journals. I remember an editorial in "The Monte Flat Monitor," entitled
"The Effete East," in which the fatal decadence of New York and New
England was elaborately stated, and California offered as a means of
natural salvation. "Perhaps," said "The Monitor," "we might add that
Calaveras County offers superior inducements to the Eastern visitor with
capital."

Later he spoke of his family. The daughter he had left a child had grown
into beautiful womanhood. The son was already taller and larger than his
father; and, in a playful trial of strength, "the young rascal,"
added Plunkett, with a voice broken with paternal pride and humorous
objurgation, had twice thrown his doting parent to the ground. But it
was of his daughter he chiefly spoke. Perhaps emboldened by the
evident interest which masculine Monte Flat held in feminine beauty, he
expatiated at some length on her various charms and accomplishments, and
finally produced her photograph,--that of a very pretty girl,--to their
infinite peril. But his account of his first meeting with her was so
peculiar, that I must fain give it after his own methods, which were,
perhaps, some shades less precise and elegant than his written style.

"You see, boys, it's always been my opinion that a man oughter be able
to tell his own flesh and blood by instinct. It's ten years since I'd
seen my Melindy; and she was then only seven, and about so high. So,
when I went to New York, what did I do? Did I go straight to my house,
and ask for my wife and daughter, like other folks? No, sir! I rigged
myself up as a peddler, as a peddler, sir; and I rung the bell. When the
servant came to the door, I wanted--don't you see?--to show the ladies
some trinkets. Then there was a voice over the banister says, 'Don't
want any thing: send him away.'--'Some nice laces, ma'am, smuggled,'
I says, looking up. 'Get out, you wretch!' says she. I knew the voice,