Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-10-23


of doubts and fears and brooding presentimentu,
which were only too surely realized; tender
parting, but, alas, meeting nevermore.
| Yes, the picture has its darker side. On the
one hand the lure of yellow gold, and dreams of
wealth. which percbance are often realized on
the other, the parting from household treasures,
long weary months, and years of absence, when
| the heart is signing for its olden occupants
to fill the void within and then, perhaps, sud-
denly, when the treasures are acquired, the wan
! derer is about to hasten back the wings of
| eager love, a message-inexorable-f the
grim tyrant who shuts the door of hope and life,
wrings the heart with untold agony, and before
whose presence gold fades into dross. worthless
ness, utter nothingness.
| Harry Eustace heard the call from the land of
gold, and his heart leaped up to that cry. The
GOLD fever was raging all about him; its infec-
tious tide ran through his veins emigration was
at its height he would go to California,
True he was engaged in lucrative business
which supported his little family, his wife, and
child, an aiuence and out of the profits of which
he might lay by snug sum yearly; but it was
too slow way tor his impetuous nature. He
must get wealth suddenly. rapidly; must acquire
fortune by bold sweep, and when band of
young men, who, like himself, had become tain
ted with the golden infection, proposed to sell
out his business and join the FL Dorado, he was
only too willing to make one of their number.
He went to his young wife with the proposal.
Mary's cheeks paled and her blue eyes dim
med and there was preceptble quiver OF her
dewy lips, but she did not oppose him.
nate She bad heard him talk of thr ough tick
cts, going around the horn. ounces. and piles of
the dust; she had watched him turning the news
papers until his eyes rested on the column devo-
ted to news from California, She had iistered
qui. .tIy, when often of late, his companions drop
ped in to pass evening and have cozy chat
with Harry, to their conversation which turnei
upon the all absorbing theme; she had seen all
along how Harry's heart was upon the land of
gold and now, when he came to her and told
her that wish. she did not oppose hin.
She only said meekly,
" Harry, we we'll and happy now, and
have enough of this worlds goods to make US
comfortable. Gold is not essential to happiness,
but / see you have SET your mind on going, and
will not bid you stay. Only remember, when
YOU are far away that did not send yon."
.s But Mary said Mr.. Eustace. '' Don't talk
so. l Will not go, if you say stay don't want
to 90, unless you are perfectly willing. But
tell you how it is-Dana, Hill, FOrest-all the
fellows start for California next month; they
want me to join their party; we should ship our
our own provisions, sail together, form mining
company to work together, camp with one anoth-
cr and in short, stick by one another through
fortune or misfortune, and wi til facilities for at
once going iuto the mines and turning the bed of
the river, why shouldn't band Of steady young
fellows like us, get rich there in short time
True, Pm doing pretty fair business where
am, but it is too slow Mary. For one one, be-
leve L could make a fortune give me three
years to get rich in, and then I'll come home
coniented. do not ask it for myself, Mary.
but it is for you and our boy. And now what
say you Mary2 Have you any encouragement
| for me if so, shall feel all the better about it
and hope you will for shan't go without
your consent. Dana's wife is dead set about his
going; but hope you will be more consoerate,
Mary"
Poor Nary Yes, she would be considerable
| he should go.
| y,
So If YOU think ii is the best step, go to Cali
fornia-but-" and here she broke down and
the sobs would come choking up in her throat
8. but three years will be such long, long time !;
on, Harry ~ and she sobbed upon his shoulder.
Yes Mary" and for the first time Harry
contemplated their approaching separation in a
new light" yes Mary, it is long time l know,
| to look forward to-but just think, dear, when
it is all past, we shall look back and smile at
this hour. With father and mother to look after
you and Charley, nothing of care or anxiety shall
come upon you l will write by every steamer;
tell you how am prospering and then, when !
come back"
!" But, Harry, don't be so confldant I can't
help it-but, if you should die in that strange
land-or should not live through-through-o
Harry can't help it, indeed, but keep think
so :" and the weeping wife chung to his neck
For a long time, Harry was silent. He had
not thought of this this phase of the picture had
never presented itself to his mind before so buoy
antly hopeful was he and now he thought seri
rusty, and clasped Mary closer to his heart. a.
though he feared to loose her then. Should he
co. he asked himself Ought he-was it right
10 leave Mary now p Mo- he would see hi,
companions and tell them he could not ioir
them.
But the mood did not last In Imagination
he saw Dana, Forrest. and Hill-his boon com
companions, returning from the land of gol,
with their pile and thought, and too Nigh
, have done likewise Hope the syren, agail
sung her song in his ears, and be whispered,
Come Mary cheer up, and look at the brigh
side Of the picture you are too much apt TO des