The Democratic advocate., 1904-11-19

rived, | proceeded to the shanty Of Ba
boon intended. | was surprised to find
him habilitated as | had known him in the
hills; no bridal garniture adorned his per
son; no razor had smoothed his weather
beaten features The original combination
Of cavalry boot, moccasin and overhauls,
surmounted by the same red flannel shirt,
now grim and worm made up his costume
An inspection of the bride elect gave
me still less satisfaction; while comely in a
general way, her expression indicated an
unprincipled and hardened character, and
her surroundings told me much of a dis
tasteful nature.
Still, on the coast in those days, the
matter Of choice did not allow one to be
too aesthetic and surely Baboon himself
was not an example Of elegant refinement;
vet of one thing felt assured-his thor
ough honesty-and my powers of observa-
tlon refused to attest rs much in favor Of
;he buxom damsel beside him.
was recalled from my reflections by the
entrance of Baboon : dominic Burly
erect and stroug, he was a fair sample of
the justices who prevailed in California
at that period when a trusty six shooter
WIS regarded as the best certificate of elec-
ton the aspiring citizen could possess.
The wedding was to him, a huge joke,
if one could judge from his bearing, and,
in spite Of my forebodiug, | was forced to
laugh with him at the grotesque appear
ance of the groom as he stood up with
the silent but smiling bride
The ceremony was unique-extempo-
rizel, in my opinion, for the occasion -
In reply to the question, Did Baboon
love the woman about to become his better
halfs he replied Way up and dis
posed Of the query, Would he stand by
her for better or was p with an expressive
you bet Soon came the announce
meut by the dominic that he pronouu-
ced them hitched, and Baboon, jerking
from the tattered bosom of his shirt the
result of lis partnership with me, placed it
IN the eager-too eager, | thought-hands
Of Katie.
Then. with hi, homely face beaming, he
invited "a, 20 chew and .>mile.
accepted both invitations sparingly,
and departed early, but not before Baboon
had attained a stage of ,pirituous ecStacy
that threatened 70 make the whole camp
ry>ound with the hilarity attendant upon
his joy.
The next morning a whisper caused me
90 repair IN haste to the hut of the en-
chanting Katie. | found Baboon sitting
alone and ai,eons0late his face, from which
had fed every trace Of the night excruti-
a,tu- smile, was bowed upon a table, and
the vagraut hair wandered in tangled free
dom over his shoulders and outstretched
arms.
The surroundings attested the truth of
the rumor | had heard Katie, the way
up Katie, had decamped during the
night with the dominic, and all Of Ba-
boon money.
laid my hand upon hi, shoulder At
my touch he sprang 10 his feet and faced
me ike a Wild beast at bay his face and
and eyes 10 longer wore their expression Of
honest taudor. but burned with the light Of
maidened helpleSsness lie uttered but
one word. skipped then clasped his
strong arms aud moaned.
| knew uo words could cool the fever Of
bis wrong. and taking my purse, | laid it
iawu before him
The helpless expression | had noticed
vanished from his eyes in an instant, but
in It's place cleaned out Thirsty, hateful
light Graspius the money, he selected
a few pieces and returned the bulk against
my earnest protest then, >eizing me BY
the hand said Shake aud hugging
close the ancient iowliug piece, be passed
through the door and disappeared