Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-08-02

only remedy?" And could she not ride
bareback mustangs. and swim like a fish ?
''See the moon, jist like powder-horn,
an settin' right ON the limb o. that
tamarack ~ she cried.
Nonsense" replied L; ''you know
very well that the moon never comes out
Of the sky to sit on limbs"
| "Well, the rainbow comes out o. the
sky, sure for I've seen the hills a-shinin'
right through the end on it, where the
bag o. gold is; an see yonder, amt the
sky a-settin' right on top o. the mountains?
It's bound to have somethin' to set on
some place or other o. course"
Always disposed to evade metaphysical
discussions, | put quietus on her further
speech.
| Away we wheeled through the fragrant
spruce and pine and lovely manzanito,
| till we reached White 81 Hatch's house,
picturesque and welcome retreat.
Here Bluster recommended his fussi-
ness, by grabbing out and everhauling
everybody's baggage till he found his
| own, which he threw upon the porch, and
majestically demanded if supper were
ready? Supper ioas ready. Bluster was
up at three O'Clock next morning, arous-
ing the driver and entire house. Tipsy
at him through the open window, and
commencing him to perpetual fire and
birthstone, in language sublime and en-
phatic.
But nobody could sleep save the suave
Englishman and his wife, who emerged
at six O'Clock rosy and refreshed from a
morning bath. After surveying the sun
rise beauties with rapture, they replaced
their glasses, and, entering the dining
room, leisurely drank their coffee and par
took of the delicious breakfast: while
Bluster swore that he was not being put
through according to contract, and would
sue the agent upon reaching San
Francisco. The poet had been off on
an early ramble with the student, and
now and then came a musical jingling
of rhymes as they neared. Posy soon
emerged from the woods, bearing trO-
phy-a rattlesnake, still family squirm-
ing on stick. She had heard his alarm
by a sunny log where she had disturbed
the chilly fellow, and instead of fleeing
had turned and dispatched him. Bluster
was about pocketfng the eight rattles,
when Posy demurred. The Englishman
offered her dollar for them. To this |
objected, but recommended her giving
them to him, which she did.
Breakfast over, we again embarked,
Bluster having been hallooing I" All
aboard 20 for several minutes.
"Now, Old Lightnin', jist check your
baggage for kingdom come ~ was Tipsy
Jacks irreverent speech, as he refreshed
the inner man with double dram, and
deposited black bottle with red ribbon
around its neck upon the seat beside him.
We stopped at beautiful moss-tan-
gled rock, where spring of ice-cOld wa
ter flowed, and tall crimson blossoms bent
to view their sweet faces below. 1 saw
Posy stop in the road in earnest examina-
ton.
"He's been down to drink. Them's
fresh grizZly-tracks, bet your life !" said
she, essaying TO fit her own chubby feet
therein.
"Sure enough" said Jack; that fel-
Ter must ha' crossed here since the morn
in team went down." Whereupon I
scampered into the coach, and at once be-
came a disciple of Bluster on the subject
of dispatch.
Tipsy Jack frequently drew forth his
black bottle, and partook copiously of the
contents. This was his failing. A man
of honor and sterling integrity of word
and deed, he had almost drank himself
into his grave.
gentlemen take the reins, but he politely
informed me that he was "boss o. that
clipper, and III never give up the Ship"
Presently, he INDUCED in cat-naps, and
finally took long snooze as he rocked on
the seat. l became terrified, while Posy,
with perfect presence of mind and an
alteration for hOrse-flesh, quietly slipped
the reins from his hands, when he indig-
nantly aroused, but seeing who it was,
said, "All right, little Sorreltop," and re-
sumed his nap.
"Git up" cried Posy, and the four
spirited horses arched their necks and
wheeled round the cliff in perfect accord
under her guidance. Had she not as
sumed command just when she did, we
would doubtless have been dashed down
the precipice.
Although Tipsy Jacks normal condi-
ton was intoxication, yet he had never
before forgotten his duty, nor endangered
life; but drink was gaining upon him.
Expostulation from friends did no good.
What have got to live for p was his
invariable reply. mo home; nobody
that cares; so I'll jist be jolly, and die
game in the traces" How many thus 90
to wretched death, from need of good
home restraint
We ratified over tine bridge, and dashed
up to the hotel.
Bravop' cried Bill, the guide. "The
bravest girl In the countryw
Posy's valuable horse and COW expert
ence was learned during her life on the
mountain farm.
The Yosemite party continued their
journey next day, Bluster whipping his
mustang out of sight as the Englishman
made his polite adieus and merrily trotted
off.
We were soon cozily settled for the sea-
son in this lovely summer retreat. Early
the next morning after our arrival, 1
missed P0sy. Going in active search, I
found her surreptitiously returning from
the guide-house with my cut-glass bottle
of camphor and cup of tea. " He can't
eat nothin', an had jist better Sleep" she
said.
snow, Posy, you foolish GIRL" ex-
claimed, keep away from a drunken
man. Pm shocked. Here madam" /
added, turning to the pleasant landlady,
81 shall require but little of her time, so
yeu make her useful, and thus keep her
out of mischief"