The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-02
E.
BY Bret Harte.
A.tsor Of "The Luck or Roari-r Canp,"
tive Mes OF SANDY Rsr,' &C..
COPYRIGHT, 1901, by Br,i Harte.
PART I.-CHApTER II.

The laugh that instlncttyely broke from Clar-
encs's lips was so sincere and unaffected that
the man was disconnected, and at last Joined in
1t. a little shamefacedly. The grotesque blunder
Of being taken asa fugitive from justice relieved
Clarencc's mind from its acute tension, he was
inomeutarily diverted. and IL was not until the
boatman had departed and he was alone that
1t seemed to have Any collateral significance.
Then an uneasy recollection Of Susy's threat
that she had the poyer to put his wife In Fort
Alcatraz came across him.
could she have already warned the municipal
authorities and this man-but he quickly re-
mamberel any action from such a warning
could only have been taken by the United states
Marshal, and not by n civic official. and dis
missed the idea.
Nevertheless, when the stage with its half
spent lamps still burning dimly again st the
morning light swept round the curve and rolled
heavily up TO the rude shanty which served as
coach Office, he became watchful.
A single yawning Individual In its doorway re-
ceived a few letters and parcels, but Clarence
was evidently the only waiting passenger. Any
hope that he might have entertained that his
predecessor would emery from some seclusion
at that moment was disappointed.
An he entered the coach he made = rapid SUR
yey OF his fellow travellers. but satisfied himself
that the stranger was not among them. They
were mainly mail traders, or farmers, a miner
or two, and apparently q Spanish-American OF
better degree and personality.
Possibly the circumstance that men of this
class usually preferred TO travel on horseback
and were rarely seen in public conveyances at
tracted his attention, and their eyes met more
than once, In mutual curiosity.
Presently Clarence addressed q remark TO
him in Spanish. He replied fuently and cour-
teously, but at the next stopping place he asked
. question of the expressman, in an unmistak-
able Missouri accent.
Clarence's curiosity was satisfied: he was
evidently one of those early American settlers
who had been 80 long domiciled in southern
California as to adopt the speech as well as the
habiliments of the Spsniard,
The conversation fell upon the political news
Of the previous night, or rather seemed to be
lazily continued from come previous more ex-
cited discussion. in which one of the contestants,
. red bearded miner. had subsidized into an oc-
casionsl growl of surly dissent.
1t struck Clarence that the Missourian had
been an amused auditor, and even. Judging from
q twinkle In his eye, a mischievous instigator Of
the controversy. He was not surprised. there
fore. when the man turned to him with q GER
tain courtesy and said:
And what. sir. is the political feeling in your
district"
But Clarence was in no mood to be drawn.
and replied. almost CURLY. that as he had come
only from san Francisco. they were probably as
well informed on that subject as himself.
a quick and searching glance from the strang-
er's eye made him regret it, but in the silence
that ensued the red besrded passenger, still
ranking at heart, saw his opportunity.
Shaping his huge hands on his knees and
leaning far forward. until he seemed TO plunge
his flaming beard-like a firebrand-into the
controversy, he said, grimly:
We'll! | kin tell you gen'I'men. this! II
amt goin' to be no matter wot's the political feel
ing here or thar-it amt goin' to be no matter
wot's States rights and wot's Fed'ral rights
1t amt goin' to be no question whether the
COMMENTS got the right to relieve its
own soldiers that those secesh is besieging In
Fort Sumter or whether they haven't-but the
first gun that's fired at the flag blows the chains
off every d--n Niger south of Mason and
Dixon's line! You hear me! I'm shoutin'!"
There was an angry start in one or two of the
seats. One man caught at the swinging side
strap and half rose, and then all as suddenly
subsidized.
Every eye was turned to an insignificant figure
In the back seat. 1t was a woman holding a
child on her lap and gazing out OF the window
with her sex's profound unconcern in politics.
Clarence understood the rude chivalry of the
soad well enough TO comprehend that this I'M
conscious but omnipotent figure had. more than
once that day, controlled the passions of the
disputants. They dropped back weakly TO their
seats and their mutterinps rolled of In the rattle
L..
Vi the "heeis'
Clarence glanced at the Missourian. He was
regarding the red bearded miner with n ,inru-
lat curiosity
The rain had ceased, but the afternoon shad-
ous yvoro doananipa whor ,hay nj I.s, raachsd
!" ~
FAR llalhs, where clarence expected 10 take
horse to the rancho. He was astonished, how
aver IN learn tina, all the horses In the stable
" ~
were engaged out remembering that some OF
his own stock were in pasturagc with a tenant
a, Fair pla;ps and tha, he sbouId nrohahIv bava
$50 ass So lew
. better selection, he turned his steps thither.
Passing out OF the stable yard he recognized
the Missourian's voice in whispered converse
"a - - "n"'p.'N'
tion with the proprietor out tho Two men with
drew into the shadow as he approached.
~ - H
knew the proprietor" also seemed 10 know