The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-01-06

mao DeRun 10 naUe 1ulita turned her steps
homeward in high spirits. How easy 1t had
been TO arrange the matter, and what little
fool she was TO have worried herself %.
After ali, though, 1t was much better that
she had not left the sticks with SIENNA a
6quills. This news stand was by far tho best
place, being right in the hotel, where the
eastern tourists would be sure to SEQ them
And Tulita fell to wondering whether the
man would sell any that day, and how many,
and how long IL would be before they were
all sold. And when she passed shoe store
she stopped and looked at the display in the
window to see what kind Of shoes she should
buy--although, to be sure, the variety of
shoes TO be had for % was not great
Meantime the newsdealer had sold all of
TulitA's lavender sticks. Not that they had
filed one of the public's long felt wants, for
they had all been bought by one person, that
person being Mr.. Brown, Of Philadelphia.
Mr. Brown, while leaning idly against the
news stand, had seen Tulita como up, and on
getting sight Of her face had said to himself
in surprise, "By Jovel That is the pretty
girl saw in the garden yesterday afternoon
And although he politely moved away out Of
hearing of the conversation, he furtively
watched the pretty girl, and had no difficulty
In understanding the nature Of her trans
action with the old newsdealer. "Hard up,
Of course said Mr. Brown, sympathetically.
Then as Tulita tripped away he returned to
his lounging place by the news stand, and
picking up one Of the lavender sticks with an
air Of idle curiosity, asked what they were
for.
"They are made of lavender" replied the
dealer, "and you put them in the bureau
drawer to make your clothes smell nice, at
any rate that is what the young lady who
left them here says. never saw any myself
before. guess I'll sell 'em for souvenirs Of
southern California They are made by a
native Californian, and it will be change on
horned toads."
"That is a good idea,n said Mr. Brown
calmly. "In fact have an aunt at home
who would not like horned toads, so will
take some Of these. How many have you
goti A dozeni Well, you can let me have
the lott
As the pleased dealer was wrapping up Mr..
Browns purchase that gentleman flipped the
ash from his cigar and said, after pause,
What do you mean by native Californian
Is not every one born in California a nativeP
"Well, yes," said the dealer, with patient
forbearance for the ignorance of this ''tentler
foot" who was so good customer, ~ sup
pose they are But when we say native Cali
fornian we mean the Spanish or Mexican
people, who lived here when the country be
longed to the greasers. Have you ever read
Two Years Before the Mast by Mr.. Dana.
II you haven't have got copy here would
like to sell you. Mr.. Dana was in San Diego
back in the thirties. there was not much
here then except few adobe houses in Old
Town and the mission, but he gives you a
pretty good idea of the native Californian.
Some Of them came originally from Spain,
and had grants Of land from the king so big
that they could ride for days as the crow
flies and not leave their ranches They lived
like lords that you read about, with hun
dred or 30 Indians to herd their cattle, and
every one that happened along was welcome
to the best. Helen Hunt gives you good
idea of that In Ramona / would like to
sell you this copy; it's the last got left You
have read itl Well, as was saying, when
the Americans commenced coming In here
the native Californians began losing their
land. They found it necessary to have money
to keep up with the procession, and the most
Of their ranches got pretty well plastered, so
that one way or another the big grants got
broke up, and so did the natives. l guess
there are mighty few of them now that could
pan out anything but law suits shouldn't
wonder now if the fsther of that young lady
once owned a million or SO Of acres, you can't
t'lA- Dut, Jou Dtt, IL uo uuu any Ol III leIU,
now that the boom has struck the town, she
wouldn't be making those things" touching
Nv Browns parcel. 'Not,n he added
hastily, "but what they are a first class ar
tic:s in their way. In fact must get her to
make come more, guess they'll take pretty
well. You don't want to buy Helen Hunts
booki Mr.. Dana'sf Well, so long"
Showing the bundle of lavender into the
pocket of the light overcoat that hung across
his arm, Mr.. Brown left the hotel, and with
the air of man who has nothing to do and
all the day before him he walked along tho
streets. Finally he entered tall frame build
ing bearing the legend Furnished rooms to
let" Ascending 10 the top floor, he opened
the door of what proved to be a small apart
ment, well filled with bed and bed lounge
both presenting evidence of recent USE In
corner before q small looking glass stood a
well dressed man of about 80 years of age,
carefully arranging four in hand tie He
turned as Mr.. Brown entered, and looked at
him expectantly, but Immediately resumed
his occupation.
We'll, old man, he said, anything newi'
mo-" said Mr.. Brown, throwing his over
coat on the bed. The bundle Of lavender
dropped out of the pocket, and Mr.. Brown,
picking it up, SHE'D it after the coat
what is thatf' said the gentleman at the
looking glass; "manuscriptr
"No," said Mr.. Brown, with slight look
of embarrassment; something got at the
hotel. Why the devil hasn't that Chinaman
made the beds upp he continued, impatient
ly. 1T Is nearly IL o'clock" And going to
the door Mr.. Brown called out in no gentle
tones: Here youl Sing Lee Sing Leeln
my dear fellow" exclaimed his COM
paion, with an affectation of terror "for
heavens sake, don't do that You will stir
up the old woman. l spent whole hour
this morning persuading her to be quiet for
another week. And drawing Brown back
into the room, he tiptoed into the entry, and
cautiously peered over the banisters. Then
coming back, he closed the door softly, and
heayed sigh of relief
Browns puzzled expression changed to a
smile sob" he said, ~ forgot about the
rent. But, say, Benton, we can't owe her
very much for this little coop; can't you pay
her enough to let me kick that Chinaman
into some idea of decencyT
Can't be done, my dear boy" said his
companion. "You must learn to deny your
self these luxuries."
Talking of denial" said Brown, ~ am
frightfully hungry, Have you had your
breakfastf'
"This don't happen to be breakfast day,n
said Benton, "this is lunch day: but we will
have it early, in fact was only waiting for
you to come in. We dined Off the last of my
watch last night, you know, SO as not TO
break that IS piece Of yours"
AT this Browns face changed, and his eyes
sought Tulita's lavender sticks, which Law
upon the unmade bed "rn tell you what 1t
is, Tom" he said, finally, looking up at his
friend eomically, ''you ought to break my
neck"
"Whyg" said Mr.. Benton.
''Simply because | am not to be trusted
alone. threw away 81 of that money this
morning. You see" he continued more
earnestly, II never had an experience Of this
sort before, and keep forgetting
"Of course" said Benton, sympathetically.
I'VE can't expect a leopard TO change his
spots In an Instant
Here" continued Brown, taking out his
purse, "you take charge of the rest OF this.n
mo, III be hanged il do,n replied Ben
ton. "You forget our agreement in San
Francisco after that unlucky stock deal into
which got your
"And in which you lost fifty thousand to
my five, interrupted Brown.
"You forget our agreement continued
Benton, without needing this remark, 'that
we were to pool our resources and share
equally gains and losses from two bit piece
TO a hundred thousand dollars