Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-01
A NEW YEAR SKETCH.


stream in rushing torrents.
In their little log cabin, which stood
under a large black oak on the bluff above
Indian creek, was a blazing fire, above
which, suspended from an old rifle barrel,
was an iron pot muttering and suffering
as it boiled, filling the close room with an
aroma of beans.
It was the last day of the year, and as
the halfdozen miners gathered around the
fire drying their clothes and warming their
shivering limbs, a silence prevailed which
was unusual. No noise escaped anyone,
and save the occasional poking up of the
embers in the chimney, under the beam
pot, by the one who played the part of the
cook, the silence was painful.
As the evening wore on, one by one the
boys began looking through their effects
for the little keepsakes and souvenirs of
loved ones on the far-away Atlantic shores.
1t was evident that the occasion was
thronging their minds with memories,
which, though pleasant, still were painful
Outside the wind was wailing among
the trees, the rain had been succeeded by
snow, and the soft feathery flakes covered
the earth and forest. 1t was the first
snow that they had beheld since they had
found the new Ell Dorado, and it was a
strong reminder Of the happy holiday
scenes of their childhood in New Eng
land.
They were all young men; some of them
had Just attained their majority. All
were well educated, and their manly bear
ing, which shone out from beneath their
blue wooden shirts, stamped them at once
as gentlemen.
Presently John Martin, Vermonter,
took from his valise small book, and
seating himself on pine knot near the
blazing fire, which furnished their only
light, began to examine it carefully. As
he opened the little volume which had re-
manned untouched since he had left his
New England home, the leaves parted
easily near the middle Of the book, and
his eyes rested on a little lock Of gray hair
tied with bit of blue ribbon. His hands
trembled and a great tear stole down his
cheek, as raising the book to his lips he
feryently kissed it.
This little incident had been observed
by his companions, and knowing that his
last letter from home had borne the sad in
telligence that his mother had been buried
beneath the autumn leaves in the little
church-yard among the Green mountains,
caused all 10 sympathize with him in his
deep atliiction.
As he gazed upon the little lock of hair
his memory went back to the time when
he knelt at his mothers knee, and repeated
the little prayer she had taught him. His
eyes also fell upon the following passage,
which he read aloud
SIN my Fathers house are many man
sions; if it were not so / would have told
you. go TO prepare place for you.
"And il 90 and prepare 4 place for you
l will come again and receive you unto
myself, that where am there we may be
also.
"And whittier l go ye know, and the
way you know"
The time, the occasion, their surround
ings, were such that these words, uttered
by the Savior when he was comforting his
disciples, sank deep into their hearts
The elOquence of Beecher, the persuasive
powers of a Talmage, the sincerity of a
Cartwright could not have created so deep
an impression.
For an hour or more the young men sat
in silence before the dying embers in
their lonely cabin, while the only sound
that could be heard was the raging tenn
pest without
Each one was busy with his thoughts of
home and loved ones-of the grand old
father, dear old mother, and the sisters
Iox hat
perhaps at this very moment, thinking of
their wandering boy" as they sat around
the blazing chestnut fire singing that song
of songs:
"Be it ever so humble.
There's no place like home"
Again was the silence broken by Mar
tin, who read
ye ask anything in my name, I will
do it.
"If We love me, keep my command
ments."
This aroused the gathering, and all eyes
were turned upon the reader. On oppo-
site sides If the chimney sat two young
men, Burnham and SWEET who through
some misunderstanding had not spoken to
each other fer weeks. Although partners
in the same pit, eating at the same mess,
and living in the same room, they avoided
each other as much as possible, and their
side glances were those of whitening con-
tempt.
They had quarreled over a game of
cards, and the breach was SO wide that
their companions had deemed it useless to
try to bridge it,
While listening to the reading, their
eyes had met. In them were the looks of
forgiveness. Both arose at once, and adj
vancing met each other half way with ex-
tended hands. SWEET, the first to speak,
said, Forgive" and as Burnham grasped
the outstretched hand he said, Forget"
and their companions from the bottom of
their hearts sealed the reconciliation with
a concert of Amen"
SWEET went to his bunk, and taking
therefrom 4 worn and greasy pack of cards
he cast it into the flames, while Burnham,
fishing from beneath his blankets crib
board added it to the fuel under the bean
pot.
At o'clock all were seated about the
table ready for their meal When all was
prepared no one seemed inclined to take
hold Their feelings were such, and the
solemnity Of the occasion seemed to re-
quire some one to ask blessing. SWEET
sat at the foot of the table, and looking
squarely at Burnham, who sat at the op-
posite eud Of the board, remarked:
Brother Burnham, a heavy weight has
been lifted from my soul tonight. have
been praying in silence for the past hour,
and thank God, am once again myself,
and the rising sun on the New Year will
behold in me wiser and better man. l
realize tonight the truthfulness of the
saying, the life of transgressor is hard
VIII you please ask blessing upon this
our humble meal?p
All heads were bowed while the young
graduate from Harvard made prayer, full
of eloquence and pathos, trimming over
with love and forgiveness, and returning
thanks for the health and prosperity with
which their little party had been blessed.
When he spoke of the loved ones, and
asked that their lives be spared, and that
again all should be gathered around the
family hearth, perceptible sobs were heard
from all the listeners, and his voice trem-
bled with erection.
1t is needless to say that the meal, which
consisted Of pork and beans, biscuit and
black coffee, was enjoyed as much as though
their table had been spread with the most
tempting viands. There was an exuberance
8 IL