Daily national Democrat., 1860-12-18
9allg gatlonaI 1rmutrat
For the National Democrat.
Pioneer "reminiscences.
NUMBER 5.
BY OLD BLOCK

NlMbEh
DEAR MAGGIE :-"Theres a tide in the af-
fairs of men, which taken at its flood, lead.
on to fortune" That quotation has been made
thousand times, or more, since Messrs.
Shakespeare, Byron & Co used it primitive
ly, and it has become hacknied. Neyertbe.
less, could think of no other beginning to
this letter, and from the fact, that the tide of
my future on the 10th of April Ammo Domini
One Thousand, Eighteen Hundred and Fifty.
when | reached Marysvlle, towards evening.
was at ebb. Board at the hotels was thirty
two dollars per week, with lodging. and on
counting my deposits found that of all
had made in trading the previous winter, NV
mining operations and sickness, had used all
up but precisely thirty-two dollars. Here,
then, was my capital to get rich on, and how
to get the tide at a flow upon which rode my
fortune was the question.
If the flow of the tide of fortune depends
upon mans WILL it must be coupled with
strong way, and knowledge of how to avail
himself of circumstances, and lacked all of
NHNSS HuhtiHSdttOho, az lSdcJ L lnOuRuJ ulQ.
l felt like ''chp" driven about by the cur
rents, trusting to luck for being cast safely
ashore Being an adventurer, in desperate
circumstances, of course, took lodgings at
the best hotel. All the Accommodations for
sleeping were in long upper room, along
which were rows of cot bedsteads, and won
derful to tell, lodger did not have to find
hia own blankets they were furnished with
the cot This was luxurious for those DAYS
The dining department was really good, and
erockery aud glass ware, knives and forks,
were actually used at table, SO that our own
tin cups and hunting knives were discarded.
This was tall stride towards civilization.
After all, don't think the meat tasted any
better than if it had been roasted on the end
OF q ram>rod, at camp fire. nor was the cof-
fee OF better flavor, than in our tin cups in the
mountains; but we had the privilege of hav-
ing our boots Hacked at four bits head
no feet-and, white shirts, with starched col
lars and bosoms, were considered respectable.
On the morning of the llth, l arose with a
desperate determination to do something. |
had money enough to keep me week, at all
hazards, so that the world and the week were
before me. had not a single acquaintance
in town. "a stranger" aud nobody took me
in. wasn't worth the trouble. But what
should do?
had school boy talent for drawing |
had never made u practical use of it, and
scarcely EDau INV own Youars
had brought with me, across the plains, a
box OF French crayons, with the purpose of
sketching, which sickness revented me from
doing. But my crayons were my capital,
coupled with sufficient degree of effront-
cry.
invested dollar in drawing paper.-sat
down before a looking-glass. and took a
sketch of my own beautiful phiz, and hung it
to post in the bar room, and underneath it
notice -
MINIATURES TAKEN -
and then coolly watched the effect of this
astounding development. Like the angler,
had nibble-a good looking young gentle
man came in and on looking at the picture,
exclaimed, "Why, this is well done," and
turning to the bar keeper asked "who took
ths? "That gentleman" he replied, point
ing to me- care you an artist" the stranger
inquired in a kindly manner. eyes, sir"
said /, and, Maggie, felt the warm blood
rushing TO my cheek as l uttered the false
hood. IAN artiStl Dear Maggie, do be-
lieve that Heaven pardoned that deviation
from truth, because it knew that was actu-
ated by the motive of earning my bread
and the means of paying for my board with
out stealing.
"Well, he replied; II should like to have
my picture taken how much do you
charge?" Maggie, that was another poke, for
how could put price my artistic labor
1got it out, however. usually charge an o.
(oh y but as have ust arrived, and desire to
get into business, l will take you, to the bust
don't think was on bust) for twelve do.-
lars" "Cheap enough-Ill have it taken
ushered him to a chair in the dining room,
with glaring light all around, and commence
ed the work. How it happened never could
tell-desperation must have aided me, for
succeeded at once in getting an excellent like
ness, and he was so much pleased that he in-
terested himself, and in two days was doing
good business. | found that with little
practice could sketch rapidly and correctly
and seldom failed after l got my hand in, of
getting good likeness at the first trial Soon
after began work, one day tall slim man,
with rcd hair and whiskers, firm but good
natured countenanOe, came in, and in a very
pleasant manner asked me, "Do you think
you can take correct sketch of me 2" 81
will try, sir" said | eff l do not get good
likeness will charge you nothing" THAT
is certainly fair, but want to be taken as l
am, at full length" / should think he was
full six feet in height and he was dressed in
neat red shirt, belt around his waist, and
high boots which came above his knees, and
In his California dress he was really fine
appearing man. IL can but try" repeated;
"and if you do not like the picture you need
not keep it," "What is your price ?" "An
ounce, sir" | should like however, to take
my own time to finish it, for wish to do you
Justice l may require two or three sit
tings." 20, as many as you please, am
anxious to get good likeness to send to my
friends at home" There was something about