before the magistrate, who, after an examination, hinted of quarters in the calaboose. The oaths with which the prisoner interlarded his speech may be omitted without loss.
Prisoner (to the judge). "This is a bailable case, sir, and you can't put me thar."
Magistrate. "It is not a bailable case, sir, and—"
Prisoner (interrupting). "I know its a bailable case; I am something of a lawyer if I am dressed in buckskin. You can't put me hi the calaboose, sir."
Magistrate. "Stop, sir, stop, you will have to go to prison if—"
Prisoner. "I go to prison? No, sir! and you can't put me thar!"
Magistrate. "Yes, sir. We'll see!"
Prisoner. "We'll see! and if you go to put me in that thar calaboose you can't live in this place. Yes, sir, I know you, you are a rascal, and you—"
Magistrate. "Be silent sir! Will you hear me?"
Prisoner (in high fever). "Yes, sir, I'll hear you; you are no gentleman! You can't put me in that prison; you are a villain. Don't you dare to put me in that prison. I never was in prison yet, and if you put me thar and want to live you had better leave this place!"
The judge, who was scarcely fit for the emergency, not relishing the aspect of affairs, would have kept the prisoner confined without sending him to jail had not the citizens and members of that town council interfered and compelled him to do so.
Early in 1849 there was a man of somewhat intellectual aspect, fair address, free and easy manner, and that shrewd, practical instinct which in those days passed current for its full worth, who stood about the streets in San Francisco selling peanuts. Although the person was greatly superior to his calling, be seemed by no means ashamed of it. Before he came to California he was—nobody knew what. No one knew or cared to know who any person was before he came
