The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-01-11
Divorced i'm the Desert.

One of the pioneers in California emigration
who went across the plains in ls49, tells this
San Francisco While the train Of which the
narrator now in Nevada. was a member, was en-
camped at point on the Humboldt where the
Lnssen train intersects the Carson track Of trave
be visited the tent of family consisting of an ell
derly couple and one child, daughter Of Ia or Is
The old lady was sitting on pile of blankets IN
den the canvass, encouraging most determined
attack Of the "sulks,' while the masculine head
Of affairs had planted himself on the wooden
tongue, and was sucking his pipe as though be ex'
pected to remain there forever.
A single glance developed the difficulty in that
itile train Of one wagon and three persons and
that it had attained point Of quiet desperation
beyond the reach of peaceful adjustment. Three
days before they had pitched their tent at the
forks of the road, and as they could not agree up-
on the route by which to enter California, there
they had remained The husband had expressed
preference for the Carson road and the wife for
the Lassen, and neither would yield. The wife
declared that she would remain all winter the
husband said be would be pleased to prolong the
sojourn through the following summer.
On the morning of the fourth day the wife
broke sullen silence of &c hours by proposing a
division of the property, which consisted of two
yoke Of oxen, one wagon, camp furniture, small
quantity of provisions, and Sl2 in silver. The
proposal was accepted and forthwith the "plun-
der" was divided, the wagon to the old man, and
ths daughter to the mother The latter ex-
changed with a neghboring train the cattle be-
longing to her for pony and pack-saddle, and
piling her daughter and her portion of the divid-
ed spos upon the animal, she resolutely started
across the desert by the Lassen trail, while the
old man silently yoked his cattle and took the
other route.
OF course both parties reached California in
safety. We say "of course" for it is scarcely
possible that any obstacle death not included,
could have interfered with stubbornness so sub
lime. Arriving in Sacramento, with her daughter
the old lady readily found employment-for wo-
man we're less plentiful than now-and subse-
quently opened boarding house, and in few
years amassed handsome fortune. Two years
ago she went to San Francisco, and the daughter,
whose education had not been neglected was
married TO one of our 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 Humbolt. They had lived happily
together for years and she sometimes reproach-
r.. a., Il, Al.
after so long pilgrimage together. But he was
not dead. We cannot trace bis course in Cali
forna, however All that we know of him is,
that fortune 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 be remained idle after ar
irving there, and then for want of occupation be-
came the humble retailer of peanuts and oranges,
with his entire traffic upon his arm. This was
six months ago. A few weeks since, in passing
the open door-of cottage in the southern part
of the city. he observed lady in the hall, and
stopped to offer his merchandise. As be stepped
upon the threshold the lady approached, and the
old man raised his eyes and dropped his basket
and no wonder either for she was his wife. his
"old woman" She recognized him, and throw
ing up her hands in amazement, exclaimed:
"Great God John, is that you ?"
IAN that is left of me" replied the old man.
With arms extended they approached Sudden
lY the old ady's countenance changed, and she
stepped back. John" said she, witli.a look that
might have been construed into -earnestness
chow did you find the Carson road y Miserable,
Sukey, miserable replied the old man 'full of
sand and alkali." "Then l was right, John ?"
she continued, 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, strangely sundered, were re-
united-Spriaatield (Mlss.) Republican.