Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-02-21
From the National Era.
The Gold Mines Of California.

From the National Era.
The Gold Mines Of California.
At the date OF the las, accounts from Califor- /
MIA, the harvesss were left to rot in the fields
their owners having all gone to the mines, and
provisions Of oil kinds were scarce and comman-
ding the most e1horbitant prices Already there
was actual suf. ring for food in the midst OF gold;
and probably long this more than one unfor-
tunate adve niursr has looked with more salts
faction upon an edible root or fruit than upon his
boards Of yellow dust, excIaiming, like Tin;on
when faint aud hungry. after the discovery Ct
his golden treasures,
"Coumon mother,
Yield from thy plenteous bosom one poor root
Bunyan, in his description Of the Internal re-
gons. describes a covetous woman who had spent
her life in boarding riches, condemned to the
task Of swal owing liquid gold, with which the
mocking demons were always ready to supply
ter. We can imagine a counterpart to Bun
vans picture in some luckiess digger Of the Cal
iforuia mines, starving ia the midst of his abun-
dance, and vainly seeking TO barter all his worth
| less gains for an ear Of or a handful oil
ground nuts.
We are reminded in this connection OF the
touching and pathetic lines of the lamented DR..
Leyden, the bosom frie nd Of Sir Walter Scott
and himself writer Of no ordinary power. lie
visited India with a prospect Of peGuniary ad'
vantage, and died just as the prospect was about
to be realized. Tho gold which he sought at the
expense of home and health, only Knocked the
ewes which were dim with the shadow Of death.
The intense anguish Of soul under such c'rcu'n-
stances is powe r!nIIy expressed in the following
Il
will find place in tbs heart Of many sick and
ldyiug hunter in the mines of California. J.G.w.
Ode TO an Indias, Gold Coin.
Written in Clerical, MaIabar.
Slave of the dark and dirty mine!
What vanity has brought thee herel
How can Hove to thee shine
so bright, whom have bought so Gear!
The tent-ropes Tapping lone hear
For twilight converse, arm in arm;
The iack Shrek burst on my ear,
When mirth and music wont to charm
Dy Cherical's dark wande ring streams.
Where cane turfs shadow all the wild,
lSweet visions haunt my waking dreams
or Tsvot loved while still child,
| or casteled rocks stupe ndous pil'd
BY Esk or Eden's classic wave,
| where loves oil youth ana friendship SHil
Uncurs'd by thee. vilo yellow slave!
Fade, day dreams sweet, from memory fade!
Tho perish'd bliss Of youths first prime,
That once bright on fancy pIay'd,
| REEVES no more in after time;
| Far from my sacred natal cline,
! I haste to untmely grave;
The daring thoughts that soar'd sublime
| Are sunk in oceans southern wavo.
Slave OF the mine. thy yellow light
Cleans bale full as the tomb-fire drear,
a gentle vision comes by night,
| My lonely, widows heart to cheer;
Her eyes are dim with many tear,
That once were guiding stars to mine;
Her fond heart throbs with many fear
! cannot be ar to thee shine.
| For thee, for thee, vile yellow slave,
| l left a heart that lov'd me true!
| I crossed the tedious ocean wave,
To roam in cImes unknown and new,
The cold wind Of the stranger blew
Chill on my wi,her red heart-the grave,
Dark and untimely, met my view
And all for thee, vile yellow slave!
Ha! com'st thou now so late to mock
| Awanderer's banish'd heart fororn,
Now that his frame the tightening shock
OF sun-rays tipt with death has borne'
From love, from friendship, country torn,
To me mory's fond regrets the prey,
Vile slave, thy yellow dross scorn:
Go mix thee with thy kindred clay!