The Placer herald., 1874-09-12
A .IagE sroRy.


Some years ago, certain party. whom we will |
call Mr.. Devon. emigrated from Woodstock,
Canada, for the gold fields Of the Pacific coast |
Years elapsed, and but little was heard from
him, by his friends and relations at home. In |
the mean time, Mr. Devon was wandering about |
through Idaho, Montana and Nevada, some |
times mining and somstimes trading. whichever
for the time seems1 most favorable. In tie
course Of years he amasssd considerable wealth;
but. - his purse grew heavier, from the result
Of hard toll ard exposure, he felt that his sys-
tenn WAS becoming correspondingly feeble. In
stead Of gathering his means together, aud re-
turning to his home and kindred a. many would
have done under the circumstances, he turned
his real estate in Idaho into gold and started
for Virginia city. in Nevada, in hopes Of there
obtaining the rest and medical aid that was nee.
essary TO restore his shattered system. But in
this, hs was disappointed. He remained at
Virginia City some time. only to find himself
growing weaker, and becoming daily more
confirmed invalid. He wss told by his physi-
clans that his ailment was pneumonia, Of the
most severe type, and that his time for this
world would. At best. be brief. Thus he was,
dying man, in = strange place. and dependent
wholly upon strangers for assistance: and. ~ he
had preferred to keep the matter Of his wealth
. secret, his attendants weie very Indifferent as
to his comfort. In. this condition his life be-
came burden, andhis existence one Of suffering
and great misery. Soon after arriving at vir-
ginia City. he wrote home, but at that time. be-
ing filled with hopes Of q speedy recovery. had
made no mention of hiA adliction. Time passed
on, he grew gradually worse. and in vain did he
send to the post-oface. on the arrival Of each
nail from the East. in hopes of hearing once
more from his early home and kindred. De-
spair was fast getting control Of his mind, the
last star Of hope, the boon of mortal existence,
was fading from his vision and his feelings can
scarcely be imagined, let alone described. Thus
lying, as it were, on the edge Of the grave. he
almost wished he mioht fall in, that his misery,
which alone seemed enough to kill him, might
cease forever. While lying, one day, in this
mood, his door was suddenly opened, and his
waiter, followed by fine looking, robust young
man, entered his room. The stranger was an
nounced to him - Mr.. Cavanaugh, from Wood
stock, Canada. The two had known each other
years before, and the meeting proved joyous
new COWoE DkOCceOeO
this wise: "Your folks were all delighted to
hear from you and would have written imme-
diately, but was 1t the time preparing to 60 to
California, and on my promise to call and see
you, they concluded they would wait and send
their letters with me, sooner than risk the
mails" Here he drew from his satchel large
package, and handed it to the sick man. which,
on being opened, was found to contain, besides
numerous letters. many little tokens OF memory
for him, the absent son and brother. After
these. which proved balm to an aching heart
were thoroughly digested, the sick man proceed
ed to tell his sad story: 1t touched the noble
youth to the heart, end he vouched, there and
then, that he would never leave him, until he
was either better or dead. The sick man told
his friend that he thought the climate of Vir-
ginia City was fastening his end. He was
therefore begged 70 leave, but protested that
that he thought the climate of California would
be more agreeable 70 him. AT this, the young
man insisted that they 60 to California. The
invalid finally consented to try the trip Ac-
cordingly arrangements were made with the
railroad company, an easy berth was secured,
the golden State. On their way they heard of
Auburn as q most delightful and healthy place,
and concluded to stop here. The SEQUEL is
short and pleasant to relate. They found q
pleasant home and suitable accommodations, at
one Of our irst-class hotels; they found skilled
medical assistance near at hand, and after
residence here OF a few weeks, the invalid is
very much improved; indeed, is in fair way of
permanent recovery. He is delighted with our
town, and has already made overtures to certain
parties a to the purchase OF dwelling house,
for he 4ys he shall seek no further for para
disc on earth, in which to spend the remainder
of his days. He is free to confess that our sa-
lubrious climate and health reviving atmosphere
has at least prolonged bis existence. and may
be, renewed his lease of life for many years to
come.
This story, though sounding more like fiction
than fact, is only fictitious as regards the names
of the parties, and some of the Incidents touch.
ing the career of Mr.. Dovan. In substance, the
story is perfectly true. The parties ure now
in town.