Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-12-08
The Last Dollar.

(CW expressly tor ne I0rR IdM.)
Twas cold damp night in the winter of
80 A young, energetic man, whose rough
face told of the tolls and anxietes of one
long years life in the mines, stood at the bed
side of a weak and helpless mother.
James Lander, though but 10y, in the
spring of 40 sought his fortune here on the
Pacific, and in the course of year he was
among those who were successful. Young
ardent, healthy, and full of love for his new
home, he RENTED to his mother, who with
one other son and daughter, resided near
Philadelphia, portion Of his labor. He al
so intimated desire never to leave this coun-
try, and almost implored his mother to use
his funds and join him. The mother howev-
er, preferred to exercise her own judgment in
the matter 1t pleased her to place her chill
dren at school, come alone to spend brief
season with James until fortune frowned, and
then accompany him to their old homestead
near Philadelphia
She reached here in the summer of '52, and
at the request of her son resided in San Fran
cisco until he could settle his business in the
mines. If any one wishes to know to what
extent lHcI will sometimes carry man, we will
say that this young adyenturer had managed
to heap together some $40, 900 in hard cash,
and this amount he had safely deposited in
the winter referred to at the opening OF our
story. But the mines refused to yield him as
usual-the labor became too great for his
young limbs, and like a sensible man he
watched the first opportunity to close up his
business, fly to his mother, and then leave for
has old home.
But it appears that the pivot upon which
all his bright hopes and charming dreams
rested, was planted here in San Francisco,
and upon that, for the first time since his res
dence in California, everything his
very life--seemed to turn. James Lander
had drank before, but never to excess and
among his companions in the mines he was
looked upon in this respect as model young
man. He played cards with his friends as a
pastme but he was never known to risk a
cent lie brought with him from his boy
hood home a set of principles which had wol
him not only handsome fortune, but the
love and respect of all with whom he had
come in contact.
While making preparations here for his de-
parture, his mother was taken suddenly sick,
and remained for several weeks at most
critical point In the meantime James had
made a number of new acquaintance. and
had been introduced in strange circles
Among other places he had made frequsnt
visits to the gambling hells which at that tino
lined our Streets and had on one or two oc-
casions to crafty his new friends, ventured a
few dollars We doubt whether there is any
thing so fascinating to the young mind as ga
ming, and when conducted beneath brilliant
chandeliers amid the strains of music, and in
the presence of smiling females he is more
than hero who can resist the temptation to
bet
James Lander had done nobIy yet he was
but human and when an unfortunate train
of circumstances brought him to the test, he
displayed a share of human weakness. To
his idleness here and strange associations may
be attributed his sudden indulgence in strong
drink. When intoxicated, james was wild,
and il was a knowledge of this fact, more
than anything else, which induced his mother
to Join him here in the midst of his prosperi-
ty. How far her presence succeeded in gui-
ding him we shall soon see.
The night before we saw him at the bed
side of his sick mother, James Lander had
lost two thousand dollarsl The night in
question, as we remarked wascold and damp,
lie was with his mother but for a few mo-
ments. He had during the day drawn upon
his fund to the amount of two thousand
dollars more, and that night intended 10 get
euea Again and again he lost. Day after
day he drew his money, until at the end of the
week he had but five thousand dollars in the
world!
In brief sketch like this it is impossible