Year: 1860

not alone from the circumstances | am
about to relate, bu,-but no matter. The
experience OF every early adventurer here
is dotted with enduring landmarks to
guide the noiseless step of recollection
back through the dim vista of the past,
and lengthen the great way of life. The
road we Travelled to-day is broad this eve
ming, and flowers still blossom beside it
and lhorns still inger in sight; but farther
back, and it narrows into thread like a
path along which the flowers lie dead and
scenlless, and, touching here and there at
monument of bliss and sepulchre Of
hope, approaches the confines oi memory
and is soon lost to the sight.


Well, it was the l7th of November
The day had been dreary drizzling one,
and as night approached the wind lulled,
and a heavy fog rolled like a mighty
avalanche Of show over the hills west of
San Francisco, and settled in thick, al
most drenching mist, over streets and
housetop. Twas indeed chilly, cheer
less evening, and we did not wonder
then, nor do we now, that the gambling
houses were crowded and the bars Of the
drinking saloons thronged, for the city
was full Of strangers, and promenading
halfpaved streets by the uncertain light
light of an occasional door-lamp could
scarcely be deemed positive enjoy
ment.


Tho "El Dorado" was then the centre
of attraction. 1t was not on ly one Of the
largest and most substantial structures in
the city, but its proprietors were men
whose wealth was counted by tens of
thousands, and every bank in its capa-
cious saloons, was loaded with golden
slugs and ounces. Through the room
were ranged no less than twenty tables
at which were played faro, monte, wing
tun, rouge>et-noir, and variety of other
games---the very names Of which have
escaped melville from a raised platform
poured continuous flood of exquisit mu-
sic from band of the best musicians in
the country. The finest musical talent in
the State found employment in the gamb.
ling saloons of San Francisco and Sacra-
mento. and many of the most noted per-
formers in the country to-day made their
debut before an audience of gamblers
Simonton, the we'll known yolinist, and
Pettinos, one of the best pianists in the
State, for two years occupied together the
platform of the "El Dorado" at Sacra.
mento, receiving sixty-four dollars per
day for their services and the very first
musician in the city once led an orches.
ira at another gambling house in the
"City Of the Plains"


AS we said before. the eel Dorado
Of San Francisco was crowded. Many
were betting and venturing their last dol
lar with an unconcern characteristic of the
times, while as many more were elbowing
their way from one table to another, with
no other object than the qualification OIL
their curiosity, and the vain hope Of see
ing some desperate person "tap" a bank
and win it! A dozen or more were reel
ing through the saloon, entirely too
wealthy in their own estimation, ever to
covet the piles of lucre around them,
while not a few might be observed with
their hands jamned into their empty
pockets, staring abstractedly at the pro-
gress Of the game that had relieved them
of their last ounce.


The band had commenced its second
performance for the evening and seemed
intent in boisterous execution to drown
the clamor Of clinking silver, when tall,
muscular-looking miner stepped in front
Of the door. and gazing a moment at the
scene within, buttoned bis thick coat a,
round him and started slowly down
Washington street. He was coarsely but
comfortably clad. A pair of heavy brown
wbiskers completely covered his face, land
the broad brim of slouched hat almost
rested upon his shoulder.


"This way, Jane said a voice to fe-
male, who had just emerged from a small
wooden building Immediately below the
eel Dorado" and stood hesitatingly be-
side pool of mud and water. The min
er stopped, and as the woman carefully
selected a stepping place and sprang to
the pavement; be involuntarily caught
T. Al. !.