Weekly Calaveras chronicle. (Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, Cal.) 18??-1874, 1867-12-14
ELUMNE HILL. CALAVERAS COUNTY, CAL, DECEMB

looked like such a very easy matter
that | renewed my promise, and we sep
arated
The next evening found me at her
door. She was in, chow l wished she
had been out!) and entered, feeling
very much as though l was walking
quietly into Van Amburgh's den of
performing animals. My reception was
impressive, almost affectionate, and a
wild i1ea thrilled through my brain
that he had smoothed the way for me
by note of apology, Or something.
Her kind manner satisfied me that it
was so, and went about my mission
with calmness that surprised me.
| sat beside her on a sofa. Our con-
versation assumed confidential tone
that it had never before taken, and
glided gradually into the very channel
| wished-woman's constancy and de-
votion. She entirely agreed with me
in all my views, and l saw plainly, was
encouraging me to proceed. l grew
quite eloquent upon the subject, and
determined to put in sockdologer for
Smithers while the iron was hot; SO,
taking her hand in both of nine, | said :
81 believe you indeed to be true wo-
man, such as | have described; and |
have come to you this evening to prove
| it. Would you be willing to leave your
home and many dear friends, 90 hun
dreds of miles west, for instance-and
make your home there, perhaps for
life, with one who loved you most de-,
votedly?"
felt slight pressure from the hand
[ held as she laid her head against the
top button of my vest-much as re-
collect seeing a young elephant once
thrust his trunk into his keepers bos-
ON for an apple-and whispered, q
shall never forget how awfully distinct
that whisper sounded:) eyes, John,
for y0u | could do even that" Good
Heavens! it flashed across me in an in
stant-She thinks | mean myself! |
was speeches. with terror. Cold chills
raj down my back, following each other
like the cars of an immense railroad
train; yet, even in that moment of ag-
ony, strangely independent in their ac-
ton are our faculties, I noticed that she
had a wart on the back of her neck I
could see where those curls, that Smith
ers yaved about, were fastened on;
then my sight grew dim, my head dir
zy.
The next thing 1 recollect was feeling
very wet and uncomfortable about the
face, and a sniff Of ammonia, strong
enough to make my head feel like a
colander for the next twenty-four hours,
produced at once complete realization
Of the state of affairs found my head
supported by Araminta, who looked
considerably surprised and good deal
alarmed at the effect of her words; her
mother, with solicitude stamped on her
face, sprinkling me literally with wa
ter; and the younger members of the
family, gathered together at a respect
full distar ce, evidently deeply interested
in the performances. As soon as l ex -.
hibited symptoms of consciousness, Ara
minta shrieked spasmodically-"D
John, he lives .'-and went off at once
into the late pattern of Mysteries. A
very neat thing it is, too, by the way.
This last arrangement succeeded in
arousing me il to action; and stammer-
ing out some incoherent sentences
about air and returning again, l man
aged to stagger out of the house, and
eventually reached home, where my
first procedure was to pack my trunk,
after which [ addressed a note to Ara
minta, explaining the whole unfortun-
ate business, and the next morning left
town by the first train. [ did not re-
turn until Araminta had become Mrs.
Smilhers and left for the West but
she kept her secret, and so did |.