The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-11-09
A CALIFORNIA HEROINE.
BY ROBERT +. earrLrY.

| A clumsy vehicle, which for wan. OF a
better, piled IN the year 1850 between the
city of Sacramento and the mining camps
on the route to Piacervile, Chen known by
the elegant name OF Hangtown,) was toll
ing with difficulty up narrow and stony
defile OF the hills. The agent had taken
| no more than his usual allowance of pass
eneers. These were an oddly assorted set.
! turning from Trip to the Bay with his huge
! guard shains and massive gold ring, his
bran new suit, and his endless stock OF re-
| galias, which he offered 10 every body
/ There were several youthful adyenturers,
who we're on their first travels, and were
boisterously as,onished or amused al every
thing they saw, while they generously
shared The contents of their hamper OF
provisions with all who would accept
Several were sailors, Two were trading Jews
wandering ali over the country with packs
on their backs, and equally iready TO sell
you suit Of clothes, orApurchase your gold
dust. A young lady, clad ina neat-fiiiing
travelling dress, with dark veil dropping
gracefully over her sweet face from jam
~ little gypsy bonnet, occupied with her
protectress--a tall stout lady of the strong>
minded sort, speclacles, portion OF the
rear seat. The remaining traveller, who
got on by the way, and carried a Por,maI-
Ieau, was youth of scarcely twenty. with
loug rolling hair, broad collar turned down
over his coal, which wa builoned up 10
the chin, and nstIy cane, which he ham
died as gracefully as a lady handles her
fan. He carried sketch book under his
arm, aud had, wi,hal such an ingratiating
way with him, :ha, from the interchange of
cold ciyiltes, he had soon cultivated the
acquaintance Of both the ladies-even the
sIernness of the elder disappearing as she
gazed on The boyish beauty of these .fea-
lures. on which not the sign of mous;ache
was yet visible.
On The top of the vehicle, in the mds;
OF The luggage, game of cards was in pro-
gress between coupiei OF ragged gene-
men in slouch hats and blue blank els, W hile
By the side of the driver, silent, armed and
watchtul, SAT the express passenger, under
whose care large sum OF coin, for the pnr-
chase o: gold dust, was proceeding 10 the
interior
The vehicle had progressed one halt the
distances toward its ultimate destination, aud
was passing the brow OF deep descent al
q rapid pace, when the off wheel struck
heavily against projecting rock, causing
The Stage 10 rebound, aud sway with lis
head toward the precipIce. The hor-es, in
sudden fright, started down The abrupt
descent at a dangerous curve. The Stage
was just overturned. and rolled heavily 10
The bottom, just as loud clap of thunder
broke the Stiffness, and The rain descend ed
in torrents. Amid The general wreck, the
passengers crawled, one after another, TO
The elder lady had sustained some severe
bruises and her daughter might have Jared
worse had it not been tor the younger Irav-
eler, who seeingihe way the sage inclined,
had thrown himself before her, aud so bro
ken the fall. Several others had sustained
severe contusions, and the driver was ly-
ing senseless near the top OF the hill, with
the cause of the mischief by his side
broken bottle, which. had lately been full
OF whisky.
The emergency was pressing, and it was
evident something must be done, as not one
of those present possesse sufficient knowl-
edge to bind ligature or dress a wound
Ia this dilemma the youth came forward.
"How far is it," be asked, "to the near
est mining camp W
:.Ten miles at least" replied the express
who knew al the road
''Some of you cut the traces ; I'll ride
there myself" said the youth, seeing tha: |
no one else volunieered The service.
tYou % rejoined the messenger: "over |
such a road as this 2"
''AssuredIy why not 2" was the almost
defiant rejoirder.
You'd break down the first half dozen |
WHY
But the traces were cut, and the lad was |
mounted, and flying over the hills like Tam
O'Shantef, before the messengers words |
had escaped his lips, in spite OF the Storm.
"A dreary hour succeeded the rain had
ceased, but the thunder still kept on NUT
Iering fhe passengers had somewhat re-
covered from their first shock; but strange /
y enough, the Two fellows who had ridden |
On the roof had disappeared, neither having |
sustained The least damsge-as is usual in (
such cases.
Another hour passed, more weary than
hat which had preceded it. All al once,
he lookout, posted on The ridge announ-
ced an approaching vehicle.
Il was like the cry, ga sail a sail ~ 10
mariners foundering on raft at sea.