The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-05
Selected story.
Brown Of '0alavefas'

A subdued tone OF conVeIsa..oh, anu me
absence of cioar-smole, ard poot-heels, at The
wnJows OF The Wingdam stage coach, made
it evide 1T that one OF the INSIDE passengers
was a womsn. A disposition on the part of
the loungers at the stations to congregate be-
fore the window. and some concern in regard
TO the appearance of coats, hats, and collars.
further indicated that she was lovely. All of
which MI. Jack Hamlln, on the box-seat. not
ei with tue smile OF cynical philosophy. Not
lEat he deprecated the sex, but that be re-
coShizeu tnereln deceItiul element, the pur-
sun ., Whicn sometimes drew mankind away
IRON Inc equally uncertain Establishments of
poKer-of which it may be remarked that
Sif, HaniIn was professional exponent.
=, 30 that when he placed his narrow boot on
tne wheel and leaped down, he did not even
glance at the window from which green veil
was liutterine, but lounged up and down with
mat ilstless and grave Indifference of his class,
%hlca was, perhaps, the next thing to good
breeding. His closely buttoned figure and self
contained air were in marked contrast to the
other passengers, and their feverish restiessu
ness and boisterous emotion; and even plii
Masters, a graduate OF Harvard, WIN us slov-
emily dress, his overlooking vitality, MS lnleAse
appreciation OF lawlessness ana Dafoarisnl, ana
his mouth filed with crackers anu cheese, L
lonely calculator of chances, with his pale
Greek face and Homeric gravity.
TIE driver called " all aboard" and Mr.
Haoim returned to the coach. His foot was
upon the wheel, and his face raised TO tbe
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 dropped down again, addressed
few words to one the inside passengers, eff
fected an exchange of seals, and as quietly
took his place inside. Mr.. Hamlin never al
lowed his philosophy to interfere with deci-
sive and prompt action.
l lear that the Eruption of Jack cast some
restraint upon the other pass engers-particu-
larry those who we're making themselves most
agreeable to the lady. One of them leaned
forward, and apparently conveyed to her in
formation regarding MIR. Hamlins profession,
in single epithet. Whether Mr.. II amlin heard
1t, or whether he recognized in the informant
distinguished jurist, from whom, but few
evenings before he had won several thousand
dollars, | cannot say. His colorless face be-
trayed no sign; his black eyes, quietly observ-
ant, glanced inditlerentiy past the legal gen
tIeman, and rested on the much more pleasing
features OF his neiehbor. ~ Indian stoicism
said TO be an inheritancahrom his maternal
aGceslor-stood him in goa service, until the
rolling wheels lattled upon the river gravel at
Scouts Ferry, and the stage drew up at the
International Hotel, for dinner. The legal
gentleman and Member of Congress leaped
out, anu Stood ready 10 assist the descending
goddess, while Colonel Starbottle, of Siskiyou,
took charge ofher parasol and shawl. In this
multipif city of attention, there was a momen-
tary confusion and delay. Jack Hamln qui.
city opened The opposite door of the coach,
took the lady's haDd-with that decision and
positlveness which hesitating and undecided
sex know how TO admire-and i'll an instant
had dexterousy and gracefully swung her to
the grounds and again lifted her TO the platform.
An audible chuckle on The box, fear, came
from that other cynic, Yuba Bill" the dri-
yer. Look keerlully arter that baggage,
Kernnal,' said the expressman, with affected
concern, as he looked alter Colonel Starbottle.
gloomiy bringing up the rear of the triumph
ant procession to the waiting-room.
Mr. Hamin did not stay for dinner. His
horse was already saddied, and awaiting
him. he dashed over the ford, up The
glavelly lil, and out into the dusty perspect
i've OF the Mingdam Ioad, 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,
recognizing the man by his horse, and specu-
lstlng what " was up with Comanche Jack"
Yet much of this interest centered in the
horse, in community where the time made
by French Pete's" mare, in his run from the
Sheriff OF Calavaras. eclipsed all concern in
the ultimate fate of that worthy.
The sweating TANKS of his gray at length
recalled him to himself He checked his
speed, and, turning into a by-road-some-
tiTes used as a cut off-trotted leisurely
along. The reins banging listlessy from his
fingers. AS he rode on, the character of the
landscape changed, and became more pastor
al Opening in groves oil pine and sycamore
disclosed some rude attempts at cultivation
Towering vine traiied over the porch of one
cabin, and women rocked her Graded babe
under the roses OF another. A little farther
on, Mr.. Hamlin came upon some bare-leggad
children, wadins in the willowy creek, and so
wrought upon them with badinage peculiar
to himself that they were embroidered to
climb up his horses legs and over his saddle,
until he was iain to develope an exaggela ted
1erocltyot deneanor, and to escape, leaving
behind some kisses and coin. And then, aG-
vancIne deeper into the woods, where all
signs OF habi,ation iaiied, he began to sing
uplifting tenor so singulariy sweet, and
shaded by pathos so subduing and tender.
that wot the robins and innets stopped to
listen. Mr.. Hamlin'S voice was not cultivated:
the subject OF his song was some sentimental
lunacy, borrowed from the negro MINISTRIES,
put there was some occult quality of tone and
expression that thrilled Though all spirit
mexpressibiy touched. Indeed, it was won
derful sight to see this sentimental blackleg,
with pack OF cards in his pocket and a re-
volver at his back, sending his voice before
him through the dim woods with a plant
about his 'Nelly's grave" in way that over
flowed the eyes of the listener A sparrow
hawk, fresh from his sixth victim, possibly
recognizing in Mr.. Hamln a kindred spirit.
stared at him in surprise, and was fain to con-
TESS the superiority OF man. With superior
predatory capacity he couldn't sing.
But Mr.. Hamiin 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. Then
church steeple came in sight, and he knew
that he had reached home. In few mo-
ments be was gathering down the single mar
row street, and lost itself in chaotic ruin of
races, ditches, and taiings at the loot OF the
hill, and dismounted before the gilded win
dows OF the Magnolia saloon. Passing
through the long bar-room, he pushed open
green-baize door, entered a dark passage,
opened another door with pass key, and
found himself in dimly-lighted room, whose
furniture, though elegant and costly for the
locality, showed sigDs OF abuse. The inlaid
centre table was overlaid with stained disks
that were not contemplated in the original
design. The embroidered arm-chairs were
dlscolored, and the green ye.vet lounge on
which Mr.. Hamin threw himself, was soiled
at the loot with the red soil of Wingdam.
Mr.. Hamlin did not sing in his cage. He
lay still, looking at highly colored painting
above him, representing young creature OF
opulent Charms. Ii occurred to him then, for
the irst time, that he had never seen exactly
that kind OF woman, aud that, if he should,
he would not, probably, tall in love with Ler
Perhaps be was thinking of another style of
beauty. But just then some one knocked at
the door. Without rising he pulled cord
that apparently shot back bolt; for the door
swung open, and man en- tered.
The newcomer was road-shouldered and
robust-a vSor not borne out in the face,
which, though handsome, was sngularly
weak, and 'li-ugured by dissipation. He ap-
peared to be also under the influence OF lid
uor, for he started on seeing Mr.. Hamlin, and
said, II thought Kate was here" stammered,
and seemed confused and embarrassed.
Mr. Hamiin smiled the smile which he had
before worn on the Wingdam coach, and sat
up quite refreshed, and ready fer business.
You didn't come up on the stage" contin-
ued the new conner, laid your"
NO." replied Hamin; Il left it at SCOTS
FERRY. 1t isn't due for half an hour vet. But
how's luck, Brown?"
"Bad," said Brown, his face suddenly &c.
Stunning NJ expression OF weak despair: .sIm
cleaned out again. Jack,n he continued. in a
whining tone, that formed pitiable contrast
to his bulky tigure, cant you help me with a
hundred till to-morow's cleall-up? You see
I've got to send money home 10 the OLD wo-