Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-08-05
Love, Dice and Suicide.
EARLY SCENES IN SAN FRANCISCO.

On lhe 4Un OF July, 1913, aU me-
ridian, after a rather tedious voyage,
of 27 days, the schooner on which |
had taken passage at Ii il o Bay,
Hawaii, dropped its anchor in the
harbor of San Francisco, between
the m n land on which the city
stands, and the rugged island Of
Yerba Buena.
AS the vessel swung to the tide,
two guns, placed on the summit Of
Telegraph, Hill opened their iron
throats and belched forth the nation
al salute. Each report, as it came
down on the entrance Of the bay,
was echoed and re-echoed between
the rocky walls of the Golden Gate,
and then died out in faint reyerber-
ations as the wind carried it toward
the sea. Hardly had the salute on
the hill ended, when from the Pre-
sidio there came in more regular
succession the voices of pieces Of
artillery stationed in it by order of
the government.
Looking toward the city, the eye
saw beyond a few wooden super
structures and adobes perchcd on
the margin of the bay, and on the
slight ascent that led to the plaza
a canvass town, tents everywhere,
as if an army had been suddenly
brought to a halt, and its regiments
and brigades were resting for the
day from a very long and fatiguing
march.
As / u S hastily scanned the
shore, my mind noticing the rough
ness, not to say forbodingness Of the
site Of the now great and soon to be
imperial city of the Pacific world, a
pleasure yacht, filled with jewellers,
swept past the stern of the schoon-
er, with its bo W pointed toward
what is called Angel Island, but
which, IA years ago, was more fa-
miliarly known to gold adventures
by its euphonious title of Isle dc los
Angeles.
As | looked toward the yacht |
suddenly started and ran to the
.port side Of the vessel, to observe
more closely those who were sing
ing and shouting in the joyousnoss
Of their hearts, gliding past me-
Seated at the stern, with the rudder
held firmly in his hand, sat one I
had known for years; who, when |
last saw him stood on one Of the
docks on the East River, New York,
and with a friendly grasp Of the
hand bade me God speed in the yoy-
age / was about to undertake.
That was nearly four years previous
to the time Of which | am now wri-
ting. He caught my eye, and spring
ing to his feet, stood for moment,
seemingly irresolute, debating in his
mind whether he should put about
and welcome me, or proceed on his
trip of pleasure. Then he raised his
hat, aud shouted as he did So
Captain, welcome l will see
you tonight! Go to Parker's on
the PlazaI
| bowed an assent, and before l
had time to respond by voice to the
familiar greeting Of my friend, the
graceful vessel in which he was,
took the wind fully and shot like an
arrow towards the straits. Present
Ily, as it ran through the the Gate,
| its size to my eye was reduced to a
speck, and in less time than | can
express it, it was entirely lost to me
as it turned the headland.
$50, Walter is herel' | exclaim-
! ed. "What can have induced that
noble fellow to adventure so far p
Surely net the desire for gold? OF
that he had enough in New York,
and the beautiful Emily, his intend
led, when | last saw the sweet girl,
did she acquiesce ? Surely they must
have been married long ago. Well,
well, | will perhaps have my ques-
ton answered this evening. 1t is
better not to raise conjectures, when
presently my pardonable curiosity
may be fully satisfied"
Walter Edgeworth Il trust the
family name will not be recognized,
as l have slightly changed the last
syllable was a man of medium stat
ure, but of impressive countenance.
His hair, eyes and brows were dark
as the wing of the raven, and the
latter were, an unusual thing in
black eyes, exceedingly soft, almost
feminine in their expression. When,
however, he became excited, as the
humor moved him with anger or
merriment, it was rare indeed, when
the former took possession of his
soul. Usually he was of even tenn
lperament. His voice was low and
musical, and his ready command of
words and powers Of imitation made