Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-08-22
M r - TORY,
Or, Experiences Of Life In Call.
f0rnia BY . Female Pioneer Of
1850.
(coNrrSuED.)


Hetty did not reassure her.
The sailing of the steamer for
California was delayed three or
four days, in consequence Of its
non-arrival in New York at the
time appointed, and as the line was
mot then fully established, it might
be possible, Mr.. Blandford said,
they should be delayed q week.
Mr.. Blandford was q jovial man
in his way. that is, the annoyance
of others afforded him great
amusement. He loved to play up
on the fears of humanity, and as
Hetty began really to be alarmed
at the possible misadventures he
assured her they might meet with,
she almost wished herself back in
Che homestead, with nothing to
dread but another snow-storm, or
the possible prolongation of the
winter, even into the summer
months.
The steamer, however, arrived in
safety, and Mr.. Blandford con-
tinued his amusement by bringing
to visit Hetty some Of the returned
Californians - homesick people
many OF them who had no idea
what pioneer life had meant, until
they had tried it, and feeling that
less Of money and more Of home
would now bring them content
ment, the dismal tales they had to
tell would have frightened less
strong-minded woman turning her
back upon the sea with all its tor
ments, the Isthmus full of dead
mems bones, the hardships OF
California, any and all Of which
would have made volume of hor-
rors sufficient to delight the lovers
OF the sensational for weeks to
come. But Hetty was determined.
She had left home in better spirits
than she was now in leaving New
York; nevertheless. her courage
had still the advantage, and with
dreary heart she took leave of the
Astor.
Mrs. Blandford, deep in the
mysteries of her second honey
moon, had no thought for ought
besides herself. and the liege lord,
who had taken his destiny in his
hands, in so daring q manner, as to
attempt to take to California such
piece Of loneliness rs this buxom
widow, and Hetty's face grew long
er as she thought how much nicer
il would be to belong to somebody
upon starting on such q voyage,
than going by ones self. forlorn
and single, even il fortune and q
gallant husband awaited the ter
mination of the journey.
But the steamer was reached be-
fore these thoughts had fairly
taken shape. and the sight of the
motley crowd who cheered the new
arrivals did not give her great con-
fidence in the exclusiveness of the
society Of which she was TO become
o member.
The day was dark and dreary.
Threatening snow-clouds obscured
the sunlight, and the faint moan
ing Of the wind around corners
was not reassuring. There was an
odor from the smoke-stack, ming
ling with that from the gutta
percha mail bags. and other accom-
paniments piled upon the deck.
The favor Of orange peel, which
was being gratuitously scattered
under foot, did not materially. or
rather, perhaps. agreeably heighten
the effect upon the olfactory
nerves, which were already prepar-
ing the stomachs Of the novitiates
in water travel for what was to
come.
Little. boys were the most jolly
little boys who were 90 stay At home;
little boys who liked to watch the
steamers for the gold regions wind
themselves away, and wondered
Whist the ulschief that woman want
ed 20 cry for, who had just bade
somebody goodbye, who was going
20 such jolly good place. There
was nobody to cry for Hetsy, or II
thsrs was they were 30 far out oi
sight that mono were the wiser.
People around her hooked at her
with establishments. There wss only
ono woman on board beside
hersslf and Mr.. Biandford, and
that woman was an emlgrant Of
the poorer sort, hut Hetty held up
her head, tried to look courageous,
and succeeded - iAr - noe 70 burst
out crying when she looked among
the passengers TO flnd that many oi
them wsrs Of The rongAsus sort-only
priss dghtsrs. New York roaghs and
men 70 b afraid of-Hskty would