The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-01-17
AN OBSTINATE COUPLE.
Truth Stranger than Fiction.

" emigration, who went across the
plains in lS49 tells the story, that began
on the journey and has recently ended
in San Francisco:
With the train on which the narrator.
now in Nevada, was member, was en-
camped at a point on the Humboldt where
the Lessen trails intersects the Carson
track Of travel, he visited the tent of a
family consisting of an elderly couple and
one child, daughter of fourteen or ff-
teen. The old lady was sitting on pile
of blankets under the canvass, encoura-
ging most determined attack of the
'sulks,' while the masculine head of af-
fairs had planted himself on the wooden
tongue, and was sucking his pipe as if
he expected to stay there forever.
A single glance developed the difficulty
of that little train of one wagon and
three persons, and that it had attained a
point of quiet desperation beyond the
reach of peaceful adjustment. Three days
before they had pitched their tents at
the forks Of the road, and as they could
not agree upon the route by which to en-
ter California there they remained. The
husband had expressed preference for
the Carson road, aud the wife the Lessen,
and neither would yield. The wife de-
clared she would remain all winter; the
husband said he would be pleased to pro-
long the journey through the summer
following.
On the morning of the fourth day the
wife broke 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 $12 in silver.
The proposal was accepted, and forthwith
the plundcr' was divided, leaving the
wagon to the old man and the daughter
to the mother. The latter exchanged
with neighboring train the cattle be-
longing to her for pony and pack
saddle, and piling her daughter and por-
ton of the divided spoils upon the animal
she rcsolutely started across the desert
by the Lessen 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
it is scarcely possible that any obstacle
death included could have interfered with
stubbornness 50 sublime. Arriving in
Sacramento with her daughter, the old
lady found employment-fo women were
less plentiful than now--and subsequent
ly opened boarding house, and in few
years amassed a handsome fortune Two
years 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
wiliulness that separated them after so
long pilgrimage together. But he was
not dead. We cannot trace his course
of him is, that fortune had not smiled
upon him, and that for years he had
toiled without hope. Finally, feeling
unable to WELD the pick and shovel, he
visited San Francisco in the hope of OBJ
tanning 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 retailer
of peanuts and oranges, with his entire
traffic upon his arm. This was six months
ago. a few weeks since in passing the
! nf in ha
part of the city, he observed lady in the
hall and stopped to offer his merchandise
As he stepped on 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,
throwing up her arm in amazement, ex-
claimed:
Great God John, is that you?"
"All that is left of me- replied the old
man. With extended arms they ap-
preached. Suddenly the old lady's coun-
terance changed and she stepped back.
"John," said she, with look which
might have been construed into earnest
ness, chow did you find the Carson
road?" Miserable Sukey, miserable"
replied the old man; &" full of sand and
alkali," Then was right, john" she
continued, inquiringly. "You were, Su-
key" " That's enough, john" and the
old couple strangely sundered, were re-
united.
Artemus Ward OH Lending Money.