Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-02-05
THE MINERS FEARFUL RE-
SOLVE.
A Tale of California.
by wM JARED EARL.

During the period on twelve years Subse
ouent to 1918, San Francisco, California.
was the theatre Of more startling events,
than probably any other city on the Amer
lean Continent.
This was natural consequence, attend
ing the rapid increase OF pepulF ton in that
city, and the flooding Of the adjacent coun-
try with eager fortune hunters Every
steamer that arrived landed thousands OF
adventures, who came from all parts of
the globe, and rushed into this land of
promise, like a mighty invading army, COM
prising among their number, men and
women of every character, color and profes-
sion.
There was no friendly feeling, or common
sympathy expressed among them. Avari>
ciuusness was the prepouderating DISPOSE
ton which characterized all their move
meut>. There appeared to lie but one desire,
and thst was GOLD. II obtain which,
principles, peace and life were Freely sac
rihced.
1t the authentic history of California.
during the period alluded to, could be
written, presenting in truthful colors, all
the dark deeds Of atrucitv-let them be
infinitely detailed, aud what book il
would make! The most wild and imagin-
alive fancy of the most prolific brain could
not surf ass the truth i'll pictures Of thrill
ing interest.
We now propose TO relate one short scene
from the great trama of Life, rs was enact
ed in that city; and in doing SO, we would
take the reader back tn dark stormy
night liz the month of September, 1854.
At that period there was small frame
building, conveniently heated, being but a
short distance from the wharf, where the
steamers landed their passengers The
house was occupied as a boarding establish
-Bfent, ard like-niaRyi sotbers-of a similar
character, the bar room constituted the
m"st prominent feature.
The tenement was one story and a half
high, and about eighteen by twenty four
feet on the ground Ii stood upon fur
large blocks Of wood, one at each corner.
which raised the first floor about three feet
above pool of stagnGnt water, and the
! entrance to the building was effected bv
means # an old dry goods box, turned down
in front, answering the purpose Of more
convenient steps. The lower portion Of
the structure contained but two apartments
IA bar room and dining hail. The latter
was also u.ed for kitchen and lardsr. The
small dormitories, with fragments Of old
canvass, hanging at the entrance, as sue
cedaneum for doors.
The furniture of each apartment consist
ed OF two coarse dirty blankets. spread on
the bare floor, small tick filled with straw
for pillow, and one wooden stool Those
articles constituted the entire accnmmoda-
ton OF each chamber, and the price for this
l,,v LIN
In one oil these attic rooms, on the night
to which we alude, was a man who was
walking slowly to ard fro, with n sad de-
jected cuunlenance. On the stool near the
blanket bed was lamp, which filed the
little room with pale Pickering light, vet
sufficient to reveal the expression upon the
mau's features.
His arms we're folded, his eyes fixed in a
steady gaze upon the floor, and his thoughts
seemed busy, wrapping his whole soul in
silent and profound meditation
His hahiliments were course his hau
| long. and his beard thick and heavy, but
his high brow, keen black eye, aud finely
! cut lips, denoted a man of intelligence. aud
his movements evinced an air OF refinement
| tar above his present position
1t was evident that something uausunl
| had betallen the man-sOme sudden mis-
| fortune, which had taken deer hold upou
| his thoughts.
! Having continued his thoughts for some
time, he halted abruptly. removed the lamE
from the stool. and placed it on the floor
He then seated himself, bowed his head
forward in his hands, rested an elbow on
either knee, and gave utterance to the fol-
lowing soliIoquy:
'' Fate has followed me since nv child
hood. AT eighteen years Of age | fell il
love with : beautiful girl. She was pool
in worldly goods, but superlatively wealthy
in goodness of heart and disposition. She
was seanstress and obtained her Twins
by going from house to house in the capac
ity OF sewing girl. | loved her with al
my youthful ardor-fondly and truly; bu
my parents were rich and aristccratic anC
forbade our union, simply because she wa
poor. Opposition only served to inereas,
our love, aud we were married. Fathe
became desperate and cast US off. lie re.
fused me to visit my former home. Antie-
ipating this, | had previously provided
myself with a situation as a clerk in a store
and for a year we lived in perfect happiness
If | had continued there, | might hay,
avoided these misfortunes but the Califnr
MIA gold fever broke out about this time
and every body was going to the land o
promise, where they could scrape u
"shovels full Of gold without scarcely an,
effort. caught the fattering contagioI
and pictured in the future, palace home
with servants and all the Injuries of wealth
Mary would sometimes lean over m,
shoulder ard whisper in NV ear, " bette
let well enough alone" But wanted Il
be itch, and imagined that if l could nnl,
go and remain few months, l should b.
worth even more than my father-which
greatly desired. After many tears auC
entreaties, she consented to my proposal
and left her at her fathers, where shl
was to remain until / returned-littlt
dle ming that should never see her again
mat was four years ago; but how plainly
l can remember her tears-her Ileadin!
look, when she found that was determ.
med to 60. Every expression of her feat
ureS at that time is indelibly impressed
upon my heart, and will never be effaced
With hopeful anticipation l came to thi,