Norfleet: the actual experiences of a Texas rancher's 30,000-mile transcontinental chase after five confidence men. Page: 53 of 369
4 p. l., 344 p. front., plates, ports. 22 cm.View a full description of this book.
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CHAPTER IV.
MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
Having no particular place in California at which
to start the search, I dropped off the train at dusk in
San Bernardino. "Might as well begin the hunt from
the bottom of the state and work up," said I to myself.
It was Christmas Eve.
The pretty little valley town nestling at the foot
of Arrow Head Mountain, was in holiday dress. Festoons
of green draped the doorways and arches of the
little stucco mission homes. Wreaths pressed their wide
red ribbon bows against the windows of the small shops.
The town was in gala attire.
No doubt about it, Santa Claus was expected
momentarily!
I walked the streets to formulate some plan of
action. Where-how to make the beginning? I began
to experience that feeling of panic that strikes one so
often after acting on a decision made in haste. I recall
thinking I must have been insane to have come way out
to California simply because not one of six men had
ever mentioned the place. What reasoning! I had been
a fool! Jumping at conclusions, based on what seemed
now the most ridiculous idea in the world! I felt like
running for home before anyone found out what a fool
I had been.
Everything was quiet and peaceful but myself. I
wanted some one to talk to; some contact with reality.
I kept on walking and found I was in the residence
section among the low, rambling Spanish houses that
dot the miniature city.
Through the windows of southern bungalows, merry
lights twinkled and sparkled from the branches of giftladen
Christmas trees. Lighted lamps threw on intimate
family scenes, warm rosy glows. Fathers were importantly
affixing small stockings to mantelpieces and
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Norfleet, J. Frank, 1864-. Norfleet: the actual experiences of a Texas rancher's 30,000-mile transcontinental chase after five confidence men., book, 1924; Ft. Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5864/m1/53/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .