CHAPTERLII。
SinceIdesire，inthischapter，tosayaninstructivewordortwoaboutthesilvermines，thereadermaytakethisfairwarningandskip，ifhechooses。Theyear1863wasperhapstheverytopblossomandculminationofthe“flushtimes。”Virginiaswarmedwithmenandvehiclestothatdegreethattheplacelookedlikeaveryhive——thatiswhenone\'svisioncouldpiercethroughthethickfogofalkalidustthatwasgenerallyblowinginsummer。Iwillsay，concerningthisdust，thatifyoudrovetenmilesthroughit，youandyourhorseswouldbecoatedwithitasixteenthofaninchthickandpresentanoutsideappearancethatwasauniformpaleyellowcolor，andyourbuggywouldhavethreeinchesofdustinit，throwntherebythewheels。Thedelicatescalesusedbytheassayerswereinclosedinglasscasesintendedtobeair-tight，andyetsomeofthisdustwassoimpalpableandsoinvisiblyfinethatitwouldgetin，somehow，andimpairtheaccuracyofthosescales。
Speculationranriot，andyettherewasaworldofsubstantialbusinessgoingon，too。AllfreightswerebroughtoverthemountainsfromCalifornia(150miles)bypack-trainpartly，andpartlyinhugewagonsdrawnbysuchlongmuleteamsthateachteamamountedtoaprocession，anditdidseem，sometimes，thatthegrandcombinedprocessionofanimalsstretchedunbrokenfromVirginiatoCalifornia。ItslongroutewastraceableclearacrossthedesertsfotheTerritorybythewrithingserpentofdustitliftedup。Bythesewagons，freightsoverthathundredandfiftymileswere$200atonforsmalllots(samepriceforallexpressmatterbroughtbystage)，and$100atonforfullloads。
OneVirginiafirmreceivedonehundredtonsoffreightamonth，andpaid$10，000amonthfreightage。Inthewinterthefreightsweremuchhigher。
AllthebullionwasshippedinbarsbystagetoSanFrancisco(abarwasusuallyabouttwicethesizeofapigofleadandcontainedfrom$1，500
to$3，000accordingtotheamountofgoldmixedwiththesilver)，andthefreightonit(whentheshipmentwaslarge)wasoneandaquarterpercent。ofitsintrinsicvalue。
So，thefreightonthesebarsprobablyaveragedsomethingmorethan$25
each。Smallshipperspaidtwopercent。Therewerethreestagesaday，eachway，andIhaveseentheout-goingstagescarryawayathirdofatonofbullioneach，andmorethanonceIsawthemdivideatwo-tonlotandtakeitoff。However，thesewereextraordinaryevents。
[Mr。Valentine，WellsFargo\'sagent，hashandledallthebullionshippedthroughtheVirginiaofficeformanyamonth。Tohismemory——whichisexcellent——weareindebtedforthefollowingexhibitofthecompany\'sbusinessintheVirginiaofficesincethefirstofJanuary，1862:FromJanuary1sttoApril1st，about$270，000worthofbullionpassedthroughthatoffice，duringthenextquarter，$570，000；nextquarter，$800，000；
nextquarter，$956，000；nextquarter，$1，275，000；andforthequarterendingonthe30thoflastJune，about$1，600，000。Thusinayearandahalf，theVirginiaofficeonlyshipped$5，330，000inbullion。Duringtheyear1862theyshipped$2，615，000，soweperceivetheaverageshipmentshavemorethandoubledinthelastsixmonths。ThisgivesusroomtopromisefortheVirginiaoffice$500，000amonthfortheyear1863
(thoughperhaps，judgingbythesteadyincreaseinthebusiness，weareunderestimating，somewhat)。Thisgivesus$6，000，000fortheyear。
GoldHillandSilverCitytogethercanbeatus——wewillgivethem$10，000，000。ToDayton，EmpireCity，OphirandCarsonCity，wewillallowanaggregateof$8，000，000，whichisnotoverthemark，perhaps，andmaypossiblybealittleunderit。ToEsmeraldawegive$4，000，000。
ToReeseRiverandHumboldt$2，000，000，whichisliberalnow，butmaynotbebeforetheyearisout。Soweprognosticatethattheyieldofbullionthisyearwillbeabout$30，000，000。PlacingthenumberofmillsintheTerritoryatonehundred，thisgivestoeachthelaborofproducing$300，000inbullionduringthetwelvemonths。Allowingthemtorunthreehundreddaysintheyear(whichnoneofthemmorethando)，thismakestheirworkaverage$1，000aday。Saythemillsaveragetwentytonsofrockadayandthisrockworth$50asageneralthing，andyouhavetheactualworkofouronehundredmillsfigureddown“toaspot“——$1，000adayeach，and$30，000，000ayearintheaggregate——Enterprise。
[Aconsiderableoverestimate——M。T。]]
Twotonsofsilverbullionwouldbeintheneighborhoodoffortybars，andthefreightonitover$1，000。Eachcoachalwayscarriedadealofordinaryexpressmatterbeside，andalsofromfifteentotwentypassengersatfrom$25to$30ahead。Withsixstagesgoingallthetime，Wells，FargoandCo。\'sVirginiaCitybusinesswasimportantandlucrative。
AllalongunderthecentreofVirginiaandGoldHill，foracoupleofmiles，ranthegreatComstocksilverlode——aveinoforefromfiftytoeightyfeetthickbetweenitssolidwallsofrock——aveinaswideassomeofNewYork\'sstreets。IwillremindthereaderthatinPennsylvaniaacoalveinonlyeightfeetwideisconsideredample。
Virginiawasabusycityofstreetsandhousesaboveground。Underitwasanotherbusycity，downinthebowelsoftheearth，whereagreatpopulationofmenthrongedinandoutamonganintricatemazeoftunnelsanddrifts，flittinghitherandthitherunderawinkingsparkleoflights，andovertheirheadstoweredavastwebofinterlockingtimbersthatheldthewallsoftheguttedComstockapart。Thesetimberswereaslargeasaman\'sbody，andtheframeworkstretchedupwardsofarthatnoeyecouldpiercetoitstopthroughtheclosinggloom。Itwaslikepeeringupthroughtheclean-pickedribsandbonesofsomecolossalskeleton。Imaginesuchaframeworktwomileslong，sixtyfeetwide，andhigherthananychurchspireinAmerica。Imaginethisstatelylattice-
workstretchingdownBroadway，fromtheSt。NicholastoWallstreet，andaFourthofJulyprocession，reducedtopigmies，paradingontopofitandflauntingtheirflags，highabovethepinnacleofTrinitysteeple。
Onecanimaginethat，buthecannotwellimaginewhatthatforestoftimberscost，fromthetimetheywerefelledinthepineriesbeyondWashoeLake，hauledupandaroundMountDavidsonatatrociousratesoffreightage，thensquared，letdownintothedeepmawofthemineandbuiltupthere。Twentyamplefortuneswouldnottimberoneofthegreatestofthosesilvermines。TheSpanishproverbsaysitrequiresagoldmineto“run“asilverone，anditistrue。Abeggarwithasilvermineisapitiablepauperindeedifhecannotsell。
IspokeoftheundergroundVirginiaasacity。TheGouldandCurryisonlyonesinglemineunderthere，amongagreatmanyothers；yettheGouldandCurry\'sstreetsofdismaldriftsandtunnelswerefivemilesinextent，altogether，anditspopulationfivehundredminers。Takenasawhole，theundergroundcityhadsomethirtymilesofstreetsandapopulationoffiveorsixthousand。InthispresentdaysomeofthosepopulationsareatworkfromtwelvetosixteenhundredfeetunderVirginiaandGoldHill，andthesignal-bellsthattellthemwhatthesuperintendentabovegrounddesiresthemtodoarestruckbytelegraphaswestrikeafirealarm。Sometimesmenfalldownashaft，there，athousandfeetdeep。Insuchcases，theusualplanistoholdaninquest。
Ifyouwishtovisitoneofthosemines，youmaywalkthroughatunnelabouthalfamilelongifyoupreferit，oryoumaytakethequickerplanofshootinglikeadartdownashaft，onasmallplatform。Itisliketumblingdownthroughanemptysteeple，feetfirst。Whenyoureachthebottom，youtakeacandleandtrampthroughdriftsandtunnelswherethrongsofmenarediggingandblasting；youwatchthemsenduptubsfullofgreatlumpsofstone——silverore；youselectchoicespecimensfromthemass，assouvenirs；youadmiretheworldofskeletontimbering；youreflectfrequentlythatyouareburiedunderamountain，athousandfeetbelowdaylight；beinginthebottomofthemineyouclimbfrom“gallery“
to“gallery，“upendlessladdersthatstandstraightupanddown；whenyourlegsfailyouatlast，youliedowninasmallbox-carinacramped“incline“likeahalf-up-endedsewerandaredraggeduptodaylightfeelingasifyouarecrawlingthroughacoffinthathasnoendtoit。
Arrivedatthetop，youfindabusycrowdofmenreceivingtheascendingcarsandtubsanddumpingtheorefromanelevationintolongrowsofbinscapableofholdinghalfadozentonseach；underthebinsarerowsofwagonsloadingfromchutesandtrap-doorsinthebins，anddownthelongstreetisaprocessionofthesewagonswendingtowardthesilvermillswiththeirrichfreight。Itisall“done，“now，andthereyouare。
Youneednevergodownagain，foryouhaveseenitall。Ifyouhaveforgottentheprocessofreducingtheoreinthemillandmakingthesilverbars，youcangobackandfinditagaininmyEsmeraldachaptersifsodisposed。
Ofcoursetheseminescavein，inplaces，occasionally，andthenitisworthone\'swhiletotaketheriskofdescendingintothemandobservingthecrushingpowerexertedbythepressingweightofasettlingmountain。
IpublishedsuchanexperienceintheEnterprise，once，andfromitI
willtakeanextract:
ANHOURINTHECAVEDMINES——WejourneyeddownintotheOphirmine，yesterday，toseetheearthquake。Wecouldnotgodownthedeepincline，becauseitstillhasapropensitytocaveinplaces。
ThereforewetraveledthroughthelongtunnelwhichentersthehillabovetheOphiroffice，andthenbymeansofaseriesoflongladders，climbedawaydownfromthefirsttothefourthgallery。
Traversingadrift，wecametotheSpanishline，passedfivesetsoftimbersstilluninjured，andfoundtheearthquake。Herewasascompleteachaosaseverwasseen——vastmassesofearthandsplinteredandbrokentimberspiledconfusedlytogether，withscarcelyanapertureleftlargeenoughforacattocreepthrough。
Rubbishwasstillfallingatintervalsfromabove，andonetimberwhichhadbracedothersearlierintheday，wasnowcrusheddownoutofitsformerposition，showingthatthecavingandsettlingofthetremendousmasswasstillgoingon。WewereinthatportionoftheOphirknownasthe“northmines。”Returningtothesurface，weenteredatunnelleadingintotheCentral，forthepurposeofgettingintothemainOphir。Descendingalonginclineinthistunnel，wetraversedadriftorso，andthenwentdownadeepshaftfromwhenceweproceededintothefifthgalleryoftheOphir。Fromaside-driftwecrawledthroughasmallholeandgotintothemidstoftheearthquakeagain——earthandbrokentimbersmingledtogetherwithoutregardtograceorsymmetry。Alargeportionofthesecond，thirdandfourthgallerieshadcavedinandgonetodestruction——thetwolatteratseveno\'clockonthepreviousevening。
Attheturn-table，nearthenorthernextremityofthefifthgallery，twobigpilesofrubbishhadforcedtheirwaythroughfromthefifthgallery，andfromthelooksofthetimbers，morewasabouttocome。
Thesebeamsaresolid——eighteeninchessquare；first，agreatbeamislaidonthefloor，thenuprightones，fivefeethigh，standonit，supportinganotherhorizontalbeam，andsoon，squareabovesquare，liketheframeworkofawindow。Thesuperincumbentweightwassufficienttomashtheendsofthosegreatuprightbeamsfairlyintothesolidwoodofthehorizontalonesthreeinches，compressingandbendingtheuprightbeamtillitcurvedlikeabow。BeforetheSpanishcavedin，someoftheirtwelve-inchhorizontaltimberswerecompressedinthiswayuntiltheywereonlyfiveinchesthick！
Imaginethepoweritmusttaketosqueezeasolidlogtogetherinthatway。Here，also，wasarangeoftimbers，foradistanceoftwentyfeet，tiltedsixinchesoutoftheperpendicularbytheweightrestinguponthemfromthecavedgalleriesabove。Youcouldhearthingscrackingandgivingway，anditwasnotpleasanttoknowthattheworldoverheadwasslowlyandsilentlysinkingdownuponyou。Themendownintheminedonotmindit，however。
Returningalongthefifthgallery，westruckthesafepartoftheOphirincline，andwentdownittothesixth；butwefoundteninchesofwaterthere，andhadtocomeback。Inrepairingthedamagedonetotheincline，thepumphadtobestoppedfortwohours，andinthemeantimethewatergainedaboutafoot。However，thepumpwasatworkagain，andtheflood-waterwasdecreasing。
Weclimbeduptothefifthgalleryagainandsoughtadeepshaft，wherebywemightdescendtoanotherpartofthesixth，outofreachofthewater，butsuffereddisappointment，asthemenhadgonetodinner，andtherewasnoonetomanthewindlass。So，havingseentheearthquake，weclimbedoutattheUnioninclineandtunnel，andadjourned，alldrippingwithcandlegreaseandperspiration，tolunchattheOphiroffice。
Duringthegreatflushyearof1863，Nevada[claimstohave]
produced$25，000，000inbullion——almost，ifnotquite，aroundmilliontoeachthousandinhabitants，whichisverywell，consideringthatshewaswithoutagricultureandmanufactures。
Silverminingwashersoleproductiveindustry。[Sincetheabovewasintype，Ilearnfromanofficialsourcethattheabovefigureistoohigh，andthattheyieldfor1863didnotexceed$20，000，000。
However，thedayforlargefiguresisapproaching；theSutroTunnelistoplowthroughtheComstocklodefromendtoend，atadepthoftwothousandfeet，andthenminingwillbeeasyandcomparativelyinexpensive；andthemomentousmattersofdrainage，andhoistingandhaulingoforewillceasetobeburdensome。Thisvastworkwillabsorbmanyyears，andmillionsofdollars，initscompletion；butitwillearlyyieldmoney，forthatdesirableepochwillbeginassoonasitstrikesthefirstendofthevein。Thetunnelwillbesomeeightmileslong，andwilldevelopastonishingriches。Carswillcarrytheorethroughthetunnelanddumpitinthemillsandthusdoawaywiththepresentcostlysystemofdoublehandlingandtransportationbymuleteams。Thewaterfromthetunnelwillfurnishthemotivepowerforthemills。Mr。Sutro，theoriginatorofthisprodigiousenterprise，isoneofthefewmenintheworldwhoisgiftedwiththepluckandperseverancenecessarytofollowupandhoundsuchanundertakingtoitscompletion。HehasconvertedseveralobstinateCongressestoadeservedfriendlinesstowardhisimportantwork，andhasgoneupanddownandtoandfroinEuropeuntilhehasenlistedagreatmoneyedinterestinitthere。
CHAPTERLIII。
Everynowandthen，inthesedays，theboysusedtotellmeIoughttogetoneJimBlainetotellmethestirringstoryofhisgrandfather\'soldram——buttheyalwaysaddedthatImustnotmentionthematterunlessJimwasdrunkatthetime——justcomfortablyandsociablydrunk。Theykeptthisupuntilmycuriositywasontheracktohearthestory。IgottohauntingBlaine；butitwasofnouse，theboysalwaysfoundfaultwithhiscondition；hewasoftenmoderatelybutneversatisfactorilydrunk。
Ineverwatchedaman\'sconditionwithsuchabsorbinginterest，suchanxioussolicitude；Ineversopinedtoseeamanuncompromisinglydrunkbefore。Atlast，oneeveningIhurriedtohiscabin，forIlearnedthatthistimehissituationwassuchthateventhemostfastidiouscouldfindnofaultwithit——hewastranquilly，serenely，symmetricallydrunk——notahiccuptomarhisvoice，notaclouduponhisbrainthickenoughtoobscurehismemory。AsIentered，hewassittinguponanemptypowder-
keg，withaclaypipeinonehandandtheotherraisedtocommandsilence。Hisfacewasround，red，andveryserious；histhroatwasbareandhishairtumbled；ingeneralappearanceandcostumehewasastalwartmineroftheperiod。Onthepinetablestoodacandle，anditsdimlightrevealed“theboys“sittinghereandthereonbunks，candle-boxes，powder-kegs，etc。Theysaid:
“Sh——！Don\'tspeak——he\'sgoingtocommence。”
THESTORYOFTHEOLDRAM。
Ifoundaseatatonce，andBlainesaid:
\'Idon\'treckonthemtimeswillevercomeagain。Thereneverwasamorebullieroldramthanwhathewas。GrandfatherfetchedhimfromIllinois——gothimofamanbythenameofYates——BillYates——maybeyoumighthaveheardofhim；hisfatherwasadeacon——Baptist——andhewasarustler，too；amanhadtogetuprutherearlytogetthestartofoldThankfulYates；itwashimthatputtheGreensuptojiningteamswithmygrandfatherwhenhemovedwest。
SethGreenwasprob\'lythepickoftheflock；hemarriedaWilkerson——
SarahWilkerson——goodcretur，shewas——oneofthelikeliestheifersthatwaseverraisedinoldStoddard，everybodysaidthatknowedher。Shecouldheftabar\'lofflouraseasyasIcanflirtaflapjack。Andspin?
Don\'tmentionit！Independent?Humph！WhenSileHawkinscomeabrowsingaroundher，shelethimknowthatforallhistinhecouldn\'ttrotinharnessalongsideofher。Yousee，SileHawkinswas——no，itwarn\'tSileHawkins，afterall——itwasagalootbythenameofFilkins——
Idisrememberhisfirstname；buthewasastump——comeintopra\'rmeetingdrunk，onenight，hoorayingforNixon，becuzhethoughtitwasaprimary；
andolddeaconFergusonupandscootedhimthroughthewindowandhelitonoldMissJefferson\'shead，pooroldfilly。Shewasagoodsoul——hadaglasseyeandusedtolendittooldMissWagner，thathadn\'tany，toreceivecompanyin；itwarn\'tbigenough，andwhenMissWagnerwarn\'tnoticing，itwouldgettwistedaroundinthesocket，andlookup，maybe，orouttooneside，andeverywhichway，whilet\'otheronewaslookingasstraightaheadasaspy-glass。
Grownpeopledidn\'tmindit，butitmostalwaysmadethechildrencry，itwassosortofscary。Shetriedpackingitinrawcotton，butitwouldn\'twork，somehow——thecottonwouldgetlooseandstickoutandlooksokindofawfulthatthechildrencouldn\'tstanditnoway。Shewasalwaysdroppingitout，andturningupherolddead-lightonthecompanyempty，andmakingthemoncomfortable，becuzshenevercouldtellwhenithoppedout，beingblindonthatside，yousee。Sosomebodywouldhavetohunchherandsay，“Yourgameeyehasfetchedloose。MissWagnerdear“——
andthenallofthemwouldhavetositandwaittillshejammeditinagain——wrongsidebefore，asageneralthing，andgreenasabird\'segg，beingabashfulcreturandeasysotbackbeforecompany。Butbeingwrongsidebeforewarn\'tmuchdifference，anyway；becuzherowneyewassky-
blueandtheglassonewasyalleronthefrontside，sowhicheverwaysheturnedititdidn\'tmatchnohow。
OldMissWagnerwasconsiderableontheborrow，shewas。Whenshehadaquilting，orDorcasS\'ietyatherhouseshegen\'allyborrowedMissHiggins\'swoodenlegtostumparoundon；itwasconsiderableshorterthanherotherpin，butmuchshemindedthat。Shesaidshecouldn\'tabidecrutcheswhenshehadcompany，becuztheyweresoslow；saidwhenshehadcompanyandthingshadtobedone，shewantedtogetupandhumpherself。
Shewasasbaldasajug，andsosheusedtoborrowMissJacops\'swig——
MissJacopswasthecoffin-peddler\'swife——arattyoldbuzzard，hewas，thatusedtogoroostingaroundwherepeoplewassick，waitingfor\'em；
andtherethatoldripwouldsitallday，intheshade，onacoffinthathejudgedwouldfitthecan\'idate；andifitwasaslowcustomerandkindofuncertain，he\'dfetchhisrationsandablanketalongandsleepinthecoffinnights。Hewasanchoredoutthatway，infrostyweather，foraboutthreeweeks，once，beforeoldRobbins\'splace，waitingforhim；andafterthat，forasmuchastwoyears，Jacopswasnotonspeakingtermswiththeoldman，onaccountofhisdisapp\'intinghim。Hegotoneofhisfeetfroze，andlostmoney，too，becuzoldRobbinstookafavorableturnandgotwell。ThenexttimeRobbinsgotsick，Jacopstriedtomakeupwithhim，andvarnishedupthesameoldcoffinandfetcheditalong；butoldRobbinswastoomanyforhim；hehadhimin，and\'pearedtobepowerfulweak；heboughtthecoffinfortendollarsandJacopswastopayitbackandtwenty-fivemorebesidesifRobbinsdidn\'tlikethecoffinafterhe\'dtriedit。AndthenRobbinsdied，andatthefuneralheburstedoffthelidandrizupinhisshroudandtoldtheparsontoletupontheperformances，becuzhecouldnotstandsuchacoffinasthat。
Youseehehadbeeninatranceoncebefore，whenhewasyoung，andhetookthechancesonanother，cal\'latingthatifhemadethetripitwasmoneyinhispocket，andifhemissedfirehecouldn\'tloseacent。AndbyGeorgehesuedJacopsfortherhinoandgotjedgment；andhesetupthecoffininhisbackparlorandsaidhe\'lowedtotakehistime，now。
ItwasalwaysanaggravationtoJacops，thewaythatmiserableoldthingacted。HemovedbacktoIndianyprettysoon——wenttoWellsville——
WellsvillewastheplacetheHogadornswasfrom。Mightyfinefamily。
OldMarylandstock。OldSquireHogadorncouldcarryaroundmoremixedlicker，andcussbetterthanmostanymanIeversee。HissecondwifewasthewidderBillings——shethatwasBeckyMartin；herdamwasdeaconDunlap\'sfirstwife。Heroldestchild，Maria，marriedamissionaryanddiedingrace——etupbythesavages。Theyethim，too，poorfeller——
biledhim。Itwarn\'tthecustom，sotheysay，buttheyexplainedtofriendsofhis\'nthatwentdowntheretobringawayhisthings，thatthey\'dtriedmissionarieseveryotherwayandnevercouldgetanygoodoutof\'em——andsoitannoyedallhisrelationstofindoutthatthatman\'slifewasfooledawayjustoutofadern\'dexperiment，sotospeak。
Butmindyou，thereain\'tanythingeverreelylost；everythingthatpeoplecan\'tunderstandanddon\'tseethereasonofdoesgoodifyouonlyholdonandgiveitafairshake；Prov\'dencedon\'tfirenoblankca\'tridges，boys。Thattheremissionary\'ssubstance，unbeknownstohimself，actu\'lyconvertedeverylastoneofthemheathensthattookachanceatthebarbacue。Nothingeverfetchedthembutthat。Don\'ttellmeitwasanaccidentthathewasbiled。Thereain\'tnosuchathingasanaccident。
WhenmyuncleLemwasleaningupaginascaffoldingonce，sick，ordrunk，orsuthin，anIrishmanwithahodfullofbricksfellonhimoutofthethirdstoryandbroketheoldman\'sbackintwoplaces。Peoplesaiditwasanaccident。Muchaccidenttherewasaboutthat。Hedidn\'tknowwhathewastherefor，buthewasthereforagoodobject。Ifhehadn\'tbeentheretheIrishmanwouldhavebeenkilled。Nobodycanevermakemebelieveanythingdifferentfromthat。UncleLem\'sdogwasthere。Whydidn\'ttheIrishmanfallonthedog?Becuzthedogwouldaseenhimacomingandstoodfromunder。That\'sthereasonthedogwarn\'tappinted。
Adogcan\'tbedependedontocarryoutaspecialprovidence。Markmywordsitwasaput-upthing。Accidentsdon\'thappen，boys。UncleLem\'sdog——Iwishyoucouldaseenthatdog。Hewasareglarshepherd——orrutherhewaspartbullandpartshepherd——splendidanimal；belongedtoparsonHagarbeforeUncleLemgothim。ParsonHagarbelongedtotheWesternReserveHagars；primefamily；hismotherwasaWatson；oneofhissistersmarriedaWheeler；theysettledinMorgancounty，andhegotnippedbythemachineryinacarpetfactoryandwentthroughinlessthanaquarterofaminute；hiswidderboughtthepieceofcarpetthathadhisremainswovein，andpeoplecomeahundredmileto\'tendthefuneral。
Therewasfourteenyardsinthepiece。
Shewouldn\'tletthemrollhimup，butplantedhimjustso——fulllength。
Thechurchwasmiddlingsmallwheretheypreachedthefuneral，andtheyhadtoletoneendofthecoffinstickoutofthewindow。Theydidn\'tburyhim——theyplantedoneend，andlethimstandup，sameasamonument。
Andtheynailedasignonitandput——puton——putonit——sacredto——them-e-m-o-r-y——offourteeny-a-r-d-s——ofthree-ply——car——pet——containingallthatwas——m-o-r-t-a-l——of——of——W-i-l-l-i-a-m——W-h-e——“
JimBlainehadbeengrowinggraduallydrowsyanddrowsier——hisheadnodded，once，twice，threetimes——droppedpeacefullyuponhisbreast，andhefelltranquillyasleep。Thetearswererunningdowntheboys\'cheeks——theyweresuffocatingwithsuppressedlaughter——andhadbeenfromthestart，thoughIhadnevernoticedit。IperceivedthatIwas“sold。”
IlearnedthenthatJimBlaine\'speculiaritywasthatwheneverhereachedacertainstageofintoxication，nohumanpowercouldkeephimfromsettingout，withimpressiveunction，totellaboutawonderfuladventurewhichhehadoncehadwithhisgrandfather\'soldram——andthementionoftheraminthefirstsentencewasasfarasanymanhadeverheardhimget，concerningit。Healwaysmaunderedoff，interminably，fromonethingtoanother，tillhiswhiskygotthebestofhimandhefellasleep。
Whatthethingwasthathappenedtohimandhisgrandfather\'soldramisadarkmysterytothisday，fornobodyhaseveryetfoundout。
CHAPTERLIV。
OfcoursetherewasalargeChinesepopulationinVirginia——itisthecasewitheverytownandcityonthePacificcoast。Theyareaharmlessracewhenwhitemeneitherletthemaloneortreatthemnoworsethandogs；infacttheyarealmostentirelyharmlessanyhow，fortheyseldomthinkofresentingthevilestinsultsorthecruelestinjuries。Theyarequiet，peaceable，tractable，freefromdrunkenness，andtheyareasindustriousasthedayislong。AdisorderlyChinamanisrare，andalazyonedoesnotexist。SolongasaChinamanhasstrengthtousehishandsheneedsnosupportfromanybody；whitemenoftencomplainofwantofwork，butaChinamanoffersnosuchcomplaint；healwaysmanagestofindsomethingtodo。Heisagreatconveniencetoeverybody——eventotheworstclassofwhitemen，forhebearsthemostoftheirsins，sufferingfinesfortheirpettythefts，imprisonmentfortheirrobberies，anddeathfortheirmurders。AnywhitemancanswearaChinaman\'slifeawayinthecourts，butnoChinamancantestifyagainstawhiteman。
Oursisthe“landofthefree“——nobodydeniesthat——nobodychallengesit。
[Maybeitisbecausewewon\'tletotherpeopletestify。]AsIwrite，newscomesthatinbroaddaylightinSanFrancisco，someboyshavestonedaninoffensiveChinamantodeath，andthatalthoughalargecrowdwitnessedtheshamefuldeed，nooneinterfered。
Thereareseventythousand(andpossiblyonehundredthousand)ChinamenonthePacificcoast。TherewereaboutathousandinVirginia。Theywerepennedintoa“Chinesequarter“——athingwhichtheydonotparticularlyobjectto，astheyarefondofherdingtogether。Theirbuildingswereofwood；usuallyonlyonestoryhigh，andsetthicklytogetheralongstreetsscarcelywideenoughforawagontopassthrough。
Theirquarterwasalittleremovedfromtherestofthetown。ThechiefemploymentofChinamenintownsistowashclothing。Theyalwayssendabill，likethisbelow，pinnedtotheclothes。Itismereceremony，foritdoesnotenlightenthecustomermuch。Theirpriceforwashingwas$2。50perdozen——rathercheaperthanwhitepeoplecouldaffordtowashforatthattime。AverycommonsignontheChinesehouseswas:“SeeYup，WasherandIroner“；“HongWo，Washer“；“SamSing&AhHop，Washing。”
Thehouseservants，cooks，etc。，inCaliforniaandNevada，werechieflyChinamen。TherewerefewwhiteservantsandnoChinawomensoemployed。
Chinamenmakegoodhouseservants，beingquick，obedient，patient，quicktolearnandtirelesslyindustrious。Theydonotneedtobetaughtathingtwice，asageneralthing。Theyareimitative。IfaChinamanweretoseehismasterbreakupacentretable，inapassion，andkindleafirewithit，thatChinamanwouldbelikelytoresorttothefurnitureforfuelforeverafterward。
AllChinamencanread，writeandcipherwitheasyfacility——pitybutallourpettedvoterscould。InCaliforniatheyrentlittlepatchesofgroundanddoadealofgardening。Theywillraisesurprisingcropsofvegetablesonasandpile。Theywastenothing。WhatisrubbishtoaChristian，aChinamancarefullypreservesandmakesusefulinonewayoranother。Hegathersupalltheoldoysterandsardinecansthatwhitepeoplethrowaway，andprocuresmarketabletinandsolderfromthembymelting。Hegathersupoldbonesandturnsthemintomanure。
InCaliforniahegetsalivingoutofoldminingclaimsthatwhitemenhaveabandonedasexhaustedandworthless——andthentheofficerscomedownonhimonceamonthwithanexorbitantswindletowhichthelegislaturehasgiventhebroad，generalnameof“foreign“miningtax，butitisusuallyinflictedonnoforeignersbutChinamen。Thisswindlehasinsomecasesbeenrepeatedonceortwiceonthesamevictiminthecourseofthesamemonth——butthepublictreasurywasnoadditionallyenrichedbyit，probably。
Chinamenholdtheirdeadingreatreverence——theyworshiptheirdepartedancestors，infact。Hence，inChina，aman\'sfrontyard，backyard，oranyotherpartofhispremises，ismadehisfamilyburyingground，inorderthathemayvisitthegravesatanyandalltimes。Thereforethathugeempireisonemightycemetery；itisridgedandwringledfromitscentretoitscircumferencewithgraves——andinasmuchaseveryfootofgroundmustbemadetodoitsutmost，inChina，lesttheswarmingpopulationsufferforfood，theverygravesarecultivatedandyieldaharvest，customholdingthistobenodishonortothedead。Sincethedepartedareheldinsuchworshipfulreverence，aChinamancannotbearthatanyindignitybeofferedtheplaceswheretheysleep。
Mr。BurlingamesaidthathereinlayChina\'sbitteroppositiontorailroads；aroadcouldnotbebuiltanywhereintheempirewithoutdisturbingthegravesoftheirancestorsorfriends。
AChinamanhardlybelieveshecouldenjoythehereafterexcepthisbodylayinhisbelovedChina；also，hedesirestoreceive，himself，afterdeath，thatworshipwithwhichhehashonoredhisdeadthatprecededhim。
Therefore，ifhevisitsaforeigncountry，hemakesarrangementstohavehisbonesreturnedtoChinaincasehedies；ifhehirestogotoaforeigncountryonalaborcontract，thereisalwaysastipulationthathisbodyshallbetakenbacktoChinaifhedies；ifthegovernmentsellsagangofCooliestoaforeignerfortheusualfive-yearterm，itisspecifiedinthecontractthattheirbodiesshallberestoredtoChinaincaseofdeath。OnthePacificcoasttheChinamenallbelongtooneoranotherofseveralgreatcompaniesororganizations，andthesecompanieskeeptrackoftheirmembers，registertheirnames，andshiptheirbodieshomewhentheydie。TheSeeYupCompanyisheldtobethelargestofthese。TheNingYeongCompanyisnext，andnumberseighteenthousandmembersonthecoast。ItsheadquartersareatSanFrancisco，whereithasacostlytemple，severalgreatofficers(oneofwhomkeepsregalstateinseclusionandcannotbeapproachedbycommonhumanity)，andanumerouspriesthood。InitIwasshownaregisterofitsmembers，withthedeadandthedateoftheirshipmenttoChinadulymarked。EveryshipthatsailsfromSanFranciscocarriesawayaheavyfreightofChinesecorpses——ordid，atleast，untilthelegislature，withaningeniousrefinementofChristiancruelty，forbadetheshipments，asaneatunderhandedwayofdeterringChineseimmigration。Thebillwasoffered，whetheritpassedornot。Itismyimpressionthatitpassed。Therewasanotherbill——itbecamealaw——compellingeveryincomingChinamantobevaccinatedonthewharfandpayadulyappointedquack(nodecentdoctorwoulddefilehimselfwithsuchlegalizedrobbery)tendollarsforit。
AsfewimportersofChinesewouldwanttogotoanexpenselikethat，thelaw-makersthoughtthiswouldbeanotherheavyblowtoChineseimmigration。
WhattheChinesequarterofVirginiawaslike——or，indeed，whattheChinesequarterofanyPacificcoasttownwasandislike——maybegatheredfromthisitemwhichIprintedintheEnterprisewhilereportingforthatpaper:
CHINATOWN——Accompaniedbyafellowreporter，wemadeatripthroughourChinesequartertheothernight。TheChinesehavebuilttheirportionofthecitytosuitthemselves；andastheykeepneithercarriagesnorwagons，theirstreetsarenotwideenough，asageneralthing，toadmitofthepassageofvehicles。Atteno\'clockatnighttheChinamanmaybeseeninallhisglory。Ineverylittlecooped-up，dingycavernofahut，faintwiththeodorofburningJosh-lightsandwithnothingtoseethegloombysavethesickly，gutteringtallowcandle，weretwoorthreeyellow，long-tailedvagabonds，coileduponasortofshorttruckle-bed，smokingopium，motionlessandwiththeirlustrelesseyesturnedinwardfromexcessofsatisfaction——orrathertherecentsmokerlooksthus，immediatelyafterhavingpassedthepipetohisneighbor——foropium-smokingisacomfortlessoperation，andrequiresconstantattention。Alampsitsonthebed，thelengthofthelongpipe-stemfromthesmoker\'smouth；heputsapelletofopiumontheendofawire，setsitonfire，andplastersitintothepipemuchasaChristianwouldfillaholewithputty；thenheappliesthebowltothelampandproceedstosmoke——andthestewingandfryingofthedrugandthegurglingofthejuicesinthestemwouldwell-nighturnthestomachofastatue。
Johnlikesit，though；itsootheshim，hetakesabouttwodozenwhiffs，andthenrollsovertodream，Heavenonlyknowswhat，forwecouldnotimaginebylookingatthesoggycreature。Possiblyinhisvisionshetravelsfarawayfromthegrossworldandhisregularwashing，andfeastonsucculentratsandbirds\'-nestsinParadise。
Mr。AhSingkeepsageneralgroceryandprovisionstoreatNo。13Wangstreet。Helavishedhishospitalityuponourpartyinthefriendliestway。Hehadvariouskindsofcoloredandcolorlesswinesandbrandies，withunpronouncablenames，importedfromChinainlittlecrockeryjugs，andwhichheofferedtousindaintylittleminiaturewash-basinsofporcelain。Heofferedusamessofbirds\'-nests；also，small，neatsausages，ofwhichwecouldhaveswallowedseveralyardsifwehadchosentotry，butwesuspectedthateachlinkcontainedthecorpseofamouse，andthereforerefrained。Mr。Singhadinhisstoreathousandarticlesofmerchandise，curioustobehold，impossibletoimaginetheusesof，andbeyondourabilitytodescribe。
Hisducks，however，andhiseggs，wecouldunderstand；theformerweresplitopenandflattenedoutlikecodfish，andcamefromChinainthatshape，andthelatterwereplasteredoverwithsomekindofpastewhichkeptthemfreshandpalatablethroughthelongvoyage。
WefoundMr。HongWo，No。37Chow-chowstreet，makingupalotteryscheme——infactwefoundadozenothersoccupiedinthesamewayinvariouspartsofthequarter，forabouteverythirdChinamanrunsalottery，andthebalanceofthetribe“buck“atit。“Tom，“whospeaksfaultlessEnglish，andusedtobechiefandonlycooktotheTerritorialEnterprise，whentheestablishmentkeptbachelor\'shalltwoyearsago，saidthat“SometimeChinamanbuyticketonedollarhap，ketchumtwotreehundred，sometimenoketchumanything；lotterylikeonemanfightumseventy——may-behewhip，may-behegetwhipheself，wellygood。”
However，thepercentagebeingsixty-nineagainsthim，thechancesare，asageneralthing，that“hegetwhipheself。”Wecouldnotseethattheselotteriesdifferedinanyrespectfromourown，savethatthefiguresbeingChinese，noignorantwhitemanmighteverhopetosucceedintelling“t\'otherfromwhich；“themannerofdrawingissimilartoours。
Mr。SeeYupkeepsafancystoreonLiveFoxstreet。Hesoldusfansofwhitefeathers，gorgeouslyornamented；perfumerythatsmelledlikeLimburgercheese，Chinesepens，andwatch-charmsmadeofastoneunscratchablewithsteelinstruments，yetpolishedandtintedliketheinnercoatofasea-shell。Astokensofhisesteem，SeeYuppresentedthepartywithgaudyplumesmadeofgoldtinselandtrimmedwithpeacocks\'feathers。
Weatechow-chowwithchop-sticksinthecelestialrestaurants；ourcomradechidedthemoon-eyeddamselsinfrontofthehousesfortheirwantoffemininereserve；wereceivedprotectingJosh-lightsfromourhostsand“dickered“forapaganGodortwo。Finally，wewereimpressedwiththegeniusofaChinesebook-keeper；hefigureduphisaccountsonamachinelikeagridironwithbuttonsstrungonitsbars；thedifferentrowsrepresentedunits，tens，hundredsandthousands。Hefingeredthemwithincrediblerapidity——infact，hepushedthemfromplacetoplaceasfastasamusicalprofessor\'sfingerstraveloverthekeysofapiano。
Theyareakindlydisposed，well-meaningrace，andarerespectedandwelltreatedbytheupperclasses，alloverthePacificcoast。NoCaliforniangentlemanorladyeverabusesoroppressesaChinaman，underanycircumstances，anexplanationthatseemstobemuchneededintheEast。
Onlythescumofthepopulationdoit——theyandtheirchildren；they，and，naturallyandconsistently，thepolicemenandpoliticians，likewise，forthesearethedust-lickingpimpsandslavesofthescum，thereaswellaselsewhereinAmerica。
CHAPTERLV。
Ibegantogettiredofstayinginoneplacesolong。
TherewasnolongersatisfyingvarietyingoingdowntoCarsontoreporttheproceedingsofthelegislatureonceayear，andhorse-racesandpumpkin-showsonceinthreemonths；(theyhadgottoraisingpumpkinsandpotatoesinWashoeValley，andofcourseoneofthefirstachievementsofthelegislaturewastoinstituteaten-thousand-dollarAgriculturalFairtoshowofffortydollars\'worthofthosepumpkinsin——however，theterritoriallegislaturewasusuallyspokenofasthe“asylum“)。IwantedtoseeSanFrancisco。Iwantedtogosomewhere。Iwanted——IdidnotknowwhatIwanted。Ihadthe“springfever“andwantedachange，principally，nodoubt。Besides，aconventionhadframedaStateConstitution；ninemenoutofeverytenwantedanoffice；Ibelievedthatthesegentlemenwould“treat“themoneylessandtheirresponsibleamongthepopulationintoadoptingtheconstitutionandthuswell-nighkillingthecountry(itcouldnotwellcarrysuchaloadasaStategovernment，sinceithadnothingtotaxthatcouldstandatax，forundevelopedminescouldnot，andtherewerenotfiftydevelopedonesintheland，therewasbutlittlerealtytotax，anditdidseemasifnobodywasevergoingtothinkofthesimplesalvationofinflictingamoneypenaltyonmurder)。
IbelievedthataStategovernmentwoulddestroythe“flushtimes，“andI
wantedtogetaway。IbelievedthattheminingstocksIhadonhandwouldsoonbeworth$100，000，andthoughtiftheyreachedthatbeforetheConstitutionwasadopted，Iwouldselloutandmakemyselfsecurefromthecrashthechangeofgovernmentwasgoingtobring。Iconsidered$100，000sufficienttogohomewithdecently，thoughitwasbutasmallamountcomparedtowhatIhadbeenexpectingtoreturnwith。Ifeltratherdown-heartedaboutit，butItriedtocomfortmyselfwiththereflectionthatwithsuchasumIcouldnotfallintowant。AboutthistimeaschoolmateofminewhomIhadnotseensinceboyhood，cametrampinginonfootfromReeseRiver，averyallegoryofPoverty。
Thesonofwealthyparents，herehewas，inastrangeland，hungry，bootless，mantledinanancienthorse-blanket，roofedwithabrimlesshat，andsogenerallyandsoextravagantlydilapidatedthathecouldhave“takentheshineoutoftheProdigalSonhimself，“ashepleasantlyremarked。
Hewantedtoborrowforty-sixdollars——twenty-sixtotakehimtoSanFrancisco，andtwentyforsomethingelse；tobuysomesoapwith，maybe，forheneededit。IfoundIhadbutlittlemorethantheamountwanted，inmypocket；soIsteppedinandborrowedforty-sixdollarsofabanker(ontwentydays\'time，withouttheformalityofanote)，andgaveithim，ratherthanwalkhalfablocktotheoffice，whereIhadsomespecielaidup。Ifanybodyhadtoldmethatitwouldtakemetwoyearstopaybackthatforty-sixdollarstothebanker(forIdidnotexpectitoftheProdigal，andwasnotdisappointed)，Iwouldhavefeltinjured。Andsowouldthebanker。
Iwantedachange。Iwantedvarietyofsomekind。Itcame。Mr。Goodmanwentawayforaweekandleftmethepostofchiefeditor。Itdestroyedme。Thefirstday，Iwrotemy“leader“intheforenoon。Thesecondday，Ihadnosubjectandputitofftilltheafternoon。ThethirddayIputitofftillevening，andthencopiedanelaborateeditorialoutofthe“AmericanCyclopedia，“thatsteadfastfriendoftheeditor，alloverthisland。ThefourthdayI“fooledaround“tillmidnight，andthenfellbackontheCyclopediaagain。ThefifthdayIcudgeledmybraintillmidnight，andthenkeptthepresswaitingwhileIpennedsomebitterpersonalitiesonsixdifferentpeople。ThesixthdayIlaboredinanguishtillfarintothenightandbroughtforth——nothing。Thepaperwenttopresswithoutaneditorial。TheseventhdayIresigned。Ontheeighth，Mr。Goodmanreturnedandfoundsixduelsonhishands——mypersonalitieshadbornefruit。
Nobody，excepthehastriedit，knowswhatitistobeaneditor。Itiseasytoscribblelocalrubbish，withthefactsallbeforeyou；itiseasytoclipselectionsfromotherpapers；itiseasytostringoutacorrespondencefromanylocality；butitisunspeakablehardshiptowriteeditorials。Subjectsarethetrouble——thedrearylackofthem，Imean。
Everyday，itisdrag，drag，drag——think，andworryandsuffer——alltheworldisadullblank，andyettheeditorialcolumnsmustbefilled。
Onlygivetheeditorasubject，andhisworkisdone——itisnotroubletowriteitup；butfancyhowyouwouldfeelifyouhadtopumpyourbrainsdryeverydayintheweek，fifty-twoweeksintheyear。Itmakesonelowspiritedsimplytothinkofit。ThematterthateacheditorofadailypaperinAmericawritesinthecourseofayearwouldfillfromfourtoeightbulkyvolumeslikethisbook！Fancywhatalibraryaneditor\'sworkwouldmake，aftertwentyorthirtyyears\'service。YetpeopleoftenmarvelthatDickens，Scott，Bulwer，Dumas，etc。，havebeenabletoproducesomanybooks。Iftheseauthorshadwroughtasvoluminouslyasnewspapereditorsdo，theresultwouldbesomethingtomarvelat，indeed。
Howeditorscancontinuethistremendouslabor，thisexhaustingconsumptionofbrainfibre(fortheirworkiscreative，andnotameremechanicallaying-upoffacts，likereporting)，dayafterdayandyearafteryear，isincomprehensible。Preacherstaketwomonths\'holidayinmidsummer，fortheyfindthattoproducetwosermonsaweekiswearing，inthelongrun。Intruthitmustbeso，andisso；andtherefore，howaneditorcantakefromtentotwentytextsandbuilduponthemfromtentotwentypainstakingeditorialsaweekandkeepitupalltheyearround，isfartherbeyondcomprehensionthanever。EversinceIsurvivedmyweekaseditor，Ihavefoundatleastonepleasureinanynewspaperthatcomestomyhand；itisinadmiringthelongcolumnsofeditorial，andwonderingtomyselfhowinthemischiefhedidit！
Mr。Goodman\'sreturnrelievedmeofemployment，unlessIchosetobecomeareporteragain。Icouldnotdothat；IcouldnotserveintheranksafterbeingGeneralofthearmy。SoIthoughtIwoulddepartandgoabroadintotheworldsomewhere。Justatthisjuncture，Dan，myassociateinthereportorialdepartment，toldme，casually，thattwocitizenshadbeentryingtopersuadehimtogowiththemtoNewYorkandaidinsellingarichsilverminewhichtheyhaddiscoveredandsecuredinanewminingdistrictinourneighborhood。Hesaidtheyofferedtopayhisexpensesandgivehimonethirdoftheproceedsofthesale。
Hehadrefusedtogo。ItwastheveryopportunityIwanted。Iabusedhimforkeepingsoquietaboutit，andnotmentioningitsooner。HesaidithadnotoccurredtohimthatIwouldliketogo，andsohehadrecommendedthemtoapplytoMarshall，thereporteroftheotherpaper。
IaskedDanifitwasagood，honestmine，andnoswindle。Hesaidthemenhadshownhimninetonsoftherock，whichtheyhadgotouttotaketoNewYork，andhecouldcheerfullysaythathehadseenbutlittlerockinNevadathatwasricher；andmoreover，hesaidthattheyhadsecuredatractofvaluabletimberandamill-site，nearthemine。MyfirstideawastokillDan。ButIchangedmymind，notwithstandingIwassoangry，forIthoughtmaybethechancewasnotyetlost。Dansaiditwasbynomeanslost；thatthemenwereabsentatthemineagain，andwouldnotbeinVirginiatoleavefortheEastforsometendays；thattheyhadrequestedhimtodothetalkingtoMarshall，andhehadpromisedthathewouldeithersecureMarshallorsomebodyelseforthembythetimetheygotback；hewouldnowsaynothingtoanybodytilltheyreturned，andthenfulfilhispromisebyfurnishingmetothem。
Itwassplendid。Iwenttobedallonfirewithexcitement；fornobodyhadyetgoneEasttosellaNevadasilvermine，andthefieldwaswhiteforthesickle。IfeltthatsuchamineastheonedescribedbyDanwouldbringaprincelysuminNewYork，andsellwithoutdelayordifficulty。Icouldnotsleep，myfancysoriotedthroughitscastlesintheair。Itwasthe“blindlead“comeagain。
NextdayIgotaway，onthecoach，withtheusualeclatattendingdeparturesofoldcitizens，——forifyouhaveonlyhalfadozenfriendsouttheretheywillmakenoiseforahundredratherthanletyouseemtogoawayneglectedandunregretted——andDanpromisedtokeepstrictwatchforthementhathadtheminetosell。
Thetripwassignalizedbutbyonelittleincident，andthatoccurredjustaswewereabouttostart。Averyseedylookingvagabondpassengergotoutofthestageamomenttowaittilltheusualballastofsilverbrickswasthrownin。Hewasstandingonthepavement，whenanawkwardexpressemployee，carryingabrickweighingahundredpounds，stumbledandletitfallonthebummer\'sfoot。Heinstantlydroppedonthegroundandbegantohowlinthemostheart-breakingway。Asympathizingcrowdgatheredaroundandweregoingtopullhisbootoff；buthescreamedlouderthaneverandtheydesisted；thenhefelltogasping，andbetweenthegaspsejaculated“Brandy！forHeaven\'ssake，brandy！“Theypouredhalfapintdownhim，anditwonderfullyrestoredandcomfortedhim。
Thenhebeggedthepeopletoassisthimtothestage，whichwasdone。
Theexpresspeopleurgedhimtohaveadoctorattheirexpense，buthedeclined，andsaidthatifheonlyhadalittlebrandytotakealongwithhim，tosoothehisparoxymsofpainwhentheycameon，hewouldbegratefulandcontent。Hewasquicklysuppliedwithtwobottles，andwedroveoff。Hewassosmilingandhappyafterthat，thatIcouldnotrefrainfromaskinghimhowhecouldpossiblybesocomfortablewithacrushedfoot。
“Well，“saidhe，“Ihadn\'thadadrinkfortwelvehours，andhadn\'tacenttomyname。Iwasmostperishing——andso，whenthatdufferdroppedthathundred-pounderonmyfoot，Iseemychance。Gotacorkleg，youknow！“andhepulleduphispantaloonsandprovedit。
Hewasasdrunkasalordalldaylong，andfullofchucklingsoverhistimelyingenuity。
Onedrunkenmannecessarilyremindsoneofanother。IonceheardagentlemantellaboutanincidentwhichhewitnessedinaCalifornianbar-
room。Heentitledit“YeModestManTakethaDrink。”Itwasnothingbutabitofacting，butitseemedtomeaperfectrendering，andworthyofToodleshimself。Themodestman，tolerablyfargonewithbeerandothermatters，entersasaloon(twenty-fivecentsisthepriceforanythingandeverything，andspecietheonlymoneyused)andlaysdownahalfdollar；
callsforwhiskeyanddrinksit；thebar-keepermakeschangeandlaysthequarterinawetplaceonthecounter；themodestmanfumblesatitwithnervelessfingers，butitslipsandthewaterholdsit；hecontemplatesit，andtriesagain；sameresult；observesthatpeopleareinterestedinwhatheisat，blushes；fumblesatthequarteragain——blushes——putshisforefingercarefully，slowlydown，tomakesureofhisaim——pushesthecointowardthebar-keeper，andsayswithasigh:
“Gimmeacigar！“
Naturally，anothergentlemanpresenttoldaboutanotherdrunkenman。Hesaidhereeledtowardhomelateatnight；madeamistakeandenteredthewronggate；thoughthesawadogonthestoop；anditwas——anironone。
Hestoppedandconsidered；wonderedifitwasadangerousdog；venturedtosay“Be(hic)begone！“Noeffect。Thenheapproachedwarily，andadoptedconciliation；purseduphislipsandtriedtowhistle，butfailed；stillapproached，saying，“Poordog！——doggy，doggy，doggy！——poordoggy-dog！“Gotuponthestoop，stillpettingwithfondnames；tillmasteroftheadvantages；thenexclaimed，“Leave，youthief！“——plantedavindictivekickinhisribs，andwenthead-over-heelsoverboard，ofcourse。Apause；asighortwoofpain，andthenaremarkinareflectivevoice:
“Awfulsoliddog。Whatcouldhebeneating?(\'ic！)Rocks，p\'raps。
Suchanimalsisdangerous——\'At\'swhatIsay——they\'redangerous。Ifaman——(\'ic！)——ifamanwantstofeedadogonrocks，lethimfeedhimonrocks；\'at\'sallright；butlethimkeephimathome——nothavehimlayin\'
roundpromiscuous，where(\'ic！)wherepeople\'sliabletostumbleoverhimwhentheyain\'tnoticin\'！“
ItwasnotwithoutregretthatItookalastlookatthetinyflag(itwasthirty-fivefeetlongandtenfeetwide)flutteringlikealady\'shandkerchieffromthetopmostpeakofMountDavidson，twothousandfeetaboveVirginia\'sroofs，andfeltthatdoubtlessIwasbiddingapermanentfarewelltoacitywhichhadaffordedmethemostvigorousenjoymentoflifeIhadeverexperienced。AndthisremindsmeofanincidentwhichthedullestmemoryVirginiacouldboastatthetimeithappenedmustvividlyrecall，attimes，tillitspossessordies。Lateonesummerafternoonwehadarainshower。
Thatwasastonishingenough，initself，tosetthewholetownbuzzing，foritonlyrains(duringaweekortwoweeks)inthewinterinNevada，andeventhennotenoughatatimetomakeitworthwhileforanymerchanttokeepumbrellasforsale。Buttherainwasnotthechiefwonder。Itonlylastedfiveortenminutes；whilethepeoplewerestilltalkingaboutitalltheheavensgatheredtothemselvesadenseblacknessasofmidnight。AllthevasteasternfrontofMountDavidson，over-
lookingthecity，putonsuchafunerealgloomthatonlythenearnessandsolidityofthemountainmadeitsoutlinesevenfaintlydistinguishablefromthedeadblacknessoftheheavenstheyrestedagainst。Thisunaccustomedsightturnedalleyestowardthemountain；andastheylooked，alittletongueofrichgoldenflamewasseenwavingandquiveringintheheartofthemidnight，awayupontheextremesummit！
Inafewminutesthestreetswerepackedwithpeople，gazingwithhardlyanutteredword，attheonebrilliantmoteinthebroodingworldofdarkness。Itflickedlikeacandle-flame，andlookednolarger；butwithsuchabackgrounditwaswonderfullybright，smallasitwas。Itwastheflag！——thoughnoonesuspecteditatfirst，itseemedsolikeasupernaturalvisitorofsomekind——amysteriousmessengerofgoodtidings，somewerefaintobelieve。Itwasthenation\'semblemtransfiguredbythedepartingraysofasunthatwasentirelypalledfromview；andonnootherobjectdidthegloryfall，inallthebroadpanoramaofmountainrangesanddeserts。Notevenuponthestaffoftheflag——forthat，aneedleinthedistanceatanytime，wasnowuntouchedbythelightandundistinguishableinthegloom。Forawholehourtheweirdvisitorwinkedandburnedinitsloftysolitude，andstillthethousandsofupliftedeyeswatcheditwithfascinatedinterest。Howthepeoplewerewroughtup！Thesuperstitiongrewapacethatthiswasamysticcouriercomewithgreatnewsfromthewar——thepoetryoftheideaexcusingandcommendingit——andonitspread，fromhearttoheart，fromliptolipandfromstreettostreet，tilltherewasageneralimpulsetohaveoutthemilitaryandwelcomethebrightwaifwithasalvoofartillery！
Andallthattimeonesorelytriedman，thetelegraphoperatorsworntoofficialsecrecy，hadtolockhislipsandchainhistonguewithasilencethatwasliketorendthem；forhe，andheonly，ofallthespeculatingmultitude，knewthegreatthingsthissinkingsunhadseenthatdayintheeast——Vicksburgfallen，andtheUnionarmsvictoriousatGettysburg！
ButforthejournalisticmonopolythatforbadetheslightestrevealmentofeasternnewstilladayafteritspublicationintheCaliforniapapers，theglorifiedflagonMountDavidsonwouldhavebeensalutedandre-saluted，thatmemorableevening，aslongastherewasachargeofpowdertothunderwith；thecitywouldhavebeenilluminated，andeverymanthathadanyrespectforhimselfwouldhavegotdrunk，——aswasthecustomofthecountryonalloccasionsofpublicmoment。EvenatthisdistantdayIcannotthinkofthisneedlesslymarredsupremeopportunitywithoutregret。Whatatimewemighthavehad！
CHAPTERLVI。
Werumbledovertheplainsandvalleys，climbedtheSierrastotheclouds，andlookeddownuponsummer-cladCalifornia。AndIwillremarkhere，inpassing，thatallsceneryinCaliforniarequiresdistancetogiveititshighestcharm。Themountainsareimposingintheirsublimityandtheirmajestyofformandaltitude，fromanypointofview——butonemusthavedistancetosoftentheirruggednessandenrichtheirtintings；
aCalifornianforestisbestatalittledistance，forthereisasadpovertyofvarietyinspecies，thetreesbeingchieflyofonemonotonousfamily——redwood，pine，spruce，fir——andso，atanearviewthereisawearisomesamenessofattitudeintheirrigidarms，stretcheddownwardandoutwardinonecontinuedandreiteratedappealtoallmento“Sh！——
don\'tsayaword！——youmightdisturbsomebody！“Closeathand，too，thereisarelieflessandrelentlesssmellofpitchandturpentine；thereisaceaselessmelancholyintheirsighingandcomplainingfoliage；onewalksoverasoundlesscarpetofbeatenyellowbarkanddeadspinesofthefoliagetillhefeelslikeawanderingspiritbereftofafootfall；
hetiresoftheendlesstuftsofneedlesandyearnsforsubstantial，shapelyleaves；helooksformossandgrasstolollupon，andfindsnone，forwherethereisnobarkthereisnakedclayanddirt，enemiestopensivemusingandcleanapparel。OftenagrassyplaininCalifornia，iswhatitshouldbe，butoften，too，itisbestcontemplatedatadistance，becausealthoughitsgrassbladesaretall，theystandupvindictivelystraightandself-sufficient，andareunsociablywideapart，withuncomelyspotsofbarrensandbetween。
OneofthequeerestthingsIknowof，istoheartouristsfrom“theStates“gointoecstasiesoverthelovelinessof“ever-bloomingCalifornia。”Andtheyalwaysdogointothatsortofecstasies。ButperhapstheywouldmodifythemiftheyknewhowoldCalifornians，withthememoryfulluponthemofthedust-coveredandquestionablesummergreensofCalifornian“verdure，“standastonished，andfilledwithworshippingadmiration，inthepresenceofthelavishrichness，thebrilliantgreen，theinfinitefreshness，thespend-thriftvarietyofformandspeciesandfoliagethatmakeanEasternlandscapeavisionofParadiseitself。TheideaofamanfallingintorapturesovergraveandsombreCalifornia，whenthatmanhasseenNewEngland\'smeadow-expansesandhermaples，oaksandcathedral-windowedelmsdeckedinsummerattire，ortheopalinesplendorsofautumndescendinguponherforests，comesverynearbeingfunny——wouldbe，infact，butthatitissopathetic。
Nolandwithanunvaryingclimatecanbeverybeautiful。Thetropicsarenot，forallthesentimentthatiswastedonthem。Theyseembeautifulatfirst，butsamenessimpairsthecharmbyandby。ChangeisthehandmaidenNaturerequirestodohermiracleswith。Thelandthathasfourwell-definedseasons，cannotlackbeauty，orpallwithmonotony。
Eachseasonbringsaworldofenjoymentandinterestinthewatchingofitsunfolding，itsgradual，harmoniousdevelopment，itsculminatinggraces——andjustasonebeginstotireofit，itpassesawayandaradicalchangecomes，withnewwitcheriesandnewgloriesinitstrain。
AndIthinkthattooneinsympathywithnature，eachseason，initsturn，seemstheloveliest。
SanFrancisco，atrulyfascinatingcitytolivein，isstatelyandhandsomeatafairdistance，butcloseathandonenotesthatthearchitectureismostlyold-fashioned，manystreetsaremadeupofdecaying，smoke-grimed，woodenhouses，andthebarrensand-hillstowardtheoutskirtsobtrudethemselvestooprominently。Eventhekindlyclimateissometimespleasanterwhenreadaboutthanpersonallyexperienced，foralovely，cloudlessskywearsoutitswelcomebyandby，andthenwhenthelongedforraindoescomeitstays。Eventheplayfulearthquakeisbettercontemplatedatadis——
Howevertherearevaryingopinionsaboutthat。
TheclimateofSanFranciscoismildandsingularlyequable。Thethermometerstandsataboutseventydegreestheyearround。Ithardlychangesatall。YousleepunderoneortwolightblanketsSummerandWinter，andneveruseamosquitobar。NobodyeverwearsSummerclothing。
Youwearblackbroadcloth——ifyouhaveit——inAugustandJanuary，justthesame。Itisnocolder，andnowarmer，intheonemonththantheother。Youdonotuseovercoatsandyoudonotusefans。Itisaspleasantaclimateascouldwellbecontrived，takeitallaround，andisdoubtlessthemostunvaryinginthewholeworld。Thewindblowsthereagooddealinthesummermonths，butthenyoucangoovertoOakland，ifyouchoose——threeorfourmilesaway——itdoesnotblowthere。IthasonlysnowedtwiceinSanFranciscoinnineteenyears，andthenitonlyremainedonthegroundlongenoughtoastonishthechildren，andsetthemtowonderingwhatthefeatherystuffwas。
Duringeightmonthsoftheyear，straightalong，theskiesarebrightandcloudless，andneveradropofrainfalls。Butwhentheotherfourmonthscomealong，youwillneedtogoandstealanumbrella。Becauseyouwillrequireit。Notjustoneday，butonehundredandtwentydaysinhardlyvaryingsuccession。Whenyouwanttogovisiting，orattendchurch，orthetheatre，youneverlookupatthecloudstoseewhetheritislikelytorainornot——youlookatthealmanac。IfitisWinter，itwillrain——andifitisSummer，itwon\'train，andyoucannothelpit。
Youneverneedalightning-rod，becauseitneverthundersanditneverlightens。Andafteryouhavelistenedforsixoreightweeks，everynight，tothedismalmonotonyofthosequietrains，youwillwishinyourheartthethunderwouldleapandcrashandroaralongthosedrowsyskiesonce，andmakeeverythingalive——youwillwishtheprisonedlightningswouldcleavethedullfirmamentasunderandlightitwithablindingglareforonelittleinstant。Youwouldgiveanythingtoheartheoldfamiliarthunderagainandseethelightningstrikesomebody。AndalongintheSummer，whenyouhavesufferedaboutfourmonthsoflustrous，pitilesssunshine，youarereadytogodownonyourkneesandpleadforrain——hail——snow——thunderandlightning——anythingtobreakthemonotony——
youwilltakeanearthquake，ifyoucannotdoanybetter。Andthechancesarethatyou\'llgetit，too。
SanFranciscoisbuiltonsandhills，buttheyareprolificsandhills。
Theyyieldagenerousvegetation。Alltherareflowerswhichpeoplein“theStates“rearwithsuchpatientcareinparlorflower-potsandgreen-
houses，flourishluxuriantlyintheopenairtherealltheyearround。
Callalilies，allsortsofgeraniums，passionflowers，mossroses——Idonotknowthenamesofatenthpartofthem。IonlyknowthatwhileNewYorkersareburdenedwithbanksanddriftsofsnow，Californiansareburdenedwithbanksanddriftsofflowers，iftheyonlykeeptheirhandsoffandletthemgrow。AndIhaveheardthattheyhavealsothatrarestandmostcuriousofalltheflowers，thebeautifulEspirituSanto，astheSpaniardscallit——orfloweroftheHolySpirit——thoughIthoughtitgrewonlyinCentralAmerica——downontheIsthmus。Initscupisthedaintiestlittlefacsimileofadove，aspureassnow。TheSpaniardshaveasuperstitiousreverenceforit。TheblossomhasbeenconveyedtotheStates，submergedinether；andthebulbhasbeentakenthitheralso，buteveryattempttomakeitbloomafteritarrived，hasfailed。
IhaveelsewherespokenoftheendlessWinterofMono，California，andbutthismomentoftheeternalSpringofSanFrancisco。Nowifwetravelahundredmilesinastraightline，wecometotheeternalSummerofSacramento。OneneverseesSummer-clothingormosquitoesinSanFrancisco——buttheycanbefoundinSacramento。Notalwaysandunvaryingly，butaboutonehundredandforty-threemonthsoutoftwelveyears，perhaps。Flowersbloomthere，always，thereadercaneasilybelieve——peoplesufferandsweat，andswear，morning，noonandnight，andwearouttheirstanchestenergiesfanningthemselves。Itgetshotthere，butifyougodowntoFortYumayouwillfindithotter。FortYumaisprobablythehottestplaceonearth。Thethermometerstaysatonehundredandtwentyintheshadethereallthetime——exceptwhenitvariesandgoeshigher。ItisaU。S。militarypost，anditsoccupantsgetsousedtotheterrificheatthattheysufferwithoutit。Thereisatradition(attributedtoJohnPhenix[Ithasbeenpurloinedbyfiftydifferentscribblerswhoweretoopoortoinventafancybutnotashamedtostealone——M。T。])thatavery，verywickedsoldierdiedthere，once，andofcourse，wentstraighttothehottestcornerofperdition，——
andthenextdayhetelegraphedbackforhisblankets。Thereisnodoubtaboutthetruthofthisstatement——therecanbenodoubtaboutit。I
haveseentheplacewherethatsoldierusedtoboard。InSacramentoitisfierySummeralways，andyoucangatherroses，andeatstrawberriesandice-cream，andwearwhitelinenclothes，andpantandperspire，ateightornineo\'clockinthemorning，andthentakethecars，andatnoonputonyourfursandyourskates，andgoskimmingoverfrozenDonnerLake，seventhousandfeetabovethevalley，amongsnowbanksfifteenfeetdeep，andintheshadowofgrandmountainpeaksthatlifttheirfrostycragstenthousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea。
Thereisatransitionforyou！WherewillyoufindanotherlikeitintheWesternhemisphere?Andsomeofushavesweptaroundsnow-walledcurvesofthePacificRailroadinthatvicinity，sixthousandfeetabovethesea，andlookeddownasthebirdsdo，uponthedeathlessSummeroftheSacramentoValley，withitsfruitfulfields，itsfeatheryfoliage，itssilverstreams，allslumberinginthemellowhazeofitsenchantedatmosphere，andallinfinitelysoftenedandspiritualizedbydistance——adreamy，exquisiteglimpseoffairyland，madeallthemorecharmingandstrikingthatitwascaughtthroughaforbiddengatewayoficeandsnow，andsavagecragsandprecipices。
CHAPTERLVII。
ItwasinthisSacramentoValley，justreferredto，thatadealofthemostlucrativeoftheearlygoldminingwasdone，andyoumaystillsee，inplaces，itsgrassyslopesandlevelstornandgutteredanddisfiguredbytheavariciousspoilersoffifteenandtwentyyearsago。YoumayseesuchdisfigurementsfarandwideoverCalifornia——andinsomesuchplaces，whereonlymeadowsandforestsarevisible——notalivingcreature，notahouse，nostickorstoneorremnantofaruin，andnotasound，notevenawhispertodisturbtheSabbathstillness——youwillfindithardtobelievethattherestoodatonetimeafiercely-flourishinglittlecity，oftwothousandorthreethousandsouls，withitsnewspaper，firecompany，brassband，volunteermilitia，bank，hotels，noisyFourthofJulyprocessionsandspeeches，gamblinghellscrammedwithtobaccosmoke，profanity，andrough-beardedmenofallnationsandcolors，withtablesheapedwithgolddustsufficientfortherevenuesofaGermanprincipality——streetscrowdedandrifewithbusiness——townlotsworthfourhundreddollarsafrontfoot——labor，laughter，music，dancing，swearing，fighting，shooting，stabbing——abloodyinquestandamanforbreakfasteverymorning——everythingthatdelightsandadornsexistence——
alltheappointmentsandappurtenancesofathrivingandprosperousandpromisingyoungcity，——andnownothingisleftofitallbutalifeless，homelesssolitude。Themenaregone，thehouseshavevanished，eventhenameoftheplaceisforgotten。Innootherland，inmoderntimes，havetownssoabsolutelydiedanddisappeared，asintheoldminingregionsofCalifornia。
Itwasadriving，vigorous，restlesspopulationinthosedays。Itwasacuriouspopulation。Itwastheonlypopulationofthekindthattheworldhaseverseengatheredtogether，anditisnotlikelythattheworldwilleverseeitslikeagain。Forobserve，itwasanassemblageoftwohundredthousandyoungmen——notsimpering，dainty，kid-glovedweaklings，butstalwart，muscular，dauntlessyoungbraves，brimfulofpushandenergy，androyallyendowedwitheveryattributethatgoestomakeupapeerlessandmagnificentmanhood——theverypickandchoiceoftheworld\'sgloriousones。Nowomen，nochildren，nograyandstoopingveterans，——nonebuterect，bright-eyed，quick-moving，strong-handedyounggiants——thestrangestpopulation，thefinestpopulation，themostgallanthostthatevertroopeddownthestartledsolitudesofanunpeopledland。
Andwherearetheynow?Scatteredtotheendsoftheearth——orprematurelyagedanddecrepit——orshotorstabbedinstreetaffrays——ordeadofdisappointedhopesandbrokenhearts——allgone，ornearlyall——
victimsdevoteduponthealtarofthegoldencalf——thenoblestholocaustthateverwafteditssacrificialincenseheavenward。Itispitifultothinkupon。
Itwasasplendidpopulation——foralltheslow，sleepy，sluggish-brainedslothsstaidathome——youneverfindthatsortofpeopleamongpioneers——
youcannotbuildpioneersoutofthatsortofmaterial。ItwasthatpopulationthatgavetoCaliforniaanameforgettingupastoundingenterprisesandrushingthemthroughwithamagnificentdashanddaringandarecklessnessofcostorconsequences，whichshebearsuntothisday——andwhensheprojectsanewsurprise，thegraveworldsmilesasusual，andsays“Well，thatisCaliforniaallover。”
Buttheywereroughinthosetimes！Theyfairlyreveledingold，whisky，fights，andfandangoes，andwereunspeakablyhappy。Thehonestminerrakedfromahundredtoathousanddollarsoutofhisclaimaday，andwhatwiththegamblingdensandtheotherentertainments，hehadn\'tacentthenextmorning，ifhehadanysortofluck。Theycookedtheirownbaconandbeans，sewedontheirownbuttons，washedtheirownshirts——
bluewoollenones；andifamanwantedafightonhishandswithoutanyannoyingdelay，allhehadtodowastoappearinpublicinawhiteshirtorastove-pipehat，andhewouldbeaccommodated。Forthosepeoplehatedaristocrats。Theyhadaparticularandmalignantanimositytowardwhattheycalleda“biledshirt。”
Itwasawild，free，disorderly，grotesquesociety！Men——onlyswarminghostsofstalwartmen——nothingjuvenile，nothingfeminine，visibleanywhere！
Inthosedaysminerswouldflockincrowdstocatchaglimpseofthatrareandblessedspectacle，awoman！Oldinhabitantstellhow，inacertaincamp，thenewswentabroadearlyinthemorningthatawomanwascome！Theyhadseenacalicodresshangingoutofawagondownatthecamping-ground——signofemigrantsfromoverthegreatplains。Everybodywentdownthere，andashoutwentupwhenanactual，bonafidedresswasdiscoveredflutteringinthewind！Themaleemigrantwasvisible。Theminerssaid:
“Fetchherout！“
Hesaid:“Itismywife，gentlemen——sheissick——wehavebeenrobbedofmoney，provisions，everything，bytheIndians——wewanttorest。”
“Fetchherout！We\'vegottoseeher！“
“But，gentlemen，thepoorthing，she——“
“FETCHHEROUT！“
He“fetchedherout，“andtheyswungtheirhatsandsentupthreerousingcheersandatiger；andtheycrowdedaroundandgazedather，andtouchedherdress，andlistenedtohervoicewiththelookofmenwholistenedtoamemoryratherthanapresentreality——andthentheycollectedtwenty-
fivehundreddollarsingoldandgaveittotheman，andswungtheirhatsagainandgavethreemorecheers，andwenthomesatisfied。
OnceIdinedinSanFranciscowiththefamilyofapioneer，andtalkedwithhisdaughter，ayoungladywhosefirstexperienceinSanFranciscowasanadventure，thoughsheherselfdidnotrememberit，asshewasonlytwoorthreeyearsoldatthetime。Herfathersaidthat，afterlandingfromtheship，theywerewalkingupthestreet，aservantleadingthepartywiththelittlegirlinherarms。Andpresentlyahugeminer，bearded，belted，spurred，andbristlingwithdeadlyweapons——justdownfromalongcampaigninthemountains，evidently-barredtheway，stoppedtheservant，andstoodgazing，withafaceallalivewithgratificationandastonishment。Thenhesaid，reverently:
“Well，ifitain\'tachild！“Andthenhesnatchedalittleleathersackoutofhispocketandsaidtotheservant:
“There\'sahundredandfiftydollarsindust，there，andI\'llgiveittoyoutoletmekissthechild！“
Thatanecdoteistrue。
Butseehowthingschange。Sittingatthatdinner-table，listeningtothatanecdote，ifIhadoffereddoublethemoneyfortheprivilegeofkissingthesamechild，Iwouldhavebeenrefused。Seventeenaddedyearshavefarmorethandoubledtheprice。
AndwhileuponthissubjectIwillremarkthatonceinStarCity，intheHumboldtMountains，Itookmyplaceinasortoflong，post-officesinglefileofminers，topatientlyawaitmychancetopeepthroughacrackinthecabinandgetasightofthesplendidnewsensation——agenuine，liveWoman！Andattheendofhalfofanhourmyturncame，andIputmyeyetothecrack，andthereshewas，withonearmakimbo，andtossingflap-
jacksinafrying-panwiththeother。
Andshewasonehundredandsixty-five[Beingincalmermood，now，I
voluntarilyknockoffahundredfromthat——M。T。]yearsold，andhadn\'tatoothinherhead。
CHAPTERLVIII。
ForafewmonthsIenjoyedwhattomewasanentirelynewphaseofexistence——abutterflyidleness；nothingtodo，nobodytoberesponsibleto，anduntroubledwithfinancialuneasiness。IfellinlovewiththemostcordialandsociablecityintheUnion。Afterthesage-brushandalkalidesertsofWashoe，SanFranciscowasParadisetome。Ilivedatthebesthotel，exhibitedmyclothesinthemostconspicuousplaces，infestedtheopera，andlearnedtoseemenrapturedwithmusicwhichoftenerafflictedmyignorantearthanenchantedit，ifIhadhadthevulgarhonestytoconfessit。However，IsupposeIwasnotgreatlyworsethanthemostofmycountrymeninthat。Ihadlongedtobeabutterfly，andIwasoneatlast。Iattendedprivatepartiesinsumptuouseveningdress，simperedandairedmygraceslikeabornbeau，andpolkadandschottischedwithasteppeculiartomyself——andthekangaroo。Inaword，Ikepttheduestateofamanworthahundredthousanddollars(prospectively，)andlikelytoreachabsoluteaffluencewhenthatsilver-
minesaleshouldbeultimatelyachievedintheEast。Ispentmoneywithafreehand，andmeantimewatchedthestocksaleswithaninterestedeyeandlookedtoseewhatmighthappeninNevada。
Somethingveryimportanthappened。ThepropertyholdersofNevadavotedagainsttheStateConstitution；butthefolkswhohadnothingtolosewereinthemajority，andcarriedthemeasureovertheirheads。Butafterallitdidnotimmediatelylooklikeadisaster，thoughunquestionablyitwasoneIhesitated，calculatedthechances，andthenconcludednottosell。Stockswentonrising；speculationwentmad；
bankers，merchants，lawyers，doctors，mechanics，laborers，eventheverywasherwomenandservantgirls，wereputtinguptheirearningsonsilverstocks，andeverysunthatroseinthemorningwentdownonpaupersenrichedandrichmenbeggared。Whatagamblingcarnivalitwas！GouldandCurrysoaredtosixthousandthreehundreddollarsafoot！Andthen——allofasudden，outwentthebottomandeverythingandeverybodywenttoruinanddestruction！Thewreckwascomplete。
Thebubblescarcelyleftamicroscopicmoisturebehindit。Iwasanearlybeggarandathoroughone。Myhoardedstockswerenotworththepapertheywereprintedon。Ithrewthemallaway。I，thecheerfulidiotthathadbeensquanderingmoneylikewater，andthoughtmyselfbeyondthereachofmisfortune，hadnotnowasmuchasfiftydollarswhenIgatheredtogethermyvariousdebtsandpaidthem。Iremovedfromthehoteltoaveryprivateboardinghouse。Itookareporter\'sberthandwenttowork。Iwasnotentirelybrokeninspirit，forIwasbuildingconfidentlyonthesaleofthesilvermineintheeast。ButIcouldnothearfromDan。Mylettersmiscarriedorwerenotanswered。
OnedayIdidnotfeelvigorousandremainedawayfromtheoffice。ThenextdayIwentdowntowardnoonasusual，andfoundanoteonmydeskwhichhadbeentheretwenty-fourhours。Itwassigned“Marshall“——theVirginiareporter——andcontainedarequestthatIshouldcallatthehotelandseehimandafriendortwothatnight，astheywouldsailfortheeastinthemorning。Apostscriptaddedthattheirerrandwasabigminingspeculation！Iwashardlyeversosickinmylife。IabusedmyselfforleavingVirginiaandentrustingtoanothermanamatterI
oughttohaveattendedtomyself；IabusedmyselfforremainingawayfromtheofficeontheonedayofalltheyearthatIshouldhavebeenthere。
AndthusberatingmyselfItrottedamiletothesteamerwharfandarrivedjustintimetobetoolate。Theshipwasinthestreamandunderway。
Icomfortedmyselfwiththethoughtthatmaybethespeculationwouldamounttonothing——poorcomfortatbest——andthenwentbacktomyslavery，resolvedtoputupwithmythirty-fivedollarsaweekandforgetallaboutit。
AmonthafterwardIenjoyedmyfirstearthquake。Itwasonewhichwaslongcalledthe“great“earthquake，andisdoubtlesssodistinguishedtillthisday。Itwasjustafternoon，onabrightOctoberday。IwascomingdownThirdstreet。Theonlyobjectsinmotionanywhereinsightinthatthicklybuiltandpopulousquarter，wereamaninabuggybehindme，andastreetcarwendingslowlyupthecrossstreet。Otherwise，allwassolitudeandaSabbathstillness。AsIturnedthecorner，aroundaframehouse，therewasagreatrattleandjar，anditoccurredtomethatherewasanitem！——nodoubtafightinthathouse。BeforeIcouldturnandseekthedoor，therecameareallyterrificshock；thegroundseemedtorollundermeinwaves，interruptedbyaviolentjogglingupanddown，andtherewasaheavygrindingnoiseasofbrickhousesrubbingtogether。
Ifellupagainsttheframehouseandhurtmyelbow。Iknewwhatitwas，now，andfrommerereportorialinstinct，nothingelse，tookoutmywatchandnotedthetimeofday；atthatmomentathirdandstillseverershockcame，andasIreeledaboutonthepavementtryingtokeepmyfooting，Isawasight！Theentirefrontofatallfour-storybrickbuildinginThirdstreetsprungoutwardlikeadoorandfellsprawlingacrossthestreet，raisingadustlikeagreatvolumeofsmoke！Andherecamethebuggy——overboardwenttheman，andinlesstimethanIcantellitthevehiclewasdistributedinsmallfragmentsalongthreehundredyardsofstreet。
Onecouldhavefanciedthatsomebodyhadfiredachargeofchair-roundsandragsdownthethoroughfare。Thestreetcarhadstopped，thehorseswererearingandplunging，thepassengerswerepouringoutatbothends，andonefatmanhadcrashedhalfwaythroughaglasswindowononesideofthecar，gotwedgedfastandwassquirmingandscreaminglikeanimpaledmadman。Everydoor，ofeveryhouse，asfarastheeyecouldreach，wasvomitingastreamofhumanbeings；andalmostbeforeonecouldexecuteawinkandbeginanother，therewasamassedmultitudeofpeoplestretchinginendlessprocessiondowneverystreetmypositioncommanded。
Neverwassolemnsolitudeturnedintoteeminglifequicker。
Ofthewonderswroughtby“thegreatearthquake，“thesewereallthatcameundermyeye；butthetricksitdid，elsewhere，andfarandwideoverthetown，madetoothsomegossipforninedays。
Thedestructionofpropertywastrifling——theinjurytoitwaswide-
spreadandsomewhatserious。
The“curiosities“oftheearthquakeweresimplyendless。Gentlemenandladieswhoweresick，orweretakingasiesta，orhaddissipatedtillalatehourandweremakinguplostsleep，throngedintothepublicstreetsinallsortsofqueerapparel，andsomewithoutanyatall。Onewomanwhohadbeenwashinganakedchild，randownthestreetholdingitbytheanklesasifitwereadressedturkey。ProminentcitizenswhoweresupposedtokeeptheSabbathstrictly，rushedoutofsaloonsintheirshirt-sleeves，withbilliardcuesintheirhands。Dozensofmenwithnecksswathedinnapkins，rushedfrombarber-shops，latheredtotheeyesorwithonecheekcleanshavedandtheotherstillbearingahairystubble。Horsesbrokefromstables，andafrighteneddogrushedupashortatticladderandoutontoaroof，andwhenhisscarewasoverhadnotthenervetogodownagainthesamewayhehadgoneup。
Aprominenteditorflewdownstairs，intheprincipalhotel，withnothingonbutonebriefundergarment——metachambermaid，andexclaimed:
“Oh，whatshallIdo！WhereshallIgo！“
Sherespondedwithnaiveserenity:
“Ifyouhavenochoice，youmighttryaclothing-store！“
Acertainforeignconsul\'sladywastheacknowledgedleaderoffashion，andeverytimesheappearedinanythingneworextraordinary，theladiesinthevicinitymadearaidontheirhusbands\'pursesandarrayedthemselvessimilarly。Onemanwhohadsufferedconsiderablyandgrowledaccordingly，wasstandingatthewindowwhentheshockscame，andthenextinstanttheconsul\'swife，justoutofthebath，fledbywithnootherapologyforclothingthan——abath-towel！Thesuffererrosesuperiortotheterrorsoftheearthquake，andsaidtohiswife:
“Nowthatissomethinglike！Getoutyourtowelmydear！“
TheplasteringthatfellfromceilingsinSanFranciscothatday，wouldhavecoveredseveralacresofground。Forsomedaysafterward，groupsofeyeingandpointingmenstoodaboutmanyabuilding，lookingatlongzig-
zagcracksthatextendedfromtheeavestotheground。Fourfeetofthetopsofthreechimneysononehousewerebrokensquareoffandturnedaroundinsuchawayastocompletelystopthedraft。
Acrackahundredfeetlonggapedopensixincheswideinthemiddleofonestreetandthenshuttogetheragainwithsuchforce，astoridgeupthemeetingearthlikeaslendergrave。Aladysittinginherrockingandquakingparlor，sawthewallpartattheceiling，openandshuttwice，likeamouth，andthen-droptheendofabrickonthefloorlikeatooth。Shewasawomaneasilydisgustedwithfoolishness，andshearoseandwentoutofthere。OneladywhowascomingdownstairswasastonishedtoseeabronzeHerculesleanforwardonitspedestalasiftostrikeherwithitsclub。Theybothreachedthebottomoftheflightatthesametime，——thewomaninsensiblefromthefright。Herchild，bornsomelittletimeafterward，wasclub-footed。However——onsecondthought，——ifthereaderseesanycoincidenceinthis，hemustdoitathisownrisk。
Thefirstshockbroughtdowntwoorthreehugeorgan-pipesinoneofthechurches。Theminister，withupliftedhands，wasjustclosingtheservices。Heglancedup，hesitated，andsaid:
“However，wewillomitthebenediction！“——andthenextinstanttherewasavacancyintheatmospherewherehehadstood。
Afterthefirstshock，anOaklandministersaid:
“Keepyourseats！Thereisnobetterplacetodiethanthis“——
Andadded，afterthethird:
“Butoutsideisgoodenough！“Hethenskippedoutatthebackdoor。
Suchanotherdestructionofmantelornamentsandtoiletbottlesastheearthquakecreated，SanFrancisconeversawbefore。Therewashardlyagirloramatroninthecitybutsufferedlossesofthiskind。Suspendedpictureswerethrowndown，butoftenerstill，byacuriousfreakoftheearthquake\'shumor，theywerewhirledcompletelyaroundwiththeirfacestothewall！Therewasgreatdifferenceofopinion，atfirst，astothecourseordirectiontheearthquaketraveled，butwaterthatsplashedoutofvarioustanksandbucketssettledthat。Thousandsofpeopleweremadesosea-sickbytherollingandpitchingoffloorsandstreetsthattheywereweakandbed-riddenforhours，andsomefewforevendaysafterward——Hardlyanindividualescapednauseaentirely。
Thequeerearthquake——episodesthatformedthestapleofSanFranciscogossipforthenextweekwouldfillamuchlargerbookthanthis，andsoIwilldivergefromthesubject。
Byandby，intheduecourseofthings，IpickedupacopyoftheEnterpriseoneday，andfellunderthiscruelblow:
NEVADAMINESINNEWYORK——G。M。Marshall，ShebaHursandAmosH。
Rose，wholeftSanFranciscolastJulyforNewYorkCity，withoresfromminesinPineWoodDistrict，HumboldtCounty，andontheReeseRiverrange，havedisposedofaminecontainingsixthousandfeetandcalledthePineMountainsConsolidated，forthesumof$3，000，000。Thestampsonthedeed，whichisnowonitswaytoHumboldtCounty，fromNewYork，forrecord，amountedto$3，000，whichissaidtobethelargestamountofstampseverplacedononedocument。Aworkingcapitalof$1，000，000hasbeenpaidintothetreasury，andmachineryhasalreadybeenpurchasedforalargequartzmill，whichwillbeputupassoonaspossible。Thestockinthiscompanyisallfullpaidandentirelyunassessable。TheoresoftheminesinthisdistrictsomewhatresemblethoseoftheShebamineinHumboldt。ShebaHurst，thediscovererofthemines，withhisfriendscorralledallthebestleadsandallthelandandtimbertheydesiredbeforemakingpublictheirwhereabouts。Oresfromthere，assayedinthiscity，showedthemtobeexceedinglyrichinsilverandgold——silverpredominating。ThereisanabundanceofwoodandwaterintheDistrict。WearegladtoknowthatNewYorkcapitalhasbeenenlistedinthedevelopmentoftheminesofthisregion。Havingseentheoresandassays，wearesatisfiedthattheminesoftheDistrictareveryvaluable——anythingbutwild-cat。
Oncemorenativeimbecilityhadcarriedtheday，andIhadlostamillion！Itwasthe“blindlead“overagain。
Letusnotdwellonthismiserablematter。IfIwereinventingthesethings，Icouldbewonderfullyhumorousoverthem；buttheyaretootruetobetalkedofwithheartylevity，evenatthisdistantday。[True，andyetnotexactlyasgivenintheabovefigures，possibly。IsawMarshall，monthsafterward，andalthoughhehadplentyofmoneyhedidnotclaimtohavecapturedanentiremillion。InfactIgatheredthathehadnotthenreceived$50，000。Beyondthatfigurehisfortuneappearedtoconsistofuncertainvastexpectationsratherthanprodigiouscertainties。However，whentheaboveitemappearedinprintIputfullfaithinit，andincontinentlywiltedandwenttoseedunderit。]SufficeitthatIsolostheart，andsoyieldedmyselfuptorepiningsandsighingsandfoolishregrets，thatIneglectedmydutiesandbecameaboutworthless，asareporterforabrisknewspaper。Andatlastoneoftheproprietorstookmeaside，withacharityIstillrememberwithconsiderablerespect，andgavemeanopportunitytoresignmyberthandsosavemyselfthedisgraceofadismissal。
