89 
PART OF A LADY’S HAT FOUND. 
qui vive , scanning every rock and log, expecting to find her 
at rest after her fatiguing walk across the prairie. I walked on, 
examining every shade, without seeing her. I soon saw at some 
distance a thick grove of underwood, the road passing through 
it, and I thought I saw a smoke rising beyond it. I soon ar¬ 
rived near, approaching very cautiously, and keeping an eye in 
the direction of the smoke. I was not frightened, but my nerv¬ 
ous system was in an unusual state of agitation. I wiped off 
the perspiration, and continued my cautious approach. I was 
soon sufficiently near to see what I at first thought to be a tent, 
but on a nearer examination proved to be blankets thrown over 
a pole, and sweeping the ground. I saw no one. I approached 
still nearer, and came to the conclusion that she was under the 
blankets taking her morning siesta. I still drew nearer, and 
stopped to take a survey of the premises. Just beyond the 
blankets I saw what appeared to be two pairs of heavy boots, 
and on changing my position they both appeared to have men 
in them. I neither fainted, nor ran, but I walked on noiselessly 
to a proper distance and sat down to rest. The men were sleep¬ 
ing on the ground, and I have no doubt the lady was doing the 
same under her temporary shelter. They had undoubtedly 
been to the mines, and perhaps became disheartened, and were 
returning to town. 
The scarcity of ladies in California, is the theme of much con¬ 
versation. There is an anecdote almost universally told in con¬ 
nection with the subject; it is as follows: At a certain point in 
the mineral regions, part of a lady’s hat was discovered, which 
caused so much excitement and joy, that it was immediately 
decided to have a ball on the spot, in honor of the event. Invi¬ 
tations were immediately distributed throughout the country, 
and, on the appointed day, three hundred miners assembled, 
each dressed in a red flannel shirt, and accompanied by a bottle 
of brandy. In the exact spot was driven a stick, five feet high, 
on the top of which was placed the hat, and around it was wrap¬ 
ped a flannel blanket. It was made to represent, as nearly as 
possible, a female form. By the side of this was placed a miner’s 
cradle, or machine, in which was placed a smoked ham, also 
wrapped in a flannel blanket. At the close of each dance the 
president of the meeting would rock the cradle, while the secre- 
