Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-03-14

but his riches could not purchase for him
the inestimable boon Of health.
Borne down by hereditary disease that
had hastened his ancestors to an early grave,
he had long meditated a removal from his ma
tive soil to a more genial cline. And when
his mind was directed by the wondrous sto-
ries Of gold to the far West, and he read the
glowing accounts of Col Fremont of its sa-
lubrious air and Italian skies; he determined
to remove at orce with his family to the
shores of the Pacific.
1t is not my intention to record all the tri-
ais of the sundering of old associations, and
the long, weary journey across the plains.
Suffice it that they arrived in California, the
COL much improved in health but the remain
der of the family worn with fatigue, although
every facility and convenience had been pro-
cured that could be obtained.
COL Doran had fixed on a village in one Of
the valleys near the Bay as his future home;
and proceeding to it with all possible dispatch.
they were once more beneath their own roof;
and Mrs. Doran, though unused to the rou-
tine of housekeeping, with but little difficult
ty adapted herself to her situation, and sue
ceeded in rendering her house quite model
of comfort compared to those of her neigh
bors.
Up to the time of their departure from
Kentucky, their only daughter Ella, had
been truly reared in the lap of luxury. Ev-
cry want had been anticipated by the willing
servants, all anxious to pet their young
"Missus,' and by their attention to the child
secure the favor of the parents.
In all this indulgence Elias education had
not been neglected Naturally studious and
quick to learn, at the age of thirteen she was
not only possessed of passable education,
but was really accomplished in many of the
higher branches; and when her piano arriv-
ed in the spring of 80, great was the surprise
and admiration of her visitors to listen to her
tasteful performance. Her voice was soft
and sweet, and when singing some Of her
simple ballads her tone was truly touching.
Let us pass over period of five years in
the history of Col. Doran's family-which,
although not devoid of incidents, our time will
not permit US to detail-and we find them
residents of beautiful mansion in the same
village in which they fist located in Cali
fornia.
But great changes have taken place. The
town has become fully Americanized, and
is now the county-seat. Substantial stores
and other edifces are erected on all the prin-
cipal streets, and the suburbs are dotted with
family residences that evidence comfort and
prosperity
In the summer season the town is quite q
fashionable place of resort for pleasure seek
ers; and the residents, within themselves,
have society not excelled in refinement and
urbanity by that of the denizens Of cities.
Among the young folks of the village,
Ella, is the acknowledged belle-the one
whose favor is especially courted. Her men,
tai culture has not been neglected since her
residence here; and her personal charms, adj
ded to the wealth of her father, draw numer-
GUS suitors around her.
Had she been the daughter of less wealthy
parents, she might not have so successfully
warded off the shafts of love. Not only her
own good sense, but the warnings of her
eyer watchful parents, taught her that she
must not expect that all the court was paid
to her person; but that much of the atten-
ton she received was owing to her riches in
expectancy.
As it was. she was firmly resolved to wed
no one who did not seek her for herself alone
So far she had kept her compact with her
better judgment
The hospita5le abode of Col Doran was
the resort of all the young people of the
place: and on the arrival of new conner
who wished an entrance into society, the
Colonels was usually the place to which he
was first taken.
This was the case with Albert Grafton, a
young man who had recently obtained a
clerkship in court through the influence OF
the presiding Judge, who was an old friend
of Grafton's father.
Grafton was about twenty-five years old