The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-08

gn, as III she'd boen-a-a-an actress,
And l don't mind saying. gentlemen. that.
az far as understand women. she was
Just rs soft on mel You kin laugh, but it's so.
One day took her out buggy riding-in style,
too-and out on the road offered to do the
square thing-just ne II she'd been lady
offered to marry her then and therel And what
did she do 2" said Jack with hysterical laugh
-" why, blank II all offered me twenty-five
dollars week allowance-pay to be stopped
when wasn't at homel" The roar OF laughter
that greeted this frank confession was broken
by quiet voice asking And what did you
say 2" Say 2" screamed Jack. " lust told hor
TO go TO - with her money" They say"
continued the quiet voice. =" that you asked her
for the loan OF two hundred and flftY dollars to
get you to Sacramonto-and that you got II p
" Who says 80 :" roared Jack" show me the
blank liar" There was dead silence. Then
the possossor OF the quiet voice. Mr..
Jack Hamlin, lanRuldy reached under
the table, took the chalk. and rubbing the end
OF his billiard cue. began with gentle gravity.
" II was an old friend OF mine in Sacramento. a
man with wooden leg, game eye. three An
gers on his right hand. and a consumptive
cough. Being unable naturally to back him
self. he leaves things to me. SO, for the sake Of
argument" continued Hamlin. suddenly lay
eyes on the speaker, say It's mol"
am afraid that this story, whether truthful
or not. did not tond to increase Pegs popu-
larity in a community where recklessness
and generosity oondonod Tor tho absence Of
all tho other virtues; and 1t is possible also
that Rod Dog was no more free from prejudice
than other more civilized but equally dlsap-
pointed match makers. Likewise. during the
following year. she made several more foolish
ventures and lost heavily. In fact. feverish
desire to increase her store at almost any risk
seemed to possess her At last IL was an
nouncod that she intended to reopen the inielix
Rockville Hotel. and keep II herself Wild as
this scheme appeared In theory, whom put into
practical operation there seemed 10 DO somo
chance OF success. Much doubtless. was owing
to her practical knowledge Of hotel keeping but
more to her rigid economy and untiring in
duetry. The mistress Of millions. she cooked
washed. waited on table. made tho beds and
labored like n common mental. Visitors were
attracted by this novel spectacle. The income
OF the house increased rs their respect for the
hostess lessenod No anecdote OF her avarico
was too extravagant for current belief. II was
even alleged that she had been known 10 carry
the luggage OF guests to their rooms, that she
might anticipate the usual portcrs gratuity.
life. She was poorly clad she was ill-fed-but
tho hotel was making money.
A few hlnted OF insanity others shook their
heads and said a curse was entaled on the prop
erty. II was believed also. from her appear
ance. that she could not long survive this tax on
her energies. and already there was discussion
as 10 the probable final disposition OF her prop
erty.
1t was tho particular fortune OF Mr. Jack
Hamlin TO be able b. set the world right on this
and other questions regarding her.
stormy December evening had set In when
he CHANGED to be a guest OF the Rockville Hotel.
He had during the past week been engaged In
the prosecution OF his noble profession at Rcd
Dog. and had. In the graphic language OF CO.
adiutor. cleared out the town. except his fare
in the pockets OF the stage drivers" the Red Dog
Standard had bewailed his departure In play
full obituary verse. beginning. Dearest Johnny.
thou hast left US" wherein the rhymes bcreft
us and deplore" carried vague allusion to
"A thousand dollars more" quiet content
ment naturally suffused his personality and he
was more than usually lazy and deliberate In
his speech. At midnight when he was about
to retire. he was a little surprised. however. By
n tap on his door. followed by the presence OF
Mistress Peg Mofrat. heiress and andadY OF
Rockville Hotel.
Mr.. Hamlin. despite his previous defence OF
Peg had no liking for her. His fasudious
tasto rejected her uncomeliness; his habits
Of thought and life were all antagonists 10
what he had heard OF her niggardiness and
greed. As she stood there In a dirty calico
wrapper still redolent Of the days cuisine
crimson with embarrassment and the recent
heat OF the kitchen r0nge. she certainly was not
an alluring apparltion. Happily for the late
ness OF the hour her loneliness and the unlucky
reputation OF the man before her. she was
at least safe one And I fear tho very con-
sclousness Of this scarcely relieved her embar.
rassment
81 wanted 10 say q few words TO ye alone. Mr.
Hamlin." she began. taking an unofered seal
on the end OF his portmantcau. or shouldn't
hey intrudod But It's the only time fean ketcl
you, or you me, for I'm down in the kitchen
from sun-up till now"
She stopped awkwardly. IA II to listen 10 the
wind which was rafting tho windows, and
spreading a film Of rain against the Opaque
darkness without Then. smoothing her wrap.
per over her knees she remarked. rs II open.
ing desultory conversation. "Tbar's power
OF rain outside"
Mr.. Hamlins only response TO this meteoro
logical observation was a yawn. and prelim
mary tug at his coat IA he began to remove it.
| thought ye couldn't mind doin' mo .
favor" continued Peg. with a hard, awkward
laugh, partik'ly seein ez folks allowed you'C
sorter bin a friend o mine. and he'd stood VI
for me at times when you hedn't any partikel
call TO do H. hewitt" she continued lookinl
down on her lap. and following with her finger
and thumb a seam OF her gown. hewitt ~
many friends ez sings kind word for me thes'
times that disremembor them" Her unde
lip qulvered a little here. and. after yainll
hunting for forgotten handkerchief. she FINALLY
lifted the hem Of her gown, wiped her snub nos
upon IT, but left the toars still in her eyes as sh
raised them TO tho man.
Mr. Hamln. who had by this time diyeste'
himself OF his coat, stopped unbuttoning hi
waistcoat and looked at her.
Like ez not thar'll DO high water on tn
North Fork ef this rain keeps on. said Pog. a
II alphabetically. looking toward the window,
The other rain having ceased, Mr.. Hamlin be
gan to unbutton his waistcoat again.
L wanted TO ask ye a favor about Mr.-abou
Jack Folinsbee." began Peg again. hurriedh
He's ailin' agin. and is mighty low. And he
losin a heap o. money here and thar, and mostl
to you, You cleaned him out Of two thousan
dollars last night-all he had"
| We'll ?" said the gambler, col1ly.
WALL al 1t III. -. L..