The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-02-20

Most of you know my history since l
came here in 40; not one is acquainted
with it before that time. ! am a native of
MARYLAND, and came to this coast in 42-
long before the discovery of gold-being
then only twenty-three years old. Five
months before leaving home, became en-
gagged to lady of Washington city; but the |
parents, being moderately wealthy, opposed |
the union. We were young, passionate, |
and deep in love, and, taking advantage of
the absence of the old folks one evening, |
we were married in the presence of a few
young friends, under the roof Of her parents.
One of the servants informed them OF the
unusual proceeding in progress, and short |
ly after the ceremony, the mother, greatly
excited, and the father perfectly calm, pre-
sented themselves. He Informed me, very
quietly and coldly, that he should make no
attempt to prevent me from taking my
prize away, and providing for it; and, in
the same cold, formal Manner requested us
to leave.
l had intended to do this, but we thought
he would act with some fatherly considera-
tion for his child after the deed was done.
held a small position under government,
with moderate salary-enough to provide
for us comfortably. Her father had some
influence, and he used it to effect my re-
moval. He succeeded, and not long after
we were in the midst of poverty. After
struggling for several months, l concluded
to seek some new place, and endeavor to
build up a new home. l obtained passage
as q common sailor, for the outgoing voy-
age, on board the bark Mollie Dean; en-
gagged in the early California coast traffic;
and one morning left my dear young wife
alone, believing that her fathers hostility
would cease and that he would take her
home again as soon as was out of the way.
When we cast anchor at Monterey, six
months after my clothes were scarcely suf-
ficient to cheat the name of nakedness; and
it was just as well that the pockets had
been ripped from my pants for patches, not
having dime to put in them.
"Success came after time, though new
CT very lavishly. Yet always had plenty,
and forwarded money TO my wife whenever
phe opportunity presented itself. | nev er
heard from her, though, and twas nottill af-
ter Marshall found gold that letter came
from Washington, signed by Mrs.
Combs, bringing me news from home-
such news!'
The prisoner paused moment, looked
out of the open window, his thoughts far
away.
'She was deadr' he resumed in Il low
tone, and stopped again, gritty sound is
suing from between his teeth. The Court
room became still as death.
"Starved Found dead one morning, at
her fathers door-a mass of rattling bones
And this occurred eight years before the
letter came, and month before l landed at
Monterey | Poor girl; suppose she thought
he would bury her at least; and he did.
"The woman wrote that she had occu-
pied an adjoining room in one of the low
tenements of the city; had been with her
when our child was born; that she was then
in starving condition, and her father knew
it, She had advised Mary to leave the babe
at the door of some people whom she knew,
where it would be cared for, and that a
fortnight after, wild-eyed and hollow
checked, she crawled out with her little
one in her arms and never returned Next
morning she was found alone, and dead.
My wife had told her had gone to Cali
fornia; but she never thought of writing
until Barker started for the mines, when,
believing that circumstance might bring me
in contact with my own child, without
knowing it, she thought best to venture a
letter on the chance of finding me If still
alive. 1t was addressed to San Francisco,
and sent to me by friend of earlier times,
who was also a wanderer in the country be.
fore the gold days. The letter directed me
to come here and find Cyrus Barker, whom
already knew; that he was the head Of the
family where my child had been left.
Next year, in 80, when the family ar
rived, framed an excuse to go below, ant
then, for the first time, saw my own daugh
ter. 8
"Ah, boys" drawing deep breath, al
was hard work to keep from taking the lit
tie one in my arms; but you can imagine
my delight when she took to me so readil!
and confdingly.
"Dming the after years, while she wa
growing towards womanhood, my resolu
ton to hold the secret Of her parentag
failed in power with every day. One even
ing, two years ago, told her, and sine
-. i..,o boo,, a 1,o,riar MON until fI