Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-03
Au 0rigiual Sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
NARIPOSA;
OR,
THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTER I.

THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTER I.
It was On lonely morning of May, 1860,
that the good ship Constitution" sailed slow
ly into the Bay Of San Francisco, its white
sails swelling before fresh yet soft wind,
lust touched by the golden light of the rising
sun. The sky was absolutely without cloud.
The blue waves broke with joyous ripple
against the vessels PROV; then hurrying,
tumbling, chasing each other like children
at play, dissolved themselves into snowy
wreaths of foam as it cleft its way through
their midst. Fair was the scenery around.
The broad bosom of the bay, already dotted
with the tiny craft of industrious fishermen
plying their wonted occupation, spreading
itself out in magnificent proportions, between
its sentinel chain of mountains on the north
and its tanner southern boundary oflevel beach
westward through the Golden. Gate to kiss the
waters of the grand Pacific as they came roll.
ing in; eastward in its crescent sweep around
the city of hills, broken by many picturesque
rock and island mound while on mountain
top, and dimpling water, and city.spire, and
yellow sand, lay the exquisite light of early
morn, flushing ever with deeper tints of min
ged rose and gold, as the sun, id all its splen-
dor, arose upon the scene.
Among the passengers on board the "Con.
stitution," was one party whose glad and
hopeful hearts responded, with a joyous thrill,
to the harmoniously. blended influences of
Nature, that seemed to smile welcome to
them as they approached their long looked
for haven. Mr.. Forester, his wife and three
children, Southern family, voyaging chiefly
in quest of pleasure, though partly, also
for the benefit of the health of the eldest child,
a boy of nine, contemplated making the
Queen City of the West, for a time, their home,
and hailed with pleasure the close of long
and somewhat tedious trip. Albert, the son,
leaned over the ships side, ,delightedly watch
ing the pambos of the waves and the motions
of the sea-gulls as they flew around. His
parents noted, with admiration, the charming
effects of light and shadow on the hills, and the
various features of the scenery through which
they we're passing; and the two younger chill
dren, lovely little girls of two and four years,
played at their mothers knee, enjoying the
novelty of their position without being able
to appreciate the natural beauties which at
tracted the attention of their seniors.
"How slowly we are sailing now,' exclaim-
ed Albert, impatient to reach their destina.
ton. Il wish, papa, you would ask the
Captain to hurry ups little, so that we can
get to the hotel by breakfast time"
"Why, my boy, this is the pleasantest part
of our voyage" rejoined his father. 81, for
one, am in no haste to exchange this beautiful
bay for the close rooms of the hotel. Did
YOU ever breathe" he continued, turning to
his wife, "a more delicious atmosphere So
soft, vet so exhilarating If this is speci-
men of the climate we are to enjoy out here,
we must admit that it contrasts favorably
with all others of which We have had any ex-
perience."
1T is indeed perfect" she replied. "But,
then, it is q perfect morning. We cannot
expect the weather to continue always 20 ia
vorahle. You remember we we're warned of
the fogs and summer winds, as quite an i'm
portant feature in the climate of San Fran
CISCO"
"Well, We won't be annoyed by those in
anticipation, at all events. When the windy
season arrives, we will take refuge in some
inland retreat, as I hear it is the fashion to
do. Ha! Albert, there comes brisker
breeze, as if in answer to your wish. We
are beginning to go faster already"
what island is that, papa, just opposite
to US 7" asked the boy.
II don't know the name Of it, Albert you
forget the coast is as new to me as it is to
you," was Mr.. Forester's reply. A gentle
man who stood near, overhearing the lads
question, volunteered to give the desired in
formation.
"That is Angel Island, my little man. A
pretty name, isn't it That one beyond is
Alcatraz; you see the fortress on it-one of
the sentinels of our harbor. Look backward
at that tall mountain, the highest of the
range we have just left behind US; that is
Tamalpais, and fine old fellow he is.'
The gentleman spoke in frank, pleasant
manner, and finding him so willing to be
communicative, Albert, who was never shy
at making new friends, was encouraged to
ask more questions in regard to their sur
roundings, to all of which he received prompt
and satisfactory replies. 49,
"Do you belong to San Francisco, sir :?
he inquired at length. His father, hall
laughing, turned to check him.
"You will be taken for Yankee, my son
if you are so inquisitivs," he said, in reprov'
ing tone.
"Oh let him ask as many questions as he
likes" said the stranger, good,humoredly
81 never get tired of children's talk or re-
sent their curiosity. My business lies, at pres
ent, in San Francisco, my lad. have lived
in California a good many years, but | can
say have any settled home. I'm what they
call a mining expert"
"What is that, sir ?" asked the boy.
"One who is employed to decide on th'
value of mines, newly located claims and sc
on. Sometimes a fellow thinks he has struck
magnificent ore, and an experienced hand
like myself, is called in to judge, and finds
out, maybe, that there is only little scat
ter;ng Of the genuine stuffnear the surface, anc
the rest of the claim isn't worth picayune-
then whew goes all the poor fellows grane
anticipations to the winds. That isn't very
pleasant, is it? Sometimes again We fine
that the ground was even richer than was sup
posed and when we give favorable opin
ion, we are paid lots of money for it, prett!
often"
Don't you get paid all the same wher
YOU give bad opinion. sir ?"
~ L. lI no&