The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-05-22
RETIRING FROM BUSINESS,
BY BRET HARTE.

w lltll Il4C SO1OASN NSt-1N-N~ST FtN7
nobody knew nor did anybody care,
particularly. He purchased for cash
only, and he never grumbled at the
prince of anything that he wanted;
who could ask more than that2
Curious people occasionally Won
dered how, when it had been fully
two years since the Colonel, with
every one else, abandonded Duck
Greek to the Chinese, he managed to
spend money freely, and to lose con
| siderable at cards and horse races.
In fact, the keeper Of that one OF
the two Challenge Hill saloons which
the Colonel did not patronize was
once heard to absent-mindedly won
der whether the Colonel hadn't a
4 money-mill somewhere where he
turned out double eagles and "slugs''
(the the Coast name for fifty-dolla1
gold pieces),
When SO important parsonage as
a bar-keeper indulged publicly IN an
idea the inhabitants Of Challenge
Hill, like good Californians every.
where, considered themselves il
duty bonud to give grave considera.
ton, SO for few days certain indus
trious, professional gentlemen, who
won money of the Colonel, carefully
weighed some of the brightest pieces
and tested them with acids and tast-
ed them and sawed them in two and
retired them and melted them up ano
had the'lumps assayed.
The result was a complete vindlca
ton of the Colonel, and loss o
considerable custom to the indlscree
bar-keeper.
The Colonel was as good-natured
man as had been ever known at Chal
lenge Hill, but being mortal, thu
Colonel had his occasional times o
dependency, and one them occurred
after a series Of races in which he
had staked his all on his own ba.
mare, Tipsie, and had lost.
Looking reproachfully at his be
loved animal he failed to heed th'
aching void Of his pockets, anc
drinking deeply, swearing eloquent
ly, and glaring defantly at all man
kind, were equally unproductiye o
coin. 1r
The boys at the saloon sympathize'
most feelingly with the Colonel; the,
, were unceasing in their invitations t
drink, and they even exhibited con
siderable Christian forbearance whet
) ) the Colonel savagely dissented wit
every one who advanced any propc
sition, no matter how incontrovertl
BILE.
But unappreciated sympathy grow
, decidedly tiresome to the giyer, an
it was with feeling of relief that tn
d boys saw the Colonel stride out {
), the saloon, mount Tipsie, and gallo
i furiously away.
Riding on horseback has alway
been considered an excellent sort
exercise, and fast riding is univel
sally admitted to be one of the mos
heaithful and delightful means
i of exhilaration in the world.
But when q man is SO absorbed
his exercise that he will not stop
(. speak to a friend, and When his e.
F. Ihilaration is so complete that /
turns his eyes from well-meanin
thumbs pointing singni6eantly' I'M
' doorways through which a man hi
often passed viii . seeking bracin
Influences, it is but natural that PEE
ple should express some wonder.
The Colonel was well known
= Toddy Flat, Cone Hand, Blazer
n. Murderer's Bar, and several 9TH
villages through which he passe
and as no one had been seen to pr
}, cede him, betting men were soon q
fering odds that the Colonel w
:, running away from somebody.
Y, Strictly speaking they were wron
h h. but they won all the money that HI
- been staked against them, for with
: half an hours time there passed oy
the same road an anxious-looking 1
s., dividual, who reined up in front
the principal saloon Of each plaC
and asked if the Colonel had passe
R. Had the gallant Colonel know
he that he was followed, and by whol
ct there would have been al extra elt
~. ton hell at the latter place We
= shortly after, for the pursher was t
constable of Challenge Hill, and
constables and all officers of the L
y the Colonel possessed hatred OF U
IS, speakable intensity.
rs, On galloped the Colonel, follow
the stage road, which threaded !
old mining camp on Duck creek; !
ted suddenly he turned abruptly out
the road, and urged his horse throu
| the pines and bushes, which 81
- thicily by the road, while the c.
stable gallopod' rapidly on to
next camp.
CT There seemed to be no p
VI VI through the thicket into which
ing lSa the Colonel had turned, but III
ali walked between the trees and shrI
lgo' as if they were the familiar object
her own stable-yard.
!, u Suddenly voice from the bus
cut shouted:
/. "What's up2"
"Business-that's what" repl
the Colonel.
"Its time; " replied the voice,
its owner-a bearded six-foote
emerged from the bushes and stro
Iipsies nose with the freedom Of
CID acquaintance, owe amt ha
nip since last night, and thar ain
] cracker or handful Of -four in
shanty. The old gal go back on
eyes" replied the Colonel, rue
'GiSc 'gk, fully, ''lost ey'ry blasted race
70 'Twasn't her fault, bless, her,
is. done her level best. Ey'Tybodl
homer
"You bet" said the man.
ben a prayin' for yer to turn up
N /, the rocks, an somethin' with n
n J color than spring water. Come