The morning call., 1893-05-07

trade or profession followed their bent and
drifted into congenial occupations, reputa-
bic OF rascaliy, as inclination directed.
There was no business aristocracy in the
early pioneer years, ana If man earned an
ounce by carrying hall a dozen trunks 10 q
hotel il was not understood that he was
necessarily porter by occupation, but that
lie was, perchance. an artist or LAWYER who
was bridging over a temporary financial
shortage and would soon be well on the
road to fortune. And, besides, nearly
every one went armed at that time and ii
was not always safe to treat tartly or with
disrespect the man who mended your side
walk or put hinge on your pack door.
Overland immigrants, after crossing the
SUBMITS of the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
dropped down into tie mining belt, where
many Of them remained and those who
continued their journey 10 Sacramento in
hope Of disposng of their livestock and
wagons to better advantage were generally
able, If they had taste for mining, to
return to the hills with money enough 10
start themselves fairly in business.
Il was different with the thousands who
landed in san Francisco from around Cape
Horn or across the Isihmus of Darieu.
ouHg, reckless and hopeful they threw
their money at the birds in the way ports
at which their vessels stopped for fresh sup
plies, and a majority of them finally disem-
baEsed with funds scarcely more than suffi-
Client to pay for a nights lodgings. Some
secured positions at the trades or caIlings in
which they had been schOoled. but the aim
Of the most Of them was TO reach the mines
as speedily as possible, and to achieve the
means they accepted employment as por-
teTs, boatmen, walters, street labOrers and
cishwasE hers, or in any other capacity within
the compass OF their strength or skull. Sac
ment0 was the terminus OF the first stage
Ct their journey inland, and resumption Of
labor there was frequently necessary to en-
able them to complete their Journey 10 the
cod-bearing gulches in the hills beyond.
IHey again became walters and dishwasaers
I9r 4 week or month, as necessity suggested,
and their awkwardDeSs was atOped for by
their good nature, and appealed for excuse
through plain indication that they. were
more familiar with the habit of being served
than Of serving others at their meals
For three years after the discovery Of
gold IN California, Sacrame nto was the bus-
ness rival Of San Francisco. 1t was the
principal depot of mining supplies, the end
OF the journey OF two-thirds of the overland
immigration, and during the period men,
TONED us business streets presented pic
tuTe OF bustliDg commercial activity not
eally forgotten by those who witnessed it.
To the confusion of crowding drays, wagons
and paek-tIains were added the music of
lie gamlug-houses, the noisy banters of
street gamblers and the sound of gong and
hammeT-all uniting In the maintenance Of
bewildering but fascinating tumuit
Bearing all these conditions in mind. the
reader Will be better prepared to appreciate
the story following of a wild young miners
SIX weeks experience as manager of res
taurant IN Sacramento. 1t is scarcely ne
cassary to say that he knew nothing about
the business into which he adventured; but
that was a matter Of little consequence,
since every one was experimenting at that
Time. II IS pretty certain that he had
theories on the subject. gathered, possibly,
from boardiDg-houSe observations in the
mines. and was willing to contribute q little
time and money in testing their value. 1t
Is more probable, however. that he was
drawn into the business through an effort to
assist friend in an emergency, and re-
malned in it just long enough to be con-
Vlncef that. Of all pursuits In life through
which men seek 10 achieve fame and riches,
ieed!Dg the public was apparently the one
least adapted TO his abilities.