The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-05-12
COL. DEM. -. VOL. xxxV..NO. 70
Divorced In thc Desert

One of the pioneers in California en-.
igration, who went across the plains In
'49, tells this story that begins on the
journey and has just euded in San Fran
cisco. While the train of which the mar
rator, now in Nevada, was a member,
was encamped at point on the Hum
boldt, where the Lessen train intersects
the Carson track of travel, he visited the
tent of family consisting of an elderly
couple and one child, daughter of IA
or Is. The old lady was sitting on apile
of blankets under the canvass encourag-
ing most determined attack of the
''sulks," while the masculine head OF
affairs had planted himself on the wood.
en- tongue, and was sucking his pipe as
though he expected to remain there for
ever.
A single glance developed the difficul.
| ty ia that little 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 upon the route by which
to enter California, there they had re.
mained. The husband had expressed a
preference for the Carson road, aud the
wife for the Lessen, and neither would
yield. The wife declared she would re-
main all winter the husband said he
would be pleased to prolong the sojourn
through the summer following.
On the morning of the fourth day the
wife broke a sullen silence of thirty-six
hours by proposing a division of the
property, which consisted of two yoke
of oxen, one wagon, camp furniture, a
small quantity of provisions and twelve
dollars in silver. The proposal was ac-
cepted, and forthwith the "plunder''
was divided, leaving the wagon to the
old man and the daughter to the mother
The latter exchanged with neighbor.
ing train the cattle belonging to her for
pony and pack saddle and putting her
daughter and her portion of the divided
spoils upon the animal, she re5olutely
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 il
is scarcely possible that any obstacle
death included, could have interfered
, with stubbornncss so sublime. Arriv
, ing in Sacramento with her daughter
the old lady readily found employment
for women were less plentiful thar
now and subsequently opened board
ing house and in few years amassed {
: handsome fortune. Two years ago sh'
/, went to San Francisco, and the daughte
" whose education had not been neglected
was married to one of the most substant
ial citizens.
:, And what had become Of the old man
. The wife had not seen or heard of hin
:, since they parted on the Humboldt
;, They had lived happily together 70
years, and she sometimes reproache
!. herself for the wilfulness which separate
them after solons pilgrimage together
But he was not dead. We cannot trac
., his course in California, however. A
that we know of him is, that fortune Ina
> not smiled upon him, and that, for yea
- he had toiled without any hope. Final.
~ feeling unable longer to WELD the pic
and shovel, he visited San Francisco,
:, the hope of obtaining employment bett
:, adapted to his wasted strength.
70 For three months he remained id
- after arriving there, and then for want
+, occupation, became the humble retail,
IL of peanuts and oranges, with his enti
' traffic upon his arm. This was 81
i months ago. A few weeks since in pas
, ing the open door oca c,ttage in the cit.
- he observed a lady in the hall, an
/, stopped to offer his merchandise. AS i
J.. stepped upon the threshold the lad
d approached, and the old man raised h
eyes and dropped his basked and I
:, wonder, either, for she was his so
: woman She recognized him, and throy
y ing up her arms in amazement eXcIaiu
" ed:
:. "Great God John is that you ?" A
l. that is left of me-" replied the old ma
n With extended arms they approached
Then the old woman's countenance su
o denly changed, and she stepped bacl
l. "John," said she, with a look whit
lr might be construed into earnestnes
n show did you find the Carson road .
l. Miserable, Sukey, miserable" replit
u the old man ;"full of sand and alkali
y "Then l was right, John ?" she conti
le ued, inquiringly. "You were Suckey
'e "That's enough !" said she, throwing h
10 arms around the old mans neck !" that
le enough, John!" and the couple, strangl
Is ly sundered, were reunited.