Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-22
NELLR's LETTER.

Nellie Is an orphan, with only one brother,
and he is younger than she. Her uncle, with
whom she was living, failed in business, and
for the past five years she has taken care Ol
herself There always will be reverses in bu'
sincss, when things are all turned uppernOSi;
merchants gloomy and sad, many Of them
broken to pieces and diSheartcned, and mol
knowing where to get bread for their families
During the last two winters at the North, II
has been dark time, very dark. Ipity those
who are standing on pinnacle, not knowing
but they will soon be plunged into the dark
gulf which lays beneath them. pity them,
but q man must put on goOd courage, and
when the storms are about him, do the best
he can. Clear skies will come again.
1t might he well enough, but to her sad
heart no encouragement was Of any moment
that did not hold out the prospect of immcdi'
ate relief, . place In which she could labor
and obtain food. The fact was, she had reach
ed point in the state of her affairs at which
she must come to stand, and look forth in
some new direction for path TO follow and
she had resolved to 60 to California where
there was more demand for female labor.
Political changes had changed her f1rtune
The Register or Recorder, was not reelected
so she was thrown out Of employment, as she
had been engaged as q cOpyi>t in his Office
and she was unable toget situation AZ teach
er in any Of the public schools, as the term
was commenced before she left the office. Al
the request Of her friends. she opened select
schOOl, rented room, purchased stove
woOd, and schOOl.rOOm furniture, and com.
menced with ilattering prospects, but alns
how feeting! During the second week, there
were ten Of the scholars taken sick, Others
were withdrawn, and tine scarlet fever broke
up the school. The clouds hung heavy and
dark around her. She had been to some cx'
pcnse in fitting up the room, &C., and was Out
Of employment. while her purse Ached with
emptiness. With the money she expected e
receive from her scholars, she intended to pay
her fare to Iowa City. But now she had only
one dOllar, and purpOsed gUing to California
Winter was at hand, too, with its trusts I,
chill the heart. and dry ui the streams Of trade
already sluggish and shallow.
She was possessed Of fstrong feelings. Hith
crto the effect Of them had been 10 nerve hel
heart " ilh the most engrOSEing tender neSS tf
those upon whom her love had been placed
aud its Out.pOurings had filled those dear oncs
with the fOmleSt hopes, and most affecting
conscientious But hUr very strength Of feel
uk wan NutubHk bCtrSttO UbO WW
upon her sensitive spirit with pow.r tha
would soon unfit her for the severe struggl,
in which she lind engnged. Il conf urcd W
before her oil the dark visions Of the past
only to throw deeper gl,~m upon the sterI
realities Of the present. With sad and DIES
"lnte heart, she mingled with the busy multi
tude ihronglI IN" day, nnd r, tired ut night I,
her SlceplvSs bed, or tO awake from irnub!ct
dreams to the consciousness UC her dependent
aud unhappy condition.
M wonder if a change il manifrt on hcl
youthful brow. AlnS! this j. but annthcr tat,
0f the bitter cup. What, think you, would il
he to wing out the drcss mud drink thcIny =
There are more evils in this changing scene
than your young heaIt has yet Imagined; anC
vet there Are sweet drauShtS, too, whose po
tent charms steal o'cr the soul, enhancing il
With pleasures braIning from n better world
and giving rich for. taste Of what it may YET
enjoy. The lights aud the shadows, the sweet
and bitter draughts are appointed with wiser
aim, and for better end, than our fancy fash
IONS
She knew that man had but to assume hi,
position in society. and maintain it; but wO
man has hers to attain, and must hattie for il
step by step. She had faith in God. "Ils
will regard the prayer OF the destitute." liz
is father to the orphan, and will provide
She feared that she would have to abandon
her project. However, the young ladies ant
gentlemen told her they would attend writing
school, if she would open one, which she &C
cordingly did; thus enabling her TO pay heI
railroad fare; and by borrowing fifty dollars
and selling. or turning her hooks, picture1
vases and part Of her clothing towards hel
boar,l, and getting her fitting out" she wa'
ready to start with the train overland to Cali
fornia, to which place she has arrived. and Il
now engaged in teaching. Thus. you SEE, tht
Lord and the people will help those who try
to help themselves.
II you think that this, with copy Of hel
journal across the Plains. is worthy Of a place
in your paper, perhaps it may help to encOur
age the desponding, and interest those WHIT
have never enjoyed or suffered" tcnt-lift.