Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-06-30


at his work, until the hour for closing the
Office arrived, when he would as quietly
depart. There was something so humble
and unobtrusive in these visits that the
oCator could not find 1t in his heart to deny
them, and accepting them, like the wood
peckers, as part of his sylvan surround.
ings, often forgot even his presence. Once
or twice, moved by some beauty of ex-
preston in the moist, shy eyes, he felt like
seriously admonishing his visitor of his
idle folly; but his glance falling upon the
oiled hair and tho gorgeous necktic, he
invariably thought better of It, The case
was evidently hopeless.
The interview between Mr.. Chubbuck
and the california Pet took place in a
private room of the Union Hotel, propri.
ETY. being respected by the presence of that
arch h-humorist, Boston. TO this gen
tleman we are indebted for the only true
account of the meeting. However reticent
Mr.. Chubbuck might have been in the
presence of his own sex, toward the fairer
portion of humanity he was like most
poets, exceedingly volublo. Accustomed
as the California Pet" had been to OK
cessive compliment, she WAS fairly embar-
rassed by the extravagant praises of her
visitor. Her personatiOn of boy Charac.
ters, her dancing of the "Champion
jig" were particularly dwelt upon.
AT last, recovering her audacity, and
emboldened by the presence of "Bos.
ton" the California Pet" electrified her
hearers by demanding, half iestingly, half
viciously, if IL were rs boy or girl that
she was the subject of his tiattering ad-
miration.
"That knocked him out o. time" said
the delighted Boston," III his subsequent
account of the interview. "But do you
believe the fool actually asked her to take
him with her; wanted to engage in the
The plan, as briefly unfolded by "Bos.
ton" was to prevail upon Mr. Chubbuc1
to make his appearance in costume (al-
ready designed and prepared by the in
ventor) before a Sierra Flat audience, and
recite an original poem at the Hall imme-
diately on the conclusion of the cali
fornia Pets " performance. AT a given
signal the audience were to rise and de-
liver volleY of unsavory articles (pre-
viously provided by the originator of the
scheme); then Il select few were to rush on
the stage, seize the poet and, after march
ing him in triumphal procession through
town, were to deposit him beyond It's utter
most limits, with strict iniunctions never
to enter it again. To the first part of the
plan the poet was committed, for the latter
portion 1t was easy enough to find partici-
pants.
The eventful night came, and with it an
audience that packed the long narrow
room with one dense mass of human be-
ings. The California Pet " never had
been so joyous, so reckless, so fascinating
h.,fs, 1p.,tt tI,n
was tame and weak compared to the ironi
cal outburst that greeted the second rising
of the curtain and the entrance of the
born poet of Sierra Flat. Then there
was a hush of expectancy, and the poet
stepped to the foot lights and stood with
his manuscript in his hand.
His face was deadly pale. Either there
was some suggestion of bis fate in the
faces of his audience, or some mysterious
instinct told hun of his danger. lie at
tempted To speak, but faltered, tottered,
and staggered TO the wings.
Fearful of losing his prey, "Boston
gave the signal and leapcd upon the
stage. But at the same moment light
figure darted from behind the scenes, and
delivering kick that sent the discounted
humorist back among the musicians, cut a
executed double-shuiile,
and then advancing to the footlights with
that inimitable look, that audacious swag-
ger and utter abandon which had so thrill
led and fascinated them moment before,
uttered the characteristic speech: "Wot
are you goin' to hit man fur, when he's
down, s.a-a-y?"
The look, the drawl, the action, the
and, above all, the downright
of the little woman, had its effect
A roar of sympathetic applause followed
the act. "Cut and run while you can -
she whispered, hurriedly, over her one
shoulder, without altering the others atti
tudc of pert and saucy defiance toward the
audience. But even as she spoke the poet
tottered and sank fainting upon the stage
Then she threw despairing whisper be-
hind the scenes: Ring down the cur
tain"
There was slight movement in oppo-
siiion in the audience, but among them
rose the hurley shoulders of Yuba Bill,
the tall, erect figure of Henry York, of
Sandy Bar, and the colorltss, determined
face of John Oakhurst. The curtain came
down.
Behind it knelt the "Caliiornia Pet" he.
side the PROSTATE poet. Bring me some
water. Run for doctor. Stop!! Clear
Pat, all Of yOu"
She had unloosed the gaudy cravat and
opened the shirt-cOllar of the insensible
figure before her. Then she burst into an
hysterical laugh.
"Manuela =
Her firing woman, Mexican half breed,
came toward her.
"Help me with him to my dressing
room, quick; then stand outside and wait
If any one questions you, TIL them he's
gone. Do you hear? Hes gone"
The old woman did as she was bade In
= few moments The audience had departed
Before morning so also had tic "Califor-
mia Pet" hanucla, and-the poet of Sierra
Flat
But alas! with them also had departed
The fair fame of the California Pet"
Only few, and these, it is TO be feared, of
not the best moral character themselves,
still had faith in the stainless honor of
their favOrite actress. " II was mighty
foolish thing to do, but it II come out right
yet" On the other hand, majority gave
her full credit and appreciation for her
pluck and gallantry, but de-
plored that she should have thrown it
away upon worthless object. To elect
for lover the despised and ridiculed va
grant Of Sierra Flat, who had not even
.he manliness to stand up in his own de-
Iense, was not only evidence of inherent
moral depravity, but was an insult to the
Colonel Starbottle saw in it
)nly another instance of the extrene
'railty of the sex he had known similar
cases; aud remembered distinctly,
sir, how well. known Philadelphia heir,
ess, one of the finest women that
aver rode in her kerridge, that, CAD, sir |
lad thrown over a Southern member of
Congress to consort with a "nigger."
The Colonel had also noticed singular
ook in the dogs eye which he did not en-
irely fancy. lie would not say anything
against the lady, sir, but he had noticed
And here haply the Colonel became so
mysterious and darkly confidential as TO
DC unintelligible aud inaudible TO the by
itanders.
A few days after the Disappearance of
Mr.. Chubbuck singular report reached
Sierra Flat, and IL was noticed that "Bos.