The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-10-04
The Santa Fe Pet"

All auo tu0 AScRuDiICou ot the same
place. that, after reading all the cur
rent idyls Of such auriferous shines as
Faro Flat. Bludger's Bar. Keno Can
yon, and Go1less Gulch. and making
himself, ~ he supposed, completely
familiar with that startling mixture OF
piety and poker, generosity and gin.
simplicity and sallowness. magnan-
unity and msmslaughter. which con-
stitutes the Pacific man of 40 in his
poetic presentiment, he really had bat
the vaguest kind of appreciation Of the
marvels of the genuine character, be.
fore meeting very recently its concrete
embodiment in the PERSON of Califor-
nian now visiting Omahs. Chsncing
to lodge of late in room west of the
one occupied by this member of cele.
brated class, and to be disturbed in his
repose by the ferocious snorts. plunges
an uDthelogical ejaculation with which
the horse stranger expresses his dis
appreciation OF dresmlsnd. he took the
liberty of making :hat individuals ac-
quaintsnce for the purpose of ascertain.
iEg whether something temporary
could not be done with morphine or
bromide Of potassium. Upon learning
the nature OF his nocturnal neishbor's
grievance, who had at first place
hand easily upon revolver in his belt,
smiled with much infantile openness of
countenance at the sedative suggestion,
and frankly confessed that his audible
agitation by night was of o moral des-
cription beyond the repression of drugs.
To his unconcious cerebration during
the silent watches, no less than to his
conscious contemplation in vertical
hours, there was forever recurring
dread. undying regret Of the past to
poison his otherwise perfect happiness.
known to formal fame as Peter Mont
chessington, but more familiarly in the
bonds of caressing friendship rs The
Santa Fe Pet he was one of the many
pilgrims OF chronic impecuniosity who
thronged to California in lS49 for the
precious ore which we see now chiefly
in seal-rings and brokers' windows
To him. as to many others. the gold
fields were a bitter disappointment.
Their yellow treasure, much compli.
Gated with sand and in surprisingly
minute proportion to the latter say
as p'ints to Quartz-wss to be attained
only by grovelling gymnastics with
pick and shovel, and the constitutional
lsnguor Of Mr.. Mantchession's temper
ment rcvolted thercat. Hence. after
a futile offer to act as superintendent
Of mining for some Of his friends upon
half profits. he acceptad the Office of
wagon-master in supply train be-
tween the Golden State and Santa Fe.
Rriding agreed with his health beyond
his most sanguine expectations, and his
ability in that occupation evoked such
popular aplause that the caressing SOU.
briquet above mentioned was the only
name by which he was known in gen
ial society. As the Santa Fe Pet he
made many journeys from the city of
his title into California, casually paus-
ing on one occasion before the wayside
hscienda Of . venerable absent tsxi.
can to carry off young senorita Of the
household with whom. at previous
furtiv times. he had negotiated such
elopement. To pursue the story in his
own simple terms:
4 had said he. told the captain of
the train all about Il, and he said he
would see me through. We had trav-
eleJ, stranger. resrly 100 miles from
Santa Fe, and were camped for the
afternoon. when something happened.
The girl and I were in wagon eating,
when. like q flash Of lightning, saw
her old fathers face glaripg IN through
the canvas opening of the vehicle, aud
his arm raised to bury wicked look.
ing knife into my heart. Quick as q
wink was upon him. forcing him back
until my feet touched the ground, and
then giving him kick in the throat
that laid him Cat. Our men bouud
him, and the captain had him tied on
horseback and ordered one Of our men
and myself to take him to tbs nearest
fort and give him over to the authori-
ties for attempted murder. 1Ws started.
and for several honrs moved along in
silence. About fifteen miles from the
camp we came to lagoon that extend
ed for some distance along the road.
deep, pure. and clear. ! kept thinking
oil the time. II be gets looss hs'll haot
me out and kill me. and said my part
ner, Whats the use OF taking him
back sixty five miles T wouldn't il !
were you, says he; kill the confounded
greaser and be done with it. We both
stopped and got down from our horses
and lifted him down. Both his hands
were strapped behind him, and he
could not move . muscle. He couldn't
understand what / said. bat he nis-
trusted something was up. FINALLY l
told him in Spanish that his time had
come and he must die. You never
heard such screams and groans and
prayers he crawled on his knees to me
and put his arms around my legs.
and begging me to let him 60. and
promisinp that he would never follow
US again, and he would 60 anywhere
in the world / said and live, and in the
midst of his yells and prayers. caught
him BY his long hair AID. bending his
head back, with one clash cut his throat
from ear 70 ear AZ this point of the
narrative the Omaha gentleman could
not help exclaiming! Law bless my
aoul. how extraordinary Nr. Mont.
cheeinstou vent on: There was soms
emall change in tho pockets Of the
ancient. aud after my partner and
had dropped the body safely into the
LAGOON wc sat down on the grass Tor
ouiet game for the stake. raked the
pile square. stranger; played square -
aospel, and when we got osck 20
the train that or'nary cuss went and
told everybody that / stocked the card: