"JINNY"


I think that the few who were permitted to know and love the object
of this sketch spent the rest of their days not only in an attitude
of apology for having at first failed to recognize her higher
nature, but of remorse that they should have ever lent a credulous
ear to a priori tradition concerning her family characteristics.
She had not escaped that calumny which she shared with the rest of
her sex for those youthful follies, levities, and indiscretions
which belong to immaturity. It is very probable that the firmness
that distinguished her maturer will in youth might have been taken
for obstinacy, that her nice discrimination might at the same
period have been taken for adolescent caprice, and that the
positive expression of her quick intellect might have been thought
youthful impertinence before her years had won respect for her
judgment.

She was foaled at Indian Creek, and one month later, when she was
brought over to Sawyer's Bar, was considered the smallest donkey
ever seen in the foot-hills. The legend that she was brought over
in one of "Dan the Quartz Crusher's" boots required corroboration
from that gentleman; but his denial being evidently based upon a
masculine vanity regarding the size of his foot rather than a
desire to be historically accurate, it went for nothing. It is
certain that for the next two months she occupied the cabin of Dan,
until, perhaps incensed at this and other scandals, she one night
made her way out. "I hadn't the least idee wot woz comin'," said