Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-06-22
THE YOSEMITE HERMIT.
a Frontier Tale.

hS ohuhbNs NNlt iOub WI
the green hillside when the numbering yell
low stage, somewhat the worse for wear
drawn 10y four lean, dusty horses, also
somewhat the worse for wear, drew uT
with a grand flourish in front of the Grand
Hotel, Mariposa.
1t was a long, low building, with broad
piazza in front and along one side the ia.
cade was painted dinRy yellow 10 match
the stage apparently, but the rest of the ed
iiice had been neglected, and the supera.
bundant rain and the superabundant sun
shine of Mariposa had left marks Of their
handiwork on the bare boards.
The louugers rushed out Of the bar-roorn
as soon as the wheels were heard and
stood grouped about the broad piazza ex-
changing jokes with the driver, who was
known as Scotty, and asking the news
from Hornitos aud other way places.
Meantime the doctor" a stout, ruddy-
complexioned man, whose appearance
spoke well for his profession, descended
from his seat on the box, and, opening the
stage door with an air of pride and saIis-
faetioL, he assisted the one lady passenger
to alight with a grace which would have
done credit 10 Chesterfield. The loungers
on the piazza started and drew back. All
ceased their jibes with Scotty, and two or
three removed their hats. She was not on
ly woman, but very pretty woman-she
was even beautiful.
She thanked the Doctor with a pretty
grace, and turned her clear hazel eyes up
on the admiring group, searching each face
eagerly and wistiully. The Doctor said,
"Allow me-" aud was about TO escort her
into the small den at one side known as the
Ladies parlor," but she swept past him
and walk cd straight into the bar-room, the
Doctor, the loafers and Scotty crowding in
after her and regarding her movements
with sn undisguised admiration, and as
much reverential curiosity as though she
had been a visitant from another sphere.
The proprietor of the "Grand" was a
podgy man, with an segressvely bald
head and scaley eyes like an alligaiors-
though for that matter / might be libelling
the alligator. His name was Sharpe, COM
monty corrupted into "Cutey" by some
mysterious process.
lie was pouring whisky from a bottle in
to glass preparatory to serving himself
when the new conner walked-she wake
like an angel-straight up to him and said,
as this the landlordi'
"Ma-a-m'm9" 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 Doc
tor, strained their ears to listen. She had 4
low voice tolerably sweet. Such music had
never before been heard within those low
walls, perhaps. They wished she would
say more. Old "Punks" muttered that she
minded him of his Lyddy-"jest sech a
voicer" which remark brought down up
on him much contumely aflerward, and a
threat fIom The Doctor 'to put daylight
through him." After a helpless look
around him, Cutey admitted he Was the
landlord, with the air OF a cornered scoun-
drel confessing a crime.
"Then perhaps you eau tell me what l
wish TO know" said the woman, ii king her
clear, sweet eyes upon Kim. 81 want 10
find a man named Wilmer-James Court
ney Wilmer"
THAR be SO many Names" said he !;
"skurce any man goes by his name. BE he
livin' in Mariposa, na'am?"
al don't know" was the reply, with q
suggestion of tears in the voice, at which
every heart in the crowd by the door was
touched and unhappy.
Punks nudged Scouy with his elbow.
"Whats that fellows name that was part
IaoL Ia, lla nnndartta 81
he whispered.
Scotty raped his forehead with his horny
hand, and ran his fingers into his bushy,
tOw-colored hair, with a clutch Of despera-
tion.
"Punks," he whispered, II alters count
ed you a fool, but you amt; you are a
shinin' liehtl His name WaS Jim Will
mer."
Then, coloring up to the roots of his hair,
he advanced and said:
"If you please, ms'am."
The woman turned at this, meeting a
whole battery o: eyes without any seeming
consciousness of it.
"There wus a feler named Jim Wilmer
here-was partner in the Bsnderita, with a
feller named Circ-leastwsys, don't know
his name, but we called him Circus Jack,
ma'am."
The woman's face-her beautiful face
turned as white as the collar at her throat
she leaned against the bar and tried 10
speak, but the words died on her lips.
Finally, with an effort, she half whisper
ed:
"Do you know where he is nowf"
Then, as the men looked at each other,
she cried in clearer tone, SIS he dead"
"No, no, maam. He was here, 'talnt a
month";" said Scotty. "I think he's of
huntn' in the hills. I'll find Circus Jack
and bring him up here. He'll be likely to
him and Jim wus real good friends"
"Thank you" said the stranger, soflly,
in a voice which smote Scotty's heart ex-
ceedingly.
The Doctor, meanwhile, had gone for
Mrs. Sharpe, who presently entered, and
invited the stranger 10 "hev a little tea."
She was a small, fair woman, with q
washed-Out look, aud a mouth not inno-
cent of dipping, but she looked and spoke
kindly, and the stranger was glad enough
TO answer, "Yes," and follow her into the
| dlnIng-rOom. The crowd fell back N she