Smyrna times., 1874-05-13
mise eI/UW e on S i.
Retiring from Business.
BY BRET HARTE.

What the colonels business was nobody
knew, nor did any one care particularly. lie
nurchased for cash only, and he never grumb.
led at the price of anything that he wanted;
who could ask more than that!
Curious people occasionally wondered hoIW'
when it had been fully two years since the
colonel with every one else, abandoned Duck
Creek 70 the Chinese, he managed to spend
money freely, and to lose con siderable at cards
anil horse races In fact the keeper OF that
one Of the two Challenge Hill saloons which
the colonel did not patrOnlze was once heard
70 ab<entniindedly wonder whether the colonel
hadn't money mill somewhere where he
turned out double eagles and slugs tine
coast name tor fifty dollar gold pieces
When SO important parsonage as bar
keeper INDUCED publicly in an idea, the IN
hsbitants of Challenge Hill, like good Calltor-
mans everywhere, considered themselves III
dutv hound to give it grave consideration, so
for a few days certain industrious professional
gentlemen, who won money OF the colonel'
carefully weighed some of the brightest pieces
ami tested them with acids, and tasted them
and saved them intwo, and retired them and
melted them up aud had the Jumps assayed.,
The result was a complete vlndIcatlon OF the
colon-l and a loss of considerable custom to
the indiscreet baTkeeper.
The colonel was as good natured man as
had ever been known at Challenge l1lll' ou'
being mortal, the colonel had his occaslona
times of despondency, and one OF them occur
r.J fir a series of races in which he hat
stak.d his all on his own bay mare Ilpsle, anC
Looking reproachfully at his beloved anima
filled 70 heal the aching void OF his pockets
and drinking deeply, swearing eIoqusntly' an
glaring def lnty at all mankind, were equail
unproluctlve OF CON-. =,
the bows at the saloons sympathlZed mos
fealingly with the colonel They were uncea'
;ng in their invitations to drink, and they eve
eThibited considerable Christian torbearanc
when the colonel savagely dissented with ever
one who advanced any proposition, no matte
how incoatrovertlble.
Rut unappreciated sympathy grows declC
edly tircsome to the glver, and II was Win
feeling of relief that the boys saw the colon
e,r;de out OF the saloon, mount Ilpsle, az
gallOp furously away.
Riding on horseback has always been CO.
sidered an excellent sort OF exercise ana Ia
riding is universally admitted to be one OF Il
most healthfuI and delightful means OF exhll
ration in the word.
But when a man is so absorbed IN his exc
else that he will not stop to speak to irlen
and when his exhilaration is so complete tn
he turns his eyes from well meaning thum
pointing significantly into doorways thr0u
which a m IN has often passed while seeKl
braelng influences, it is but natural that peoI
should express some wonder. :, ~,
The colonel was we'll known at Toddy FL
Cone Hand, Blazers, Murderer par
several other villages through which he pass
asn1 one had been seen TO precede nj
netting men were seen Offering odds that
colonel was running away from somebody
Strictly speaking they we're wrong, but IL
won all the money that had been staked agal
them, for within half an hours time th
passed over the same road an anxious look
Individual, who reined up in front OF the pl
cipal saloon OF each place, and asked II
colonel had passed
Had the gallant colonel known that he
followed. and By whom, there would have b
an extra election held at the latter place '
shortly after, for the pursuer was the con
HE Of Chullenge Hill and for cOnstabes
all officers of the law, the colonel posses
hatred of unspeakable intensity.
On gaIoped the colonel, following the st'
road which threaded the old mining camp
Duck Greek: but suddenly he turned a6ru
out of the road and urged his horse thrc
the Young mines and bushes which grew thl
hv the road, while the constable galloped
idly on to the next camp =,
There seemed to be no path through
thicker into which the colonel had turned,
Tipsie walked between the trees and 6ush'
il they we're the familiar objects OF her
stable-yar
Suddenly voice from the bushes Shou
What's upP
Business--thafs what" replied the
onel.
Its time" replied the voice, and
owner-a bearded six x-fOoter-emerged
the bushes, and StrOked Tipse's nose will
freedom OF an old acquaintance. We
had nip since last night, an thar al
cracker or handful Of -four in the sh
The old gal 60 back on yer?' =