National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-07-07

bhe editor.
Milton"
II was the flr-two,-l that the born poet
had 1'eken during the interview, and hi
voice was SO very sweet and musical that
the editor looked at him curiously, and
wondered II he had n sister.
Milton is that all ?"
'Thet's his furst name" explained
Mr.. McCorkle.
The editor here suggested that rs there
had been another poet of that name
"Milt might be took for him Thet's
bad" reflected Mr.. McCorkle with sim
pie gravity. "Well, put down his hull
name, Milton Chubbnck,
The editor made note of the fact.
I'm set il up now," he said This was
also hint that the interview was ended.
The poet and patron, arm in arm drew
towards the door. I'm next weeks pa
per-" said the editor, smilingly, in answer
to the ehild-like look Of inquiry in the
eyes of the poet, and in another moment
they were gone,
The effect Of the poem on Sierra Flat
was remarkable and unprecedented.
The absolute vileness of its doggerel, the
gratuitous imbecility of its thought, and
above all the crowning audacity of the
fact that it was the work of citizen and
published in the county paper, brought
it instantly into popularity. For many
months Calaveras had languished for a
sensation since the last vigilance com
mttce nothing had transpired to dispel
the hstless enaM begotten of stagnant
business and growing civilization. The
paper was in such demand that the edi-
ton was speedily exhausted In brief,
the poem Of Mr.. Milton Chubbuck came
like a special providence to Sierra Flat.
1t was real by camp-fres, in lonely cab
ins, in flaring bar-rooms and noisy sa-
looms, and declaimed from the boxes of
stage-coaches. II was sung in Poker
Flat with the addition of local chorus,
and danced as an unhallowed rhythmic
dance by the Pyrrhic phalanx of One
Horse Gulch, known as "The Festive
Sags of Calaveras. Some unhappy
antiquities of expression gave rise to
many new readings, notes and commen-
taries, which, l regret to state, were
more often marked by ingenuity than
delicacy of thought or expression.
Never before did poet acquire such
sudden local reputation. From the Sc
clusion of McCorkle's cabin and the OBJ
security of culinary labors, he was hailed
forth into the glowing sunshine of Fame.
The name of Chubbuck was written in
letters of chalk on unpainted walls, and
carved with a pick on the sides of tun-
nels. A drink known variously as ''The
Chubbuck Tranquillizer, or 1.-The Chub-
buck Exalter," was dispensed at the bars
For some weeks rude design for q
Chubbuck statue, made up of illustra-
tions from circus and melodeon posters,
representing the genius of Calaveras in
brief skirts on flying steed in the act of
crowning the poet Chubbuck, was visible
at Keeler's Ferry. The poet himself was
overborne with invitations to drink and
sxtravagant congratulations. The meet
ing between Colonel Starbottle of Sisky-
lon and Chubbuck, as previously ar
ranged by our Boston" late of Roaring
Camp, is said to have been indescribably
affecting The Colonel embraced him
unsteadily. II could not return TO my
constituents at Siskylon, sir, if this hand
which has grasped that of the gifted
Prentice and the lamented Poe should
not have been honored by the touch of
the godlike Chubbuck. Gentlemen,
American literature is looking up.
Thank you, l will take sugar in mine. )"
II was Boston who indited letters of
congratulations from H. W. Longfellow,
Tennyson, and Browning to Mr.. Club
buck, deposited them in the Sierra Flat
post-otfice, and obligingly consented to
dictate the replies.
The simple faith and unaffected delight
with which these manifestations were
received by the poet and his patron
might have touched the hearts of these
grim masters of irony, but for the sud
den and equal development in both of
the variety of weak natures. Mr. Me-
Corkle basked in the popularity of his
pyoteqe and became alternately supercil-
ious or patronizing toward the dwellers
of Sierra Flat while the poet with hair
carefully oiled and curled, and bedecked
with cheap jewelry and Haunting neck
handkerchief, paraded himself before the
single hotel. As may be imagined, this
new disclosure of weakness afforded in
tense satisfaction to Sierra Flat, gave an
other lease Of popularity to the poet, and
suggested duotlleT iucd W tlc iuCttiouo
"Boston.
At that time n young lady popularly
and professionally known as the Cali
fornia Pet" was performing to enthusias-
tic audiences in the interior. Her spe-
ciality lay in the personation of youthful
masculine character +; as a gdmiR of the
street she was irresistible, rs n negro
dancer she carried the honest miners
heart by storm. A saucy, pretty bru.-
nette, she had preserved a wonderful
moral reputation even under the Jove-
like advances of showers of gold that
greeted her appearance on the stage at
Sierra Flat. A prominent and delighted
member of that audience was Milton
Chubbuck. He attended every night
Every day he fingered at the door of the
Union Hotel for glimpse of tue Cali
fornia Pet" 1t was not long before he
received note from her,-in "Boston's'
most popular and approved female hand,
acknowledging his admiration. 1t was
not long before Boston" was called up
on to indite q suitable reply. At last,
in furtherance of his facetious design, it
became necessary for Boston" to call
upon the young actress herself and Sc
cure her personal participation. To her
he unfolded plaE, the successful carry
ing out of which he felt would secure his
fame TO posterity as practical humor-
ist. The California Pets" black ewes
sparkled approvingly and mischievously.
She only stipulated that she should see
the man first,-a concession to her femi-
nine weakness which years of dancing
Juba and wearing trousers and boots had
not wholly eradicated from her willful
breast. BY all means, it should be done.
And tbe interview was arranged for the