Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-10
AGLAUS.
MIS- G ELAN Gus.
Fran he Rag ofcar Unicn.
California Speculation.
A SKETCH.


MosE JENKINS did not take the Califor-
ria fever when it first broke out; for he
was, as he acknowledged himself, "slow-
motionod," and his skull was Of such for
midable thickness, that itrequired good
many months for an idea to penetrate into
his brain. In the interim, he delved and
digged away on a corner Of his fathers
farm, having leased the land of the old
gentleman, and purchased lis time Of the
samerespectable individual for the purpose
Of working 1t. But to work a farm where
the rocks are SO near together, that the
Sleeps noses have 10 be sharpened before
they can Craze between them, is not Il very
profitable business; and Nose, by dint Of
hard thinking, arrived at the conclusion
that there might possibly be some other oc-
cupation less laborious and quite as lucra-
tive
"Confound these grant rocks - he ex-
claimed, one day, as he was Ploughing,
after be had broken his trace-chains for a
second time; ''they hev another kind er
rocks in CalIiforny. Jehosaphatl If |
was only Har. There a fellow hez to dig;
but he gets pretty good wages-fve thou
sand dollars a month is middlin', not to say
fair
In short, Nose jenkins made up his
mind to so to San Francisco, having got
the wherewiIhal to carry him in a packet
to the land Of promise Fearful Of oppo-
sition, he communicated his project neither
to the author Of his days the venerable
Zephaniah jenkins, nor to the beloved of
bis heart, Miss. Prudence Salter, cherry
checked damsel in state of orphanage !;
but wrote down 10 a friend IN Boston TO
secure a passage. He reserved his com
munications TO the very last moment when
he was all ready for starting. His father
gave him his blessings; Prudence was
more difficult to manage.
"It's breach ofpromise case" said she,
81 don't believe you mean to marry me ar
ter ALL
"Yes, | do, ye silly critter,' said Nose.
an come and make you Mrs Jenkins; but
| wautto get the rocks first
"Aint there rocks enough here p ask
ed Prudence, simply.
pooh | mean the rocks what folks
carties in their pockets, an eats every
body with-all solid gold"
Il don't believe half them stories," said
Prudence, contemptuously.
They're as true as gospil," said Nose,
cause see 'em in paper. And there's
Curnil Hateful Slowboy, that went from
here last year-you'd ort to know him,
Prudence, coz he was one Of your old
beaux-wall, now, they say he's one of the
richest men in Calliforny. tell you I'm
bound to make my fortin' there"
"And SO am ~ said Prudence, resolute-
ly.
"You Y exclaimed Nose.
Eyes, I'm bound to go, too and III fol-
low you in the next ship, else you'll be
green enough tomarry one of them ere
Ingine CALLS"
Prudence, you're spunll !" exclaimed
Nose in terms ofthc warmest admiration.
"Good-by! And | swow I'll marry you
just as soon as you set foot in Calliforny"
Not amplify on details, our advcntur-
er landed there safely, and was, Of course,
ike all verdant voyagcrs, much surprised
At thetarilTof prices subjected to his notice.
The porter who carried his trunk to the
hotel charged him ten dollars; and though
that same hotel was a leaby tent plate Of
tough beef was charged at seventy five
cents, and watery potato fifty. Busi-
ness was very dull, too at the moment Of
his arrival the accounts from the mines
Were disastrous, and everything announc-
ed an approaching crisis. Moses coufded
his grieis to Colonel Hateful Slowboy, his
fellow-towns- -mand, who was really one OF
the richest men in California, winding up
with lamentations over the expected arri-
val Of Prudence, whom he had promised
TO marry.
"What kin l do with a WIFE" said he,
''when | can't support myself, even 7"
Every true" said the Colonel. "Now,
ifit were me, the case would be very DIFF
lerent"
"Prudence done all the courtin' herself,
curnil," said our hero, sulkily, al never
should have offered if it hadn't been for
her. | kinder like 'er pretty well, though,
she's sort Of pretty nice gall"
"Well, Nose" said the Colonel. "What
do you say TO giving up your claim Y
"Eh p said Nose, pricking up his ears.
"What'll you take for your right and IL
tle-cash down-no questions asked p
"Wall, dunnow," said Nose, opening
his jacknife and picking upa chip, "Pru-
dence is pretty nice gal, as you said, cur
ni'
"As you said, Mr.. Jinkins"
avail, its al the same. The critters
very fond Of me, and 50 be | of her. Ihed
plaguy hard work, Itell you,to get her con
s-nt."