The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-12-08
D1VOrCed on the Desert, and a
Meeting after TVy ensy Years.

One of the pioneers in California emf
grafton, who went across the plains il
1S49, tells this story, that began on thC
journey and has Just ended in San Fran
cisco:
When the train, of which the narrator
now in Nevada. was a member. was en-
camped on the Humboldt where the Lessen
trail intersects the Carson track of travel
he visited the tent of family consisting o.
an elderly couple and one child, a daughter
of IA or Is. The old lady was sitting ON a
pile of blankets under the canvas. encoura-
ging a most determined attack of the tsulks !
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 for ever
single glance developed the difficulty in
that little train of one wagon and three per
sons, and that it had attained 4 point of
quiet desperation beyond the reach Of peace
ful adjustment. Three days before they had
pitched their tent at the forks of the road.
and as they couldn't agree upon the route by
which to enter California, there they had
remained. The husband had expressed a
preference for the Carson road, AMI the wife
for the Lessen; and neither would Weld
The wife declared she would remain all
winter; the husband said he would be pleas
ed to prolong the sojOurn through the sum-
mer following.
On the morniug-of the fourth dav the wife
broke sullen silence of SO hours by promo
sing division of the property, which con-
sisted of two yoke of oxen, one wagon. camp
furniture, small quantity of provisions.
and S12 in silver. The proposal was ac-
cepted and forthwith the . punder'' was
divided, leaving the wagon to the old man,
and the daughter to the mother. The latter
exchanged with neighboTing train the cat
tie belonging to her for pony and pack
saddle. and piling her daughter and her
portion of the dividend spoil upon the ami
NAL, she resolutely started across the desert
by the Lessen trail, while the old man 81
lently yoked bis cattle and took the other
route.
OF course both parties reached California
IL safety. We say "of course,'' for it is
scarcely possible that any obstacle, death
included, could have interfered with stbborn-
ness so sublime. Arriving in Sacramento,
with her daughter, the old lady readily
found employment--ior women were less
plentiful than now--and subsequently open
ed boarding house, and in few Years
arnassed handsome fortune Two wears
ago she went to San Francisco. and the
daughter, whose education had not been
neglected. was married to one of the most
substantial citizens.
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 for years. and she
sometimes reproached herself for the wilfuI-
ness that separated them after SO long a
pilgrimage together. But he was not dead.
We cannot trace his course iu California.
however. All we know Of him is, that for
tune had not smiled upon him, and that for
years he had toiled without hope Finally.
feeling unable longer to WELD the pick and
shovel, he visited San Francisco in the hope
OF obtaining employment better adapted to
his wasted strength.
For three months he remained idle after
arriving there, and then, for want of occupa-
ton, became the humble retailer of peanuts
and oranges, with his entire traffic on his
arm. This was six months ago. A few
weeks since, in passing the open door of a
cottage In the southern part Of the city, he
observed lady il the hall, and stopped to
offer his merchandise. As he stopped upon
the threshold the lady approached, and the
oid man raised his eyes and dropped his
basket; and no wonder, either, for she was
his wife, his sold woman 10 She recooni-
zed him, and throwing up her arms in amaze
ment, exclaimed
"Great God John, is that you 2" "AIl
that is left of me-" replied the old man.
With extended arms they approached.
Suddenly the old lady's countenarce chang
ed and she stepped back "John,v said
she, with look that might have been con-
sirued into earnestneSs, "how do you find
the Carson road 90 miserable, Sukey,
miserable" replied the old man "fun of
sand and alkali." Then l was right.
John Z" she continued, inquiringly. lyon
were, Sukey." That's enough" said She.
throwing her arms around the old maps
neck "that's enough John - and the old
couple, strangely sundered, were reunited
How To TAKE CASTOR OIL.-This excel.
lent cathartic is always difficult of admins
tration on account Of its extreme nauseous
ness.
BY preparing it as fellows no one need
ever know what he is taking:
Put into the bottom of a small glass first
! teaspoonful of Ess. Peppermint. and then
about l ounce of Sherry wine. Upon this
carefully pour the quantity of oil you wish
to take. and upon the top of it pace an
ounce or SO of brandy. The oil gathers in a
large globule in the middle of the glass
the wine and peppermint upon the bottom.
the brandy on toP--and can be taken at
single draught. leaving only the taste of the
peppermint in the mouth.
~