's own radiance smiled,
His sweet companion, Eve!

Fondly he clasped her to his heart,
And blissfully he cried,
"What tho' I've lost a Paradise,
I've gained an angel bride!
No flowers in Eden ever bloomed,
No! not in heaven above,
Sweeter than woman brings to man--
Her friendship, truth, and love!"

These buds were brought by Adam's bride,
Outside of Eden's gate,
And scattered o'er the world; _to them_
This book I dedicate.

[Decoration]

[Decoration]

V.

_PHASES IN THE LIFE OF JOHN POLLEXFEN._

PHASE THE FIRST.

There are but three persons now living who can truthfully answer the
question, "How did John Pollexfen, the photographer, make his fortune?"

No confidence will be violated, now that he is dead, and his heirs
residents of a foreign country, if I relate the story of that singular
man, whose rapid accumulation of wealth astonished the whole circle of
his acquaintance.

Returning from the old man's funeral a few days since, the subject of
Pollexfen's discoveries became the topic of conversation; and my
companions in the same carriage, aware that, as his attorney and
confidential friend, I knew more of the details of his business than any
one else, extorted from me a promise that at the first leisure moment I
would relate, in print, the secret of that curious invention by which
the photographic art was so largely enriched, and himself elevated at
once to the acme of opulence and renown.

Few persons who were residents of the city of San Francisco at an early
day, will fail to remember the site of the humble gallery in which
Pollexfen laid the foundations of his fame. It was situated on Merchant
Street, about midway between Kearny and Montgomery Streets, in an old
wooden building; the ground being occupied at present by the solid brick
structure of Thomas R. Bolton. It fed the flames of the great May fire
of 1851, was rebuilt, but again consumed in December, 1853. It was
during the fall of the latter year that the principal event took place
which is to constitute the most prominent feature of my narrative.

I am aware that the facts will be discredited by many, and doubted at
first by all; but I beg to premise, at the outset, that because they are
uncommon, by no means proves that they are untrue. Besides, should the
question ever become a judicial one, I hold in my hands such _written
proofs_, signed by the parties m