Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-03-24
Sfleftfo ailisefllanp.
BRUWN OF CALAyERAS.

subdred tone of conversation and the
absence of ci2sr-smoke. and boot heels at
the windows of the Wingdam stage-coach,
made 1t evident that one of the inside pas
sengers was woman A disposition on
the part OF loungers at the stations to con-
gregate before the window. and some con-
cern iu regard to the appearance OF coats,
hats aud collars. further indicated that she
was lovely. All of which Mr.. Jack Ham
lin, on the box-seat, Eoted with the smile
of cynical philosophy, Not that he de-
preciated the sex bat that he recognized
therein 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 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 hstless and grave in
difference of his class, which was, perhaps
the next thing to good-breeding. His
closely buttoned figure and self-coutained
air were in marked contrast to the other
passengers, and their feverish restlessness
and boisterous emotion; and even Bill Mas
tiers; a graduate of Harvard, with his sloven-
ly dress, his overlooking vitality, his in
tense appreciation of lawlessness and bar
bsrism, 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.
I driver called 'all aboard, and Mr..
Hamhn returned 10 the coach
His foot was upon the wheel, and his
free 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 op-
ped down again, addressed q 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.
/ fear that this irruption 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-
veyed to her information regarding Mr.
Hamiin's profession, IN the informant dis
tnguished lurist, from whom, but q few
evenings before he had won several thou-
sand dollars, / cannot sag. His colorless
face betrayed no sign his black eyes, quiet
ly observant, glanced indifferently past the
more pleasing features of his neighbor-I
An Indian stoicism said to be an inheri-
tance from his material ancestor-stood
him In good service, until the rolling w. .eels
ratified upon the river-gravel at Scott Fer
~, and the stage drew up at the Interna-
tional Hotel, for dinner. The legal gem
tleman and member of Congress leaped
out. and stood ready to assist the descend
ing goddess. while Colonel StarbottIe. of
Siskiyou, took charge of her parasol and
shawl In th 8 multiplicity Of attention.
there was a Elomentary confusion and de-
lay. Jack Hamlin quietly opened the or
posite door of the coach, took the ladys
hsnd-with that decision and positiveness |
which hesitat1ng and undecided sex know
how to admire-and in ap instant had dey- |
terously and gracefully swung her to the |
ground, and again lifted her to the plat
form. An audible chuckle on the box.
fear. C me from that other cyr ic. ',Yuba
Bill. the driver. Look keerfulfy 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 walting-room-
Mr.. Hamnn 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 inmstes
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 sswas up with Com
anehe Jack" Yet much of this interest CEN
tired In tie horse, in community where
the time rc@de by French Pete's" mare.
in his rIp rom the sheriff of Calaveras.
ecllpsed e I cc1cern in the ultimate fate of /
that wortG-.
The swC n:ing fianks of his gray at length
recalled him 10 himself. He checked his
peed, and, tuning into a by-road-some-
lines used as cut off-trotted leisurely
along, the reins hanging hstlessly 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
culuvation-a Towering vine trailed over
the porch OF one cabin and woman rock
ed her Graded babe IN der the roses OF an
other A little farther on, Mr.. Hamlin
came upon some bare-legged children, wad-
ing In the wlllowy creek, and SO wrought
upon them with badinage peculiar to
himself that they were emboldened to climb
up his horses legs and over his saddle, un-
tll he was tain to develope an exaggerated
erocity OF demeanor. and TO escape, leav-
ing behind some kisses and coin. And
then, advancing deeper into the woods,
where all signs of habitation failed. he be-
gan to sing uplifting a tenor SO n2ulsi.
ly sweet and shaded by pathos SO SUBJ
DUNG and tender, that wot the robins
and lrnnets stopped to listen. Mr. 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 q spirit ineypres-
sibly touched Indeed. it was a wonderful
sight to see this sentimental blackleg, with ,
pack of cards In his pocket and q 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
overnowed the eyes of the listener. A
sparrog-hawk, fresh from his sixth victim,
possibly recognizing in Mr.. Hamlin 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.. Hamlin presently found himself
again on the high-road, and at his former :
pace bitches and banks of gravel, denud-
ed hill sides. and decayed trunks of trees
his approach to civilization
hcH nSnuACH-oeccPic Coiuc III bikut, dnu
he knew that he had reached home. In {
few moments he was clattering down the q
single narrow street, that lost itself in :
chaotic ruin # races. difches and tailings Q
at the foot of The hill, and dismounted be- Q
fore the glidsd windows of the Magnolia q
saloon Passing through the long bar r
room, be pushed open agreen-baize door, j
entered dark passage, opened another Il
door with pass-key. and found himslf in c
3 dimly-hghted room, whose furniture, r
though elegant and costly for the locality, b
showed signs of abuse The inIaid centre r
table was overlaid with stained disks that Il
were not contemplated in the original de-
sign The embroidered arm-chairs were c
1iscolored, and the green-velvet lounge on
which MIR. Hamlin threw himself. was soil v
ID at the foot with the soil OF Wingdam. 0
Mr.. HAualin did not sing in his cage"
BE lay still, looking st q highly-colored n
painting above him, representing young q
reature of opulent charms. It occurred n