Weeks ran on; the beau had enjoyed a respite from the wiles of his persecutors, when one morning he was forced to come down into the store in his working gear, well be-spattered with oleaginous substances, dust and dirt; in this gear, Charley presented about as ugly and primitive a looking Christian, as might not often--before California life was dreamed of--be seen in a city. We _did_ quite an extensive retail trade--the store was rarely free from _ton_-ish citizens, mostly "fine ladies," in quest of fine perfumes, soaps, oils, etc., to sweeten and decorate their own beautiful selves. But, before venturing in, our _beau_ had an eye about the horizon, to see that no impediments offered; things looked safe, and in comes the beau. We were upon very fair terms with Charley, and he was wont to regale us with many of his long stories about the company he _faced_ into, the "conquests" he made, and the times he had with this and that, in high life. Fanny Kemble was about that time--belle of the season! _Lioness_ of the day! setting corduroy in a high fever, and raising an awful _furore_--generally! Alas! how soon such things--cave in! Charley got behind the counter to stow away some articles he had brought down, and began one of his usual harangues: "Theatre, last night, Jack?" "No; couldn't get off; wanted to," said we. "O, you missed a grand opportunity to see the fashion beauty and wealthy people of this city! Such a house! Crowded from pit to dome, met a hundred and fifty of my friends--ladies of the first families in town, with all the 'high boys' of my acquaintance!" "And how did Fanny _do_ Juliet?" we asked. "Do it? Elegant! I sat in the second stage box with the two Misses W. (Chestnut street belles!) and Colonel S. and Sam. G., and his sister (all _nobs_ of course!), and they were truly entranced with Miss Kemble's Juliet! I threw for Miss G. her elegant bouquet,--Fanny kissed her fingers to me, and with a _look_ at me, as I stood up so--(the beau gave a tall _rear up_ and was about to spread himself, when glancing at the door, he sees--two ladies! right in the store!) _thunder!_" he exclaims. If the beau had been hit by a streak of lightning, he would not have _dropped_ sooner than he did, behind the counter.