Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-07-16
The Yosemite Hermit.

| AhO SnoUO"o "OAO iJAnS OVlSloOly AVhS
on the green hillsides when the lumber
ing yellow stage, somewhat the worse
for wear, drawn by four lean, dusty
horses, also somewhat the worse for
wear, drew up with grand flourish in
front of the Grand Hotel, Mariposa.
1t was long, low building. with a
broad piazza in front and along one side !;
the facade was painted dlngy yellow
to match the stage apparently, but the
rest of the edlfce had been neglected,
and the superabundant rain and supera-
bundant sunshine of Mariposa had left
marks of 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-
"a exchanging jokes with the driver,
who was known as "Scotty," and asking
the news from Hornltos and other way
places.
Meanwhile the Doctor" a stout,
ruddy complexioned man, whose appear
ance spoke we'll for his profession, de-
scended from his seat on the box, and
opening the stage door with an air of
pride and satisfaction, he assisted the
only lady passenger to alight with a
grace that would have done credit to
Chesterfield. The loungers on the piaz-
"a started and drew back. All ceased
their gibes with Scotty, and two or three
removed their hats. She was not only
woman, but very pretty woman-she
was even beautiful.
She thanked the Doctor with a pretty
grace, and turned her clear head upon
the admiring group, scanning each face
eagerly and wistfully. The Doctor said,
"Allow me-" and was about to escort
her into the small den at one side known
as the Ladies Parlor," but she swept
past him and walked straight into the
bar-room, the Doctor, the loafers and
Scotty crOwding in after her and regard
ing her movements with undisguised ad-
miration, and as much reverential Curl
osity as though she had been a visitor
from another sphere.
The proprietor of the "Grand" was
podgy man, with an aggressively bald
head and scaly eyes like an alligator's
though for that matter may be IL
belling the alligator. His name was
Sharpe, commonly corrupted into ecu
tey" by some mysterious process.
lie was pouring WHISKY from bottle
into glass, preparatory to serving him
self, when the newcomer walked-she
walked like an angel-straight up to
him and said, "Is this the landlord ?"
Cutey was so astonished by the appa-
ritiOn that he dropped the glass-he
called it glass; it was in reality q
stone-china cup about half an inch thick
and wasted the whisky; 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 a
hat there.
The woman repeated her question the
crowd by the doorway, headed by the
Doctor, strained their ears to listen. She
had a low voice, tolerably sweet. Such
music had never before been heard with
in those low walls, perhaps. They wish
ed she would say more. Old "Punks"
muttered that she minded him of his
Lyddy-'jest sech q voice !" which re-
mark brought down upon him much con-
tumely afterward, and threat from the
Doctor to ''put daylight through him. "
After a helpless look around him, Cutey
admitted that he was the landlord, with
an air of cornered scoundrel confessing
a crime.
"Then perhaps you can tell me what
l wish to know" said the woman. fixing
her clear, sweet eyes upon him. 81 want
to find q man named Wilmer-James
Courtney Wilmer"
Cutey shook his head sorrowfully.
Thar be so many Names" said he
"skurce any man goes by his own name,
Be he livin' in Mariposa, ma'am ?"
al do not know" was the reply, with
suggestion of tears in the voice, al
which every heart in the crowd by the
door was touched and unhappy.
Punks nudged Scotty with his elbow.
whats that fellows name that wus
partners with Circus Jack in the Band.
erita ?" he whispered.
Scotty raped his forehead with his
horny hand, and ran his fingers into hi:
bushy, tow-colored hair, with a clutch
of desperation.
"Punks," he whispered, 81 alters
counted you fool, but you amt; yor
are shinin' light His name was jim
Wilmer"
Then. cOlOring up to the roots of hi
hair, he advanced and said:
eff you please, ma'am."
The woman turned at this meeting
whole battery of eyes without any seem
ing consciousness of it.
"There was feller named Jim Viii
mer here-was partners in the Bander