The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-08-02
lFrom the Galaxy for June.
The Yosemite Hermit.

Grand Hotel, Mlriposa
1t was Il long, low building, with
broad piazza in front and along one side
the facade was painted dingy yellow t,
match the stage apparently, but the res
of the editice had been neglected, and tn,
superabundant rain and superabundan
sunshine of Mariposa had left marks o
their handiwork on the bare boards
The loungers rushed out of the bar
room aS soon as the wheels were heard
and stood grouped about the broad piaz
z;t exchanging jokes with the driver, wh'
was known as Scotty, and asking tht
news from lIorntos and other way places
Meanwhile the "Doctor," a stout, rud
dy-compleXioned man, whose appearance
spoke well for his profession, descended
from his seat on the box, and opening tn,
stage door with an air Of pride and salts
faction, he assisted the one lady passenge1
to alight with grace which would have
done credit to Chesterfield. The lounoer>
on the piazza started and drew back. Al
ceased their gibes with Scotty, and two
or three removed their hats. She was not
only Il woman, but a very pretty woman
she was even beautiful
She thanked the Doctor with a pretty
grace, and turned her clear, hazel eyes
upon the admiring group, scanning eacl
face eagerly and Wisttully. The Doctor
said, "Allow me- and was about to es-
cort her into the small den at one side
known us the 'Ladies' paror," but she
swept past him and walked straight into
the bar room, the Doctor, the loaters, anC
Scotty crowding in after her and regard
ING her movements with an undisgllised
admiration, and as much reverential cnri-
Osity as though she had been vistant
from another sphere.
The proprietor of the ''Grand" was q
podgy man, with an aggressively bald
head and scaley eyes like an alligators
though for that matter may be libelling
the alligator. His name was Sharpe, com
monty corrupted into "Cutey,' by some
mysterious process.
He was pouring whiskey from bottle
INTO Il glass, preparatory to serving HIM
self, when the new conner walked she
walked like an angel straight up to him
and said, ''Is this the landlord y
Cutey was So astonished by the appari-
ton that he dropped the glass-he called
it a glass; it was in reality a stone china
cup about half an inch thick and wasted
the Whiskey; it was only by the greatest
presence of mind that he succeeded in
saving the bottle.
"Ma-a-a'm ?" he stammered, clutching
at his bald head to see if there was Il hat
there
The woman repeated her question the
crowd by the doorway, headed by the
Doctor, strained their ears to listen. She
had low voice, tolerably sweet Such
music had never before been heard with
in those low walls, perhaps. They wished
that she would say more. Old "Punks
she ''minded him Of his Lyddy
-"jest sech a voice :" which remark
brought down upon him much contulnely
and a threat from the Doctor
to "put daylight through him." After !;
helpless look around him, Cutey admit
ted that he caS the landlord, with the
air of il cornered scoundrel confessing Il
crime.
"Then perhaps you can tell me what
wish to know said the woman, fixing
her clear, sweet eyes upon him. II want
to find Il man named Wlmcr-James
Courtney Wilmer" ...
Cutey shook his head sorrowfully.
"Thar be SO many names" said he
''sburce amy man goes by his own name.
Be he livin' in Marlposa, ma'am o'
~ do not know was the reply, with a
suggestion of tears in the voice, at which
touched and unhappy.
Punks nudged Scotty with his elbow.
"What's that fellows name that was
partner with Circus Jack in the Band
erita 2" he whispered.
Scotty raped his forehead with his
horny hand, and ran his finger into his
bushv, tow -cOlored hair. with clutch OF
desperation.
''Punks," he whispered, ~ alters count
ed you a fool, but you amt; you air Il
shinin' light His name rus Jim Wilmer.
Then, coloring up to the roots Of his
hair, he advanced and said
eff you please, aam."
The woman turned at this, meeting a
whole battery of eyes without any seem
ing consciousness of it.
''There WIS a feller named jim Wilmer
here-wuls partners in the Banderita, with
feller named rc-leastways, l don't
know his name, but we called him Circus
Jack, ma'am."
The womans face-her beautiful face
turned as white as the collar at hel
throat she leaned against the bar and
tried to speak, but the words died on hel
lips.
Finally, with an effort, she half whis-
pered
"Do you know where he is now 2"
Then, us the men looked at each other,
she cried in clearer tone, "Is he tlead p
"No, no, ma'am." He wus here "taint
a month"; said Scotty II think he's of
huntin in the hills. I'll find Circus Jack
and bring him up here. He'll be likely
to know-him and Jim wus zeal good
friends"
"Thank you," said the stranger softly
in voice which smote Scotty's heart eX-
ceedingly.
The Doctor, meanwhile, had gone fol
Mrs. Sharpe, who presently entered, and
invited the stranger to ''hev little tea.
She was a small fair woman, with q
washed-o out look, and mouth not nno-
cent of digging, but she looked and spoke
kindly, and the stranger was glad enough
to answer, "Yes," and follow her into the
dining room. The crowd fell back as she
approached, but only enough to give hel
room to pass. Some stealthily touched
her dress as she swept by them and when
she had disappeared, and the door had
closed, forty tongues were loosed at once
and a scene Of excitement ensued only
equalled by the one which followed or
the shooting of "the Judge by "Littlt
Jack" over game of poker, in that very
bar room of the Grand Hotel
Thought ak your name ma'am ;" in
quired Mrs. Sharpe.
"Marian Kingsley" was the faint reply
'Miss or Mrs, ma'am ~ pursued Mrs
Sharpe, glancing at the shapely, white
ringless hands.
The stranger gave a slight, impatient
twitch. "It doesn't MATTER" she said
"Call me Marian. That will do as wei
as anything"