Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-11

y
men animated with hopes similar to my
own. Every variety OF character anc
fortune was to be seen. As we lounged
about the deck we made our own com
ments upon the passengers who promen'
AIDED before us. There was among them
an elderly gentleman, with a somewhat
sharp, yet worn aspect, who was usually
accompanied by y u'n g lady, girl
whose great beauty drew all eyes upon
her.
That is Mr.. Bullion. said one of my
new-found friends. He made fortune,
and nearly lost it, so they say, in Wall
street. --Geiag ost to mend his mistake
and bring his daughter to a new market,
| suppose
That beautiful girl! Surely, she
would have admirers anywhere
'Ah, bet beauty without wealth doesn't
win many praises, and old Bulion's ma
terial resources have been considered in
rather shaky condition for long time.
Just then it struck me that among all
the people l had met since l left home,
in all the places had been, money was
the password, the underlying stratum,
the reconcier and explainer of all dis
cordances. By-and-by l grew familiar
with this phenomenon, and remark it;
now a thought of what Ethel would say
crossed my mind.
We touched the shores of California,
and the great company separated. Mr..
Bullion and his beautiful daughter were
driven away to the most luxurious quar-
iers that the city then f'o d d, and |
sought out lodgings in keeping with my
;traitened means. l did not linger in
he city. | went out at once and sought
he heart of those picturesque gorges, in
whose shining streams the yellow sands
lie concealed. / was fortunate beyond
sven my widest dreams. My success
,xcted my own astonishment as much
Is it did the envy of my companions. In
few months l was rich enough to go
lome. My wealth would have bought
ny little farm ten times over, and en-
Dellished it till it shone like fairy-land
Did rest content here? All, no. i
began to think OF the vast fortunes accu-
INFLATED in trade. Speculation ran riot
n those days. Fabulous sums were won
~ a single happy chance. I resolved to
20 to San Francisco and embark my
,apital in one of these enterprises.
Do not think that all this while l had
orgotten Ethel. When l had pitched
ny tent in the deep heart of California
Ierras, and sat down in the still even
ngs, hearing in dreamy, semconscious
way the far-away sounds of noisy merri-
nent, / wondered if the yellow moon
ight crowned her fair brow as lovingly |
IS of Did. | pictured her to myself
wearing that look of sunny sweetness so
amiliar to me, going out her daily |
uty, the W earis IN G task Of village
l saw her bending over
Ter books far into the night, seeking to
equire yet higher knowledge. Then
ny fancy went forward to the time when
should have her near me. Yet always
his grew more distant to my thoughts.
When | came out | bad fixed upon a
ear as the limit of my stay; but now,
f | engaged in business, m y absence
must be indefinitely prolonged.
| went down to San Francisco, and
or week or two haunted those public
laces where l was most likely to hear of
good opening. One day my eye fell
pom an advertisement conspicuously in
erted in the newly-established daily:
'Any person with cash capital of
hirty thousand dollars, can hear of
ood investment by applying to James
bullion, 4 Commercial Street
| re-read it thoughtfully. This might
e worth my while. At least it would
o no harm to call upon him. was al
rays prompt in coming to decision, and
alf an hour after had first taken up
he paper, l was standing upon the thres-
old of Mr.. Bullion's office.
1t was one of those unsubstantial build
lgs put up to meet the pressing exigen-
les attending the sudden influx Of pop.
lation almost as quickly as card-house,
nd nearly as liable to topple over. Con
there was an aspect and odor
f newness, a great deal of glaring light,
nd sense of oppressive heat. Before
averal very business-like looking desks
lickly strewn with papers, sat some
lusty, hard.working individuals who
'ere in nowise disturbed by my entrance.
advanced toward one, and inquired
,r Mr.. Bullion. The person addressed
anted his pen over his right shoulder,
lstantly restored it to its proper angle
nd went on writing.
Looking in the direction indicated |
spied a small door. Upon tapping at
le door, was bidden in voice which
well remembered, to come in. Pres
ntly found myself vis>G-Dis with Mr..
iullion. 1t was curious how completely
e had put aside the air of the gentleman
f leisure which he bad worn during the
oyage, and become again the sagaciors