The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-14
3 u SY;
The Story of a Wait.
ny BRET HARTE.
CHAPTER III.


Meantime the heroic proprietor OF tho peace
full OF team. whose valor Incarnation had SO
infelicitously celebrated. was walking list
lessly In the dust beside his wagon. At a f,rst
glance his slouchinR figure. taken In conneo.
tion with his buoolic conveyance. did not I'm
niedistely suggest hero. As he emerged
from the dusty cloud 1t could be seen that he
was wearing o belt from which large
dragon revolver and hunting knife were
slung. and placed somewhat ostentaLously
across the wagon seat was a rife. Yet
che other contents OF the wagon were Of
oingulRrly inoffensive character. and even
suggested articles Of homey barter. Culinary
utensils OF all sizes, tubs. scullery brushes,
and clocks with several rolls OF cheap carpet
ing and calico might have been the wares OF
some travelling vendor. Yet az thsy were
only visible through q Hap Of the drawn cur
tains Of the canvas hood thcy did not mitigate
the general aggressive effect OF their owners
appearance. red bnndana handkerchief
knotted and thrown loosely over The ohoulders:
= slouched hat pulled darkly over q head Of
long tangled hair. which. however. Swallowed
round face. scnntily and you.htully bearded.
were part OF these confusing Inconsistencies.
Tho shadows OF the team and wagon were
alrcady 'ongthening grotosn'elv over the fat
cultivated field. which for some tiro had
taken the place OF the plains OF wild oats In
tho branch road Into which they had turned.
Tho gigantic shadow OF the proprietor occa-
sionnlly projected before II. was In character
istie evaporation. and was ofton ohiterated
by q puff Of dust. stirred BY tho plodding hoofs
Of the peaceful oxen. and swept across
che field by tho strong afternoon trades.
Tho sun sank lower. although a
still potent presence above the horizon
1t, I've, 1T
lily along. Yet at intervals its beigerent pro-
prietor would start up from his slouching.
silent march. break out into violent dispropor-
tionato but utterly ineffective objurcation OF
his cattle. jump into tho air and kick his heels
together In some paroxvsm OF Indignation
against them-an act. however which was re-
ceived always with heavy bovine Indifference.
the logged soorn Of swaying protesting hoads.
or tho dull contemp! OF lazily flickins tails.
Toward sunset ono or two struggling barns
and cottages indicated their approach to the
outskirts Of a country town or settlement
Here the team halted as II the be!liserent-
looking teamster had felt his appearance was
Inconsistent with an efreninate civilization.
and the oxen were turned into an open waste
opposite anondeaciipt wooden tenement, half
farmhouse and half cabin. evidently Of the
tudest Western origin. He NAV have recog-
ulZeu SHo IHcI tnHt tneso bHdutl0b W6I0 not
ss tho ordinary traveller might infer. the first
rude shelter ofthe original pioneers or settlers,
but the later makeshifts Of some recent
Western i'm migrants. who. like himself prob
ably. found themselves unequal to the settled
habits Of the village. and who still retained
their nomadic instincts. 1t CHANGED. however.
that the cabin at present was occupied by
New England mechanic and his family. who
had immigrated by ship around Cape Horn.
and who had no experience Of tho West. the
plains. or its people 1t was. therefore. with
some curiosity and certain amount OF fasci-
mated awe that the mechanics only daughter
regarded from the open door the arrival Of
this Wild and lawless-lookins stranger
Meantime he had opened the curtains Of tho
wagon and taken from its interior number Of
pots. pans. and culinary utensils which he pro-
ceeded to hang upon certain hooks that were
placed on the outer ribs OF the board and the
sides OF the vehicle. To this he added roll OF
rag carpet the end Of which hung from the
tAilbosrd. and roll Of pink calico temptingly
displayed on the seat. The mystlncation and
curiosity of the young girl grew more Intense
At these proceedings. 1t looked like the ord-
nary exhibition OF a travelling peddler. but the
gloomy and embattled appearance OF the man
himself secuted peaceful and common
place Q suggestion. Under the pretence
OF chasing away marauding hen
she sailed out upon the waste near
tho wagon. 1t then became evident that the
traveller had seen her and was not averse to
her interest in his movements. although he
had not changed his attitude OF savage retro
spection. An occasional ejaculation OF sup
pressed passion. as II the memory Of some
past conflict was too much for him. escaped
him even in his peaceful occupation. As
this possibly caused the young girl to still
hover timidly In the distance. he suddenly
entered the wagon and reappeared carrying a
tin bucket. with which he somewhat ostenta-
eiously crossed her path-his eyes darkly wan
asrins-ss II seeking something.
II you're lookin' for the spring. It's q spell
furdsr on-by the willows"
It was pleasant voice. the team ster thought.
albeit with dry. crisp New England accent
to his ears. He looked into the
depths OF an unlovely blue check sun bonnet.
ana saw certain small. irregular features and
. sallow cheek. lit up By pair OF perfectly in
nocsnt trustful. and wondering brown eyes.
Their timid possessor seemed to be q girl Of
seventeen. whose figure. although appar-
gowns. was still undevooped and re-
pressed By rustic hardship and inuutri.
zion. As her eyes met his she saw
chat the face Of this gloomy stranger was still
youthful and by no means implacaole. and
even at that moment was actually sufYused by
. brick -colored blush. In matters Of mere In
tuition the sex. oven ct its most rustic phase.
IA still our superior. and this unsophisticated
sirl. as the trespasser Ammered. Thank ye.
mise" Was inst uctively emboldened.
Dad amt tn hum. but ye kin have drink
. milk Of 70 keer for It."
She motioned shyly toward the cabin and