Squatter sovereign., 1856-04-01
aflisfellarltous.
A sHREWD WIFE;
An unproatable Trip to the Gold Region.

aI think" said Mr.. Dana, as he pushed
back his chair from the breakfast table,
and looked hard at his wife, a pretty little
woman with large blue eyes, 81 think that
I should like to GO to California and try
my luck. Darn it all, everybody is going
about here. Do you think you could spare
me for year, Nelly?"
Mrs. Dana made no immediate reply,
she appeared to be very busy turning out
a cup of tea, although keener observer
than her husband would have noticed an
uncommon tremulonsness in her hands, as
Mr.. Dana ceased speaking.
81 think might do well there" the
husband continued, as though speaking to
himself.
"Are you not doing well here on your
farmz" the wife asked at length.
"I'm making living, perhaps, but it's
only by hard work. Now if l should go
to California. and be lucky. why we could
have great many more comforts than we
are blessed with at present."
"We have everything that we could
wish for to make us contented, and I'm
sure sigh for no luxuries excepting what
we can wei Afford" Mrs. Dana replied.
"Yes, we have enough to eat and wear.
but we can't buy lots of good furniture, and
have piano, like Squire Bolton. Darn
it, want to be rich as he is, and then I
should be contented," said Mr.. Dana, ris-
ing from his chair, and walking back and
| forth in the kitchen, with energy.
"Mr. Bolton is far from being happy,
with all his wealth." said the wife.
"Well know that; but then who could
be contented with such wife as he has
She is either crazy half of the time, or
else"
s.Hush :" cried Mrs. Dana, with re-
proachful look; remember if she has
faults, so have ALL"
'But what I mean, Nelly, is that if he
had such a wife as I've got, and with all
his wealth, he couldn't help being happy"
-"And yet you want to leave wife you
think so highly of" said Mrs. Dana, with
reproachful look.
'.But don't you see that it is for your
benefit and comfort in the end. You know
Nelly, that nothing in the world would in
duce me to quit you, unless it was the hope
Of making a fortune in short time;
wouldn't be gone longer than a year, and
| if / liked the country, and thought you'd
be contented there, I'd send for you."
The young wife strove hard to retain
her composure, as she asked
"And what will you do with the farm
while you are gone"
81 will get my youngest brother to come
and live here and carry it on. You shall
be left in full charge, Nelly. with power
to do as you please"
| ssGive me week to think about it," the
wife replied; at the end of that time I'll
make up my mind whether to consent to
your going or not"
Mr.. Dana was too well pleased to OBJ,
tain even this concession, to argue any
further that day, and after bidding his wife
to read the accounts in the newspaper
containing the latest news from California.
he started off to his work.
| Mr.. Dana owned farm Of about one
hundred acres, near the town of Windsor,
in Vermont. He was young man and a
Iperson of considerable energy, and had
during his minority, saved a small sum ol
money, which he had safely deposited iu
the savings bank, until such time as he
should want to use it.
| After he became of age, he had added
| to his capital. and when he thought he
should like Jane Perkins for wife, and
proposed to her. and was accepted, he
bought the farm which we find him occu.
lpying, and doing as well as any young
farmer in the neighborhood.
| He had been married two years wher
1.-The gold fever of AS and '49 broke out
| sweeping off thousands of our most indus
ltrious mechanics and farmers, and leaving
L
mauy hearth-stone desolate, and man,
| wife to mourn an absent husband.
| How few have returned with their an
Iticipations fulfilled Thousands who LEI
1.-THE New England States expecting to vii
| a competency in short time. have beel
Igiad to work their passage back in som
slow sailing tub. while others, too proud Il
return empty-handed, have toiled on, bare
lily gaining livelihood. and rest from thei
cares and troubles by The banks of SOM
river, with nothing but rude board =
mark their grsse.