The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1871-01-12
Divorced In the Desert.

From the Springfield Mass Republican.
One of tie pioneers in California emigration,
who went across the plains in 1910. tells this
story, that began on the journey and has just
| ended in San Francisco. While the train
Of which the narrator, now in Nevada, was q
Aumboldt where the Lessen train Intersects
the Carson track Of travel, he visited the te MT
of q family consisting Of An elderly couple and
one child, q daughter of IA or Is The old
lady was sitting pile of blankets under
the canvas, encouraging a most determined
attack of the ''sulks,h while the masculine
head of affairs had planted himself on the
wooden tongue, and was sucking his pipe as
though be expected to remain there forever.
single glance developed the difficulty in
that little train Of one wagon and three per-
sons, end that it had attained point of quiet
desperation beyond the reach Of peaceful ad-
justment 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 Califo rnia, there they had re-
manned The husband had expressed prefer
ence for the Carson road, and the wife 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 sojourn through the summer following.
On the morning Of the fourth day the wife
broke sudden silence of thirty-s.x hours by
proposing division of the property, which
consisted Of two yoke Of oxen, one wagon,
camp furniture, small quantity of prori-
sions. and Sl2 in silver. The proposal was
accepted; and 'orthwith the "plunder" was
divided, leaving the wagon to the old man,
and the daughter to the mother. The latter
exchanged with a ncighboring train tie cat
! tie belonging to her for pony and back
saddle, and pling her daughter and her por-
ton of the divided spoil upon the animal, she
resolutely started across the desert by the
Lessen trail, while the old man silently yoke
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 in
ness so sublime. Arriving in Sa cramento,
with her daughter. the old lady readily found
employment-for women were less plentiful
than now--ond subsequently, opened board
ing-house, and in few years amassed hand
some fortune Two years ago she went to
San Francisco, and the daughter, whose edu-
cation had not been neglected, was married
to one of the most substantial citizens.
And what had become of the old mani The
wife had not seen or heard of him since they
parted on the Humboldt They had lived
happily together for years. ard she some
| times rcproached her elf for the wlfulnes.
. that separated them after SO long pilgrima &c
together. But he was not dead. We cannot
trace his course in California, however. All
that we know CT him s, that fortune had not
smiled upon him, and that for year. he had
toied without hope. Finally, feeling
unable longer to WELD the peck and
shovel, he visited San Francisco
in hope of obtaining employment better
adapted to his wasted strength.
| Fer 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 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 a
Lady in the hall, and stopped to offer his mer-
chandise. AS he stepped upon the thresh-
hold the lady approached, and tie old man
raised his eyes and dropped his basket; and
no wonder, either. for she was his wife his
''old woman!' Shs recognized him, and,
throwing up her arms in amazement, e1-
! claimed:
Great God, John, is that you2" "All that
is left Of me, replied the old man. With ex.
tended arms they approached. Suddenly
the old lady's countenance changed, and she
stepped back. john said she with look
that might have constructed into earnestness
how did you find the Carson road!" 'Misera.
ble," replied the old man; 'full of sand and
alkaG.' Then l was right John o. continu-
ed inquiringly. "You we're, Sukey." That's
enough" said she, throwing her arms around
the Old mans neck; that's enough, John -
and the old couple, strangely sunder.i, we're
united.