Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-02-14
Written for the Volcano Weekly Ledger.
FLORA HARTREss:
A TRUE TALBOT CALIFORNIA.

haO 10 tuefc equal 10 q mOtnerS lover
What is there that so intertwines itself with
our inmost memories? What, in after years,
when the world with all its hollowness is
spread out before us in the map of our expe-
rience revives the pure springs of heartfelt
gratitude like the devotion of the author Of
onr being?
Throughout the tedious wearisome hours
OF the toiling day, and the long watches of
the night, the mothers constant thought is
OF her child. Hope springs, Minerva like,
from her brain, that her offspring in the dim
future before her, will know none of the
cares and sorrows that burden her in her
struggles with the strong current of the tide
OF life Her whole aim is TO watch over this
offshoot of her existence shield it from the
storms of adversely.
Deprived of this halowed influence over
our minds, prone to wander in the forbidden
paths of questionable propriety, should not
tie mantle of charity hide portion of our
devious way from those who have been more
| favored? 4 4
was one Of the earliest adventurers to
the western FL Dorado, in the search of gold.
| cared not so much for the wealth as
means of procuring luxury, but / had been
unfortunate. Unfortunate in my choice of
friends, in the placing of my affections and
in my business transactions. Life had al
most become burden, and seized upon the
prospect Of adventure in wild country and
among rude people, as the only cure for
morbidly diseased mind.
But my ill luck, (if | may so term it. fol-
lowed me in the path of the setting sum- and
while health and fortune smiled seemingly
on all others, | alone was left to sickness and
to poverty.
Weakened by the ravages of disease and
nearly pennyless, one evening in the latter
part of September, '52, | entered the small
mining camp of Rocktown, near one of the
tributaries of the Mokelumne. Finding no
one there with whom was acquainted, and
not having sufficient with which to procure
even my supper and lodging, sense of my
deStitution came over me that for time
overthrow my better judgment, and if | ever
was on the verge of putting an end to my ex-
istence it was then.
| shall not detail the controversy in my
agitated mind on the question Of "to be, or
not to be-" as it is painful, very painful
subject for me to dwell upon, but content
myself with saying that the dispute was cut
short by young girl, apparently about four
teen years of age, appearing before me and
in the softest accents enquiring if was sick.
AS she did so her large soft blue eyes rested
on me so sorrowful and so sympathetic, that
the. tears involuntarily started from my hither-
to dispair-seared eyes. Seating herself by
my side she laid her delicate hand on my
shoulder, and in this attitude she remained
in an eloquent silence till had mastered the
outburst Of my grief, and then in tones truly
heartsoothing, she endeavored to lead my
mind from its troubles by a rambling, care
less story of the prosperity of the place, and
of,ths one and that one who she knew would
be glad to give me employment. She show
ed me handful of money and specimens
which she said the miners had given her, and
offered me as much of it as l desired l
could not induce myself to accept her
charity, (nor that Of any one else, but the
act seemed to nerve me up to make one more
effort for success.
Before we parted that evening she had
told me all of her history that she knew;
history enyeloped in cloud of mystery
that appeared too dark and heavy to ever be
dissolved and dispersed, seve by those who in
all probability were interested in rather veil
ing the past from her and those who might
interest themselves in her welfare.
Her first recollections were of living in a
fine house with beautiful gardens surrounding
it. Her own little bed with its snowy cur
tains and damask spread were still pictured
t. uthfully in her memory. She had, too a
vivid recollection Of beautiful lady with
whom she used to wax in the garden, and
who each night lowered near her pillow like
an attending angel. From there she was Ia
ken by those who were strangers to her then,
and carried over the sea to wild countrv