The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-10

Quiet and uncommunicative, Ire would
sit there patiently Watching him at his
work until the hour for closing the office
arrived, when he would as quietly de-
part. There was something so humble
and nnobtrusive in these visits, that the
editor could not find il in his heart to
deny Them, and Accepting them, like the
woodpeckqs, as 0 part Of his sylvan sur
rouhdingsi often fofgot even his pres
erce. Once or twice moved by some
beauty Of expression 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 the gor-
geous neclS-tie, he Invariably thought
better Of it. The case was evidently
hopeless. 80 ~ n
Tho interview between Mr.. Chubbucll
and the california Pet" took place in q
private room Of the Union Hotel pro-
priety being respected by the presence
OF that aroh-humorist, 'Boston. > To
this gentleman we are indebted fer 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, hkemost poets, exceedingly voluble.
Accustomed us the "California Pet" had
been to excessive compliment, sho was
fairly embarrassed by the extrayagant
praises Of her visitor. Her personation
Of bey characters, her dancing Of the
champion Jig were particularly dwelt
upon with fervid but unmistakable admi-
ration. > AT last, recovering her audacity
and emboldened blythe presence Of "Bos-
tom" the. "Calisornia Pet" electrified her
hearers BY demanding, half jestingly,
half viciously, IL itwere as boy or girl
that she was the subject OF his fiattering
admiration.
"That Knocked him out o time" said
the delighted "Boston,n in his subse-
qnent account OF the interview. "But
do you believe the - fool actually
asked her to take him with her; wanted
10 engage in the company t
The plan, as briefly unfolded by "Bos-
ton," was to preyail upon Mr.. Chubbuck
to1make his appearance in costume (al-
ready designed and prepared by the in
yentor) before iaSierra Flat audience,
and recite an original poem at the Hall
Immediately on the conclusion OF the
."California PETS performance. AT q
given .ignal the audience were to rise
and deliver yolley Of unangory articles
(previously provided BY the originator Of
the scheme); then q select few werc to
rush on the stage, seize the poet, and,
after marching him in triumphal process
sion through town, were To- deposit him
beyond its uttermost limits, with strict
injunctions never to dntarit again. To
the first part Of the plan the poet was
committed, fer the latlqr portion IL was
easy enough To find participants. zllt
The eyentful night dame and with il
an audience TINT packed the long narrow
room with one dense mass of human be-
ings. The "Califor1lia Pet' never had
been SO Joyous, SO reckless, 20 fascinating
and audacious before. But the applause
was tame and wealt compared TO the IRON
ical outburst that greeted the second
rising Of the curtain and lh6 entrance Of
the born poet of slena Flat. Then
there was hush Of expectancy, and the
poet stepped to. the foot lights and stood
with his manuscript inhis hand.
His face was deadly pile. Either
there was some suggestion Of his fatein
the faces Of his audience; or some myste-
rious instinct told him Of bis danger. He
attempted to speak, but ALTERED, tot
tered, and staggered to the wings.
Fearful Of losing hiA prey, "Boston1
gave the signal and ileaped upon the
stnge. But at the same moment n light
figure darted from behind the scenes,
and delivering kick that sent the dis
comfted iumorists back among the mu-
sicie.s, cut q pigeon wing executed n
double-shuffle, and, tler advancing to
the foot-lights with that inimitable looks
that audacious swagger and utter dba,.
don which had so thrilled and fascinated
them moment before, uttered the char
acteristic speech 'Wot arc you gcin' 70
hit q man fur, when he's down, s-a-a-y 2"
The look, the drawl, the action, the
readiness, and above all the downright
courage Of the little woman, had It's eff
feet. A roar Of sympathetic applause
followed the act. ''Cut and run while
you cam she whispered hurriedly over
her one shoulder, without altering the
others attitude OF pert and sauey def
ance toward the audience. But even as
she spoke the poet tottered and sank
fainting upon thestage. Then she threw
q despairing whisper behind the scenes,
sRing down the escnrtain.n sqi
b There yps o plight movement Of oppo-
sition in TIN audience but among them
rose the burly shoulders Of Yuba Bill,
the tell. erect figure Of Henry York Of
Sandy Bar, md the colorless, determined
face Of John oakbursk The curtain
came down. " ill'ANlN
Behind IL lmelt the nCalifornia Pet
beside the prostrate poet. ,Bring me
some water. Run for q doctor Stop ! !
Clear out, all Of you r. az
She had unloosed the gaudy cravat
and opened the Hhirt-collar Of the insens
Bible figure before her. Then abe burst
into an hyaterical laugh. .5a "a
'MIanuela ~ M, s,f
Her firing woman, q Mexican half
breed, came toward her. AZ, :,
"Help me with him 10 my dressing.
room, quick; then stand outside md
wait II any one questions you, tell
them he's gone. Do you hear ? He's
gone.n ". !,
The old woman. did as abe wns badc.
Ina few moments the audience had do
parted. Before morning 30 nlso Ind the
''Callfornia Pet,e ManuelA, and the
post Of Siurrn F1nt. ,ilaie3
{ But, alas with them also had depart
ed the fair inmo OF the vCaliiornin Pct. =
Only q iow, and these IL iH 70 DO feared
Of not the best moral character thoin-
nelyou, still had fifth III the stainless
honor Of their lhyonle aolress. s'It was
n nmighiy foolieh Hiinn ID do, but il'll MI
como out right yekf on the other
hand, 4 majority gayo her full credit and
Appreciation Tor her iindoubtod plnck
and gai;Aniry, but dcploted that shd
shouid have thrown Il AWAY upon q
xvorkhlasa ohiecf tn elect lor 4, lnyef