The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-07
SOME TALL STORIES.

-
"reminiscences Of California Life-Horace
Greely;s Little Joke.
Jay Charlton, the New York cores
pondent of the Danbury News, speak
ing of Gabriel Conroy'' and it's
author, says: Bret Harte really owes
little to California. He never made
his pile there. After it had refused
to make him wealthy, he PANIED out
from himself some sketches and poems
that did more for the glory of Califor-
mia than California ever did for him.
| have heard him express the same
aversion to California that he expires.
ses in his book. H e is personally not
popular man butt have always liked
him. His conversation is as good as his
writing. He once told me that at a
certain time he was in an inland valley,
where sunset had taken to tavern a
number Of struggling travellers, of
whom he was one. In a corner sat a
little man with his head bowed upon
his hands in melancholy meditation.
Men were sitting around and playing
cards and drinking, when suddenly
there rose a tall, strong stranger. who,
folding his arms, reared:
Il am the man from the noun.
tains!'
There was no response. This was a
challenge to fight. There was fight in
the air. Again he said. with words of
emphatic intent
II am the man from the noun
tains?''
He got no takers. The affair be-
came very impressive. and the mans
manner became more and more ObtruS-
i've. Suddenly the little fellow who
had been sitting quietly with bowed
head in the corner, softly rose, and in
subdued but earnest tones, uttered:
ssAnd -I-am-t the mani from
the-valley -
The big bully looked ut him a mo-
ment, and then took out. .
This reminds me of story told me
by General John Goshwilder, one of
the leading capitalists of California,
and one of the really good fellows of
that State. One day in the early
times he was standing in a pioneer
shanty saloon, in company with great
big fighter who was the terror of the
camp and town. There was nothing
that this giant could not whip, and
very little that he had not whipped.
This big fellow was sitting near the
bar when a stranger entered. He was
a newcomer in town. He was not
more than twenty-five, slenderly built,
pale, with big eyes, delicate features,
and a hand like a girl. He stepped
quietly up to the bar and asked for
glass of brandy. The glass was placed
before him, whereupon the bully rose
from his chair, put his big, brawny
hand in front of the youngster, took
the brandy and drank it. Tho young
man said nothing, but quietly laid
down four bits and said:
''Give me another glass of brandy"
The brandy. was put out, the glass
was filled, and the bully again reached
forward, took the brandy and drank
it. The youngster put four bits on
the counter, and said, easily:
''Give me two glasses of brandy
The two glasses were put out, filled,
and the bully the third time reached
forward, took glass and drank it.
The young man paid no attention even
to the giants pistols and knives, but,
taking the other glass, drank it, and
put down ST.. Then, with easy man.
ner, he left the bar for the door.
walked five or six steps, turned like a
flash Of lightning and shot, the bully
through the heart. AS he walked out
of the door he said to one of the by
ISLANDERS:
ssThat fellow might have hurt some
body yet
Jim Kavanagh, formerly member of
Congress from Montana, was telling
me the ether day that on one occasion
there were seven men standing on