The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-20
Miscellaneous.
THE YOSEMITE HERMIT.

The shadows were lying tolerably long on
the green hillsides when the numbering yell
low stage, somewhat the worse for wear,
drawn by four lean, dusty horses, also some-
what the worse for wear, drew up with a
grand flourish in front of the Grand hotel,
Mariposa.
1t was long, low building, with broad
piazza in front and along one side the fac
sde was painted dingy yellow to match the
stage apparently, but the rest of the edifice
had been neglected, and the superabundant
rain and superabundant sunshine of Mari
posa had left marks of their handiwork on
the bare boards.
The loungers rushed ont 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," a stout, ruddy
complexioned man, whose appearance spoke
well OF his profession, descended from his
seat on the box, and, opening the stage door
with an air of pride and satisfaction, he as
sisted the one lady passenger to alight with
a grace which would have done credit to
Chesterfield. The loungers on the piazza
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 pretty grace
and turned her clear, hazel eyes upon the ad-
miring group, scanning each face eagerly ano
wistfully. The doctor said, "Allow me,
and was about to escort her into the small
den at one side known as the "lacies' par
lor," but she swept past him and walked
straight into the bar.room, the doctor, thu
loafers and Scotty, crowdng in after hel
and regarding her movements with an un
disguised admiration, and as much reverentia
curiosity as though she had been visitan
from another sphere.
The proprietor of the "Grand" was pod
gy man, with an aggressively bald head anC
scaly eyes like an alligator's-though 70
that matter | may be libeling the alligator
His name was Sharpe, commonly corrupted
into "Cutey" by some mysterious process
He was pouring whisky from a bottle int
a glass preparatory to serving himself, whel
the new conner walked-she walked like al
angel-straight up to him and said, as thi
the landlord?"
Cutey was so astonished by the apparitio
I
that he dropped his glass ; it was in realit
a stone china cup about half an inch thic
and wasted the whisky it was only by tn
greatest presence of mind that he succeede
in saving the bottle.
"Ma-a-a'm ?" he stammered, clutching q
his bald head to see if there was ha
there.
The woman repeated her question tn
crowd by the doorway; headed by the doctc
strained their ears to listen: She had To-
6 voice, tolerably sweet. Such music ha
never before been heard within those 10
walls, perhaps. They wished she would sa
more. Old ''Punks" muttered that she minC
! ed him of his Lyddy..'jest such voice
which remark brought down upon him niue
contumely afterward, and threat from IL
doctor to "put dayight through him." Aft
u a helpless look around him, Cutey admitte
that he was landlord, with the air of a co
nered scoundrel confessing a crime.
"Then perhaps you can tell me what
wish to know" said the woman, fixing h
- clear, sweet eyes upon him. 81 want to fiji
a man named Wilmer--James CourtG,
Wilmer"
Cutey shook his head sorrowfully.
"Thar be so many names. " said he "sk
+ any man goes by his own name. Be
lliyin' in Mariposs na'amT"