The weekly ledger., 1857-05-02
For tie Weekly Ledger.
TRACKS OF A TRAVELLER,
(Continacd from first page. J

]
left lone for tramp up Dry creek. A short
walk brought me within the purlieus of
MUIETowN.
This is the principal mining locality (in
connection with the Boston Store, in this
section, and is an active camp, many of the
claims paying better than those of far more
noted places.
The reason for giving this so stubborn
name was explained to me very satisfactorily
by one of its citizens, and is that it is located
on Mule creekl What better cause could be
desired? "But why do you call it Mule
creek ?" | demanded. This was a poser,
which the inquiree Ga legal term, that; isn't
it good though?) took occasion to improve
by saying very sogely, Cor timely if you like }
"You should never enquire into the cause Of
causes" Very good advice, which all would
do well to follow. 1t is proper to know what
causes a footprint but higher than that it is
very improper to extend our investigations.
J Families are not q scarce article here and
little responsibilities are numerous; and
the cry is, still they come" which is a no.
torous fb, for they do cry like cherubims.
If the unromantic name of the town has
suggested to any one that it is a place to be
avoided l can assure them they have come
to wrong conclusions. The only stubbornness
| noticed was in determination to work,
and that to some purpose.
In the multiplicity of trails leading from
here "rayther" think took the wrong one
on leaving, as it was not long before found
myself somewhere a place, by the way
where | have been seen often by divers indi-
viduals; but where was [? "That is the
question" In the woods, Of course; but
what course? My good judgment brought
me out all right at Whites store; had
taken the wrong direction it would have
been bad luck. Thus we ever give ourselves
full credit for what terminates TO suit us, and
lay all failures on misfortune.
Being now sure ! was right, i went ahead,
as the proverbial Crockett advised, and, in so
doing, soon found myself at very flourish
ing camp know as the Wisconsin Store. The
store is kept by Mr. West, who presume is
one of your subscribers as / saw copy of
the Ledger there with his name on it. If the
number of men at ,cork aud the amount of
goods sold is any index to the prosperity of
a camp then this stands high on the list. ]
saw at least seventy white men at work (not
pretending that these were all and any num-
ber of Cinnamon.
An incident that gave me favorable
opinion of this place occurred some weeks
ago. was passing through here just as they
had received the papers by the then last
steamer. Every one was purchasing paper
from the places nearest his old home in the
Atlantic States, and | counted forty-three
persons in groups, some reading aloud, Others
listening anxously to the news. L felt
proud Of them as Americans as | looked on
their intelligent faces and loved them for
their love of "The old folks at home" As
passed one of the groups the reader was
just giving the marriages, and | observed one
young fellow start from his listening attitude
and hasten away Had some fair one proved
false as fair TO her plghted troth? Or
had he treasured silent hope that he would
find one who he was too proud to WOO while
he was in poverty, yet unmarried when he
should return with wealth and true heart
to lay at her feet; and was this link in his
chain of happiness snapped asunder? While
ponderng on what may or may not be, this
incident having been recalled to my mind at
this last visit, L did not pay much attention
to things outside till reached
DRYrowN
The FIRST thing that attracts ones notice on
entering Drytown from the east is small,
red building on the hill side in the opposite
part of town. Had it been a wooden con-
cem | would have known without enquiry
its use 1t was evidently of brick, with an
iron door and seemed fre-proof Too small
for most purposes, and too large to have been
built for fun, knew it was intended for
purpose. A lucky thought struck me; 1t
was the village calaboose! Proud of my
discernment thought I'd test it on the first
man / met. "Is there any one in your