Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-24


some way Of the immigrant. Government ha
done much towards improving 1t, and the roat
is as fine as travellers could wish. 1t wind
along near the South Fork of the American
River, sometimes rising to hundreds Of fee
above the river, and then desccndi lg to lcve
with the stream. On the opposite side, n,
mountains are ever in vicw, lifting up thci
rounded forms in great majesty To the lef
there is one rock which we could not he'll
greeting with burst of admiration. It Is
cone Of granite rising from 500 to 900 fee
from its base, terminating in two or three
spires It stands entil ely isolated, rising ut
rough guess, 1900 feet above the road. Thii
new road reaches to Slippery Fori, where
commences some rough travelling. THERE'S
fine bridge across the stream now. Here the
two branches Of the South Fork come shoot
ing down over the smooth granite. We found
ourselves in an amphithcatrc of the gInndes
mountains. The great granite masses ros,
about Us forming u scene Of grandeur seldom
surpassed. One Of these masses looked like o
huge boulder towering half mile above US
with here and there large solitary pine grow.
ing out Of its naked side. No soil, nothing
but smooth white rock and solitary tree could
he seen. We soon came to BrockliSs' Bridge
The new bridge is nearly ready for use. Its
a fine structure, far above the swift current
When this is thrown open, the ascent on the
other side Of the river will be by very easy
and beautiful grade. AZ present on the old
road there is a steep stony pitch to 20 up that
is really formidable. Teams are sometimes do.
layed here half day waiting for others to get
over this pitch of about thirty rods in length.
We saw several Of the largest kind of six-h0rse
| q
hibiti0n Of muscular powerH The operation
Of doubling up" was effected, and then the
twelve powerful animals, we'll fed and full ol
strength, laid their bellies to the earth and
rounded out every muscle Of the body in the
mighty dranght The ponderous wagon gave
groan. but after little concluded it had.bet.
ter yield, and roll up" Theodore and sat
down on q log on the top Of the hill, and wait.
ed for the wagon to come up, then on we went
over a rough road, and dustier than ever. We
stopped for the night ut Sportsman Hall Ny
face and arms smartcd badly from being sun.
burnt, and my hands and arms were aching
from holding on so tight as We jolted along.
Thursday, Aug 18th. Soon come to mining
grounds. We are somewhat disappointed in
the appearance of the City of Placervillc, for
Inerly known as IIangtOwn. We stopped ut
ing. Theodore is going to his sisters, at
Michigan Bar, SO he bids me adieu and not a
familiar face have seen since then. Well, I
cannot sit idly, although am travel worn aud
weary. Having made my situation known to
Mr.. Cary, kind, benevolent man, he intro
duced me to Dr. IIcrrick, Superintendent Of
Public Schools, to whom | stated my desire
to obtain school, or employment immediate.
4 lV A lnrt M anh tha lnalO " I
ceivcd certificate and concluded to go to In
dim Diggings where there was vacancy.
Friday, 18th. Mr.. Cary did not charge me
for my stay in his house, and kindly and gen.
erOusy babe me return if could not obtain
immediate employment Aftcr purchasing
trunk, started on my way, rejoicing and de.
string blessings to descend on the heads of
those who had befricnded the orphan and
stranger. The stage was full Of passengers
Took dinner in Pleasant Valley. Arrived in
Indian Diggings before tea, and thanked God
that / could rest from my journey awhile
Found it mountain town-has a Methodist
Church Odd Fellows and Masonic Hall, and
Temperance Division. Having taken the Ma.
sons Daughters Degrees, was very glad to
find some of the Fraternity here, for oft, in
my lonely hours have / exclaimed, oh that
to greet some of the brotherhood
Aug 90. My birthday. Commenced teach.
ing in Indian Diggings.
Sept. 2Jth. I've been roaming Der the noun
tains-diving into the bowels of the earth
going through tunnels climbing up to the
marble quarry-walking in the tumc--gath.
ering crystals and specimens Of rocks-roll-
ing over banks-clambering over rocks and
through ravines-tearing my dresses, and car.
rying of the "bed rock =" on my clothes -
now there is nothing left me to do but ride
the donkeys. fear that shall "spoil for o
fight"
Dec. LIST. Behold "Nonsensical Nellie" in
Greenwood, where she expects 10 tarry during
the winter term Of this her new school. Do
not consider me for:orn damsel, imprisoned
in o literary pcnitcntiarv, acting the part Of
shooting mistress to numerous Juvenile dclin.
QuentS; for have intelligent, obedient and
Interesting scholars, and / take great delight
in trying to do them all the good can, and
try to do as | would wish to be done BY
How lonely felt the first week that was
heres thought that should die Of curiosity,
expire 6f impatienCc, or have O fit Of the
"drcadful EuExyS," or an attack of homesick-
ness, then Simmon all the little azure imps to
uIy OtteuuNtVei NiIu nave u spIeuulu CTys 1beC
olleclingS however, that eyes bound with pink
tape, and red nose were not adapted TO my
style Of beauty, and that | would not look
well 10 pine away to cart.load, I concluded
to divert myself with reading, writing to dis
tant friends, sewing, embroidery, drawing,
(my breath) gathering HOwersand MOSES, &c.;
until am directed by an Ovcr-ruling Provi.
dence to larger and more fourishing place.
~ Al e.. Y -
the means Of earning an honest livelihood!
Many thanks to you, kind DEMocRAT, for
giving my humble Journal place in your
columns May the new year bring you many
new and prOmpt-paying subscribers.
GREEEwooD, Dec. 1859. ,T, 'a