The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-12-09
A CALIFORNIA .ApYENTURE,

down gentle forest siope,iI came iu-
sight off number Of 7ranche buildings,
grouped about, a ceutral open space. A
small stream flowed by the outbuildings,
and wound among chapparel covered
spurs below. Considerable crops of
grain had been gathered into a corral,
and number Of horses were quietly
straying about. Yet with all the evi.
dences of considerable possessions, the
whole place had an air of suspicious
mock repose. Riding into the open
square, | saw that one Of the buildings
was store, and to this I rode. tying
Kaweah to the piazza post.
thought the whole world slumbered
when l beheld the sole occupant of this
country store, red faced man In nanta-
looms and shirt, who 10y on his back
upon counter fast asleep, the handle of
a revolver grasped in his right hand. 1t
seemed to me if | were to wake him UP
little too suddenly he might misunder-
stand my presence and do some acciden-
tai damage; so l stepped back and
peked Kswesh, making hin. jump and
clatter his hoois, and at once the pro-
prietor sprung to the door, looking fus-
tered and uneasy.
asked him if he could accomm odate
me for the afternoon and night, and take
care of my horse to which he replied,
in a very leisurely manner, that there
was a bed, and something to eat, and
hay, and that if l was inclined to take
the chances l might stay.
Being in mind to take the chances, l
did stay, and my host walked out with
inc to the corral, and showed me whore
to get Kaweah hay and grain.
loaied about for an hour or two,
finding that Chinese cook was the only
other human being in sight, and then
concluded 10 pump the landlord. A
half hours trial thoroughly disgustcd
me. sand | gave it up rs I, bad job.
did, !, hewSseF, isestseiiat Rc.Aas i man q Of I
southern birth, of considerable educa-
ton, which u brutal lie and dcpraycd
mind had uos sufficed fully to oblitcratc.
lie seemed to care very little for his
business. which indeed was small enough,
for during the time [ spent there not a
single customer made his appearance.
The stock Of goods observed on exam-
nation to be chiefly fire arn,s and every
manner of gambling apparatus AMI
liquors; the few pieces of putfs, barrels,
aud boxes OF groceries appeared to be
disposed rather for ornament than actual
sale
from each OF ,hc man S trousers puck.
ats protruded the handle OF a Derringer,
aud behind his counter were arranged in
convenient positions, two or three double
barrelicd shot guns.
l remarked to HIM that he seemed to
have II handily arranged arsenal, at
which he regarded me with cool, quiet
stare, polished the handle oil one OF his
DerrinSers upon his trousers, examined
the percussion cup with grea. delibera-
tlun, and them with Il nod of the head
intended to convey great force, said,
"Iou don't live IN these parts, IA fact
for which icitsnot unthanklul.
The man drank brandy freely and
often, and ut intervals Of about an hour
called To his side plc,horic old cat
named Gospels" stroked her with nerv-
Gus rap'd!ty, swearing ut the same time
In so distrait and unconscious a manner
that he seemed mech ,nically talking to
himself
Whoever has travelled on the west
coast has not failed t. uotIcc the fear
iul volleys OF oaths which the oxen.
drivers hurl at their teams, but for in
genious flights of fancy profanity | have
never met the equal Of my host With
the most perfect good nature and un-
moved countcnance he uttered lorid
blasphemies, which, | think, must have
taken hours to invent. was glad when
bedtime Game, to be relieved OF his pre-.
sence, and especially pleased when he
took me to the little separate building
in which was narrow single oed Next
this building on the left was the cook.
house and dining room, and on the righ,
lay his own sleeping apartment. Directly
across the square, aud not more thau
sixty feet of, was the gate of the corral