The Georgetown news., 1856-03-27
From the Sierra Citizen.
Manuscripts NJ Found in Deserted Cabin.
sGrCI-rT -

"Thou art weighed in the balance and
found wanting"
Nearly four years ago had built me a
cabin in one of those deep mountain gorges
so well known to the miners of northern
California, where [ lived all alone. One
evening, after l had returned from work, l
was busily engaged kneading bread in front
of brisk fire, when stranger stopped at
the door and asked for drink of water
Looking up in his face, saw in moment
that water was not all he needed, for he
seemed ready to faint, and looked as though
he had not friend in the world do not
know why it was, but fl 1t my heart warm
up toward the poor fellow. That had been
an unluclzy day; [ had "toiled all the day
and taken nothing" and had returned to
my cabin very much out of humor with my
self and all the world; but the pallid, ema-
ciated face of this wayfarer dispelled allmy
misanthropy. and bidding him come in,
placed a stool for him in the corner, and re-
sumed mixing bread, feeling, somehow, bet
ter satisfied with myself for the little act of
hospitality.
Supper was soon ready, and bringing out
my extra tea things, which consisted of an
extra knife and fork, an old rusty tin plate
and a drinking cup, all of which were
secured up, [ formally requested my guest
to draw nigh and partake of my humble
fare. And, oh, didn't play the master of
ceremonies in style? Had been lord of a
baronial castle, with king incognito for
my guest would not have felt happier; for
felt that low and poor and unknown as |
was, there was still some one dependent on
me, to whom a cup of coffee and piece of
| bread might be a kindness. The man ate
yoraciOusIy y, leaving but scant allowance
for me, in the meantime telling me that he
had eaten nothing since the morning of the
day before, Poor fellow, he had not strength
to work, and to beg he was ashamed.
After supper we drew our stools in front
of the fire, and placing an empty keg De
tween US, took down pack Of cards and
/ asked him to join me in a game to help
while away the hours till bedtime. Spring
ing to his feet every fibre of his flesh seemed
to culver, while he spoke hurriedly:
"No, mol For the love of God put up
those cards! They have been my damna-
ton, soul and body. Would you play cards
with a doomed man."
[ flung the cards behind the backlog, and
tried to calm the agitation of my guest, who
at length sat down with his fingers on his
wrist, evidently counting the pulsations;
and to make amends for the mischief l had
done, tried every way to gain his confidence
and to possess myself of the history Of this
being, whom had begun to think a mad
man.
His story was soon told, and it was little
different from many others l have listened
to: he had found himself physically unequal
to the labor necessary for the miner, and
had become an idler, then a gambler, and
then a vagabond, yet no great crime had
stained his soul. Having finished his story.
he drew from his pocket an old soiled letter,
and bringing his hand down heavily on the
table, said to me: Look there! Readp'-
And | did read in letters traced with q del
icate female hand, this:
80, William. we have heard such dread
full stories about you. II. has returned, and
told mother that you are a gambler Last
/ Sunday night she took me to the room
where you bade me good bye, and there
made me promise that | would not be your
wife, But, 0, my heart is almost broken!
l could not read farther, for my eyes filled
with tears; the young man sat gazing under
the fire stick, and taking advantage of the
silence | made him a bed in front of the fire,
turned into my own bunk and tried to sleep.
But l was afraid to sleep; | thought after
50 great an excitement the stranger might
go stark mad, and feigning to sleep. kept a
vigilant watch. The man seemed to enjoy
q sort of broken rest, but groaned frequent
/ ly, as though an incubns of guilt and shame
sat upon him even in sleep. Several times
he attempted to pray in allow whisper; but
the words were distinct, and so earnest
that could not hel p believing that they
would be heard in Heaven.
o, it is a solemn thing to listen, in the
deep silence of the night, to the heart-sick
prodigal pleading with the God of the uni
verse; and ifever there be times when the
golden harps of the angels are stilled, to lis
to the voice of prayer coming up from the
earth, am sure that the recording angel
said that night, "hush, he prayeth!'
In the morning my guest seemed to have
forgotten the troubles Of the night, and af-
ter breakfast he prepared to start, but |
could not bear to see him go; with little
trouble | coaxed him to stay with me-the
world was all desert to him; he had no
friend but me. X X
Onr day found letter in the express
office addressed to William L. knew the
hand writing and trembled when [ handed
it to him. He read it over and over and
then gave 1t to me; it contained these words:
"William, mother is dead; come home, oh,
come home; | don't care what you have
been, l still love you."
The next day William sold his claim for
a thousand dollars and six months after
wards received a paper containing this
notice: married, March 10th, 1853, at
-, Michigan, Mr.. William L. to Miss
/ Mary S., both of this place
/ God bless thee, Mary! Little do Won