USA > California > A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stores taken from real life > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
223
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
telling her of the beauties of California, life and showing her lots of eight-sided fifty-dollar gold slugs, common then in San Francisco, to tempt her to forget me. Then she would some- times write very seriously, asking me such impertinent ques- tions as :
" When were you last at confession, and do you say your prayers regularly, morning and evening ?"
When I pretended to take offence at this sort of a letter, she would write :
" Well, darling, I cannot help it, if you do get mad with your little Jennie. We are taught, you know, that there never was a man, or woman either, who can depend on themselves to keep in the right road. The Old Boy is after us all, and he will surely get us, if God is not with us in the fight; so I want you to pray morn- ing and night for us both, that God may be near us in all temp- tations, and I will do the same."
So my next letter to her would be a " make-up," and I felt that, perhaps, it was well for me that I had some one to pray for me and keep me straight, for if there ever was a place where the Old Boy walked out in open daylight it was San Francisco at that time. As I dislike talking of myself, I will finish all of my own history that I am disposed to give, by saying that in the Spring of 1851 I returned to Philadelphia, fulfilled my engage- ment with Miss Jennie Moncks, and brought back to my Califor- nia home as true a wife as ever stood by man's side in the battle of life.
But, to return to my story. Frank and myself entered the house of Philips & Moncks, as clerks, for one year. Then we were to become partners in the house, and, after five years, to succeed to the business, when it was agreed that my father and Mr. Moncks were to retire from the firm. The firm was then one of the most flourishing in the city, so our prospects were as bright as bright could be, and oh, what a happy year that year of our clerkship was to us all four. No care of business beyond our daily duties, and these were not too burdensome. Our evenings, our holidays, our Sundays, were all spent together. No one went to a party or place of amusement if all were not to be there. At home we were a little party in ourselves. At times, Ellen and Jennie played and sang for us; other evenings, mother played the piano for us all to dance. Sometimes, Frank and I would read some new and interesting book, aloud, while mother
224
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
gave lessons to the girls, in making shirts or something equally useful. Sometimes we had a game of whist or some amusing game in which father and mother and Jennie's parents, who were often at our house, would join. Our devotions were at the same church. Our night prayers were said together, and always opened with a chapter in the Bible or some religious book, read by father, Frank or myself. As I look back, now, on that year of my life, it appears to my memory without a tear of sorrow or one sad sigh, that I can draw to mind. I did not then know I loved Jen- nie, and I feel sure that Ellen and Frank had no idea how deeply they loved each other. All we knew was that we felt exquisitely happy, and that the world appeared to us an opening paradise. Frank, from his childhood, was remarkable for his love of truth and a high sense of honor. I believe he would have suffered death, at any time, rather than violate his promise, once given, or willfully deceive any one, by word or act, in the most trivial matter. " Truth, fidelity and constancy," he would say, " con- stitute the atmosphere of heaven, without which, it could not be the abode of God and his angels, while falsehood, inconstancy and deception of all kinds make the fuel that supplies and keeps alive the flames in the abode of the wicked."
Ellen fully shared with Frank in all these noble sentiments. She had a decided character of her own, and it would have been impossible, I know, for her to have ever loved a man whose honor, fidelity and truth was not beyond all question. They both had, perhaps, one fault, and, so far as the human eye could discern, it was the only one. It was the same St. Peter had, too much self- reliance; too confident, too proud, as it were, of their own de- termination to be good. If this was so, they were both uncon- scious of it. About the first of August, 1848, Frank went home to make his mother a visit, just six weeks before he and I were to enter the firm of Philips & Moncks, as partners. His mother was yet young, only nineteen years older than Frank himself. His uncle, John Grant, was twenty years older than Frank's mother, a fine, hale, hearty old gentleman, devoted to his sister and to Frank, and, if you saw them all together, you would have supposed that he was the father of both. Their manner to him was always loving and respectful; his to them devoted and fatherly. They were both delighted to see Frank. His mother hugged and kissed him, and then pushed him away, that she might look at him the better, and then embraced and kissed him
225
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
again, while tears ran down her handsome face. John Grant laughed at his sister for being so foolish, so he said, as to cry; but Katie, Mrs. Harvey's hired girl, declared that she saw shin- ing drops on the old gentleman's own cheeks.
" I cannot help it," said Mrs. Harvey; "Frank has grown so handsome, and looks so very like his own dear father."
When they sat to meals, Frank had to take his old place be- tween them, and tell them all the city news and all the good jokes he had heard while away, to make them laugh and amuse them. Bothi uncle and mother soon discovered that nothing pleased Frank so well as to talk to him of Ellen Steward. In fact, they found it was very hard to get him to talk of anybody else.
John Grant waited one day until Frank had left the room, and then, turning to Mrs. Harvey, said:
"Well, sister Mary, what do you think of it ?"
"Of what ?" said Mrs Harvey.
" Why, of course, of Frank and Ellen Steward getting mar- ried; you see his head is full of her. Poor fellow! I was once like him," added the old gentleman, with a deep sigh.
"Well, brother," said Mrs. Harvey, " what do you think of it?"
"Of course," said John, "I think they had better get mar- ried out of hand. You know I have the ten thousand dollars all ready that you are to pay to Philips & Moncks on the fifteenth of October, the day Frank is to be taken into the firm as a part- ner, and then Ellen has a few thousands of her own, so I see nothing in the way. I always loved Ellen dearly. Her father was an old friend of mine, and she is a noble girl, just the one, in my view, for Frank."
Mrs. Harvey remained in deep thought for some moments, while her brother walked up and down the breakfast parlor. At length she said:
"Ellen is surely a noble, dear, good girl, as you and Frank both say. She is beautiful and accomplished. What more could I want for my darling son ? But," she continued, cover- ing her face with her handkerchief, to hide flowing tears, " I will then be alone, for Frank will love Ellen so much he will for- get me."
" Alone?" repeated her brother slowly, in a sorrowful, reproach- ful tone. In a moment Mrs. Harvey's arms were around her brother's neck, and, while she kissed his cheek, she said; 15
226
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
"Forgive me, brother; you misunderstood me. Do not think that, for a moment, I can ever forget or undervalue your un- selfish love and devotion to me since the day of my sad loss; but, brother, shall we not both miss Frank when he is married ?"
" You are mistaken, Mary," said John, " for I know Ellen so well that I know you will gain a daughter, and not lose a son, by this marriage."
After a little more conversation, Mrs. Harvey became not only reconciled, but now anxious for the marriage. That day, when she took her usual ride out with Frank, she asked him if Ellen had any admirers.
" Admirers, mother!" said he. " Why, every one admires her." " Oh, but I mean lovers," said Mrs. Harvey.
" Lovers!" repeated Frank, in astonishment; "of course, she has none. I should like to see the fellow that would have the impudence to set up to be her lover."
As Frank said this, he tickled Mrs. Harvey's blooded horses with his whip in a most impatient manner, exciting the animals so as to make it difficult to hold them.
" Are you sure, Frank," said Mrs. Harvey, with emphasis, " that Ellen has not one lover ?"
" I am, mother, quite sure," said Frank, looking at his mother earnestly, and with a half frightened expression in his counte- nance. Seeing a smile playing on his mother's face, he suddenly reined up his horses, and, turning toward her, said, in a beseech- ing tone: "Mother, dear mother, you pain me very much; tell me what you mean ?"
" And why, darling, do I pain you ? Surely you have no ob- jection that Ellen should have a lover, if he is the right sort of a man."
" But, dear mother, Ellen Steward has no lover; so, darling mother, tell me what you mean."
" Well my son, I will tell you what I mean," said Mrs. Harvey, with a serious manner and countenance. "It is this: I am well convinced that Ellen Steward has a lover, and I think it is time you should know it. I know who he is, and he is one who I think is in every way a suitable match for her and worthy of her, and, what is more, I think she loves him. Now, dear Frank, as Ellen is a dear friend, you should be glad to hear all this, and of course you are."
" I glad," said Frank, as he brought his whip down with a
227
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
vengeance on his unoffending horses. The animals were too high strung to stand this extraordinary treatment, so off they plunged and dashed headlong towards the city of Harrisburg. Mrs. Harvey grew deadly pale with fright, seeing Frank was unable to stem their furious flight. As they neared the Susquehannah river it took all his efforts to guide them to the bridge, but he did succeed, and the moment the horses found themselves under the cover of that magnificent structure, the pride of all Penn- sylvanians, they became tractable and entirely in hand once more. This incident prevented further conversation at that time be- tween mother and son. That evening, after Uncle John had retired, Frank came to kiss his mother good-night. When she took his hand it was cold, and his face looked sad and pale.
" What is the matter, my darling child; are you unwell ?" said she, in alarm. Frank, without speaking, dropped into the seat by her, and, raising her hand to his lips, kissed it, saying:
" Dear mother, what you told me to-day, I find has made me perfectly miserable."
" Why, Frank ?" she asked.
" Because, mother, I find that it will kill me if Ellen loves any man." Here he hesitated, and his mother added:
" But yourself, I suppose."
" Oh, mother, I cannot say how that is, but I am sure that if I love Ellen in the way you mean, I did not know it before, and now, my darling mother, tell me who this fellow is who loves her, and whom you say she loves in return, in which I know you must be mistaken, mother."
" The person I mean, my darling boy, is not far from here."
"Not far from here ? Mother, who can you mean ?"
" Yes," said Mrs. Harvey; " it is so, and he is now in this room."
At this Frank jumped to his feet, and, looking the whole room over, said :
" Surely, mother, we are alone."
" Then," said Mrs. Harvey, with a look of love and playful fun, "if I am right ,one of us must be Ellen's happy, favored Jover."
For the first time Frank read his mother's meaning. Without a word, he threw his arms around her neck, and said:
" Yes, mother; you are right. I am Ellen's lover, and I trust you are right, too, in thinking that she loves in return. Thank you, my darling mother, for showing me the truth."
228
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
The next day, Frank and his mother and Uncle John had a long talk, the result of which was that Frank started back to Philadelphia on the following Monday. Just as he was seated in the stage, Uncle John whispered in his ear:
" Dear boy, if you and Ellen bring matters to a close, mind there are two thousand dollars more, of my private fund, that I am going to give you."
" Thank-thank you, my dear devoted Uncle," said Frank, as the coach started off.
What a wild excitement was in Frank's heart the whole way as he returned to Philadelphia. Over and over again he rehearsed the scene that was so soon to take place between himself and Ellen. He did not look forward to it wholly without doubt and fear as to its result. What man ever does ? For sometimes he would say to himself: " What if mother was mistaken ?" But hope and confidence predominated, and when his imagination would conclude the scene to his entire satisfaction, he was happy to half-intoxication.
He surprised us all by his arrival, as we did not expect him for another week. However, we showed him by our reception that we were delighted to see him. He avoided our oft-repeated question as to what caused his early return. Ellen, who during Frank's absence had been thoughtful and almost sad, was now all gaiety and life. As she met Frank, every feature of her face was beaming with pleasure, and she said:
" I am delighted, Frank, to see you. But do tell us to what we owe the happiness of your sudden return."
He hesitated a moment; then, taking her hand, said:
" It is a secret just now, but I will confide it to you," and, drawing her close to him, he whispered in her ear: " I came darling Nellie, solely to be near you and to speak to you."
Ellen's heart bounded, and a deep blush suffused her face. Why, she could not tell. It was, that there was something ten- der and meaning, if not loving, in Frank's voice and manner; something new; something she had never noticed before; some- thing that awoke a feeling in her heart that was wondrous sweet and strange. That night when she retired to her rest, she re- peated his words over and over-" I came, darling Nellie, solely to be near you and to speak to you,"-and each time the simple words sent the same wondrous thrilling joy through every nerve of her system. "Is this love ?" she whispered low to herself. "Oh,
229
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
yes; it must be, for I feel now that the journey through the world would be lonesome and weary, and all its future for me a blank, if Frank was not to be by my side to aid and guard my steps and cheer the way, and that I would die to make him happy."
Thus one happy sweet reflection chased another until all her waking thoughts were lost in sleep. If child-like innocence and angelic purity should bring happy, blissful dreams, surely they were Cousin Ellen's that night.
Yes, dear cousin; it is love you have discovered in your heart this night. Love so unbounded, so confiding, so undoubting, so absorbing, that it is almost worship rather than love, and though Frank, who has won it, would not for all the world's honors, or for any consideration on earth, yield up one ray of its intensity and warmth, yet he will find it a dangerous, if it is a delightful treasure; for, if in life's journey, through human frailty, he should make one false step, you will find it hard to make your- self believe he was the being you loved and to summon charity to aid you in forgiving, where you cannot now believe there could be a fault. Sleep on, sweet cousin; dream over and over those happy dreams that now cover your face in sleep with smiles and blushes. Would that they were all realized in after life, and then I should not have had to add your sad story to the record of the woes that California brought to many a quiet and happy household, when her untold treasures became known.
CHAPTER III.
THE PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE.
Aunt Mercy, Frank's mother, had announced by letter to my mother Frank's intention of asking for Ellen's hand; so, that very night the old folks took the matter under consideration and concluded, with great pleasure, to favor his suit. The result was, therefore, that when Frank came to see mother the next morning on the subject, she did not wait for him to speak, but, throwing her arm around his neck, kissed him, and told him to go and speak with his uncle. Father enjoyed Frank's embar- rassment very much, and for some time pretended not to view the matter favorably; but at lengthi took pity on his almost sad face, and, walking over to him, he kissed his cheek, and, laying his hand on his head, said, in a voice full of love and kindness:
" God bless you, my boy. Go and see Ellen, and if she herself wishes it I will give her to you with more pleasure than I would to any man living. Mind, Frank, she is a priceless treasure. She has always been a most loving daughter to me. I never had any other, and if God had sent me one, I feel I could not have loved her more than I do my sweet, darling Nellie. Take her, Frank," he continued, while tears glistened in his eyes; " but mind, I know she believes you what no man, or woman either, wholly is-perfect. So be careful and watch that she may never be harshly undeceived, for the consequences might be terrible."
" Thanks, thanks, Uncle, a thousand times over and over," said Frank, kissing my father's hand, " for your consent, and for the advice you give me with it, which I promise never to for- get."
" Trust in God, dear boy, for your strength to do so," said my father, solemnly; and, again blessing him, they parted.
Frank, now, with bounding hope, sought Ellen. He found her in the conservatory at her usual work for that hour in the morn- ing, watering, trimming and arranging her favorite flowers.
" Nellie," said Frank, as he approached her, holding out his hand.
231
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
" Frank," she responded, taking his hand in hers, and blush- ing, she knew not why. Happy, happy Frank; happy, happy Ellen exchanged warm, true vows of love and fidelity. Seal them, Frank, with a kiss so pure and holy that the angel who records can approve. Yes, dear cousins; enjoy, to its utmost, that short but most happy hour-that hour that comes but once in any man's life; that hour the like of which is never found in any other part of all life's journey from the cradle to the grave; that hour, the bliss of which can never be compre- hended by the mercenary, selfish and unloving.
I shall attempt no discussion of this scene between Ellen and Frank, but leave it to be enjoyed in imagination.
In the afternoon of that day, it became known to us all that Frank and Ellen were engaged. The news was hailed with joy by every one, and congratulations poured in upon them from all their friends. At our home all was gaiety and happiness; never was there a betrothal more promising of a bright future than that of Frank Harvey and Ellen Steward The wedding day was fixed to be the day after Frank and myself were to become partners in the firm of Philips & Moncks. That great day at length came, as all such days will. I shall never forget it. It stands out in my memory in bold relief, as do other days marked by either joy or sorrow, and like them it is ever present when my thoughts are on the past. The marriage ceremony was in St. Joseph's Church. Rev. Father Bacbelin officiated. I stood up with Frank; Jennie Moncks with Ellen. Aunt Mary, Frank's mother, and Uncle John Grant were there, of course. The church was crowded with friends, and all were extravagant in their praise and admiration of the young couple whose union they had come to honor. This was not surprising, for Ellen was certainly of unsurpassing beauty, and Frank, in form, face and bearing, was just such as you would imagine a girl like Ellen would love and marry. After the ceremony, when Aunt Mary, mother and father saluted the bride, they could not conceal their tears and agitation, but they were tears that told of overflowing happiness, not of sorrow. On our return from church, we did justice to mother's splendid breakfast. After breakfast, the happy loved ones set out on a visit to relatives in Baltimore. They were then to join Frank's mother at her own home, and, after a little while, to return to Philadelphia and go to housekeeping, like old married folks, and Frank was to settle down in business for all
232
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
time to come; and so I wish it were, and so it might have been, if it was not for California and her gold.
In the Spring of that year, 1848, Philip & Moncks had ship- ped a large consignment of flour to Buenos Ayres. The re- turn account sales reached our firm on the first of November, the very day Frank and Ellen arrived home from their wedding trip. The speculation had proven unfortunate, and a loss to the old firm of over seventy-five thousand dollars. This was fol- lowed by an equally disastrous account sales of cotton shipped to Liverpool, also on account of the old firm. These large losses did not shake in the least the credit and standing of our house, but both Frank and myself saw that it would be only right for us to offer to modify the terms on which we had been admitted members of the firm. We did so promptly, and while the matter was under consideration accounts reached Philadel- phia of the wonderful discovery of gold in California. The accounts from there, though true in the main, were so astonish- ing that at first they were looked upon as fabulous. But then came the testimony of Governor Mason, who forwarded state. ments of the gold discoveries to the Secretary of War at Washington. Then came a letter from Thomas O. Larkin, late United States Consul at Monterey. Then letters from J. D. Stevenson, Colonel of the California-New York regiment, and Captain Folsom, United States Paymaster in San Francisco, all of which seemed to establish the truth of the gold discov- eries beyond all question. Now arose the never-to-be-forgotten California fever and excitement all over the country, from Maine to Texas. Nothing was talked of, nothing was thought of, but California and her gold. To go to California, fathers left their wives and children, without even a reasonable prospect of sup- port in their absence; sons left their widowed mothers and de- pendent sisters to struggle on for themselves; newly-married men left their brides, often in the hands of strangers, and unpro- tected; lovers left their sweethearts with vows of fidelity on their lips, in some cases only to be remembered, in the excite- ment and bustle of California life, as the aged wicked recall to memory the pure and good resolutions and promises of their innocence and youth. All, without regard to consequences, rushed madly on in the pursuit of gold ! Gold; gold ! was their cry by day and the subject of their dreams by night. Every- thing, from Heaven to Hell, but gold and its acquisition seemed
233
PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA.
for a time forgotten. From the first I noticed that Frank took the greatest interest in the accounts from California, all I feared the consequences. He said but little about it, however, at home, until the day we received Governor Mason's published statements, and that of Thomas O. Larkin. That day Ellen had been out nearly all day with mother, as she had been for several days previously, looking up a suitable house for Frank and her- self. As we returned to dinner, she met us in the hall, and, running to Frank for her kiss, she said:
" Oh, dear Frank, we have found such a nice house; I know you will be pleased with it. It has a beautiful garden, and everything just as you told me you would like. I know you will take it the moment you see it. The rent, too, is moderate."
Frank seemed for a moment embarrassed, but, kissing her again, he said:
" If it suits you, my darling, I know it will be just what I want."
His manner and voice did not escape the quick perception of his young wife. While yet his arm was around her waist, she quickly turned towards him, and, laying one hand on his shoulder, with the other she raised the clustering hair from his high forehead, and, gazing for an instant with eager earnestness into his face, she said, in a questioning tone:
" Surely, you are not unwell, my darling; or has some more bad news come for the firm ?"
" No, dearest; I was never better, and we have had no more bad news, I assure you," said he, half embarassed and half an- noyed, as he withdrew his arm from her waist. Without saying a word, she slipped her arm in his, and, pressing it close to her side, walked on with him in silence.
Frank felt the gentle appeal, and answered it, in a manner, by saying:
" My own gentle, darling wife, do not for an instant suppose I am withholding, or wish to withhold, one thought of my heart from you. No; a thought, a feeling, a wish or aspiration enter- tained by me in which I could not let you share would become to me an intolerable burden. No, my wife; you shall always share, for it is your right, all that is mine to share, be it joy or be it sorrow, even to my thoughts, let the consequences be what they may to either of us."
While he spoke, Ellen's eyes, though swimming in moisture, were beaming with love, full on his face. He continued:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.