The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-07-12
THR YOSEMITE HERMIT.

ANU Ialref bloom thy flowers.
THR YOSEMITE HERMIT.
THE shadows were lying tolerably long
on the green hillsides when the lumDer
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 editice had been neglected.
and the superintendent rain aud supera.
hundanl 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 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 comp!exioned man, whose appear
ance spoke we'll 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.
tertield. The lolngers 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 a pretty
grace, and turned her clear, hazel ewes
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 in to the bar
room, the doctor, the loafers and Scotty
crowding In after her and regarding her
movements with an undisguised admira-
ton, and as much reverential curiosity as
though she had been a visitant from an
other sphere.
The proprietor of the Grand" was a
podgy man, with an aggressively bald head
and scaly eyes, like an alligator's-
though for that matter may be libelline
the alligator. His name was Sharpe, com.
monty corrupted into " Cutey," 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-straight up to him
and said: " Is this the landlord ?"
Cutcy 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'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
doctor, strained their ears to listen. She
had low voice, tolcrably sweet. Such
music had never before been heard with
in those low walls, perhaps. They wished
she would say more. "Old Punks'' NUT
tered that she minded him of his Lyddy
-''just such vOice!" which remark
brought down upon him much contumely
afterward, and a threat from the doctor
to put 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, fixing
her clear, sweet eyes upon him. IL want
to find man named Wilmcr--James
Courtney Wilmer"
Cuiey shook his head sorrowfully.
. Thar be so many Names" said he !;
skus any man goes by his own name.
BE he livin' in Mariposa, a'am:''
Il do not know" was the reply, with
suggestion Of tears in the voice. at
wi ri, in <hn n
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
critas" Inc whispered.
Scotty raped his forehead with his
horny hand, and ran his fingers into his
bushy, tow.cOlOred hair with a clutch of
desperation.
"Punks," he whispered, II alters
counted you fool, but you amt; YOU air
a shinn light! His name was Jim Will.
mer'
Then, coloring up to the roots of his
hair, he advanced and said:
If you please, ma'am."
The woman turned at this, meeting a
whole battery Of eyes without any seem
ing consciousness of it.
There wus Teller named Jim Will.
ncr here-wus partner in the Bander:ta
with Teller named Giro leastwise /
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 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:
Is he deady'
No, no, ma'am. He was here. faint
month";" said Scotty. II think he's off
huntin' in the hills. I'll find Circus Jack
and bring him up here He'll he likely
TO know-him and Jim was real 0ood
friends"
"Thank you," said the stranger. softly
in a voice which smote Scotty's heart cx.
ceedingly.
The doctor, meanwhile, had gone for
Mrs. Sharpe, who presently entered and
invited the stranger to "hev q little tea y
She was small, fair woman, with a
washed-out look, and q mouth not jnno-
cent of dipping, but she looked and spoke
kindly, and the stranger was glad enough
to ans wer. Yes, and follow her into tic
dining room. The crowd fell back as she
approached, but only enough to give her
room to pass. Some one stealthily touched
her dress as she swept by them. and when
she disappeared and the door had closed.
forty tongues were ioosed at once, and q
scene OF excitement ensued only euualed
ny the one which followed on the shoot.
ing OF 1.-THE Judge" by little Jack"