The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-06-18
5Rl&ttR0 GQIR,
THE GOLD MAN.

have sometimes regretted that the discovery
Of the metallic riches of California did not
occur during my wild excursions in the woods
and prairies of Texas. was then little more
than a boy, and having been one OF party
which started overland from Galveston to New
York, only prevented by a wound in my foot,
| should certainly have started off to the dig
gins. via. Santa Fe, in the Rocky Mountains, as
the case might be. Not that 1 should have gone
gold hunting; It'll not my vocation. Not hav-
ing very clearly defined notion OF the relative
value Of sovereign and SHILLING, should scarce
ly have gone pOking about like geolOgist for
the quartz imbedded metal, nor should | have
coveted the position Of man whose whole day
is spent in cropping in the earth, with wondrOus
nature around and the blue sky above, to ad-
mire. Besides, am afflicted by week sight, a
hereditary complaint which descends to me from
nv father, and like the Bayard Taylor donkey,
which mistoOk Yankee spectators red hair
for swamp hay, should have lived in continual
apprehension Of mistaking bright stones for gold,
and hillside flowers for rich veins.
But should like much to have started with
the first settlers and miners, to have shared their
travelling adventures, their hair breadth escapes,
and wondrous but exciting trials, and practical
ly to have let them discern at future period
that 'chieP had been among them taking
notes. The first burst of the golden rumOr
reached me in Paris, and fell eoldly on my ear.
Ihad been five years away from Texas, and over
head and cars in the excitement OF the Europe
an revolutions, and for changes almost hourly
occurring in that city Of wonders, which French
men fondly indicate to be the capital Of the
world, place, the site Of which, in the ideas Ol
warm patriots, seem to have great power of To-
cOmotion.
My interest in every thing American, how.
ever, caused me to watch with interest, after q
while, the phases Of the great event which il
destined to have such a vast influence on the
future of the whole civilized World-for evil, i
the mad hunt for mere lucre check the advance
Of enlightenment the only thing which enable,
us rightly to use temporal advantages. Fol
some time, however, my attention was only at.
traeted like that Of all men who watch the his.
tory OF their own time. 1t is only within q
very short time that the affair has taken a more
personal and immediate interest.
My head quarters in Europe have for sOmG
time been Paris, city for which haVea weak.
ness. During the autumn Of last year, receiv.
ed ticket for ball to which no persons were
admitted except in naval uniform. 1t was fol
charitable purposes, aud originally declined
going, a party Of English ladies, however, whom
I knew. wished to attend, and requested me Ia
escort them. | resolved magnanimOusly "a
change my previous resolution and be present
Nv first difficulty was a uniform. 4 had no
inclination TO have suit made for the occa-
sion, and l had decided objection to hiring
one from masquerade shop. Suddenly recol-
leetsd that had relic Of my erratic liie IN
Texas, in the shape Of lieutenants suit OF blue
It was old and tie worst for wear, but it was
genuine, and could on pinch, be FURNISHED
up 70 pass muster for a night. Accordingly on
tie evening in question found myself under
The covered way leading to shs Jardin d'Hlver
party og ladies under my guidance, waiting
ior crowd Of persons before me to pass ere