The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-09-25
4 CALIFORNIA STORY.
by FRANK DAWES.

valleys day after day, with an old Ken
tucky rifle on his shoulder, seemingly
without any purpose whatever. Men be-
gan to notice Inn and look after him
He lived in u little shanty just out of
Spur City, as the little mining town am
bitiously termed itself, without friend
or conidant Of any kind. lie lived most
! ly on game, and seemed To care but little
for the busy world aud its crooked ways.
| We began 10 think nj last that his
| "cranky," which in Western phrascoloGy
means defective intellect. Some argued
that he was broken hearted: some said he
was natural-born poet; and yet Others
shook their heads wisely and said he was
''no good" by which they thought to con
vcy t'c idea that he was a suspicious
character Offers there We're who frank
ly acknowledged that they did not I'M
derstand him, and that, rs this is a free
country, his ways were his own business,
and did not concern them in the least.
The popular mind, how ever, settled it.
self on the conclusion that he was
cranky" and after that very little atten-
ton was paid to him.
Poor Joe! For a year he wandered 81
| iently over the majestic hills, and his
naturally lean face and form became
! thinner-so much So in fact, that he
| seemed but Il ghost of his former self.
] could not shake off idea that
| there was something remarkable in the
| private history of this man, some sllcle-
| ton in his clcsct which was slowly wear
| ing his life away.
Ono nvopinu I mat j,,u, ny tlo 4S,t
hills, coming slowly along old stage
| accostcd him in friendly manner, and
was addressed respectfully in return.
"Slt down, Joe, said |, as motioned
him to seat on log npen which had
| already seated myself. ...@'
He sat down quietly without Il word,
and | observed that he wore troubled
look as he glanced uncasilv over the
chcerless landscape.
Hunting, as usual2' sad by of con-
versation.
| ''Yes," replied he, sadly.
Do you find plenty Of game,
| 'Ycs; no.
! "Ycs, no; I 90 not understand YOU"
said l. .
perhaps you may some time; perhaps
YOU NAV not was his unsatisfactory re-
ply.
"Joc, you are in trouble. Your In
stinct should tell you that | am a friend
if not friend, at least one who wishes
yOC well; now, you have no coniidants.
| have the kindness to make an exception
IN my case, and pour out your troubles
to me. You have no idea how it will re-
Iievc your mind"
said this as kindly as could; but he
only shook his head and gazcd vacantly
at the western sky, now g.orious with the
hues of sunset. .-.. ...
II have no friends" said he, s'my
troubles are buried in here. and he laid
his hand sadly on his breast.
"Joc, con DO something for youl
feel deeply interested in YOU" said I.
You can do nothing; but thank yor
for your kindness. You have spoken Tho
only word of friendship that have heard
for years"
We now arose and walked slowly down
the stage road toward Spur City.
We were both silent most of the way
and when we reached the FL Dorado Hotel
Joe left me without word and went
quietly to his lonely little cabin.
After that, when | met him, hc always
had sad smile and low, pleasant word
for me, but not ing more; he still wan.
dcrs over hills, rifle in hand, but not by
a single word did he betray the secret OF
his strange conduct. His conversations
were always brief, and when | venturcd
to address him on personal masters, he
would silence me by look so full OF
silent agony that could not have the
heart to continue.
One day | met him in the foot nils
and venturcd remark on the geographic
Cal formation OF the country around Spu,
City RE begged leave to differ with me
and then went on to give me such 8
, learned discourse on geology as / had
not heard since left Yale College, years
and years before. / then venturcd tc
draw him out Cn the OF er sciences, ther
on history, literature, art. and iii them
: all found him to be well grounded.
was amazed, and yet | had suspected tina
he was something more than he repre-
sented himself to be.
, A few days after this was wandering
: in the mountains, and us | YEARLY
: climbed to the summit of one of the high
: est crags | threw myself down, and coult
[ not repress an exclamation of deiig a
} the beautiful prospect spread out before
me.
, "Ycs, it is very beautiful. have beer
2 admiring it for hours" said low, sat
voice.
i I was startled, and S!ancinS hastll,,
l around, ! beheld the mysterious Joe
| looking quietly away over the landscape
, 1T reminds me-" continued he, I'm
S needing my surprise, ''it reminds me O
s scene in Northern Italy Yes, yes, it j
+ very beautiful,
S / had travelled extensively myself, an,
G began TO talk to him Of foreign lands, ant
d found that he was familiar with men
e places and things in almost every quar-
o ter Of the globe. longed to ask hin
/ who and what he was, but knew tina
G the question was useless.
C Suddenly he ceased talking, and lcok
Y ing mcditatively away across the beauti
+ fui prospect before us, he drew from hi
e breast pocket a small, well-worn package
c He uns ound two or three wraps from il
and then handed me a card. 1t was tn
e photograph of a lady; and although il
r the course of my wanderlngs l have see