The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-05-10

Have you forgotten me:' was the
next query.
And Mr.. LillienthaI, the good-natured
F German friend who bad given me my
first start in business, stood before me,
profleriug bis hand.
"I believe God sent you, Mr. Lillien-
thai" ! said, bluntly.
And then, in spite Of myself, sobbed
Historically.
whats the matter, little woman ."
asked my friend, his voice beiraying
real emotion.
"Again ] am pennile=s and destitute,
and a-ain want 20 go into "a b-sinc-s
copartner-hip," said, smiling through
my tears at the absundity Of the propo-
sitiou
"Would you like TO run pack
trains' De asked, laughing and rubbing
his hands, as though the idea were "a
good one.
"Not that, exactly" answered, my
spirits rising; "but ] want to go with
you to Nevada City; and when / get
there l want 10 keep a restaurant; and,
If you viii supply me, will give you
half the profits Of my labor"
'But how can you go with me? ]
have nothing but freight mules and
pack saddles for riding"
"I don't care" I suid, stoutly. "I
could ride tlaxbrake or "A saw-horse, or
90 afoot, if I saw business and a living
4 for my children at the end of the jour
uey."
"Did you ever ride a-muie-back ?n
"No; but I will learn"
"But the kittens. What viii you DO
with them ?"
7 really did not know. But while I
was considering ways and means %
manage this new dilemma, my Spanish
hostess kindly loaned advice and aid;
aud in little while I was mounted on
clumsy, sore-backed mule, my chill
dreu swinging at my side in panuiers,
and myself seated upon a Spanish sad
dle-tree with protruding horn, 20
which chung uneasily, while the bur
deued beast trotted along aran uneven
jog THAT cut my breath short az every
jolt But the children enjoyed the ride,
aud WAS too happy az the prospect Of
escaping from san Francisco 90 heed
my own discomfort or consider the pos
sible consequences Of the fatiguing jour
uey 20 myself
The first days travel was accom-
plishei iu comparative comfort. Every
hour was widening the distance be-
. so cen my liege aud T, and thought Of
Little else tilluigHtfa.l. Then we halted
on The bank Of the Sacramento Rirer,
iu "a clump Of overgrown willows, with
fiue grove OF live oaks near, TO which
We were compelled 20 remove at dark 10
escape the hungry horde of mosquitoes
which attacked us in myriads, stamped
ing the mules, aud almost destroying
my children, in spite Of my continued
efforts 10 keep them at bay.
But for the mosquitoes, my benefactor
said he would have tarried day OF two
10 give me opportunity to rest beior,
trying the broken ridges Of The Sierra
Nevada; but the pests proved intoiera.
bie, and we advanced our columns %,
next morning, as soon as the stempedeC
train could be collected together.
The agonies Of that dreadful secou,
days ride I never shall forget ONLY
those who have encountered like expe
riences can form an idea at an approxi
mating 10 the situation. ! was in
agony in every nerve and fiber Of my
brain aud body. During the forenoon
the fierce sunshine beat upon Us viii
iusudersble heat. But at one p. ~ W.
began to ascend the mountains, au,
soon the rarer atmosphere was more en-
durable. But long before night I wa
the victim Of racking ague. No
wishing TO discommode my obligini
benefactor, I would not complain, bu
endured the torture until evening
landed us ia the heart of the grea
mountain gorge, where Fortune playet
with the fates Of thousands as will
worthless toy, and reveled alik
in the success Of her favorites and th
despair Of her victims.
When l alighted from the jaded mul
was far more tired than he; for, a
soon as he was released from his trap
} pings, be began grazing upon the bill
side, while I fell sick and exhausted {
E the ground.
Ny children were cross and wear
also. and hut for the great-hearted me
who miuistered to our needs, we mus
have perished, for 1 was utterly unabl
e to help myself or them. But a bevy ,
Sisters OF Charity could not have treate
b me and mine with more respectful tel
b derness. \ tent was pitched for ou
5 especial use, in which an army bed,
c camp stove, crick chairs, and Kanak
carpet were placed as furniture, Will
8 water, soap, wine, towels, food, every
d thing the camp afforded, were supple
p in profusion.
y One kind old gentleman in coriuro
e and demins, with a knife and brace
o pistols at bis belt, and more CRIME an
dirt upon his person than would ha'
I been required to sprout a hill Of pot
a toes, washed and dressed the childrei
d gave them their supper, and put thel
d TO bed. Another, q young man
N shabby deer-skin aud shabbier hickor
y killed fine Jack rabbit and served j
he nam for me in tempting style; but Il
r -fghf Of IL Ill - 4,