USA > California > The California pilgrim: a series of lectures > Part 15
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A few trees were still standing on the acres covered by The trees, tim- the town, which somewhat graced it; and the ber, and general
aspect. heights near by could boast some fair timber. In general, there was a dearth of water, greenness, order, and beauty, and one who did not know the reason, would have tried in vain to think of a reason, for building such a town, much less for building one in such a locality.
Over the point of a hill, in another ravine, with a small
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rill of water in it, they found a dozen Celestials learning the art of finding gold. All together, their force was about equal to a man and a boy, but if they obtained knowledge Pursuit of earth, 10 faster than they obtained precious metal, ly knowledge. they were likely to go on, in their small way, till they forgot they were the children of the sun and moon, and wore their queues as convenient handles to take them where they came from.
Mr. Thriftwise said, the town could not boast any rapid growth since the famous year of '49, though it was not without progress. It was the seat of justice for the county, a county as long and narrow, in its proportions, as a slice of rye bread down east ; but, as yet, justice had no temple among them, other than a split shingle shanty, with The halls of jus. a painted front, and so she dwelt, of necessity,
lice. much retired ; few, but the lawyers, being able to find her. The law had advocates enough, in their community, but the gospel found few supporters. There was neither church nor parsonage built, and their stated preaching had been only semi-occasional. Political meet- ings, and conventions, always assembled on Saturday, so as to improve Sunday, when it was needed, and some body would come forward to talk politics. More than one Political con- candidate for office had recently given them ventions and a Sunday speech ; showing, by their conduct, Sunday speech-
es. how much easier it was to throw religion out of polities, than to take such an element in, especially when one wished to go to Congress.
They had an independent paper, which, belonging to no party, must, of course, favor both ; and, being independent, must never censure any one, for fear of losing his patronage. As to employing anything else than the most flattering
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language and choice compliments towards the people and the town, it would not do. People did not support a paper to
Independent tell them their faults, correct their morals, and
newspaper. improve their manners, their habits, and their homes. If the citizens could not be flattered by their own paper, as the most energetic, prosperous, virtuous, refined, literary, tasteful and pious people in the known world, why, then they would kick the independent journal out of their houses, because it was getting above its business. It was so in more places than one in Bustledom.
Pilgrim inquired, if those who were freshly come from the cast were not shocked by the vain, irreverent, and godless habits and practices of the people, and if it did not take a long time for them to get to thinking and acting in the same way as those, who, from being better men, had grown pro- New comers are fanc, and outlandish in dress, speech and not always the
best and the behavior. Mr. Thriftwise said it was easy most reliable
men. always to distinguish a new comer, but not commonly in that way. Those who came intending, at all hazards, to keep a good character, would do so, even in the worst circumstances; but such as came ignorantly, and thoughtlessly, in respect to such things, were very often overpowered by temptations, and carried away by excite- ment, and by the examples of companions and old acquaintances.
There was still another class, who came from home ready to engage in anything that would pay, no matter what. They were debauched before coming here, and their evil ways were not chargeable on California, only as Some spoiled be-
fore they set out
for the land of
she furnished them opportunities for doing
gold.
things they were long ago ready to do, but were afraid to do, till they got away, far from their own and
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old homes. Ile could tell an incident of his recent experience. A young man had called on him several times without finding him at home. When he did see him, all he wished was, to know what he should go to doing. He had A hopeful citi- been three weeks in the state, and had spent his zen. last hundred dollars in looking him up, in order to know what to do.
Mr. Thriftwise said he felt indignant, tliat such a man, whom he had scarcely known, years before, and whose character he did not admire then, should come to him, like a mere child, to ask what to do. He determined to test and sound him. So he took him, confidentially, up stairs, and, speaking in whispers, asked him if he were quick, and sly, and could keep a secret. He presumed he was gifted in those ways. Then, said I, the most profitable business done in Bustledom is stealing. Stealing, said he, is it possible ? Startling propo- stealing what ? Oh, said I, stock, goods, gold
sals. dust, any thing. Regular business ; organized parties ; depots all about the country. But, said he, is it considered legitimate ? is there no danger? I replied, we don't think of legitimacy ; only of the profits ; it pays well ; that is all.
Of course, there is danger. If you are caught, your neck is stretched. You must look out for that. Remember, when you are at it, " that dead men tell no tales." He shook his head, and hesitated. But, what pay am I sure of ? said he. Not less than a thousand dollars per month ; and, if you are expert, and never caught, a good deal more. Ile consents to It is what I never thought of, said he, but, at go into the steal- ing business if it will pay. those rates, it will pay well. I'll go in, and run the risk. I must make something, now I am here. But, what would folks at home think ! How-
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ever, twenty five thousand, in a year or two, that would make it all right. I'll go in, and risk it, said he, rubbing his hands. Mr. Thriftwise, just tell me how.
Then I said, Sir, I beg your pardon, I have been deceiving you, on purpose to try you, I suspected you. My suspicions have been confirmed. You came here, not to make your living, or wealth, honestly, but a scoundrel at A serious accu- heart. You were ready to disgrace your sation against an embarrassed man. friends, to unman yourself, to trample on the laws of your country, to forsake God and all goodness, to rob your fellow men, and to abandon all claims to common respect and esteem, for the sake of money, and have professed yourself ready, even to steal, and to become one of a gang of thieves. You can go, sir. This matter lies only between us. If you do not yet know what A moral lecture. to do, I know what you have said you were willing to do. Go, and work honestly ; and do not think that I shall soon forget you. I have seen too many like you. Heaven grant, I may incet no more such. The country can well spare their coming, and their presence, and our towns will rejoice when similar specimens cease to arrive.
So, young Mr. Filchfur hurried away, and when last heard of, he was in a distant county trying to get an office, in which endeavor he had some prospect of succeeding. This man, said Mr. Thriftwise, is one of the many who come here, Importation of villains already, at heart; and when they act ready made vil- lains.
out their villainy, people at the cast charge it all to the account of California wickedness ; when, in fact, these same characters would go east, put on the same old cloak of goodness, and people there would never suspect them.
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Now I saw, that they left this second village without a church, situated only an easy day's ride from the city of Embankment, having bidden Mr. Thriftwise farewell, and went toward the top of a high ridge, running nearly north and south. At the end of a few miles, they were The road leads at the pitch of the hill, and looked down down into a chasm. into an awful chasm, and upon scenery grand, and beautiful in its sublimity, though it was only the beginning of such things. They prepared to descend. A deep ravine It was a long journey, and windings, haltings,
with men at the bottom. and holdings, made it still longer, and it seemed as if they never would reach the bottom. They knew there was a bottom, for they could see it; but, when they had gone down so far that the height they had left seemed to touch the sky over their heads, still the bottom appeared as distant as when they first gazed into the depth, and men were only pigmies in appearance, and looked like flocks of fowls, moving about on the ground.
Night had almost gathered again, when they came down to the edge of the water of the North Fork of the American. At least, it was like evening there ; for the sun was out of sight, and they saw not his face again, till the following day, very late in the morning. Here the Pilgrim They are now and Keep Faith saw, for the first time, river in the mines, & mining, dams, toms, sluices, fumes, wheels, see things with their own eyes. shovels, pieks, pans, long boots, and other paraphernalia. Right glad they were to rest awhile, and look on the operations of these Yankee miners, in their varied and grotesque attire. The beards and mustachios of nearly all were of full growth, a razor not having passed upon them for a good many months. Their hats were of every order and style. Their shirts were flannel of some
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color, blue, red, scarlet, green, yellow, white, striped, or plaid, or some faded memento of these colors, and some were of the sort called hard hack, or hickory. Some of them A busy place, where men were working with a will. worked in the water with long boots, and some with none but nature's own. It was a busy scene. Stones were flying, dirt was shoveling, toms were rocking, water was splashing, and, as they were down close to the bed rock, all were in a state of excitement and restless anxiety. At length they panned out, and two or three pounds of gold showed its bright color, and they were in extacies ; for the yield indicated a hundred dollars per day to a man.
In a short time, the travelers went on, following the course of the river, by a narrow path, now close to the
They go on up water, now over the rocks, and now far up on
the stream. the steep hill side, and came, at length, to the cabin of Mr. Antiquary's oft tried friend, one Mr. Upheaval. He was taken by surprise. But he proffered the hospitalities of his home, as though it were a palace. The floor was the ground, the table was of slabs, and there were stools of wood. The kitchen furniture comprised a dinner pot, a The cuisine of a frying pan, and a stewing dish. Tea was miner. made in a large tin vessel, and drank from smaller ones. The food extended to cold beef, potatoes, pickles, and hard bread ; any of which things a hungry man would relish.
During the evening, Mr. Upheaval gave them an account of his mining history for three years ; in which he had made fortunes and lost them, with equal facility ; though he had The doings of never failed in the time to send home a liberal Mr. Upheaval. monthly instalment, for the benefit of his family. Ilis enterprises had been prodigious, and he was 15
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still engaged in carrying on gigantic schemes, and working with his own hands and head, like one that knew no such word as fail, and never would give up.
They slept, some in bunks, some on the benches and table, and some on the ground ; and they were lulled to sleep Lulled to sleep by the murmur, ripple, and roar of the waters on primitive conches. tumbling over rocks and dams, and rushing through flumes and narrows.
All the next day, they toiled, wearisomely, along up the stream, keeping as near to it as possible, and observing the men by whom they passed, and their works. They were astounded by the evidences of labor, seen on every side, and the long continued, and almost superhuman, energy that must have been tasked in bringing about so stupendous The giants quite results. These works might put to shame the
outdonc,
poor old giants of fable, that piled Pelion upon Ossa ; for, here had been rocks enough removed to make both of those mountains, and work enough done, to break down all the giants.
It was sunset, when they reached a large and famous encampment, only a few miles distant from a town with a very droll name Near by were certain canyons with unmen- tionable names. At this point they lodged. During the evening they went out and looked through the encampment. It was Saturday evening, and the week's work was done ; and some had received their weekly pay. There was no regular gaming saloon in the place ; but cards were found Saturday night every where. The trading houses were at an encamp-
ment of miners. groceries, hotels, bar rooms, and so on, all combined ; and the gaming that was done in earnest, was in these. There were monte, faro, whist, cucher, jack, poker, and such games, but a favorite game was "freeze out
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poker." The favorite stake, in this game, was a can of peaches, or other preserved fruit, or some such delicacy, toward the purchase of which, three, five, or seven persons contributed each his share of money. By the rules of the game, when one found himself and his cards in a Freezing out. certain fix, he was excluded, or frozen out ; then another, and another,and the last was the winner. It was only an ingenious mode of raffling. Of course, there was not much delicacy about these apartments. The miners did not change their garbs, before entering for the evening ; and they were smoking, drinking, swearing, and boasting incessantly.
Some appeared to be trying how fast they could get rid of their week's earnings, by foolish purchases, stakes, a great deal of hard drinking, and inviting every body else to drink, and becoming too generous to preserve even a cent for after wants. Some they saw in their cabins, who were reckoning up their proceeds, adjusting accounts, and hoarding away the most of their dust. Some were in groups, talking Wife, children, of home, family, friends, and days lang syne, and friends. and wondering whether fortune would favor their return, or bring their dear ones thither. But the great majority were going, from store to store, and shop to shop, and spending time and money recklessly. And, in general, this squandering class was the one that com- Plained most of hard times, and evil fortunes. And, surely, they were badly off.
Sunday was as noisy and boisterous, as Saturday; but in a different way. There was no digging; yet there were gambling, chaffering, trading, and auctioncering done. There were also crowds in the streets, or the places so denominated. In their cabins, men washed dishes, and
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cleaned up extraordinarily. They washed soiled garments Occupations on at the river. They cleaned and reloaded fire- the first day of
the week. arms. They went after their weeks supply of provisions. They made articles for use, repaired damaged tools and garments, prospected, paid off bills, sent to the post office, wrote letters, read newspapers and novels, loafed about for excitement, and did all the odd jobs they could think of, except to trim their hair and beards.
Pilgrim and his companions early went to the village of Down East James ; for they supposed they might find a preacher there, and attend divine worship with his congre- gation. But no one they met could tell if there were preaching ; or, if so, where it might be. Thus they found
themselves in the midst of a crowd of godless Down East James' villago.
men, and the hurry, noise, and strife of a mining town on the Lord's day. And, surely, the sight was sad enough ; for here was Vanity Fair outdone in vanity, if not in folly and in crime.
MORAL.
There is no divine institution, no appointment of God for the race of man, so slighted and set at nought among us, as the Sabbath, one day in seven for a day of holy rest. The casting away of its benefits, the neglect of its mercies, the rejection of its duties, the abuse and desceration of the day ; these are common enough, and shameful enough, in our cities and best regulated com- munities. But the profanation of the day, that prevails, generally, in the mining districts, is alarming, is dreadful.
We have need of a reform in this matter. Yca, this must be the beginning of all public reforms; the chief
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among private ones. I can not state the case stronger than it is, nor can you casily imagine it to be worse than you will find it. If you travel up and down our rivers, ravines, and mountains, you will have every religious sensibility shocked, if not every human one wounded. You can not but feel the need of that reform which now is urged. If you have anything beyond the merest semblance of piety, not to say humanity, in your souls, you will yourselves urge the reform with all your might.
By your private example, by your public efforts, by encouraging those who keep the Sabbath, by discouraging those who break it, by all the ways in which influence may be exerted, you have all something to do, each in his sphere, in promoting this reform. You ought neither to patronize, in a business way, individuals, associations, or corporations, nor to vote any into offices of honor and trust, that are known, openly and shamelessly, to violate the sacredness of the day.
Well you know how needful to health and vigor is physical rest, one day in seven. Well you know how needful to the mind, and the genial and harmonious exercise of all the intellectual faculties, is just such a change for the thoughts, just such a recreation, as the Sabbath is wont to bring. Well you know what need there is for a day, so often, to check the ongoing of affairs, to arrest the noise and strife without, to free from the cares of business, to hush all tumult and jar, that time may be given for the culture of the soul, to gather hallowing and blessed influences around it, and lift it above all earthly vanities. Well you know, that, without this day of holy rest, there never has been,. there never can be, any true and steady maintenance of religion, much less, any growth and spread of it And well
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you know, that, without religion, there is no heaven for man above, and none begun below.
Thus you know that " the Sabbath was made for man ;" as our Lord himself hath declared. Your observation goes not but to confirm his word. Act up to the full measure of the dictates of your understanding. By your life and labors evince how confidently you believe the Savior's saying, how thoroughly you have learned the lessons of Providence. Your hopes for peaceful communities, wise laws, good governments, splendid cities, a noble state, prosperity on the earth, and a home in heaven, all, all, depend on your keeping a weekly Sabbath, and your resting, according to God's commandment !
LECTURE XI.
Now I saw in my dream, when Pilgrim and his companions perceived that they were in the very midst of the village of Down East James, of a Sunday, and could find no place where public worship was held, that they were at a loss what to do. For, if they remained in the streets, and drifted about with the crowds, they would seem Wishing toavoid to be spending the Lord's day in the same the appearance of evil. manner as those who had no regard for it. Although it was suggested, that, by doing so, they would learn, from observation of their own, more about the habits and practices prevalent at such places on that day of the week, than were possible otherwise, they could not consent to spend the day in that manner.
They were relieved of their difficulties by meeting with one Mr. Impulsate, a very good sort of a man, in his way, whom Mr. Antiquary had known for some years. He was, by regular calling, a physician, and sometimes had practised medicine. He had, also, at times, essayed the practice of law ; sometimes he had been a public functionary ;
A man of parts, sometimes he had kept a store ; sometimes he & experiments. had gone into real estate operations ; sometimes
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he had engaged in quartz mills; and sometimes he had tried banking. He had, at one time and another, bought into and sold out of, almost every species of stocks in the market. He had been just ready to go east, and expecting to start, every next month, for a year or two, but was never able to close up his business satisfactorily, or to get his friends off from his hands, so as to start freely. He had sold out, and relocated several times, on the same spot, in the same place ; and several times, in as many different places. He had been rich, and poor again, more times than he could remember. He had never been without a half a Benevolence & dozen men and women under his care, whom zeal in no want
of object :. he was trying to get situations for; his benevolence always outdoing his discretion, and his hope- fulness keeping quite in advance of his energies, although they were wonderful.
Dr. Impulsate had but recently come to this town, lately sprung up, with its broad, descending street, new houses, of A newly built light hued wood, unpainted, and, therefore, of town, of wood color. one color; and yet in consequence of this uniformity, presenting a tidy and neat appearance, as if fresh from the builders' hands and the workmen's tools. Ile was hurrying along to visit a patient, when accosted by Mr. Antiquary. He was very glad to see them all ; for he loved the company of good men, which the very habits of his life deprived him of. He took them to his office, and had them provided with quiet seats, and a few good books, till his return from his calls.
But their very retreat overlooked the whole village, and the noise of the streets was not shut out by the thin partitions. Crowds of teams had contrived to get in on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. From his wagon,
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Street traffic on one was peddling fruits ; another was retailing Sunday. notions ; another, clothing ; and another, boots
and shoes. Merchants were auctioncering at their doors,
and teamsters from their wagons. Music, and the clangor of trumpets, pealed incessantly, or, in vocal utterances, screeched and screamed, from the saloons and groggeries. Bar keepers were in demand; and there was heard the popping of corks, the ringing of glasses, the jingling of decanters, and rattle and din of every sort. All was There is nosmall exhilaration, excitement, activity, motion, life
stir among the people.
Money was all the while changing hands. There was no quiet, no reserve, no self possession. All was bewilderment. Men forgot where they were, why they came, what the day was for, when they should depart, and wherewith.
As it drew toward evening, the throng in the streets was less, and the clamors and appeals of the auctioneers ceased ; but the songs and shouts of mirth and revelry rather increased, and there began to be boasting, scolding, loud altercations, quarreling, fighting, and shooting, here and there.
Pack loads of goods and stores on mules, and back The after part of loads of goods on men, were leaving every the day. moment. All sorts of mining implements and supplies were loading into very unpretending vehicles, for the small shops and branch stores, in the ravines, and on the bars, wherever wheeled vehicles could be made to go, without whirling more than once over at an upset.
When the night came, the calm stars shone from their blue depths, with diamond gleam ; the same sweet stars that had smiled on the Pilgrim in his early days, and had come to be his most familiar friends, as they rose and set in their
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brilliant constellations. But there, in that newly built village, what scenes of guilt did they not look down on, from their far heights, all so passive and undisturbed ! The streets were nearly abandoned. The gaming saloons were The doings du- full. Groups of eager faced men were watch-
ring the evening. ing about the tables, as excited companions staked and lost, coin after coin. They looked ou one of these, when the tide turned, as he thought in his favor, and he bet high and lost all. They saw him, as he went away, pale, and trembling, to drink himself into an hour of strange Everything Jost at the gaming ta- ble ; not money alone. forgetfulness. For, in that moment of horri- ble anguish, what pictures were in his mind, of carly home, father and mother, as he knew them once ! And how he thought of child and wife, her last looks, and her latest letters, which were even then in his bosom! What issue was there to be of the wild and disordered life he was leading ! No wonder he would fain forget himself and the world around ! What would he not give to blot out all the past ! What does he not imagine he would essay and accomplish, if he could only be what once he was !
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