The record-union., 1895-08-31
BEAVER SKIN.


its human freight, was winding its way
slowly over the dusty mountain ROAD
leading to Orc Flat.
There was a strange sameness IN the
color ot every suit and dress of the pas
sengers, and even their faces ana hands
were Of the same gray color, while
cloud OF dust followed lazily behind or
settled over the stage, hiding 1t and the
horses entirely from view at times until
q breeze, which sometimes met them at
the point of a hill, waited it for mo-
ment away.
Dust dust covered every one and
everything. They no longer strove to
brush it away, for it only settled on them
again in a moment, so they helplessly
took all that came, and coughed and
eneezed and tried to be cheerful, and
prayed for the end Of their journey.
Boots were hanging down from the
roof of the stage all around. for there
were twenty to accommodate besides the
driver. Men IN those days were eager
10 get to the mines where golden for
tunes waited them-in their imaginations
St least.
1t was a rough road they were travel
ing over, but,> perhaps, not rougher than
they were destined 10 travel IN the years
TO come.
What magician could have foretold the
joys and SORROWS, the trials and Suner-
Ings OF that score of passengers IN the
coming years? We can only follow the
fortunes OF few of them, while the re-
mainder pass entirely from our view.
On the seat beside The driver sat man
Of, perhaps, 80 years, tail and we'll formed,
W.T. n lar
by the mountain air, for he was no new
conner, out one OF the earlier ten thou
Sand that poured into California III the
years '49 and 80. His hair was dark,
anu his eyes OF peculiar blush gray:
were not the eyes one would expect 10
see, though he could scarcely tell why he
was expected 10 find them OF any other
color, or, indeed, of Cny color at all.
Perhaps il was because he was Strlk-
ing parsonage, and one you would have
selected from fifteen others as something
you could scarcely tell what-but some
thing above The ordinary man. HIS
glanees were quick and sharp, though
they conveyed the Impression that ne
was endeavOring 10 see all around him at
once, aud yet when you heard hIm speak
YOU forgot all that and felt yourself III the
presence OF controlling mind, for al
though he said but little there was evil
dence OF strength and power.
though you could scarcely tell whether
they were old or young, beautiful or
ugly. so thickly was the dust spread
upon their faces.
one was a middle-aged lady on her
wav 10 Join her husband more than fifty
miles farther on in the northern mines.
With her was her daughter, a bright,
vivacious little lady OF l., who never
thought of being tired. while almost
everyone else was in despair over the
heat. dust and dreadfuLly rough road.
Nothing escaped her observation. Ihe
scenery, wild and rough, the Immense
forest trees, the many mining camps and
eager interest OF the miners as they passed
or stopped a moment 1Or the horses 10
drink, the coating of dust and persplra-
ton. which covered the poor creatures,
rave them very singular appearance.
She sung little fragments OF songs and
laughed at the complalnlngs OF the half
dozen men who, Tor the twentieth time,
threatened TO get out and walk the re-
mainder OF the way, Out VINO DraVely
kept their seats
The other lady, who sat beside the
merry miss, was also young, being not
above 20, l am sure, TOR L rarely miss 1t
much in estimating The age OF indlvldu-
ais. She was OF medium night aud nnely
formed, with eyes OF deepest blue ald
hair OF brown. Her face-if il could be
YOU with the desire to sec again. IL not
decidedly beautiful it was wonderfully
attractive, and at the same time IL denoted
courage and decision OF character. Her
complexion denoted perfect health, and
was. perhaps, TOO rosy TO please the fancy
of novel writers, but to my simple Ideas
she was really beautiful girl.
[ noticed her particularly as she en-
tered the coach. Every movement was
grace itself, and while there was perfect
possession she was AT The same time
cordial, kind and considerate to those
about her. Even the middle-aged lady
was unconsciously drawn TO her.
~ regret very much, dear Miss Ray"
she said THAT we to lose your COM
rany so soon, for The driver tells me we
are to change coach at the junction House
lust ahead. when we must CONTINUE our
tourney for fifty miles over these wretched
roads. and although we are sorry TO part
with YOU, we are al the same time glad
that you are SO near your journeys
end"
Dear Mrs. Mayne," said Miss Ray. Il
am indeed sorry TO say good-by, and al
tbouph | have but ten miles farther 10
ride | shall feel very lonely when you
are gone. Miss Clara, here. has prom
jsed TO write me all about your trip when
you arrive home. hat Iunny names
they have here-Oro Flat and Nugget
Hill. l have no doubt they are both
horrid places"
YES said Miss Clara, papa says
that with thousand Inhabitants. there
are but dozen women"
"Perhaps we shall be the more well
Gomez said Mrs Mayne "CaIifornians
are very kind and attentive to ladies, |
see, judging from our experience to-day.
That gentleman riding with the driver,
Mr.. Kirk, the driver said his name is
has been very kind"
"Yes, and we may thank Miss Ray for
that" said Miss Clara. looking rogu-
ishly at Miss Ray. "Did you not
see he directed all his conversation TO
her while we were at dinner to-day. He
Is very nice looking, but | am sure l
never could like him. There's something
strange about him. l don't know what il
is. but"
Hush, Clara" said her mother, laugh
ing. Perhaps you are little jealous of
Miss Ray"
"No. indeed" ssid Clara.
sI really did not notice him much"
said Miss Ray, simply. II was thinking
SO much OF meeting brother Clinton that
I hardly gave thought to any one else"
Junction" called the driver. Change
coach for ORC Flat"
So Miss Ray hurried out. finding Mr..
Kirk at the steps ready TO assist her
down. He inquired for her baggage
and had il transferred to the other coach;
brought out a whisp broom TO dust her
OF, and then brought glass OF cool wa
ter. so that, when Miss Ray was seated
again in the coach that was TO take her
direct TO her brother, she felt quite re-
freshed ana was impatient to start.
She bade farewell TO Mrs. Mayne with
real regret. Both she and Clara mad con-
tributed much TO what pleasure there was
in the long ride which. without them,
would have been dreary enough. and she