The Shasta courier., 1864-06-04
A Romantic Affair--Case of Gratitude.

Some years ago poor, peGniless adyentu-
rer arrived ut San Bernardino. His clothes
were in rags, and scant at that. His cheeks
we're hollow, and his eyes had thai restless,
fierce expression that is seen in one who has
not for long time tasted food. The stranger
stopped at farm house, and. after some hes
itation, asked for meal. The rancAero. who
was well to do in the world, at once granted
the request. Entering Into conversation with
the stranger, lie found that he was endeavor
ing TO make his way 10 the mines, but, mis-
calculating the expenses of the route, had
found his means inadequate to bear him to
his journeys end. The ranchero was SO i'm
pressed with his story, that he voluntarily
leaned the needy adventurer a sum of money
to help him to his destination. Time sped
with its chances and changes, and found the
once prosperous ranchero despolled of his
little property, seeking precarious subsist-
ence in San Francisco, and getting liveli-
hood with difficulty at that. Such was the
condition of his affairs when. several weeks
since, snowy carriage drove up to the poor
mans door. A richly attired gentleman
alighted therefrom. 1t proved TO be the pen
niless adventurer whom the now reduced
ranchero had once SO generously assisted
Luck had changed with the former. He had
eled thence to Washoe, and. engaging in the
silver mines, had amassed, like many others
once poor, IL rapid fortune lie had come to
invite his beneiactor, with his family, to a
ride, for the purpose of tax ng look at a
neat cottage which he had Just been purchas
ing in the suburbs. The party rode forth in
high spirits. The morning was fine and the
air exhilerating. In due time they arrived
at the cottage, which proved to be one of the
neatest in the neighborhood a 6ijou of a
place, with old hooks aud gables, and the
cosiest OF furniture.
When the visitors had satisfied themselves
with admiring everything that was to be ad
mired, and bad partaken of a repast spread
for the occasion, their entertainer turned to
them and said g 1t is not so long ago but
you can remember the destitate stranger
who came to your gate for wherewithal to
satisfy the cravings Of hunger. and whom you
sent on his way rejoicing, with more money
in bis pocket than he had seen for {, twelve
month. | am that stranger. With the pro-
eeeds of your genel osity | reached the mines.
Success crowned ali my efforts. / was
wealthy. | visited San Bernardino for the
purpose Of diseharging my debt of gratitude,
but you were net there sought you every
where, and finally found you in your place of
refuge, nearly as destitute as myself on the
day when, overcome by hunger, / PASSED 1T
ycur hospitabte threshold. My mission is
accomplished. You have heen pleased to ad-
mire this cottage. Ii is yours. Take it Will.
all it contains. and may Heaven enable yoa,
ny benelaetor, to prosper as | have prosper
ed!'
To finish the story. the title deeds were
placed in the hands of the astonished ranch
ero, and he is at this moment comfortably
Installed with his family in his new domieile.
the happiest Of :aen.
Here is little incident OF actual life such
as frequently occurs in this land of wonders
and transformations. from which a novelist
might weave al interesting romance.-San-
day Mercury.