Year: 1875

II was winter in New England.
The snow had lain upon the


oround from November till the last
of January, almost without cessa-
ton. and the icy stalactites which
encumbered everything that could
bear the weight of water necessary
for their formation, very rarely had
been induced by the strength of
the suns rays to lay aside their
sparkling armor and drop to the
earth, where again they were
caught up and bound in icy fet-
ters, waiting for Spring to bring
permanent release.


There was no end of suffering
among the poor in the cities, and
the rich even grumbled as the
blasts OF Boreas declined to accept
their position, as superior to his
annoyance, and hurled at them his
icy missiles, whenever venture
into the open air afforded him
opportunity.


No one liked this state of things
less than the Bolten family, and no
one cared to endure longer this
state of discomfort less than Miss
Hetty, the Oldest daughter, who
was determined, if possible, to
make whole family emigrate to
California, as soon as her sweet
will had found power enough to
act upon them to this end.


Miss Hetty was very young in
years no longer. She had outlived
her girlhood, had rejected even
eligible offers, was determined to
be somebody-but somebody more
than the minister's wife, the law
yer's lady, or the good mans
spouse, could possibly be--and to
be somebody in her estimation, it
would be necessary to go to Cali
fornia. But papa, honest man,
was satisfied with his native wilds,
heath, or corn crop, as the case
might be, and thought at his time
of life, to seek new fields and pas
lures green, the height Of folly.
He was turned of fifty good deal.
His farm was fourishing, his crops
had nourished all his family, and
was quite likely to nourish all that
was left at home till his dying day,
and after that, if Hetty and her
only brother were anxious to go to
California, there was no reason
why they should not; at least he
could raise no objection until
then he asked for peace.


But peace was not Miss Hetty s
desire. Stagnation she called it.
She and John could make fortune
in California, and unto California
they must go. All her brothers
and sisters were settled their
mother had worn out her life on
that New England hill side, and
with no better prospect before her
than to live to the age of matronly
spinsterhood in this monotonous
State, she simply would not. Pa
must give in, or she would go
without him. john said no ! but
John was as good as promised to
be married, and if he had to stay
behind, she would not be balked of
her great desire in this way.


Give in papa would not; John
did get married, and as his wife,
farmer Jones daughter, was to be
admitted to share her dominion in


the farm house, Miss Hetty con
cluded that to go alone was to be
her mission. ......s


There was no end of preparations
for tho journey. Winter in Caliior-
MIA was not like Winter in New
Hampshire, but then Winter was to
DO prepared tor on the journey, and
Winter meant water in Califo, mia
where six months she supposed of
constant warfare against this ele-
ment must be protected by gutta
percha, which fortunately had even
then been discovered to be less
ponderable article than when in its
primitive state it was denominated
india-rubber. Water proof over.
coats, pants and top boots, had been
the outfit the farmers sons had
deemed necessary for their adven-
lures, and Hetty believing that in
the mines or mining camps there
might be work for her, which would
necessitate exposures, took it upon
herself to modify as much as possi-
Die the habiliaments, but providing
herself accordingly, was not so easy.
one or two journeys to the city aid
Ell materially the adventurous young
woman's designs, however, in this
matter, and introduced her as well
70 supposed to-be wealthy land