The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-05-20
Divorced in the Desert.

To the uttermOSt ends OF the wofld.
Divorced in the Desert.
One of the pioneers in California emf
grafton, who went across the plains III
40, tells this story that begins on the
journey and has just ended in san iran
cisco. While the train of which the
narrator, now in Nevada, was Il mem
Der, was encamped at Il point on the
Humboldt, where the Lessen train in
tersects the Carson track of travel, he
visited the tent of a family consisting
of an elderly couple and one child,
daughter of IA or 10. The old lady was
sitting on IL pile of blankets under the
canvass encouraging a most determined
attack of the "sulks,' while the mas
cuIine head of affairs had planted him
self on the wooden tongue, and was
sucking his pipe as though he expected
to remain there forever.
A single glance developed the diff
Guilty in that little train of one wagon
and three persons, and that it had at
tanned point of quiet desperation be-
You'd 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
ny WHICH 10 cIlIei SitllloI liza, elSIc 'iiSy
had remained. The husband had eX-
pressed a preference for the Carson road,
and the wife for the Lessen, and neither
would yield. The wife declared she
would remain all winter! The hus-
band said he would be pleased to pro-
long the sojourn through the summer
following.
On the morning of the fourth day the
wife broke a sullen silence of thirty-slx
hours by proposing a division of the
property, which consisted Of two yoke
of oxen, one wagon, camp furniture,
small quantity provisions and twelve
dollars in silver. The proposal was ac-
copied, and forthwith the E'plunder"
was divided, leaving the wagon to the
old man and the daughter to the mother.
The latter exchanged with a neighbor-
ing train the cattle belonging to her for
a pony and pack-saddlc and putting her
daughter and her portion of the divided
spells upon the animal, she resolutely
started across the desert by the Lessen
trail, while the old man silently yOkcd
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 interfcrcd
with stubbOrnncSS so sublime. ArrlV-
ing in Sacramento with her daughter,
the old lady readily found employment
for women were less plentiful than
now-and subsequently opened Il board
ing house and in Il few years amasscd q
handsome fortune. Two years ago she
went to San Francisco, and the daugh-
ter, whose education had not been ne
elected, was married to ono of the most
substantial citizens.
~ l,o. l,n, 81 |, nj n.,n
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 wilfulncSS which Scpa-
rated them after so long pilgrimage
together. But he was not dead. We
cannot trace his course i'll California,
however. All that W" know Ofhim is,
that fortune had not smiled upon him,
and that for years he had tOiled with
out any hope. Finally, feeling unable
longer to weld the pick and shovel, he
visited San Francisco, in the hop" ut
obtaining employment better adapted
to his wasted strength.
For three months he remained idle
after arriving there, and then, for want
of occupation, became the humble re-
taller of peanuts and oranges, with his
six months ago. A few weeks since, in
passing the open door of Il cottage in
the city, he observed a lady in the hall
and stopped to offer his merchandise.
AS he 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
sold woman!" She recognized him,
and throwing up her arms in amaze
ment, exclaimed
"Great God! John is that you:' can
that is left of me- replied the old man.
With extended arms they approached.
Then the old woman's countenance sud-
denly changed, and she stepped back.
81 ohn,' said she, with Il look which
might be construed into c:,rncstness,
show did you find the Carson road ~
"Miserablc, Sukcy, miserable,' replied
the old man "full Of sand and alkali.'
"Then l was right, John ?'' She con-
tinued, inquiringly. "Iou were, SUI
key" HThat's enough - said she,
throwing her arms around the old
mans neck; "that's enough, John!'
and the couple, strangely Sundrrcd,
We're reunited.