terminating in the scantiest possible light-colored braid in the middle
of her narrow shoulders, was as hard and uninteresting as the wooden
spheres that topped the railing against which she sat.

The jury, who for six weeks had had her described to them by the
plaintiffs as an arch, wily enchantress, who had sapped the failing
reason of Jim Byways, revolted to a man. There was something so
appallingly gratuitous in her plainness, that it was felt that three
millions was scarcely a compensation for it. "Ef that money was give to
her, she earned it SURE, boys: it wasn't no softness of the old man,"
said the foreman. When the jury retired, it was felt that she had
cleared her character: when they re-entered the room with their verdict,
it was known that she had been awarded three millions damages for its
defamation.

She got the money. But those who had confidently expected to see
her squander it were disappointed: on the contrary, it was presently
whispered that she was exceedingly penurious. That admirable woman, Mrs.
Stiver of Red Dog, who accompanied her to San Francisco to assist her in
making purchases, was loud in her indignation. "She cares more for two
bits than I do for five dollars. She wouldn't buy anything at the 'City
of Paris,' because it was 'too expensive,' and at last rigged herself
out, a perfect guy, at some cheap slop-shops in Market Street. And after
all the care Jane and me took of her, giving up our time and experience
to her, she never so much as made Jane a single present." Popular
opinion, which regarded Mrs. Stiver's attention as purely speculative,
was not shocked at this unprofitable denouement; but when Peg refused to
give anything to clear the mortgage off the new Presbyterian Church, and
even declined to take shares in the Union Ditch, considered by many
as an equally sacred and safe investment, she began to lose favor.