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

heart by storm. A saucy, pretty bru-
nette, she had preserved wonderful
moral reputation even under the Jove-
like advances of showers of gold that
greeted her appearance on the stage at
Sierra Flat. Appointment and delighted
member of that audience was Milton
Chubbuck. He attended every night.
Every day he fingered at the Union Ho-
tel for glimpse of the California Pet"
1t was not long before he received note
from her-in Boston's" most popular
and approved female hand-acknowledg-
ing his admiration. 1t was not long be-
fore "Boston" was called upon to indite
suitable reply. At last, in further
ance of his facetious design, it became
necessary for Boston" to call upon the
young actress herself and secure her
personal participation. To her he un-
folded a plan, the successful carrying
out of which he felt would secure his
fame to posterity as practical humor-
ist. The California Pets" black eyes
sparkled approvingly and mischievously.
She only stipulated that she should see
the man frst-a concession to her fem
mime weakness whsch years of dancing
Juba and wearing trousers and boots
had not wholly eradicated from her will
full breast. By all means, it should be
done. And the interview was arranged
for the next week.
1t must not be supposed that during
this interval of popularity Mr.. Chub-
buck had been unmindful of his poetic
qualities. A certain portion of each day
he was absent from town" a commun-
in with uatur'," as Mr.. McCorkle ex-
pressed it, and actually wandering in
the mountain trails, or lying on his
back under the trees, or gathering frag-
rant herbs and the bright-colored ber-
ries Of the Marzanita. These and his
company he generally brought to the
editors Office late in the afternoon, often
to that enterprising journalists infinite
WEAKNESS. Quiet and uncommunicative,
he would sit there patiently watching
him at his work until the hour for clos
ing the Office arrived, when he would as
quietly depart. There was something 80
humble and unobtrusive in tn 'se visits,
that the editor could not find it in his
heart to deny them, and accepting them
like the woodpeckers, as a part of his
sylvan surroundings, often forgot even
his presence. Once or twice moved by
some beauty of expression in the moist,
shy eyes, he felt like seriously admonish.
ing his visitor of his idle folly; but his
glance falling upon the oiled hair and
the georgeous neck-tie, he invariably
thought better of it. The case was evil
IDENTIFY hopeless.
The interview between Mr.. Chubbuck
and the California Fet," took place in
u private room of the Union Hotel, pro-
priety being respected by the presence
of that arch-humorist, A." Boston," To
this gentleman we are indebted for the
only true account of the meeting. How
ever reticent Mr.. Chubbuck might have
been in the presence of his own sex, to-
ward the fairer portion of humanity, he
was, like most poets, exceedingly voluble.
Accustomed as the California Pet"
had been to excessive compliment, she
was fairly embarrassed by the extrava-
CANT praises of her visitor. Her person.
alton of boy characters, her dancing of
the Champion Jig" were particularly
dwelt upon with fervid but unmis-
taxable admiration. At last, recovering
her audacity, and emboldened by the
presence of Boston," the California
Pet" electrified her hearers by demand
ing, half jestingly, half viciously, if it
were as a boy or girl that she was the
subject OF his Hattering admiration.
"That knocked him out O. time" said
the delighted Boston," in his subse-
quent account of the interview. "But
do you believe the ID fool actually
asked her to take him with her wanted
to engage in the company"
The plan, as briefly unfolded by " Bos-
ton," was to prevail upon Mr.. Chubbuck
to make his appearance in costume
(already designed and prepared by the
inventory before a Sierra Flat audience,
and recite an original poem at the Hall
Immediately on the conclusion of the
California Pets" performance. At
given signal the audience were to rise
and deliver volley of unsavory articles
previously provided by the originator of
the scheme); then. select few were to
rush on the stage, seize the poet, and,
after marching him in triumphal pro-
cession through town, were to deposit
him beyond its uttermost limits, with
ohifNp 4hJo1IliOAb hCNOI W tuUtE III
again. To the first part of the plan the
poet was committed, for the latter por-
ton it was easy enough to find partici-
pants.
The eventful night came, and with it
an audience that packed the long, mar
row room with one dense mass of human
beings. The California Pet" had never
been SO joyous, so reckless, so fascinat-
ing and audaclous before. But the ap-
plause was tame and weak, compared to
the ironical outburst that greeted the
second rising of the curtain, and the
entrance of the born poet of Sierra Flat.
Then there was hush of expectancy,
and the poet stepped to the foot-ights,
and stood with his manuscript in his
hand.
His face was deadly pale. Either
there was some suggestion of his fate in
the faces of his audience, or some mys-
Lerious instinct told him of his danger.
He attempted to speak, but faltered, tot
tered, and staggered to the wings.
Fearful OF losing his prey. "Boston"
gave the signal and leaped upon the
stage. But at the same moment light
igure darted from behind the scenes,
and delivering kick that sent the dis
comfited humorist back among the mu-
sicians, cut a pigeon-wing, executed a
1ouble-shufile, and then advancing to
the foot-lights with that inimitable look,
that audacious swagger and utter aban-
don which had SO thrilled and fascinated
them a moment before, uttered the char
aoteristic speech: "Wot are you goin'
10 hit a man fur, when hes down,
,-n-a-yf"