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

had obtained ut the Ranch, was surrounded
by the inpatient carousers.
What was the disappointment of the ma
iority, when their messenger informed them
that h had obtained evtfy thing ordered bni
the lickcr," and that if they mus, have II
spree, it would be an "aqua lria from the
brook, which flowed near their camp with n
current like the arrowy Rhine" They
must forget their disappOintmont,whi they
looked over packages of letters he brought
them. There was hustle then TO see who
had word from home and the favored ones,
they for time did forget their disappolnt-
ment.
Elton had several letters. lie walked
away from the camp. His steps led him 10
the brook IL was lovely night. A full
moon was reflected in the clear water, and
its silver light glowed on the swift rippes.
Elton seated himself upona Uniting point,
near the base Of ledge Of rocks, and by the
light of the "heavchy host" lin that clear
atmosphere, abundantly sufficiently read the
superscriptiOns Of his letters, till he found
one which he knew to be in his mothers
handwriting The seal was hastily broken,
and he read until an unshed tear glstcned
on his eye-lash What thoughts of home
rushed on his mind He had been sober sew
cral weeks. What is that he reads again and
ag,ini
"My son how glad am you have needed
my parting counsel felt that temptation
would not overcome your firm principle, and
rejoice to know that you will come home
| TO us, rs YOU have left us free from vices
which You have been taught are most dan
serous in strict moderation, and debasing be-
yond the expression Of any language can
usa, in excess
Like Aood rushed over Elton's mind The
tender teachings his mother had given him,
from the time he first understood the lull-
ably, to which his cradle was rocked, un-
Ill he had parted from her under solemn
counsel Then came up review OF his lite
in the mines how his mothers free conf
dencc reproached him. He repeated the
extract again and again aud when he had
thought calmly of his duty, he looked up to
the sky, and with iervor as if thc stars
were the eyes Of angels gazing down upon
him, he uttered =
!" as live will NOT abuse such conf
dcncc."
For an hour he sat on the rocks, thinking
of his home, an revolving his plans then
he walked slowly back to the camp, and
sought his +" boon companion
"TIerney," said he. "you must not drink
another drop Of liqnor."
"I don't think | shall just now; but if
Ben had not returned with an empty cask
reckon YOU would have seen, before this,
| (. A., n tn
But am in earnest llcrncy.-'To be
sure"
81 mean, that If there were hundred
barrels of the best old brandy in camp that
that ever came from the States, you should
not taste drop"
"And how would you prevent me!
BY my example"
"Thats rich. You are getting witty Ned.
Any thing in these letters that's whitted
your wit !"
I" Yes Tom, there's something here that's
whetted my wit, and have determined not
to drink any more of the internal stuff we
get, called brandy. l am in earnest and you
must Join me-"
"I'll keep sober as long as you will, Ned,
and III be drunk on the first liquor that
comos into the camp"
"Will you agree not to drink any of the
poison till do ?"-" Twill pom honor" :"
"G Give me your hand. 1.-The two friends
shook hands heartily and walked together to
the tent. i,
On the morrow, party of men passed
the camp, before the diggers had gone to
work, and as they were well supplied with
necessaries" from SIN Fracisco, small
quantity of spirits was obtained from them,
and it was not over an hour before the grand
carnival commenced
Upon a rude bench, beneath their weather
beaten .ent sat seven or eight OF tho miners,
and while the jug Of medicine passed freely
around, they talked bravcly of their inten-
tions and prospects. Presently it was dis
covered tha, two of the party was missing,
Elton and Hcrney.
"wherc arc the fellows !" asked a rough
spoken miner.
"At the brook answered another. 1--WE
shall have no fun out ofElion to-day. The
letters he got yesterdey have made baby OF
him, and his shadow, Herncy has caught the
Infection
"IIerc he comos,' cried out third one of
tho party, pointing towards the brook. rU
answer for him, that hes the drunkest man
in the crowd aloro night-and what could
we do on a spree without Ned +"
At this moment, Elton and Ilcrney enter
cd the tent, and the man who happened to
have the ing sprang TO his feet, and iamil-
iarly taking the former by hccOllar exclaim
cd.
"Thcy'vc been lying about you, Ned
Come show thom, in good swig, that you
are man yet"
TWILL show You that am man., but by
letting that stuff alone, pushing the jug prof
iered him.
"Tbat's well done, Neb," cried several
voices sneringly
a. am in earnest boys returned Elton,
with a dignity Of manner he knew we'll how
TO assume ,"and you know ME we'll enough TO
beliede, that when deliberately resolve up
on thing, I'll put il through" /
/" Why whats the matter with Ned said |
the ono who pushed the jug at him."
I" Why what's the matter , Every things
the matter have been in these mines one
year. have dug great deal of gold Ex-
cept few hundred dollars worth sent home
what have to show Nothing-nothing
but bOated face How many Of you are
better Off Why is this! There's the cause,
pointing Significantly to one OF the men who
was just taking drink. "a great medicine
it has been 10 us. With gold in abundance
about five hundred dollars. and those that
have anything, owe it more to their skill in
gaming, thantheir industry in digging We
had been all rich, five had all been sober
When we could not get liquor we did well.
When liquor camo our treasure vanished. Is
this what our friends expected Of us Some
OF you got letters from home yesterday. Did
they read as your mothers and sisters
thought, that away in this rich country wa 4