Smyrna times., 1882-02-15

INC cOloASI were PARTNERS IN the war.
Every one hereabouts knew about the
and when four days ago the
colonel went away to bring the bridegroom,
the Flat scraped up its gayest social tOgs
and sat down to wait. Poor Cherry The
mail agent and his horse from Amaranth
reached here Saturday at nightfall. The
storm had settled down to work, and from
the very teeth of death the poor chap was
dragged bleeding. Five hours before he
had passed the colonel's party at the
entrance to King Guleh. Across the path
at dangerous turn one of the horses lay
with a broken limb. The men were max
ing slow work of it when the agent rode
ahead and lost them from sight. Even
then the sky was growing dark and in an
hour the snow was falling. I've known
these storms from boyhood up, and if they
struck its fury in King Gulch that night,
God help them! y
The travellers every one caught the
spirit that hung so heavily over all and
marked in silence the product of its work
ing. They wondered now at the deserted
streets until they learned that searching
bands bad we'll nigh drained the populace
Cages Place" was by all odds the most
majestic of the towns Institutions There
was a commendable attempt at modern
innovations, but it was not pronounced
enough to combine unpleasantly with the
typical back ground of blue shirts. Here
the minstrels, lettering for the moment,
labored to show correct regard for tho
sombre shade of prevailing circumstances.
The picture which they studied most was
formed about n wee domain Of ostenta-
tious appointments. governmental pres
siveness rested upon yariegated batch of
stationery, two brief rows Of cubbyholes
and blue-lettered evidence that the pos
tai interests of Dutch Flat were most
formally cared for. 1t had been -four
years since the first big envelope, radiant
in its official robe Of yellow, reached the
Flat, addressed to Miss Cherry Gage, p
h. Since that time they had arrived
with monthly regularity, and it was as
founding to see how the glory Of the gov.
ernment was magniied in the mellow
thoughts of the deniZens. The simple
nook in the public quarters of the place
with its lOwly window, where the sun
| beams tumbing down the mountains seera
ed to steal for rest. was consecrated ground
to-day. For the first time the humble
vestige Of Nations dignity lay stripped
of life. For the first time the little gray
robed mistress of the mails was missing
1t was afternoon when the minstrel
were instructed to assemble at the trail
again. TO the measured attacks at differ
ent points the blockade was slowly yield
ing. Here and there as they passed alon;
they met groups Of men in miners rig
conversing earnestly. Their anxious tone
matched with the sympathy that gleame,
from the hardened lines of every feature
Occasionally courier Jagged by, telling
by listless tread the story of his fruitles
searching. 1t was 3 O'Clock when tn
train at length was reached, and earl,
shadows already draped the winter blu
of the California sky.
Another hour dragged its weary lengtl
to the turning point. Then came tn
transformation.
A cheer, 50 sudden that its strength wa
startling, arose from the Flat, and, rum
bling as it ran, spread wildly in the soften
ing twilight. CommotiOn in an instan
superseded by almost perfect quietude
The train occupants caught the infection
and added the growing spectacle of ami
nation, Up to tbe mountains base tn
figure Of the Californian hurried towar
them; but instinct accomplished what hi
loyal act substantiated. They had que:
sen the truth. The missing men wer
safe-now undOubtly safe. And this, 'twa
whispered, was by heavens will the weG
ding night Of Cherry after all.
A few hasty words of conference an
the minstrelS acted on the moments in
pulse. A brief period Of preparation an
then, in full array, the minstrel ban
swung down the grade with intent extr;
ordinary. The population, quick to d
vine the cause, huzzaed tumultuously
new inspiration grew from the effect an
cheers continued. Now, in advance of a
appeared the Californian and stalwal
cOmrade. Upon the eager hands of eac
raised high in view, little woman clun
with almost frightened mien. NeVe
before upon the rock-grained, endurin
hills that line the borders of that uneout
spot did echoes dance or sing or hold sue
, rapturous jubilee.
Decade will follow decade at Dutc
Flat, and chroniclers will weave strang
legends from its famous wedding stOr!
Perchance, in an humble way, they wi
tell of Il captive train and the minstr
men whose hearts were right that day, an
who, when night was deepest, softly crel
from the crystal confines of their priso
house, and sped away to greet the Easter
heralds of anothes dawn.
q Months afterward-before the minstre
crossed the sea-a letter reached the
t burdened with the news of Cherry and
l Cherry's baby. Then the simple souven
came-the picture of the beaming faC
r and fairy figure with young arms bouu
about its tiny, Wide-eyed counterpart.
e fills to-day prominent place among IL
Treasures Of the company's travels.
CARp-The German earn tha valuah h