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proved that the cavity was unfit as a treasure hoard for a discreet squirrel；
whatever its value as a receptacle for the love…tokens of incautious
humanity； the little animal at once set about to put things in order。 He
began by whisking out an immense quantity of dead leaves； disturbed a
family of tree…spiders； dissipated a drove of patient aphides browsing in
the bark； as well as their attendant dairymen； the ants； and otherwise ruled
it with the high hand of dispossession and a contemptuous opinion of the
previous incumbents。 It must not be supposed； however； that his
proceedings were altogether free from contemporaneous criticism； a
venerable crow sitting on a branch above him displayed great interest in
his occupation； and； hopping down a few moments afterwards； disposed of
some worm…eaten nuts； a few larvae； and an insect or two； with languid
dignity and without prejudice。 Certain incumbrances； however； still
resisted the squirrel's general eviction； among them a folded square of
paper with sharply defined edges； that declined investigation； and； owing
to a nauseous smell of tobacco； escaped nibbling as it had apparently
escaped insect ravages。 This； owing to its sharp angles； which persisted
in catching in the soft decaying wood in his whirlwind of house…cleaning；
he allowed to remain。 Having thus； in a general way； prepared for the
coming winter； the self…satisfied little rodent dismissed the subject from
his active mind。
His rage and indignation a few days later may be readily conceived；
when he found； on returning to his new…made home； another square of
paper； folded like the first； but much fresher and whiter； lying within the
cavity； on top of some moss which had evidently been placed there for the
purpose。 This he felt was really more than he could bear； but it was
smaller； and with a few energetic kicks and whisks of his tail he managed
to finally dislodge it through the opening； where it fell ignominiously to
the earth。 The eager eyes of the ever…attendant crow； however； instantly
detected it； he flew to the ground； and； turning it over； examined it gravely。
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It was certainly not edible； but it was exceedingly rare； and； as an old
collector of curios； he felt he could not pass it by。 He lifted it in his beak；
and； with a desperate struggle against the superincumbent weight；
regained the branch with his prize。 Here； by one of those delicious
vagaries of animal nature； he apparently at once discharged his mind of the
whole affair； became utterly oblivious of it； allowed it to drop without the
least concern； and eventually flew away with an abstracted air； as if he had
been another bird entirely。 The paper got into a manzanita bush； where it
remained suspended until the evening； when； being dislodged by a passing
wild…cat on its way to Mulrady's hen…roost； it gave that delicately sensitive
marauder such a turn that she fled into the adjacent county。
But the troubles of the squirrel were not yet over。 On the following
day the young man who had accompanied the young woman returned to
the trunk； and the squirrel had barely time to make his escape before the
impatient visitor approached the opening of the cavity； peered into it； and
even passed his hand through its recesses。 The delight visible upon his
anxious and serious face at the disappearance of the letter； and the
apparent proof that it had been called for； showed him to have been its
original depositor； and probably awakened a remorseful recollection in the
dark bosom of the omnipresent crow； who uttered a conscious…stricken
croak from the bough above him。 But the young man quickly
disappeared again； and the squirrel was once more left in undisputed
possession。
A week passed。 A weary； anxious interval to Don Caesar； who had
neither seen nor heard from Mamie since their last meeting。 Too
conscious of his own self…respect to call at the house after the equivocal
conduct of Mrs。 Mulrady； and too proud to haunt the lanes and approaches
in the hope of meeting her daughter； like an ordinary lover； he hid his
gloomy thoughts in the monastic shadows of the courtyard at Los Gatos；
or found relief in furious riding at night and early morning on the highway。
Once or twice the up…stage had been overtaken and passed by a rushing
figure as shadowy as a phantom horseman； with only the star…like point of
a cigarette to indicate its humanity。 It was in one of these fierce
recreations that he was obliged to stop in early morning at the blacksmith's
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A MILLIONAIRE OF ROUGH…AND…READY
shop at Rough…and…Ready； to have a loosend horseshoe replaced； and
while waiting picked up a newspaper。 Don Caesar seldom read the
papers； but noticing that this was the 〃Record；〃 he glanced at its columns。
A familiar name suddenly flashed out of the dark type like a spark from
the anvil。 With a brain and heart that seemed to be beating in unison with
the blacksmith's sledge； he read as follows：
〃Our distinguished fellow…townsman； Alvin Mulrady； Esq。； left town
day before yesterday to attend an important meeting of directors of the
Red Dog Ditch Company； in San Francisco。 Society will regret to hear
that Mrs。 Mulrady and her beautiful and accomplished daughter； who are
expecting to depart for Europe at the end of the month； anticipated the
event nearly a fortnight； by taking this opportunity of accompanying Mr。
Mulrady as far as San Francisco； on their way to the East。 Mrs。 and Miss
Mulrady intend to visit London； Paris； and Berlin； and will be absent three
years。 It is possible that Mr。 Mulrady may join them later at one or other
of those capitals。 Considerable disappointment is felt that a more
extended leave…taking was not possible； and that； under the circumstances；
no opportunity was offered for a 'send off' suitable to the condition of the
parties and the esteem in which they are held in Rough…and…Ready。〃