The bee., 1883-12-01
RETIRING FROM BUSINESS.
BY BRET HARTE.

curious people occasionally WOndere
how, when it had been fully two yea1
since the ColOi.el, with every one els,
abandoned Dutch Creek to the Chinese, h
managed to spend money freely and t
lose considerably at cards and h0rse-races
In fact, the keeper of that one of the ChaI
lenge Hill saloons which the Colonel dic
not patronize was once heard to wonder
absent-mindedly, whether the Colone
hadn't money-mill somewhere, where h
turned out eagles and "slugs'' (the coas
name for $50 gold pieces.)
When so important parsonage as bar
tender INDUCED publicly in the ides, the
inhabitants of Challenge Hill, like goot
Caliiornians everywhere, considered them
selves IN duty bound to give it grave con
sideration; so, for few days, certain in.
dustrious professional gentlemen who wor
money of the Colonel carefully weighed
some of the brightest pieces and tested
them with acids, and sawed them in two
and retired them, and melted them up
and had the Jumps assayed.
The result was q complete vindicatiOr
Of the Colonel and loss of considerable
custom by the indiscreet bar-keeper.
The Colonel was us gOOd-natured 4
man as had ever been known on Challenge
Hill, but being mortal the Colonel had his
occasional 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
animal, he failed to heed the aching void
Of his pockets, and drinking deeply, swear,
ing elOquently and glaring defantly at all
mankind were equally unproductiye of
coin.
The boys at the saloon sympathized
most feelingly with the Colonel. They
were unceasing in their invitations to
drink, and they exhibited considerable
Christian forbearance when the Colonel
savagely dissented with every one who
advanced any proposition, no matter how
But unappreciated SYM
pathy grows decidedly tiresome to the
siver, and it was with feeling of relief
that the boys saw the Colonel stride out
Of the saloon, mount Tipsie and gallop ftl-
ciously away.
Riding on horseback has always been
considered an excellent sort of exercise,
md riding is universally admitted to be
one of the most healthful exhiIarations in
he world. When man is so absorbed in
lis exercise that he will not stop to speak
% friend, and when his exhilaration is so
complete that he turns his eyes from we'll
meaning thumbs pointing significantly
nto doorways through which man has
,ften passed while seeking bracing inhu-
nces, it is but natural that people should
express some wonder.
The Colonel was we'll known at Toddy
Elat, Lone Hand, Blazers, Murderer's Bar
nd several other villages through which
lie passed. AS no one had been seen to
Drecede him, betting men were soon offer |
ng odds that the Colonel WIS running
way from somebody.
Strictly speaking they were wropc, out |
hey won all the money that had been |
taxed against them, for within half an |
our there passed over the same road an
individual who reined up |
u front of the principal saloon of each
lace and asked if the Colonel had passed. |
Had the gallant Colonel known that he |
fas followed, and by whom, there would |
ave been an extra election held ut the
tier place very shortly after, for the pur
uer was the constable, and for all officers
f the law the Colonel possessed hatred
On gallOped the Colonel, following the
tage road, which threaded the old mining
amps ON Dutch Creek, but suddenly he
urned out of the road and urged his horse
trough the young pines and bushes which
rev thiCkly by the road, while the con-
table galloped on to the next camp.
There seemed to be no path through
le thicket into which the Colonel had
lrned, but Tipsie walked between the l
'ees and shrubs as if they were familiar
biects of her stable yard.
Suddenly voice from the bushes shout
/: whats up?"
"Business-that's what"
"Its time,' replied the voice, and its
yner-a bearded six x-footer-emerged from
le bushes and stroked Tipsies nose with
lie freedom of an old acquaintance "We
aint had nip since last night, and there
II a cracker or q handful of flour in the
lanty, The old gal go back on yer? 2"
Yes replied the Colonel, ruefully "lOst
cry blasted race. Twasnt her fault
ess her-she done lIeT level best. Ev'Ty-
'dy to home?'
"You bet, said the man. "All been q
'ayin' for yer to turn up with the rocks
L somethin' with more color than spring
ater. Come on"
The man led the way and Tipsie and
e Colonel followed and the trio sudden
found themselves before log hut, in
ont of which sat three solemn, disconso-
te individuals, who looked appoalingly
the Colonel.
"Mack'H tell yer how t was, fellers,'
id the Colonel meekly, while pocket
e mare
The Colonel was absent but a few mo-
ents, but when he returned each of the ,
nr was attired with pistol and knife, while
ack was distributing some dOminOes made
,m rather dirty flour sack.
' Taint so late MS all that, is it?' inquir
the Colonel.
Better be an hour anead than miss in
is ere night said one of the four. Il
ut been so thirsty since we came round !
e horn in 80, an we run short of water.
get hurt if there amt any Bit
rs in the old cOncern-they will or my :
me amt Perkins!' y
Don't count on your chickens fore
eyre hatched, Perky" said one of the
Dwd, as he adjusted his domino under
e rim of his hat. IS posin' thefe should
too many for us p o
'Stiddy, stiddy, CranSs!'' demonstrated e
. Colonel. Nobody ever gets along if Y
ey low themselves to be skeered" y
Fact chimed in the smallest and thin b
st man in the party. "The Bible says
nethin' mighty hot bout that. disre- q
,mber dzactly how it goes, but We hern y
rson Buzzy, down in Maine, preach a
pin old sermon many a time. The old :,
n never thort what comfort them ser. e
ms wuz agoin' to be to road agent, b
'ugh. The time we stopped Slim Mixes Il
ge and he didn't have no more manners u