The Republican journal., 1881-01-27
A Struggle with Fate.


\ story is told in San Jose that one
evening in August, some three years ago
a stranger made his appearance in that
city, and shortly after created a breeze
in social circles He had wandered aim
leSsly about the streets for two or three
days, speaking to no one, caring for moth
ing. He was a young man, and might
have been considered unusually hand
some if his clothes had been good but
they were old and faded and threadbare.
There could be no mistaking the fact
that he was an adventurer, who had sue
ceeded in finding only disappointment,
and poverty. He was tall and had dis
tinguished look.
One evening of about the third day he
was accosted on San Fernando street by
man exceedingly drunk. This man
was called ''Tarantula joe" but some of
the boys persisted in addressing him as
''Tarantula Juice''-not very nappro-
pirate appellation, but one which was in
dignantly resisted by Joe, who was a
fighter from Tuolomme. who boasted,
among his numerous other exploits, that
in his early days he had frequently rolled
a barrel OF whiskey fifty miles a day, and
taken drink every time the bung turned
up.
EIIello, stranger" he said to the seedy
young man. Joe was everybody'S friend,
but had a strange way of showing his
friendship when he was drunk. 'What
yer prowling around here in that hang
dog style for, skeern' people ?'
'It's none Of your darned business, re-
piled the meek looking stranger
Joe was not the man to brook such an
insult. The stranger attempted to pass
on but Joe stopped him.
"See here, young fellow, do yer know
that yer attacking the wust man in this
town! An I'm on the fight bigger'n a
wolf Yer misra'ble cockroach Gather
III"
But he never did. He thought brick
had struck him, but it was the strangers
fist that laid him out ol-the sidewalk. If
there was one thing that Joe respected
above all others, it was man who knock
ed him down. AS he scrambled labOri-
Ously to his feet, his breath considerably
shortened, he found himself face to face
with the stranger who had done the
square thing in Joe's opinion, by not fol
lowing up his advantage while Joe was
down, but who nevertheless assumed
posture SO aggressive that Joe became
aware Of gloomy possibilities. So he be
gan to temporze.
"Can't yer take oke?' he said, hold
ing out his hand, which the stranger
grasped. Joe eyed him in absorbed ad-
miratiOn.
"Who'd thought" he said, ''thet a slim
spider like you-beggin' Yer pardon for
calm yer spider-could "a let out so
strong y and with his left hand he felt
the strangers right arm, gauging the
muscle. ''Quiker'n a grizzly, too," he
added. So they Immediately became
fast friends. Joe proposed that they take
a drink. The stranger acquiesced, say
ing that he hadn't had a square drink for
some time; but he was considerably
shocked when he discovered that he had
to pay for the liquor, Joe being in his
chronic condition Of pocket emptiness,
with the money They then became very
communicative. The stranger told how
he had such a run of bad luck that the
world seemed dreary, and there was
nothing to live for. Joe spoke words of
encouraging consolation and, as last
and purely conventional eXpedient, urged
the stranger to marry some rich girl and
settle down. Joe explained how easily it
could be done. His friend had brains,
good manners, nerve and good looks all
the necessary requisites for doing ''the
correct thing" The stranger was modest
on that score, but Joe clung to the propo-
sitiop, saying that such a man with such
a style could marry any girl in christen-
dOm-and half dozen, in fact, if he want
ed that many. All that was necessary
was unlimited cheek and well arranged
plan. They parted late.
"Sir.n
81 requested merely"
"Who are you? How dare you"
~ am simply gentleman. u
"But you made mistake. | don't
know you"
They were standing on Santa Clara
street. She spoke in a rather loud tone,
and the stranger showed little nervous
ness and dread that the passers-by might
interfere.
81 have not intimated," he said ''that
am 50 fortunate as to be known by
you. 1t was the very desire to know you
that impelled-'
81 don't understand you, sir. I'll call
an officer unless you leave me instantly"
"Such language humiliates me exceed
ingly, madame. Accept my hum ble apol
ogles for having caused you any un
easiness or fright. The street is throng-
ed, and any one would protect you against
an indignity at my hand. beg you wait
just a moment, that may explain my
self"
"But to be seen standing in the street
conVersing with man of yOur-your-
appearance"
Madame, if my face is crimson at that
cruel remark it is merely evidence of a
weakness that | am unable to conquer
call it pride, if you please regret that
my poverty obtrudes itself, obscuring
everything else"
A look of pity appeared in the girls
eyes and although she evinced in her at
titude OF impatience a strong desire to be
left alone, her original feeling of fear and
repugnance gradually melted under the
firm, deliberate, polished, gentlemanly
bearing of the man. The stranger ex-
hibted a kindly, patient dignity that
would have made a California girl, with
a spark of adventure and romance, think
twice before she rejected his advances
summarily.
"That is true, sir" she said, "I have
no doubt. But that is no reason why |
shouldn't put an end to this interview by
saying, once forall, decline your escort"
Her tongue uttered these words Her
eyes said: ~ dare you try me a little
further" He heard the words but saw
the look. She felt the superiority of this