USA > California > A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stores taken from real life > Part 28
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for it was my place, my duty, to have reminded you of dangers that can alone be escaped from by reliance on God. No, Frank, in my pride and folly I exalted you in my thoughts above every man on earth. I believed other men could be weak in temptation and fall into sin, but it never once crossed my imagination that you could. Your long sickness in S-, in the hands of that unfortunate creature who saved your life, your agouy at the result of her presence in your house, your despair and terrible purpose, that horrid, hor- rid vision that was sent by a merciful God to save you, will all haunt me while life is left to me; yes, and will be a burden for me to lay down only at the edge of the grave. Time and God's grace may enable me to support it well and cheerfully, but it will never pass away nor grow lighter. My darling, loved husband, what now shall be our course ? You are forgiven within my heart of hearts; yes, without the least reservation, my darling Frank, for whatever fault or sin there is in the past is mine as well as your's to repent of, and will only be remembered when I pray to God to forgive us both our pride, and grant us the grace to accept His chastisement without a murmur. It is no small happiness that our hearts are one, as of old, and will beat to- gether in sorrow, and in sunshine, too, if permitted to fall on our future way of life. But, Frank, my suffering darling, how is it, that when I think of now joining you, I see a gulf at my feet that nothing seems to bridge over; awake or asleep, I see the gulf there, and find it utterly impossible to bring myself to attempt its passage. In my struggles to overcome myself, my reason itself grows dim. I feel that to do so would violate some hidden sentiment dear and sacred to us both. Some indescribable feeling, that if I were to disre- gard, you could not, it appears to me, respect and love me, just as you used to do. No, my darling, I find we cannot regain what we have lost by rudely attempting to crush out what our education fostered and entwined around our love for each other, and gave it such an exquisite charm. I feel that we can love each other best by remaining apart, for awhile at least, and in this I want your free consent, for, in all things, I am again your wife to command. God can bridge the gulf our forgetfulness of the necessity of His care opened between us. Let us look forward then with hope, even for this world. You ask me to say that I want you to love me just the same as ever. My darling husband, your love to me is life itself. Yes, Frank, love me, and call me my pet name, and it will, to me, have its old endearing sound. You ask me to tell you to live for me. Yes, my darling, live for me, for on you I will de- pend for all my wants. No dress nor ornament shall I ever wear but those that come from your hands. Send me back to your darling mother's home, and bid me stay until you return from California, which do not defer longer than stern duty to others demands. But, oh, Frank, if sickness should again overtake you, send for me, send for me without a moment's hesitation; I will fly to you, and then that horrid gulf will be closed, never to open more. And if sickness comes to me, Frank, fly to me, fly to me, and you shall find no gulf between us. Frank, my darling, how can I say the part- ing words ? My brain is weary, and scarce fit to guide me to them. May God, in His goodness, bless and keep you safe, is the prayer of your darling wife. NELLIE.
CHAPTER X.
SUSAN MARSH'S SUBSEQUENT HISTORY-CONCLUSION.
To complete this little history, I have a few more events of in- terest to relate, in addition to what Henry has told us.
Katie, Ellen's faithful attendant, was soon married to Peter, the engineer, and made him a true and loving helpmate. Peter, in a very little time, obtained the partnership his ambition sought, and is now one of our first citizens in wealth, as well as in social position. Katie was but a bright type of that class of Irish work- ing girls that pushed their way to California with the first immi- gration. Their industrious habits, and unquestioned morality and virtue, caused them to be sought for as wives by our pioneer farmers and mechanics ; and they are now to be found, all over the State, in happy homes, surrounded by good and virtuous children; an honor to the community in which they live, and the pride of the race from which they sprang.
At the time Henry Philips went to S- to dismiss Susan Marsh from Frank Harvey's premises, he was filled with the bit- terest and most indignant feelings towards her, and intended to be outspoken and summary in his dealings with her. He took a check for one thousand dollars with him, which Frank told him to give her. He found her seated in the rocking-chair in the little room she had occupied, next to Frank's. " Woman," said he, " I come to dismiss you from this place." She started from her seat, and, regarding him with a cold, desolate, hopeless look, shrank away from him like a withered thing. Henry had not the heart to say another angry word ; so, changing the tone of his voice, he continued, holding out the check towards her: " Here is a thousand dollars Mr. Harvey sent you." She did not reach for it; so, after a pause, and in a voice that was almost kind, he said: "Yes; take it. It is lawfully yours, and if you use it rightly it may help you to turn over a new leaf, and to find a returning road from the terrible life you have been leading." A glance of the faintest hope seemed to struggle for expression in the gloom
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of her face. She reached for the check with a trembling hand. Henry hastily left the room, and, as he hurried down the stairs, he found himself muttering a prayer for the unfortunate girl. Susan Marsh did make an effort to turn over a new leaf, and the big charity to be found in California, and in California only, gave her the chance. By an accident, the very next day, she met with a Mr. and Mrs. Burk, a worthy couple, who were about to open a restaurant in the neighborhood, where now stands the city of Marysville. To Mrs. Burk she fully explained her history, and her resolution to change her life. Without hesita- tion, the Burks determined to help her; so they hired her to assist them, as cook, at the highest wages then going. In this new position she was entirely unknown. She worked hard, and continued faithful to her resolution and to her employers. After a year thus well spent, she received an offer of marriage from a rough, honest pioneer cattle-man, who often refreshed himself at Mr. Burk's restaurant when his business caused him to visit Marysville. Susan rejected the offer over and over, but her suitor would not take "No" for an answer; so, at Susan's request, Mr Burk gave him her true history. The stock-man reflected a moment, then said:
" You say she has turned over a new leaf for a fact and truth ? "
" I believe it, truly, and so does my wife," said Mr. Burk.
" Well, then," continued the stock-man, "I am not exactly a saint myself, and I will not go back on her. My home shall be her home, and God will help us both."
And so it was that Susan Marsh became an honest man's wife, and that man had never cause to regret his generosity.
When Frank read Ellen's letter he was not cast down, for he was a better judge of Ellen's feelings than any one, and had har- bored no hope of an immediate reunion. Her full and entire forgiveness, and her expressions of unchanged love gave him the greatest consolation, and made him feel more like himself than he had been for months. The evident struggle, too, she was making to pass the "gulf" she spoke of, filled him with hope for the future, and made life once more dear to him. He wrote a warm, generous letter to her, acquiescing in all her plans for the future, and saying everything that he thought would make her feel happy. One more sorrowful day was in store for him, how- ever, that wilted him almost to the ground. It was the day the
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steamer left San Francisco, with Ellen on board. Henry had found a most agreeable escort for Ellen in an Episcopal clergy- man and his amiable wife, who had been out here in the interest of the Episcopal Church, which was then just struggling for po- sition in San Francisco, and who were now returning to New York. Mr. and Mrs. H -- were highly educated and of the most refined manners, devoid of all those narrow prejudices which hang around ignorant pretenders in religion, of which, however, we see so little in California. Henry gave them an outline of Ellen's story, and found that they were of those who could per- fectly comprehend her, and as Henry related the sad events neither could restrain their deep emotion. Before leaving, Rev. Mr. H-, prompted by gentlemanly feeling as well as by ad- miration of the old missionary, Father D-, called to see him, and requested his views as to making any further effort on the passage home to move Ellen's resolution.
" If she herself opens the subject," said the Father, " I would advise that you and your good lady say whatever seems well to your judgment at the time, but otherwise leave all to time. For God will, in his own way, guide the poor, dear child. This is my view, but I see you understand her character, and I feel sure you can rely on your own judgment how to act, and will do as well as I could possibly do."
As the day for Ellen's leaving approached, Frank sent her a powerful glass, with the request that as the steamer went through the Golden Gate, she should look to the summit of Telegraph Hill, for he would be there, waving his handkerchief. She took the glass with eagerness, and did look, and did see him. It was the only sight she had of him in California. I will not describe the scene which followed that sight, as related to me by the clergyman's wife in after years. How she fainted away, the glass dropping from her hand overboard, and the sad hours and days that followed; for it would only give useless pain. Ellen arrived home in safety, and was received by Frank's mother and Uncle John Grant as a loved child only could be received. Under their fostering care she became calm, cheerful and almost happy.
After Ellen's departure, Frank at once returned to S- to wind up his business. He was cheerful and always composed, exact and clear in all his business transactions; but a close ob- server would see that a great change had come over him. His
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merry, ringing laugh was no more heard. His appetite was slight, and his great physical powers seemed somewhat to yield. It was about three months after Ellen's departure that a friend induced him to take a ride with him in the country. They were overtaken by the very first storm of the season. It was terribly severe, and drenched them both to the skin. Frank took a severe cold, from which he never entirely recovered. It soon settled on his lungs, and then a fear seized him that he should never see Ellen again. This induced him, without a moment's hesitation, to turn all his business over to Mr. Neil to close up, and he left for home in the very next steamer for Panama. On his journey he grew worse and worse, so that the day he arrived at his mother's he was unable to walk without assistance. Frank's determination to leave California was so suddenly taken that he had no way of advising Ellen or his mother of his intentions, for no telegraph then crossed the plains; so the first intimation any of them had was a dispatch his mother received from New York, announcing his arrival.
Ellen was in Philadelphia on a visit to her uncle at the time, so that when Frank reached his mother's house Ellen was not there to meet him. As his mother threw her arms around his wasted form, she could not restrain her sobs and weeping. Unele John Grant, too, gave way to bitter grief. " Oh, mother, my own loved, darling mother, and dear Uncle John, do not weep so, I beseech you; for if the worst comes to the worst, you know I am here with you all, and my darling Ellen will be here, too, and our separation will, after all, be only for a day, and then we shall all meet to part no more; so do not weep, my dar- ling mother."
The next day Ellen arrived. Mrs. Harvey and Uncle John ran to meet her as she alighted from the carriage. A hurried kiss they gave her, but not a word could they or Ellen utter. There were many friends in the parlor and hall, who had come to make inquiries for Frank. As Ellen passed through them, all arose from an involuntary impulse; but not a word was spoken as she hurried on towards Frank's room.
In a moment more Ellen and Frank were clasped in each other's arms. Yes; the "gulf" Ellen had seen at her feet in San Francisco was gone forever. Yet one short month was all of this life that was left to them to enjoy together on earth; for at the end of that time they were called on to part-and with relig-
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ious faith and perfect resignation they obeyed the summons.
Ellen continued to reside with Frank's mother until her death, and they were a loving and devoted mother and daughter to each other.
Then came Death once more on his mission. Uncle John Grant and the dear mother both died in quick succession, leaving Ellen alone. She was the wealthiest and most beautiful widow in southern Pennsylvania.
In fulfillment of a long settled determination, she resigned all her wealth. First, she gave liberally to relatives who needed a helping hand, and all the rest she assigned to charitable insti- tutions. She then bade farewell to the world. Resigning her name, and taking a new one in religion, she became a Sister of Charity. She was one of the most active and useful members of the sisterbood, and always seemed cheerful and happy. After years, she was sent on the mission to New Orleans. It was just before the rebellion broke out, and before its close her task was done, and her crown won, for she died from an all night's ex- posure on the battle-field succoring the wounded.
When I went East, eight years ago, impelled by an irresistible feeling, I turned out of my way to visit the grave of Frank Har- vey. The monument was of the finest marble, chaste and beau- tiful in plan and construction. On one side, in a niche cut in the monument, was inserted a cross fashioned with exquisite taste, from California gold quartz, and sparkling with the pre- cious metal. As I leaned on the massive iron railing surround- ing the monument, memory carried me back to the days when Frank Harvey and all of us first heard of gold in California, and I could not help exclaiming: "Oh, California, California! if every grave into which the discovery of the long-hidden treasure has sunk a weary, broken heart, was decked as this grave is, there is scarce one graveyard from the St. Lawrence to the Rio Grande, that would not, in some part of it, flaunt thy glittering GOLD!"
ADA ALLEN;
OR,
THE HUSBAND'S SURPRISE.
CHAPTER I.
ARRIVAL IN SAN FRANCISCO-CAPTAIN CASSERLY.
In the month of March, 1850, soon after the first wharf ac- commodation was provided in the harbor of San Francisco, the mail steamer arrived from Panama, bringing, as one of her thousand passengers, the heroine of the little history which I am about to relate. The steamer's gun was fired as she entered the harbor, and was heard all over the city. Hundreds, as was always the case on this signal, rushed towards the wharf. It was after dark when the steamer came alongside, and then was enacted one of those scenes never to be forgotten by a " '49er," and of which a description is impossible. Husbands dashed wildly around looking for their expected wives; brothers to find an expected sister, who had summoned courage to face California life; friends looking for friends; sons for fathers; brother for brother. It seemed a general scramble, made worse by hotel and boarding-house runners seeking for guests. You hear joyous exclamations and laughter on all sides, and sobbing and weep- ing too, but, as a whole, every one looks wild with joy and ex- citement. Now and then you observe a sad, anxious looking face. It is some young fellow, perhaps, who, having just grad- uated at college, has ventured to California to seek his fortune,
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with scarce a dollar in his pocket. He has left for the first time fond parents, brothers and sisters, now so far away. His young heart quails within him as he realizes that the battle-ground of life is now before him, and that the struggle, in which he is to be an actor and upon which his all depends, has, in fact, begun this very night. But now, you can see, as you watch him, that he seems to shut his teeth together, and you fancy, from his reso- lute look, that he says to himself: "I am an American, and there is no such word as fail for me." Or, it may be, you see some poor wife, who has not yet seen her husband coming to claim her, and whose heart is choked with vague apprehensions of evil! Or, it may be, your eye rests on a blooming young girl, with her heart full of the purest love, and of that courage to face a pioneer life, that is so much a part of the American char- acter, and that has done so much to build us up and make us a great nation. She has come over the wild seas to her lover, on an understanding that he is to meet her, with priest and witness, on the steamer deck and take her from there his wife. Now look again, for there the lover comes, faithful to his promise, with a gay party full of joyous excitement, all laughing and fairly up- roarious, as they hug and kiss the now happy girl! The clergy- man may be the Reverend Mr. Ver Mehr, who did so much for the Episcopal Church in those early days. The crowd all gather around, in hushed attention, as the reverend gentleman begins the solemn marriage ceremony of his church. The last word of the ceremony is said, and then a rush is made for the first kiss of the bride, but the husband is too quick for outsiders; the first from the lips of his brave pioneer wife is his! Then arises cheer after cheer, caught up by all, until now it rings along the whole length of the wharf. Look again; there comes a lady with her husband, whom she has just met. She has four fine children; the eldest is a beautiful little girl of eight years!
" Make way for the children! make way for the children! Stand aside! stand aside!" is now the cry from the crowd. Then some one calls out: "Three cheers for the children!" and "Three more for the mother who brought them!" adds another.
Oh ! they are given with a will; for nothing in those days stirred the hearts of Californians as did the advent of a virtuous woman and children, or a marriage scene!
Look again. See that powerful-looking man in the miner's rig of red overshirt, with the customary Chinese red silk sash
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around his waist. His exterior is rough, but his heart is gentle. He is pressing forward towards the children as they are making their way through the crowd, and, leaning forward, he says to the mother, as he holds out a beautiful specimen of gold:
" I dag this out myself. May I give it to you, little girl ?"
A glance at his face, and the gentle tone of his voice, con- vinces the mother that the gift is an offering of an absent father of children, far away and devotedly loved, and her heart is full at the thought.
" Yes, certainly,"' she responds; and as the child takes the gift with a sweet "Thank you, sir," the mother adds, "Kiss the gen- tleman, Emma."
Then the child raises her little cherry lips, and the miner stoops and kisses her. He turns quickly away, drawing his broad-brimmed California hat down more over his face, to hide from view struggling tears and emotion that he could not con- trol.
Now, as we stand on the lower step of the stairs that lead to the main cabin, let us look again, and we shall see a lady stand- ing at the door of a stateroom, holding the hand of a child, a sweet little girl, while another, a fine little boy, is amusing him- self near her. She is young, and remarkably beautiful; stylish and dignified in her bearing. You cannot define exactly the ex- pression of her countenance. It betrays great anxiety; yet there is a calmness and a sort of determined, forced repose about it that puzzles you as you observe her closely. Just then she speaks to the stewardess, and asks her to request the Captain to come and see her. After a few moments the Captain is there.
" What can I do for you, Mrs. Allen? I am at your command," he said, politely.
" Captain," said Mrs. Allen, with a cordial smile, but with a slight tremor in her voice, " I want to ask you if there are any of the police force near at hand."
" Why, yes, dear Mrs. Allen, certainly there are; but I trust nothing has gone wrong," said the Captain, looking surprised, if not alarmed.
" Oh, no, Captain, not in the least, I assure you, but I want an officer to accompany me to my husband's house."
" Why, Mrs. Allen, I fear you have a low estimate of our city of San Francisco. I assure you there is not a city in the world where a lady, who is a lady, is so safe as in San Francisco. The
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man who would insult or offend a lady in San Francisco would be dealt with without judge or jury the moment his offence was known."
" That I perfectly understand, Captain; but yet I am somewhat timid, and I would be much obliged if you would introduce to me an officer with whom you, Captain, are personally acquainted, and to whom you would say that you personally know me."
Mrs. Allen said all this in a tone of decision, evidently intended to cut off all further question by the Captain.
" Most certainly I will, with great pleasure," said the Captain. Then he added, so as to put her at her ease: "And undoubtedly you are right. It is the best way."
In a few minutes the Captain reappeared, accompanied by Cap- tain George Casserly, of the San Francisco police.
Captain Casserly was as odd a genius as ever lived. I knew him well, as he was my fellow-passenger from New York around Cape Horn. He was full of fun, and, I may say, of absurdity, too. Nothing was business to him if it did not have a streak of waggery or some sort of excitement about it. He loved mystery, and was never so pleased as when his position in the Police De- partment led him into the secrets of San Francisco life. He was good-hearted and charitable to a fault, which often led him to overlook what his duty as a police officer should have made him see. He was careless to almost recklessness in all that related to himself, and never, apparently, gave a thought to the future.
As the steamer Captain left Mrs. Allen, and went on deck, al- most the first person he met was Captain Casserly. In a few words he told him of Mrs. Allen's strange request. "For," said the Captain, " it would have been more natural if she had asked me to procure her an escort, or told me to send a messenger to let her husband know that she had arrived; but I saw she wanted no questions asked, so I want you, Captain, to let me have one of your force-some intelligent fellow-to see the lady home."
At once Captain Casserly's face, usually almost stolid when in repose, lit up, and a bright twinkle of fun or pleasure danced in his eyes.
" Fun on hand, sure," said he to himself. Then to the Cap- tain: " You know the lady, personally, I suppose, Captain?"
" Most certainly I do; and she is of one of the best families in the State of New Jersey, and her husband you must know, Ed- mund F. Allen, who is a merchant in this city."
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" Allen!" exclaimed Casserly, in a tone of surprise. "Of course I know him. He is of the firm of Allen, Wheeler & Co."
" The same," said the Captain.
" I will go with the lady myself, Captain; so introduce me."
When the Captain introduced the police officer to Mrs. Allen, he did so in a formal manner, at the same time saying something complimentary of him as an officer and as a man. Then, excus- ing himself on the score of pressing duties elsewhere, he ex- tended his hand to wish his passenger good-by.
Mrs. Allen's manner and expression changed in a moment. She grasped his hand, and, in a sweet, cordial voice, thanked him warmly for all his attentions and many kindnesses to her and the children.
" Do not speak of it, my dear Mrs. Allen. I did but my duty, and then I claim to be a personal friend of your hus- band's ; and for him I would be glad to do much more, if in my power. Please tell him I will call at his place of business and congratulate him on this happy termination of his misery. He will now be the envy of all grass widowers in San Fran- cisco."
Mrs. Allen was on the point of asking him to call at the cot- tage, on Stockton street, but somehow she could not command the words. So, bowing with a smile, to acknowledge the Captain's compliment, she remained silent, and the Captain disappeared. Mrs. Allen now turned to the Police Captain, and, resuming her reserved manner, said, in a calm, steady voice:
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