, 1888-11-22

lavender sticks, he was very kind to the girl
and readily agreed TO do all in his power to
advance her little venture.
Rid of her bundle of lavender, which she
had begun to hate, Tulita turned her steps
homeward in high spirits. How easy 1t had
been TO arrange the matter, and what little
fool she vas to have worried herself So
After all, though, II was much better that
she had not left the sticks with Senna &
Squills This news stand was by far the best
place, being right in the hotel, where th%
eastern tourists would be sure to see them.
And Tulita fell TO wondering whether the
man would sell any that day, and how many,
and how long it would be before they were
all sold. And when she passed n shoe store
she stopped and looked at the display i'll the
window to see what kind of shoes she should
buy-although, to be sure, the variety of
shoes TO be had for S3 was not great.
Meantime the newsdealer had sold ali of
Tulita's lavender sticks Not that they had
filled one of the public's long felt wants, for
hey had all been bought by one person, that
erson being Mr.. Brown, of Philadelphia.
IT. Brown, while leaning idly against the
news stand, had seen Tulita come up, and on
getting sight of her face had said to himself
in surprise, 'fBy 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 furtivsly
watched the pretty girl, and had no difficulty
in understanding the nature of her trans
action with the old ncwsdealer Hard up,
Of course said Mr.. Brown, sympatheticalIy.
Then as Tulita tripped away he rc. urned to
his lounging place by the ne !, and
picking up one of the lavender / an
uir OF idle curiosity, asked ere
for.
They are made of layende
dealer, land you put them ed
drawer to make your clothes :, ct
any rate that Is what the YOU ~hc
left them here says. never saw ;...y Myself
before guess I'll sell 'em for souvenirs of
southern California. They are made by
native Californian, and it will be change on
horned toads.n
THAT is good idea," said Mr.. Brown
calmly. "In fact l 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 lot"
As the pleased dealer was wrapping up Mr..
Browns purchase that gentleman Tipped the
ash from his cigar and said, after pause,
What do you mean by native Californian
Is not every one born in California q native."
''Well, yes," said the dealer, with patient
forbearance for the Ignorance of this ''tender
foot, )" who was so good customer, Il sup
pose they are. But when we say native Cali
forniap We mean the Spanish or Mexican
people, who lived here when the country be
Ionged to the greasers. Have you ever read
Two Years Before the Mast by Mr. Dana.
If you haven't have got copy here ! would
like to sell you. M 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
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 a hum
dred or so Indians to herd their cattle, and
every one that happened along was welcome
to tho 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 it! Well, as / was saying, when
the Americans commenced coming in here
tho native Californians began losing their
land They found it necessary to have money
TO keep up with tho 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 tho natives l guess
there arc mighty few Of them now that could
pan out anything but law suits. I shouldn't
wonder now if the father Of that young lady
once owned a million or so Of acres, you can't
tell But, you bet, if he had any OF it left,
now that the boom has struck the town, she
wouldn't be making those thngs,n touching
Mr.. Browns parcel. Not" he added
hastily, but what they are first class ar
ticle in their way. In fact must get her to
make some more, guess they'll take pretty
well You don't want to bay Helen Hunts
booki Mr.. Dana'si 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 q mnn who has nothing TO do and
all the day before him he walked along the
streets Finally he entered q tall frame build
ing bearing the legend Furnished rooms tc
let" Ascending to the top floor, he opened
the door of what proved to be q small apart
ment well filed with bed and bed lounge,
both presenting evidence of recent use. In
corner before q small looking glass stood q
well dressed man of about 80 years of age,
carefully arranging four in hand tie. He
turned as Mr.. Brown entered, and looked "a
him expectantly, but Immediately resumed
his occupation.
"clip Olu Ll1Ah, ne
''Ho,n 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 thatn said the gentleman at the
looking glass; ''manuscriptf"
NO. said Mr. Brown, with a slight look
OF embarrassment; something got at the
hotel Why the devil hasn't that Chinaman
made the beds upm he continued, inpatient
ly. "It is nearly 10 o'clock" And going to
the door Mr.. Brown called out in no gentle
tones: "Here you! Sing Leel Sing Leer'
my dear fellow" exclaimed his COM
paion, with an association of terror, ''for
heavens sake, don't do thatl You viii stir
up the old woman. l spent q 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
heaved sigh Of relief.
Browns puzzled expression changed to q
smile. "Oh," he said, II forgot about the
rent But, / say, Benton, we can't owe her
very much for this little coop; can't you pay
I her enough to let me kick that Chinaman
into some idea of decency!"
Cant be done, my dear boy" said his
companion. "You must learn to DENY YOUR
self these luxuries."
Talking of DENIAL" said Brown, 81 am
frightfully hungry. Have you had your
breakfastF'
This don't happen to be breakfast day.
said Benton, this is lunch day: but we viii
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 lay
upon the unmade bed I'm tell you what il
is, Tom," he said, finally, looking up at his
friend comically, ''yOu ought to break my
neck
'Why!" said Mr.. Benton.
"Simply because am not to be trusted
alone. l threw away SO of that money this
morning. You see," he continued more
earnestly, Il never had an experience of this
sort before and keep forgetting"
"Of course" said Benton, sympathetically