The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-03-25
SeIertrD @liseeIlanD.
BROWN OF CALAYERAS.

absence of ciear-smoke, and boot-h heels, at
the windows of the Wingdam stage-coach,
made il evident that one of the inside pas
sengers was a woman. A disposition on
the part of loungers at the stations to con-
erecate before the window, and some con-
cern in regard to the appearance of coats,
hats and collars. further indicated that she
was lovely. All Of which Mr.. Jack Ham
lin, on the Dox-seat, Eoted with the smile
of cynical philosophy, Not that he de-
preciated the sex. bat that he recognized
therein a deceitful 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 aud leaped down, he did not
even glance at the window from which
green veil was hutl ering. but lounged up
and down with that hstless and grave in
difference of his class, which wes, perhaps,
the next thing to good-breeding. His
closely buttoned fgureA and self-contained
air were in marked contrast to the other
passengers and their feverish restlessness
and boisterous emotion; and even Bill Mas
ters; a graduate of Harvard, with his sloven-
ly dress, his overhowing vitality, his in
tense appreciation of lawlessness and bar
barism. and his mouth filled with crackers
and cheese, I fear, cut but an unromantic
figure beside this lonely calculator of
chances, with his pale Greek face and
Homeric gravity.
T. e driver called ''all aboard, and Mr..
Hamlin returned to the coach
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 d op-
ped down again, addressed few words to
one of the inside passengers, effected an
exchange of seats, and as quietly took his
place inside. Mr.. Hamlin never allowed
his philosophy to interfere with decisive
prompt action.
1 fear that this irruption of Jack cast
some restraint upon the other passengers
particularly those who were making them
selves most agreeable to the aGy. One of
them leaned forward, and apparently con-
veyed to her information regarding Mr.
Hamiins profession, In the Informant dis
tingulshed jurist, from whom, but few
evenings before he had won several thou
sand collars, cannot say. His eolorless
face betrayed no sign; his black eyes, quiet
ly observsnt, glanced indiferently past the
legal gentleman and rested on the much
uOI6 DlCdSluR lCdb0LCo VI LIS ACASAOOA."
An Indian stoicism-said to be an inheri
tance from his material ancestor-stood
him In good service, until the rolling wheels
ratified upon the river-gravel at Scott's Fer
", and the stage drew up at the InterHa-
tional Hotel, for dinner. The legal gen.
tleman and member of Congress leaped
out, and stood ready to assist the descend
ing goddess. while Colonel Starbottle, of
Siskiyou, took charge of her psrasol and
shawl In this multiplicity of attention,
there was momentary confusion and de-
lay Jack Hamlin quietly opened the op-
posite door of the coach, took the lady's
hqnd-with that decision and positiveness
which hesitating and undecided sex know
how 70 admre-and IN an instant had dex-
terously and gracefully swung her to the
gro md and again lifted her to the plat
form. An audible chuckle on the box.
fear, me from that other cypic, ,Yuba
Bill" the driver. ''Look keerfully arter
that baggage, Kernal, F" said the expressman
with affected concern, as he looked after
Colonel Starbottle, gloomily bringing up
the rear of the triumphant procession to
the walting-room.
Mr.. Hamlin did not stay for dinner. His
He dashed over the ford. up the gravelly
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 speculating what ''was up with Com
anche Jack" Yet much of this interest CEN
tired in the horse, in community where
the time made by "French Pete's" mare,
in his run from the sheriff of Oalaveras,
eclipsed all concern In the ultimate fate of
that worthy.
The sweating fanks Of his gray at length
ecalled him to himself. He checked his
rpeed, and, tuning into by-road-some-
lines used as cut off-trotted leisurely
along the reins hanging istlessly from his
fingers. As he rode on, the character of
the landscape changed, and became more
pastoral, Openings in groves of pine and
sycamore disclosed some rude attempts at
cultivation-a Towering vine trailed over
the porch of one cabin and q woman rock
ed her Graded babe I'M der the roses OF an
other. little farther on, Mr.. HRmlin
came upon some bare-legged children, Wad
ing in the wlllowy creek. and so wrought
upon them with q badinage peculiar TO
himself that they were emboldened to climb
up his horses legs and over his saddle, un-
Il he was fain to develope an exaggerated
serocity of demeanor. and 10 escape, leav-
ing behind some kisses and coin. And
then, advancing deeper into tine woods,
where all signs of habitation failed, he be-
gan to sing uplifting a tenor so SINGULAR
" sweet and shaded by a pathos SO sub
DUNG and tender, that I wot the robins
and linnets stopped to listen. MIR. Hamlin's
voice was not cultivated; the subject ofhis
song was some sentimental lunacy, borrow
ed from the negro minstrels, but there was
some occult quality of tone and expression
that thrilled through all a spirit inexpres-
sibly touched. Indeed, 1t was wonderful
sight to see this sentimental blackleg, with
q pack of cards IN his pocket and revol-
yer at his back, sending his voice before
him through the dim woods with plant
about his 'Nelly's grave" in a way that
overhowed the eyes of the listener. A
sparrow-hawk, fresh from his sixth victim,
possibly recognizing in Mr.. Hamlin a kind
red spirit, stared at him In surprise, and
was fain to confess the superiority of man.
With superior predatory capacity, he
couldn't sing.
Bat Mr.. Ramlin presently found himself
again on the high-road, and al his former
pace bitches and banks of gravel, denud-
ed hill sides, and decayed trunks of trees
took the place OF woodland and ravine, and
indicated his approach to civilization
Then a church-steeple came IN sight, and
he knew that he had reached home. In
few moments he was gathering down the
single narrow street, that lost itself IN a
chaotic ruin Traces, bitches, and tallngs
at the foot of the hill, and dismounted be-
fore the glided windows of the Magnolia
saloon Passing through the long bar
room, he pushed open green-baize door,
entered dark passage, opened another
door with pass-key, and found himslf In
a dimly-lighted room, whose furniture,
though elegant and costly for the locality,
showed signs of abuse. The inlaid centre
table was overlsid with stained disks that
were not contemplated in the original de-
sign. The embroidered arm-chalrs were
discolored, and the green-velvet lounge on
which Mr. Hamlin threw himself, was SOIL
ed at the foot with the soil of Wingdam.
Mr.. Hamlin did not sing IN his cage
he lay still, looking at a highly-colored
painting above him, representing young
creature of opulent charms. 1t occurred
to him then, for the first time, that he had
never seen exactly that kind of woman,
and that, if he should, he would not, prob
ably. fall in love with her. Perhaps he
was thinking of another style of beauty
But lust then some one knocked at the