The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-06-29

others attitude of pert and saucy de-
fiance toward the audience. But even
as she spoke the poet tottered and sank
fainting upon the stage. Then she
threw despairing whisper behind the
scenes, Ring down the curtain"
There was slight movement of op-
position in the audience, but among
them rose the burly shoulders of Yuba
Bill, the tall, erect figure of Henry
York of Sandy Bar, and the colorless,
determined face of John Oakhurst. The
curtain came down.
Behind it knelt the California Pet
beside the prostrate poet. bring me
some water. Run for doctor. Stop
CLEAR OUT, ALL OF your
She had unloosed the gaudy cravat
and opened the shirt-collar of the in
sensible figure before her. Then she
burst into an hysterical laugh.
Manuela p
Her tiring- woman, o 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, tell
them he's gone. Do you hearr He's
gone"
The old woman did as she was bade.
In few moments the audience had de-
parted. Before morning so also had the
California Pet" Manuela, and-the
poet of Sierra Flat.
But, alas with them also had de-
parted 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 stain
less honor of their favorite actress. "It
was a mighty foolish thing to do, but
it'll all come out right yet On the
other hand, a majority gave her full
credit and appreciation for her undoubt-
ed pluck and gallantry, but deplored
that she should have thrown it away
upon worthless object. To elect for a
lover the despised and ridiculed vagrant
If Sierra Flat, who had not even the
manliness to stand up in his own de-
tense, was not only evidence of inherent
moral depravity, but was an insult to
the community. Col. Starbottle saw in
it only another instance of the extreme
frailty of the sex he had known similar
cases and remembered distinctly, Sir,
how well-known Philadelphia heiress,
one of the finest women that ever rode
i'll her kerridge, that, CAD, Sir, had
thrown over Southern member of Con-
gress to consort with id nigger
The Colonel had also noticed singular
look in the dogs eye which he did not
entirely fancy. He would not say any
thing against the lady, Sir, but he had
noticed-and here happily the Colonel
became so mysterious and darkly conf
dental as to be unintelligible and in
audible to the bystanders.
A few days after the disappearance of
Mr.. Chubbuck a singular report reached
Sierra Flat, and it was noticed that
Boston" who since the failure of his
elaborate joke had been even more de-
pressed in spirits than is habitual with
great humorists, suddenly found that
his presence was required in San Fran
cisco. But as yet nothing but the
vaguest surmises were ahoat, and moth
ing definite was known.
1t was pleasant afternoon when the
editor of the Sierra Flat Record looked
up from his case and beheld the figure
of Mr.. Morgan McCorkle standing in
the doorway. There was a distressed
look on the face of that worthy gentle
man that at once enlisted the editors
sympathizing attention. He held an
open letter in his hand as he advanced
toward the middle of the room.
As a man as has alters borne fair
reputation" began Mr.. McCorkle, slow
ly, 81 should like, if 80 be as l could,
Mister Editor, to make correction in
the columns of your valooable paper"
Mr.. Editor begged him to proceed.
"Ye may not disremember that about
month ago fetched here what 80 be
as we'll call young man, whose name
might be as it were Milton-Milton
Chubbuck."
Mr.. Editor remembered perfectly.
"That same party I'd knowed better
nor fower year, two on 'em campin' out
together. Not that I'd know him all
the time, fur he war shy and strange at
spells, and had odd ways that 1 took
war nat'ral to the borned poet. Ye may
remember that said he was a borned
poet 2"
The editor distinctly did.
81 picked this same party up in st.
Jo., and taking a fancy to his face,
and kinder calklating he'd runn'd away
from home-for I'm married man, Mr..
Editor, and hev children OF my own
and thinkin' belike he was borned
poet"
"Well 2" said the editor.
"And as said before, 1 should like
now to make correction in the columns
of your valooable paper"
"What correction Z" asked the editor.
II said, eff you remember my words,
as how he was borned poet"
Eyes"
"From statements in this yer letter,
it seems as how war wrong"
"Wellp
"She war woman"
BRET HARTE.
Monthly.
The VendOme Column.