Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-03-14

should be pleased to lengthen the sojourn
through the summer following.
On the morning Of the fourth day, the
wife broke a sallen silence of thirty.six
hours by proposing a division OF the pro-
perty, which consisted of two yoke Of cattle,
one wagon, camp furniture, a small quantity
of provisions, and Sl2 in silver. The pre-
posal was accepted, and forthwith the ''plun-
der" was divided, leaving the wagon to the
old man, and the daughter to the mother.
The latter exchanged with y neighboring
train the cattle belonging TO her, for pom
ey and pack saddle, and piling the daughter
and her portion ofthe divided spoil upon the
animal, she resolniely started across the
desert by the Lessen trail, while the old man
silently yoked the cattle and took the other
route. Singular as this may seem, it is
nevertheless true. 1t is among the many
occurrences ot life stranger than fiction.
OF course both parties reached California
in safety. We say "of course" for it is
scarcely possible that any obstacle, health
included, could have seriously interfered
with the progress of stubborness so sublime
Arriving at Sacramento with her daughter
the old lady readily folnd employment-
for women were less plenty than now-and
subsequently opened boarding house, and
in a few years amassed a handsome fortune
Two years ago she went to San Francisco.
and .be daughter, whose education had not
been neglected was married TO one of the
most substantial citizens.
And what became of the old man? ? The
wife had not seen or heard of him since
they parted on the Humboldt. They had
lived happily together as man and wife for
years. and she sometimes reproached her.
self for the wilfulness that separated them
after so long pilgrimage together through
this rough life. But he was not dead. We
cannot trace his course in California, how
ever. All that we know of him is, that
fortune had not smiled upon him, and that
for years he had toiled without hope. Ri
nally, feeling scarcely able to longer WELD
the pick and shoval, he visited San Fran
cisco in the hope of obtaining employment
better adapted 10 his wasted strength.
For three months he remained idle after
arriving here, and then for want of occu-
paticn became the humble retailer of pea
nuts and oranges, with his entire stock of
traffic in basket upon bis arm. This was
about six months ago. A few weeks since,
in passing the open door of cottage in the
southern part Of the city. he observed a
lady In The hall, and stopped 10 ctter his
merchandise. As he stepped upon the
threshold, the lady approached, and the old
man raised his eyes and dropped the bask-
ct. And no wonder either-for she was
his wife-his "old woman She recog-
nized him, and throwing up her arms in
amazement, exclaimed: .'Great God !
John. is that you ?" +" All that is left Of me, .
replied the old man. With extended arms
they approached. Suddenly the old LADY,
countenance changed, and she stepped back
''John," said she, with look which might
have been construed into earnestness, show
did you find the Carson road ?" Miserable,
Suky-miserable," replied the old man,
'full of sand and alkali p "1'hen | was
right, John z" she continued, inuuirinoIy.
You were, Suky," he replied" That's
enough J" said she, throwing her arms ar.
ound his neck "thats enough, John = and
the old couple, 30 strangely sundered, were
again united. Both are living with their
daughter on Second street.-San Francisco
Mirror.