Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/824

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at three dollars each, he would have to sell to pay expenses.

The following is but one of innumerable like matrimonial adventures: A young man of twenty -five arrived in California from one of the southern states in 1849, and settled in Marysville. By the exercise of industry and economy, in 1855 he found himself in possession of money and property to the amount of sixty or eighty thousand dollars. But the poor fellow was wifeless, and hence lonely and dissatisfied. His money did not bring him happiness; his life was passing away, and he making no mark. His existence was incomplete, hollow, comfortless. He must have a wife, and as women in his vicinity were few and scarcely to his liking, he set out for the bay city with matrimonial intent. There he found one whom he concluded to try at a venture, but she would none of him. And so it was with all; those who would marry him, he would not marry; those whom he would marry would not marry him. Giving it up he returned home, a disappointed man.

One day, not long after his return, he happened to meet a friend, a young married woman, at a moment when he was in a confiding^ humor. He told her the tale of his sore heart, of his attempt and failure, and her sympathies were immediately enlisted. Where is the woman whose blood does not warm in such a cause? The young man was worthy and wealthy. During the conversation his fair friend happened to think of a sister she had left in New Jersey, two years younger, and the counterpart of herself; perhaps she might be induced to come to California and fill the void in this man's affections. She hinted as much to her companion, who eagerly made a direct offer. He agreed to pay all the young woman's expenses out, and to marry her on her arrival. On behalf of her sister, his friend accepted the proposal, forwarded the young man's money to his intended bride, who on receipt