The weekly Sierra citizen. [volume], August 15, 1857, Image 1

About The weekly Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 185?-185?

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WEEKLY SIERRA CITIZEN.
HIBUSHEO AT DdWNIEVULE EVERY lATtHWAY MORNING,
»t
SC. 3D. Wliijy#lfc Afe Cta
kOBACE D. HICK OK, Bt)WIN R CAMPBELL.
ofnci in nuTttUotr Ball BtitfaiNla, jksssr rUr.
TIMMS— v
jawilllilliiii flat 7Mr, to citysnbocribers, to advance...M 00
On* jrttr, by Mil or Hereto, in advance... ft 00
Six months. 8 00
Two copies,out year....... 10 00
i IATMB QI W
liiflqnn *(ln Übm, flni luirttoa 1 00
do do more than one Intertibb, each 1 00
Om Square, Brst insertion 8 00
do more thaw poe ihtertiott, each. 1 60
Sraeut. Morions Twaty-nre ji'er cent. advance on above rates.
BOOK*. CARDS, HAHTVBtfcLS. UMAX. otter se*
lerlptlens of Job Printing executed with despatch, aha on terms sc
cording with the tini'ds.
ißnsinew G^irdj.
SURVEYING.
0. S. DOBSON,
tounty Siirveyor of Sierra County, Cal.
OFFICE—MAIN STREET, ABOVE UPPER PLAZA,
Downievllle.
Jo#—tf
t. G. JONES,
Lul Somjtr and CWI Engineer)
OFFICE IN FUQUAY’S BUILDING, JERSEY FLAT,
DOWNIEVILLE.
iar Ditches graded. Mining Claims surveyed; Mapu Plans and
Drawings, neatly executed m jelSy
LAWYERS.
LAW COPARTNERSHIP.
THE undersigned have this day. formed themselves into a Law
firm, under the Style and name of
DUNN, SHULTS & TREGASKIS,
for the practice of the Lkw in all the courts of Sierra County, in ail
the various departments of Legal business. Messrs. Shults and Tre
gaskis will always be found at Rabbit Creek, and pay particular at
tention to business in the nbrth part Of the county; and Mr. Dunn
Will be la attendance on (he various courts at Downleville— residence
in Nevada. FRANCIS J. DUNN,
' G. W. SHULTS,
July SI, 185 T. aultf R. TREGASKIS.
O. C. BALL. J. J. HCSSKR.
Hall & Mnsser,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
hiu. pnacnan is all the courts is sierra cocstt, ahd in the
supreme court or van state.
Offieo in Reh Building, Bridge-street, East side,
* ' Dowsieville.
apll
3. J. Musser
DISTRICT AtWrnRY, SIERRA COUNTY.
t. VAHCLTET. WM. U. STRWARt.
VANCLIEP * STEWART,
ATTORNEYS A T L AW,
. Bridge street, Downleville, three doors north from the
lower bridge. One of the members of this Arm trill, regularly
angSyl
attend the
bridge.
District
Court of Plumas County.
“—“~T aLANSON SMITH,
4TTORNEV AND COUNSELOR AT L.
\K 7 ILL practice in the 14th i udiciai District bourt, and the S
If Court of the Slate.
LAW,
Supreme
Office next door to the United States Hotel, Upper Plata, Downie-
Vfflo.
Office of County and Probate Judge. aplStf
PHYSICIANS.
T. R . KIBBH,
Physician and sxjßgeon,
Office and residence,
Je7-tf JERSEY FLAT, DOWSIEVILLE.
Dr. a. chase,
FHyslelan and Surgeon.
Omen—CHASE’S STREET, DOWNIEViLLE.
{aulmoSj
dentistrV.
M* J. GoßUfelloWj
33 a xr ¥ z s t ,
Downleville, slerreL County, Call fwnslsu
XIPfICE IN ANDREWS’ BtILDING, tt’P STAIRS) JERSEY FLAT.
ALL OrtßATiots ds the Teeth performed in the
Mott and most endurable manner, and it reisonable
T *Octobet 24,1854.
Oct2slf
CARPENTERS AND BUILDERS.
T. S. CLARK *
VtoPORMS the public that he Is prepared to make.cbutliibia fit, And
Jt M«
all kinds of carpenter wottk
In Dm most thorough and expeditions manner. He hill keep con-
Mostly on hand every variety of
THE BEST QUALITY OF LUMBER,
feMWtLT PREPARED AND REASONED, to suit the wants of the
inity.
. __ * All persons In want of anything in his line, will please to give
Whoa call at THE SHOP. AT HIS RESIDENCE ON MAIN-STREET
ABOVE THE PLAZA. ..
DotmlevMe, may SO, 186 T. myMnbb
GEORGE WEBBER,
CorarrEAoroß, carpenter, builder,
And LnmbH! Dealer,
DUEOAN PLAT, DOWNIEVILLE, SIERRA COUNTY, CAL.
nan UCaUtt of SEASONED LUMBER aL*at» oh
tana axs son salx. marliyl
DRUGGIST.
A. T. LANGTON,
IMPORTER AMD GENERAL DEALER IK
IttkSp StaUemery, Drags, McAklics,
Hardware, Wall Wper, Ac.,
myU] DOWNIEVILLE. [neo
CIES.
ER AG
.
m
lie.
Weekly
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DOWNIEYILLE-, SIERRA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1857.
AN ORIGINAL TALK
Written for the Sierra ClOsefi.
THE OBDEAXj.
BT LXLU.
(odkcttoM»)
Early do the evening of the bail, when Nina left Aunt
Abj in the dressing-room, the good old Indy w«» bewil
dered aad distressed at the silddcn change in her, who
until that d&y. hdd sectned so happy. There was no ap
parent cause, yet she Well knfeW that some deep grief had
Mien upon her heart. She 'concluded not to go to her
dwn apartment, but to Wait ih a small ante-room next to
thfe dl'essiUg-ropm, and see Nina again before she retired.
Feeling sobewhat Weary, she threw herself upon the sofa
and fell asleep. Strange dtenths visited her slumbers 5
Nina was again a little child, standing altine upon the
brink of a precipice, and she, paralyzed. With terror,
thought the child was lost forever, When the HiSjtUer ap
pearing through the mist, ftaught her to her bredst and re
stored her tb Aunt Amy’s arms. Again, Nina whs drown
ing, and she stood afar oft powerless to aid her. The feeble
tones of the little straggler fell upon her ear, and once
more the mother came, and wildly implored her to save
her child. She started up trembling in every limb, and
scarce knowing' what she did, rushed to the dressing
rhom. and the next instant that frenzied cry went ring
ing through the house, and Nina all unconscious, fell at
her feel.
It was but the work of a moment to send for Dr. Ash
ley, who instantly obeyed the summons, and every means
that skill Could devise Was resorted td, to restore her to
consciousness, but without avail; and tears fell from the
old man’s eyes as he became convinced that all his efforts
were vain,—that life had fled forever.
la his youth Dr. Ashley had been tfie devbted admirer
of Nina’s mother, and she retained His affection with all
the Ard’dt of a warm heart; but he was poor, and when
he sued her parents for her, they scornfully rejected him.
Maddened and goaded almost to frenzy, he wrote a wild
farewell, assuring her that his own truth and constancy
should undergo*no change from time and distance, —im-
ploring a continuance of Her love and remen brance, pro
mising to write frequently,—and saying that he would
return at the expiration of Are years, at farthest, pre
pared to claim her as his own, —sailed for Brazil.
For six long years she heard no Word from Ashley, and
resisted alike the importunities of those who sought her
band, and the entreaties and commands of her parents ;
and then, one with whom they had long wished for an
alliance, solicited, their consent was given, and the Wed
ding day announced. She appealed to his generosity,—
told him bow deeply she loved another, whose image was
and ever must be, enshrined within her heart, but despite
her cntreatics.be led her to the altar. In less than two
years, and when Nina was only three months old, her
mother died of consumption,—too often but another name
for a broken heart.
At the expiration of the term he had allotted, Ashley,
whose letters had been invariably intercepted by the gov
ernment officials, set out upon his return borne, his heart
bounding with joyful anticipations, for his efforts bad
been crowded with success, and he was rich beyond even
biqgfildcst'tiopes ; but on the journey he was seized with
a malignant fever, and left with bis physician and atten
dants upon an island that was seldom visited by any ves
sel. He recovered, but it was eighteen months before a
ship stopped there again, and he gladly availed himself
of the first opportunity t'o resuthe nis jbulney. Looking
over a file of papers which the Captain bad*brougbt with
him, his eye accidentally fell npon the announcement ol
the marriage of his betrothed ; the shock nearly depri
ved him of reason : he landed at the first port, and find
ing a vessel there bound for Rio Janeiro, be again em
barked, with a withered and blighted heart. Five years
afterwards he arrived at botn° to find hoi is tenant of the
tomb; and then he learned all from a letter written bn
the eve of her marriage and blistered with teals, whibh
she had entrusted to Aunt Amy to be delivered to him in
case of her death. He found the little Nina a miniature
picture of her whose name she bore, and whom he had
so fondly loved, and became deeply attached to her, and
when her father died a few years afterwards, he became
her Guardian. He bad seen her affection tor Clarence
before she dared even to acknowledge it to herself ; and
although he admired bis genius, yet he felt that Clarence
did not return the intense love she lavished upon him ;
but she bad seemed so happy since her marriage, that he
began to hope that bis apprehensions in regard to her
fUture were groundless. He had attended her party that
night, and when be left her, but an hour before, she was
the centre of an admiring group of delighted guests, and
now he found her cold and pale in the embrace of death.
Aunt Amy handed him a paper that had dropped from
Nitia’s hand as she bad fallen upon the floor. It was the
letter ; and horror and indignation filled his mind as be
read it. He instantly despatched a messenger to seek
Clarence out, and bear the sad tidings to him.
If had Always been Nina’s desire to be laid beside her
mother in the garden of ‘Tvy Dell,” the old homestead,
of which years before the Doctor had become the pur
chaser, and it whs now decided that On the day but one
following, Alint arid UitnsclLteould go on with her
remains-. Thele was nriufch feeling exhibited next day
amting Nina’s lalge circle of acquaintances, When the
announcement of her sudden death was made, and there
was a mournful contrast presented in the few real friends
who gathered around to bear the la't solemn words pro
nounced and all the glittering pomp and gayety that
crowded that very room only the night befttro. Late bn
the third diy after the event, two plain carriages ifrew
up at “Ivy Dell.”
The housekeeper and attendants st'dod ready to refeeiye
them, and amidst the Unaffected glie.' of the bumble de
pendants, the coffin was conveyed into the house. It was
a lovely and retired place on the hank of the Hudson,
the same spot where Ashley bad wooed the gentle being
whose white tomb, even now, gleamed out from the dark
cypress that drooped over itthe same spot where
Aunt Amy had wept over Aer early sorrows, and watched
over the first sunny years Of her child. Old recollections
crowded upon their mind's, till cilcli fOlgetful of the pre
tence of the Other, yielded to Urn violence of feelings
that could not be controlled. Aunt Amy sobbed aloud,
while the strong frame of Ashley quivered with emotion.
The lid of the coffin had been removed, that all might
look for the last time upon that beloved face; so start
lingly natural in its serene beauty, that all were aston
ished, and none more so than Ashley whose professional
experience so well taught him the change that should
have taken place. When all had retired fbr the night,
and he bad even prevailed upon Annt Amy to seek some
repose, be stood mournfully viewing the features that
recalled sb Vividly to his memory the only happy period
of bis life,—when in youth and in hope he gazed with
kindling eye and throbbing heart, upon that countenance
whbse itnage was nbhr before him, and dreamed of the
Heaven he so fondly deeihed was in the future, that
future which was never to be his,—that Heaven which
was to be to him a drear and barren waste, unrelieved
by one green shrub or blOOtriing flower through all its
vast extent.
The tears Were slowly coursing down the slight fur
rows Of his mild and benevolent face, as bedding over
her, he imprinted a kiss of parental tenderness upon her
hrow ; —suddenly a thrill as of lightning ran through his
veins! the pulsations of hia heart quickened, be gasped
for breath ; something of life seemed still to exist.—a
struggling though faint effort at respiration; he bent
eagerly bver heir,—he was not—he could not be deceiv
ed! bis very sbul panted with trembling hope. Be awoke
Annt Amy, who was instantly at his side ; they listened
latently—-apdat lastafeeble sigh gently heaved the
boeom of Nina, and a soft Hash gradually stole over her
cheek.
Ahnt Amy almost delirious with joy, mechanically, bat
WiUi trembling hands, obeyed the Doctor’s instructions ;
while he, subduing bis own wild emotion, seemed in
rtlndt With Ood-llke resources. Nina was taken from the
ty* l a c0, . 1ch ’ * the paraphernalia
of death temdved front the room ; some gently stimula
ting restoratives were then administered, and fbr many
'titTa long, deep JfaWn Sigh Nina
dowlv opmied W eye* apd gated with wOoder
krddnd. Breathless with intense angiety, the Doctor
hatched that look, and a chill as of death feU npOn his
heart, when he found that it was void of nil
ness. “What I” he mentally ejaculated, “bare I but
snatched her form too grave to find that the light of red
son Is fimver extinguished,—to find her mind, that bean-
ItfUHempae of thought md genius, naught bat a fearful
msbk? And yet, were ft not better so tb«n that , tee
should htoken with every sense keenly susceptible to all
the agony of the bitter reality ? 1 know not What to
hope, nor what to fear, —I only know that every pang in
flicted upon that young heart binds her more closely to
my own; and Hete b> her—and in presence of those an
gel eyes that Were, the light of my youth, and that I feel
am now watching over iis,—l dedicate my life, my ener
gy and my fortune to alleviate the anguish of her lot.
But I almost forget,” he continued, "that abb yet trem
bles upon the threshold bf existence,—that the faintest
breath may snap the feeble fibre that connects her with
life ; would to God she could sleeji I” Be applied a li
quid to her lips, and sat anxiously watching its effects;
at length the lids drooped more heavily byet her eyes,
the low breathing gradually increased, dntil Wife deep
drawn respiration betokened profound sleet}. “Oh!
God, I thank Thee ! ” broke from Ashley’s lips, as with
the deepest emotion he buried bjs face in his faands, and
wept.
For many dayt Nina hovered between life cod death,
—when by slow and almost iropercepdbM degrees,
mental and physical strength began to return. At times
her memory seemed to wander back and rest upon some
painful bbject, and for a moment she would look up in
quiringly Into the faces of Ashley and Aunt Amy, as if
there were something she would fain learn ; but there
was so much of dirtiness and indistinctness in the picture
thus raised before hei* feeble faculties, that it evidently
vanished before she could seize upon it, and with a wist
ful sigh she would agaih sink to rest.
Weeks passed by, and still Nitla, tbongb convalescing,
was an invalid ; and Ashley bbserved that her mind, as
it gradually gained strength, was at tithes in a state ttf
painful abstraction! It was futile even to appear un
conscious of the cause, and summoning all bis resolution,
combined with tact and delicacy, he one day seated him
self at her side and endeavored to lead the conversation
to the painful subject upon which they both so much
feared to speak. At the first word, with clasped hands
and an imploring look, Nina eagerly exclaimed: “Oh 1
my dear, kind friend, tell me all ? I can endure this
suspense no longer 1 Where is Clarence ? Has he not
yet returned ? ” “ Compose yourself, my child, and I
will tell you,—but Oh 1 ray Nina, do not forget, in your
despair, how dear you are to one desolate heart.” —and
his feyes filled with tears, and his lips quivered as he
spoke. “Nina,” he continued, “do you remember aught
that transpired before your illness? ” “Yes,” she re
plied ; “at first all was mingled in a chaotic mass, and
it seemed as if some horrid dream was haunting my
brain, which WBttlfl nbt be dispelled, but gradually the
broken links became connected, and I remember all, —
my own prophetic sadness—his departure—the letter
that told my doom—the ball—and my own fearful re
solve.” “Nina,” said Ashley, “the day after those
events, and while my own heart was writhing with grief
to see you cold and pale before me, I enclosed that letter
in one to Clarence, telling him of your death and of its
cause, —(for, during three days we believed you dead,
my Nina,) —expressing my indignant horror at the base
and*sclfisb cruelty evicted in sacrificing the happiness of
your life from mere pique at the caprices bf another,
and saying that I never wished to behold His face again.
You must feel, my child, how unworthy be is of the
treasure you have bestowed upon him. But I will say
no more—you shall decide.” “ Has he returned to the
city!” asked Nina, tremblingly. “Yes, darling, two
weeks ago.” “ And, believing me dead, has never cared
to look upon my grave?” Ashley shook bis head.
“Then.” said Nina, “never let him he undeceived.
Henceforth I am dead to him—dead to the world—dead
to all save you, my kind and only friend,” —and, leaning
her head upon Ashley’s shoulder, she wept as though
her heart were breaking.
For weeks after that conversation she never alluded
lb Clarence, seeming to avoid every subject that had any
reference to him ; and, although her health slowly im
proved. jet she bad fallen into a state of settled melan
choly from which nothing would arouse tier!* At times
she would find the Doctor or Aunt Amy gazing upon her
with such mournful tenderness, that she would start from
her reverie and try to smile, as if to beguile them into
the thbugbt that she was not so very wretched ; but the
effort was so wan and plaintive—so unlike the joyous
smile df old that illuminated her whole face —that it was
more saddening ttt behold than her usual dejection, and
they wmuld ever turn away with tearful eyes.
Ashley was called away to the city one day upon
some urgent business, and on going to his office found
that Clarence had several times called to see him. He
was walking along Broadway shortly afierwards, and at
some distance before him he saw Clarence conversing
with a gentleman, and as he wrts deeply engaged Ashley
had an opportunity of observing him attentively. He
was much amazed at the change that bhd taken place in
him; scarcely less feeble and deathlike was Nina her
self ibanj||farence ; and he experienced something very
like a thmi of joy as he saw that sorrow and rcthorse had
left their impress upon him. “He is not void of all
feeling yet,” thought Ashley, “ and they may still be
happy ; ” and he instantly resolved that he would See
him and toll him all. He hastened his step, and at that
moment Clarence glanced around, abruptly bowed to his
companion, and passed into a gallery of paintings before
which they had been standing. Ashley concluded that
Clarence had not seen him, and almost mechanically he
followed him into the gallery. Wbat was his astonish
ment to see Clarence beside a tall, elegantly dressed
lady, apparently viewing a large painting, but in reality
in such earnest conversation that neither heard the step
of Ashley who was directly behind them. As he paused,
be saw Clarence clasp the lady's band and heard him
fhhhnur, while the deep tones trembled as he uttered
them, “ Yes, Edith, forever 1 ” Burning with indigna
tion, Ashley left the building be had entered with such
a sweet hope dawning in his heart, and having concluded
fiiS business, immediately returned home.
He thougnt it best to tell Nina at once, and remove
all hope, and then to trust to the pride and energy of
her nature to effect a partial cure,
He found her slightly animated Upon his return, and
saw the inquiry that trembled upon her lips, although
she would not utter it. He took her hand, and gently
leading her to a seat, related the scene in the painting
gallckj, confcedlihg. bbwever, that he sought Clarence,
and the motives that prompted him tb db so.
Nina bad never for a moment entertained any resent
ment towards Clarence until now; a faint bbpe and an
intense yearning bad silently burned in her heart to see
him once more, if only to bid him farewell forever.—
Now pi ide, indignation, resentment and love, waged a
fierce war in Her bosom. Sbe felt that be had outrdgcd
every sentiment of humanity. He believes her to be
dead, yet in a few weeks, without even having sought
the spot where be supposes she is laid, lie is found pour
ing the syren melody of his voice—that voice whose
false words have blighted her young heart—into the wil
ling ear of another, and that other the one he believes
to be the cause of her death. .One moment sbe felt a
sensation of self-contempt that she could have worship
ped with such blind idolatry one so utterly destitute of
truth and honor; and the next, her whole soul was flood
ed with tenderness and love, as her eye fell updo a small
though quaint had antique king With the Word “ memo
ria ” engraved upon it, which Clarence bad purchased
in Italy, and placed upon her Huger. But pride checked
the tears that gnshed to her eyes, and sent them back to
turn td ibe nothin the bedrt whdse warm affections bad
bbeil so crushed and trampled upon—the heart that must
henceforth bear its agony in silence and alone, until all
feeling dies within it. The last hope bad been severed,
and now truth to Herself demanded she should forget
him. li TbS, Clarence,” she murmured, “we must now
Indeed be dean to each other! and although I must pre
vent the triine of a still metre Unholy anion than that
on which you wrecked itiy Heart, yet Will I endeavor to
roll the lethe bf forgetfulness over ydur memory, and
n *** r till death Shall reveal to us tbe awful mysteries of
the future, shall dur re-unidn be consummated. Beauti
ful vision, sweet dream of Idvc, of light. Of hope, fare
w*Jl‘forever I and now,” she said, placing her hand in
Ashley’s, who sat beside her noting With melancholy in
terest the varying emotions that flitted across her lace;
“my own kind friend, I will yield no longer to this
weakness, I will be true to myself, will arouse the digni
ty °* a woman and bury, If possible, all remembrance of
my unhappy love in oblivion.” He drew her to
ward him add imprinted a kiss upon her brow, altered a
fervent “ God bless you, my beloved child.” and Nina
glided from tbe room.
The next day, leaning upon Ashley’s arm, she sought
her mother’s grave, and while the birds warbled their
m branches of the moarnfel cypress
that shaded it; Wna listened for the first tfm# to the
story Of hfr blighted love and broken heart, and Ash
ley’s darkened destiny. A life-time bad flown by since
then.bift Ashley wept as bid tnetnbHcs stole back upon
him, and for a brief period Nina forgot her own woes in
the sympathy she felt fob those so dear to her. She had
hb words of condolence to offer; she felt bow more than
vain they Wete to assuage a grief like this ; bnt as her
eye fell upon the green mound before her, she breathed
a prayer that she might be permitted to soothe bis de
clining days, and as she knew that her happiness was the
dearest object Of his life, she resolved that for bis sake
she would endeavor to appear cheerful ; and from that
day forward she was ever on her guard. When Ashley
was present, the tear that rose to her ,eye was forced
back, and the sigh stifled ere it escaped her lips; only
in the retiracy of tier own chamber, when the day was
over, would she give way tb hqr pent-up feelings*
One morning, after a night of tears ttnd sleepless
thought, she stole away alone to heir mother’s grave,
where she found a beautiful bouquet. Tbe moment she
glanced upon it, a strange faintness came over, her, and
she staggered to a rUslic Beit. It was mostly composed
of Clarence's favorite flowers—moss rose-buds and lilies
of the valley, with now and then a sprig of delicate
cypress. It was a simple thing, yet it had a myste
rious effect upon her ; she knew there were none df those
lilies upon the grounds, and that Ashley had not left bis
room that morning; but still he might have procured
them the night before, and placed them there ; and thus
she tried to dismiss the subject, but it would recur again
and again, and an innate feeling of delicacy prevented
her from making any inquiries of Ashley in regard to it.
About a week afterwards, she was thrown into the
same thrilling perplexity by a recurrence of the same
thing, and the result was us unsatisfactory os before.
Nina, in looking over the dally papers one morning,
found the following announcement: “In ths list of pas
sengers who sailed fph Europe on tbe last packet, we ob
sclred the name of Clarence ftorraine, Esq., whose afflict
ing bereavement, in the death of his young, beautiful,
and accomplished bride, with whom he had just returned
from a wedding tour through Italy, we chronicled a few
months since.” Rina, pale as death, handed the paper
to Ashley, and left the room ; .and it was weeks before
she could even affect cheerfulness. At length the de
pression of the Dr.’s spirits convinced her that it was un
generous to yield to a despondency that rendered him
almost as unhappy as herself, and again she seemed to
evince nn interest in all that pleased him.
The garden and grounds of “ Ivy Dell ” had long been
neglected, and now Nina, with the Dr.’s assistance, en
deavored to restore them to something of their former
beauty. Once more the fragrant breath of the lily, the
jassamine, tbe eglantine,, and the Camilla arose like in
cense from the little garden, while crimson honeysuck
les, multifloras, and ipomas wreathed their rich blossoms
amid the glossy leaves of the old “ivy” that clambered
over the balconies up to the very roof; and here and
there upon the lawn, the delicate syringa and the fragrant
orange tree scattered their snowy petals upon the mossy
green beneath.
A year had passed by in this Idv.ely little Eduo,and
Nina appeared calni arid serene. Pride forbade that she
should speak of Clarence, but pride could not subdue the
deep love that still lingered in her heart, which would
at times be hcafd detpitb her remembrance of all bis
wrongs. Only when fancy held the reins in the profound
sleep that fell upon her after long hours; of intense de
spairing thought, Was she happy ; then he was ever at
her side, and visions of joy gleamed upon her to mock
her waking hours with their bitter unrealities.
There began to appear about this time, in one of the
popular magazines of the day, a series of letters from
the East, written by an American. The first was from
Italy, and gave a vivid and glowing description of the
very scenes Nina had visited with Clarence. There was
a deep vein of sadness breathing in every line, as if he
was haunted by some painful memory of the past which
would not "bo foigoltcn. Tri describing Vesuvius just
after an eruption, he compared tbe scared and desolate
channel over which the burning lava had passed, to the
human breast which had been swept by the scorching
tide of some mighty grief that ever after rendered it im
pervious to the impression of either joy or woo. He
wandered amid the ruins of Egypt, whose grand and
dark sublimity seemed to harmonize with the gloom of
his own thoughts and feelings; and here the fire that had
previously been suppressed burst forth in burning elo
quent descriptions—descriptions that glowed alike with
the poet’s genius and the painter's vivid fancy. He
spoke of its antiquity, springing as it did into existence
with the first dawn of civilization 5 and df the tong ages
it had slumbered like, its own sarccphaghi, and then
seemed to revel in delightful anticipation of the time
When it should be re-touched and re-awakened by the
magic waud of progress.
He traveled over all Europe, and still continued to
write : and still, even in the midst of some glowing pas
sage, where it was least expected, the same melancholy
tope would glide ; but it was a melancholy that tinged
all he touched with beauty—a melancholy that facina
ted while it saddened his readers, and all were eager to
know who “ Orestes” was. To Nina, who read them
with thrilling interest, they seemed but echoes from her
own sad herirt,, dad she dfteh found herself lost in a maze
of vain iiridgitiihgs as to what blight could have faltoll
upon this gifted child of .genius.. Perhaps his heart, like
her own. had been wrecked Upbn the quicksands of un
requited love ; or perhaps death, more kind, had snatched
the loved one from bis arms ere any change had come
upon their hearts ; and she wondered that all the palatial
pomp and grandeur by which hd waa fcbuHed. and ca
ressed, and all the glorious works of art and ndturc he so
eloquently described, had alike failed to win him to for
getfulness. For nearly two years the letters continued,
and the public interest still remained unabated—the
mystery still unsolved. Then they suddenly ceased, and
a short time afterwards Nina read the following in the
paper:
“ Clarence Lorraine, Esq., our gifted townsman, whose
letters from Europe and the East, under the nont
de plume of “ Orestes,” have attracted so much atten
tion, arrived on the last steamer.”
A rush of contending emotions thronged to Nina's
heart, as she read this, that rendered her for a time in
capable of thinking. Clarence and “Orestes” were
the same. This, then, was the secret spell that whisper
ed to her heart in all be wrote ; but what was the cause
of the sadness and gloom that bad evidently become a
part of his nature T Was it remorse for her supposed
death ? A gleam of joy thrilled through heriieart at the
iH'dught Why had he never attempted to marry Edith 1
Had be ceased to love her. T
It was a lovely rtlodnlight night in early Summer, and
a sea of perfume floated up ftom the garden through tbe
open window. She passed out upon the balcony, and,
resting her burning brow against thq Cobl leaves of one
of the vine-wreathed columns, she murmured: “ Oh,
Clarence ! why is it that, despite Of all your scohl and
outrage, and my own despair, this wild worship still
lingers? ” There was a rustling among the orange
boughs beside her, a dark form sprang upon the balcony,
and Clarence was at her feet. ” Oh, God! ”he gasped,
“ is this bat a vision that comes to mock me for a mo
ment? ”
. For one brief instant, Nina extended her arms as if to
fly to his breast and cling there forever, and the next
some strange reVulSion of feeling seemed to sweep over
her ; the teudernefes that had filled her mid only the mo
ment before, was replaced by bitter memories, and with
pride and scorn Quivering in every accent, she replied :
“No I it is no vision 11 am that wife wboih you supposed
yon had so crnelly and so basely sacrificed I Was it not
enough that you deprived me of all that made life en
durable, but you must now eometo exalt over the ago
nies of your victim ? ”
“ I deserve it ail, Nina, but ob! I implore yon to listen
to nle for one short boar, and then banish me if yon
will, and I will go Messed in having Once more looked
upon your face.”
“Go on,” said Nina; “ bat think not (bat a few idle
irordffcan obliterate tbs memory of years of wrong.”
“ When 1 first beheld you, Nina, I loved another; but it
wds a wild aad stonby paasiqn, forever alternating be
tween hope and fear, —one boar nay whole soul was filled
With lOve, and tbe next maddened by jealousy, I knew
not what I did. I niet ydn. Nina, and a holy calm per
vaded my stfiHt While with y<ra. 1 bid won Edith’s con
sent to becoifle lity bride, bat with Vndny trivia] excuses
she hid detoxed from time to time, for more than two
yedfs. Wbed irritated by her heartlfearCoquetry, I would
ever seek the toothing of yonr sweet tope; ana ere Icing
1 learned that by ray selfish thoughtlessness, I had un
consciously woo your lore. About this time 1 went to
Edisfc and demanded the fulfilment of kef {Hedge ; «M|
haughty sdorn she withdrew her promise—bfl,Ue me never
return—said she bad never loved me. I thbbght tbit
had so changed my own feelings that I coqld fbrfffei bet
(tlihbst without a hang, and a senttinentbf justice to ybi.
Nina, for I felt that I had trifled with ybli—tfegfeibaf
with the secret spell that evet drew me toward* yOtf
when sick at heart, impelled me to solicit your band; I
won you-—and with the cifceplidn of an occaaional «B
thought of Edith, whom I fancied joved* me inteuaely,
despite her pride, I was happy; One k day I met bet
accidentally in the street* and would have k voided cveff
a recognition, but she stopped, and would speak to me.'
She implored me to see her once more. Shocked bod
bewildered, scarce knowing what I.said, 1 promised—
and, hastening home, wrote that wild, mad lettet| and
then the sumtnons- from my -uncle dispelled ail other
thoughts for the time*—and, forgetting the letter, I de
parted on my journey. No words can convey to you.
Nina, what my feelings Were when that letter came tq
me as the cause of your death. Remorse and despoil 4
15ok possession of tny som, and for weeks 1 was deilri
odSf. When I recovered,!- returned fo Ne» Tork. and
immediately came out to visit ybtir grave. It was even
ing, and the moonbeams shione upon the name of ‘Nina*
engraven on ihe tomb. For hours ihrotlgh thHt
night I lay with my cheek pressed to the cold mkrbUi
that I thought covered your colder form. I took wiflbt
me a small bouquet of the flowers that you had*ifaer;
isbed, because they were my favorites, and. that atllT
blossomed in the conservatory., Soon after inis, I watf
conversing with a genlfelflch in the street one day, whetf
I observed your guardian coming towards me. He bad
refused to see me—had forbidden me to seek Kitn—and.
to avoid him, I stepped into .the building. If
was a painting gallery, and Edith stood near.the en
trance as I tvent in. came forward and sjjpfte fephttjf
words of condolence, blit there was a gleiim of joy in
her eye that made mo shudder while 1 listened ; and in
a few harried words I told her of the change in my ownf
feelings—that remorse alone filled my heart—and that
we must now part forever.” “ No, no ! Clarence,” sbd
murmured, “do not say forever! ” “ Yet, Edith, ‘for
ever !' and pressing her hand as I spoke, I rushed front
the building, and have never seen her since. I theri vis
ited your grave again, Nina, and in the evguin*, tts I bad
done before, for I could net intitule thy lifted Presence'
upon your injured guardian; and feeling that
inactivity would drive me mad, I set out upon a tbo£
through Europe. But vain was every effort to Bee Worn'
thought and memory ; they still pursued me, go where I
would. I became a writer, hut all I wrote was tinged
with the same dark hue. I was greeted with the ap
plbusb ’df thiiltitudcs; beauty and intellect Socket!
around me, and poured the syren song of adulation in nap
ear, ■while my spirit yearned. Oh ! how intensely, for that
smile which alone had power to charm away my gloom.
*• It was blind infatuation I had felt for Edith, Nina,
not the pure and holy love you had inspired in my
breast; and save an occasional regret that I bad cwfcm
shadow on her heart, I rirver bfestbwed. & thought upoor
her ; I feared iliat slib.wtis iinlinl^y—tllal she ,yfe wdved
me—but I was soon relieved ; I met with an old College
friend of mine in Italy, with whom she was correspond
ing, and whom I believe she loved as well as she is capa
ble of loving. In the most careless manner she alluded
to the desolation she had caused me. and exulted in the
thought that 4 1 was then seeking in foreign climes to
banish her image from my heart.’ I thought of all she
had deprived me, until tears of love and sorrow for yon,
Nina, were raining down my cheeks.
41 Wenly at length with traveling, finding go .test
abroad, t returned he trie. Crowds were collected to wel-‘
come me; but, heeding them not, I passed on, and
reached the lonely mound that had become the centre of,
my dearest thoughts. Some irresistible impulse led toe
to the open window, as I paused near thfe house, and tbtf
next moment yog- appeared like some beautiful vision;
sent fnin. H.:a ret •to clicei: thy riling PQ.il.— ■— . ~
44 And now, Nina,” he continued, 44 1 hive .told yod
all, and I await my doom. If you badish me, I can bol
implore your forgiveness, and blessing yoii, depart.”
44 All is forgiven, Clarence—all fdt-go’ihed from itild
hour!” and murmuring low, broken tones of Ibve,
threw herself into his arms.
4 * God bless you for those words, my own Nina,” said
Clarence, as bu pressed her to his heart. 44 We will leave
this cold land that is thronged with so many bitter mem
ories, and fiy to your own Italy, and there seek to forget
the painful past, and live only for the present and fu
ture.” * • * * • •.
There is a beautiful cottage on the banks of the Arno;
almost embowered amid orange and lime trees, beneath'
whose fragrant shade at the close of the day Way be
seen Dr. Ashley, Clarence and Nina. Aunt Amy has
sunk to her last rest, dnd reposes in sweet serenity under
the old sycamore, in the fkr corner of the garden.
For ihe Sierra. CltUsa.
nOKF, XVA QD BOUND.
“ Going home ! Going horr.i; 1"
Oh! what music in the sound !
Going home to see the loved ones 1
Hot it makes my bosom bound I
Yes! lam going home. In a few hours, I bid far®*
well to these grand old mountains—pehaps forever. A
little more Ihiin K freir since, they were strangers to mej
now, scarcely a nook or peak but what has its tHdtisatla
associations rising up before me with a kind of melan
choly greeting, making my heart sad at the tllßughjt of
leaving them. I have wandered oyer their rugged aides
—clirhbed tB the tops of their highest pe^ks—sauntered
along the banks of the sparkling Yuba, as it hurried on
to wed the briny waters of the peaceful Pacific, now flow
ing softly and murmuring gentle music sweet and plain
tive as JEolian strains—anon dashing down its craggy
course as though anxious to break through the granite
barriet§ that hid so King impeded its course and kept it
imprisoned in the bosom of the mountains.
How oft has my spirit, in its diffehmt thtibds, Chimed
in with Its flow, and seemed to hold friendly communion
wilh the murmur of its waters; and then,, fUitit and
weary with Summer's heat, liotr eft Have I soiight its
transparent pools and bathed in their cool, refreshing
wafers till my whole soul felt rejuvenated.
Memories, fast and thick, come stealing over the as I
look back on my life in California. Bfy mind goes back
to the day when I first arrived, when all was uncertain
ty. and the future was before me with all its untried
scenes of a life in the southern mines—my first attempt
at mining, blistered bands, aching arms, and ,a weary
body, unsuccessful trials at cooking and disgust in con
sequence, buying a salted claim and losing my all, dig
ging ditches to new claims and not making sufficient U>
pay water money. Amidst all fhese disappointments
and hardships come? the recollections of the pure disin
terested friendship and sympathy of those noble behrt£
who were my companions: and a higher opinion of tny
fellow-men follows when I think of their inufiy acts of
Unstudied kindness.
A little further on and my mind reverts to the past
tv-inlet*, spent in these mountains —vivid scenes of win
ter’s rigtfr, with its snow storms and intense cold—rec
ollections bf numerous journeys over huge snow drift* to
the nearest Post office, 20 miles distant, to get letter*
from the “ bldfplks at lioifie.” 1 wfinder back in imag
inatibh tb ihe darkbst Hour 8f winter, when so long
arid ficrije Was the storm that we feared being buried
afiv-c. I refer to my journal and find the following,*
penned on that dreary, fearful evehing :
Loud round our cabin roars the win blast, .
’the drifting snow sweeps onward through the valo;
While through the fir-tree forests, drear and vast,
The Storm-King thunders in the wintry gale.
Pfercbed on a rock, fir up the mountain Side,
The hungry wolves howl forth with piteous cry;
And as r the keen cayoles round them glide _
Their howls id concert with each other vie.
The swollen river rushes madly by, ,
Roaring anil crashing down its craggy conns i
While the loud tempest echoing through the sky.
Sends forth its voice in mutterings fierce and boacw.'
Jan. 4th, 1857—snow is feet deep, and no prospeCt
the storm ceasing. »
• • • •
, But all ii past now! and with a light heart and bright
anticipations, lam “ homeward bound!” Adieu, old
mountains I Often, to memory, will 1 visit you again*
and live Over the happy boor* I have spent in joar
midst- When next | see you, (if eVer.l life willjMkr* sq
phased Sad the past will be but a dream around which
meniory will fondly linger. . IfwA
?tnn Kitim Mocrriri*. CkT*, kn% T‘,h, IS5f ’
[NO. 28'.