The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19
UNKNOWN STORIES FROM THE PEN OF BRET HARTE
Immature and Unrevised Tales Written by the Famous
Author Before Fame Came to Him-Collection
Made From Old Files of Californian Newspapers

ing solemnly ridiculous idea took pos
session OF me. \ few strokes brought
me to the bank. and gathering some
alder boughs | twined th,ir green leaves
intermiXed with PUSHES around my loins.
n few more | twisted into wreath
around my foolish Uranium Thus
crowned / surveyed myself with UNI
mixed satisfaction in the watery mirror.
j might have been ACtipon in person or
graceful dryad of thu masculine gem
der. The Illusion in either case was
perfect
| was still looking when | was startled
at the sound of voices. Conceive of my
dismay on turning around and perceiv-
ing crowd of well dressed ladies and
gentlemen scattered in groups about
the lawn. 1t at once rushed upon my
mind that the family had returned with
company. What was To I've done? Ny
clothes were on the opposite shore. An
open space intervening between myself
and the woods rendered escape in that
direction impossible without detection.
As yet | was unpcrceived. But a party
of both sexes were approaching by "A
path which led directly toward me. |
looked around in anguish. A few feet
from me arose "A pyramidal pedestal Of
S'tut statue nut llllt, lnc lCoUoCldSI,
had long ago tumbled the battered
monolth into the lake. \ brilliant idea
struck me. | had got myself into this
horrible scrape by the foolish imper-
sonation OF my fancy. resolved to free
myself by its aid. The pedestal was
about eight feet in height To scale this
and place myself in attitude was but
moments work with heating heart.
hut frf nah I "a no
coming. hoped. | prayed 1t might not
be long.
Imagine to yourself a clean limbed
young fellow of one and twenty, sans
the ordinary habiliments. with no other
covering than natures own and n sor,
of fig leaf apron made of rushes and
encircling his lons and thighs. his
brows bound with an alder wreath and
the evening shadows cast over his pale
face and chilled but upright figure. and
Won have me as / stood at that eventful
moment.
To give effect to my acting | closed
my eyes.
aida, Ada have YOU fallen in love
with the statue
"No. I'm coming and the rustling
dress and fairy voice moved away.
| waited N fear and trembling. For
the first time felt unnerved. Had she
discovered me? | felt myself already
ignominiously expelled from the fatal
garden like the sinful Adam-hut alas!
without the solacr uf the beautiful Eve.
Five minutes passed. Nentured Ia look
again Al WAS dark. ! could hear the
singing Of voices high up on the garden
terrace To step from my uneasy eIe-
walton by the light ii the rising moon
as COON as my oramped limbs would
permit. run around to the opposite
shore. hurry on my clo,hcs and through
thicket and brake reach the park lodge
was the work of "A moment. That night
left the village. That week left
England.
went to France. went To Ger
many. | went To Italy. Three years
passed. My imagination and cnthusi-
assn were more under control began
To think better Of society. had
paintcd several large pictures, alegori-
cal and fanc.ful. with prominent female
figures with blue eyes and golden hair.
They were not appreciated. had
painted som, portraits for which |
! was remunerated Handsomely and had