West-Jersey pioneer., 1870-12-30
A Romance of California, Or the Obsti-
nate Woman. f

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One of the pioneers of California emf
grafton who went across the plains in 40
tells this story that began on the journey
and had just ended in San Francisco
While the train, of which the narrator
now in Nevada, was member, was en-
campcd at point on the humboldt where
the Lessen Trail intersects the Carson
track of travel, he visited the tent Of 9
family consisting of an elderly couple and
one child, daughuer of "A or Is. The
old lady was sitting on pile of blankets
under the canvass, encouraging Q most
determined attack of the 'ssulks," while
the masculine head of affairs had planted
himself on the wooden tongue, and was
sucking his pipe as though he expected
to remain there forever. Asinglc glance
developed the difficulty in that little train
of one wagon and three persons, and that
it had attained point of quiet despera.
ton beyond the reach Of peaceful adjust.
ment. Three days before they had pitched
their tent at the forks of the road,and as
they could not agree upon the route BY
which to enter California, there they had
remained. The husband had expressed
a preference for the Carson road and
the wife was for the Lessen, and neither
would yield. The wife declared she would
remain all winter; the husband said he
would be pleased to prolong the sojurn
through the summer following. On the
morning of the fourth day she broke a
sullen silence Of thirty-six hours by pro-
posing division of the property, which
consisted of two yoke of oxen, one wagon,
camp furniture, small quantity of pro-
visions, and twelve dollars in silver. The
proposal was accepted, and forthwith the
''plunder" was divided, leaving the
wagon to the old man, aud the daughter
to the mother. The latter exchanged
with neighboring train the cattle belong.
ing to her for pony and pack-saddle, and
piling her daughter and her portion Of
the divided spoils upon the animal, she
resolutely started across the desert BY the
Lessen trail, while the old man silently
yoked his cattle and took the other route.
OF course, both parties reached Cali
fornia in safety. We say "of course"
for it is scarcely possible that any obstacle,
death included, could have interfered with
stubborness SO sublime. Arriving in Sac.
ramento with her daughter, the old lady
readily found employment-for women
were not Sc. plentiful then as now-and
subsequently opened boarding heuse;s
and in few years amassed fortune Two
years ago she went to San Francisco, and
the daughter, whose education had not
been neglected, was married to one of
Lnr mosI suDsranIIa1 c1sIzens. NJ a
And what had become of the old man?
The wife had not seen or heard of him
since they parted On the Humboldt.
They had lived happily together as a
man and wife for years, and she some
times reproached herself for the willful-
ness that separated then after so long a
pilgrimage together through this rough
life. But he was not dead. We cannot
trace his coruse in California, however.
All that we know of him is that fortune
had not smiled upon him, and that for
years be had toiled without home. FL
nally, feeling scarcely able to longer WELD
the pick and shovel, he visited San Fran
cisco in the hope Of obtaining employ
ment better adapted tohis wasted strength.
For three months he remained idle after
arriving there, and then, for want Of occuo
patton, became the humbleretailer of pea
nuts and oranges with his entire traffic
upon his arm. This was six months ago
A few weeks ago, in passing the open
door of a cottage in the southern part of
the city, he observed a lady in the hail,
aud stopped to offer his merchandise. As
he stepped upon the Threshold the lady
approached and the old man raised his
eyes and dropped the basket; and no won.
der, either, for she was his wife! hiss old
woman" She recognized him, and, throw
ing up her arms in amazement, exclaimed,
"Great God !! John, is that you 2" rrs-
"All that is left of me" !" replied the old
man. With extended arms they ap-
preached. Suddenly the old lady's coun-
tcuance changed, and she, stepped back.
"John," said she, with look which
might have been construed into earnest
ness, chow did you find the Carson road?"
"Miserable, Sukey,, miserable" replied,
the old man, "full Of sand and alkali.''
q Then l was right, John" she con.
tinued, inquiringly. "You were, Sukey.'
" That's enough" said she, throwing her
arms around the old mans neck "that's
enough, John;" and the old couple,