Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-06-13
The Yosemite Hermit.


the worse for wear drew up with grand
flourish in front of the Grand Hotel, Ma
riposa.
It was long, low building, with broad
piazza in front and along one side the IA
cade was painted dingy yellow to match
the stage apparently, but the rest of the edi-
fce had been neglected, and the superabun
dant rain and the superabuudant sunshine
of Mariposa had left marks of their handi-
work on the bare boards.
The Ioungers rushed out of the bar-room
as soon as the wheels we're heard, and stood
grouped about the broad piazza exchanging
Jokes with the driver, who was known as
Scotty, and asking the news from IIorntos
and other way places.
Meanwhile the Doctor" stout, rudy
,omplexioned man, whose appearance spoke
veil for his profession, descended from his
seat on the box, and, opening the stage door
with an air of pride aud satisfaction, he as
listed the one lady passenger to alight with
, grace which would have done credit to
Chesterfield. The oungers on the piazza
started and drew back. All ceased their
iibes with Scotty, and two or three removed
their hats. She was not only a woman,
but 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 each face
-agerly 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 crowdng
in after her and regarding her movements
,..,tl 4, IL al,
much reverential curiosity as though she
had been a visitant from another sphere.
The proprietor of the Grand" " was
podgy man, with an aggressively bald head
aud scaley eyes like an lligator's-though
for that matter might be libelling the alli-
gator. His name was Sharpe, commonly
corrupted into Cutey" by some mysterious
process.
He was pouring whisky from bottle into
glass, preparatory to serving himself, when
the new conner walked--she walked like an
angel-straight up to him and said, is this
the landlord 2"
"Ma-a-m'm :" he stammered, clutching at
his bald head to see if there was hat there.
The woman repeated her question; the
crowd by the doorway, headed by the Doc
tor, strained their ears to listen. She had
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
voice !" which remark brought down upon
him much contumely afterward, and threat
from the Doctor "to put daylight through
him." After helpless look around him,
Cutey admitted he uds the landlord, with
the air of cornered scoundre confessng a
crime.
"Then perhaps YOU can tell me what
wish to know" said the woman, fixing her
clear. sweet ewes upon him. al want to
find man named Wilmer-,James Court
ney Wilmer"
"Thar be so many Names" said he ;
"skurce anv man goes by his name Be he
ivin' in Mariposa, na'am ?''
al do not know" was the reply, with sug-
restion of tears in the voice, at which every
heart in the crowd by the door was touched
and unhappv.
Punks nudged Scotty with his elbow.
What's that fellows name that wus part
ners with Circus Jack in the Banderita %
ne yhispered.
Scotty rapped his forehead with his horny
hand. end ran his fingers into his bushv.
tow.colored hair, with a clutch of desper.
| alton,
"Pnnks." he WHISPERED, al alters counted
.ou fool. hut YOU aiu't; YOU are shiuiu'
rthtl His name rus Jim Wilmer"
Then, coloring up to the roots of his hair,
lie advanced and said
"If Won plet,e. maam."
The woman turned at this, meeting a
whole battery of eyes without any seeming
consciousness of il.
There WINS a feller named Jim Wilmer
here-wus PARTNER in the Banderita, with
Teller named Circ-leastways, don't know
mis- name. but we called him Circus Jack,
na'am."
The woman's face-her beautiful face
rnrned AS white as the collar at her throat
she leaned against the bar and tried to speak
but the words died ON her lips.
Finally. with an effort. she half wbispered
"Do Won know where he il now 2"
Then a. tha men looked at each other she
cried in n clearer tone. .Is he dead :"
"No. no. ma'am. lie wus here. faint q
month " said Scottv. al think he's off
huutin' in the hills. I'll find Circus Jack
and bring him up here. He'll be likely t.
,now-bim and Jim wus real GOOD friends.
Thank YOU" said the stranger. softly, in 8
voica wb bicb smota Scottv's heart exceedinolv
The Doctor. meanwhile. had gone for Mrs
Sharpe. who presently entered. and inyitec
the stranger TO "bey little tea"
She was a small. fair woman, with .
washed-out look, and mouth not innocen
of dipDiuo. hut She looked and smoke kindly