RANCH LIFE. 247 



in mine inn," as well as meals and lodging, and was on my 

 homeward way. I remembered all the localities as I passed, 

 and their recollections gave me the reverse of pleasure, save 

 as I contrasted the past with the present. At that ranch we 

 had sought for work, at this we had intruded at meal time, 

 and farther on, at yon wayside house, the gory-handed pig"- 

 butcher had rebuffed me. Coming to the divide between the 

 valleys of Napa and Suisun, I soon reached the plains be- 

 yond and started for the " Cordelia House," now a map-marked 

 town, called Cordelia. It was here that " Scottie " and I had 

 stopped over night, and where the good soul divided his last 

 dollar with me and where we left our surplus luggage. The 

 landlord had forgotten me until I reminded him where he put 

 our carpet-bags, when, on lifting a trap in the floor, he handed 

 me mine. " Scottie's " things were there yet ; so it appeared 

 he had not traveled this way. As I saw his familiar carpet- 

 bag down in the dark, grave-like hole, I could not disconnect 

 the sight from scenes sepulchral ; and when the landlord let 

 down the narrow trap, it seemed as if he was closing the cof- 

 fin-lid of poor " Scottie." And here, on the scene of his act 

 of abnegation, I again felt conscience-smitten that I had not 

 called him back after his stolid departure from the ranch and 

 given him a hearty squeeze of the hand and a God-speed, in 

 memory of past kindnesses and to cheer him on his lonely 

 way. 



I was glad to find my carpet-bag. In it was a suit of clothes 

 I had carried with me from Kansas, thinking a presentable 

 appearance would sometimes help me to a situation, and which 

 before leaving home had been my " best suit." Then there 

 was a folio-book in which I had transcribed my writings; poor 

 enough when I look upon them now, but which I then thought 

 would be a passport to a good position. In it, in pencil, I had 

 kept the notes of my overland journey. There were other 

 books which helped weigh me down, all of which I found and 



