The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22

for it and make merry the while
1t was at one of these camphres and
on one of these Saturday nights that
the eX-schOOl teacher now a hobo by
preference, training and too much Kip
ling. told or his Kid brother. He was
everything. that kid brother-every-
thing that the hobo might have been
but hadn't-a Caruso too modest to
sing. The hobo wasn't-and his was
something of a voice. too. Tail. gyp-
sified. nOnchalantly masterfuI pictur-
esque of ideas and temperament he
got up there in the bizarre glow of the
campfire and spoke for the down and
outs of the world-a speech OF regret
and rebellion. the humOr. the he'll of
it. and the undertOw as good as any.
Then with fling of hand to the stars
he burst into the deVil-may- -careness
of MARY Euch'-and the two strand
ed vaudeville actresses Joined in till the
song twittered like very mOckingbird
and guitar and a harmOnica caught
it up-and finally a dreamy eyed
Spaniard. a son of one OF the old fam
lilies of California, reclining there on
his elbow and considering them all.
got to his pins and danced it to the
last fling Of a foot while the rest Of
the crowd tattooed palms in unison
Song after song followed, of course.
and the circle of listeners enlarged
Then in the hush which followed annie
Laurie" and Hearts Bowed Down" a
thin rake of a fellow with a swagger
to his shoulders stepped into the circle
and held them up tneatrically for
moment with a fossil pistol from the
ruins of San Francisco.
"Shut up, d-n it," he said do you
think man hasn't SOt any feelings
Not those, If YOU wilI-sing something
quick and devilish.'
And as he swung off into the shad-
Ows some one said: That's the Har-
ward graduate eh!'
Home Life IN Camp
This particular campfire, however. Is
more illustrative of the diverse, BOhe-
rnian element. Around the others. or
within the tents families rested con-
tentedly or ate their suppers; children
played tag under the trees, bachelors
shared their fires or conveniences with
one anOther-and funny, quaint stories
of country life went floating around
Mrs Smith wondered If the Thomp-
sons wouldn't like some fresh eggs
for breakfast-and took them overs
Clara had brought nothing to dance
in and went over to borrow skirs
from Blanche. They had been to COLI
lege together at Santa Rosa Tha
candles glimmer indistinctIy behind
the canvas of the tents; the girls are
all fixing up for the "time," most Of
them having brought some kind OF
good clothes. A half hour later the
music has arrived and is tuning up.
The ladies are ranged on the benches
skirting the dance platform, the men
in attendance or clustered about
Women of every age and type, men of
every age and type. but every one as
young as youth Young fellows who
have the affair in hand are busy in
Producing partners. Should swain
prove over shy he is literally dragged
by the arm to the girl thought best
for him-or whom perhaps he thinks
words, introductiOns. quickly formed
impressions, and the meeting OF eyes.
But the musicians are now ready and
the violins plunge into a waltz--a
grooming thing with the surge OF
sea in it. The floor is alive with cou-
pies. with rhythm. with life A whits
haired matron steps IL of like a girl
of Is. A crusty old fellow who hadn't
the look OF it in him trips back TO
youth again on the strength of a
young partner. The flOor is a little
rough maybe, but the spirit couldn't
be better. From the ring of spectators
on the outside flows a constant enthu-
siasm and good will. The bonfire burns
brightly. lighting the scene. and tha
stars peep above. It's a scene of i'm
measurable phuOsOphy-its bully
it's characteristic. For to these out
door people OF California, her hop
piekers and fruit pickers, It pertains
alone,