Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-25
Misfellansous.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ROBERT FAIR.
WAY.
FROM TuE OVERLAND MONTHLY.

As Robert Fairway swung with careless,
yet graceful, step down Main Street, in
the sunny little town of San Dioso, more
than one OF the dark-eyed senoritas turn
ed laughing look toward him, for he was
handsome man; and as he crossed the
Plaza into the more modern and Ameri-
can portion of the town, there were cheer
ful salutations and gentle good-mornings
from the rosy damsels who were busy
with their gardens at the time. Fairwav
bore the reputation of u lady and
there were not wanting quiet little bits
of gossip, and slyy told stories of his
successes in the role Of roue, to add that
| splce OF danger to an acquaintanceship
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
only brick building in the village, and OPP
ening door having on it little tin sign
which told of Robert Fairway, Attorney
and 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 filled with well-kept vol
unles, the spotless floor, the straight,
| white curtains, and the rose in the tumbler
| OF waterfall gave tokens OF neatness. if
not system. Throwing up the window -
which opened upon balcony-and light
ing fresh cigar, he sat in the clear morn
ing sunlight. to all outward appearance Il
man thoroughly satisfied with himself and
all around him.
Yet this man was throwing his life away.
He was letting Il land practice worth a
competence slip through his fingers-was
neglecting every 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 we'll
and drove the best teams. When he
reached into his pocket tor the elegant
little knife with which he trimmed hi.
dainty mails, there always issued forth the
music OF iingling coins. His room rent
Tor the best parlor and bedroom at the
widows big house across the creek, and
his board-bll at the best hotel, were paid
TO the hour. His purse was ever open to
the call of friendship, or the cry of dis
tress. Educated in the law of Louisiana
he had passed his eXamination--which
in that State is rigid-with honor ant
credit. But he had also acquired there
the seeds of the fatal passion which was
now blighting his life; he was gambler
and a successful one. Cool, clear-head
ed, and calculating. he had made the
game OF Poker his study. and had mas
tered it. Having cast his lot in life
among the simple-minded and wealthy
| Spanards of the old Mission of San Di-
$50, with whom gaming was the passion
of their lives, he found ample means to
CRAFTY his taste His office was law
Office but in name the little back-room
was the real workshop, and the blanket
| covered table and few chairs the tools.
Here, night after night was spent in the
game. Almost every man of any conse-
quence in the town had, at some time or
other taken seat AT that table. Judges,
merchants, rancheroS, and doctors met
| there, with one common object. The
games were fair and above board: an ig-
nominious exit would have been the fate
of any one who should have dared to try
any ot the blacklegs games there. All
that was done or said at that board was on
honor, and the play was square contest
of skill and nerve and pluck, while nei-
ther losses nor winnings made any change
in the courteous demeanor of the men
who changed their gold there. One
would hardly realize, rs he sat there in
the bright light OF this morning. laZiy
putting his cigar, that this man could have
turned the whole current OF his life into
this channel.
a step on the stair started him from his
rcyeric, as a tall dark skinned, black
haired son of Spain entered the room.
"Caramba, but envy you your nerves !;
here YOU look as fresh as new-blown
rose, and AS clear as if you had slept the
sleep OF baby instead of being up at
that cursed game till daylight broke
out the new conner whose energetic salu-
tation was received with courty smile
! 10y Fairway. who pushed II chair toward
| him. with a careless 80, it's nothing when
ou're used "a it.' The Spaniard, who
was the hea>ies land-holder round about,
took the protfcred chair, and, producing
hi, packet OF cigarettes, proceeded to sol
ace himself with the weed. Jose Alvido
| had become, upon the death OF his father,
sole heii to the vast grant of land, ac-
quircd under the old Spanish Government
known as the San Sallcis Rancho, which
subsequent litigation has made familiar to
every one interested in the history ot land
matters in California. He had all the i'm
providence OF the Spaniard; and, disdain-
| ing work, was the source of sustenance to
the many human letches who hung around
the wealthy Spanards ut the time We
speak of. fairway was his legal adviser,
as we'll as his boon companion; and al
though he would have spurned the impu
talion OF dishonesty, was rapidly, and per-
haps partly unconsciously, drawing him
into the vortex which was destined TO i'm
poverish the one and enrich the other
Winning from him ready cash enough to
keep his pockets lined withyellow twenties
he could well afford 10 take contingent
fees of interests in his land in pay for
such legal services as he rendered. Thus
gaining IL ioothold on the estate, it re-
quires no great amount of thought to en-
able the reader to comprehend the man.
/ ner of his ultimate acquisition of large
part of it. Matters had reached very neal
this point on the morning of which write
The night before had been passed in q
game where stakes were high, and title
deeds formed the pool But, as yet, these
heavy losses and winnings were known
| only To the two nartips rested Fair