Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-23
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WHAT BECAME OF ROBERT FAIRWAY

lne of the dark -cycd senoriias turned a laugh-
ng look toward him, for he was a handsome
nan; and as be crossed the Plaza into the
more modern and American portion Of the
own, there were cheerful salutations aud gem
lie good.mornings from the rosy damseIs who
we're busy with their gardens at the time
Fairway bore the reputation Of lady's-
man and there were not wanting quiet lit
tie bits Of gossip, and slyly told stories Of
his Successes in the role OF roue, to add that
spice Of danger to an cquaintanceship which
young girls seem TO love so well, and which,
at the early day Of which | write, was no bar
to entrance into the best California society.
sauntering on, passing the hotel with its
morning group Of idlers, he turned up the
stairs Of the first and only brick building in
the village, and opening a door having on it
a little tin sign which told Of " Robert Fair.
way, Attorney aud Counselor-at-law,' walked
in. The place was small, yet neatly fitted up
and tidy. The carefully assorted papers on
the table which served for desk, the plain
redwood shelves filed with well-kept volumes,
the spotless floor, the straight white curtains,
and the rose in tumbler Of waterfall gave
Aoktus VI uthAutHrt II upN SNtus lulbN lhE
up the window-which opened upon a bal
cony--and lighting fresh cigar, be sat in the
clear morning sunlight, to all outward ap-
pearance a man thoroughly satisfied with him
self and all around him.
Yet this man was throwing his life away.
He was letting land d.practce worth compe-
tence slip through his 6ngers--was neglect.
ing evcy interest intrusted to his care, until
clients dropped away from him one By one
was worse than wasting the best years OF
his life. Still, he was in no want Of money.
He always dressed well, and drove the best
teams When he reached into his pocket
for the elegant little knife with which he
trimmed his dainty nails, there always ISSUED
forth the music Of jingling coins. His room
rent for the best parlor and bedroom at thu
widows big house across the creek, and hi
board.bill at the best hotel, were paid to tn,
hour. His purse was ever open to the cal
of friendship, or the cry of distress. Edu
Gated in the law in Louisiana he had passed
his xamination-whicb, in that State, i:
rigid--with honor and credit. But he bad
also acquired there the seeds Of the fatal pas
sion which was now bighting his life he
was a gambler--and a successful one Cool
clear headed, and calculating, he had mad,
the game Of Poker his study, and had master
ed it. Having cast his lot in life among th
simple-mind and wealthy Spaniards of the oil
Mission of San Dioso, with whom gaming
was the passion of their lives, he found amp
means to crafty his taste His Office was
aw.ofice but in name the little back-roon
was the real workshop, and the blanket.cov
cred table and few chairs the tools Here
night after night was spent in the game. Al
most every man Of any consequence in tn
town had, at some time or another, taken
seat at that table. Judges, merchants, ran
cheros, and doctors met there, with one com
mon object. The games were fair and above
board an ignominious exit would hav
been the fate of any one who should hav
dared to try any of the backlegs game
there. All that was done or said at that boar
was on honor, and the play was a square con
test Of skill and nerve and pluck while Meth
er losses nor winnings made any change i
the courteous demeanor of the men VIII
changed their gold there. One would hardl
realize, as he sat there in the bright light
this morning, lazily putting his cigar, that th
man could have turned the whole current q
his life into this channel.
A step on the stair started him from hi
reverie, as a tall, dark-skinned, blaek.haire
sou Of Spain entered the room. "Caramba
but envy you your nerves-here you loo
as fresh as new-blown rose, and as clear Q
if you had slept the sleep of a baby iustea
of being up at that cursed game till daylight,
broke out the newcomer whose energetic sa
utation was received with courtly smile b
Fairway, who pushed a chair toward hin
with careless 40, it's nothing when you al
used to. it, The Spaniard, who was Il
heaviest land-holder round about, took Il
profered chair, and producing his packet
cigarettes, proceeded to solace himself wit
the weed. Jose Alyido had become, upc
the death Of his father, sole heir to the va
grant Of land, acquired under the old Spa
ish Government, known as the San Sale
Rancho, which subsequent ligitaton has MAJ
familiar to every one interested in the hi
tory Of land matters in California He hi
all the improvidence Of the Spaniard-al
disdaining work, was the source of sustena
to the many human leeches who hung aroul
the wealthy Spaniard at the time we spei
Of Fairway was his legal adviser, as We
as his boon companion and although
would have spurned the imputation Of di
honesty, was rapidly and surely, but pc
haps unconsciously, drawing him into Il
vortex which was destined 10 impoverish 4
one and enrich the other. Winning fro
him ready cash enough to keep his pocke
well lined with yellow twenties, he could w
afford to take contingent fees of interests
his land in pay for such legal services as
rendered. Thus gaining foot-hold on Il
, estate, it requires no great amount OF thong
to enable the reader to comprehend the ma
ner Of his ultimate acquisition Of a larl
part of il, Matters had reached very ne
this point on the morning of which | writ
The night before had been passed in gan
where stakes were high, and title.deeds forr
ed the pool. But as yet these heavy loss
and winnings we're known only TO the tV
parties interested Fairway knew his ma
well enough to be content with the simp
entry in his private memorandum-book Of Il
acknowledgment Of debt; aud Alyido, in h
simplicity, recognized such obligations I
binding in honor, il not in law.
The meeting this morning had been arranl
ed between the men for the purpose OF straigb
ening out and putting in legal shape the
debts and conyeysnces. Books and pape
! we're produced and to Alyidos surprise,
found that fully one.half Of his properi
would have TO be conveyed away to clear u
the accounta He was moody and silent, I
L.