reverse, he planted his victorious banners on the most impregnable fortresses and proudest citadels of Mexico. The successful struggle was followed up till the blood-thirstiest war-spirits were glutted with carnage, when, strange to tell, as the storm of battle moved away there appeared in its dismal rearward a bow of hope and promise. By an article of the treaty of peace, it was stipulated that California with her unrivaled seaport and wealth of internal resource should be surrendered to the victors. By this transfer the deadly miasm of civil and religious tyranny that had so long brooded over the land was swept away, and its place supplied by the pure air of freedom. A new field was thus opened for the spread of civilization and free institutions. But the present inhabitants, few in number and incapable of appreciating their privileges, would of themselves reap but little advantage from the change. Though by a strange means one important object, namely, a free government, had been gained, yet a new people of higher abilities and purer religion must be introduced ere the work would be completed. But here very serious difficulties arose. The country was comparatively unknown to our people. Its exceeding beauty and fertility had not been portrayed in the journals of the day. No motions had been or were likely to be urged, strong enough to arrest and interest the popular mind. Moreover, the extreme remoteness of the region as well as the dangers and hardships attending a journey thither must effectually prevent, for the present at least, the emigration of any save perhaps a few daring adventurers. Thus the full settlement of the new province, if effected at all, must be protracted to a very distant period. But here let us again pause and mark the wonderful ways of Providence. Scarcely had the thunder of battle died away upon the ear, and the citizen soldiery resumed their peaceful avocations, when the whole nation was thrown, with electric suddenness, into a state of unheard-of excitement. A humble individual, while strolling beside a stream that came dashing down the mountains where he had been a thousand times before, observing as usual on its pebbly bottom, small, flaky substances glittering in the sun, feels for the first time a curiosity to examine the beautiful spangles more closely. Accordingly he stooped down, and scooping up a handful of the mixture, is leisurely employed in separating the bright particles and admiring their rich hue, when the idea pops, like a meteor, into his head, that the substance he is observing so indifferently, may perhaps be that much coveted metal, gold! Aware of its plenteousness in that region, and having, like the rest of us, the "root of all evil" spreading itself in his heart, he is filled with intense interest, and gives himself no rest till he is transported with delight on finding his suspicions well grounded. The secret of the grand discovery soon struggles forth from those remote wilds, and being caught up by the keen-eyed newspaper falcons on our southern borders is borne with the speed of thought to every hall and hamlet in the land. New developments rapidly follow, and "CALIFORNIA GOLD!" in huge characters, with appropriate "marks of wonder and astonishment," stare in the reader's face from every page of every public journal. Some of the "old settlers," who have had their ears filled before with such El Dorado tales, smile pityingly at the credulity of their neighbors, and congratulate themselves on their superior penetration. But the vast majority swallow all with eager avidity and this once the crazy populace come out ahead of the sages. For this Golden Land, unlike that far-farmed one of Spanish fable, does not recede as the adventurers approach, since some are already returning with palpable signs of its accessibility; though not, like those Eastern enthusiasts, filled with ravishing but fictitious stories of the glittering palaces of the Great Moxo. Official reports, too, from the "gold region" soon make their appearance, confirming previous rumors, and describing even in more glowing phrase the prodigious fruitfulness of the mines, till even the most hardened unbeliever is compelled to " submission." The thing once fairly settled, crowds of adventurers flock to the sea-coast eager to embark. The merchant in his counting-room, the mechanic in his shop, the farmer in his field, are arrested in their slow and tedious pursuit of wealth, and with earnest hearts and blooming hopes set out upon the golden errand. Many a young day-dreamer, overtaken with unutterable enthusiasm, revels in imagination among the splendors and luxuries of princely wealth, till his very night-visions are framed of a golden tissue. Lawyers, doctors, editors and deacons join the same company for the wonderful land. Even ministers have been known to retain so much of the old man as to part without apparent reluctance with all signs of the new, and lay aside the clerical quill for the pickaxe and spade, leaving their fellow-men to seek the true riches as best they may, while they rake together a little of this world's dross. Others, however, of the same class have doubtless gone with the noblest of purposes. I have not space, nor is it necessary, to speak of the vast interests to be affected by this rapid settlement of California, of its tendency to familiarize all nations with each other's languages, customs, and characters, not only upon the soil itself, but by increased facilities of intercommunication between all parts of the earth, of the impulse thus given to the spread of civilization and Christianity, in a word, of the long stride the world has taken in this event towards the latter day glory. All this must be apparent to the most unthinking observer. In all these events, then, we cannot fail to see displayed with striking clearness the hand of Deity. That this immense wealth should have lain undiscovered till this particular and most auspicious moment, must be attributed to an overruling power, especially when it is known that but a few years previous a very celebrated geologist of our land had made a thorough survey of that very region, and, though observing remarkable indications of abundant gold, had neglected to institute the least search; which unaccountable conduct he now avers cannot appear stranger to any than to himself. It is a painful reflection which must thrust itself upon us in connection with this subject, that of the multitudes who have already gone with enthusiasm so ardent and hopes so cloudless, many a one has been shorn of all in a moment, and friends whom he left weeping on the shore have had their heart-strings torn beyond the hope of healing by the news of his fate. To this number belongs the unfortunate individual whose sad story I am now about to relate. Born in a secluded but lovely spot in our glorious New England, he had felt from early boyhood all those influences that tend to give freshness and warmth to the affections, simplicity and beauty to the character, and nobility to the soul. His father was a farmer, in moderate circumstances, yet possessed of all that can in reality make life beautiful and happy. The estate, of narrow limits but of surpassing fertility, lay nestled in a little valley between lofty hills, whose sides were covered from base to summit with forests of oak and pine, save that here and there the continuance was broken by gray piles of frowning rocks. Orchards of choice and thrifty fruit trees stretched away from the little hamlet in every direction, while aged elms and maples, planted by a distant ancestry, and hence seeming to nourish a spirit of sanctity among their moss-grown branches, almost embowered the building itself from sight; yet when approached, it was seen to be of simple architecture, possessing, in short, all the characteristics of an unassuming farm-house. What a cluster of amiable virtues were likely to spring up from such soil, the reader can judge. Nevertheless, for a more intimate acquaintance, let me introduce you to the family circle. The father was an admirable representation of that class of farmers who esteem a life of quietude, virtue, unostentatious benevolence and humble piety, the ultimatum of earthly enjoyment. To train up his family in mutual affection, virtue, intelligence and piety, was to him an object infinitely more worth than to deck the body in purple and gold, while the mind and heart went habited in rags. The benign influence of his example and instructions was deeply felt by the whole household, than which a happier never surrounded the domestic hearthstone. Nor was he without sympathy in his noble views of parental duty, for Providence had blessed his youthful days with one who had proved indeed a help-meet. With the tenderest and holiest affection known to mortal hearts they had threaded together the mazes of life, which had thus far seemed to them but the love-designed windings of a flower-strewn path. And now, as they sat by the evening fireside and beheld the intelligent and happy faces that beamed upon them, they felt the bond grow momently stronger and holier, and together blessed the God who had made them so happy. Their first-born was an only daughter, a beautiful, black-eyed girl, and two years the superior of the subject of our sketch. A more fortunate pair than they, I verily believe have rarely breathed the atmosphere of earth. True, they were not born to rank, or wealth, or what the world calls pleasure, but if purity, and simplicity, and love, sweetened and sanctified by childlike faith, can make a happy home, they were indeed most blest. Who that has known the warmth and tenderness of a sister's love, and such a sister as my friend Ed. Harrow had, can doubt that his young life was as bright and joyous as the summer morning. In childhood, each was the life and soul of the other, and seldom during those long, happy years were they separated from each other's society. Together as spring returned, they planned the miniature flower-garden-together as the warm summer days came on, they strolled into the meadow and wallowed for hours in the sweet-scented grass beneath the apple trees, where the sister gathered nosegays for her brother, or playfully crowned him god of meadows with a chaplet of flowers. As years rolled by, a less tumultuous but deeper and holier affection gradually stole upon them. The gleeful pleasures of childhood gave place to the more contemplative enjoyments of youth. Their minds overstepped by degrees their hitherto narrow limits, and the finer harmonies of the soul began to be awakened by the pure and beautiful in nature and in feeling. They became alive to a new world, before undiscovered, the world of passion, of thought and fancy. The treasures of beauty that lay garnered in the scenery around their own home were opened to their perception, and the lofty hill that rose to the west of the little cottage was oftener climbed, and longer and more earnestly did they gaze from the rock far up on its side, watching on the wooded mountain to the eastward the edge of the golden haze which the sun was spreading over the tree-tops as it crept silently to the summit. Here they learned to love more and more their hill-encircled home, and often as they talked, "The shades of eve came slowly down, The woods were wrapped in deeper brown, The fox was heard upon the fell," ere they quitted the lone rock on the hill-side. But the chill of night and the loved home-joys of the evening time would at length arrest them in their reveries, and with hearts made light by innocent thought they would descend to the cottage. With hope and pride, the parents observed the luster of moral and mental beauty that advancing years were shedding on the countenance of their son, which, like the honey of Hymettus, foretokened a glorious career. Few, indeed, in youth, gave better promise of a useful life. Generous and chivalric by nature, he was ever the comforter of the unhappy and the champion of the injured. Many a bleeding nose has been disarmed of its pain, and many a sad face brightened by his unfailing sympathy. But I must hasten to acquaint the reader with another phase in my friend's history. About a quarter of a mile to the east of the cottage I have described was another, situated in a quiet dell near the base of a gently sloping mountain, and the home of a wealthy family. To one of its inmates, an only daughter and only child, I will now introduce the reader. I have her at this moment in my mind's eye, a girl of seventeen summers, of graceful form and agile step, her blue eyes twinkling roguery and her silken hair dancing like sunbeams about her shoulders. Ella Sanford was a happy creature-her veins were full of throbbing life. Long before the sun shot his first rays over the mountain summit upon the treetops, she was out in the grass-grown, wooded ravine, plucking the dew-spangled wild flowers, and trilling her morning song as melodiously as a very lark. She loved to live with the birds and flowers and brooks and trees, for naught else seemed pure enough for her angel spirit. The harmonies of music afforded a fitting expression to her happiness, and long would she sit throwing her fingers over the ivory keys and pouring forth her soul in song. Loveliness like hers could not long lie hid from Ed. Harrow's penetrating eye, and often at the twilight hour he stole away to her home, drawn by the bewildering charms of her society. Scarcely had this intimacy commenced ere he found himself loving the little fairy with all the fervor of his nature. For a time he dared not reveal his passion. She was so roguish and gleeful, he feared she would laugh and in sport call him her Romeo! for once she had gemmed her hair with roses, and wreathed her snowy form with evergreen, and peeping unobserved over his shoulder, as he turned to find the source of the warm breath on his cheek, had imprinted there a burning kiss; then gliding before him in a gay dance, tossing her white arms encircled by a wreath of flowers, had laughed most unfeelingly as he thought at the blushes and confusion she had caused; but had he observed the blush on her own cheek and known the throbbing of her own heart at the effect she had produced, he would certainly have forgiven her. At length, he gained courage and resolved at all hazards to declare his love. The blushes that came mantling to her cheek, the gaze downcast upon the flower twirled assiduously in her trembling fingers, the occasional upturning of the face with a compressed smile, a radiant eye and an inquiring expression, all told plainly the tender tale. He saw that her heart was his own, and repeated interviews only made him wonder he had been so blind. But he was poor, and her wealthy sire had regarded him with coldness ever since their attachment was discovered. His lofty spirit scorned the suppliant's place, nor, so long as means remained untried, would he wed even her without her father's full consent and wish. His ear soon caught the cry that was now coming up from the wilds of California, and, grasping the opportunity, he resolved at once to leave the hallowed joys of home, and lose for a time the caresses of Ella's love, that he might gain a thing his soul despised. Long and earnestly did the mother plead, and his sister, throwing her arms about his neck, her hair streaming down over his bosom, sobbed in convulsive grief, while the father strove by persuasion and argument to convince him of his folly. The son, on the other hand, employed all his eloquence to calm their fears and gain their approval by anticipating a prosperous voyage and a speedy return. His earnest purpose was soon seen to be inflexible, and the family prepared with heavy hearts to bid an adieu. The appointed day soon arrived, and they committed the cherished object of their love with many prayers and tears to the mercy of an unsympathizing world. In spite of his firm resolves he felt his heart grow faint and sick as he saw his native shores dwindle and sink in the ocean waves, and felt himself borne on the canvas-winged bird of the sea, far away over the lone and trackless waste. It seemed to him a vivid image of that painful hour when the soul ceases its communion with earth and wings its way to an endless home! Alas! he little thought that ere seven suns had rolled away his spirit would embark |