Pella Judith - Sea to Shining Sea

T he setting was unbelievable!

When I first walked into the huge ballroom of the Montgomery Hotel at Pas side, I could not take in all the magnificence of the place. Under the bright lights of chandeliers, the men sauntered around in expensive blacuits, and the women in long gowns. Waiters carried food and drinks about on silver trays, and hundreds of important people milled together in that gigantic fancy room.

All I could think was, What are we doing here?

But we were there. And as we walked in, I think Pa sensed my nervousness.

Come on, buck up, Corrie, he whispered down to me, placing a reassuring hand on my arm. They invited us. And youre every bit the lady any of these other women are.

He patted my hand. So dont you go willowy on me or faint or nothin, he added. Im just as nervous as you are.

When the invitation had come a month earlier for Pa and me to attend the Republican reception in June of 1860 at the Montgomery Hotel in San Francisco, at first I didnt think too much of it. But a few days later Pa said, We oughta go to that shindig, Corrie. Its not every day a couple of country locals like us get the chance to mix with important folks. What do you think?

You really want to, Pa?

Sure, just so long as you come too.

I dont know why they invited me, I said. Youre mayor of a town. But why me?

Because youre a prominent young lady writer, said Pa. Aint no big mystery in that.

Maybe it was Jessie Fremonts doing, I suggested. She and Mr. Fremont probably know every important Republican in California. Maybe they told somebody about me before they left for the East.

Never hurts to know high-up people, said Pa with a wink. Anyhow, what do you thinkyou up for a trip to San Francisco?

And so there we were. Pa in his new suit, fresh-shaved, looked as handsome and important as ever a man could. And I wore my new dressyellow, with ruffles and a sash, and my hair fixed up with a matching ribbon in it. We walked into the ballroom of the Montgomery Hotel to join all the men who would play a leading role in the upcoming national election of 1860.

Hey, Hollister! called out a voice. We both turned to see Carl Denver hurrying our way. He greeted us and shook our hands. Come with me, he said. Theres someone I want you to meet.

Before we could say much in reply, Mr. Denver had us in tow, steering us through the crowd. Then all of a sudden we were face-to-face with one of the tallest, most handsome men I had ever seen.

Cal, said Mr. Denver, I want you to meet two friends of mine from up in Miracle Springsthis is Corrie Hollister and her father, Drummond Hollister, the mayor of Miracle. Corrie, Hollister... meet Cal Burton, an important fellow here in San Francisco these days.

Pa shook the mans hand. I just stood there watching and listening to him laugh at Mr. Denvers words.

Come on now, Carl, he said, you shouldnt lie to these good people. Im no more important than the shoeshine boy on the street outside.

Dont let his modesty fool you, said Mr. Denver, turning to me and speaking as if it were confidential. Cal works for Leland Stanford, and from what I hear, he is moving up fast. You keep your eye on him, Corrie. He might get you a story or two thatll make you famous.

A storywhat are you talking about, Carl? said Burton, turning away from Pa and toward us.

Corrie heres a writer, Calyou know, Californias woman reporter.

Why, of course! he said. Now I remember you telling me about her. He took my hand, but instead of giving it a manly shake, he just held it softly for a moment.

My heart started beating fast, and I could feel my face reddening all the way up the back of my neck and cheeks. My eyes had been following my hand as it was swallowed up in his. And now I found myself slowly glancing up as he released it. His eyes bored straight into mine.

Im embarrassed to admit it, but the touch of his hand, the look in his eyes, and his smile made me feel a little light-headed for the rest of the evening. Im sure Pa noticed, especially when he caught me staring in Mr. Burtons direction a couple of times. But he was nice enough not to say anything about it.

He was too busy anyway, meeting people and listening to speeches. I met a lot of other people too, but as I think back on the evening, I only remember a few of the names. Cal Burton did take me to meet his boss, the important railroad man and politician, Mr. Stanford. I couldnt say I actually spoke to him, because he was busy talking with some important Republicans about the election and slavery and the need for railroad development in California.

I wish I could recall more of the things I heard everyone talking about, because those were important times for Californias future. The election, the railroad, and slavery were the subjects on everyones minds and the topics of every conversation.

But I dont remember very much, because I couldnt keep my eyes off Cal Burton, and I couldnt keep down the fluttering in my chest. I thought everybody in the huge ballroom must have been able to hear the pounding of my pulse, although nobody seemed to pay much attention.

Cal was tall, with straight light-brown hair, parted in the middle and coming down over his forehead almost to his eyebrows, then falling around the sides just above his ears. He wore a fancy suit, light brown like his hair, and a ruffled shirt and polished boots. What a figure he cut, with those blue eyes that contrasted with the brown of his hair and suit and the tan of his face! He had a friendly smile and a warm tone, yet a thoughtfulness that made his brow crinkle when he was thinking about what to say.

Altogether, Cal Burton had a lively, interesting, intelligent, pleasant face. How could I help giving it a second, or even a third look?

I heard Pas voice at my side. Hes going to get a headache if you keep looking at him like that!

Oh, Pa! I said, blushing again. I was just

I know what you was doing, Corrie, Pa added. And theres nothin wrong with admitting you like the looks of a good-looking young man. He gave me a smile. You just might want to not be so obvious about it.

I didnt know I was.

Pa chuckled. Everybody in the place is gonna know if you dont pull those eyes of yours back inside your head! Now come on, what do you say you and I go over and hear what some of those men in the fancy suits are saying about the election?