Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-03
Per The AsountA'n Democrat.
Remiuescence.


They softly lie, and sWeetIy sleer;
Low in the ground
The s'Orm n It wracks the winter sky,
No more dstuFbs their deep Telose
Thsa GUNNER evenings latest sigh,
That shuts the r0Se.-CdmOSHs
"Poor Maggie Sis dead. " Such was the
sad tenor Of q letter received some time ago.
Thinking, perhaps, a slight detail of her hiSto-
nv may prove interesting, | shall essay to re-
late il. II is intimately connected with near
friend Of mine. -,
Some years ago young man came to reside
in a village in the vicinity o. the city OF Il,
in one of the middle States Of the Cnion.-
As the arrival Of stranger in all small com
munities is q source Of much gossip, he was
soon the subject Of debate. Yet few could
solve the questions, who was hc?' or where
was he fromf' 1t was clear he was no ma
tive, for he had foreign look. But from his
tongue they could catch no shibboleth where
by to find his nationality. His half romantic
life excited curiosity. After his office hours
were over, instead If seeking society or com.
banionship, he might be So, quietly sauntcr-
ing down by thu little lake with book for his
companion. Thus seeking no friendship and
inviting no confidence, he quietly lived on
And, although the young men were offended
by his GOODNESS, and the young ladies failed to
draw him out, yet there was nothing harsh or
rcpelling in his look or manner. lie could
not be misanthrope. lie was too young to
he either a sage or cynic. To church he sell
dom went, for on Sundays, instead Of going
with the crowd to worship, he wandered thro'
the woods and orchards. Prayer meetings he
refraincd from, and temperance meetings he
eschewcd; so that, by and by, the good pcO.
pie began to look upon him as one who feared
not God nor regarded man. But | must do
my friend the justice to say that, however lit
tic he regarded man, and whatever latitude Of
opinion he INDUCED in, nc was not by any
means impious. What wonder he felt lonely
and INDUCED in melancholy, while yet all the
tender partings from home and kindred were
vivid to his memory 4 fathers blessing and
q mothers sigh, brothers farewell and sis
ter's kiss. But youth, after all, Is not the sea
son of mourning or regrct-wiIl not remain
long cast down; and, unlike sterile age, will
bear transPlanting. Though old ties will be
treasured up in fond and sacred memory, still
new ones will spring Sf'-aad sheet forth in
grccncst bud and brightest blossom. How
quickly are we influenced by our kind
What . warm interest VIC take in our new
home. How soon we entertain new hopes and
form new opinions, are swaycd by antipathies
and respond to friendships. How quick we
arc caught in the maze Of love, or throw our
selves in the whirl Of ambition. Thus it was
with my friend lie soon emerged from his
nlorbid condition. His mind gradually AS
Aumed more healthy and vital tone. lie
grew genial as acquaintanecship ripenc'l into
friendship. as pleasant and social intercourse
succeeded silent and solitary musings.
4 mind like his own, aroused from its dor
mant state, could not fail to appreciate and
End . source Of interest in everything around
him. The free, open, independent manners
OF the people pleased him. The constant
claShing Of opinions, the ever S-rGing mind Of
the country casting new and strange things
to the surface. The dashng progress Of men
and things, the glorious and picturesque
scenery Of the country the pure and undetilcd
liberty enjoyed by the people, liberty without
flaw or technicality, without balances or codi-
ellis, all formed pleasant subjects Of animated
contemplation. lie was Democratic dream
CT from his youth; loving student Of Grccian
history; an enthusiastic admircr Of the heroes
OF American Independence. Then surely it
was with no ordinary feelings he bchcld at
last, a real living republic, the realization of
the highest and brightest dreams Of man, the
wise, beautiful and gentle government Of the
people.
YES. In the desert then is built home
For freedom. Genius Is made strong To rear
The monuments VI man beneath the done
OF . neW Heaven; myTads ASscmble there,
whom thc proud lords Of man, III rag Ut fear,
Drive from their WaSIci homes"
In this somewhat >tu'lionS manner iii this
fiiend of mine pass tllc summer Of lSj-, aud
hy autumn. Americas brilliant, glorious, g'r-
gcut>, enchanting autumn nc fit 1T home
with the people, delighted with the country,
and loved with passionate vvhemcncc aud nr.
dor, the amiable, graceful, and beautiful
Maggie $.
As the foregoing serves for an introduction,
the denouement shall reserve for another
letter. WILD FRESHMAN.
IDLEvILLE, March 81, 1853.