Richland beacon., 1873-06-21
MARGARET HENMING.

THERE was halfholiday at HOwe's
Flat, and the people were gathered at
the express and pOst-Offices. to await the
arrival of the semi-weekly mule-train with
its express and mail matter, and custom
ary freight of passengers.
The occasion of the holiday and con-
course was the expected return of John
Hemming, who had gone to the Bay
to meet his wife and child upon their ar
rival from the Estates"
John was held in great consideration
at HOwe's Flat, not only because he was
the chief owner in sundry very important
mines, but for the reason as the miners
expressed It, He came as near being
White man rs any they make"
A cloud of dust announced the coming
of the train In the advance rode the con-
ductor. accompanied by brighr-eyed
lad Of some eight years. who saluted the
peOple with "GOod evening. gentlemen,
am Johnny Hemming; please help me
down."
While Johnny was fast making friends
by his prattle, his audience was called
away by loud shout from the street.
and the exclamation, "JOhn Hemming
in billed shirt and plug hat, or I'll be
blOwed!
Hemming and wife, who had fingered
In the rear of the train, to keep out OF the
dust, now rode up-she, to be introduced
to, he to encounter the greetings OF, MS
numerous friends.
The comments of the people upon Mrs.
Hemming were altogether favorable; not
40 hers upon them. "Barbarians!' was
her senteltious remark
Margaret Hemming was an intellectual
woman-nOt that she was entirely want
ing i'm womanly sympathy. or in spirit
nal nature. but these Law within her un
cultiyatei-her intellect alone was de
veloped. Married and left by hersel
while vet scarcely more than child II
wears, she had calmly surveyed the sltua
tion. She hoped John would return from
California with fortune. and she deter
mined to qualify herself for the position
which wealth gives in every community
She thought. also, of the possibility Q
his failure of success. and Of his death
even. and said to herself, "Then, for tn
sake of the unknown future, and that
- NAV make the most Of life. l will achlev
what I may; acquisitions never com
kiler other influences, John had OF
8his development. Neither book
Sated people informed his min'
sl his manners: but he had see
ia and had learned that there al
things in heaven and earth ina
.feamed of in philosophy. He sa
.At every man and woman Is more sil
ned against than shining, and his hea
was inspired with love. He struggle
with difficulties, and acquired faith; e.
life's varied experiences, al
learned charity.
When these two people met in "a
= fOrnia, after their long separation, It w
to be bitterly disappointed. TO Jon
Margaret was q statue, done In ice
clear, glittering. cold; to Margaret, Jof
was an image Of clay-dull, heavy, wan
ing.
Her manners were refined; his we
.coarse. Grace distinguished her eve
HiQn he was awkward and ungalnl
~, mistress of all the arts OF ples
While he had no deft ways but rat
blunt sincerity, often offensive, ev
,performance of the kindest &C
build there be harmony? His &c
6ked by that of his wife, John cOtl
rpmfort IN her presence, but II
the more cengenis} society
non; year had passed. 7
aeerving the outward n
Aand wife. Nere' scare