Before laying aside my pen, I am constrained to say a word regarding the
moral tone of society as it existed in California as early as the years
1851 and 1852.
Recollect, kind reader, that the state of society in California at the
present day is as unlike what it was at the time alluded to above as are
the golden tints of the eastern sky ere the glorious orb of day bursts
upon the view, and the dark, portentous gloom which overspreads the
horizon, presaging a coming storm.
To what cause could be attributed this lack of morality; which seemed to
pervade the greater portion of the community at that early day, and
which necessarily dimmed the lustre of the brightest gem in God’s
magnificent footstool? Was it the atmospheric influence which surrounded
them? or were the evil propensities of their natures more forcibly
displayed for the very reason that they felt themselves beyond the reach
of all those conventional forms of society which, in our puritanical
country, serve to restrain, more or less, the inherent evil of our
natures?
Travellers who have wandered in the sunny regions of a tropical clime,
and have mingled with the inhabitants, can scarcely fail to perceive the
effect of that balmy, blissful atmosphere upon the human passions. Their
quick, impulsive natures, warm and generous hearts, overflowing with
love and affection; the bewitching naiveté of manner so characteristic
of the females has often proved a theme for the poet and historian.
California, although not situated within the tropics, many of its sunny
vales possess all the characteristics of soil and climate, and afford
to one all the delights pertaining to a residence in those genial
climes, and, at the time to which I refer, many of those captivating
females had found a home within its borders.
It is oftentimes the case that persons naturally pure, and possessed of
good principles, by constant intercourse with those whose nationalities
are less stringent with regard to morality, are almost unconsciously, as
it were, led to adopt customs, and imbibe sentiments that at first were
quite revolting to their natures.
Ever willing to place the best construction upon another’s conduct, I
would much rather infer that all of the evil which displays itself is
the result of a vacillating mind, unable to withstand temptation, rather
than of an innate desire to set at defiance the laws of God and man.
Persons from all classes were to be found in California,--the moral and
the immoral, the tempter and the tempted. Well may it call a blush to
the cheek of our own sex, when I assert that the immoral predominated,
as far as the female portion of the community were concerned. I have
been an unwilling observer of transactions, which, had they been related
to me, would have shaken my opinion somewhat respecting the veracity of
the narrator. Think of a town in California where the females numbered
more than two hundred, and from that number the pure, high-minded, and
virtuous could not have selected more than three or four with whom they
could have associated, and have derived a sweet pleasure in the
interchange of all those ennobling sentiments which shed such a halo of
loveliness around fair woman’s shrine.
Now, it is characteristic of my humble self to illustrate every subject
by relating some event which has come under my personal observation, and
which will, I think, serve to interest.
Among the first who emigrated from the city of Boston to the western El
Dorado were a mother and daughter.
The daughter, yet scarcely fifteen years of age, gave promise of extreme
loveliness. Carefully had that mother guarded her, lest a too early
acquaintance with the chilling realities of life should rob her young
and guileless heart of a portion of its pristine purity and undimmed
faith.
Of that mother’s early history but little was known; yet it was often
whispered by the gossiping ones that the remembrance of her own sad,
youthful experience had given that shade of melancholy, that tinge of
sadness, which at times shaded so deeply her yet fair brow. Whatever had
been her bitter trials and disappointments, it was evident to a casual
observer that the whole wealth of her affections, the deep, unfathomable
love of a mother’s heart were centred on the well-being of her only
child.
The better to acquire a competency, wherewith to surround the loved one
with all those appliances of comfort so desirable to a young and
beautiful girl, the mother determined to seek a home within the
precincts of the “Golden State.” Better, far better, had she immured
herself and child in the catacombs of Rome than thus to have launched
their frail bark upon the golden wave of a California sea.
The most ambitious votary of admiration there at that time must have
been satisfied, and even satiated, with the amount of homage, adulation,
and heartless flattery, which was poured into their too willing ears.
One can realize the danger likely to be incurred by placing a young,
lovely, and attractive female in a country where virtue was regarded by
the mass only as a name, and while she was yet too young to discriminate
between the respectful homage of sensible gentlemen and the
soul-sickening, hypocritical, despicable flatteries which often flow so
smoothly from under the moustache of the soulless, “vanity-puffed,
shallow-brained apology” for a man. One saw many of those specimens in a
day’s walk through the city of San Francisco, and also in her sister
cities.
Nightly they would convene in those gilded halls of iniquity, and pursue
their soul-killing avocation. To be sure, they nightly won their
thousands, little caring for the mental agony of their victims, whom
they had robbed of the last ounce of dust, which they had been months,
perhaps, accumulating, and which they had intended to have transmitted
to their families in their far distant homes. Wait patiently, wife and
little ones,--wait patiently for the father and husband to learn the
best and most effective lesson ever taught by that inexorable
schoolmaster, experience! If his first lesson is severe indeed, as a
general thing, he is not over anxious to risk a second recital, and the
absent wife may hope again to welcome his loved image to the now
sorrowful home.
These professed gamblers are never content with ruining those of their
own sex, but are ever on the alert and the watch for victims from among
the youthful, unsophisticated, and beautiful of the opposite sex; and
Lillie Lee was far too captivating to remain long in obscurity.
Notwithstanding the vigilance of her mother, she had formed an
acquaintance with one of the most enticing of the gambling brotherhood.
For weeks and months he had been gradually gaining a strong foothold
upon her affections, by practising all those insidious arts which too
often successfully entrap the uninitiated. He knew he was beloved, and,
knowing that, felt secure of his victim.
The affection bestowed upon that dissolute gamester was deserving a
better object. Upon the promise of a speedy marriage, she left her
mother’s roof; and together they fled to one of the interior towns.
Who can graphically describe that mother’s anguish, upon learning the
flight of her darling? Within a few hours of their departure, the
bereaved, heart-broken, and nearly frantic woman was on the track of the
seducer and his victim. She arrived about midnight at the town where the
fugitives had taken up their abode. After travelling nearly thirty-six
hours without once tasting food, or taking any rest, this grief-stricken
woman procured a suitable disguise, and, arming herself with a “Colt’s
revolver,” started on her mission of death.
Grief had rendered her frantic, and, in the desperation of the moment,
she had made a vow, and registered it on the tablet of a broken heart,
that she would avenge her daughter’s ruin by taking the life of her
seducer; forgetting, in the frenzy of excitement, that she was assuming
a power never intended to be usurped by the sinful children of earth.
She threaded her lonely way through the nearly deserted streets of that
inland city, never wavering in her murderous intentions, until she
paused at the entrance of one of those brilliantly lighted
gambling-saloons which spread their contaminating influence on all
around. She entered, expecting and hoping to find the object of pursuit
engaged in his nefarious vocation. She saw, however, only the usual
appurtenances of these houses of sin. Elegantly attired women, within
whose natures long since had expired the last flickering spark of
feminine modesty, were seated, dealing cards at a game of Faro or
Lansquenet, and, by their winning smile and enticing manner, inducing
hundreds of men to stake their all upon their tables. The stricken
mother passed through the crowd, but could nowhere see the object of her
search.
In this manner she visited all the houses of like reputation, with
similar success. By some means or other, she obtained a clue to their
whereabouts, reached the door of their room, and, in a disguised voice,
demanded admittance. After a long delay, the door was opened, and the
despoiled and despoiler met face to face. Quicker than thought, the
revolver was levelled at his breast, when a piercing shriek broke on the
stillness of the night, and the words, “Mother! oh, mother! in Heaven’s
name, desist!” burst, in tones of concentrated anguish, from the
affrighted girl. In an instant she had thrown herself between the
parties, and was imploring her mother to spare the life of him she
loved.
What power had changed that mother’s anger to grief too deep for
utterance? Was it the vivid recollection of a similar scene, enacted
long, long ago, in which she had participated? Did the form of her kind
and sainted mother rise before her? Yes; she beheld again, in fancy,
that calm, sad face, the memory of which had often disturbed her
midnight slumbers. These harrowing recollections of the
would-be-forgotten past were quite too overpowering. It was long before
she was restored to consciousness; and not until repeatedly assured by
that deeply dyed villain, that he would make ample restitution by
marrying her daughter, could she be persuaded to return to her hotel.
The earnest pleadings of the mother could not induce the infatuated girl
to separate from her lover. The mother returned to San Francisco.
Months flew by, scarcely heeded by the happy child. The long-deferred
marriage proved no source of grief to her. She _loved_, and was happy.
She had so much confidence in his honor, that she felt certain he would
marry her. Honor! what a desecration of the word, when used in
connection with such a fiend in human shape!
Perhaps he would have married her,--for he seemed happy only when in her
presence,--if he had not been indissolubly bound to another. Lillie had
yet to learn that stunning truth. It must be so; yet how he trembled,
and shrank from making a disclosure, which, he well knew, would chill
the very life-blood in her veins!
The wife of his youth, tired of living alone in her distant home, had
formed the determination to join her husband, and follow his fortunes in
the “Golden Empire.” Her decision was irrevocable. Even the time was
appointed when he should meet her at the bay. He felt, at times, like
flying with Lillie to parts unknown; for, depraved as he was, she, by
her artless, winning ways, and rich wealth of affection, had stirred
the long-dormant fountain of love in his bosom. Yes, now was coming his
hour of retribution; for he loved Lillie, and must leave her to the fate
that almost always attends the deeply erring. Time was pressing; he must
reveal all. It was done; and for hours she sat like one petrified. She
could only articulate, “Mother! mother! receive again your heart-broken
child!”
They left, that day, for San Francisco,--he, to meet his injured,
unloved wife; she, to be received in the arms of her wronged, but still
loving mother. Under the influence of a powerful narcotic, which had
been administered at her own option, she was conveyed to her mother’s
house; and there we will leave her for the present.
Behold how majestically that mammoth ocean steamer cuts her way through
the sparkling waters of the bay! Now she gracefully turns her prow
towards one of the piers, that is crowded with people. What varied
emotions fill the bosoms of those there assembled! Some are eagerly,
anxiously, expecting the loved wife, from whom they have been separated,
perhaps for years; others, dreading, fearing, to meet those whom they
have ceased to love, and wish they may never behold again. There were
many who had formed connections there that were hard to sever; and
among the last named we find Lillie’s lover. On the steamer’s deck stood
his wife, all eagerness to greet her husband after a two years’
separation.
The meeting once over, he felt he could sustain his part no longer.
Pitiable wife! Henceforth she must be content with a bountiful supply of
pocket money. She may revel in luxury, be surrounded with splendor, have
every wish gratified but the one yearning desire to possess her
husband’s love. That was denied to her. She felt the estrangement
keenly. What a miserable life was hers! Night after night, as her aching
head pressed her lonely pillow, she prayed that death might end her
sufferings.
Early morn, perhaps, would bring her husband home. Perchance his only
word of salutation would be, “Well, wife, last night I won two, three,
or four thousand dollars,” just as the case might be; for he was one of
those successful gamblers who are well versed in all the tricks used to
defraud the unwary. Yes, his coffers were heaped high with his
ill-gotten treasures! What cared the wife for riches, if she must ever
be treated with that cold, studied politeness, always so freezing to the
loving recipient?
Daily I was an unwilling witness to the inward struggles, the pent-up
grief, of the proud woman, for we both resided under one roof. She had
learned all, everything. Whispered rumors were borne to her ears; and
from some source she had learned where was bestowed the affection which
of right belonged to her.
In the interim, what had become of Lillie? Had she repented of her sin,
and chosen purity’s white robe, with which to deck her faultless figure?
Ah, no! She did not possess moral courage sufficient to brave the
heartless sarcasm, the keen reproach, of that class who are ever ready
to judge their fellow-mortals, and who ever forget that divine precept
which teaches us that “to err is human; to forgive, divine.” And then,
after taking the first step in wickedness, it is much easier to follow
on in the downward track, than it is to turn, and tread the flowery path
of purity, which leads to the mansion of happiness.
After the lapse of a few months, she returned to the inland city; “for,”
she remarked, “it is some pleasure to breathe the same atmosphere, to
traverse the same streets, and frequent the same places of resort as the
dearly loved.” She rushed recklessly into dissipation. Her extreme
beauty, and her adventurous, fearless course of conduct, won for her a
widely extended reputation.
One day she would appear in splendid Turkish costume, which admirably
displayed her tiny little foot encased in richly embroidered satin
slippers. Thus would she promenade the thronged thoroughfares of the
city, the observed of all observers. Again she might be seen, superbly
dressed after the fashion of that class of people denominated “fast
men.” How gracefully she held the ribbons, and with what dexterity she
managed her spirited horse, as she dashed madly on over the broad plains
which surrounded the city. In the use of the cigarita she equalled, in
point of fascination, the dark-eyed Spanish women.
I have seen her mounted on a glossy, lithe-limbed race-horse,--one that
had won for her many thousands on the course,--habited in a
closely-fitting riding-dress of black velvet, ornamented with a hundred
and fifty gold buttons, a hat from which depended magnificent sable
plumes, and, over her face, a short white lace veil of the richest
texture, so gossamer-like, one could almost see the fire of passion
flashing from the depths of her dark, lustrous eyes. She took all
captive. Gold and diamonds were showered upon her. Her ringing, musical
laugh seemed the signal at which trouble, care, and sorrow fled away and
hid themselves. Lillie was not soulless, or heartless either; but yet
the hilarity of despair seemed to have fast possession of her. Many a
tear has fallen at the thought of her sad future.
The unloved wife, finding that all efforts to reclaim her husband’s love
proved futile, decided to return to the home of her youth. She took
passage from San Francisco in a steamer upon which Lillie’s mother had
also secured her passage; for, despairing of ever reclaiming her
daughter, she was hastening to leave a country where so much existed to
remind her of her fallen child. Thus were these two sorrowing females
thrown together on ship-board; yet neither by word or look did they
recognize each other. The mother still cherished the same revengeful
feelings towards the seducer; and the proud wife rejected the idea of
allowing, even for a moment, the mother of one who unconsciously had
been instrumental in causing the sky of her existence to be shrouded in
dark, impenetrable gloom, to suspect that she was suffering from
unrequited affection.
The husband was happy again with Lillie, until about two years after his
wife’s departure, when he was unceremoniously hurried into the presence
of his Maker. He met his death by the glittering knife of one whom he
had defrauded of his last ounce of dust. The one to whom he had done the
greatest injury, the most irreparable wrong, wept bitter tears of
anguish over his unhonored grave.
There were many beautiful, depraved women in California who, previous to
leaving their homes in the Atlantic States, had lived virtuous lives;
many who had been the light and the life of the home circle--who had,
indeed, been an ornament to the society in which they moved. Some of
them were desirous of acquiring riches; and, hearing such glowing
accounts of fortunes so speedily amassed in California, and also being
possessed of an adventurous spirit, started, as they termed it, to seek
their fortunes. Some went with their husbands, some with their fathers,
some with their brothers, and too many went alone.
To such as had felt and known all the inconvenience arising from a
limited purse, and thought that if they were blessed with riches, or a
competency even, their happiness would be complete,--to such, I assert,
it was a dangerous country to go to, unless their principles were as
firm as the rocks of their native hills.
One beautiful young girl, in company with her brother, left a pleasant
home, situated in the heart of the “Old Granite State,” and together
they reached the El Dorado of the West. He repaired to the mines, after
having procured a lucrative situation for his sister as governess in a
wealthy Spanish family. Previous to leaving the States, she had been a
music teacher.
After awhile, she became tired of her rather monotonous life, and
conceived the idea of going to one of the interior cities, to see if she
could find something better to do. An offer was made of forty dollars an
evening, if she would sit at a Lansquenet table, and deal the cards. At
first she shrank with horror at the idea of thus appearing in a
gambling-house. Then she thought of her widowed mother at home, deprived
of all the comforts and luxuries so acceptable to the middle-aged and
feeble. Said she, “What an amount of money I can earn in this way,
wherewith to surround mother with every comfort, and yet not compromise
my honor in the least!” Mistaken girl! No woman could long remain
virtuous in one of those gilded saloons of vice, surrounded, as she must
necessarily be, by men who looked upon the opposite sex very much in the
same light as does the fishhawk, which soars above the surface of some
clear lake, ever ready to pounce upon, and bear off in its talons, any
one of the shining piscatory tribe that, more venturesome than another,
approaches too near to the boundaries of its native element.
The night approached on which Jennie was to make her debût in the
sporting world. With a palpitating heart, she repaired, in company with
her employer, to one of the most magnificent gambling establishments in
the city. Upon entering, the dazzling brilliancy of the surrounding
appurtenances, the delicious strains of magical music which burst upon
her ear, were perfectly enchanting; but, as she raised her eyes to the
walls, (from which depended numerous pictures, all calculated to excite
the grosser passions of man, and which were inclosed in magnificently
gilded frames,) she drank in at a glance her position, and fainted. She
was taken to her hotel, and left, for that night, to her own gloomy
reflections.
Oh, Jennie, if you had but listened to, and been guided by, the
spirit-influence of your Guardian Angel, who is ever near and ready,
unless obstinately resisted, to soothe the agitated, wavering heart,
and, by sweet, whispered breathings of divine counsel, is able to lead
the troubled soul to drink of the sweet waters of eternal happiness!
Next morning came the tempter; and, by increasing in amount the already
liberal sum proffered for her services, he gained from her a promise to
make a second attempt the ensuing evening. She went, and this time
succeeded in reaching the seat provided for her; but her head swam, her
step faltered; and well it might, for the licentious gaze of hundreds
rested admiringly upon her superb figure. Her transcendently beautiful
countenance was suffused with the blush of maidenly modesty; and that,
having been an unseen and unheard-of feature in such a place, was all
the more refreshing for its scarcity.
For some time she retained all her original purity; and then the angels
in heaven might have wept, when they saw the tempter secure of his
victim. She had launched her skiff upon the sea of immorality, freighted
with that priceless treasure, virtue; and, in exchange for which, it had
returned to her laden with gold, wherewith she could supply her dearly
loved mother’s every want. Thus she lived for months; not quite so
daring as Lillie, yet drinking sufficiently deep at the Lethean fount to
hush all the whisperings of conscience. She finally terminated her
profitable career of vice by marrying a wealthy, popular man in one of
the mountain towns,--one with whom she had lived on terms of the
greatest intimacy for months before their marriage.
She now moves in good society in one of our Eastern cities, surrounded
with all the appliances of wealth, in possession of the love of a
popular and respected husband. Who, among her numerous friends, would
stop to make inquiries of her past life? And, even if her fashionable
acquaintances knew of her past follies, I am rather inclined to think
they would “wink” at them rather than lose a _wealthy friend_. Such was
life as I saw it in California.