Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-10-31
JONATHAN D. STEVENSON.
Gold Dust Bought and Sold
 Here.

O. .. O 90
 The sign reminded him that he had a promissory note of $4oO, bearing the signature of Mr. Stevenson, in his pock ct. It had been given him by his oldest brother, David Dudley Field, when the two had parted in New York just be- fore Stephen j. sailed. Here was a pos sible way to get the next meal, and the newcomer decided to call on Mir. Ste venson at once.
 Stevenson recognized young Field, whom he had known quite we'll in New York, and the two were soon in the midst of an animated conversation. Stevenson declared California to be the greatest country under the sun. He was himself getting rich fast, and had already cleared up $200,o00. Field thought of the promissory note and shook hands again with Stevenson. Then the latter branched out in his talk. telling the newcomer how easy it was to make money in San Francisco and how glad he was to see an old friend. Again and with increased fer vor the two men shook hands. Then Field produced the promissory note.
 According to Justice Field, who has told the story himself in a little book of "reminiscences printed for private cir culation only, the sight of the note pro- duced queer change in the feelings of MT. Stevenson. His face, which had been wreathed with smiles, at once showed pained surprise, and his voice, which had been musical with joy, be- came discordant with disgust. But he paid the note, and Field had money enough to buy his dinner and treat his fellow roommates besides if he wished Whether they were as short of funds as Field that morning does not appear, but they had money that night. for they had been pressed into jury duty by the sheriff in spite of their recent arrival in San Francisco, receiving eight dollars each for their services.
 With $4o0 and more in hand, for the note had drawn interest young Field could afford to look about a bit in search of ways to make money, though there was no time to waste, either, when the cost of living was kept in mind
 While walking about town that first day he noticed that New York news papers were decidedly at q premium, one dollar apiece being the ruling quo tation, regardless of age or previous perusal Field had bundle of such pa- pers in one of his trunks. He got this bundle out at once and intrusted the sale of the papers to one of his fellow lodgers, who was to divide the gross proceeds with their owner. There were GA papers in the bundle, and on the third day Field received $32 from his friend, every copy selling at the regu- lar price.
 Then Field got out a dozen chamois skins given himb friend in New York. These skins were in great demand, and the dealer to whom Field showed them offered ian ounce apiece" or from SIG to $19 each. Field nearly ehol1ed with astonishment, but accepted the offer with alacrity. The purchaser made the skins up into bags to hold gold dust, and his profits amounted to at least two dollars a skin.
 Field opened a law office at once, hanging out his shingle as conspicu- ously as possible, but be succeeded in attracting few clients. One man had a deed drawn, and the young lawyer charged an ounce of dust for the sery- ice. But the man kicked, and there was a compromise on half an ounce. The eight dollars in dust thus earned was about the sum of Fields intake as a lawyer in Frisco, and he determined to go elsewhere. though not until he had used up nearly the proceeds of the Stevenson note, the chamois skins and the New York newspapers.
 Some one suggested that he might find an opening for the practice of law in the then new town of Vernon, at the junction of the Sacramento and Tuba rivers. Justice Field remembers of that trip that it was in the spring of 1850 that the Sacramento river was very high, and that the steamer was so crowded that the passengers were asked not to move about any more than was absolutely necessary. When he reached Vernon, Field found that the town consisted of only one house. He could see little chance for law busi- ness there, and so proceeded at once to Yves ranch, where the Feather and Yuba rivers come together.
 There were many tents and several