"I flattered myself that it was the handsomest and richest costume at the ball." A little later, in 1850, he went to San Francisco, to join his father in the practice of law.

It was in the first days of the gold rush, when the city was in the making, and fabulous prices were paid for the commodities of life.

In the make-up of a man there had to be a certain amount of stern stuff if he was to survive in that struggle for existence.

Young McAllister prospered, and in the course of time built himself a house.

"My furniture," he recorded, "just from Paris, was acajou and white and blue horse-hair.