Year: 1871

away from town-''a communln' with ma.
!, tur," as Mr.. McCorkle expressed it-and
actually wandering in the mountain trails
or lying on his back under the trees, OF
gathering fragrant herbs and the bright
colored berries of the Marzanita These
and his company he generally brought to
the editors office, late in the afternoon
often to that enterprising journalists infin-
ite weariness. Quiet and uncommunicative,
he would sit there patiently watching him
at his work until the hour for closing the
office arrived, when he would as quietly
depart There was something so humble
and unobtrusive in these visits that the
editor could not find it in his heart to
deny them, and, accepting them like the
wOodpeckers. as a part Of his sylvan sur
roundings, often forgot even his presence
Once or twice, moved by some beauty of
expression in the moist, shy eyes, he felt
like seriously admonishing his visitor of
bis idle folly but his glance falling on the
oiled hair and the gorgeous necktie, he
invariably thought better of it. The case
was hopeless.


The interview between Mr.. Caubbuck
and the California Pet took place in a
]
ty being respected by the presence of that
arch humorist, Boston. To this gentleman
we are indebted for the only true account
Of the meeting However reticent Mr.
! Chubbuck might have been in the pres
ence Of his own sex, toward the fairer por-
tion of humanity. he was, like most poets
exceedingly voluble. Accustomed as the
/ California Pct had been to excessive COM
| pliments, she was fairly embarrassed by
the extravagant praises of her visitor. Her
/ personation Of boy characters, her dancing
of the Champion jig, were particularly
dwelt upon with fervid but unmistakabe
admiration. At last, recovering her au-
dacity, and embodened by the presence
Of Boston, the California Pet electrified
her hearers by demanding half jestingly
half viciously, if it were "a boy or a girl
that she was the subject Of his fiattering
admiration.


" That knocked him out 0 time, said
the delighted Boston, in his subsequent ac-
count Of the interview. But DO you be
licve the simpleton actually asked her to
take him with her ; wanted to engage in
the company.


The plan, as briefly unfolded 10y Bos-
ton, was to prevail upon Mr. Chubbuck
to make his appearance in costume (al-
ready designed and prepared by the inven-
tor before q Sierra Flat audience, and
recite an original poem at the hall imme-
diately on the conclusion of the California
Pets performance. At given signal the
audience were 10 rise and deliver yolley
Of unsayory articles (previou Sly provided
by the originator Of the schcmel then
select few were to rush on the stage. sieze
the poet, and, after marching him IN tri-
umphal procession through the town, were
to deposit him beyond its utmost limits,
with strict iniunctions never to enter it
again To the first part Of the plan the
poet was committed, for the latter portion
it was easy to find participants.


The eventful night came, and with it
an audience that packed the long narrow
room with one dense mass nf human he
ings The California Pet never had been
so Joyous, so reckless. 50 fascinating and
audacious before But the applause was
tame and weak compared with the ironical
outburst that greeted the second rising Of
the curtain and the entrance Of the born
poet Of Sierra Flat Then there was
rush Of expectancy, and the poet stepped
to the footlights, and stood with his manu-
script in his hand.


His face was deadly pale. Either there
was some suggestion Of his fate in the ia
ccs Of his audience, or some mysterious
instinct told him Of his danger. He at
tempted to speak but iaItered. and stag
gered to the wings.


Fearful of losing his prey Boston gave
the signal and eaped upon the stage But
at the same moment light figure darted
from behind the scenes, and delivering a
kick that sent the discomftted humorist
back among the musicians, cut pigeon
wing, executed u double shuttle, and then
advancing to the footlights with that inim-
liable look, that audacious swagger and
utter abandon which had 50 thrilled and
fascinated them a moment before, uttered
the characteristic speech: Wot are you,
gon' to nit a man fur when he's down
sa-y?'


The look, the drawl the action the
readiness, and above all the downright
courage Of the little woman had its effect
A roar Of sympathetic applause followed
the act. - Cut and run while you eau,
she whispered hurriedly over one shoulder,
without altering the Others attitude Of pert
and saucy defiance towards the audience
But even as she spoke the poet tottered
and sank fainting upon the stage. Then
she threw a despairing whisper behind the
scenes, % Ring down the curtain


There was a slight movement OF Opposi-
tion in the audience, but among them rose
the burly shoulders Of Yuba Bill, the erect
figure of Henry York, of Sandy Bar, and
the colorless, determined face of John
Oakhuast. The curtain came down.


Behind it knelt the California Pet,
beside the PROSTATE poet Bring me
some water. Run for Il doctor Stop!
CLEAR OUT ALL"


She had unlOosed the gaudy cravat and
opened the shirt collar of the insensible
figure before her. Then she burst into
hysterical laugh.


Manuela :"


Her tiring woman, a Mexican half
breed, came toward her.


Help me with him to my dressing
room, quick then stand outside and wait.
If any one questions you, tell them he's
gone. Do you hear? He's gone.


The old woman did as she was bade. In
few moments the audience had departed.
Before morning, SO had also the California
Pet, Manuela, and-the poet Of Sierra
! Flat.


( But, alas, with them, also had departed
the fair fame of California Pet. Only
few of these. of not the best character,
still had faith in the honor of the favorte.
1T was mighty foolish thing to do, but
it'll all come right yet" To elect for
lover the despised vagrant of Sierra Flat,