The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-08-12
1 Romance of Columbia.
BY "BERMUDAS."

When the year 1856 rolled round
Columbia had celebrated its fifth
birthday. Old Tom Gardner, act
uated by the spirit of progression
and improvement which prevailed,
determined to follow the example
of his wealtllier co-laborers by
building a brick house. To build
a brick house was the height of the
ambition of the permanent Cali
fornian settler, and to-day they
stand models OF durability and sub
stantial architecture, though in
many of the decayed mining towns
two-thirds of them are tenantless.
"None O. your pine logs or dob
les for me- said old Tom Gardner,
"but the genuine brick. An III
hev it t'othcr side O. town. Not
amongst these yer slums and devils
corrals, whar a lady can't hear no
decent langwidge. Tom Gardner's
made the rifle, an why not?''
care ye going tew put q tady in
it, Thomas % said one.
"I am," said Tom, cycling the
speaker sharply, 'sbut none O. the
kind you're a-thinkin' about. A
lady, Casey. My -. But never
mind ; wait till she comes"
The brick house rose steadily
from it's foundation at the other end
of town, and when it was finished
and ready for occupancy, Tom
Gardner set out for San Francisco.
In two weeks time he returned,
and with him came a sumptuous
set of furniture, selected by a
friend whose genuine taste is GU
rious," said the owner, with a'qua-
yer of pride in his voice. The house
was furnished, and the citizens of
Columbia were invited to attend
the reception the following night.
The next evening, when the sun
had sunk behind the coast range
and the cool breezes began to steal
in, the stage came wbirling in from
Stockton. Old Tom Gardner was
at the door, and, pushing aside the
profered hand OF an accommoda-
ting stranger, he assisted a very
pretty young lady to alight. The
Girl glanced half.frightened at the
cluster of ugh-bearded faces that
surrounded them, and clung close
to the protecting arm. Not word
was spoken, as the admiration was
too deep for utterance, and the pro-
cession took its way to the Gardner
mansion, followed by the eyes OF
the accommodating stranger, who
still retained his hold on the stage
door. Arriving at the gate the ex-
haustive silence found vent in three
rousing cheers; the singing breeze
held its breath for q moment, and
through the lull came the roar OF
the Stanislaus, as if in echo to the
welcome. Miss ~Gussie, with a
blushing face, thanked them sweet
ly, and with an embarrassed air the
crowd slowly retired. An hour
after dark visitors began to arrive,
and in an almost incredible space OF
time the parlors were filled. Every
one who had the slightest claims to
responsibility was there, as, accord
ing to Californian etiquette, it
would have been an nnpardonable
breach to refuse admittance to any
that presented. themselves. One
thing was noticeable in the rougher
part Of the company, and that was
their preference for standing up
Perhaps from being used to primi,
tive utensils of repose they were
! afraid to trust the fragile structures
! placed for their benefit. However,
I a few assuring words from the
! happy host gave them confidence
I land, gingerly seating themselves.
they reckiessly took the conse'