The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-11-03

another winter, and, If industry can gain it,
will have something to make you and sister
Mary comfortable" said young man, MS
he stood on the front steps OF pretty cot
tage in the suburbs of Cincinnati, holding
his mothers and sisters hands He was
about to bid them long adieu.
Mrs Elton was widow - not a poor Wild
ow, for she had a pretty cottage, with hand
some grounds, and two dutiful children,
Edward and Mary but Mr.. Elton had
been in the grave many years-Edward had
grown to be young man, Mary was al
most Young lady Neddy Elton, as his
sister called him, knew that his mother was
embarrassed Tor means, by which she intend
ed he should complete his education. with
ou. further interruption in teaching, at
which, for support, much OF his time had
been employed.
When the the news of the Eldorado of
the Pacific reached the States, Edward wait
ed no longer than was necessary TO ascertain
that the golden reports were well founded,
before his determination was formed, and he
told his mother that he should become q
gold-digCer. She demonstrated, depicted
the perils and dangers attending his journey,
and portrayed the disappointment which
might DC in store for him at the Mecca OF
| his hopes, but in vain. He joined COM
pany, and prepared for his journey. He
had buoyant anticipations, and dwelt glow
incly on the change he would make in the
Linn cottage, when he returned from the
Sacramento.
1--WE have faith in you, my son. You
will be thrown in bad company, but you will
remember my counsels, One thing do not
forget T. be temperate"
Those were his mothers parting words -
they sunk deep into his heart.
We will now follow the young advcnturCr.
Crossing the plains he was the leading spirit
of the company, and when he reached the
Z" diggings,h was tough and happy as any
one who travelled with him. Be- vote Of his
party, the Sacramento was named as the
scene Of operation. 1t was one OF the best
veins on this river, and rcapcd truly a gold
en- harvest. Elton, in company with a
Young man named Harucy- who mad been
schooimate, fell upon several very prOduc-
tive placers, and astonished their comrades
( by the weight of their "spoils" Rejoiccd
with their great success, they were led into
bod adventures and severe exposures, and at
length both became victims to prevailing
disease, and were compelled to leave the
mines.
Proper medical aid was not at that time
10 be had The only medicine which
the miners used was miserable compound
called brandy, which sold at an enormous
price but, according to the advice given
TO the ailing young men, it must be had,
and their gold dust went freely for it, FL
ton thought Of his mothers last words, "be
temperate" but he was taking brandy Z" on.
" as medicine - and there could be no DAN
GER. He had no thoughts of the appetite it
would awaken-he never fully realized why
his mother had instructed HIM, so earnestly,
10 shun strong drink-he did not know that
his father had tottered on the brink of o
drunkard's grave, and that in early youth
he had mischieyously exhibited u desire for
spirituous liquors, that was crushed only by
the most careful maternal watching.
For many days Elton took the medicine
carefully, because respect Tor his mother
restrained him. Herney was not so scrupu-
lous, and boldly manifested decided liking
for such tonic. They grew strong, either
on account Of the quiet and rest they enjoy
cd, or through the influence Of the tonic,n
and in less than month again catered upon
the enticing occupation of gold gathering !;
but this time they worked not as free men ;
they were the slaves of a dangerous seduc
tive appetite. Elton's "prejudiees y as
his companion called bis respect for his
mcther's last words to him - had gradully
become weaker, until he could tip glass
with rs much freedom MS any man who
worked on the " canons" Of the river. He
and Henry dug" together and drank to-
gether until their stock of spirits exhausted,
and then they travelled together to distant
station, and obtained new supply. All
this time their treasure was sinking from
them rapidly, and they were adding but
\ little to their store.
In less than six months from the period
of their illness, Elton and Herney were q
burden to the company, disregardlng the
golden opportunities offered them, needing
not the warnings that came to them in the
loss of their wonted vigor and activity, but
making sots Of themselves at their own
camp, as long as drop of spirits OF any
character could be obtained, then working
few days, and seeking at other camps, the
qualification Of their destructive appetites.
Previous to his illness, Elton had sent
through man who was returning to the
States, u handsome remittance to his moth
or, with most gratifying account Of his
habits, health and prOspeers. lie had vet had
no word from home, though he had been in
California nearly nine months.
II was the evening Of the anniversary Of
the arrival ofthe company ut the mines
The diggers, though all had been very sue
cessfnl in gathering, there were but two Of
the party who, besides the sum they sent
home, were an ounce Of gold dust better of
than they had been the first week Of their
life ON the Sacramento. Neither Of these for
tuuate diggers, were Elton and Herney, as
the reader would judge. A gloom hing over
the party, and they were all anxiously wait
ing the arrival Of messenger who had sew
eral days before been dispatched for brandy
in RANCH forty or fifty miles down the riv-
er.
They hoped he would arrive the night pre-
yious and they began to talk Of Indians and
ioragers, impatient for the commencement
OF their earoase, when fellow on guard cried
out