Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-01-24
Ts!3 HGCx Gp GELD,

r. RLT. 7. G. CLARK.
The wandering Of California adycntu-
rer once brought him upon rock Of gold of
enormous richness. The precions laeta
sparkled bewitchirely from its solid quartz
bed, while he could pick the pure gold from
the creyices with his knife. Bewilderod
with his sudden surprise, he sat down to
muse. Half an hour ago he was a panniless
exile from home and friends, roaming in a
reckless mood over rocks ana sand heaps
which only seemed to mock his search Ill
clad, and accustomed to a seanty food he
had become the familiar companion Of hard
ship and priYation.
Now he sat upon the solid wealth which
nature had prepared to reward his suffer
ihgs. That rock was worth million of dol
lars. Compact in form, elevated in posture,
and convenient Of access, it would give forth
its hidden treasure with lavish profusion
He could not be mistaken as to the value Of
his discovery, for his experience in pres
lpecting" had given him quick and aecu-
rate judgement.
So he was now prince, thus suddenly
transformed from a pauFer. His brain reel
ed with the wild rush Of schemes which his
new circumstances should permit him to
carry out. lie resolved what he would do
for his family His wife should be repaid
fer all her hardships in sharing his lot His
children should enjoy tie best home and The
best education that money could procure -
He would go back to his native village, and
his neighbors should be forced to wonder at
his brilliant equifage, while his old play
fellows Should bite their lips as he passed,
in the endcayor to suppress their envy
Thus suddenly appeared to lis excited in
iagination all the ei;oyments aud the luxu-
res Of life of wealth, while the dina outline,
of architectural beauty began to assume The
familiar look Of lis own country residence.
Thus he unused, til hunger, and the sp-
Iproach of night, suggested another train Of
Thought. The question spraEg suddenly to
his mind, "L'9'c stQH I carry o4eay Mts
treasure ~ The scenery changed in his
excited brain quicker than cords and lnlleys
ever did the service on the stage lie was
alone. He he'd ne instruments for breaking
| the rock. Witt lis knife he eould only dis-
lodge gold enough 10 tartalize Lis fryored
ambition. ALTHOUGH! lev sele proprietor as
discoverer and claimant. while he went for
machinery anu wolimep, another Nanderer
might see the prize, and claim itss his oRn
IN his perplexity Ia. became as aisefs lie
as he had been elased Win .iay. Indeed he
was pitiably unhappy. His heart had sud
Idealy fastened Ks mysterious grasp upou a
Ifeek, to which he was new chained BY IN
visible, yet aaamaltiue bonGs To 80 for
/ hep was to hazard is puaaoss5au 10 stag
and watch i was d5ajh y sArgatien lie
could 60 nsitter; tet something l. nH.t
nc. Before tle discovery, lage msde hin
IhapTy. nov iaae.ed Possession made lin
wfetched.
Imprisoned there day after day, iloeeh
lneitler wall, nor chain, nor lecpeg could be
seen, IL lived nit ealiy on nuts which had
fallen FROM semc ueighboriue trees. A lit
dc stream hardly gave Inn drink. Atleneth
forced by necessity, he resolved to so for
machinery and watGmea. TO Secure the
rock during his absence, he covered it over
with mud, tl.at no sparkling grains nri1lt
tempta rival claimant. So wcarily, and
with froracted labor, tpggine up the hin
with water and earth, he smeared the prize
all over with lis ingenious disguise; and then
he departed to eonsunNale his golden plans,
and realize his dreams Of earthly glory.
:. *
Many sun has risen and set again upon
that unsigh.'Y rock Of the gold desert, but
no foot Of man has come to the spot. The
moon looks down in her monthly visits, and
wonders where those sparkling grains have
gone which used ta dance in her light.
Years have rolled round but the secret
sleeps where the discoyerer buried it-and
Pc has aege1 retaraed 10 take las prize He
never carried home th9 treasure
Miserable lorer q gota, behold thine I'M
age You are rich, it is true; hut happi-
ness and you parted company when YOU
gave your heart to that fortune which YOU
icall your own. Ynu cannot enjoy it for
want of that benedcenee which it only gives
it lustre and value. You cannot let your
thoughts and affections leave it for an hour,
lest some rival seize it. Staying to watch
lit, your soul is miserably starved & shriyeea.
Ton TOO mas 90 and teagc It Invest it
Jas you will. Cover It with faar-toll seeu-
rites from all risk Of depreciation, Grudg-
ing it to your heirs. entail it to the utmost
stretch Of your legal power. Watch ii day
and night, until death shuts your eyes; stll
you must so away and like the California
ladyenturer, You will never return from your
long journey TO see OF touch it again