Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-08-14
MisftlIantons. g
Retiring from Business.



What the Colonel's business was nobody
knew. nor did any body care. particularly
He purchased tor cash only. and he never
grumbled a, the price OF anything he
wanted. Who could ask more than that 7
Curious people occasionally woslerei
ho~ when II had been fully two years
since the Colonel, with every one else
abandoned Dutch Greek to the Chinese.
he tnA1sged TO spend money freely and to
lose considerable at cards and horse races.
In fact. the keeper OF one OF the two Chsl-
lenge Hill saloons which the Colonel did
not paironxe. was once heard 10 absent
mindeily wonder whether the Colonel
hadn't 3 money mill somewhere. where he
turned out double eagles and "slugs" tthe
coas, name for ffty dollar gold pieces
When so important Parsonage A. 3
bar-seeper INDUCED publicly IN an idea The
Inhabitants OF Challenge Hit Ike good
Csliforniaus every where, considered them
selves In duty bourd TO give 1t grave CON
slteraiion. so for n few days certain in
dusirious professional gentlemen. who won
money OF the Colonel, carefully weighed
some OF the brightest piece. aud tested
them with acids. aud tasted them. ard
melted them up. aud had the Jumps a.
saved
The resul, was complete vlndlcaiion OF
the Colonel. and lo.s OF consider able
custom 10 the ibIlscreet bar keeper.
The Colonel was as good natured = man
as had ever been known al Challenge Hill.
bot being mortal. the Colonel had his oc-
casionai times Of dependency, and one cf
them occurred amer a series of races Ia
which he had siaked his ali on has own bay
mare Tpsie, and had lost.
Looking reproachfuliy at his beloved
animal he failed TO heal the aching void OF
his pockets. aud drinking deeply. swearing
eloqueutly and glarins defan;ly AZ all
mankind, were equally reproductive OF
coin.
The boys n the saloon sympathizsd
most feelingly with the Colonel. they were
unoessing in their lnvh aiions 10 drink. and
they even exhibited considerable Christian
iorbearance. when the Colonel savageiy
dissented with every one who advanced
any proposition, 10 matter how ineon-
trovertible.
But unappreciated sympathy grows de-
eidediy tiresone TO the giver. and Il WAS
with 3 feeling OF relief that the boys saw
the Colonel stride out Of the saloon, mount
TIpsie. aud gAllop furiOusly away.
Riding on horseback has always been
considered an excellent sort OF exercise,
and fss; riding Is universally admitted TO
be the most hesithful and delightful means
OF exhiiaration In the world.
But when . man Is so absorbed In his
exercise that he will not stop 10 speak 10
friend. and when his exhilaration Is so
complete that be turns hs eyes from well
meaning thumbs pointing significantly in
70 the doorways, through which q man has
often passed while seeking bracing in
nae1ces. Il Is but natural that people
should express some wonder.
The Colonel was we'll known At Toddy
Flat. Come Hand, Blazers, Murderer's
Bar and several other villages through
which he passed. As no one had been
seen 70 precede him, betting men were
soon Offering odds that the Colonel was
running away from somebody.
Strictly speaking, they were wrong. but
they won all the money that had been
staked against them, for within half an
hours time there passed over the same
road an anxiouS-looking individual wh"
refined ID la front OF the principal saloon
OF each place, and asked IL the Colonel
had passed.
Had the gallant Colonel known that he
was followed. and Dy whom, there would
have been an extra election held at the
latter place very shortly after. for the
pursuer was the Constable OF Challenge
law the Colonel possessed hatred Of un-
speskable intensity.
On gAlIoped the Colonel. following the
stage road. which threaded the old min
ing camps on Dutch Creek. but suddenly
he turned abruptly out OF the road and
urged his horse through the young pines
spd bushes. which grew thickly by the
road, while the Constable gailoped rapidly
on to the next camp.
There seemed TO be no path through the
thickes into which the Colonel had turned,
but Tipsie walked between the trees and
shrubs as II they were the familiar objects
Of her own stable yard.
Suddenly . voice from the bushes shout
ed: "what's upT'
business what" replied the
Colonel.
"I.'s time" replied the voice. and its
from the bushes. and stroked TIpsie'> nose
with the freedom Of an old acquaintance.
We amt had 3 nap since last night.
and thar amt . cracker or . bandful OF
fiour in the shanty The old gal go back
Yes replied the Colonel ruefuliy
.-ios, every blasted race. 'Twasn't her
f.ult-bless her-she done her level best.
Everybody 70 home!
"Y 90 bet.- said the man. "Ah been
orayine for yer to turn with the rocks an
s,me,hln, with more color than spring
water. Come on
The man led the way. and Tipsie and the
folon.l followed. and the trio found them
sr,ves before . small log hut, 70 front o
which were three solemn, disconso'at'
individuals, WHO looked appes""sly TO th'
| Colonel.
"MscW tell yer how 'swss. said w
Colonel, meekly. 'whiie | picket 'n'
| mare" ,v
| romepss, but when b. returned, eacn .
~. Sour vas sttired in pistols and knife