The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-05-25
Retiring from Business,

" hat the colonel's business was nobody
knew, nor did any one care, particularly.
He purchased for cash only, and he never
grumblcd at the price Of any thing that he
wanted who could ask any more than
that?
Curious people occasionally wondered
how. when it had been fully two years
since the colonel with every one else.
abandoned Duck Creek to the Chinese, he
managed to spend money freely, and to
lose considerable 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 abb
sent-mindedly wonder whether the colonel
hadn't money mill somewhere, where he
turned out double eagles and ''slugs" (the
Coast name for fty-dollar gold pieces.
When SO important a parsonage rs a
bar-keeper indulged publicly in an idea,
the inhabitants of Challenge Hill like
good Californians everywhere. considered
themselves in duty bound to give it grave
consideration, so for few days certain in
dustrious professional gentlemen, who
weighed some of the brightest pieces and
tested then with acids, and tasted them
and sawed them in two, and retired them
and melted them up, and had the Jumps
assayed
The result was a complete yindication
of the colonel. and loss OF considerable
custom to the indiscreet bar-keeper.
The colonel was as good natured man
as had ever been known at Challenge Hill,
but, being mortal. the colonel had his oc
casional times OF dependency, and one of
them occurred after series of races in
which he had staked his all on his own
bay mare Tipsie, and had lost.
Looking reproachfuly at his beloved
animal tailed to heal the aching void OF
his pockets. and drinking deeply, swear
ing eloquently and glaring detiantly at all
mankind were equally unproductiye Of
coin.
The BOYS at the saloon sympathized
most feelingly with the colonel they We're
unceasin9 in their Invitations to drink.
and they even exhibited considerable
Christian torbearance when the colonel
savagely dissented with every one who
advanced any position, no matter how in
controvertible.
But unappreciated sympathy grows de-
cidedly tiresome to the giver, and it was
with feeling Of relief that the boys saw
the colonel stride out of the saloon, mount
Tipsie, and gallop furiously away.
Riding on horseback has always been
considered an excellent sort Of exercise,
and fast riding is universally admitted to
be one of the most healthful and delight
tul means of exhilaration in the world.
But when a man is so absorbed in his
exercise that he will not stop to speak to
a friend and when his exhiaration is so
complete that he turns his eyes from we'll
meaning thumbs pointing significantly in
to doorways through which q man has Of
ten passed while seeking bracng in
tiuences, it is but natural that people
should express some wonder.
The colonel was well known at Teddy
Flat, Lone Hand, Blazers, Murderer's Bar
and several other villages through which
he passed, and as no one had been seen to
precede him. betting men were seen Of
tering odds that the colonel was running
away from somebody.
Strictly speaking they were wrong, but
they won all the money that had been
staked against them, for within half an
hours time there passed over the same
road an misunderstanding individual, who
reigned up in front of the principal saloon
of each place. and asked if the colonel had
passed
Had the gallant colonel known that he
was followed, and by whom, there would
have been an extra election held at the
latter place very shortly after. for the col
onel's puGsuer was no other than the con-
stable of Challenge Hill and for consta
L 4 IL - oft lam nal
possessed hatred of unspeakable intensity.
On galloped the colonel, following the
stagc-road, which threaded the old min
ing camps on Duck Creek; but suddenly
he turned abruptly out of the road, and
urged his horse through the young pines
and bushes, which grew thickly by the
road while the constable galloped rapid
ly on to the next camp.
There seemed to be no path through the
thicket into which the colonel had turned,
but Tipse walked between trees and bush
es as if they were but the familiar objects
Of her own barn-yard.
Suddenly voice from the bushes shout
ed:
What's up?"
"Business-that's what" replied the
colonel.
Its time" replied the voice, and its
owner-a bearded six-footer - emerged
from the bushes, and stroked Tipsie's nose
with the freedom of an old acquaintance.
ave amt had nip sence last night, an ,
thar amt cracker or q handful of flour
in the shanty. The old gal go back on
yer?"
Yes" replied the colonel, ruefully.
.ost ev'ry blasted race 'Twasn' her
fault, bless her-she done her level best.
Ev'rybody to home?
You bet," said the man. IAN ben a.
prayin fur yer ter turn up with the rocks.
an somethin' with more color than spring
water. Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie and
the colonel followed, and the trio sudden
ly found themselves before small log
hut, in front of which sat three solemn.
disconsolate looking individuals, who
looked appealingly at the colonel.
"Mac'll tell yer how 'twus fellers," said
the colonel, "while picket the mare"
The colonel was absent but few mo-
ment's, but when he returned each of the
four was attired in pistols and knife, while
Mac was distributing some dominoes,
made from rather dirty flour bag.
"'Tain't so late ez all that, is it " in
qured the colonel.
Better be an hour ahead than miss it
this ERE night" said one of the four. 81
amt ben So thirsty sence l come round
the Horn, in So an we run short of wat
er Somebody II git hurt ef ther' amt no
bitters on the old concern-they will, or
my name amt Perkins"
Don't count yer chickens fore they're
hatched, Perky" said one of the party, as
he adjusted his domino under the rim of
his hat. 'S'posin' ther' shud be too many
fur us?"
"Stiddv. stiddv. Cranks!" remonstrat-