Columbia gazette and the southern mines advertiser. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne County, Calif.) 1855-1858, 1858-07-01

aud in the lofty carriage of his head,
in the CLEAN of his large, bright, hazel
eye-there was something which demo
ted one of superior mind but as we
shall have occasion in the course Of our
narrative to fully set forth who and
what Eugene Fairfax was, we will leave
him for the present, and turn to the ap-
preaching group, whom he seemed to be
regarding with a lively interest.
OF this group, composed of a middle
aged man and four females, with a
back female servant following some Eve
PAGES in the rear, there was one whom
the most casual eye would have singled
out and rested upon with pleasure The
lady IN question, was apparently abou;
twenty years of age, of slender and
graceful figure, and of that peculiar cast
Of feature, which, besides being beauti-
full in every lineament, rarely fails to
effect the beholder with something like
q charm.
Her travelling costume fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned close
y over the bosom anu coming down to
Ter suall, pretty feet, without trailing on
the Eround-was both neat and becom
ing and with her riding cap and It's
waving ostrich plume, set gaily above
her flowing eurls, her appearance con-
trasted forcibly with the rough ulipo!ish-
ed looks of those Of her sex beside her,
with their linsey bed-gowns, scarlet pcti-
coats, and bleached linen caps
"Oh, Blanche,' said one of the more
venerable of her female companions,
pursuing conversation which had been
maintained since quitting the open fort
behind them, 81 cannot bear to let you
GO; for it jest seems to me as if seine
thing were going to happen to you, end
when | feel that way, something gener-
: ily does happen. ~
We'll, aunt, replied Blanche, viii a
light laugh, II do not doubt in the least
that something will happen-for l ex-
poet one OF these days to reach my dear
father and blessed mother, and give
them such an embrace as is due from a
dutitul daughte- to her parents-and
that will be something that has not hap
peaod for two long years at least. -
''Bus don't mean that, Blanche, )"
returned the other, somewhat petulontly;
land you just laugh like gay and
thoughtless girl, when you ought to be
serious. Because you have come safe
thus far, through a partially settled
country, you think, perhaps your OWE
pretty face viii ward off danger in the
more perilous wilderness-but | warn
you that fearful journey is before you
Scarcely boat descends the Ohio that
does not encounter more or less peril
from the savages that prowl along either
shore and some of them that go
freighted with human life are heard of
no more, and none are left to tell the
tale"
"But why repeat this to me, dear
aunt" returned Blanche, with more
serious air, ''when you know i, is my
destiny, good or bad, to attempt the
voyage : My parents have sent for me
to join them, be the peril what it may"
"You never did know what it was to
fear !" pursued the good woman, rather
proudly. NO" she repeated, tu,aing
to the others, blanche Bertrand nev.r
did know what it was TO fear, l be,
lieye!"
Just like the father ~ joined in the
husband Of The matron, the blother Of
Bianche's mother, the comma nder Of
the station, and the middle !! ed gentle
man mentioned as one Of the party ::
ga true daughter Of a true soldier Her
father, Colonel Philip Bertrand, God
bless him for true heart, never did
seem to know what it was to fear-and
Blanche is just like him''
BY this time the parties had reached
the boat and the young man already
observation-disclosures Fairfax, the seere-
tary of Blanche's father-at once step
ped forward, and in polite and defer
entiul manner, offered bis hand to the
different females, to assist them on
board. The hand Of Blanche was the
last to touch him-and then bat slight
ly, as she sprung quickly and lightly to
the deck-but close obefver might
have detected slight flush which man
tied his noble, expressive features, as
his eye for single instant met hers.
She might herself have seen it-per-
haps she did-but there was TO cores
ponding GLOW on her own bright, pretty
face, as she enquired, in the calm, dig
nifed tone of one having the right TO
put the question, and who might also
have been aware Of the inequality of
position between herself aud him she
addressed,