The Sierra citizen., 1854-05-06
For the Sierra Citizen
The Genius Of the Mountains.
A FRAGMENT--BY II. BROOKS.

THE mountains forming the principal
range in the northern part of California.
are steep and rugged. Their ascent can
only be made by means of serpentine
paths or trails, which wind themselves
about the base of the mountains like huge
serpents beneath the underbrush. These
paths were originally made by the Indians
while in pursuit of game. long before the
white man wandered into these wild
woods i'll search Of gold.
The loftiest peaks range from three to
three and halfmiles in height, and during
the winter their sides are covered with
snow; but when the fierce rays of the
summer sun fall upon the snowy hill tops
a deluge of water rushes down the ravines
and through the deep rocky dells of the
Sierra, and go boiling and foaming on in
their course to the sea. Nothing can
withstand the fury of the torrent but the
old gray rocks which have been worn
smooth by the action of the water for a
thousand years. Wo beiide the Indian
or the wild deer that attempts to ford the
stream, until the waters have spent their
fury on the projecting rocks or reached
the smooth channel in the valley below
10 the spectator, standing on q rocky
ledge overhanging the stream, grand
spectacle is presented; the vast plain seems
to stretch away beyond the reach of vision;
the river, skirted with green trees, winds
through the valley, while here and there
the rays of the sun flash through the
openings in the timber, or are reflected
like a sheet of fire from the little lakes at
the foot of the hills
1t was noon. Not breeze famed the
brow of a solitary traveller, who stood on
the top ofone of the high mountains before
described. Ills eyes were sunken and
bloodshot; his dress torn and carelessly
thrown about his person, and his whole
appearance was such as would satisfy the
most inquisitive that the young man was
a stranger, and that his journey to the
golden land had been long and tiresome.
The youth stood, or rather reclined for
moment against one of the loose frag-
ments of rock, which lay scattered about
the brow of the mountain, and fixed
his eye on the green fields below Suddenly
he snatched from his bosom a half ex-
hausted flask of water, and placing it to
his lips empted it at a draught, and then
as if despair had seized upon his soul, he
threw the empty vessel frcm him, aud
throwing himself down beside rock, thus
gave vent to his pent up thoughts.
"Vain and empty are the fond imagin-
ings of man in this world of trouble! Life
is but the journey of day, and hope only
a delusion. From the plain deserted
the side of the mountain, smooth and de-
ceptive; my pathway was begirt with
flowers, and the merry little songsters sang
from the evergreen trees, while my own
heart beat high with hope and felt the
/ joy and sunshine that fell from heaven, and
caused the little birds to sing song of
gratitude to their Creator; and the young
deer to chase each other in sport over the
green sward But man is the victim of
delusion, and it is for him to feel the bitter
pang of disappointment and hope deferred.
| have drank too deeply of the intoxica-
ting allurements of the world; but / will
do so no more. Twill return to my native
valley, and there hidden in the deep woods,
| will pass the few remaining years Of my
life."
Thus spake the youth. Suddenly a
rough hand was laid on his shoulder, aud
a deep solemn voice fell upon his ear
"Who art thou" said the unknown, "who
art thus complaining of Nature and her
works Why shouldst thou reproach the
Deity who holds in subsection the winds
and the waters, and chains the demon
of the storm in the cave, when he
would go forth to bury the bewildered
traveller in the drifting snow? l am
called the Genius Of the Mountain. Ask
of me what thou wouldst, and thy wish
shall be grati6ed."
"Gold" exclaimed the youth. "Be
quick thou Genius of the Mountain. I'm
lock the hidden door that hides the en-
trance to thy caves, and bring forth the
glittering treasures for which | have been
searching. until | feel the icy hand of death
pressing on my brow. Curse on the very
esunlinh4 that ahinea n1iv mn ,n1 ,,orssrfv i,s