Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-06-17

Cail6u lne young uhdu ihtO nus Oulce
Walter Bruce presented himself, ant
was requested to sit down.
'Mr. Bruce said The merchant
opening a letter which lay befor,
him, q am in a slight difficulty, t.
get out OF which | require the assis
tance of one in whom not only WI
have confidence, but who is disposed
TO undertake for the house task o
some delicacy and nicety.'
Il am completely at your service,
replied the young man.
Our counter in California is man.
aged by an old Mexican, about whom
we know very little, but who has
always been very honest and correct
in his dealings. He resided much in
the United States when young, but
for the last twenty years has inhabi.
ted California. In this letter he ex.
presses a wish to retire from business,
He even hints at approaching death,
and strongly urges US to send some
one 10 him in whom we have conf.
dence, 10 wind up his accounts, and
to receive from him some deposit oil
which he speaks in terms of con-
siderable ambiguity. have deter
mined to acquIesce in his wishes, and
if you have no objection, | should
desire you, Mr.. Bruce, 10 be the
agent for this purpose
you wish me to go TO California;
said Bruce quietly.
Exactly. Frankly, we have every
reason TO be pleased with you, and
know none of our Young men 10
whom should confde this task with
so much pleasure.'
Il am exceedingly grateful for
your good opinion, Mr.. Morris, and
am quite ready to start at the earliest
opportunity.
The merchant seemed m C h
pleased at this prompt decision, and
entered at once into fuller details
with regad TO bis mission. He was
to journey by land TO Mazatlan,
thence by trading schooner to San
Francisco Bay, and after settling the
affairs of the counter, 10 leave there
one Jacob Willis, a plodding old
clerk, who was selected 10 replace
the Mexican.
Three day later; Walter Bruce,
furnished with credentials, with
money, and accompanied by Jacob
Willis, took his place in the stage
bound for Mexico city. The jour
ney was interesting and delightful,
and the young man began his pro-
gress with feelings of extreme de-
light. He was Of a romantic and
impressionable n ture; travelling
was with him a passion, and the
ground over which he had 10 travel,
though now we'll known 10 the read
ing public, was TO him new and full
of charms. The splendor CT Orizaba
peak, the delights OF Jalapa, the
plains of Perota, Popocatupel, the
grand and sublime scenery Of the
country in general, its varied phases
Of soft and fertile nature filled with
and created a source Of
endless reflection for the future
And then Mexico city and IFS wond-
rous and vast valley, IFS lakes and
lills, its curious manners and primi-
live people, were all ever-renexed /
subjects OF observation. But he
stayed not by the way. His orders
we're TO proceed with the utmost
-apidity. His companion and him
;elf were well armed, for they had
10 go through the robber region,
tself a fertile source Of excitement;
1ut at last dangers and difficulties
we're past and they arrived at Mazat.
an, glad 10 rest their weary limbs
n the hospitable house Of Mr.. Rilex,
he agent of that port, one Of the
most picturesque on the Pacific, and
one OF the East and OF
Spain, with its cream-colored houses,
IS heavy-arched entrances and cool
.ourt-yards within, its massive corni-
:es and large balconied windows.
Walter Bruce took few days to
est and refresh himself after his
Quincy, the more readily that the
schooner which was to convey him
o San Francisco Bay was not yet
Iuite loaded with its varied freight.
BESIDES, it was necessary that Jacob
Willis should receive some insight
nto the nature Of the constant ,
which took place be-
ween Mazatlan and the agent in
At length, however, all
vas ready, and the young man and .
lis old associate went on the schoon- ,
r, bound for California. The jour
ley presented the usual varieties,
'ut nothing worthy of particular
lotice; and at the end of a some
What wearisome voyage, during ,
which the young man rather aston
shed the skipper and crew by his .
IauticaI experience, they entered the .
magnificent bay of California, and
nchored short distance from the