The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-07-19


To Troy and Tuckahoel'
",rwould raise my hope to raise CROP
But ere he travelled far
A l0athsome savage raised his scalp,
w =. GrepAse.
THE YOSEMITE HERMIT.
THE shadows were lying tolerably long
on the green hillsides when the numbering
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 dingy yellow,
to match the stage, apparently, but the
rest of the edifice had been neglected,
and the superabundant rain and supcra-
bundant sunshine of Mariposa had lef,
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 piazza,
exchanging jokes with the driver, who was
known as Scotty, and asking the news
from Hornitos and other way places.
Meanwhile the " doctor" stout, rud.
dy complexioned man, whose appear
ance spoke well Of 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 one
lady passenger to alight with grace
which would have done credit TO Ches.
terfield. The loungers on the piazza
started and drew back. All ceased their
gibes with Scotty, and two or three re-
moved their hats. She was not only a
woman, but very pretty woman-she
was even beautiful.
She thanked the doctor with pretty
grace, and turned her clear, hazel eyes
upon the admiring group, scanning each
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 in to the bar
room, the doctor, the loafers and Scotty
crowding In after her and regarding her
movements with an undisguised admira-
zion, and as much reverential curiosity as
though she had been visitant from an
other sphere.
The proprietor of the Is Grand" was a
podgy man, with an aggressively bald head
and scaly eyes, like an alligator's-
though for that matter may be libelling
the alligator. His name was Sharpe, COM
monty corrupted into " Cutcy," by some
mysterious process.
He was pouring whisky from bottle
into glass, preparatory to serving him
self, when the newcomer walked-she
walked like an angel-straiglit up to him
and said: /" Is this the landlord %
Cutey was SO astonished by the appari-
ton that he dropped his glass; it was in
reality 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'mr' he stammered, clutching
at his bald head to see if there was hal
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
she would say more. "Old Punksn NUT.
tered that she minded him of his Lyddy
--ejust such a voicei' which remark
brought down upon him much contumely
afterward, and threat from the doctor
to 'sput daylight through him." After a
helpless look around him, Cutey admitted
that he was the landlord, with the air of a
cornercd scoundrel confessing crime.
"Then, perhaps, you can tell me what
/ wish to know" said the woman, fixins
her clear, sweet eyes upon him. II wanI
to find man named Wilmer-James
Courtney Wilmer"
Cutey shook his head sorrowfully.
Thar be SO many Names" said he
" skus any man goes by his own name.
Be he livin' in Mariposa, ma'am!"
81 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.
"What's 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 his
bushy, tow colored hair with clutch OF
desperation.
.:Punks," he whispered, II alters
counted you fool, but you amt; you air
q shinin light His name was Jim Will
mer."
Then, coloring up to the roots of his
hair, he advanced and said:
II you please, ma'am."
The woman turned at this, meeting a
whole battery Of eyes without any seem
ing Consciousness of it.
There WIS Teller named Jim Will
mer here--wus partner in the Bander;ta
With Teller named Giro leastwise I
don't know his name, but We called him
Circus Jack, ma'am."
The womsn's face her beautiful face
turned AZ white as the collar vt her throat |;
she leaned against the bar and tried to
speak, but the words died on her lips.
Finally, with an effort, she half whis-
pered:
Do you know where he is now?"
Then, as the men looked at each other,
she cried, in clearer tone:
. Il he deadr'
No, no, ma'am. He was here, faint
month, /" said Scotty. = 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 was real good
friends. .
Thank you," said the stranger, softly,
IN : voice which smotc Scotty's heart OK
ceedingiy.
The doctor, meanwhile, had gone for
Mn. Sharpe, whe presently entered and
invited the stranger to " hev little tea
She WAS small, fair woman, with .
Waahed- out look, and mouth not inno-
cent Of dipping, but she looked and spoke
kindly, and the stranger was glad enough
q snsaef. " Yes, . and follow her into the
approached, but only enough % give her