Daily national Democrat., 1860-12-18


recolleet distinctly about the hat, but it wa.
somewhere in the picture; and for q back.
ground, crossed the Yuba near where tbe
bridge is, and sketched Marysville as it then
was As recollect the picture at this dis
tant day, | think it must have been a GOOD
one'-certainly it was the best which nv
Skill could execute. When it was completed
l took it to his office, in the Old Adobe ue
stood behind counter in the room, engaged
with various papers. There were half a
dozen gentlemen there, and supposing him
particularly engaged, when entered | said
nothing, but quietly waited my turn. He
noticed me at once, however, "Ah is it YOU
is my picture done? ?" Without replv |
laid it before him. He looked at it a minute
without comment and handed it to the Others.
How much?" he inquired. can ounce,
SAID |, still uncertain whether he was satisfied
or not Without reply he weighed me out
the gold, (there was no coin then) and pour
ing it out of the scales upon piece of paper,
turned without remark to his official docu-
ments. l looked at the gold-then at the
weight-then at hiE. l felt satisfied that
there was an error. "Mr. Buchanan" said [,
think you have made a mistake. You
surely have used the wrong weight" "Why.,
sud he, turning to me pleasantly-"is there
not enough :" Eyes, too much-you have
used the two ounce weight intead of the one
ounce" at is all right-all right-if YOU
are satisfied, am-take the gold, l meant it. ;
Of course had nothing more to say but
with thankful heart left the adobe, and
somewhat proud of my success. worked as
an artist Save the mark y for three weeks, in
which time beside paying my board l cleared
something over $40O. The miners patronized
me largely, and have perpetuated many
long beard and rimless hat, for they gener
ally desired to be taken in their WORKING
costume. l recollect that once wished to
give, in mountain back ground, a train of
mules climbing the hills. | couldn't draw
mule from memory, to save my life, so went
out on to the common above C street and
took the copy of poor old hack that was
innocenty grazing there, and he was the
original of many pack train which embel-
lished the mountain scenery Of subsequent
pictures.
There was merchant, too, who wanted
the picture of his store taken from the street,
and himself behind his counter inside. rep
resented that | could not see through plank
nor piece of drills, to take his picture-that
it would be impossible. But" said he, cant
you leave the door open somehow. so that
you can look in ?" 81 cah take the view of
the outside ofyour store, and you with it, if
you will stand outside but if YOU insist upon
being behind the counter, | defy Apeles
himself to see you through plank" He
couldn't see into it but we compromised the
matter by my taking the inside of the store,
with himself standing behind the counter
The picture, however, did not please him,
and while Others thought it a very fair one
he thought it scarce looked as well as he did
and he concluded not to take it. 1t served
me for sign. however, and lost nothing in
the end, for it was generally recognized with
credit.
About this time a new phase in California
enterprise occurred which interrupted my
artistic career, and diverted me from the path
ofReubins and IIogarth to make me pros
pective patron, and millionaire.
Thine, Maggie. till the next,