The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-08-31
Divorced in the Desert.

L.
One of the pioneers in California emi-
grafton, who went across the Plains in
'49, tells this story, that began ON the
journey and has just ended in San Fran
cisco:
While the train on which the narrator,
now in Nevada, was member, was en-
camped at point on the Humboldt,
where the Lassen trail intersects the
Carson track of travel, he visited the
tent of family consisting Of an elderly
couple and one child, daughter of
fourteen or fifteen The old lady was sit
ting on a pile of blankets under the
canvas, encouraging a most determined
attack of the "sulks," while the mascu-
line head of affairs had planted himself
on the wooden tongue, and was sucking
his pipe as though he expected to remain
there forever.
A single glance developed the diff
cllty in that little train of one wagon
and three persons, and that it had at
tanned u point of quiet desperation be-
yond the reach of peaceful adjustment.
Three days before they had pitched their
tent at the forks of the road. 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, and the
wife for the Lassen, 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 sulen silence by proposing
a division of the property, which con-
sisted of two yoke of oxen, one wagon,
camp furniture, a small quantity of pro-
visions, and twelve dollars in silver. The
proposition was accepted, and forthwith
the "plunder" 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 a pony and pack sad
die, and, piling her daughter and her
portion Of the divided spoils upon the
animal, she resolutely started across the
desert be the Lassen 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 interfcred
with stubbornness so sublime. Arriving
in Sacramento with her daughter, the old
lady readily found cmployment-for
women were less plentiful then than now
and subsequently opened boarding
house and in few years she amsssed 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 has become of the old man !?
The wife has not seen nor heard of him
since they parted on the Humboldt. t.
They had lived happily together for years,
and she sometimes reproached herself for
the wilfulness that separated them after
SO long pilgrimage together But he
was not dead. We cannot trace his course
in California, however. al we know Of
him is that fortune had not smiled upon
him, aud that for years he had toiled with
out hope. Finally, feeling unable longer
to WELD the pick and shovel, he visited
San Francisco in hope of obtaining en-
ployment 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 pass
ing 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 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 wife-his cold woman !" She re-
cognized him, and, throwing up her arms
In amazement, exclaimed:
"Great God John, is that you 2"
Gall that is left of me" replied the
old man.
With extended arms they approached.
Suddenly the old lady's countenance
changed, and she stepped back. John"
said she, with look that might have
been construed into earnestness, chow
did you find the Carson road 2"
Miserable, Sukey, miserable !" replied
the old maA; "full of sand aud alkali."
"Then | was right, John p she con
tinued, inquiringly.
"You were, Sukey."
"That's enough p said she, throwing
her arms around the old mans neck
"that's enough, john %
Aud the old couple, strangely sundered,
were reunited