The Shasta courier., 1855-03-03
From Isccca Wilson.

DEAR PHOEBE :-If you could only imagine
the exquisite pleasure the reading of your kind
and gentle letter, addressed sthroagh the Coxr-
| ser, gave me. ynu would feel repaid in tenfold
measure for that most remarkable epistle. In
deed. after reading that most shocking commu-
nication ffoin the pen Of Mary Jane," my
heart sunk within me, and despaired Of all
| sympathy among my sex ip California declare,
was so Mortified at the spirit and loose morals
Of that letter, that had to drink several cups of
strong tea, before dared look William in the
| face. fear Mary Jane has drank deep at
the muddy fountains of voltaire and Paul de
! Cock. Alas / tremble for the future of MARY
Jane;' strong minded women ever die unhappy,
with a smirched reputation; even Madamide
Stael, Madam de Genlis, and more la.terly Fam
ny Wright did not escape this fate. The poet
has SAID:
" Be thou as pure as ice and chaste as snow,
Thou shalt not escape calumny.''
If this be true, how careful should wife be not
to blow breath of scandal, lest it return to her
hearth hurricane of infamy
am so young and inexperienced that the
habits, and even the morals of California all
seem bad to me. William says I'll get used to
them after awhile, and then l will think and act
like others.
You are entirely mistaken in regard to my
conduct to William. | ever welcome him with
smile and kiss rs to "reviing'' him-I think
my heart would break with regret for hasty
or harsh word 10 him. My "compaings," as
you are pleased to call my letter to the editor,
was only for the purpose Of calling williams at
fentlon, to his couyses without the pain of per-
sanai interview. William read it too, and what
do yon think he did7 Why, he came in with
the paper in his hand, laughing, threw his arm
around my waist, kissed me, and said: "Why
love- you are really quite a correspondent; l.
like your letter very much, and what's more.
wont forget it. Write as many letters as you
please to the editors Of the Courier, only re-
member that the Sr. is young bachelor, tall,
sports charming mustache and altogether
is a splendid looking fellow on a mule back"
{ Here the quick fancy of the reader will very
readily discover the aforesaid "young BACH
elor" very complacenty and affectionately strok-.
ing the aforesaid charming mustache"]
You are wrong in snpposing for instant
that look with favoring or coquettish eyes up
on Mr.. Frog" True, am very glad to see
him at all times, but it is solely on account of
William, who is quite intimate with him, and
says Frog is most excellent and praiseworthy
gentleman-always excepting his tendency to
the Know Nothing party. Upon this subject.
they have frequent and warm debates the truth
| f1ttc al ny
intend, as soon as they strong enough, to
drive all the Irish, Dutch and French out of the
conntry-and all that won't go they intend to
crisp their hair and black ihem and send them
south for slaves He hints That this applies only
to the men, as they think the Foreign women
and boys make splendid knoc-nothsngs! | am
sure il Mrs. M knew all abont them she
would be very careful how she regaled them on
"pnmpkin-pies and whisky" Mrs NJ is a
lady for whom have every esteem, and know,
too, that she sets a table worthy the patronage
of an epcure; may every seat at her board
ever be hed-but | warn her against these
people | must still think they are really all
set of cannibals.
Dear Phoebe, you talk of managing john
| now detest the very word. You must pardon
me, bYt in my simple ideas of The duties per-
| tainlDg TO a wife, managing only belongs to hers
household affairs; the great law shonld be Love-
and the instincts of the passions ever and ALWAYS
point out, with n delIcacy beyond the power of
language to describe, the path of wiies duty.
My mamma used to say that managing wo-
man T" was ever sl,rew, and always to be
avoided by young and unsnspcious girls; for
their teachings We're of the world and the.
sefses-not the heart. Do not imagine, dear,
Phoebe. that your poor Becca thinks Tie less of
you for the expression--the general tenor of
your letter speaks too much kndness-yet de-
test the word; so pardon my girlish prejudice.
l am CHARMED with your description of your
comfortable little home; what love of a man
John must be, to make you SO happy and con-
tented. Your picture of !" love in cottage
would be complete, if you only had a musical
instrnment-even ap old violin. Ihave almost a
mind to accept of your hospitable invitation to-
come from among the :" Trappers" and " Griz-
zlys," and spend week with you, only Idont
exactiy kmoto ,rhere TO find yom- Apropos OF the
- Trappers" and :" Grizzlys," they are not such
rough set you wotld imagine from their
nom de plume can you there are some
very cfeyer fellows among them, intelligent and
good looking, too. am told that il we were to
drop in at Vans Of Saturday evening, we wond
there meet clever and jolly n set of miners as
dig for gold in California-all intent upon doing
ample justice TO The regular and weekly miners
supper, prepared by the pleasing and attentive
Miss v.
In conclusion. dear Phabe / thank yo4 kindly
for the interest you manifest in me, and hope
our correspondence may ripen into acquaintance
and friendship. Let me hear from you often.
BEccA WILSON