The Sierra citizen., 1854-10-21

sick man, making signs that in six Sleep
they would cure him. knew that Indial
medicines are usually harmless, and &C
cordingly made decoction of the herbs
which seemed to please the Indian docto
vastly. Bill drank some of the LIQUID
and in a few minutes feigned himself mucl
better, and the doctor took his departure
very much with the air of practitione
who had just rid a continent of the plague
Every day the doctor" as we always
called him. came down the ravine with hi
measured, deliberate step. One day HI
remained longer than usual. He seemed
to be eogitating on some important sub
ject, and still fingered about the camp
At last, much to our astonishment, ht
spoke in tolerable English, and asked us
whether we were looking for gold? We
learned from him that be had often dug
small quantities at the head of creek
near by, offering to show us the way as
soon as Bill was able to travel. Four O,
five days afterwards we struck our camp
i. e. set fire to the brush shanty, and fol
lowed our guide to the designated spot
A week sufficed to convince us that the
simple Indian had placed fortune within
our grasp, as it ultimately proved.
For the first few days l labored assidu-
ously, while Rill and the Indian looked on;
from three to six ounces was the usual
result Of daily labor. But to be brief
Bill and myself left the doctors diggings
with several thousand dollars piece, and
turned our Is..s ,es homeward. NC .ce: .c. the the
doctor in his native wilds; he HAD ea.o.. o. Of o.
our bread and had done all that nature
had taught him to alleviate the sickness
Of the pale faced stranger. The bread
had been cast on the waters, and it had
returned ere many days.
Again l found myself on the green
prairies of Illinois The SHOWS had Just
melted away, and the prairie-aowers had
just begun to turn their faces heavenward
to be kissed by the sunlight. How JOY
ously the larks sang that morning! It
seemed as though they were sending up a
united song of gratitude to the Creator
that had given them a heritage in the
wide parties, after he had rolled up the
mantle Of frost and snow, and left the
earth green and glad looking as the garden
of God.
The lone tree and the little cabin ap-
peared in sight, and Bill and myself
trudged on silently. As we neared the
hut we could distinguish the sound of the
spinning wheel. The old house dog lay
on the steps, but he was too stupid and
feeble from age to notice US. AS we had
previously agreed, we entered the cabin
and asked for something to eat, we'll know
ing that we would not be recognized, with
our bronzed and unshaven faces. The
good woman and her daughter, bright
looking girl Of seventeen, or thereabouts,
set aside the spinning g-wheel, and set before
us everything at their command, and then
resumed their employment, as though
every moment was precious. After din
ner we inquired Of her whether she had a
son in California? She said she knew
not where her son was-she thought he
was either dead, or had come to some bad
end. The girl hurried away to the kitchen;
l we'll knew what for! left the house
and started toward my own home. Every
now and then looking up to Heaven,
through tears of gratitude, that / had been
the means of restoring the widows son.
y
There is neat hooking farmhouse on
the banks of the Sacramento. Occasion
ally an old, grave looking Indian may be
seen sitting on the doorstep. Bill and
his mother live there, and the grave look
ing Indian is "the doctor" But jamie is
not there. She is presiding by another FIRE
side. Can you guess whose?
STARTLING REvELATIoNs.-Th N. Y.
Observer says, that the Rev. Miss Sarah
Pellet recently took for her text these
words; Stand mp, I myself also am a
man." The Sistern voted cur minister"