The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-10
(Chapter IL

aO10 vi tudb SdlldnU war o sc Oh tIe
Calaveras democracy, Colonel Starbottle,
at the close of political campaign to re-
turn to his original profession of the law
Perhaps it could not be called peaceful
retirement. The same fiery tongued elo-
qGence and full-breasted chivalry which
had in turns thrilled and overaWed free
men at the polls, wero no less fervid and
enhautled before jury. Yet the Colonel
was counsel for two or three pastoral
Ditch companies and certain bucolio cor
pcrations. and although he managed to
import into the simplest question of con-
tract more or less abuse of opposing coun-
sci, AMI occasionally mingled presidents
OF law with antecedents of his adversary /,
his legal victories were seldom complicat-
ed by bloodshed. He was only once shot
at by a free handed Judge and twice as
sault by an over-sensitive litigant.
Nevertheless, it was thought merely pru-
dent, while preparing the papers i'll the
weIl-knoWn case of 1.-The Arcadian Shep-
herds Association of Toulemne versus the
Kedron Vine and Fig Tree Growers of
Ca.averas, that the Colonel should seek,
with a shot gun, the secluslon OF MS
partners law office in the sylvan outskirts
of Rough and Ready, for that complete
| rest and serious pre-occupatlon which
Maryswell could not afford.
1t was an exceptionally hot day. The
painted shingles Of the plain wooden ones
| toried building in which the Colonel sat
were warped and blistering in the direct
rays of the fierce, untempered sun. The
tin sign bearing the dazzling legend,
Starbottle and Bungstarter, attorneys
| and oounsellors," glowed with an insult
| cradle light; the two pine trees still left
in the clearing around the house, ineffec-
| tive as shade, seemed only 20 have alb
sorbed the day-long heat through every
scorched and crisp twig and fibre, to
| radiate it again with the pungent smell
| of a slowly snouldering fire. the air was
motionless yet vibrating in the sunlight;
on distant shadows the half-drled river
| was flashing and intolerable.
Seated in wooden armchair before q
table covered with books and papers. yet
with that apparently naughty attitude
towards it affected by gentlemen of
abdominal fitness, Colonel Starbottle
supported himself with one hand grasp
ing the arm of his chair and the other
vigorously plying huge palm leaf fan.
He. was perspiring freely. Heihad taken
off his characteristic blue frook coat,
| waistcoat, cravat and collar, and stripped
only to his ruffled shirt and white drill
trousers, presented the appearance from
| the opposite side OF the table of having
hastily risen to work in his night-gown.
A glass with thin sediment Of sugar
| and lemon peel remaining in it stood near
his elbow. Suddenly black shadow fell
| on the staring, uncarpeted hall. 1t was
that of a stranger who had just entered
from the noiseless dust of the deserted
road. The Colonel cast rapid glance at
his sword-cane which lay on the table.
| But the stranger, although sallow and
morose looking, was evidently of pacific
| intent. He paused on the threshold in q
kind of surly embarrassment.
II reckon this is Colonel Starbottle, he
said at last, glancing gloomily round
him. as If the interview was not entirely
Of his own seeking. "Well, I've seen you
often enough. though you don't know
me. Ny names 10 Corbin. I@gu SIS,
he added still discontentedly.s" 81 have to
consult you atlG1t something.
"Corbina" repeated the colonel in his
jaupt.es5 manner. "Ah. Any relation
t. old MAZE Corbin, of Nashville, sir?''
"No," said the stranger briefly. "I'1n
from Shelbyville. -
"The Major" continued the Colonel,
half closing his eyes as If to follow the
Major into the dreamy past, tthe old
Major, sir a matter of five or six years
ago, was one of my most intimate politi-
cal friends-in fact, sir, my most init
| mate friend. Take chyar!'
| But the stranger had already taken one
and during the Colonels "Reminiscences
had leaned forward with his eyes on the
ground, discontentedly swinging his soft
hat between his legs. Ibid you know
Tom Fisher, of Yolo?" he asked abruptly
"Er-no.''
'Nor even heard anything about FRS.
bee, nor what happened to him." oontin.
ued the man with aggrieved melancholy.
In point of fact the Colonel did not
think that he had.
Nor anything about his being killed
over at Fresno9' said the stranger, with
q Responding Implication that the inter-
| viz off oil foil 11ra
eff, er-if you could, er-give me q
hint or two" suggested the Colonel
blandly.
THAT wasn't much, said the strange,
''if you don't remember - lie paused,
then rising, he gloomily dragged his
chair slowly beside the table, and taking
up paper, weight examined mined it ;, with Il
went on slowly, 81 killed limit was a
quo'H. He was my pardner, but reckon
be must have drove me hard. Yes, sir,
he added, with aggrieved reflection, 81
reckon he drove me hard
The Colonel smiled courteously, slightly
expanding his chest under the homie idal
relation, as If, having taken it in and
made 10 part of himself, he was ready,
II necessary, to become personally respon-
sible forsit. Then lifting his empty glass
to the light, looked at 1t with half closed
eyes, in polite imitation of his compan-
IONS examination of the paper weigh.
and set it down again. A casual specta.
tor from the window might have iInag.
ined that the two were engaged in an
amlcable inventory of the furniture.
And the-er-aotual circumstances,
asked the Colonel
ooh, 1t was a fair enough fight
They II tell you that. AMI SO would he
| Esckon-if he could. He was ugly and
bedevlin-but didn't care to quo'n ane
gave him the go-by all the time. He KEEP
on, followed me out Of the shanty, drew
and fred twice. l." he stopped and re
garded his hat moment as II 1t was :
eorroborating witness. Cyl closed witt
him--I had tot was my only chance
and that ended it-and with his own re-
volver. I never drew mine"
Il see,'' said the Colonel, nodqing
CLEARLY justiflable and honourable al
regards the Code. And you wish me tx
defend you?''
The strangers gloomy expression Of as
tonishment. now turned to blank hopeless
ness.
81 knew you didn't understand, HI
said despairingly. why all that wa
two years ago, It's all settled and done
and gone. The jury found for me at tn
inquest. 1t AMT that | want to see you
about. It's something arising out o
it -