The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-28
RETIRING FROM BUSINESS.
BY BRET HARTE.

: ..5sr-t - 3
Whatthe colonels business was nobody
knew, nor did anybody care particularly
He purchased for cash only, and never
grumbled at the price Of anything hewanted
who could do more than that?
Curious people occasionally wondered
how, when it had been fully two years
since the colonel, with every one else,
had abandoned Dutch creek,to the Chinese
he managed to spend money freely and to
lose considerably at cards and horse races.
In fact the keeper of that one of the Chal-
lenge hill saloons which the colonel did
not patronize was once heard to wonder
absent mindedly wheher the colonel hadn't
q money mill somewhere, where he turned
out eagles and "slugs" (the coast name for
$50 gold pieces).
When so publica parsonage as bar
tender INDUCED publicly in the idea, the
inhabitants of Challenge hill, Like good
Californians everywhere, considered them
selves in duty bound to give itgrave consid-
Grafton; so, for few days, certain indus
trious professional gentlemen who won
money of the colonel carefully weighed
some Of the brightest peices and tested
them with acids, and sawed them in two,
and retired them, and melted them up, ane,
had the Jumps Iasssyed.
The result was a complete vindication of
the colonel and loss of considerable GUS
tom by the indiscreet barkeeper.
The 1lonel was as good -natureda man
az EadHYer been knoWnson Challenge hill.
but being mortal the colonel had his occas-
ional times of dependency, and one Of
them occurred after series of races in
which he had staked his all on his bay mare
Tipsie and had lost.
Looking reproachfully at his beloved ami
NAL, he failed to heed the aching void of
his pockets, and drinking deeply, swearing
oquently and glaring deiantly at all man.
kind were equally unproductive of coin.
The boys at the saloon sympathized most
ceasing in their invitations to drink, and
they exhibited considerable Christian for
bearance when the colonel savagely dissent
ed with every one who advanced any prop
osition, no matter how controvertible. But
unappreciated sympathy grows decidedly
hresome to the giver, and it was with feel
ing of relief that the boys saw the colonel
stride out of the saloon, mount Tipsie and
galop furiously away.
Riding on horseback has always been
considered an excellent sort of exercise,
aud riding is universally Omitted to be one
of the most healthful means of exhilara-
ton in the world. When a man is so alb
sorbed in his exercise that he will not stop
to speak to friend, and when his exhilar-
alton is so complete that he turns his eyes
from well meaning thumbs pointing insig-
njfcantly into doorways through which q
man has often passed while seeking brac-
ing influences, it is but natural that people
should express some wonder.
The colonel was well known at To-day
Flat, Come Hand, Blazers, Murderer's Bar
and several other villages through which
he passed. As no one had been seen to-
precede him, betting men were soon offer.
ing odds that the colonel was running away
from somebody.
Strictly speaking they were wrong, but
they won all the money that had been stalk
ed against them, fer within half an hour
there passed over the same road an anxious
looking individual who reined up in front
of the principal. saloon Of each place and
asked if the colonel had passed.
Had the gallant colonel known that he
was followed, and by whom. there would
have been an extra election held at the lat
ter place va-5 shortly after, for the pursuer
was the Constable, and for all officers Of the
law the colonel possessed hatred.
On galloped the colonel following the
oNASC AOdus WAlCu luItHueu lU0 Olu INNING
camps on Dutch creek, but suddenly he
turned out OF the road and urged his horse
through the young pines and bushes, which
grew thickly by the road, while the consta-
Bile galloped onto the next camp.
There seemed to be no path through the
thicket into which the colonel had turned,
but Tipsie walked between the trees and
shrubs as if they were familiar objects Of
her stable yard. rs
Suddenly a voice from the bushes
ed: ii
What's up?"
Business that's what
It's time, replied the voice, and its
owner-a bearded six footer, emerged
from the bushes and stroked Tpsie's nose
with the freedom Of an old acquaintance.
We amt had q nip since last night, and
there aim Ia cracker or handful Of -four
in the shanty. The old girl go back on
yer?"
Yes, replied the colonel, ruefully; lost
every blasted race. 'Twas'nt her fault
bless her she done her best. Ev'rybody
to home?
You bet" said the man. aAll been a
prayin for yer to turn up with the rocks an
somthiH with more color than spring water.
Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie and the
colonel followed, and the trio suddenly
found themselves before log hut, in front