoned figure and self-contained
air we're in marked contrast to the other
passengers, and their feyerish restlessness
and boisterous emotion and even Bill Mas
ters; graduate Of Harvard, with his sloven-
~ dress, his overlooking vitality, his in
tense appreciation OF lawlessness and bar
barism, and his mouth filed with crackers
and cheese, fear, cut but an unromantic
figure beside this lonely calculator of
chances, with his pale Greek face and
Homeric gravity.
T driver called 'all aboard, and Mr..
Hamln returned to the coach. 49,
His foot was upon the wheel, and his
face raised to the level of the open
window, when, at the same moment, what
appeared to him to be the finest eyes in the
world suddenly met his. He quietly diop-
ped down again, addressed few words to
one of the inside passengers, effected an
exchange of soats, and as quietly took his
pl&oe inside. Mr.. Hamlin never allowed
his philosophy to interfere with decisive
prompt action.
fear that this Eruption of Jack cast
some restraint upon the other passengers -
particularly those who were making them
selves most agreeable to the acy. One Of
them leaned forward, and apparently con-
geyed to her information regarding Mr..
Hamlin's profession, in the informant dis
tingulshed jurist, from whom, but few
evenings before he had won several thou
sand dollars, cannot say. His colorless
face betrayed no sign his black eyes, quiet
ly 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 inheri-
lance from his material ancestor-stood
him in good service, until the rolling wheels
ratified upon the river-gravel at SCOTS Fer
ry, and the stage drew up at the Interna-
tonsl Hotel, for dinner. The legal gen
tlemen and member of Congress leaped
out, aud stood ready to assist the descend
ing goddess. while Colonel Starbottle, Of
Siskiyou, took charge of her parasol and
shawl. In this multiplicity of attention,
there WAS momentary confusion and de-
lay. Jack Hamlin quietly opened the OPP
posite door of the coach, took the lady's
hsnd-with that decision and positiyenes S
which hesitatng and undecided sex know
how to admire--and in an instant had dex-
terously and gracefully swung her to the
ground. and again lifted her to the plat
form. An audible chuckle on the box, |
fear, me from that other cyric, ,Yuba
Bill, " the driver. look keerfuly arter
that baggage, Kernal, said the expressman
with affected concern, as he looked after
Colonel Starbottle, gloomily bringing up
The rear of the triumphant procession to
the waiting-room.
Mr.. Hamhn did not stay for dinner. His
He dashed over the ford. up the grayelly
hill, and out into the dusty perspective OF
the Wingdam road, like one leaving an un.
pleasant fancy behind him. The inmates
of dusty cabins by the roadside shaded
their eyes with their hands, and looked af
ter him, recognizing the man by his horse,
and specializing what "was up with Com.
anche Jack. Yet much of this interest cen.
tired in the horse, in n community where
the time made by "Frenoh Pete's" mare
IN his run from the sheriff of Calayeras
echpsed all concern in the ultimate fate Of
that worthy,
The sweating tanks of his gray at length
recalled him 70 himself He checked his
speed and, turning into q by-road some
times used asa cut of trotted leisurel,
along, the reins hanging listlsssly from hi,
fingers. As he rode on, the character OF
the landscape changed, aud became NOR,
pastoral Openings in groves of pine and
sycamore disclosed some rude attempts nj
culuyatlon--a Towering vine trailed oyei
the porch OF one cabin, and woman rock
ed her Graded babe under the roses OF an
other A little farther on, Mr.. HamHr
came upon some bare-legged children, wad
ing In the wlllowy creek, and so wrought
upon them with baduage peculiar tc
himself thatthey were emboldened to clint
up his horses legs aud over his saddle, nm
I'll he was tain to develope an exaggerated
ferocity OF demeanor and 10 escape, leay
ing behind some kisses and coin. An,
then, advancing deeper into tho woods
where all signs of habitation failed, be be
gan to sing uplifting tenor SO singular
ly sweet, ard shaded by u pathos SO sub
DUNG and tender, that wot the robin,
and llnnets stopped to listen. Mr.. Hamhn'
voice was not cultivated the subject of hi
song was some sentimental lunacy, borrow
ed from the negro minstrels but there wa
some occult quality Of tone and expression