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padding-top: 1px } + + .coverpage, .titlepage, + .contents, .foreword, .preface, .introduction, .dedication, .prologue, + .epilogue, .appendix, .glossary, .bibliography, .index, .colophon, + .footnotes, + .cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 1px } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} +</style> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 35538 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="the-squatter-and-the-don"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">The Squatter and the Don</h1> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<div class="container" id="pg-produced-by"> +<p class="noindent pfirst">Produced by David Edwards, Katherine Ward, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at <a class="reference external" href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pnext">This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="class container titlepage"> +<div class="center large line-block noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">THE SQUATTER AND THE DON</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line">A NOVEL DESCRIPTIVE OF CONTEMPORARY OCCURRENCES IN CALIFORNIA.</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">BY</div> +<div class="line">C. LOYAL.</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">SAN FRANCISCO:</div> +<div class="line">1885.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"><em class="italics">Copyright, 1885.</em></div> +<div class="line">C. LOYAL.</div> +<div class="line"><span class="small-caps">San Francisco, Cal.</span></div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"><em class="italics">All Rights Reserved.</em></div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="contents level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> +<ul class="toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-i-squatter-darrell-reviews-the-past" id="id2">I. Squatter Darrell Reviews the Past.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-ii-the-don-s-view-of-the-treaty-of-guadalupe-hidalgo" id="id3">II. The Don's View of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-iii-pre-empting-under-the-law" id="id4">III. Pre-empting under the Law.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-iv-efforts-to-right-the-wrong" id="id5">IV. Efforts to Right the Wrong.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-v-the-don-in-his-broad-acres" id="id6">V. The Don in his Broad Acres.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-vi-naughty-dog-milord-an-important-factor" id="id7">VI. Naughty Dog Milord an Important Factor.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-vii-from-alameda-to-san-diego" id="id8">VII. From Alameda to San Diego.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-viii-victoriano-and-his-sister" id="id9">VIII. Victoriano and His Sister.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-ix-clarence-is-the-bearer-of-joyful-news" id="id10">IX. Clarence is the Bearer of Joyful News.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-x-but-clarence-must-not-be-encouraged" id="id11">X. But Clarence Must Not be Encouraged.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xi-george-is-a-christian-gentleman" id="id12">XI. George is a Christian Gentleman.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xii-why-the-appeal-was-not-dismissed" id="id13">XII. Why the Appeal was Not Dismissed.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xiii-at-san-francisco" id="id14">XIII. At San Francisco.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xiv-of-miscellaneous-incidents" id="id15">XIV. Of Miscellaneous Incidents.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xv-journeying-overland" id="id16">XV. Journeying Overland.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xvi-spanish-land-grants-viewed-retrospectively" id="id17">XVI. Spanish Land Grants Viewed Retrospectively.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xvii-dona-josefa-at-home" id="id18">XVII. Doña Josefa at Home.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xviii-at-newport" id="id19">XVIII. At Newport.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xix-in-new-york" id="id20">XIX. In New York.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xx-at-the-capitol" id="id21">XX. At the Capitol.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxi-looking-at-the-receding-dome" id="id22">XXI. Looking at the Receding Dome.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxii-perplexities-at-alamar" id="id23">XXII. Perplexities at Alamar.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxiii-home-again" id="id24">XXIII. Home Again.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxiv-the-brewers-of-mischief" id="id25">XXIV. The Brewers of Mischief.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxv-the-squatter-and-the-don" id="id26">XXV. The Squatter and the Don.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxvi-mrs-darrell-s-view-of-our-land-laws" id="id27">XXVI. Mrs. Darrell's View of Our Land Laws.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxvii-darrell-astonishes-himself" id="id28">XXVII. Darrell Astonishes Himself.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxviii-shall-it-be-forever" id="id29">XXVIII. Shall it be Forever?</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxix-hasty-decisions-repented-leisurely" id="id30">XXIX. Hasty Decisions Repented Leisurely.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxx-effect-of-bad-precept-and-worse-example" id="id31">XXX. Effect of Bad Precept and Worse Example.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxi-a-snow-storm" id="id32">XXXI. A Snow Storm.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxii-a-false-friend-sent-to-deceive-the-southerners" id="id33">XXXII. A False Friend Sent to Deceive the Southerners.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxiii-san-diego-s-sentence-is-irrevocable" id="id34">XXXIII. San Diego's Sentence is Irrevocable.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxiv-the-sins-of-our-legislators" id="id35">XXXIV. The Sins of Our Legislators!</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxv-the-fashion-of-justice-in-san-diego" id="id36">XXXV. The Fashion of Justice in San Diego.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxvi-clarence-and-george-with-the-hod-carrier" id="id37">XXXVI. Clarence and George with the Hod-carrier.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxxvii-reunited-at-last" id="id38">XXXVII. Reunited at Last.</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#conclusion-out-with-the-invader" id="id39">CONCLUSION.—Out with the Invader.</a></span></li> +</ul> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-i-squatter-darrell-reviews-the-past"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id2">CHAPTER I.—<span class="small-caps">Squatter Darrell Reviews the Past.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“To be guided by good advice, is to profit by the wisdom +of others; to be guided by experience, is to profit by wisdom +of our own,” said Mrs. Darrell to her husband, in her own +sweet, winning way, as they sat alone in the sitting room of +their Alameda farm house, having their last talk that evening, +while she darned his stockings and sewed buttons on his +shirts. The children (so-called, though the majority were +grown up) had all retired for the night. Mr. and Mrs. Darrell +sat up later, having much to talk about, as he would leave +next day for Southern California, intending to locate—somewhere +in a desirable neighborhood—a homestead claim.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Therefore,” continued Mrs. Darrell, seeing that her husband +smoked his pipe in silence, adding no observations to +her own, “let us this time be guided by our own past history, +William—our experience. In other words, let us be wise, +my husband.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“By way of variety, you mean,” said he smiling. “That is, +as far as I am concerned, because I own, frankly, that had I +been guided by your advice—your wisdom—we would be +much better off to-day. You have a right to reproach me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not wish to do anything of the kind. I think reproaches +seldom do good.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No use in crying over spilt milk, eh?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is not my idea, either. On the contrary, if by +‘<em class="italics">milk</em>’ it is meant all or any earthly good whatever, it is the +‘<em class="italics">spilt milk</em>’ that we should lament. There is no reason to +cry for the milk that has not been wasted, the good that is +not lost. So let us cry for the <em class="italics">spilt milk</em>, by all means, if by +doing so we learn how to avoid spilling any more. Let us +cry for the <em class="italics">spilt milk</em>, and remember how, and where, and +when, and why, we spilt it. Much wisdom is learnt through +tears, but none by forgetting our lessons.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But how can a man learn when he is born a fool?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Only an idiot is, truly speaking, a born fool; a fool to +such a degree that he cannot act wisely if he will. It is only +when <em class="italics">perversity</em> is added to foolishness, that a being—not an +idiot—is utterly a fool. To persist in acting wrongfully, that +is the real folly. To reject good counsel, either of one's own +good thoughts or the good thoughts of others. But to act +foolishly by deciding hastily, by lack of mature reflection, +that I should only call a foolish mistake. So, then, if we +have been foolish, let us at least utilize our foolishness by +drawing from it lessons of wisdom for the future. We cannot +conscientiously plead that we are born fools when we see our +errors.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Darrell smilingly bowed, and with a voice much softer +than his usual stentorian tones, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I understand, little wife, but I fear that my streak of perversity +is a broad one, and has solely been the bane of my +life; it has a fatality accompanying it. I have often seen the +right way to act, and yet I have gone with my eyes wide open +to do the wrong thing. And this, too, not meaning to do +harm to any one, nor wishing to be malicious or mean. I don't +know what power impelled me. But if you will forgive my +past wickedness, I'll try to do better.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't say that. Don't speak of your wickedness, for real +wickedness is perversity. You have acted wrongly at times, +when you have misapplied your rights and the rights of others, +but you have not intentionally done wrong. You are not perverse; +don't say that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“In a few days it will be twenty-four years since we crossed +the plains with our three babies, in our caravan of four wagons, +followed by our fine horses and choice Durham cows. I firmly +believed then, that with my fine stock and my good bank account, +and broad government lands, free to all Americans, I +should have given you a nice home before I was five years +older; that I would have saved money and would be getting +more to make us rich before I was old. But see, at the end +of twenty-four years, where and how do I find myself? I am +still poor, all I have earned is the name of ‘<em class="italics">Squatter</em>.’ That +pretty name (which I hate because you despise it) is what I +have earned.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't say that either, William. We will only recommence +one of numerous fruitless discussions. We are not poor, because +we have enough to live in comfort, and I do not despise +the name of Squatter, for it is harmless enough, but I do certainly +disapprove of acts done by men because they are squatters, +or to become squatters. They have caused much trouble +to people who never harmed them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They, too, the poor squatters, have suffered as much distress +as they have caused, the poor hard-worked toilers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is very true, but I am afraid I shall never be able to +see the necessity of any one being a squatter in this blessed +country of plentiful broad acres, which a most liberal government +gives away for the asking.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's exactly it. We aren't squatters. We are ‘<em class="italics">settlers</em>.’ +We take up land that belongs to us, American citizens, by paying +the government price for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Whenever you take up government land, yes, you are ‘settlers,’ +but not when you locate claims on land belonging to any +one else. In that case, you must accept the epithet of +‘<em class="italics">Squatter</em>.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell set his teeth so tightly, that he bit a little chip +off his pipe. Mrs. Darrell went on as if she had not observed +her husband's flash of irritation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I hope we will never more deserve such name; I trust +that before you locate any homestead claim in Southern California, +you will first inform yourself, very carefully, whether +any one has a previous claim. And more specially, I beg of you, +do not go on a Mexican grant unless you buy the land from +the owner. This I beg of you specially, and must <em class="italics">insist upon +it</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And how am I to know who is the owner of a rancho that +has been rejected, for instance?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If the rancho is still in litigation, don't buy land in it, or +if you do, buy title from the original grantee, on fair conditions +and clear understanding.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know whether that can be done in the Alamar +rancho, which I am going to see, and I know it has been rejected. +But of one thing you can rest assured, that I shall +not forget our sad experience in Napa and Sonoma valleys, +where—after years of hard toil—I had to abandon our home +and lose the earnings of years and years of hard work.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is all I ask, William. To remember our experience +in Napa and Sonoma. To remember, also, that we are no +longer young. We cannot afford to throw away another twenty +years of our life; and really and truly, if you again go into a +Mexican grant, William, I shall not follow you there willingly. +Do not expect it of me; I shall only go if you compel me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Compel you!” he exclaimed, laughing. “Compel you, +when you know I have obeyed you all my life.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! no, William, not all your life, for you were well grown +before I ever saw you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I mean ever since I went to Washington with my mind +made up to jump off the train coming back, if you didn't agree +to come North to be my commandant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't think I have been a very strict disciplinarian,” she +said, smiling. “I think the subaltern has had pretty much his +own way.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, when he thinks he might. But when the commandant +pulls the string, by looking sad or offended, then good-by +to the spirit and independence of the subaltern.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“One thing I must not forget to ask you;” she said, going +back to the point of their digression, “and it is, not to believe +what those men have been telling you about the Alamar rancho +having been finally rejected. You know John Gasbang could +never speak the truth, and years have not made him more reliable. +As for Miller, Hughes and Mathews, they are dishonest +enough, and though not so brazen as Gasbang, they will misrepresent +facts to induce you to go with them, for they want +you with them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know they do; I see through all that. But I see, too, +that San Diego is sure to have a railroad direct to the Eastern +States. Lands will increase in value immediately; so I think, +myself, I had better take time by the forelock and get a good +lot of land in the Alamar grant, which is quite near town.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, are you sure it is finally rejected?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I saw the book, where the fact is recorded. Isn't that +enough?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, if there has been no error.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Always the same cautious Mary Moreneau, who tortured +me with her doubts and would not have me until Father White +took compassion on me,” said he, smiling, looking at her +fondly, for his thoughts reverted back to those days when Miss +Mary was <em class="italics">afraid</em> to marry him; but, after all, he won her +and brought her all the way from Washington to his New +England home.</p> +<p class="pnext">William Darrell was already a well-to-do young farmer in +those days, a bachelor twenty-eight to thirty years of age, sole +heir to a flourishing New England farm, and with a good account +in a Boston bank, when Miss Mary Moreneau came to +New England from Washington to visit her aunt, Mrs. Newton. +As Mrs. Newton's husband was William Darrell's uncle, nothing +was more natural than for Mary to meet him at his uncle's +house. Nobody expected that William would fall in love with +her, as he seemed to be proof against Cupid's darts. The +marriageable maidens of William's neighborhood had in vain +tried to attract the obdurate young farmer, who seemed to +enjoy no other society than that of his uncle Newton and his +wife.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mary came and William surrendered at once. She, +however, gave him no encouragement. Her coldness seemed +only to inflame his love the more, until Miss Moreneau thought +it was best to shorten her visit and return home about the +middle of September.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why are you to return home so early?” Darrell asked +Mary, after Mrs. Newton had informed him of Mary's intention +of going.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I think it is best,” she answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why is it best?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“For several reasons.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“May I be permitted to ask what are those reasons?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. One reason is, that as I came to see my aunt +and at the same time to rest and improve my health, and all +those objects have been accomplished, I might as well go home. +Then, my other aunt, with whom I reside, is not feeling well. +She went to spend the summer in Virginia, but writes that her +health has not improved much, and she will soon come back +to Washington. Then some of my pupils will want to recommence +their lessons soon, and I want to have some little time +to myself before I begin to work. You know, Mr. Darrell, I +teach to support myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, only because you have a notion to do it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A notion! Do you think I am rich?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, but there is no need of your working.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is a need to me to feel independent. I don't want +to be supported by my aunts, while I know how to earn my +own living.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Mary, please, I beg of you, let me have the happiness +of taking care of you. Be my wife, I am not a rich man, +but I have enough to provide for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell, you surprise me. I thank you for the compliment +you pay me with your honorable offer, but I have no +wish to get married.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you reject me, Miss Mary? Tell me one thing; tell +me truly, do you care for any one else?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I care for nobody. I don't want to marry.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you will marry some time. If you knew how very +miserable you make me, I think you would not have the heart +to refuse me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will get over it. I am going soon. Forget me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell made no answer. He staggered out of the room +and did not return until the following week, when Mary had +left for Washington, accompanied by Letitia, her colored +servant (called Tisha), who was devotedly attached to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell had become rather taciturn and less sociable than +ever, Mrs. Newton noticed, and since Mary left he seemed to +lose flesh and all his spirits, and passed the winter as if life +were a burden to him. But when spring came, he brightened +up a little, though he felt far from happy. About that time +Mrs. Newton had a letter from Mary, saying that she was going +to spend vacation in Maryland with her other aunt, and Tisha +for her escort.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She don't come here, because she fears I shall pester her +life with my visits. As she knows I can't keep away from her, +she keeps away from you. She hates me. I suppose you, too, +will take to hating me, by and by,” said Darrell, when he heard +that Mary was not coming that summer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No danger of that, William,” Mrs. Newton replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, there is. You ought to hate me for driving her away. +I hate myself worse than I hate the devil.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“William, you mustn't feel so. It isn't right.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know it. But when did I ever do anything right, I'd +like to know? I wish I could hate her as I hate myself, or as +she hates me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“William, she does not hate you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How do you know she don't?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because she would have told me. She is very truthful.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know it. She gave me my walking papers in a jiffy. I +wish I could hate her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“William, do you promise not to get angry, if I tell you why +Mary declined your offer?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Say on. You couldn't well make a burning furnace any +hotter. I am too mad already.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I'll tell you. She likes you, but is afraid of you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Afraid? afraid?” said he, aghast—“why! that is awful! +I, an object of fear, when I worship the ground she treads on! +But, how? What have I done? When did I frighten her?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“At no particular time; but often you gave her the impression +that you have a high temper, and she told me, ‘If I loved +Mr. Darrell better than my life, I wouldn't marry him, for I +could never be happy with a man of a violent temper.’ Then +she spoke, too, of her being a Roman Catholic and you a +Protestant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you are a Catholic and uncle is Protestant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, I think the barrier is not insuperable.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So, my temper frightened her! It is awful!” He mused in +silence for a few minutes and then left the room.</p> +<p class="pnext">About an hour after, he returned dressed for traveling, carrying +a satchel in one hand and a tin box under his arm. He +put the box on the table, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Aunt Newton, I am going away for a few days. Please +take care of this box until I return or you hear from me. +Good-by!” and he hurried away, for he had only barely time +to catch the train going to New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell was in New York for a few hours. He bought a +finer suit of clothes, a very elegant light overcoat, hat and boots, +and gloves to match, and thus equipped so elegantly that he +hardly recognized himself, as he surveyed his figure in a large +mirror of the furnishing store, where he was so metamorphosed, +he took the night train for Washington.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was early on a Sunday morning that Darrell arrived at +Washington. He went to a hotel, entered his name, took a +room, a bath and a breakfast, and then called a hack to go in +search of Mary. He knew that was not an hour for calling, +but he had <em class="italics">business</em> with Mary. His was no friendly visit; it +was a matter of life and death with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">He rang the bell, and presently he heard Tisha's flapping +steps coming. “Lud a massa!” she exclaimed, stepping back. +But recovering herself, said with true heartiness—</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come in the parlor, please. It is true glad Miss Mary will +be to see ye.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you think so, Tisha?” he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know it; no thinking about it, neither. She is going to +mass; but she'll see you for a little while, anyway.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Opening the parlor door for Darrell to walk in, Tisha ran +up stairs to Mary's room.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh Miss Mary!” said she, “guess who is down stairs.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I couldn't, Tish, being so early and on Sunday, but I heard +a man's voice. Is it a gentleman?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You bet; ah! please excuse me, I mean sure as I live it is, +and no other than Mr. Darrell, from New England.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah!” said Miss Mary, affecting indifference, but her hands +trembled as she tied her bonnet strings.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell knew he must appear self-contained and not in the +least impetuous, but when he saw those beautiful dark eyes of +Mary's he forgot all his pretended calmness.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is my aunt well?” Mary began as she came in.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, yes, everybody is well; don't be alarmed at my coming, +I know it must seem strange to you. Two days ago I had +no idea of coming to Washington, but Miss Moreneau, your +aunt told me you were not coming North this summer, and this +news nearly drove me crazy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Mr. Darrell!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wait, don't drive me off yet. Your aunt told me that you +refused me because you believe I have a violent temper. Now, +I am not going to deny that, but this I am going to say—That +I have never violated my word, and never shall, and I +make a most solemn oath to you, that if you will marry me +you shall never have occasion to be made unhappy or displeased +by my quick anger, because you will only have to remind +me of this pledge, and I shall curb my temper, if it kills +me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell, I believe you are perfectly sincere in what you +say, but a strong trait of character is not controlled easily. It +is more apt to be uncontrollable.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“For God's sake don't refuse me, I feel I must kill myself +if you spurn me. I don't want life without you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't say that,” Mary said, trying to keep calm, but she +felt as if being carried away in spite of herself, by the torrent +of his impetuosity. She was afraid of him, but she liked him +and she liked to be loved in that passionate rebellious way of +his; she smiled, adding, “we must postpone this conversation +for I must go to church, and it is quite a long walk there.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The carriage that brought me is at the door, take it, and +don't walk, it is quite warm out.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you go with me to church? You see, that is another +obstacle; the difference of religions.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed, that is no obstacle; your religion tells you to pity me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will talk to Father White about that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then Mary, my beloved, will you give me hope?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And will you really try to control your anger when you feel +it is getting the mastery over you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will, so help me God,” said he, lifting his hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take care, that is an oath.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know it, and mean it,” said he, much moved.</p> +<p class="pnext">They went to church together. After church, Mary had a +few moments conversation with her pastor. She explained +everything to him. “Do you love him, my child,” asked the +good father, knowing the human heart only too well. Mary +blushed and said—</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, father, I believe I do.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, send him to see me to-morrow morning.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell had a long talk with Father White, and promised +solemnly not to coerce or influence his wife to change her religion, +and that should their union be blessed with children, +they should be baptized and brought up Catholics.</p> +<p class="pnext">And his union was blessed. Mary made his New England +home a paradise, and eight children, sharing largely their +mother's fine qualities, filled to overflowing his cup of happiness.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ii-the-don-s-view-of-the-treaty-of-guadalupe-hidalgo"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id3">CHAPTER II.—<span class="small-caps">The Don's View of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">If there had been such a thing as communicating by telephone +in the days of '72, and there had been those magic wires +spanning the distance between William Darrell's house in +Alameda County and that of Don Mariano Alamar in San +Diego County, with power to transmit the human voice for five +hundred miles, a listener at either end would have heard +various discussions upon the same subject, differentiated only +by circumstances. No magic wires crossed San Francisco bay +to bring the sound of voices to San Diego, but the law of necessity +made the Squatter and the Don, distant as they were—distant +in every way, without reckoning the miles between +them—talk quite warmly of the same matter. The point of +view was of course different, for how could it be otherwise? +Darrell thought himself justified, and <em class="italics">authorized</em>, to “take up +lands,” as he had done before. He had had more than half +of California's population on his side, and though the “<em class="italics">Squatter's +Sovereignty</em>” was now rather on the wane, and the “<em class="italics">squatter +vote</em>” was no longer the power, still, the squatters would not +abdicate, having yet much to say about election times.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Darrell was no longer the active squatter that he had +been. He controlled many votes yet, but in his heart he felt +the weight which his wife's sad eyes invariably put there when +the talk was of litigating against a Mexican land title.</p> +<p class="pnext">This time, however, Darrell honestly meant to take no land +but what belonged to the United States. His promise to his +wife was sincere, yet his coming to Southern California had +already brought trouble to the Alamar rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano Alamar was silently walking up and down the +front piazza of his house at the rancho; his hands listlessly +clasped behind and his head slightly bent forward in deep +thought. He had pushed away to one side the many arm-chairs +and wicker rockers with which the piazza was furnished. +He wanted a long space to walk. That his meditations were +far from agreeable, could easily be seen by the compressed lips, +slight frown, and sad gaze of his mild and beautiful blue eyes. +Sounds of laughter, music and dancing came from the parlor; +the young people were entertaining friends from town with +their usual gay hospitality, and enjoying themselves heartily. +Don Mariano, though already in his fiftieth year, was as fond +of dancing as his sons and daughters, and not to see him come +in and join the quadrille was so singular that his wife thought +she must come out and inquire what could detain him. He +was so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not hear her voice +calling him—</p> +<p class="pnext">“What keeps you away? Lizzie has been looking for you; +she wants you for a partner in the lancers,” said Doña Josefa, +putting her arm under that of her husband, bending her head +forward and turning it up to look into his eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the matter?” she asked, stopping short, thus +making her husband come to a sudden halt. “I am sure +something has happened. Tell me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing, dear wife. Nothing has happened. That is to +say, nothing new.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“More squatters?” she asked. Señor Alamar bent his head +slightly, in affirmative reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“More coming, you mean?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, wife; more. Those two friends of squatters Mathews +and Hager, who were here last year to locate claims and went +away, did not abandon their claims, but only went away to +bring proselytes and their families, and a large invoice of them +will arrive on to-morrow's steamer. The worst of it all is, +that among the new comers is that terrible and most dangerous +squatter William Darrell, who some years ago gave so much +trouble to the Spanish people in Napa and Sonoma Counties, +by locating claims there. John Gasbang wrote to Hogsden +that besides Darrell, there will be six or seven other men +bringing their families, so that there will be more rifles for my +cattle.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, didn't we hear that Darrell was no longer a squatter, +that he is rich and living quietly in Alameda?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, we heard that, and it is true. He is quite well off, +but Gasbang and Miller and Mathews went and told him that +my rancho had been rejected, and that it is near enough to +town to become valuable, as soon as we have a railroad. Darrell +believed it, and is coming to locate here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Strange that Darrell should believe such men; I suppose +he does not know how low they are.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He ought to know them, for they were his teamsters when +he crossed the plains in '48. That is, Miller, Mathews, Hughes +and Hager, were his teamsters, and Gasbang was their cook—the +cook for the hired men. Mrs. Darrell had a colored +woman who cooked for the Darrell family; she despised Gasbang's +cooking as we despise his character, I suppose.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa was silent, and holding to her husband's arm, +took a turn with him up and down the piazza.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is it possible that there is no law to protect us; to protect +our property; what does your lawyer say about obtaining redress +or protection; is there no hope?” she asked, with a sigh.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Protection for our land, or for our cattle, you mean?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“For both, as we get it for neither,” she said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“In the matter of our land, we have to await for the attorney +general, at Washington, to decide.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Lizzie was telling Elvira, yesterday, that her uncle Lawrence +is a friend of several influential people in Washington, +and that George can get him to interest himself in having +your title decided.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, as George is to marry my daughter, he would be the +last man from whom I would ask a favor.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is that I hear about not asking a favor from me?” +said George Mechlin, coming out on the piazza with Elvira on +his arm, having just finished a waltz—“I am interested to +know why you would not ask it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You know why, my dear boy. It isn't exactly the thing to +bother you with my disagreeable business.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And why not? And who has a better right? And why +should it be a bother to me to help you in any way I can? My +father spoke to me about a dismissal of an appeal, and I made +a note of it. Let me see, I think I have it in my pocket +now,”—said George, feeling in his breast pocket for his memorandum +book,—“yes, here it is,—‘For uncle to write to the +attorney general about dismissing the appeal taken by the +squatters in the Alamar grant, against Don Mariano's title, +which was approved.’ Is that the correct idea? I only made +this note to ask you for further particulars.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have it exactly. When I give you the number of the +case, it is all that you need say to your uncle. What I want +is to have the appeal dismissed, of course, but if the attorney +general does not see fit to do so, he can, at least, remand back +the case for a new trial. Anything rather than this killing +suspense. Killing literally, for while we are waiting to have +my title settled, the <em class="italics">settlers</em> (I don't mean to make puns), are +killing my cattle by the hundred head, and I cannot stop +them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But are there no laws to protect property in California?” +George asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, some sort of laws, which in my case seem more intended +to help the law-breakers than to protect the law-abiding,” +Don Mariano replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How so? Is there no law to punish the thieves who kill +your cattle?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“There are some enactments so obviously intended to favor +one class of citizens against another class, that to call them +laws is an insult to law, but such as they are, we must submit +to them. By those laws any man can come to my land, for +instance, plant ten acres of grain, without any fence, and then +catch my cattle which, seeing the green grass without a fence, +will go to eat it. Then he puts them in a ‘<em class="italics">corral</em>’ and makes +me pay damages and so much per head for keeping them, and +costs of legal proceedings and many other trumped up expenses, +until for such little fields of grain I may be obliged to pay thousands +of dollars. Or, if the grain fields are large enough to +bring more money by keeping the cattle away, then the settler +shoots the cattle at any time without the least hesitation, +only taking care that no one sees him in the act of firing +upon the cattle. He might stand behind a bush or tree and +fire, but then he is not seen. No one can swear that they +saw him actually kill the cattle, and no jury can convict him, +for although the dead animals may be there, lying on the ground +shot, still no one saw the settler kill them. And so it is all +the time. I must pay damages and expenses of litigation, or +my cattle get killed almost every day.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But this is infamous. Haven't you—the cattle owners—tried +to have some law enacted that will protect your property?” +George asked. “It seems to me that could be done.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It could be done, perhaps, if our positions were reversed, +and the Spanish people—‘<em class="italics">the natives</em>’—were the planters of +the grain fields, and the Americans were the owners of the cattle. +But as we, the Spaniards, are the owners of the Spanish—or +Mexican—land grants and also the owners of the cattle +ranchos, our State legislators will not make any law to protect +cattle. They make laws ‘<em class="italics">to protect agriculture</em>’ (they say +proudly), which means to drive to the wall all owners of cattle +ranchos. I am told that at this session of the legislature a law +more strict yet will be passed, which will be ostensibly ‘to protect +agriculture,’ but in reality to destroy cattle and ruin the +native Californians. The agriculture of this State does not require +legislative protection. Such pretext is absurd.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought that the rights of the Spanish people were protected +by our treaty with Mexico,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mexico did not pay much attention to the future welfare +of the children she left to their fate in the hands of a nation +which had no sympathies for us,” said Doña Josefa, feelingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I remember,” calmly said Don Mariano, “that when I +first read the text of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, I felt a +bitter resentment against my people; against Mexico, the +mother country, who abandoned us—her children—with so +slight a provision of obligatory stipulations for protection. +But afterwards, upon mature reflection, I saw that Mexico +did as much as could have been reasonably expected at the +time. In the very preamble of the treaty the spirit of peace +and friendship, which animated both nations, was carefully +made manifest. That spirit was to be the <em class="italics">foundation</em> of the +relations between the conqueror and conquered. How could +Mexico have foreseen then that when scarcely half a dozen years +should have elapsed the trusted conquerors would, ‘<em class="italics">In Congress +Assembled</em>,’ pass laws which were to be retroactive upon +the defenceless, helpless, conquered people, in order to despoil +them? The treaty said that our rights would be the same as +those enjoyed by all other American citizens. But, you see, +Congress takes very good care not to enact retroactive laws for +Americans; laws to take away from American citizens the +property which they hold <em class="italics">now</em>, already, with a recognized legal +title. No, indeed. But they do so quickly enough with us—with +us, the Spano-Americans, who were to enjoy equal rights, +mind you, according to the treaty of peace. This is what seems +to me a breach of faith, which Mexico could neither presuppose +nor prevent.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is nothing else, I am sorry and ashamed to say,” George +said. “I never knew much about the treaty with Mexico, but +I never imagined we had acted so badly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think but few Americans know or believe to what extent +we have been wronged by Congressional action. And truly, I +believe that Congress itself did not anticipate the effect of its +laws upon us, and how we would be despoiled, we, the conquered +people,” said Don Mariano, sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is the duty of law-givers to foresee the effect of the laws +they impose upon people,” said Doña Josefa.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That I don't deny, but I fear that the conquered have +always but a weak voice, which nobody hears,” said Don Mariano. +“We have had no one to speak for us. By the treaty +of Guadalupe Hidalgo the American nation pledged its honor +to respect our land titles just the same as Mexico would have +done. Unfortunately, however, the discovery of gold brought +to California the riff-raff of the world, and with it a horde of +land-sharks, all possessing the privilege of voting, and most +of them coveting our lands, for which they very quickly began +to clamor. There was, and still is, plenty of good government +land, which any one can take. But no. The forbidden +fruit is the sweetest. They do not want government land. +They want the land of the Spanish people, because we ‘have +too much,’ they say. So, to win their votes, the votes of the +squatters, our representatives in Congress helped to pass laws +declaring all lands in California open to pre-emption, as in +Louisiana, for instance. Then, as a coating of whitewash to +the stain on the nation's honor, a ‘land commission’ was established +to examine land titles. Because, having pledged the +national word to respect our rights, it would be an act of despoliation, +besides an open violation of pledged honor, to take +the lands without some pretext of a legal process. So then, +we became obliged to present our titles before the said land +commission to be examined and approved or rejected. While +these legal proceedings are going on, the squatters locate their +claims and raise crops on our lands, which they convert into +money to fight our titles. But don't let me, with my disagreeable +subject spoil your dance. Go back to your lancers, +and tell Lizzie to excuse me,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lizzie would not excuse him. With the privilege of a future +daughter-in-law, she insisted that Don Mariano should be her +partner in the lancers, which would be a far pleasanter occupation +than to be walking up and down the porch thinking about +squatters.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano therefore followed Lizzie to their place in the +dance. Mercedes sat at the piano to play for them. The +other couples took their respective positions.</p> +<p class="pnext">The well-balanced mind and kindly spirit of Don Mariano +soon yielded to the genial influences surrounding him. He +would not bring his trouble to mar the pleasure of others. He +danced with his children as gaily as the gayest. He insisted +that Mr. Mechlin, too, should dance, and this gentleman graciously +yielded and led Elvira through a quadrille, protesting +that he had not danced for twenty years.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have not danced because you were sick, but now you +are well. Don't be lazy,” said Mrs. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You would be paying to San Diego climate a very poor +compliment by refusing to dance now,” George added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so, papa. Show us how well you feel,” Lizzie said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall have to dance a hornpipe to do that,” Mr. Mechlin +answered, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">To understand this remark better, the reader must know +that Mr. James Mechlin had come to San Diego, four years +previously, a living skeleton, not expected to last another winter. +He had lost his health by a too close application to business, +and when he sought rest and relaxation his constitution +seemed permanently undermined. He tried the climate of +Florida. He spent several years in Italy and in the south of +France, but he felt no better. At last, believing his malady +incurable, he returned to his New York home to die. In New +York a friend, who also had been an invalid, but whose health +had been restored in Southern California, advised him to try +the salubrious air of San Diego. With but little hope, and +only to please his family, Mr. Mechlin came to San Diego, and +his health improved so rapidly that he made up his mind to +buy a country place and make San Diego his home. William +Mathews heard of this, and offered to sell his place on what +Mr. Mechlin thought very moderate terms. A lawyer was +employed to pass upon the title, and on his recommendation +the purchase was made. Mr. Mechlin had the Mathews house +moved back near the barn, and a new and much larger one +built. When this was finished the Mechlins moved into it, +and Mr. Mechlin devoted himself to cultivating trees and +flowers, and his health was bettered every day. This was the +compensation to his wife and two daughters for exiling themselves +from New York; for it was exile to Caroline and Lizzie +to give up their fine house in New York City to come and live +on a California rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon, however, these two young ladies passed their time +more pleasantly, after making the acquaintance of the Alamar +family, and soon their acquaintance ripened into friendship, to +be made closer by the intended marriage of Gabriel—Don +Mariano's eldest son—to Lizzie. Shortly after, George—Mr. +Mechlin's only son—came on a visit, and when he returned to +New York he was already engaged to Elvira, third daughter of +Señor Alamar.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now, George Mechlin was making his second visit to his +family. He had found New York so very dull and stupid on +his return from California that when Christmas was approaching +he told his uncle and aunt—with whom he lived—that he +wanted to go and spend Christmas and New Year's Day with +his family in California.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well; I wish I could go with you. Give my love to +James, and tell him I am delighted at his getting so well,” Mr. +Lawrence Mechlin said, and George had his leave of absence. +Mr. Lawrence Mechlin was president of the bank of which +George was cashier, so it was not difficult for him to get the +assistant cashier to attend to his duties when he was away, +particularly as the assistant cashier himself was George's most +devoted friend. George could have only twelve days in California, +but to see Elvira for even so short a time he would have +traveled a much longer distance.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. James Mechlin affirmed repeatedly that he owed his +improved health to the genial society of the Alamar family as +much as to the genial climate of San Diego County. Mr. +Mechlin, however, was not the only one who had paid the +same tribute to that most delightful family, the most charming +of which—the majority vote said—was Don Mariano himself. +His nobility of character and great kindness of heart were well +known to everybody.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Alamar family was quite patriarchal in size, if the collateral +branches be taken into account, for there were many +brothers, nephews and nieces. These, however, lived in the +adjoining rancho, and yet another branch in Lower California, +in Mexico. Don Mariano's own immediate family was composed +of his wife and six children, two sons and four daughters.</p> +<p class="pnext">All of these, as we have seen, were having a dance. The +music was furnished by the young ladies themselves, taking +their turn at the piano, assisted by Madam Halier (Mercedes' +French governess), who was always ready to play for the girls +to dance. Besides the Mechlins, there were three or four young +gentlemen from town, but there were so many Alamares (brothers, +nieces and nephews, besides) that the room seemed quite +well filled. Such family gatherings were frequent, making the +Alamar house very gay and pleasant.</p> +<p class="pnext">George Mechlin would have liked to prolong his visit, but +he could not. He consoled himself looking forward to the +ninth of June, when he would come again to make a visit of +two months' duration. On his return East, before renewing +his duties at the bank, he went to Washington to see about the +dismissal of the appeal. Unfortunately, the attorney general +had to absent himself about that time, and the matter being +left with the solicitor general, nothing was done. George +explained to Don Mariano how the matter was delayed, and +his case remained undecided yet for another year longer.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iii-pre-empting-under-the-law"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id4">CHAPTER III.—<span class="small-caps">Pre-empting under the Law.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“All aboard for San Diego!” shouted a voice from a wagon, +as it rumbled past Darrell, who walked leisurely with a satchel +in his hand, swinging it unconsciously, lost in thought. He +looked up and saw that the wagon whence the voice came carried +ten or twelve men, sitting on trunks and packages and +carpet-bags. These men Mathews and Gasbang had presented +to him, saying that they were settlers already residing at the +Alamar rancho, and others who were going down to take up +claims, at the same time that he would locate his. Darrell +looked at his future neighbors with feelings of anything but +pleasure. The broad, vulgar face of Gasbang, with its square +jaws, gray beard, closely clipped, but never shaved, his compressed, +thin, bloodless lips, his small, pale, restless eyes and +flat nose, Darrell soon recognized, though the wagon was going +rapidly. Mathews' visage was equally noticeable for its ugliness, +though of a different type; for his face was long and +shaved; his nose was pinched and peaked and red; his cheeks +were flabby; and his long, oily, dusty, hair dragged over his +neck in matted, meshy locks, while a constant frown settled on +his brow. As he was broad-shouldered and rather tall, his +face seemed made for some other man much weaker than himself. +His face looked mean and discontented, while his body +seemed strong and self-reliant.</p> +<p class="pnext">The wagon had arrived and gone away, and the men had +walked aboard the boat, when Darrell, still swinging his satchel +abstractedly, stood on the wharf looking at the steamer as if +not quite resolved to go. He felt no sympathy, no liking, for +any of those men with whom he was now associated.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was different to have Gasbang as his hired man, as +before, but now he was not under orders, and was much older. +Years, moreover, had not improved his low nature. Darrell +had no higher opinion of the others. He was sure these were +not the sort of people whom his wife would like to have for +neighbors. He felt self-accused and irresolute. A shout from +Gasbang, who was observing him from the steamer's deck, +made Darrell look up quickly, ashamed of having betrayed his +irresolution. “I can return immediately, if things don't suit +me,” he thought, walking towards the gang-plank.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on. Your luggage is all aboard, I took care of it,” +Gasbang said, coming to meet him. He snatched Darrell's +satchel, in friendly obsequiousness, to carry it for him. “Come +along; you'll be left,” said he, and Darrell followed him, half-disgusted +at his vulgar officiousness. “I got your berth for +you. The steamer is so crowded, that men have to be crammed +into rooms by the bunch, so you and I and Mathews must +room together.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is all right,” said Darrell, with a shiver of disgust, +and went to take a seat on deck where he could be alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bustle and hurry of getting off was over at last, and the +steamer was furrowing her way through the spacious bay of San +Francisco towards the Golden Gate. Groups of passengers +stood here and there, admiring the beautiful harbor and its +surrounding country. Darrell sat alone, fixing his gaze upon +the receding verdure of Alameda County. Above that green, +undulating line of diminishing hills, which seemed to fly from +him, Darrell could see plainly one face, one form, beautiful to +him as none other could be, the face and form of his wife, his +beloved Mary. This was the first time he had ever left her for +any longer time than a two days' absence, since they were +married. Now he might be absent several months, for if he +decided to locate in San Diego County, he would first build a +house before he sent for his family. He would first send for +Clarence—his eldest son—and then, when a comfortable home +was prepared, the family would come.</p> +<p class="pnext">The voyage down the coast was made safely. Darrell had +managed to keep away from his fellow-travelers, to think of +home unmolested.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was a bright morning of January, 1872, when he stood +far forward, watching the course of the steamer Orizaba, as she +made her way around Point Loma, then between Ballast Point +and the sandy peninsula, and passing by La Playa, came in +sight of San Diego city.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here we are,” said John Gasbang; “how do you like the +looks of our little city, Mr. Darrell?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well; it is larger than I supposed, and the site of it +seems very pleasant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pleasant! I should say it was. A perfect slope, sir, as +gentle and regular as if made to order. The best drained city +in the world, sir, when we put in sewers. Too poor for that, +yet, sir, but we are coming to it, sir, growing, growing, sir.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When we get the railroad,” added Mathews, with a mouth +full of tobacco, spitting profusely on the deck.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly, and we'll soon have that. Our news from Washington +is very encouraging. Tom Scott will visit us this +summer,” Gasbang said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I like a town with plenty of trees,” said Darrell, with his +gaze fixed on the approaching panorama, thinking that his wife +would be pleased with the place, she being so fond of trees. +“I had no idea you had so many trees about you. Many are +small, yet, but all seem healthy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And health-giving trees, they are, too. Most of them are +eucalyptus and pepper trees, the healthiest in the world. You +never hear of any malarial fevers in San Diego, sir, never. +Our perfect climate, the fine sloping ground of our town site, +our eucalyptus trees, sea breezes and mountain air, make San +Diego a most healthy little city,” said Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is an excellent recommendation, as life is not worth +having without health,” Darrell observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have it here,” Hughes said. “A man has to be very +imprudent not to keep well in our climate, sir. All we want +now is a little stimulus of business prosperity, and the railroad +is sure to bring us that. Then San Diego will be the best place +on the coast for a residence.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The loud report of a cannon, close by, made Darrell jump +and look around quickly, not knowing what that explosion +could mean.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is our visiting card to the people of San Diego, to +announce our coming,” said the captain, laughingly. “I am +sorry it startled you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is nothing. I didn't know I had nerves. I believe +that is what women call it. I was not expecting such a military +salute,” Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O yes, we always give it. The San Diego people are very +military. At least, I should say the settlers on Señor Alamar's +rancho are, as I hear they practice rifle shooting there all the +time,” the captain said, looking at Mathews and Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a shot at us,” Gasbang answered, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But it is a blank cartridge, meant not to hurt,” the captain +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The rifle practice is in dark nights,” said a young Spaniard, +who had been listening at what was said by the others.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Or in the daytime, if the cattle deserve it,” Mathews said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is very creditable and brave, to shoot tame cows,” the +Spaniard rejoined.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps you had better come and try it,” Mathews returned.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thank you. It is the mischievous brutes I would like to +shoot, not the good, useful cattle;” so saying, the Spaniard +walked away, followed by the scowls of the settlers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is impudence for you,” Gasbang exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Those greasers ain't half crushed yet. We have to tame +them like they do their mustangs, or shoot them, as we shoot +their cattle,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O, no. No such violent means are necessary. All we have +to do is to take their lands, and finish their cattle,” said +Hughes, sneeringly, looking at Darrell for approval. But he +did not get it. Darrell did not care for the Spanish population +of California, but he did not approve of shooting cattle in the +way which the foregoing conversation indicated. To do this, +was useless cruelty and useless waste of valuable property, no +matter to whom it might belong. To destroy it was a loss to +the State. It was folly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why must cattle be shot? Can't they be kept off, away +from your crops without shooting them?” he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not always. At first, that is, for the first three years after +we located our claims,” Gasbang said; “we had to shoot them +all the time. Now the Don has sold a good many, or sent +them to the mountains, so that few have been killed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose fencing would be too expensive.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Phew! It would be ruinous, impossible,” Mathews said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Mechlin is the only one who has attempted to put up +any fences,” Romeo said, who had been listening in silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He did so, because he is an old hypocrite,” Mathews said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because his daughter Lizzie is going to marry Gabriel +Alamar, and of course, they have to be on friendly terms,” +said Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That ain't the reason. He fenced a hundred acres the +first year, and he never sows outside, so that he's not at all +troubled by the Don's cattle,” said Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But Gabriel is going to marry Lizzie all the same, and the +two families are as thick as can be. Old Mechlin has gone +back on us. I wish he would go away,” Mathews said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why should he go? He paid a very good price for his +farm, and has made many improvements,” said Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who did he buy from?” asked Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“From me. I sold him that claim, and took up another a +mile up the valley,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And a good bargain it was, too,” Romeo observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mathews gave him a black look, but made no answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">The steamer had now reached the wharf. The deck was +filled with passengers and their baggage ready for shore. Pittikin, +with wife and daughters blonde and freckled, and Hughes, +with his wife and daughters dark and gypsy-looking, were all +there, ready for their drive to Alamar.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were several wagons, light and heavy, waiting to convey +the newly-arrived and their luggage to the Alamar rancho. +Darrell, having his choice of conveyances, preferred to go in a +light wagon with Romeo Hancock, but Gasbang and Mathews +joined him. Miller and Hager had come to meet their prodigal +sons, who had been in San Francisco for several months, when +they had permission to remain only a few weeks. But they +had fallen into Peter Roper's company, and that individual had +represented the fascinations of whiskey most alluringly to +them, advising them to have a good time now that they had +the opportunity. They yielded to the tempter, and now had +returned home like repentant prodigals.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few hours Darrell was driving by Don Mariano Alamar's +house, a one-story mansion on a low hill, with a broad piazza in +front, and in the interior a court formed by two wings, and a row +of rooms variously occupied at its back. That the house was +commodious, Darrell could see. There was a flower garden in +front. At the back there were several “<em class="italics">corrales</em>” for cattle +and horses. At the foot of the hill, on the left, there was an +orchard, and some grain fields enclosed with good fences.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell took notice of all these particulars. He also noticed +that there were females on the front piazza. He was +taken to see the best unoccupied lands to make his selection. +He ran his practiced eye over the valley from the highest point +on the hill. He then came to the next bench; he stopped +there, also, and finally came to the broad slope of the foothills.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I'll locate here,” said he, “if no one else has already +filed a claim to this land.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This he said to his fellow-settlers, all being present, addressing +all.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sure I have no objection,” said Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nor I, neither,” said Gasbang. “What do you say, Pittikin +and Mathews? Do you know <em class="italics">if</em> this land is located, or +who done it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mathews shook his head in the negative, and kept on chewing +his tobacco in silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pittikin said, “I reckon nobody is located here, and if they +<em class="italics">done it</em>, why don't they leave stakes? They leave no stakes, +no notice to settlers; they can't make any row if somebody else +takes the land.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I want to respect everybody's right; so I want you all +to bear witness, that I found no stakes or notices of anybody. +I don't want to jump anybody's claim; I want a fair deal. I +shall locate two claims here—one in my own name and one for +my oldest son, Clarence,” said Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You'll take 320 acres?” asked Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, 320 acres,—according to law,” replied Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right. Let us measure them now,” said Gasbang. “We +have time to mark the limits and put the corner stakes. I have +a cord here in my wagon, which is a chain's length. That will +do the business.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That will do temporarily, I suppose; but I'll have the +two claims properly surveyed afterwards according to law,” +Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, you will. We all know you will do the fair +thing by everybody, and follow the law strictly,” said Hughes. +In which opinion all concurred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have you all made your selections?” Darrell asked Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; Pittikin and I will locate near Hancock. We like +that valley; it is further off, but better soil,” said Hughes. “My +oldest boy will put a claim near me, and Miller's two boys +have staked theirs also. I think we'll like that location better.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad you like it. I think this is good enough soil for +me,” Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is good enough for anybody. The whole rancho is all +good soil. Let us put the stakes now,” said Gasbang; and +assisted by Mathews, Romeo Hancock and Sumner Pittikin, +Darrell proceeded by making a rough guess to measure 320 +acres (more or less), and put the corner stakes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is what I call business,” said Gasbang, carrying cheerfully +one end of the rope used for measurement; “and all +inside of the law. That is the beauty of it—all perfectly +lawful.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And so it was.</p> +<p class="pnext">The stakes having been placed, Darrell felt satisfied. Next +day he would have the claim properly filed, and in due time +a surveyor would measure them. All would be done “according +to law,” and in this easy way more land was taken from its +legitimate owner.</p> +<p class="pnext">This certainly was a more simple way of appropriating the +property of “<em class="italics">the conquered</em>” than in the days of Alaric or +Hannibal.</p> +<p class="pnext">There would have been bloodshed then. Now tears only +flowed; silent tears of helpless discouragement; of a presentiment +of impending desolation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sadly Doña Josefa and her daughters had witnessed from +the half-closed shutters of their bedroom windows Mr. Darrell's +performance, and fully anticipated serious trouble therefrom.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano Alamar, Gabriel and Victoriano—his two +sons—had also silently witnessed Mr. Darrell's <em class="italics">lawful</em> appropriation +of their own property. Gabriel was pale and calm. +Victoriano was biting his lips, and his face was flushed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The government has for sale hundreds of millions of acres, +but yet these men must come and take my land, as if there was +no other,” said Don Mariano, sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And as we pay the taxes on the land that they will cultivate, +our taxes will double next year,” Gabriel added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Undoubtedly. That climax to injustice has been the +most fatal of all the hardships imposed upon us. George +could not believe me when I told him that we (the land-owners) +have to pay the taxes on the land cultivated by the +pre-emptors, and upon all the improvements they make and +enjoy. When he at last understood that such unfair laws +did exist, he was amazed, but understood then why the settlers +wished to prolong litigation, since it is ‘<em class="italics">the natives</em>’ who +must bear the burden of taxation, while the titles are in the +courts, and thus the pre-emptors hold the land free.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish we were squatters,” Victoriano remarked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“During litigation, yes; but there have been cases where +honest men have, in good faith, taken lands as squatters, and +after all, had to give them up. No, I don't blame the squatters; +they are at times like ourselves, victims of a wrong legislation, +which unintentionally cuts both ways. They were set +loose upon us, but a law without equity recoils upon them more +cruelly. Then we are all sufferers, all victims of a defective +legislation and subverted moral principles.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iv-efforts-to-right-the-wrong"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id5">CHAPTER IV.—<span class="small-caps">Efforts to Right the Wrong.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Darrell was not the man to make any delay in putting into +practice a project, when once adopted. He therefore immediately +wrote home saying that he “had located,” and wished +Clarence to come down as soon as home matters permitted it. +All the crops must be in first, so that Everett and Webster +could take care of the farm when Clarence left. They had +two good farm hands and a man to take care of the dairy, but +still, Darrell made his boys give their personal attention to all +the work on the farm. He wrote to Clarence that he would +build a small house quickly, which afterwards could be used +for the hired men, and would wait until he came down to begin +building their dwelling house. That he would level the +ground for the house, sink a couple of wells and put up two +windmills, the running stream not being sufficient.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I had better buy the lumber for the house up here +and charter a schooner to send it down,” Clarence said to his +mother, after reading his father's letter.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did he say anything to you about the condition of the +title?” Mrs. Darrell asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not a word. I suppose the land is vacant,” Clarence replied. +Mrs. Darrell shook her head, as if in doubt.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I want you to see to that, before there is any house built +in which I shall be expected to reside,” she said. “The first +thing you do when you get there is to inquire whether the land +has been finally rejected and there is no litigation for it. If +there is, I want you to pay for it to the owner. And if he will +not or cannot sell, write to me at once.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, mother, I shall do as you say, and I assure +you I do not wish father to take up any land claimed by any +one under a Mexican title. I think those Spanish people +ought to be allowed to keep the land that their government +gave them. We ought not to have made any laws that would +place their titles in a bad light and be questioned. We should +have accepted the legality they had before their own Mexican +government, without making some other legality requisite, to +please ourselves,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That has always been my opinion, but I have failed to +convince your father. However, with our combined efforts, we +might dissuade him from his present way of thinking,” said +Mrs. Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence would not be able to leave home for a few weeks +yet. In the meantime, his father had not been idle, he had +lost no time in carrying out his plans, and shortly after making +his “location” in the manner described, he had several men +engaged in different employments at his place. When he had +already begun building the small house, of which he spoke in +his letter to Clarence, Don Mariano, accompanied by his two +sons, rode up to the place where he was then superintending +his workmen.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good morning, Mr. Darrell,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good morning,” Darrell answered, laconically.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can I speak a few words with you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly,” he said, going a few steps nearer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I see you have taken up some land here, and I suppose +you think it is government land, but if so, you are misinformed. +This land belongs to me,” Don Mariano said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why is it reported rejected then? I have seen the law +report, stating that your title was rejected.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I know that such is the case. For some mistake or +other the entry was made placing my title in the list of those +rejected, but I assure you that it is a mistake. My title is now +before the attorney general in Washington, because, having +been approved, the settlers took an appeal. If the attorney +general sustains the appeal, I suppose he will remand the case +for a new trial, but I have reasons to suppose he will dismiss +the appeal and affirm the decision of the District Court in my +favor.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will see about that,” Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Undoubtedly we will; meantime I thought it was best to +undeceive you, and give you warning that you are building on +my land.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your land if you get it,” was the answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you knew the condition of my title I don't think that +you would doubt that this land is mine. However, all I wish +to do is to prevent you from spending money here and then naturally +get into litigation with me to defend your property,” +said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell thought of his wife, and her earnest injunctions. He +wished to keep his promise to her. He said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“If the courts say that this land rightfully belongs to you, I +shall pay you for your land or vacate.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, Mr. Darrell, you will get me into litigation with you, +and I wish to avoid that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I shall not get you into any law suit with me. I shall +buy your land or leave.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, Mr. Darrell, I shall rely on your word. I shall +remember what you say; please do the same.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am not in the habit of forgetting what I say.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano and his two sons lifted their hats, bowed +slightly, turned their horses' heads and moved off.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell returned their bow, muttering to himself, “They take +off their hats and bow like gentlemen, anyway.”</p> +<p class="pnext">While he was talking with Don Mariano, Mathews, Hughes, +Gasbang, Miller and Pittikin had come. They heard all that was +said and looked disappointed. They evidently had counted +upon Darrell to help them to fight the rightful owner.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did I understand you to say to the Don that you will not +maintain your claim, if the attorney general dismisses our appeal?” +asked Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know what you understood, or what you did not +understand. What I said was that if the Don's title is decided +to be right and legal, I shall not contest it. Why should +I, if the land is his? I came here to take up government land, +believing his title was rejected. He says it is not.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He lies; it was rejected,” Gasbang said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is why we appealed,” Mathews added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well; we will wait. For my part, I think that if +his title was rejected he will find it hard to get it back,” said +Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fact of his going on with his building ought to have +been sufficient proof to the other settlers that he had cast his +lot with them. But it was not. They feared that at any time +he might pay the Don for his land, and cease to be one of them; +cease to be a “<em class="italics">squatter</em>.” These doubts, these fears, were the +perennial theme of endless discussion with the settlers of Alamar.</p> +<p class="pnext">With date of February 14, 1872, the Honorable Legislature +of California passed a law “<em class="italics">To protect agriculture, and to prevent +the trespassing of animals upon private property in the County +of Los Angeles, and the County of San Diego, and parts of +Monterey County</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">In the very first section it recited, that “every owner <em class="italics">or +occupant</em> of land, <em class="italics">whether it is enclosed or not</em>,” could take up +cattle found in said land, etc., etc. It was not stated to be +necessary that the <em class="italics">occupant</em> should have a good title. All that +was required seemed to be that he should <em class="italics">claim to be an occupant</em> +of land, no matter who was the owner.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before this law came out, Don Mariano had already had a +great deal of trouble with the squatters, who kept killing his +cattle by the hundred head at times. After this law passed, +he had the additional annoyance of having to pay money for +the release of cattle taken up by <em class="italics">occupants</em> who would not +fence their ten-acre crops. Thus, the alternative was, that if +cattle were not taken up, he was sure to find them shot dead +by some invisible hand. He had hoped that the Legislature +would pass a law saying that “unless <em class="italics">occupants</em> of land put fences +around their fields, they would not be authorized to take up +cattle.” But, instead of this, the above-mentioned law was +enacted.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was, of course, ruinous to Don Mariano, as well as to +all owners of cattle ranchos where settlers had seen fit to locate +homesteads. Now any one man, by planting <em class="italics">one acre</em> of grain +to attract cattle to it, could make useless thousands of acres +around it of excellent grazing, because it became necessary to +drive cattle away from the vicinity of these unfenced fields.</p> +<p class="pnext">In view of all this, and seeing that the new law would confirm +the right to plant fields without fencing, and take up cattle, +horses or any other animals found therein, Don Mariano +thought he would call together all the settlers in his rancho, +and make some proposition to them that would be fair to +everybody, and by which he would save his cattle from getting +killed or captured (when he must ransom them) all the +time.</p> +<p class="pnext">He told his idea to Mr. Mechlin, who thought it was a good +plan, and volunteered to see some of the settlers with whom +he was acquainted, thinking that these could see others, and +in this manner a meeting be arranged. He started in the +morning on his errand, and in the evening Don Mariano called +to learn the result.</p> +<p class="pnext">“These men are meaner and lower than I had supposed,” +said Mr. Mechlin, whose very fine nervous organization ill-fitted +him for the rough contact of Gasbangs. “Would you believe +it, they suspected I wanted to lay a trap in which the innocent +lambs would fall, and you—the wolf—catch them. If it had +not been that I saw Darrell, I would have been utterly discouraged. +And I suspect he would not have been half so +polite and considerate but for the influence of his son, who has +just arrived.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard he had. You saw him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; and a very gentlemanly, handsome young fellow he +is. He made his father promise to go with him to see the settlers +in person, and arrange for you to meet them; he will report +to me in the evening the result of their embassy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence kept his word to Mr. Mechlin, and immediately +after breakfast he had his buggy and horses (a fine turnout he +had brought from San Francisco) at the door. Darrell smiled, +and good-naturedly took his seat beside his son, saying it would +be best to begin by seeing Gasbang and Mathews. Fortunately +they met these men, who were driving to see him, to +ask his opinion about agreeing to meet Don Mariano. Darrell +promptly told them that he thought no one of the settlers should +refuse a request so easy to grant.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But don't you think there is a trap in it?” Mathews +asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“None whatever. We are not children,” Darrell replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But suppose he makes us promise something?” Mathews +argued.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How can he coerce any one against his will,” said Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No one will be obliged to accede unwillingly,” said Clarence. +“Let us at least be courteous.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. Have you any idea what it is that he wants to +say?” asked Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He wants to make some proposition to the settlers, by +which he hopes that the interests of all concerned will be subserved,” +said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Visionary!” exclaimed Gasbang, tapping his forehead with +his forefinger; “not practical.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But his intentions are perfectly kind and fair,” Clarence +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is to say, Mr. Mechlin thinks they are.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why shouldn't they be? He certainly can't coerce anybody. +Here we are on what he believes to be his land, and +we don't think it is. Well, what of that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He certainly won't propose to fight us single-handed. We +are the majority,” said Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right. We'll see Hager and Miller, and the other +fellows in that valley. But we think Mr. Clarence will do +better with Hancock, Pittikin and Hughes. The female element +is strong there, but it will weaken in his hands, and in +that malleable condition, he can shape it to suit himself, with +one look out of his eyes at the whole troop of girls,” said +Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Goodness! You don't suppose I would go to play the +sweet fellow to those ugly old girls, and make a fool of myself,” +said Clarence, with so genuine a look of thorough disgust, +that it made John Gasbang indulge in one of his loudest +fits of hilarity. “Don't be alarmed, my young friend. There +is no harm for you there. I could turn you loose among those +girls and you would be as safe as Daniel among ‘lions’ or in +‘fiery furnace.’ You would not get a single scratch, or feel any +flames at all,” said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a low, vulgar fellow this is, even too low for a +squatter,” said Clarence, driving off.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Phew!” ejaculated the elder Darrell, “you speak like <em class="italics">a +Don</em>. Your idea of <em class="italics">a squatter</em> is not flattering.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is flattering thus far, that I think Gasbang is too low +for the settler, who means no wrong-doing,—the average squatter. +As for Mathews, I am sure he is a cut-throat by instinct.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That may be; but I think their idea of your seeing Pittikin +and Hughes is good. You can have more effect on them than +Gasbang or Mathews.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“O, I am willing to go to speak to the old men, but why +should I see the girls?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You manage that part to suit yourself. And now stop. +I'll drop here; you needn't go out of your way. I'll walk +home. I want to see this piece of land near by. It has not +been located. I might put a claim there for Everett and another +for Webster.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence sighed, and silently drove on. He had passed by +the Pittikin and Hughes farms the day he arrived, as his father +had taken him to see how nicely the settlers were doing in +Southern California; all expecting their prosperity to increase +by the building of the railroad. Clarence saw the two houses +and began to feel like a mariner of old between Scylla and +Charybdis. There might be a troop of ugly old girls in each +house. If he could only see some men out in the fields. But +the fields looked deserted. Where could the men be—this +being no Sunday nor Fourth of July, that they should leave off +work? On looking about for some human being to guide him, +he saw in the distance, under a clump of dark trees, several +wagons, and horses unhitched, standing harnessed near them.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was about to turn to the left, to take the road between +two fields, when he heard voices, shouting loudly. He supposed +they were calling some one. The shouts were followed +by a man on horseback galloping towards him. Clarence +stopped and waited. The rider was no other than Mr. Pittikin, +who came in person to invite him to join their picnic, in +honor of his daughter's wedding. The opportunity to see +<em class="italics">the men</em> together would be excellent, but the <em class="italics">girls</em> would be +there, too, thought Clarence, not over pleased.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Please excuse me, I am not dressed to appear in company. +I came to see you on business,” said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The girls said I must bring you.” Clarence felt a qualm. +“And even if I have to fight you I must obey; obey the ladies, +you know. There ain't many there. Only our two families—Hughes +and mine, and neighbor Hancock's and a few friends. +Indeed, we will feel slighted if you don't join us. We will feel +you think us too humble a class for you to associate with.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing of the kind. If I thought so, I would not hesitate +to present myself before the ladies in this dress.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come along, anyhow. We'll make all the allowance you +want. But you see, this is my daughter Fanny's birthday and +her wedding day. She was married to Romeo Hancock this +morning. So we wanted a room as big as all out doors to celebrate +the occasion. We thought the best thing would be to +have a picnic under those beautiful trees. Come, please. If you +ain't with us, you are against us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll go home and put on other dress and come back immediately,” +said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Pittikin laughed. “Just what Fanny said. I tell you she is +an awfully smart girl. She said, ‘He'll tell you he is going +home to change his clothes, but don't you let him, because +he'll only give us the slip.’ So you see, I can't let you go. +Besides, they are setting the table,—I mean to say, spreading +the eatables,—so you have no time to go home now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, look here, Mr. Pittikin, what is to become of my +mission? I came to see you and Mr. Hughes on business, +and not on a picnic.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can't the business wait till to-morrow?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not very well, as I promised Mr. Mechlin.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! I know; Hughes told me,” interrupted Pittikin. “The +Don wants to make speeches to the settlers to fool us into a—into—some +terms of his, so that we'll kick ourselves out of our +farms.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing of the kind. He is not going to make any foolish +propositions, but even if he were, you can lose nothing by +being polite and listening to him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know but what you are right. I like always to be +polite; and as for Hughes, he is the politest man going, and +no mistake. He never speaks loud, and he always listens to +you. I think it will be the best thing, perhaps, to see Hughes, +now. Then there is neighbor Hancock, and neighbor Miller +and Jackson, and the boys. Come along, we'll collar them in +a bunch.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, I can count upon your help?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly you can; for when it is a question of politeness, +I won't be left behind, and if I give you my word, you can bet +on me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was received with loud demonstrations of pleasure.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here he is,” said Pittikin, on arriving at the picnic ground; +“I got him; but as he has some business to talk to us about, I +promised him we would attend to that too, and mix business +with pleasure, as it were. So, you talk to them girls, Mr. +Darrell, while we old men see what can be done and how, and +we'll let you know.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was presented by Mr. Pittikin to Mrs. Pittikin, and +this lady presented him to the company, saying that he must +make himself at home, which Clarence did not see well how he +could do.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the young ladies could not boast of having often the +good fortune to entertain a young gentleman as elegant, handsome +and rich as Clarence, and they made good use of their +golden opportunity. Sweet glances and complimentary expressions +of pleasure, because the Darrell family were to be +their neighbors, showered upon him, until he was ready to +laugh outright. But he was too kind to have done anything +so discourteous, and took it all in good part, thinking it was +all meant in kindness.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come, let us show to Mr. Darrell our ice fountain; it is, I +think, a great natural curiosity,” said Mrs. Romeo Hancock, +the heroine of the day, being the lady in whose honor the hymeneal +festivities took place. “Come girls and boys,” said +she, and accompanied by Clarence, and followed by eight or +ten others, she guided them to a little cave under a large oak, +from which a muffled sound of tiny bells that seemed to tinkle +and sigh and whisper, came forth. It seemed to Clarence as if +the little fountain was in sympathy with the dispossessed owners, +but did not dare to raise its timid voice in behalf of the vanquished, +who no longer had rights in their patrimony, and +must henceforth wander off disinherited, despoiled, forgotten.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is a lovely place,” said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and Mathews wanted to kill me for it,” said Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why so?” asked Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because he had just sold his place to Mr. Mechlin, intending +to locate here. So when he went to town to sign his conveyance, +I put some boards in a wagon and came here, and in +two hours my father and myself had put up my cabin. Then +we put up this fence around one acre, and by nightfall we had +placed my boundary stakes. That night I brought my blankets +and my rifle, to sleep in my cabin. Mother sent father to keep +me company, and we slept soundly, in splendid style. I wasn't +afraid of Mathews. Next morning, at daybreak, we heard the +rumbling of a wagon, and soon after we spied old Mathews sitting +on the top of his boards. He came smack against my fence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What the devil is this?” said he, and began to swear a +perfect blue streak. Then he took a hammer from his wagon, +and began hammering.</p> +<p class="pnext">I jumped up, took my rifle and hallooed to him, as if I +didn't know him, “Who is there, hammering my fence?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your fence?” said he; “your fence?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, sir, mine. I located here yesterday.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You! you! Get a beard first,” said he, and with another +streak of oaths, began hammering again.</p> +<p class="pnext">I came up nearer, holding my rifle in good position. I said, +“Look here, Mr. Mathews, leave my fence alone, or you will +get into trouble.” I leveled my rifle at him. “Will you stop? +I give you just two minutes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He stopped.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have no right to locate—you are a minor,” said he, +livid with rage.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You just inform yourself better, by asking a polite question +or two of my parents. They will tell you that I am just +twenty-one years and two days old, and I can prove it by our +family Bible and certificate of baptism. I am a Christian, I +am, though you don't seem to be, judging by your cursing,—and +as for my beard, you be patient, and you'll see it, for it is +coming as fast as your gray hairs.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why didn't you say you wanted this place?” he growled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a question!” I answered. “You ask it because you +don't see my beard, but I feel it pushing ahead with all its +might. I didn't tell you, because we ain't exactly bosom +friends, and because that is not the style in which we settlers +do business. I kept dark, hoping that you would hold on a +while longer, trying to get a bigger price for your place from +Mr. Mechlin. I watched you, and when you let Saturday +pass I knew this sweet little spot was mine,—for on Saturday +I was twenty-one, and you couldn't sign your conveyance to +Mr. Mechlin until Monday. To-day is Tuesday, Mr. Mathews, +I shall be twenty-one years and three days old at 11 o'clock +A.M. this day, if I live five hours longer.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't believe a word. You ain't twenty-one. 'Tis a +lie!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, it ain't,” my father said, coming from the cabin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then he is a jumper. He's jumped my claim.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, he ain't. Look here, Mathews,” said father, dragging +his rifle along as if it was a dead cat, “you know well it is +yourself who is lying when you say that. You had no right to +this claim while you held the other.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I put up my notice that I was going to locate here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now, don't be silly,” said father, leaning on his rifle. “It +is painful to my feelings to hear a grey-headed man talk like a +child. You might have put twenty notices—what of that? The +law don't allow any circus performances like that, and if it did, +you ain't a good enough performer to ride two horses at once.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think it is a mean performance on your part, too, coming +here to steal a march on me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A mean performance, you say? Do you remember how I +had my notices up and my stakes on the ground, six years +ago, and when I went to town to bring my lumber, you +jumped my claim? My boy has just barely returned the compliment.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll be even with you yet,” said he, climbing into his +wagon, and beginning to whip his horses, and swear at us +worse than ever.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The same to you; the same to you,” father would say, as +if answering prayers, and then we both laughed heartily.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is not the worst, but that you jumped the claim of +his affections,” said Tom, whereupon all laughed, and Fanny +bashfully hung down her head.</p> +<p class="pnext">Voices calling them to dinner were now heard, and they returned +to the picnic grounds.</p> +<p class="pnext">No banquet of the Iliad warriors surpassed this, showing +that the settlers of Alamar had found the Don's land and the +laws of Congress very good.</p> +<p class="pnext">The elder Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Pittikin were proud +of having given a banquet which no other settler would dare +surpass in Alamar.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the dessert was being served, Clarence said, “We +must drink to the bride and groom.” All agreed that it should +be done.</p> +<p class="pnext">He arose and made a neat little speech, which was so +“<em class="italics">sweetly pretty</em>,” Mr. P. said, that it brought tears to the eyes +of Mrs. Pittikin and Mrs. Hancock, the elder.</p> +<p class="pnext">This put Clarence's popularity beyond doubt.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Fill your glasses, for I have something to say to Mr. +Clarence Darrell, but we must first drink his health,” said Mr. +Pittikin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here is to our friends, the Darrell family, but more particularly +to Mr. Clarence. We respect him, we like him, we +are proud of him;”—all drank—“and I now take the occasion to +say to Mr. Darrell, in the presence of our friends here, that I +fulfilled my promise to him, and have spoken to our friends +here, the heads of families, and they will speak to those who +are not present, and we will meet to hear what the Don has to +say.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we don't promise to accept any proposition, if it don't +suit each one, no matter what anybody votes,” said old Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is understood; we want to be polite, that's all,” explained +Mr. Pittikin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And that is all I have requested,” Clarence said. “I do +not ask any one to accept any proposition against his will.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is fair enough,” said old Hancock.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And little enough, considering we are in possession of land +that the Don believes to be his own,” said Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But it ain't,” said old Hager.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It has been for more than fifty years,” Romeo asserted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But he lost it by not complying with the law,” said Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, if he had not neglected his rights, his title would not +have been rejected; he went to sleep for eight years, and his +right was outlawed,” said Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That was the fault of his lawyers, perhaps,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course it was, but he should have watched his lawyers. +The trouble is, that you can't teach ‘an old dog new tricks.’ +Those old Spaniards never will be business men,” said Pittikin, +sententiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was finally agreed that Clarence would call on Mr. +Mechlin that evening, to notify him that the settlers would +meet the Don on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock on the porch +of Gasbang's house.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-v-the-don-in-his-broad-acres"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id6">CHAPTER V.—<span class="small-caps">The Don in his Broad Acres.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“The one great principle of English law,”—Charles Dickens +says, “is to make business for itself. There is no other principle +distinctly, certainly and consistently maintained through +all its narrow turnings. Viewed by this light, it becomes a coherent +scheme, and not the monstrous maze the laity are apt to +think it. Let them but once clearly perceive that its grand +principle is to make business for itself at their expense, and +surely they will cease to grumble.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The one great principle of American law is very much the +same; our law-givers keep giving us laws and then enacting +others to explain them. The lawyers find plenty of occupation, +but what becomes of the laity?</p> +<p class="pnext">“No. 189. <em class="italics">An Act to ascertain and settle the private land +claims in the State of California</em>,” says the book.</p> +<p class="pnext">And by a sad subversion of purposes, all the private land +titles became <em class="italics">unsettled</em>. It ought to have been said, “An Act +to <em class="italics">unsettle</em> land titles, and to upset the rights of the Spanish +population of the State of California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">It thus became not only necessary for the Spanish people to +present their titles for revision, and litigate to maintain them +(in case of any one contesting their validity, should the least irregularity +be discovered, and others covet their possession), but +to maintain them against the government before several tribunals; +for the government, besides making its own laws, +<em class="italics">appeals to itself</em> as against the land-owners, after their titles might +have been <em class="italics">approved</em>. But this benign Act says (in “Sec. 11”), +“That the Commissioners, the District and Supreme Courts, +in deciding on the validity of any claim, shall be governed by +the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; the law of nations; the +laws, usages, and customs of the government <em class="italics">from which the +claim is derived</em>; the principles of equity, and the decisions of +the Supreme Court of the United States, etc., etc.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus the government washes its hands clean, liberally providing +plenty of tribunals, plenty of crooked turnings through +which to scourge the wretched land-owners.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano had been for some years under the lash of the +maternal government, whom he had found a cruel stepmother, +indeed.</p> +<p class="pnext">As it was arranged with Clarence, the meeting would take +place that day on the broad piazza of John Gasbang's house, +this being the most central point in the rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">The heads of families all came—the male heads, be it understood—as +the squatters did not make any pretence to regard +female opinion, with any more respect than other men.</p> +<p class="pnext">All the benches and chairs that the house contained, with the +exception of Mrs. Gasbang's sewing rocker, had been brought +to the porch, which was quite roomy and airy.</p> +<p class="pnext">At ten minutes before two, all the settlers were there, that is +to say, all the old men, with their elder sons.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence, Romeo, Tom and Jack, sat together in a corner, +conversing in low tones, while Gasbang was entertaining his +guests with some broad anecdotes, which brought forth peals +of laughter.</p> +<p class="pnext">At five minutes to two, Señor Alamar, accompanied by Mr. +Mechlin, arrived in a buggy; his two sons followed on horseback.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence had time to look at them leisurely, while they dismounted, +and tied their horses to a hitching post.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are gentlemen, no doubt,” observed Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You bet they are,” Romeo coincided. Evidently he admired +and liked them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How much the boys look like the old man,” Tom said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They look like Englishmen,” was Clarence's next observation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, particularly Victoriano; he is so light he looks more +like a German, I think,” said Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think Gabriel is very handsome,” Tom said, “only of late +he seems always so sad or thoughtful.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That won't do for a man who is to marry soon,” said Romeo. +“I think he has always been rather reserved. He has only a +cold salutation to give, while Victoriano will be laughing and +talking to everybody. But, perhaps, you are right, and he is +changed. I think he is less reconciled than the others, to have +us, settlers, helping ourselves to what they consider their land. +He certainly was far more talkative four or five years ago. I used +to work with them in ploughing and harvesting time, and both +boys, and the Don, were always very kind to me, and I can't +help liking them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The ladies, though, ain't so affable. They are very proud,” +said Tom; “they walk like queens.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They didn't seem proud to me, but I never spoke to them,” +said Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gasbang went forward to meet his guests, and all came into +the porch.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” said Don Mariano to the settlers, +lifting his hat and bowing. His sons and Mr. Mechlin +did the same. Clarence arose, and so did the other young men +with him, returning their salutation. The elder Darrell, Pittikin +and Hughes followed this example; the other settlers +nodded only, and remained sitting with their hats on, looking +with affected indifference at the trees beyond.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thank you for your courtesy in complying with my request +to have this meeting,” he said. Some nodded, others +grinned and winked, others smiled silently.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take this chair, Señor, and you, Mr. Mechlin, take this +one. They are the best in my establishment,” said Gasbang. +“The young gentlemen will find seats somewhere on the +benches.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence came forward and offered three chairs. Mr. +Mechlin took his arm and presented him to the Alamars.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I take pleasure in making your acquaintance, and I hope +to have the opportunity to thank you for your kind co-operation +more appropriately afterward,” said Don Mariano. His +sons shook hands with Clarence cordially, and accepted the +proffered chairs.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano excused himself for not speaking English more +fluently.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you don't understand me I will repeat my words until I +make my meaning clear, but I hope you will ask me to repeat +them; or, perhaps, some one of these young gentlemen will do +me the kindness to be my interpreter,” said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Romeo talks Spanish; he can interpret for you,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You talk English better,” Romeo proudly replied, thinking +he could tell his wife that the Don had asked him to be his +interpreter.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps Mr. Clarence Darrell would do me the favor,” said +Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You speak very good English, señor. We understand you +perfectly. You do not require an interpreter,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so; you speak very well,” said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gasbang and Pittikin added: “Certainly, we understand him +very well.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course we do,” said Darrell and others.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are very kind,” said the Don, smiling, “and I will try to +be brief, and not detain you long.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have all the afternoon,” said Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's so, we ain't in a hurry,” said several.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Only let us out in time to bring the milch cows home, before +night comes on,” said old Miller, dryly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly, we want to look after our cows, too,” said the Don, +laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">All saw the fine irony of the rejoinder, and laughed heartily. +Miller scratched his ear, as if he had felt the retort there, knowing +well, that with the exception of Mathews and Gasbang, he +had killed and “<em class="italics">corraled</em>” more of the Don's cattle than any +other settler.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Speaking about cows, brings us at once to the object of +this meeting,”—Don Mariano, still smiling, went on, saying: +“You know that I have lost many, and that it is natural I +should wish to save those I have left. To do this, and yet not +ask that you give up your claims, I have one or two propositions +to make to you. The reason why you have taken up land here +is because you want homes. You want to make money. Isn't +that the reason? Money! money!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's it, exactly,” said many voices, and all laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I can show you how you may keep your homes and +make more money than you can by your present methods, +while at the same time, I also save my cattle. That little point, +you know, I must keep in view.”</p> +<p class="pnext">All laughed again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“To fence your fields, you have said, is too expensive, particularly +as the rainy seasons are too uncertain to base upon +them any calculations for getting crops to pay for fencing. I +believe this is what most of you say; is it not?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We could have raised better crops if your cattle hadn't +damaged them,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I beg to differ; but supposing that you are right, do you +think you could be sure of good crops if you killed all my +stock, or if I took them all away to the mountains? No, +most assuredly. The rainy season would still be irregular and +unreliable, I think. Yes, I may say, I feel sure, it is a mistake +to try to make San Diego County a grain-producing +county. It is not so, and I feel certain it never will be, to any +great extent. This county is, and has been, and will be always, +a good grazing county—one of the best counties for +cattle-raising on this coast, and the very best for fruit-raising +on the face of the earth. God intended it should be. Why, +then, not devote your time, your labor and your money to raising +vineyards, fruits and cattle, instead of trusting to the uncertain +rains to give you grain crops?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It takes a long time to get fruit trees to bearing. What +are we to do for a living in the meantime?” asked Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Begin raising cattle—that will support you,” the Don replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where is the capital to buy cattle with?” Gasbang asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You don't require any more capital than you already have. +I can let each of you have a number of cows to begin with, +and give you four or five years' time to pay me. So you see, +it will be with the increase of these cattle you will pay, for I +shall charge you no interest.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What do you expect us to do in return? To give back to +you our homesteads?” asked Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir; I have said, and repeat again, you will retain your +homesteads.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And will you stop contesting our claims?” asked Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will, and will give each one a quit-claim deed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will not fight our claims, but you don't want us to plant +grain on our land,” said Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You can plant grain, if you like, but to do so you must +fence your land; so, as you all say, that fencing is expensive, I +suggest your fencing orchards and vineyards only, but not grain +fields—I mean large fields.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pshaw! I knew there was to be something behind all that +display of generosity,” muttered Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano reddened with a thrill of annoyance, but quietly +answered:</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are too good business men to suppose that I should +not reserve some slight advantage for myself, when I am willing +you should have many more yourselves. All I want to +do is to save the few cattle I have left. I am willing to quit-claim +to you the land you have taken, and give you cattle to +begin the stock business, and all I ask you in return is to put a +fence around whatever land you wish to cultivate, so that my +cattle cannot go in there. So I say, plant vineyards, plant +olives, figs, oranges; makes wines and oil and raisins; export +olives and dried and canned fruits. I had some very fine +California canned fruit sent to me from San Francisco. Why +could we not can fruits as well, or better? Our olives are +splendid—the same our figs, oranges, apricots, and truly all +semi-tropical fruits are of a superior quality. When this fact +becomes generally known, I feel very sure that San Diego +County will be selected for fruit and grape-growing. In two +years grape vines begin to bear; the same with figs, peaches +and other fruits. At three years old they bear quite well, and +all without irrigation. So you would not have to wait so very +long to begin getting a return from your labor and capital. +Moreover, an orchard of forty acres or vineyard of twenty will +pay better after three years' growth than one hundred and +sixty acres of wheat or barley in good seasons, and more than +three hundred acres of any grain in moderately good seasons, +or one thousand acres in bad seasons. You can +easily fence twenty or forty or sixty acres for a vineyard or +orchard, but not so easily fence a field of one hundred and +sixty, and the grain crop would be uncertain, depending on the +rains, but not so the trees, for you can irrigate them, and after +the trees are rooted that is not required.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where is the water to irrigate?” asked Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The water is in the sea now, for there we let it go every +year; but if we were sensible, judicious men, we would not let +it go to waste—we would save it. This rancho has many deep +ravines which bring water from hills and sierras. These ravines +all open into the valleys, and run like so many little +rivers in the rainy season. By converting these ravines into +reservoirs we could have more water than would be needed for +irrigating the fruit trees on the foothills. In the low valleys no +irrigation would be needed. If we all join forces to put up +dams across the most convenient of these ravines, we will have +splendid reservoirs. I will defray half the expense if you will +get together and stand the other half. Believe me, it will be a +great God-send to have a thriving, fruit-growing business in our +county. To have the cultivated land well fenced, and the remainder +left out for grazing. Then there would not be so +many thousands upon thousands of useless acres as now have +to be. For every ten acres of cultivated land (not fenced) +there are ten thousand, yes, twenty thousand, entirely idle, +useless. Why? Because those ten acres of growing grain +must be protected, and the cattle which don't know the +‘<em class="italics">no fence</em>’ law, follow their inclination to go and eat the green +grass. Then they are ‘<em class="italics">corralled</em>’ or killed. Is it not a pity to +kill the poor dumb brutes, because we can't make them understand +the law, and see the wisdom of our Sacramento legislators +who enacted it? And is it not a pity to impoverish our county +by making the bulk of its land useless? The foolishness of +letting all of the rainfall go to waste, is an old time folly with us. +Still, in old times, we had, at least, the good excuse that we +raised all the fruits we needed for our use, and there was no +market for any more. But we were not then, as now, guilty of +the folly of making the land useless. We raised cattle and +sold hides and tallow every year, and made money. When +gold was discovered, we drove our stock north, got a good price +for it, and made money. But now no money will be made by +anybody out of cattle, if they are to be destroyed, and no +money made out of land, for the grazing will be useless, when +there will be no stock left to eat it. Thus, the county will +have no cattle, and the crops be always uncertain. Believe +me, in years to come, you will see that the county was +impoverished by the ‘no fence law,’ unless we try to save our +county, in spite of foolish legislation. If our wise legislators +could enact a law obliging rain to come, so that we could have +better chances to raise grain, then there would be some show of +excuse for the ‘<em class="italics">no fence law</em>,’ <em class="italics">perhaps</em>. I say <strong class="bold">PERHAPS</strong>, because, +in my humble opinion, we ought to prefer cattle raising and +fruit growing for our county. We should make these our specialty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think it would be much more foolish to trust to a few +cows to make out a living while trees grow,” said Miller, “than +to the seasons to give us grain crops.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir; because cattle are sure to increase, if they are not +killed, and you could make cheese and butter, and sell your +steers every year, while trees grow. You have been seven +years a settler on this rancho. In these seven years you have +raised two good crops; three poor, or only middling, and two, +no crops at all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, because your cattle destroyed them,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir; my cattle were not all over California; but the bad +seasons were, and only in few places, moderately good crops +were harvested; in the southern counties none at all. We had +rains enough to get sufficiently good grazing, but not to raise +grain.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think you are right about the uncertainty of our seasons, +and I think a good dairy always pays well, also a good orchard +and vineyard,” said Darrell. “But the question is, whether we +can adopt some feasible plan to put your idea into practice.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, how many cows will you let us have?” asked Hager.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will divide with you. Next week I shall have my ‘<em class="italics">rodeo</em>.’ +We can see then the number of cattle I have left. We shall count +them. I shall take half, the other half you divide pro rata; +each head of a family taking a proportionate number of cattle.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is fair,” Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't want any cattle. I ain't no ‘<em class="italics">vaquero</em>’ to go ‘<em class="italics">busquering</em>’ +around and <em class="italics">lassooing</em> cattle. I'll lasso myself; what +do I know about whirling a <em class="italics">lariat</em>?” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, don't take cattle. You can raise fruit trees and +vineyards,” said Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and starve meantime,” Mathews replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will not have to be a vaquero. I don't go ‘<em class="italics">busquering</em>’ +around <em class="italics">lassooing</em>, unless I wish to do so,” said the Don. +“You can hire an Indian boy to do that part. They know how +to handle <em class="italics">la reata</em> and <em class="italics">echar el lazo</em> to perfection. You will not +starve, either, for if you wish, you can make butter and cheese +enough to help to pay expenses. I think this State ought to +make and export as good cheese as it now imports, and some +day people will see it, and do it, too. Thus, with the produce +of your dairies, at first, and afterward with your fruits, you +will do far better than with grain crops, and not work as hard. +Let the northern counties raise grain, while we raise fruits and +make wine, butter and cheese. You must not forget, either, +that every year you can sell a number of cattle, besides keeping +as many milch cows as you need.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where can we sell our cattle?” asked Hancock.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Cattle-buyers will come to buy from you. But if you prefer +it, you can drive your stock north yourselves, and make a good +profit. Since 1850, I have sent nine times droves of cattle to +the northern counties, and made a handsome profit every time. +The first time we took stock north, was in '50; I took nearly +six thousand head—three thousand were mine—and the others +belonged to my brothers. We lost very few, and sold at a +good price—all the way from eighteen to twenty-five dollars +per head. About five hundred of mine I sold as high as +thirty dollars per head. I made sixty thousand dollars by this +operation. Then out of the next lot I made twenty-seven +thousand dollars. Then I made twenty-two thousand, and so +on, until my tame cows began to disappear, as you all know. +In four years after my cows began to get shot, my cattle decreased +more than half. Now I don't think I have many more +than three thousand head. So you cannot blame me for wishing +to save these few. But believe me, the plan I propose will +be as beneficial to you as to me, and also to the entire county, +for as soon as it is shown that we can make a success of the +industries I propose, others will follow our example.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you have only three thousand head, you can't spare +many to us, and it will hardly be worth while to stop planting +crops to get a few cows,” said Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I will be able to spare five or six hundred cows. I +don't know how many I have left.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will buy from somebody else, if we want more,” said +Darrell. “We won't want many to begin with; it will be something +of an experiment for some of us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“For all of us here. Perhaps you understand <em class="italics">vaquering</em>; +we don't,” said Hancock; all laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then fence your claim and plant grain,” Darrell retorted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am not so big a fool as to spend money in fences. The +‘<em class="italics">no fence</em>’ law is better than all the best fences,” Mathews said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But what if you make more money by following other laws +that are more just, more rational?” said the Don.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The ‘no fence’ law is rational enough for me,” said Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so say I,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I,” said Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hughes nodded approvingly, but he was too much of a +hypocrite to commit himself in words.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We did not come to discuss the ‘no fence’ law, but only to +propose something that will put more money in your pockets +than killing dumb beasts,” said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then propose something practicable,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think what has been proposed is practicable enough,” +Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly it is,” Mr. Mechlin added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't see it,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nor I, either,” added Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nor I, neither,” said Hughes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, gentlemen,” said Don Mariano, rising, “I shall leave +you now; you know my views, and you perhaps prefer to discuss +them, and discuss your own among yourselves, and not in +my presence. Take your time, and when you come to a final +decision let me know. Perhaps I can advance the money to +those of you who do not have it ready to purchase fencing +lumber. I shall charge no interest, and give you plenty of +time to pay.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will do that, Señor Alamar,” Clarence said; “if the settlers +agree to fence their lands, I will advance the money to +them to put up their fences.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and if our crops fail, we will be in debt to the ears, +with a chain around our necks,” Mathews growled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you said that if it were not for my cattle, your +crops would not have failed,” said Don Mariano, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I said so, and it is so. But you see, that was before we +had the ‘<em class="italics">no fence</em>’ law,” answered he, grinning.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano shook hands with Clarence, whom he invited +to call at his house—this invitation Clarence accepted with +warm thanks—and followed by his sons and his friend Mr. +Mechlin, Don Mariano took his leave, bowing to the settlers, +who nodded and grinned in return.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose you, too, think the ‘<em class="italics">no fence</em>’ law iniquitous, as +you appear to favor the aristocracy,” said Gasbang to Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is worse than that, it is stupid. Now it kills the cattle, +afterwards it will kill the county,” Clarence answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shall we plant no wheat, because the Spaniards want to +raise cattle?” Mathews asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Plant wheat, if you can do so without killing cattle. But +do not destroy the larger industry with the smaller. If, as the +Don very properly says, this is a grazing county, no legislation +can change it. So it would be wiser to make laws to suit the +county, and not expect that the county will change its character +to suit absurd laws,” Clarence replied.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vi-naughty-dog-milord-an-important-factor"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id7">CHAPTER VI.—<span class="small-caps">Naughty Dog Milord an Important Factor.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Three large wagons, each drawn by six horses, were +hauling the lumber for Mr. Darrell's house, which was already +commenced.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano, riding across the valley, had to stop to let +the heavily loaded wagons pass. This gave Clarence time to +overtake him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good morning,” said he, “I am glad to catch up with you, +Don Victoriano. I have been wanting to speak to you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano bowed, saying, “Will you go to my house?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I'd rather not. I am not dressed to be seen by ladies. +I would rather speak to you here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are going to build a large house, Mr. Darrell?” said +Victoriano, turning his horse so as to ride beside Clarence; +“judging by the amount of lumber being hauled.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; rather. We are a large family, and require a good +deal of room. But before we do any more work I want to +speak with your father. I want to ask him—ask him as a +favor—and yet, as a business proposition”—he hesitated; he +was evidently embarrassed; but Victoriano, not guessing the +drift of his words, remained waiting silently, offering no assistance. +“Well,” he continued, “I mean this: I don't like this +fashion of taking people's lands, and I would like to pay to +Señor Alamar for what has been located by us, but at the same +time I do not wish my father to know that I have paid for +the land, as I am sure he would take my action as a reproach—as +a disclaimer of his own action, and I don't wish to hurt his +feelings, or seem to be disrespectful or censorious.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I understand, and I think my father will be willing to sell +the land. He is at home now. Let us go up to see him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Had you not better speak to him, and make an appointment +for me to see him to-morrow, or some other time? I'd +rather not risk being seen by the ladies in this blue flannel +shirt and heavy boots. I look too rough—like a smuggler or +a squatter, sure.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can call my father to speak to you outside, so that the +ladies need not see you. But if they should, that needn't disturb +you. They have too much sense not to know that you +would not be working in white kid gloves. Come on. The +front veranda is empty. Mother and three of my sisters are +at the Mechlin's. Mercedes is the only one at home, and she +is too busy with her embroidery in Madam Halier's room to +come near you. I'll bring father to the front veranda.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence and Victoriano tied their horses by the garden gate +and walked to the piazza. The hall door was ajar. Clarence +saw no ladies about and felt reassured.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were three steps leading from the walk through the +garden up to the front veranda. These steps were exactly +opposite to the hall door.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano took the path to the right, saying: “Go up +and sit down. I'll bring my father here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do not disturb him if he is taking his <em class="italics">siesta</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The <em class="italics">siesta</em> hour is past, I'll find him at the office,” said he, +going round the corner, leaving Clarence to walk up the front +step. As he did so, he heard a tinkling of little bells and +rushing of feet, as if somebody was running. Then a laughing +voice, the timbre of which was sweetly pleasing, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Stop, Milord! you bad dog! Milord! Milord!”</p> +<p class="pnext">At the same moment, through the narrow opening of the +door, out darted a little white dog, dragging after him a large +and much entangled skein of bright-colored silk. Clarence +was nearly stepping on the little runaway, when the door was +flung open, and a girl rushed out, coming against him before +she could check herself. In her effort to do so she turned her +foot and staggered forward, but before she realized she was in +any one's presence, she felt two strong arms holding her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh!” she exclaimed, as a sharp, hot pain darted through +her ankle. She saw that the two arms which held her were +none of her father or brothers', and that they were covered +with blue flannel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Looking up to see the face above them, their eyes met. +Hers expressed surprise, his merriment. But a change in +their expression flashed instantaneously, and both felt each other +tremble, thrilled with the bliss of their proximity. Her face was +suffused with burning blushes. She was bewildered, and +without daring to meet his eyes again, stammered an apology; +extending her hand, to reach some chair or table to hold +herself, but they all were crowded at both ends of the piazza.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are hurt. I am afraid you are hurt,” said he, with +pale lips, reflecting the pallor he saw come to her face, succeeding +her crimson blush. “I know you are suffering. What can +I do? I am so sorry!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“O no, I only turned my foot a little,” she answered, venturing +to look at him for an instant. “I shall be all right in a +minute.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you turned your foot, don't put any weight upon it. Do +not try to walk, let me carry you to a chair.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“O no, no! I am not so much hurt as to require giving all +that trouble.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“<em class="italics">Please</em> let me. It will be no trouble; only a great pleasure.” +He was in earnest and spoke quite seriously. “Are you +afraid I could not carry you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, not that, but it is not necessary,” and she tried to +walk. A quick, sharp, burning pain through her ankle admonished +her that she was more hurt than she had believed. A +slight contraction of her brows betrayed her pain.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There! You will hurt yourself worse,” said he, and before +she knew what he was going to do, he stooped a little and +lifted her as easily as if she had been a little child. She had +no time to think whether to be grateful or offended, for he +quickly walked to the further end of the piazza and carefully +placed her in a roomy arm chair. Then bending a knee before +her, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Forgive my lifting you without your permission. I knew +you would not give it, and I knew also that you were suffering. +Will you forgive me?” His voice was soft, caressing, pleading, +but his eyes seemed to her to emit rays full of attractive, earnest +force which she felt had great power. They dazzled her, and +yet those eyes were so mild, so kind. She looked down, making +no answer. “When Don Victoriano comes he can carry +you to bed, and—please—take my advice, stay there until the +pain has entirely left your foot.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She ventured to look at his eyes again. Who could this +strong young man be, so bold, and yet so gentle, so courteous +and yet waiting for no permission to take so positively hold of +her, to carry her bodily half the length of the piazza. And +now so respectfully asking on his knees to be forgiven? Asking +with tones of tender humility in his voice, while his eyes +she knew could emanate subduing magnetic beams.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How do you know Victoriano is coming? He went out +riding,” she said, evading the question of forgiveness, and for +the sake of making some reply that would hide her confusion.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but I met him and he returned with me. He has gone +to look for Señor Alamar, I came to see him on business,” said +the respectful young man, still on his knees.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you know my father?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Only very slightly.” They were silent. He added: “I +met him a few days ago when he had that meeting with the +squatters.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Were you at the meeting?” said she, avoiding his gaze.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes,” he said, watching her beautiful face. What would +she think of him, believing him a <em class="italics">Squatter</em>, one who came to +take land that did not belong to him? How he wished that +she would look up, that he might see her lovely eyes again, for +if to her his eyes seemed so glorious, to him hers fascinated, +conquered, with a power that he never thought could exist in +any human being. Trembling, he felt that he was madly in love +with her. Yes, already in love. Love at first sight, surely. But +if it killed him, no matter, he would love her to the last instant +of his life.</p> +<p class="pnext">Voices were heard approaching through the hall. He stood +up and walked towards the door. Señor Alamar came forward +and shook hands with him. Victoriano explained the reason +of his delay being, that he had to look for his father all over +the house, and at last found him in the furthest “<em class="italics">corral</em>” looking +at some new colts just brought in.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad that Mercedes came to converse with you,” said +Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did not come to converse. I did not know that the gentleman +was here. I came by accident,” she hastened to reply. +“I was trying to catch Milord when I stumbled and would +have fallen, had not this gentleman prevented it.” So saying, +she blushed anew; her blushes being immediately reflected on +Clarence's forehead, made them both look like a couple of +culprits.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I fear the lady's foot is hurt,” said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is it?” exclaimed Don Mariano, going towards Mercedes. +“Does it pain you baby?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes papa, a little. It burns me. Do you think it would +be bad for me to walk to my room?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course it would,” Clarence said, and blushed redder yet +at his temerity.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can you stand on your foot?” Victoriano asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't try. I'll carry you to your room,” said her father.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Women have no business to have such small feet. They +are always stumbling and can't walk worth a cent,” said Victoriano, +going to look at his sister's foot. “See here. No wonder +they stumble. Look at the little slipper. Why don't they +wear good broad boots?” So saying he took off the little slipper, +which seemed made for a Cinderella.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are too absurd,” said Mercedes, blushing again, to see +her slipper brandished aloft, in the face of a stranger.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I ain't. It's women's feet that are absurd.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When we want the ladies to be infantry soldiers, then +we will ask them to cultivate big feet,” said Don Mariano, +laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But not until then, please,” said Clarence, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Aha! I see you cherish the general male weakness,” +said Victoriano, kneeling before his sister to put on the little +slipper. “I am the only strong-minded man, I know. Come, +pussy, I'll carry you to your room.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, no. You take me, papa, Tano might drop me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nonsense; as if I couldn't carry a kitten like you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa, you take me, but not to bed. Put me on the lounge +in mamma's room, and call Madam Halier to me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right; anything to please the children,” said Don Mariano, +stooping to lift her.</p> +<p class="pnext">She put her arms around his neck, and whispered: “Papa, +who is this young man? I never saw him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a fact,” said Don Mariano, taking her up, and +turning toward Clarence, said: “Mr. Darrell, permit me to +present you to my daughter, Mercedes, ‘our baby.’” So saying, +he dandled her a little in his arms.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, papa, you make me ridiculous! How can I bow like +a lady, when you are rocking me like an infant!” she said, +laughing, but blushing again like a rose.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shake hands with the gentleman, that's a dear,” said Victoriano, +talking baby talk to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, papa, make Tano hush. Mr. Darrell, I am afraid that +I shall always seem ridiculous to you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not at all; I don't see why,” Clarence replied, “but I fear +that your hurt might be serious.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's it. You might be ridiculous, but your hurt might +be serious,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was Clarence's turn to blush now, but he smiled good +naturedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You won't be serious, though. I wish you were, and polite, +too,” said Mercedes. “I don't know what Mr. Darrell will +think of us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell will see us often, I hope, and think better +of Tano,” said Don Mariano, carrying away his precious +burden.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My opinion is all that you could wish, Miss Mercedes,” +said Clarence, and their eyes met, transmitting that strange +thrill to both.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano placed Mercedes tenderly on her mamma's +lounge, called Madam Halier to attend to the sprained ankle, +and returned to the veranda.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence made no delay in stating the object of his visit. +He said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Since the meeting I have had several talks with the settlers, +and the result has been my conviction, that they will not accept +your generous offer. They, no doubt, wish to take up +more land, and think it cannot be done if they bind themselves +to put up fences by accepting your proposition. How +short-sighted they are time alone will show, for at present they +will not listen to reason.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am very sorry. There is no alternative for me but to sell +all my cattle as soon as possible, and in the meantime drive all +I can to the mountains.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But that will be ruinous, father. How can we herd them +in the mountains? They will all become wild and run away,” +said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am afraid they will. I am sure of it, in fact. But there +is no other way to save any at all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think this ‘no fence’ law the most scandalous, bare-faced +outrage upon the rights of citizens that I ever heard of,” said +Clarence, warmly. “It is like setting irresponsible trespassers +loose upon a peaceable people, and then rewarding their outrage. +To let any one take up your lands right before your eyes is +outrage enough, but to cap the climax by authorizing people +to plant crops without fences and then <em class="italics">corral</em> your cattle, +which must be attracted to the green grass, I call positively +disgraceful, in a community which is not of vandals. It is +shameful to the American name. I am utterly disgusted with +the whole business, and the only thing that will make matters +a little tolerable to me will be for you to do me the favor of +permitting me to pay for the land we have located.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Does your father wish to pay?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not know whether he would or not. I fear he would +not. My father is a blind worshiper of the Congress of these +United States, and consequently it is difficult to persuade him +that our legislators might possibly do wrong. He believes that +Congress has the right to declare <em class="italics">all</em> California open to pre-emption, +and all American citizens free to choose any land not +already patented. Thus, he thinks he has the right to locate +on your land (according to law, mind you), because he believes +your title has been rejected. But as my faith in our law-givers +is not so blind, my belief is that Congress had no more +right to pass any law which could give an excuse to trespass +upon your property, than to pass a law inviting people to your +table. I feel a sort of impatience to think that in our country +could exist a law which is so outrageously unjust. My pride +as an American is somewhat different from that of my father. +He thinks it is a want of patriotism to criticise our legislation. +Whereas, I think our theory of government is so lofty, so grand +and exalted, that we must watch jealously that Congress may +not misinterpret it; misrepresent the sentiments, the aspirations +of the American people, and thus make a caricature of +our beautiful ideal. It is our duty and privilege to criticise +our laws, and criticise severely. As long as you, the native +Californians, were to be despoiled of your lands, I think it +would have been better to have passed a law of confiscation. +Then we would have stood before the world with the responsibility +of that barbarous act upon own shoulders. That would +have been a national shame, but not so great as that of guaranteeing, +by treaty, a protection which was not only withheld, but +which was denied,—snatched away, treacherously,—making its +denial legal by enactments of retroactive laws. This I call +disgraceful to the American name. Therefore, in my humble +way and limited sphere, if I cannot repeal, I will at least evade +such unjust laws to the best of my ability, and make them ineffective +as far as I am individually concerned. I only wish I +could wipe out those stains on our national honor, by repealing +at once laws so discreditable to us. Yes, the more so, as +they bear directly upon the most defenseless, the most powerless +of our citizens—the orphaned Spano-Americans. So, +then, I hope you will help me to avoid this American +shame, by permitting me to pay for our land whatever price +you think just.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well,” said Don Mariano, pleased with Clarence's +honest warmth, and to hear him express opinions and sentiments +so very similar to his own. “You can pay whatever you +wish, or we can make an agreement that I will sell to you when +I get my patent. Such is my understanding with Mr. Mechlin +and also with your father.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is rather vague. I would prefer to pay to you now so +much per acre. With the understanding that my father (or +any one else) is not to know I have made this purchase. I +mean not for the present.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Would your father object to it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps not. And yet he might see in it a disclaimer from +my part—a criticism. He is a settler—a ‘<em class="italics">Squatter</em>’—you +know, and consequently very sensitive about (what they call) +‘<em class="italics">rights of settlers under the law</em>.’ He knows my sentiments, +but one thing is my expressing them to him, and another is to +pay money for land he thinks he has lawfully appropriated. It +might seem to him, I imply that his locating perhaps was not +altogether as honorable a transaction in my eyes, as it may be +lawful in the eyes of the lawmakers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are certainly very honorable, and I am willing to abide +by your wishes in the matter,” said Don Mariano. “You view +this question exactly as I do.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence blushed with pleasure and bowed, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are very kind, and that you, who are so generous, +should be made to suffer as you have, it is, I assure you, so revolting +to me (as an American and a civilized being) that I have +felt great desire to go away rather than to live among these +short-sighted and unappreciative people that have unfortunately +fallen upon you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano laughed and said, “No don't go away. Let +me have one friend at least, among so many opponents. Pay +whatever you wish, and take as much land as you desire to +have, but don't go.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thank you, indeed, but will you not name the price? I +don't think it is right for me to put a price upon your +property.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“My dear sir, that would be so if my property was not going +into—smoke of sulphur—but as it is, and growing fast so +‘beautifully less’ that I suppose even the $1.25 of government +price ought to be a handsome figure to my weary eyes. So +name any price you wish.”</p> +<p class="pnext">It was agreed that Clarence would pay $10.00 per acre, and +take up 640 acres where his father had already located. It was +also understood that the purchase should not be mentioned to +any one. Don Mariano excepted only his son Gabriel. Clarence +said he would except his mother, inasmuch as she had told him +to pay for the land or else she would not come to reside upon +it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano said that he would like to mention it to his +family and the Mechlins, but feared that if only some allusion +was overheard by the servants, it would be repeated.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have no objection to Mr. Mechlin knowing it,” Clarence +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, but they have for servants Hogsden and his wife, and +they are very dishonorable. They would repeat it if by accident +they heard it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is a pity that Mrs. Mechlin don't send those two thieves +away,” Victoriano said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I hear that the woman Hogsden repeats things she +hears at the Mechlins,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course she does, and steals too, and yet Mrs. Mechlin +keeps them,” Victoriano said, impatiently.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps it would be best to say nothing, and I will watch +my chance to tell my father myself, that I paid for the land,” +Clarence said. He then rose to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he went down the veranda steps he met Milord returning, +still dragging the skein of silk. But this was no longer +of bright variegated hues, it was black with mud and sadly +masticated by Milord's sharp teeth, which proudly held it as if +challenging any one to take it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You wicked Milord. See what you have done with your +poor mistress' silk. She will be distressed,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">On hearing himself thus apostrophised, Milord ran off again +with his plunder, and it was with difficulty that by the combined +efforts of Victoriano and Clarence he was at last captured, +but the bright colors of the silk had all disappeared, a +blackened skein resembling a piece of wet rope was pulled +from Milord's sharp teeth.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vii-from-alameda-to-san-diego"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id8">CHAPTER VII.—<span class="small-caps">From Alameda to San Diego.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The Darrell house was now finished, the furniture had +arrived, been unpacked and distributed in the rooms, but +the house seemed to old Darrell entirely too sumptuous for +the plain folks, that his family ought to be. That was a +truth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here, Clarence, haven't you been too extravagant in +buying such expensive carpets, such fine furniture? For +gracious sake, how big is the bill for all this grandeur?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know yet the price of every item, but don't be +alarmed, I am sure they would not go beyond the limit I +gave Hubert (Hubert made the purchases), and I assure you, +it will all be paid with our volunteer crop.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be sure of that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“O, but I am sure—only not too much so—which is the +right way of being sure,” he replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was now a regular caller at the Alamar and the +Mechlin houses. He felt that in both places the welcome he +received was sincere, for even the silent Gabriel was always +ready to talk to him. As for Victoriano, his attachment to +Clarence was now an acknowledged and accepted fact,—not +rejected by Señor Alamar, to judge by appearances,—and certainly +fully and sincerely reciprocated by Clarence. Both +found great pleasure in each other's society, and saw each other +every day.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now time for Clarence to go to Alameda to bring +down the family. He and Victoriano talked about it walking +towards the Alamar house from the Darrells, discussing the +probable time of his return.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence has come to bid us good-by,” said Victoriano, +walking into the parlor, followed by Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why! Where is he going?” said Mercedes, rising, dropping +the book she was reading.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be alarmed, he is only going to bring his mother and +sisters down,” added Victoriano, maliciously, causing the blood +to rush to her forehead.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh!” she exclaimed, sitting down, with a resentful look +toward her brother, and a half appealing, half deprecating one +to Clarence, who was contemplating her in ecstatic silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think the Holman girls will be coming about the same +time. I was telling Clarence to look after them a little, if +convenient, and if they are not sea-sick,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They will require my services more if they are sick,” said +Clarence, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you are a good nurse,” Victoriano observed; adding, +“Imagine Corina Holman nursed by a strange young gentleman; +that would kill her sure.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would try and prevent that,” said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thank you, for my friends. I do not think they will be +very ill; but I am sure it will be pleasant for them to have so +good an escort,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence promised, therefore, to look after the Misses Holman, +and let them know which steamer would be best to take +coming to San Diego.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes said she would write notifying them of this arrangement.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a great <em class="italics">something</em> in Clarence's mind that he +wished to say to Mercedes before leaving, but he had neither +courage nor opportunity to say it, so he left, carrying with him +the burden of his thoughts untold.</p> +<p class="pnext">His voyage was accomplished in safety, the steamer arriving +at San Francisco at the regular time. Hubert Haverly came +to meet him, and together they went to a restaurant for breakfast.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Give us the most secluded room and the nicest breakfast +your establishment can produce, for this gentleman is very particular, +and I am very hungry,” said Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">The waiter smiled, showed them to the best room in the +house, and retired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now let us talk,” said Hubert, “I am dying to tell you how +rich you are, and scold you for not letting me keep your stock +longer and making you richer. Why were you so anxious to +sell? The stock kept rising steadily. I was a ‘bull’ all the +time. There was a slight break once—only once. Some fellows +wanted to pull the stock down, and got a few ‘bears’ to +work with them. It lowered a little, but only a few of the +heavy holders had any fear, and it soon recovered, shooting up +higher than ever. I got your order to sell about that time, +and did so, but I assure you my heart ached when I did +it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wrote you immediately after that, it was only the first +hundred shares I wanted sold.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but that letter I got three days after I had sold all. +I almost cried like a girl, with disappointment, when you wrote +that I was to send you only $6000. Now, you could have made +a whole million with your thousand shares.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A whole million?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Most assuredly. Look at yesterday's quotations, and the +stock is still rising.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Truly,” said Clarence, reading the stock report; “the last +paper I saw was dated six days ago. But even then ‘Crown +Point’ was still very high.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so it was, but it is very disappointing to get one-half +of a million when you might as well get a whole million. I +shall never cease scolding you for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I'll bear the scolding patiently, considering that it was +to avoid scoldings that I gave you the order to sell.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To avoid scolding? How so? From whom?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“From my father. He is terribly down on mining stocks. +He would consider me next to a thief if he thought I bought +stocks.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is absurd. You needn't tell him how much money +you have. Here is my statement of all I made; my commission +and moneys paid for you. I sold your stock at a fraction +over $800 per share. Oh, Clarence, why did you make me +sell? Look at this. After buying the government bonds as +ordered you have left $260,000, when you might have had half +a million over.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind. I made enough. I'd rather let some one else +make the balance than to sell when things begin to tumble +down. Did you say $260,000?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, $260,000, when it ought to be $400,000 at least.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence laughed at Hubert's rueful face.</p> +<p class="pnext">The waiter brought in their breakfast.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Broiled oysters on toast! Oysters baked in the shell! +Broiled chicken. Let us discuss them in preference to stock,” +said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having helped his friend and then himself, Hubert said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“What are you going to do with your $260,000 now since +you are not to buy stock?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have not thought about it, but I guess the best thing +would be to invest all in government bonds.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which is the same as burying your cash.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll tell you what I'd like to do. I would like to make a +safe investment that would give me about $30,000 a year, and +then I could afford to let you gamble with the balance, if there +was any balance left,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll see to-day what government bonds are selling for, and +report to you this evening.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That can't be, as I am to take the two o'clock boat for +Alameda.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When will you be back?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To-morrow evening if you want me, but if not I shall wait +until the family comes down.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a lucky fellow he is,” said Hubert, walking towards +the Stock Exchange, after promising Clarence to see him to the +boat at two o'clock. “In two years he has made a fortune with +a capital of $2000.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Hubert was right. Clarence had been a lucky investor. +With the sum of $2000 bequeathed to him by Mrs. Darrell's +Aunt Newton, when he was only five years old, and which sum +she ordered should be put at interest until he was twenty-one +years of age, Clarence speculated, and now he was worth close +on to a million dollars.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everything was ready for the journey when Clarence arrived +at his Alameda home.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you know that it pulls my heart string to tear you away +from this place?” Clarence said, looking towards the nice +orchard and field beyond.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You'll make us cry if you talk like that,” said Mrs. Darrell. +“Alice has nearly cried her eyes out already.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind, our lease of this place won't be out for two +years yet, and we can come back if the other don't suit,” said +Clarence encouragingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two days after, the Darrells left Alameda on their way to +San Diego, stopping for a couple of days only at San Francisco. +On board the steamer Clarence met Mr. Alfred Holman, +who had accompanied his daughters and now placed +them under Clarence's care—“According to instructions from +Miss Mercedes”—Mr. Holman added, making Clarence's +blood rush to his head, as it always did whenever that sweetest +of all names was mentioned in his presence. “Tell the Alamares +I shall be down soon. I am only waiting for Tom Scott +to escort me.” So saying, Mr. Holman laughed and hurriedly +kissing his daughters, ran down the gang plank.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence lost no time in presenting the Misses Holman to +his mother, sisters and brothers, all of whom received them +with politeness, though with different degrees of warmth, according +to the natural share of affability or that diffidence +which half of Darrell's children inherited from him, especially +the two eldest daughters. The amiability of Alice and her +mother's gentle, winning ways, however, soon dispelled the +damp chill that Jane and Lucy's reserve generally managed to +throw over strangers, thus before the steamer got under way, +all were conversing and laughing like old friends, discussing +things in general and people in particular.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think you have made a conquest,” said Amelia Holman +to Alice. “Or perhaps two, for I saw a little yellow haired man +with a very red neck, come this way and look at you. Then +a loose jointed fellow who walks as if his feet are too heavy to +lift and just drags them, follows, and he too looks at you beseechingly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercy! I don't want to be so fascinating as all that might +indicate,” said Alice, laughing, and a little man gesticulating, +and a big man with shuffling gait and hands in the pockets of +his pantaloons, listening wearily, were seen coming.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know who they are,” said Clarence. “The little one is +married, so Alice can rest her hopes on the big footed one +only.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gracious, how very repulsive the small one is,” Corina exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who are they?” Mrs. Darrell asked when they had turned +to go back.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The large fellow is Dick Mason, brother-in-law of the little +red-skinned one, who told me his name is Peter Roper, and +he is a lawyer bound for San Diego to practice law there (no +matter by what means), he says. He gave me this information +himself when I went to check our baggage. He introduced +himself and his brother Dick on the strength of his being acquainted +with father. He also asked permission to present +his wife, to my mother and sisters.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you give that permission?” asked Jane, sternly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did, of course; but if his skin is not so thick as it is red +he will never avail himself of it. I noticed he had been drinking, +so I told him that at present my mother and sisters wished +to converse alone with the Misses Holman, of whom we are +the escort, but that before we reached San Diego I thought +there might be an opportunity to present his wife, perhaps.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What did he say to that?” Alice asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He grinned and said: ‘Pretty large escort, ain't it? About +a dozen people.’ Yes, I said, but the young ladies are very +nice, and require a great deal of attention. ‘Do they?’ said +he, and his yellow eyes leered, and sticking his tongue to one +side of his mouth, made his cheek bulge out; he then raised +his shoulders and lifted his elbows, as if he would have flown +aloft had his arms been wings.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How impertinent and vulgar,” Jane exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is of the genus <em class="italics">hoodlum</em>. A bird aboriginal of the +San Francisco sand dunes, resembling the peacock,” said Corina +Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What did you do when he made those grimaces?” Alice +asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing. I looked at him as if I expected nothing else, +considering that it must be natural to him to act like a monkey. +My impassibility rather disconcerted him, as evidently +he expected me to consider him very funny, and laugh at his +droll antics. He added, ‘Any time will do, as my wife is not +over-anxious to make acquaintances generally.’ So saying, he +threw back the lappels of his coat, putting his thumbs in the +arm-holes of his vest, and strutted off, leaving me to guess +whether he was making fun of his wife's exclusiveness or ours. +He turned back soon, though, and said, ‘We'll call it square, +if you come and take a drink.’ When I declined that also, +he went off again, and this time angry in good earnest.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope he will remain so, and not come near you again,” +said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">Vain wish! When the boat stopped at Santa Barbara, Roper +took that opportunity to present his wife to Mrs. Darrell on +the strength of his acquaintance with her husband. He +grinned and suppressed a giggle, thinking it was very funny to +claim friendly relations with Darrell, whom he had never seen. +It was a matter of perfect indifference to him that Mrs. Darrell +would find out his falsehood afterward. All that he wanted +now was to become acquainted with the Darrell and Holman +ladies. In this he succeeded, and what is more, succeeded +according to his principles, in utter disregard of truth or self-respect. +He trusted to his inventive genius to explain how he +came to imagine he was acquainted with Mr. Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the boat arrived at San Diego, Gabriel and Elvira +came to the wharf to meet the Misses Holman. They thanked +Clarence for the excellent care he had taken of them, and Elvira +asked him to present her to his mother and sisters. This +was done with pleasure, and he was glad to see that Elvira and +Gabriel seemed pleased with his family.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Holmans would remain in town for a couple of days +at a friend's house, after that they would go to the Alamar +rancho to make their visit there. Elvira and Gabriel would remain +with them to be their escort. Such was Elvira's message +home sent with Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Darrell came on board to meet his family, but Mr. +Peter Roper was too intently occupied with his baggage to renew +his acquaintance; in fact, he rather hurried off the boat +to avoid him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Darrells arrived at the hotel about the same time, but +Peter was then particularly engaged making important inquiries +from one of the hotel clerks.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was saying: “So, you think there is no lawyer of any +prominence; not one that might be called a leading lawyer?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I didn't say that; I only said I don't know of any.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly. You hear, though, who has the largest practice?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you call a large practice to get people into trouble by +spying about people's business and getting commercial agencies +(I believe that is what he calls to spy and pry into people's +affairs), then old Hornblower is the leading lawyer, for he +leads people into long law suits always, and bleeds them and +makes money.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's the man for me,” said Roper, showing his purple +gums in a broad grin, and the orange and green of his eyes expanding +with feline instincts.</p> +<p class="pnext">Romeo Hancock had been engaged by Clarence before +leaving, to take charge of hauling their effects to the rancho. +Romeo, therefore, was there with three large wagons, and two +vaqueros to convey Mrs. Darrell's pretty Jersey cows. But +Clarence had to see that everything started in good order before +he joined his family at the hotel.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I brought the Concord wagon for the women folks and the +light spring wagon for the boys and Tisha,” said Mr. Darrell. +“The Concord holds six people well, and at a pinch, eight. +The light wagon the same; so you don't have to have any extra +conveyances.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, father, I have not hired any,” Clarence replied, and +exchanging a look with his brothers, said that everything was +ready to start, and all walked down stairs.</p> +<p class="pnext">In front of the ladies' entrance was a very handsome carriage +which Mrs. Darrell and her daughters had admired very +much on board the steamer; next to it was a pretty phæton +which they also had admired, and behind the phæton was Mr. +Darrell's Concord. He frowned and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“There was no use in hiring those carriages, Clarence.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Count noses, father,” said Clarence, going about busily +carrying parcels to the carriages assisted by his brothers, allowing +no time for discussion—“Let us see. Mother and father +in the back seat; Jane and Lucy in the front, Clementina +with Everett, the driver. In the phæton I will take Alice, her +lap dog and our two satchels, and last but not least, Webster +will take ‘the Concord’ with Willie in the front seat and Tisha +in the back in state, with the cockatoos and canaries and parcels,” +said Clarence, patting Tisha on the back.</p> +<p class="pnext">All laughed, approving the disposition of forces.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are these carriages ours, Clary?” asked Clementine.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It looks like it,” said Clarence, lifting her to her place, +“and you shall see how soon the phæton distances the big +carriage.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viii-victoriano-and-his-sister"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id9">CHAPTER VIII.—<span class="small-caps">Victoriano and His Sister.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The golden rays of a setting sun were vanishing in the +west, and a silvered moon was rising serenely over the eastern +hills, when the phæton, having distanced the other carriages +by a full half hour, reached the foot of the low hill where the +Alamar house stood. The French windows opening upon the +front veranda, sent broad streams of light across the garden +and far over the hill. Sounds of music greeted Alice and +Clarence on their arrival. He checked his horses saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“You see there are two roads here; one goes directly to our +house, while the upper one passes close to the gate of the Alamares. +I can take the upper road if you would like to hear +the music.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would, indeed, unless it might seem intrusive.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are too kind hearted to think that, besides, I have a +message of Doña Elvira to deliver,” he said, guiding his horses +to the left, slowly climbing the hill to approach the gate +silently. The phæton stood in the penumbra between the +lights of two windows, and it had not been heard. The singing +had ceased, the prelude of a Spanish song was begun and +interrupted. The lady at the piano arose and selected another +piece of music, and began the accompaniment of the old and +well known “Don't you Remember Sweet Alice, Ben Bolt?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who is that lady?” asked Alice in a whisper.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She is Miss Mercedes,” whispered Clarence, glad of the +excuse to whisper, and with a preparatory checking of breath +and swallowing of something that seemed to fill his throat always, +when her name was mentioned.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope she will sing,” said Alice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps,” was the laconic reply, and both waited in +silence. Clarence could distinctly hear his heart throbs.</p> +<p class="pnext">A man's voice, a fine tenor, began the song. He sang the +first stanza so correctly and with so much feeling that it seemed +to Clarence that he could not have listened to the simple melody +before now attentively enough to appreciate its pathos, for +it sounded most sweetly touching to him. Only one verse was +sung.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I never thought that song capable of so much expression, +or Tano capable of giving it so well.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The reason why Victoriano interrupted this song was because +Mercedes had said, “Sing something else, Tano, that +song is too sad. It will give me the blues.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Me too. Those American songs always speak of death or +dying. Ugh! You sing something lively.” Then he added, +“I wonder why the Darrells haven't come? I suppose they +are going to remain in town until to-morrow.” So saying he +walked to the window. His eyes were too well trained to distinguish +objects in the darkness not to have quickly perceived +the phæton, though it could not be seen very distinctly. He +saw it, but thought it must be Gabriel and Elvira returning unexpectedly. +He ran to the gate, exclaiming:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hallo! What made you return? Didn't the Holmans +come? What has happened?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing,” Clarence answered. “The Holmans came all +safe and sound, and I delivered them into the hands of Don +Gabriel, who, accompanied by Doña Elvira, came to meet them. +Doña Elvira requested me to say that they will remain in town +a couple of days and then come home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And where is your family?” asked Tano, coming to the +phæton.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are coming, and here is a small part and parcel of +the same—called our sister Alice. Don Victoriano permit me +to present Miss Alice Darrell.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Alice, your humble servant,” said Victoriano, bowing. +“Allow me to go to the other side of the phæton to try a more +graceful bow a little nearer, and the honor of shaking hands, <em class="italics">a +la Americana</em>”.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes came now, tripping down in the path, also thinking +that their carriage had returned, because some accident had +happened to somebody.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is that you, Gabriel?” said she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You come and see,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">She came close to the phæton, right between the wheels, +but still thinking she saw Gabriel, said: “What has happened? +Ah! it is Mr. Darrell,” she added, with a tremor in +her voice, that made Clarence think she was alarmed.</p> +<p class="pnext">He hastened to reply: “Nothing has happened. Your +friends are all safe and well.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is Miss Alice Darrell. Can you bow to her in the +dark, and shake hands?” asked Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I can, but she might not see my bow,” said Mercedes, +laughing, and extended her hand, saying: “I am glad to +make your acquaintance, Miss Darrell.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence took her hand, as Alice had not seen it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“See here, that hand was for me,” Alice said, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly,” said Clarence, putting Mercedes' hand in +hers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you not shake hands with Clarence?” said Victoriano. +“I declare, solemnly, girls are very ungrateful. Here +Clarence has been so sorry, because you hurt your foot, +and you have never thanked him for his kind sympathy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell has never expressed his kind sympathy to me, +how was I to presume he felt it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The presumption would have been mine had I expressed +all I felt,” said he, taking off his glove, which action she +rightly understood to mean that he wished to shake hands +with her.</p> +<p class="pnext">She extended her hand, and he clasped it in his. That ineffable +thrill which he felt for the first time in his life when he +lifted her in his arms was now felt again. It coursed through +his veins with the warm blood that rushed to his heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">Neither one took any notice of what Victoriano and Alice +were saying until they heard him say:</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's all right. He is going to be married soon, then he'll +be on the shelf. That's a comfort.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who will be on the shelf?” Mercedes asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gabriel, of course; and I am glad of it, as Miss Alice +has just coolly told me that he is the handsomest man she ever +saw, forgetting that Clarence is here, and poor me, too.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Present company is always excepted,” Alice argued; “and +the rule, I suppose, applies now, though I cannot well see +whether it does or not, you being in the dark.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so. Come out of the shadow.” Clarence suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can't now. I feel too abashed,” Victoriano replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He will soon recover. His fits of diffidence don't last +long,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So he is diffident now?” asked Alice, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; that is why I don't want you to tell me that Gabriel +is handsome; it abashes me too much.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is a good reasoner, too, you see that, Miss Darrell; +though by moonlight his logic shines but dimly. Come, we +must not keep Miss Darrell longer, since they will not come +in,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think you might stop and take supper with us,” said +Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O, no, thank you,” Clarence answered. “We came in advance +to light the lamps, and attracted by the music, took the +liberty of coming over the road.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sorry. Then you must have heard me sing. Bah! +Mercedes, it is your fault,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't say that. You sing very well, only the song is very +plaintive, and the better it is sung, the sadder is its melody,” +Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It must have seemed like a lugubrious welcome to Miss +Alice. I shall never sing that song again,” said Victoriano, +emphatically. “See if I do.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad to hear you say that, for you are constantly singing +it,” Mercedes said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope it will not be a prophetic coincidence that you +should sing it as I came,” said Alice, and as she spoke the +supper bell rang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is the prophecy I meant,” said Victoriano, and all +laughed, glad of the timely turn thus given to the conversation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“With this assurance we must go home comforted,” said +Clarence, and all bade each other good night.</p> +<p class="pnext">The lamps were lighted, and the windows and doors opened. +The Darrell house looked as if there was an illumination for a +national celebration.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us go and see how the house looks from the front outside, +all lighted up,” said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">They went out to look at it from the garden.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How could you build such a nice house, Clary, and how +could papa allow it?” Alice said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hush! You must never speak about the cost of this +house or its furniture. I have made lots of money in stocks, +and can afford it, but father thinks stock gambling is next to +robbery.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes and Victoriano remained for a few moments standing +by the gate, watching the phæton.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By Jove! but isn't she sweet! She has just left me deaf +and dumb!” said Victoriano, as the phæton disappeared down +the hill.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps you are deaf, since you don't hear the supper bell +ringing again, but as for being dumb I am sure the greatest beauty +on earth couldn't produce that effect.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I tell you I am, and I will go to see her and tell +her so to-morrow,” said he, following his sister to the supper +room.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will do nothing of the kind. The idea!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not, pray? Clarence told me to call soon.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but he supposed you would have the good taste to +wait at least two or three days.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Three days! Three days! Not if I am alive!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is that about being alive?” asked Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let him tell you,” Mercedes replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That I am going to see that sweet little Alice Darrell to-morrow, +dead or alive,” explained Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who will be dead or alive?” asked Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I, of course! What a question?” Victoriano exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“As you could not go there if you were dead, I thought you +meant that you were to go and see her in that insensible state,” +said Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano looked at his sister reproachfully, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“How mean to talk so about that sweet girl.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It was to correct you from expressing yourself in that style +of yours, mixing up things and ideas so incongruously. You +ought to take care not to confuse things so absurdly,” Doña +Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why don't you talk like Gabriel? He always uses good +language—in Spanish or in English,” Carlota added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bother Gabriel, and Gabriel, and Gabriel! Everybody +throws him at my teeth,” said Victoriano, beginning to eat with +very good appetite.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The operation don't hurt your teeth, though,” said Rosario, +“to judge by the very effective manner in which you use +them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, I do, because I am an amiable good fellow, +who bears nobody ill-will, even towards his harassing sisters, +and much praised elder brother, who is hoisted up to the skies +a million times a day for my special edification and good example. +It is a good thing, I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, a +very fortunate thing, that I am so amiable, and Gabriel so good +a fellow, or else I would have punched his head into calf's +head-jelly, twice a day, many times.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“There is your confusion of ideas again. You are thinking +that yours might have been the calf's head made into +jelly,” said Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, miss. I meant what I said.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gabriel is very strong and a good boxer,” Don Mariano +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There it is again! Sweet Alice says he is the handsomest +man she ever saw; Lote says he uses beautiful language, and +now father implies that the fellow could whip me! Give me +some more of that chicken <em class="italics">pipian</em> to console myself with. Say, +mother, why is this delicious chicken stew called ‘<em class="italics">pipian</em>?’ +Because it makes a fellow ‘<em class="italics">pio</em>’ ‘<em class="italics">pio</em>’ for more? or because the +chicken themselves would cry ‘<em class="italics">pio</em>,’ ‘<em class="italics">pio</em>’, if they were to see +their persons cooked in this way?” Without waiting for an +answer to his question, he added: “I say, mother, arn't you and +the girls going to call on the Darrells?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No,” laconically answered Doña Josefa.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why should we?” queried Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because they are neighbors like the Mechlins,” Victoriano +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Old Mathews is our neighbor, too,” said Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But he is a thief,” replied Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Isn't to steal land robbery?” asked Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The Darrells occupy the land they selected, with my consent, +so I hope no one in my family will do them the injustice +to say that they have stolen our land, or that they are squatters,” +said Don Mariano firmly. Then added: “But I do not +desire any one of you to speak of this matter with anybody. +Only remember, the Darrells are not squatters.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What shall we say, for instance, if the Holmans should +notice that we are very friendly to the Darrells, but not so towards +the squatters?” Rosario asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think the Holmans will be too well-bred to ask questions,” +said Doña Josefa.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are well-bred, but they are very intimate friends,” +Rosario said</p> +<p class="pnext">“And very inquisitive ones, too,” added Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Refer them to me,” Don Mariano said; “I'll give them +quite a satisfactory answer.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Meantime, are we not to visit them?” Victoriano asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Visit whom?” Carlota asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The Darrells, of course,” Victoriano answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you meant the Holmans, as we spoke of them +last.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bother, with your grammar, you had better keep school,” +Victoriano said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You had better go to one,” Carlota retorted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have enough of it here. The question now is the visit +to the Darrells. Is this family to visit them or not?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, you are to do so to-morrow, dead or alive,” Rosario +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bother! You will call, Mercita, won't you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“With pleasure, if mamma will permit me,” Mercedes replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are a sweet pussy always, and the best of sisters. +Can't she go, mother?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, if her father does not object.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I not only do not object, but I shall be pleased to have +Mercedes and her mamma and sisters all call, for I think Clarence's +mother must be a lady.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hurrah for father, he is a man after my own heart,” said +Victoriano, clapping his hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa feels proud of your approval,” Carlota said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would suggest that Tano make a <em class="italics">reconnoitering</em> visit before +Mercedes goes, as a leader of a forlorn hope,” said Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Goodness, how military your terms, but how little your +courage,” said Victoriano, derisively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I admit that I always dread to face squatters,” said Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I said that the Darrells are not to be considered +squatters nor called so by any Alamar, and I repeat that such +is my wish. Moreover, not every settler is necessarily a squatter,” +said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I beg pardon. I forgot that,” said Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't do it again, Rosy Posy, don't,” said Victoriano, rising +from the table, stroking his sister's back as if to pacify a +fractious colt. Then going to a window, said: “Mercedes +come here. Look at that; isn't that fountain lovely?”</p> +<p class="pnext">In the front garden of the Darrell house, opposite to the +front door and surrounded by flowers and choice plants, Clarence +had erected a fountain which was to emit its numerous +jets of chrystaline water for the first time, when his mother +should drive up to the door. She had done so, and the fountain +was sending upwards its jets of diamonds under the rays +of the reflectors at the front door. The effect was pretty and +brilliant. Clarence's filial love was sweetly expressed in the +music of the fountain.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ix-clarence-is-the-bearer-of-joyful-news"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id10">CHAPTER IX.—<span class="small-caps">Clarence is the Bearer of Joyful News.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The Darrell family had been the happy dwellers of their +fine house on the Alamar rancho for nearly two months, and +the three Misses Holman had been the guests of the Alamar +family for the same length of time, and now the month of September, +1872, had arrived.</p> +<p class="pnext">The awnings at the east and south side of the front veranda +were down, and in that deliciously cool place, the favorite resort +of the Alamar ladies, they now sat with their guests—the +Holmans—engaged in different kinds of fancy work, the greater +portion of which was intended to be wedding presents for Elvira +and Lizzie Mechlin, who were to be married in a few +months.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes was the only one not at work. She was reclining +on a hammock, reading.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Arn't you going to work anything for the girls, Mercedes?” +Rosario inquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which girls?” Mercedes asked, with her eyes fixed on +her book.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Lizzie and Elvira, of course,” Rosario answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will when the wedding day is fixed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It will soon be, when George arrives,” Doña Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That will be time enough for my work,” said Mercedes, +looking from her book down the valley, towards the Darrell +house, as if casually observing from under the awning the green +meadows below.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What made you come here? The back veranda is entirely +shaded, and much cooler. I have been waiting for +you there. Pshaw!” said Victoriano, coming forward and +stretching open a hammock to throw himself into it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Had we known that, we would all have rushed there,” said +Corina Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“In a perfect stampede,” added Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you had gone with your father,” Doña Josefa +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, he said he might stay to lunch at aunt's. It is too hot +a day to be riding about in the sun.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, after having been in the moon for two months +the change of temperature might hurt you,” said Amelia +Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's a fact; I have been in the moon ever since <em class="italics">you</em> came,” +assented Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your moon stays in the valley, it doesn't rise to this level,” +said Amelia.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is a lovely moon wherever it may shine. I say, Baby, +won't you go with me to the Darrells this evening?” asked he, +addressing Mercedes, who had made no reply, for the reason that +she had just seen Clarence coming on horseback, and, as +usual, when any one spoke of him, or she unexpectedly +saw him, she found it necessary to take a little time, in order +to steady her voice, which otherwise might betray her heart's +tumult.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes' French novel must be very interesting,” Carlota +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is not a novel—it is French History,” said Madam +Halier.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes, Tano wants you to escort him this evening,” +said Rosario. “Will you take him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where?” Mercedes asked, without moving.</p> +<p class="pnext">“To the moon,” said Corina.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She means to the third heaven,” rejoined Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I declare, the God of Love is truly miraculous. I think it +could even poetize the Pittikin girls, or the Hughes, in Tano's +opinion,” said Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Talk of the angels, and you hear the clatter of their hoofs,” +said Rosario; “there he is at the gate.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“This awning is too low—we don't see people until they are +upon us,” said Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am off. I suppose he will stay to lunch, that will give +me all I want of his charming society,” said Rosario, rising to +go as Clarence dismounted at the gate.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Stay, he has seen us all; it would be discourteous to leave +now,” said Doña Josefa, and Rosario remained.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano jumped out of the hammock to meet Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hallo, yourself and welcome! Any news?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, <em class="italics">big</em> news,” Clarence replied, blushing crimson,—not +at the news he brought, as one might have supposed,—but because +he had just seen two little feet, in a tiny pair of slippers, +with blue rosettes, which he well knew. These little blue rosettes +had set his heart to beating, sending more than the normal +amount of blood to his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">On leaving her hammock to take a chair Mercedes had +shown those tantalizing tip ends of her slippers, half hidden in a +mass of lace ruffles. That was all, and yet poor Clarence was +disconcerted, and became more and more so, on perceiving +that there were not less than nine ladies on that veranda; nine +pairs of eyes which had undoubtedly observed his own, devouring +the blue rosettes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the news, pray? Don't kill us with suspense,” +pleaded Miss Corina Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The news is that Colonel Scott has arrived at San Francisco, +and will be in San Diego next week.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hurrah,” shouted Victoriano, “now we'll all be rich.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How do you make that out?” Rosario asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind how, we'll not go into particulars.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, better not,” Rosario advised.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa will be so glad to hear this news,” said Mercedes, +“and Mr. Holman, also. He'll come down now, will he +not?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, father will come down with Col. Scott, and may be +build us a house right away,” said Amelia.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There is papa now; I am so glad,” Mercedes exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must run with the news to him,” said Victoriano, rushing +madly through the hall, to the <em class="italics">patio</em>, or court, where Don Mariano +had just dismounted.</p> +<p class="pnext">The news was so gladdening to Don Mariano, that he came +immediately to propose to the young ladies to have a dance +that evening.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But where are the gentlemen? There are plenty of ladies, +but unless you invite squatters”—Rosario began, but Doña +Josefa stopped her with a look.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us see,” said Don Mariano, counting on his fingers, +“there are three or four Darrells, and six or eight Alamares, if +my brothers and half of my nephews come. That ought to be +enough, I think.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Plenty. I'll send a vaquero to aunt's to call the boys, +and you bring your brothers and sisters, Clarence,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“With pleasure,” was Clarence's reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There will surely be some fellows from town this evening, +and we'll make them stay,” added Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">The dance took place and was followed by many others. +The Alamar family were very hospitable, and had many visitors, +who were only too glad to spend their evenings, dancing +with charming and refined young ladies, whose society was certainly +most attractive.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were several young gentlemen from the Eastern States +stopping at the principal hotel in San Diego, and they came to +Alamar almost daily, to have a dance, or picnic, or musicale, +or a card party.</p> +<p class="pnext">These gayeties were not confined to the Alamar and Mechlin +and Darrell families, nor was the Alamar rancho only made +happy because Tom Scott was coming. The entire county of +San Diego was buoyed up with hopes of prosperity, which now +seemed founded upon a solid basis.</p> +<p class="pnext">As for the town of San Diego itself, the dwarfed and stunted +little city, she went crazy with joy. Her joy, however, was not +of the boisterous, uproarious kind, it was of a mild character, +which smiles at everybody, and takes all that comes in good +part, ready always to join in the laugh on herself, provided +everybody enjoys it. She was happy, seeing a broad vista of +coming prosperity in the near future. Why not? She had +every reason and every right to expect that the Texas Pacific +would be built.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last, Col. Scott arrived, and drove to the principal hotel, +where a deputation of the most prominent citizens immediately +waited on him to pay their respects, and learn his wishes as to +how his time should be occupied during his stay in San Diego. +The city desired to honor the distinguished guest with liberal +hospitality, but the business of the railroad was the main point +in view. There were speeches to be made at “Armory Hall,” +with meetings and consultations to be had at nights, besides +drives to examine the town site and surrounding country during +the day. The ladies wished to give him a ball, but the business +men said Tom Scott did not come to dance, he came to +work. There was a banquet given to him, but no ladies were +present, only men, and plenty of railroad speeches. The ladies +could only meet him at private receptions in the evening, when +he was tired out with driving. Yet, this was the best that could +be done, as his time was limited. But he was amiable, the +ladies were amiable, and the gentlemen were amiable. So the +little city of San Diego gave all she had to give; all the lands +that had belonged to the old “San Diego & Gila R. R. Co.,” +all that had been transferred to “The Memphis & El Paso R. +R. Co.,” all the town lands, water front and rights of way that +could by any means be obtained, all was most generously proffered, +adding more lands than those originally given to the +road under the old names of “The San Diego & Gila Railroad” +or “The Memphis & El Paso Railroad.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Col. Scott left well satisfied with the people of San Diego, +and the people were charmed with Col. Scott. Speculation +then ran wild. Town lots were bought and sold at fancy +prices, but in the madness of the hour folly seemed wisdom.</p> +<p class="pnext">Among the heaviest investors, Don Mariano Alamar, Mr. +James Mechlin, and Mr. Alfred Holman were the most prominent. +They bought block after block of building lots, and +only stopped when their money was all invested. Clarence +also bought a few blocks, and George and Gabriel risked all +they dared. Many other people followed this (which proved +to be disastrous) example, and then all sat down to wait for +the railroad to bring population and prosperity.</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">The day of the double wedding which was to tie together +(with a double loop) the Alamar and Mechlin families, was +set for the 24th of May, 1873. On that day Gabriel and +George would lead to the altar their respective sisters, Lizzie +and Elvira.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano wished to celebrate that double wedding in +the same old-fashioned way in which his own had been solemnized. +He wanted at least three days of good eating and +drinking, and dancing; to have noise and boat racing; to have +a day's sailing on the bay, and a day's picnic in the woods, to +which picnic even the stubborn, hostile squatters should be +invited. But with the sole exception of Victoriano, no one of +his family approved this programme.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'm afraid my dear husband that we are too closely surrounded +by Americans for us to indulge in our old-fashioned +rejoicings,” Doña Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We would be laughed at,” Carlota added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who cares for that?” Victoriano asked, scornfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't believe that the right thinking and kind-hearted +Americans would say anything, except that such is customary +among us. But if George and Gabriel desire to run off in the +steamer, as though they were ashamed of matrimony, I say let +them have their way. But they will have a wedding that will +look like a funeral,” said the disappointed Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“George and Gabriel are willing to have their wedding celebrated +as you propose, but it is the girls that object; they +wished to run off and hide for a month in a fashionable hotel +in San Francisco; afterward they came to the conclusion that +they didn't want to go to a hotel, so Gabriel proposed that +they will take the steamer that goes to Mazatlan and Guaymas +and La Paz, thus to visit all of those places on their wedding +tour,” Victoriano said. “As George had been wishing to see +the Mexican coast, this plan suited all very well, and George +has written to have the steamer stop for them on her way +south,” Victoriano explained, half apologetically, half resentfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is all right; if they are satisfied I am,” said Don Mariano, +philosophically, with characteristic amiability.</p> +<p class="pnext">The steamer running between San Francisco and the Mexican +ports on the Gulf of California stopped at San Diego to +take the newly married couples; a large party of friends escorted +them on board.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano was kind and affable to all, but many days +passed before he became reconciled to the fact that the marriage +of his two children was not celebrated as his own had +been, in the good old times of yore.</p> +<p class="pnext">The brides and grooms had been gone for some time, and +might now be coming back in a few days.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad we three are alone, for there is something of +which I wish to speak with you two when no one of the family +is with us,” said Doña Josefa to Carlota and Rosario, as they +sat in their favorite front veranda, sewing.</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls looked up, and casting a quick glance to see +whether any one was approaching, waited to hear what their +mother had to say. The awnings being only half down no one +could come from the outside unobserved.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is it, mamma?” Carlota asked, seeing that her mother +seemed to hesitate; “anything unpleasant?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, no—yes. That is to say, to me it is, very. Have +you noticed Mercedes' manner lately? She seems absorbed, +silent, thoughtful, sad, and—and—you know what I fear. She +says she is not sick, then it is some mental trouble, I am sure. +So, then, I have been thinking that she had better go with Elvira +and visit New York for a while, the change will do her good. +I do not approve of young girls going from home on visits, but +as she will go with her married sister, and—and—I hope it will +be for her good.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And yet it may not,” said Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps, if it is as you—as we three—fear, absence might +be worse for her,” added Rosario; “Mercedes is very gentle, +but she is very loving and constant, so it might do more +harm than good to send her away now. Remember what the +poet says about it:</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">‘La ausencia es para el amor</div> +<div class="line">Lo que el aire para el fuego;</div> +<div class="line">Si es poco, lo apaga luego,</div> +<div class="line">Si es grande, lo hace mayor.’</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">and I fear that Mercedes is too deeply interested already.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so. Have you spoken to papa about it?” Carlota +asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I mentioned it only once, knowing his partiality to Clarence,” +Doña Josefa replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He might be partial, but when it comes to the danger of +his daughter's marrying a <em class="italics">squatter</em> I should think there would +be a limit to partiality,” Carlota said, warmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I fear your father views the matter differently. The one +time I mentioned to him that Clarence seemed to be more and +more in love with Mercedes, and my fear that she also liked +him more than I care to believe. He said, ‘Has he made love +or proposed to her?’ I told him I hoped he had not been so +audacious as that. ‘Audacious!’ said he, and laughed. ‘I tell +you, wife, if all that is necessary for Clarence to propose be +courage, neither you nor I can stop him, for the boy is no coward. +I reckon that it is Mercedes herself who gives him no +encouragement; that is what deters him, but none of our <em class="italics">sangre +azul</em>,’ and he laughed again. I said to him, you take very +coolly a matter that might be a question of our child's fate for +life, but he only appeared amused at my anxiety. He said: +‘Don't borrow trouble; Clarence is a most excellent young +fellow—bright, energetic and honorable. Don't bother them +or yourself; if they feel true love they have a right to it. Trust +him, he is all right.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But a squatter! The idea of an Alamar marrying a squatter! +For squatters they are, though we dance with them,” Carlota +said. “I am shocked at papa's partiality. I must say yes, +mamma, send poor Mercita away.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; with all due respect to papa, I fear I will not be reconciled +to the idea of Mercedes being a daughter-in-law of old +Darrell,” Rosario said, with a shudder.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Neither could I,” added Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">And thus felt and thus reasoned these proud ladies <em class="italics">in those +days</em>. For although the shadows of black clouds were falling +all around, they had not observed them, or suspected their +proximity; they held up their heads proudly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And has Clarence the means of supporting a wife?” Rosario +asked. “That is another question to be considered.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know. I heard he had made money in stocks, but +I don't know how much,” Doña Josefa replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have no faith in stocks,” said Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us not mention this to Mercedes yet. When Elvira +returns we will consult with her,” Doña Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nothing was said to Mercedes about her journey, but she was +never allowed to see Clarence alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira returned, and the project mentioned to her. She, as +a matter of course, was delighted at the prospect of having her +favorite sister with her. The pain of leaving her home would +be lessened in her company.</p> +<p class="pnext">A day or two after, when Elvira was alone in her room, Mercedes +came in, looking rather pale, and letting herself drop into +the first chair she came to, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is this unexpected news about my going to New York +with you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good news, I think. Don't you like it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. But it is too sudden. Why hadn't mamma thought +of it before?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because she did not think your health required any change.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I tell you what, mamma alarms herself unnecessarily, and +puts but poor reliance on me. I understand it all, but as a trip +to New York is a most delightful medicine, I am willing to +take it, and that she should consider my health in a precarious +state.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you <em class="italics">do</em> look pale and thin, Mercita.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nonsense!” Mercedes exclaimed. “I have been keeping +late hours, and dancing too much. If I go to bed early I +shall get back my good color and flesh again. However, I +am glad to play the invalid until I get on board the cars.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well. I'll be alarmed for you, too, until we get +off.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes laughed, and went to her room singing, but once +there her gayety vanished. She locked her door, and threw +herself on the bed, burying her face in her pillow to stifle +her sobs.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can anything tear his image from my heart? No. Nothing! +nothing! They may send me away to the other end of +the world, they shall not part us, for you will still fill my heart, +my own darling, holding my very soul forever in full possession.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes, being not quite seventeen, her grief at parting from +Clarence was wild, vehement and all-absorbing. But she had +been trained to obedience, and her battles with the spirit always +took place after she carefully locked her bedroom door. Then +Clarence was wildly apostrophized, and a torrent of tears relieved +the overcharged, aching heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">The day of departure arrived, and she had not had one minute's +conversation alone with Clarence.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-x-but-clarence-must-not-be-encouraged"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id11">CHAPTER X.—<span class="small-caps">But Clarence Must Not be Encouraged.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The wharf was over-crowded. The steamer was about to +leave. The last car-load of baggage had been quickly +shipped, and Clarence had not been able to say a word to +Mercedes which might not have been heard by the persons +surrounding her. He was pale and desperate. He had gone +on board the steamer just to ask her one question, but she had +never been alone for an instant. And thus they must part,—for +the embodied “<em class="italics">Fuerza del destino</em>” now came in the shape +of a boy clanging in deafening clatter a most discordant bell, +saying that those who were not going on the steamer must go +ashore. A hurried hand-shaking, and the troop of friends +marched down the gang-plank to turn round and look many +more tender adieus from the wharf.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano had observed Clarence's deathly pallor, and +how faithfully it was reflected on Mercedes' face; he saw the +unhappy young man standing aloof from the crowd on the extreme +edge of the wharf. He went to him, and laying his hand +gently on his shoulder, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“That position is dangerous—you might lose your balance,” +and he pulled him gently away. “You are very pale. I fear, +my dear boy, that you are more troubled than you have admitted +to any one. What is it? Tell me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence shook his head, but suppressing his emotion, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I cannot express my misery. She is sent away that I may +not even have the pleasure of seeing her. No one can love her +as I do, impossible!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why have you not spoken to me of this before?” asked +Don Mariano, kindly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I did not dare. I thought of doing so a thousand +times, but did not dare. I did not fear unkindness or rejection +from <em class="italics">you</em>, but from Doña Josefa and the young ladies I +did, and I have never had an opportunity to speak alone to +Miss Mercedes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That was an additional reason for speaking to me. Cheer +up. ‘<em class="italics">Faint heart never won fair lady.</em>’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell me that again. Say you do not reject me, and I'll +jump aboard and follow her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not reject you, and I repeat what I said, follow her if +you wish, and try your luck. I want to see you both happy, +and both of you are very unhappy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence looked toward the boat. The gang-plank had +been removed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a happy girl you are, Mercedes, to visit New +York. How I wish I, too, could go,” he heard Corina Holman +say.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on, it is not too late yet,” George replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence looked up, and met Mercedes' eyes. It seemed as +if George's words were intended for him.</p> +<p class="pnext">He clasped Don Mariano's hand, saying hurriedly:</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I understand you, I have your permission to go. May +I? Tell me ‘yes.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘<em class="italics">Faint heart never won fair lady</em>,’” he repeated, smiling, +and returning the warm pressure of his hand, added: “Yes, go +and try your luck.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence turned, and without another word quickly made his +way through the crowd.</p> +<p class="pnext">The steamer's wheels began to move; the captain was already +on the bridge, over the starboard wheel, and had given the +order to let go the hawsers. In another instant the steamer +would leave the wharf.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence felt himself pulled by the arm, he turned impatiently, +and met Everett, who handed him two telegrams, +saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have looked for you everywhere. These telegrams followed +each other quickly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I know,” Clarence said, taking them; adding, without +stopping his hurried walking, “Retty, I am going. Tell +them at home I got three telegrams calling me to San Francisco.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you haven't read them,” urged Everett, trying to follow +him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I know what they are; I have another in my pocket.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Lifting his arm with the telegrams in his hand, he said to +the captain:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Captain, one moment. I must go north. Please take +me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The captain did not hear him, and at the same time called +out:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let go that hawser! Do you want it to snap?”</p> +<p class="pnext">The crowd ran off, giving a wide berth to the heavy rope, +which now, by its own tension, made it impossible to be +slipped off the pile, although many pairs of hands were tugging +at it manfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">The stern expression of the captain's face softened as he saw +Clarence standing on the brink of the wharf.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Step back, Mr. Darrell, quickly, the rope might part,” said +he; but noticing that Clarence desired to speak to him, motioned +to the first officer to take his place, and ran down to hear +what Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">A minute after the steamer stood still for an instant, then the +wheels began to revolve in reversed motion.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There she is, Mr. Darrell; she'll be alongside in a minute,” +the captain said, pleased with the opportunity to oblige +Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">And the steamer, propelled by one wheel, began to back +as if with the side-long motion of a highly intelligent crab who +understood the situation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Read your telegrams,” Everett repeated.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right—to please you,” said Clarence, tearing them open. +Adding, after reading a few words, “It is as I expected. I am +wanted by Hubert. Send him a dispatch to-night saying +I left, and to accept M.'s offer, and pay the money at +once.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now, Mr. Darrell, come on,” the captain said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hurriedly Clarence shook hands with Don Mariano, Gabriel, +Everett and Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take care, jump in on the downward swing, when about +on a level with the wharf,” said Gabriel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence nodded, gave him his hand, and planting his foot +firmly on the wharf, gave one spring, and wiry as a cat, alighted +on the steamer beside the captain, who hugged him, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bravo, my boy, I could have done that twenty years ago.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano and Gabriel lifted their hats in congratulatory +salutation; Victoriano and Everett twirled theirs in the air hurrahing; +the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the steamer +giving a dip and a plunge—by way of a very low courtesy—bounded +up and started onwards, as if satisfied she had been +good natured long enough, and now must attend to business. +In a few minutes she had made up for lost time, and was +heading for Ballast Point, leaving San Diego's shore to be +merged into the blue hills of Mexico beyond, as if obeying +the immutable law which says that all things must revert to +their original source.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira's beautiful eyes were so filled with tears that she could +see nothing. Still, she kept her gaze riveted upon that fast +receding wharf. George stood a few feet apart, prudently +thinking that the two sisters would perhaps prefer to be by +themselves while taking their last look at the dear ones standing +on the wharf. He, too, felt much moved; he would have +preferred to remain with his family at Alamar. He would +come next year—he thought—and perhaps remain in California +permanently. With this thought in his mind, almost shaped +into resolve, he came to Elvira's side, and quietly slipping his +arm round her waist, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't cry, sweetest, I will bring you back next year, and +we will make our home near our parents. No matter if I +make less money, we will have more happiness.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira looked unutterable thanks.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you hear him, Mercedes?” she said, and Mercedes +nodded, but moved a little further off, not yet trusting her +voice to make any reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here, this won't do; this will spoil our blue eyes,” +said George, putting his other arm around Mercedes' pretty +shoulders. “I insist upon you turning your thoughts toward +New York, Long Branch, Newport and Washington; think of +all the fun we will have visiting all those places. Then we +will come back gay and happy, and our dear ones will be so +glad to see us again. Think of all that,” and thus George exerted +his eloquence to administer consolation. “I am sure all +at home will be thinking of our return by to-morrow morning,” +he added, by way of climax to his consoling rhetoric.</p> +<p class="pnext">But George was mistaken. The Alamar ladies found it very +hard and difficult to reconcile themselves to be separated from +Elvira and Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fact that Clarence had gone in the same steamer, added +much bitterness to Doña Josefa's sorrow at separating from +both daughters. She did not even wish any one to mention +Clarence's name in her presence. Don Mariano's arguments +in favor of the bold young man were at first ineffectual, but +after a while she began to think that she ought to trust more +in Mercedes' pride and Elvira's vigilance.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the meantime the travelers continued their voyage very +happily. Clarence rightly conjectured that Mercedes would +suppose he had followed her to declare his love, and this supposition +would redouble her shyness. Her manner at first, +fully confirmed this surmise, so, to put her at her ease, he was +very kind and attentive, but never betrayed by word or look, +his heart's devotion. His manner was exactly all that she could +wish, the behavior of a devoted brother, and in consequence +she began to be less shy. He spoke of having received three +telegrams, calling him north; this surely was a good reason for +his unexpected journey.</p> +<p class="pnext">They visited Los Angeles, went ashore at Port Harford and +Santa Barbara, and as George was naturally devoted to his +bride, there seemed no alternative for Mercedes but to accept +Clarence's escort, and lean on his arm whenever that operation +became necessary.</p> +<p class="pnext">The nights were lovely, with a full moon in the azure sky, +and the sea air, neither cold nor warm, but of that California +temperature, which seems to invite people to be happy, giving +to all an idea of the perfect well-being we expect to find in the +hereafter.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a great deal of freight to be landed at Santa +Barbara. The passengers going to San Francisco were already +on board. Still the steamer tarried. Some lady friends of +Elvira, who were going north had come aboard, and as they +had much to say, took her away to their staterooms.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wait for me here, I'll return in half an hour,” said she to +George; but he thought he knew how ladies measure time +when engaged in talking, so he slowly arose and said he would +go to play cribbage with the captain.</p> +<p class="pnext">The steamer now shivered and trembled, as if awakening +from a nice nap. The wheels revolved lazily and then she was +off, dragging a luminous wake of myriads of evanescent diamonds.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you wish to go, Mr. Darrell, please do so; do not remain +on my account,” said Mercedes, when George rose to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not at all. I remain entirely on my own, as I do +not particularly desire to play cut-throat cribbage, and as it is +too early for you to retire, suppose you permit me to remain +until your sister returns.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, do so, else I'll stay,” said George, going.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have I offended you in any way?” Clarence asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, of course not. What a question. What makes you +ask that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because you must know it would be cruel punishment to +send me off.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I didn't think anything of the kind, only I didn't wish to +be selfish and keep you from going if you wished it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How could I wish to go anywhere and leave you; I would +not go to heaven, if to do so I would have to renounce you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Please do not talk like that, some one might hear you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“There is not a soul within hearing. Our only witness is +that lovely moon, and she will not betray.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No matter, please do not speak like that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Like what? That I love you? I have never yet said it in +words, but you know it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! Mr. Darrell!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, you know it, and to avoid me you are going away; +going from me, no matter if it killed me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is not my choice, I only obey,” said she, clasping her +trembling hands, now cold as ice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is it so? Did you not wish to avoid me?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Please do not ask me, you'll make me very miserable.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would not cause you one single pang, if to avoid it I had to +die. Believe me, all I wish to know is, whether I have been +so blind as not to see your dislike; whether it was your own +choice to go, or you were compelled to do so by your +mother?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Please don't blame mamma.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not blame her in the least. She has a perfect right +to object to me if she wishes, but I too, have at least, the sad +privilege of asking whether you also object to me?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have nothing against you; I like you very much, as—as +a friend,” she said, trembling, painfully agitated.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence laughed a hoarse, discordant laugh that made her +feel miserable.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have been told that young ladies say that always, when +they mean to let down easily a poor devil whom they pity and +perhaps despise. Thanks, Miss Mercedes, for liking me ‘as a +friend,’ thank you. Perhaps I am a presumptuous fool to love +you, but love you I must, for I can not help it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He stood up and looked down at the dark ocean in silence. +She looked up to his face and her beautiful features looked so +pleadingly sad, that he forgot his own misery and thought only +of the pain those superb eyes revealed.</p> +<p class="pnext">He seated himself very near her, and took both of her hands +in his own. Surely there was something troubling her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How cold these dear little hands are. Have I caused you +pain?” he asked. She nodded but did not speak.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I have pained you, when I would give my heart's +blood to make you happy. Oh! Mercedes, I cannot give you +up, it is impossible while I live. Do you command me to do +so? Do you wish it? You know that I have loved you from +the first moment I saw you; when I lifted you in my arms. +The exquisite pleasure I felt then, and the yearning I have +felt ever since, to hold you in my arms again, as my own sweet +wife, that longing tells me incessantly that I can never love +any one else; that I must win you or renounce love forever on +earth. Tell me, will you cruelly repel me?”</p> +<p class="pnext">She was silent, listening with averted face, as if afraid to +meet his gaze, but she did not withdraw her hands, which he +still held in both his own, as if he would never willingly release +them again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes, say that you reject me only to obey your mother, +and I will not despair, for I know that your father does not +object to me; on the contrary, he sanctions my love, he would +accept me as his son-in-law.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She turned quickly, gazed at him with an eager, inquiring +look.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, he gave me permission to follow you and ask you to +be my wife.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What? He? My papa did that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes. When he saw me looking so wretched with the pain +of parting from you, he said to me, ‘Cheer up; faint heart +never won fair lady.’ I said to him, if you tell me that in +earnest, I'll jump aboard the steamer and follow her. He repeated +the quotation, adding: ‘Go and try your luck.’ Is not +that sufficient?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Darling papa, he is so kind,” she said, eluding Clarence's +question, but her evident gratitude toward her father spoke +volumes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed he is. His heart is full of nobility. He does not +permit unjust prejudices to influence him into dislikes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You must not blame my poor mamma. She thinks you +did some wrong act, but she is not prejudiced against you, nor +does she dislike you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did some wrong act? What is it? When?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That I couldn't tell you, for I do not know, and perhaps I +am wrong to have said so much. But I spoke because it was +painful to me to think that you believe my own loving, lovely +mamma prejudiced, for she is not. She might be mistaken, +but she is kindness itself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence mentally demurred to this warm praise, but wisely +held his peace.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Promise me you will not think mamma is prejudiced,” said +she, without the least suspicion of the tyranny, the unreasonableness +of such a request.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I promise it, of course, if you desire it, but I would at +the same time, like to know what is the <em class="italics">wrong</em> act of which I +am accused, that has brought upon me her censure. I assure +you I have not the slightest idea; I think my record as an +honest man can well bear scrutiny. Can it be that I have +made money in mining stocks?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, no. She does not know that, and if she did, she +would not think it wrong, for she knows nothing about stocks.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then I vow I have not the remotest idea of what it is.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Think no more about it now, and when you return, you +ask papa. He will soon find out the mistake and vindicate +you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, he will do so I am sure. I would blindly trust my +life and honor in his hands,” said he, warmly, and quick as a +flash came his reward, for she pressed his hands most gratefully. +“Ah! Mercedes why did you do that?” The poor +young man was trying to make up his mind not to press his +suit until he had been vindicated, and Doña Josefa had +nothing against him. But that pressure made him ambitious, +impatient; he wished to have some promise that she would +not accept any one else's suit. She was going from him, out of +his sight. He was certain that dozens, yes hundreds, would +fall in love with her as soon as they saw her. Would she not +love some one? It would be natural to prefer to him, some +of those elegant New Yorkers, or some fascinating foreigner +whom she might meet in Washington. This thought made him +wretched.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'm so glad you appreciate papa,” said she, withdrawing +her hands, which she considered he had held long enough. +Noticing that he looked troubled, and that his hand trembled, +she added: “I fear I have been indiscreet, and have caused +you pain by what I said; if so, I am very sorry. Have I +pained you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have never done anything dishonorable. I can prove that +to Doña Josefa at any time. But”—he broke off, and after a +paused, added: “Oh! Mercedes! how wretched I shall be, +thinking that you might love some one else. Is not your refusal +to give me any encouragement a proof that you feel you +never can care for me?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Please don't say that. I do care for you. That is, I mean, I +ought not to tell you so, but—but”—she did not finish, for the +rash young man had again seized her little hands, and was +covering them with kisses, forgetting that any passenger +had the right to come and sit there on the same bench to +enjoy the silvery moonlight, sailing over the broad, sublime +Pacific.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! Mr. Darrell! Don't do that. Please let us go +now to call Elvira. She thinks George is with me,” she said, +rising.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We don't want Elvira, we don't want George. Let them +be. Why do you grudge me this happiness of being alone +with you for the first and, perhaps, for the last time in my life? +Please sit down. I will behave myself. I will not kiss your +hands, I promise; but won't you reward my self-restraint by +answering one question?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the question?” said she, sitting down again, only +a little further off; “tell me, and then we must go to find +Elvira.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I want you to tell me—I mean, I beg and entreat you to +tell me this—if I can prove that I have never done anything +dishonorable, and your mother ceases to object to my +marrying you, will you then consent to be my wife?”</p> +<p class="pnext">The question gave Mercedes exquisite pleasure, for she loved +him with all her heart. The word wife soundly so sweetly coming +from his lips, but she had promised her mother “<em class="italics">not to encourage +him</em>.” So she must not. It would be dishonorable to +break her word. What could she say, not to make him unhappy, +and yet not commit the sin of disobedience to her +mother's command?</p> +<p class="pnext">She looked down, and her expressive features again showed +that she was troubled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! I was mistaken. Your silence tells me I cannot +hope.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do not be impatient, please. I was trying to think how I +could explain to you my position.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your position?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes. How much what papa said to you might alter things. +But I cannot see how I can say anything to you, except to be +patient. Yes, let us both be patient.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Patience and despair do not travel together.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Discard despair, and trust to patience, and”—she was going +to say, “trust me,” but remembered her mother's commands, +and that to say so much even would be <em class="italics">to encourage +him</em>. She was silent. She could have rejected an offer of +marriage easily without taking away all hope, but as she +“<em class="italics">must not encourage him</em>,” that was the most difficult dilemma +for the poor girl. “Trust to papa, and—and do not be blaming +me in your heart. I cannot bear that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall not blame you. I shall do whatever you order +me. But at all times I do not understand you,” said he, +sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is because my position is so—so difficult, so unnatural. +I wish you could understand it without my explaining it. Can't +you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll try,” said he, in most dejected tones, again thinking of +the elegant New Yorkers, and fascinating Washingtonians, on +their knees before her. “But I do not understand why you +refuse me one word of encouragement.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! that is just <em class="italics">the word</em> I cannot give,” she sighed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is all the work of Doña Josefa,” thought he, and the +form of the handsome matron seemed to rise before him +from the billows of the Pacific, and stand with Juno's lofty +majesty in severe impassibility before his sad gaze.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes, too, was looking at the immense sea, as if trying +to discover in that vast expanse some consoling words that +a good, obedient daughter might speak on such an occasion.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xi-george-is-a-christian-gentleman"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id12">CHAPTER XI.—<span class="small-caps">George is a Christian Gentleman.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">In vain did Mercedes scan the broad bosom of the Pacific +Ocean in search of something to say that would be soothing to +Clarence's feelings, very proper for her to utter, and very acceptable +to her mamma's sentiments, had she been there to +hear it. But that vast sea was dark and mute. It did not +respond. It only made her shudder to think of its awful +silence that was so solemn, but not in the least comforting. +It was so dark, so limitless, so cold. She turned her eyes to +the luminous wake trailed by the steamer where such wealth +of diamonds was wasted. “Fitful scintillations and then all +lost in gloom,” she said, adding: “No, all is not wasted, those +bright diamonds are not as evanescent as we, they will sink, +but reappear again and remain there always to gladden or +amuse poor travelers for ages to come; yes, when our two poor +hearts have ceased forever to throb with joy or pain.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is it not, then, wrong when life is so flitting to refuse pure +and holy happiness which God has permitted to the children +of man?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will be talking bookish, like Corina Holman, if we sit +here alone with the silent Pacific. Let us go to find Elvira,” +said she, rising. “Ah, there she is now!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira was bidding good night to her two lady friends who +stood at the door of their state-room, and (as all ladies must) +had something very interesting to say at the last moment.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so I am to be patient whether there is hope or not,” +said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You said you would speak with papa. You forget how +very kind he is to everybody in general, and how partial to you +in particular.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, he is most generous, almost too noble for this world.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have often thought that, but as he is past fifty, I trust +that a kind Providence will spare him to us for many years +yet.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, he will be spared to you. If no good man could +live, then the gift of life would be a brand upon man's forehead. +But a character as his, is truly very rare. He comes +nearer to my standard of excellence than any other man I ever +saw, and I revere and love him for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall treasure those words in my heart, believe me. Let +them remain there forever,” she said, her voice vibrating with +emotion.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, well, and where is George?” said Elvira, looking +around for her missing husband.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He went to the captain's room to play cribbage about two +minutes after you left,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good chaperone he is; and what have you been talking +about here like two little owls who know they musn't jump into +the water because they are not ducks?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“One isn't, any way,” Clarence said, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“As my married experience is yet fresh and limited, I don't +know whether it would be proper or not for us three to take a +turn on deck and see whether George is enjoying himself. +What do you think, Mr. Darrell, would a husband object to +that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I should say not. Why should he? To my way of thinking +no husband of ordinary good sense could object to his wife +showing that interest in him. Mr. Mechlin will not, I am +sure.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let Mr. Darrell take a look first,” suggested Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence arose to go, Elvira said: “Only pass by, as if by +accident, and we'll go or not, according to circumstances.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When Clarence had gone beyond hearing, Elvira said: +“He looks pale again, have you made him unhappy?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have not made him happy, that is sure, and I am miserable, +but you know mamma's feelings, what can I do? Oh, +what can I do?” said she, putting her arms around her sister +and the hot tears she had been repressing flowed fast. “I am +so sorry I have to make him so unhappy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must say I feel sorry for him myself. I am not sure that +mamma does him justice,” Elvira observed reflectively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And to think that papa himself told him to follow me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is that so?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; and he is disappointed, but what can I do, dear, +when mamma told me <em class="italics">not to encourage</em> him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I certainly am under no pledge, and papa's authority is +entitled to as much respect as mamma's,” Elvira said significantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is true, but you see mamma made me promise not to +<em class="italics">encourage</em> him,” said Mercedes with sad insistence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and Rosa and Lota urged her to it. There is George +now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will go to my room; they will see by my red eyes that I +cried.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Go and bathe them. Drink some water, too, and come +back.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I'll bring you some by way of an excuse.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why did Mercedes run off?” George asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She will be back in a minute; she went to take a glass of +water.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! why did she not tell me to bring it to her?” said +Clarence regretfully. “I ought to have thought of bringing it. +Wouldn't she rather have a glass of wine or lemonade? and +you, too, Mrs. Mechlin? I shall take it as a favor if you will +accept. A glass of champagne with ice I think would do very +well for all of us; don't you think so Mr. Mechlin?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, champagne with ice would be very nice, provided the +champagne be good,” George replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us try any way,” said Clarence, going to order the wine. +George and Elvira watched him, and when out of hearing +George said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you know I like that young man very much. What +is your mother's objection to him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“His family, I believe, or rather his father.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Old Darrell looks like a decent, honorable sort of a man to +me. Certainly Clarence is very gentlemanly, and (what is +equally to be considered) Mercedes likes him more than is +good for her peace of mind if she is not to have him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“My poor little sister, she is so unhappy, and, just think of +it, papa told Clarence to come, to follow Mercedes and propose +to her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He did? That is just like him. Doubtless he thought of +the times when he would ride eighty miles to go and serenade +Doña Josefa, and his sympathies all went to Darrell. It is a +pity your mother doesn't feel as kindly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And what makes me feel more for Mercedes is, that she +loves Clarence dearly, but in obedience to mamma's wishes +she will not even give him any encouragement at all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then <em class="italics">we</em> must, that's all. Only let us first be sure that +she loves him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, as to that, if you had only seen her beautiful eyes filled +with such sad tears because she cannot accept his love, you +would have no doubts as to her feelings.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then my course is clear. I am a Christian gentleman and +will not see savage torture inflicted on my blue-eyed <em class="italics">hermanita</em>. +I think I know how to fix it up.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What will you do?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“<em class="italics">Quien sabe</em> just this minute, but it will be <em class="italics">something</em>, depend +upon it. There he is now,” and Clarence came, followed +by a waiter bringing the champagne and ice. He looked disappointed +at not finding Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That little sister of ours I fear has given us the slip. I +think I'll go and fetch her bodily,” George said, rising to go.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No; let me go,” said Elvira. When George was left alone +with Clarence he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I fear that Mercedes is very unhappy, she left when she +saw us coming, Elvira says, because she feared her eyes showed +traces of tears.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence clenched his hands as if he would like to throttle +all bad luck in general, and this one in particular, looked haggard, +but remained silent. George continued:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Spanish girls are trained to strict filial obedience, and it is +a good thing when not carried too far. Now, Mercedes made +to her mother some very foolish promise, and if her heart was +to break into little pieces she would not swerve—not she—though +she be fully aware that her happiness would be wrecked +for ever, she would not disobey her mother.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But is it alone her mother's wishes? In obeying her +mother, does she not follow her own inclination?”</p> +<p class="pnext">George laughed, saying: “She must be a strange girl, indeed, +if she weeps so bitterly and is so unhappy to follow her +inclination.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, if I only could think that! Are you sure?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why did Doña Josefa wish to send her away? Only for +the hope that she might get over her love for you. Mercedes is +not yet eighteen, and, being so young, her mother thought that +by sending her away from you and yours, she might forget you. +Only such hope as that could have prevailed upon Doña Josefa +to part with her baby. Spanish mothers will never let a daughter +go out of the maternal sight until they are married; but +for the fear that Mercita's attachment to you might become +incurable if not effaced early, the mother was ready to sacrifice +her feelings. For it was a terrible sacrifice, it was like +pulling her heart strings to send her baby off.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, how she must hate me then to have such strong objections +to me,” said Clarence, sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, she does not hate you”—and George hesitated.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I know she thinks I have done something wrong or +dishonorable, but what that is, I have not the slightest idea.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Excuse me for saying so, but I think it was a mistake not +to tell her—and Mercedes also—that you bought the land you +occupy. Doña Josefa cannot think it is honorable to take up +land as your father did. She cannot understand how any law +of Congress can authorize a man to take the property of another +against his will and without paying for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And she is perfectly right. I see the mistake now, and I +regret it more than words can tell. You knew why I asked +Don Mariano not to mention that I had paid him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, Gabriel told me first, and he, too, thinks it is a mistake +to let the Alamar ladies have a wrong idea of you. He +thinks you do an injustice to yourself. We were talking about +it when Don Mariano joined us, and he agreed with Gabriel +and said that he would speak to you about it very soon. +Doesn't any of your family know about it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, Everett and mother do. She would not have come +down if I had not told her I paid for the land. But she and +I thought that for the present we had better say nothing about +it to father, knowing how sensitive he is about his views of +‘<em class="italics">Squatter rights</em>?’ He has had so much trouble about those +same rights.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose you will have to tell him soon—I mean when +the attorney general dismisses the appeal.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When will that be, do you think?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just as soon as the Supreme Court is in session. It would +have been done last fall had not the solicitor general interfered +in the most absurd and arbitrary manner.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard he had, and I heard the settlers rejoicing about it, +but I never knew how it happened—I would like to hear.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, ladies and gentlemen,” said Elvira, coming, “if my +eloquence and persuasive powers were not of the unprecedented +quality they really are, I would never have been able to persuade +the señorita to come. Would you believe it? she was +actually in bed for the night.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah!” Clarence exclaimed, regretfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I told her that if she didn't come, you would take the +champagne to her room, and this so frightened her, that she +began to dress herself immediately, but the poor little thing +trembles as if she had the ague. I gave her a cashmere wrapper +and soft shawl to wrap up and not take cold.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Go and tell her we have good news for her,” suggested +George.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She'll think you are jesting,” Elvira answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not if you tell her that we know what it is that Doña Josefa +has against Darrell, and we'll make it all right.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, don't deceive the poor little thing when she seems as +if all her strength is already gone from her,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we are not deceiving her,” George insisted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hush! here she comes,” Elvira said, and Mercedes slowly +approached them. “Come, sweet Baby, these gentlemen say +they have some awful nice news for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“News that the wine is good, I suppose, but I don't like +wine,” she said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, it isn't the wine,” George said, rising for Mercedes to +take his place. “Sit down here between Darrell and myself +and you shall hear all about it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is it?” Mercedes asked, looking from one to the +other.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can't tell you, little sister, for they haven't told me,” +Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Darrell, you fill the glasses now while I tell these señoritas +what sort of a black sheep Doña Josefa thinks you +are, and so thinking, objects to you.” Clarence proceeded to +put ice into the glasses, while George continued: “The objection +is, that she believes the Darrells are ‘<em class="italics">squatters</em>,’ like all +the others at the rancho, whereas Clarence bought their land +from Don Mariano and paid for it even before they built their +house.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! I am so glad to hear that!” Elvira exclaimed with +a sigh of relief. “But why don't papa tell it to mamma? It +is an injustice to the Darrells to let her ignore it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is my fault, Mrs. Mechlin,” Clarence said; “my father +holds the accepted but very erroneous popular opinions about +‘<em class="italics">squatter rights</em>,’ and I, to avoid painful discussions with him, +requested Señor Alamar not to say, for the present, that I had +paid for the land.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You see, little sister, how, after all, you have not been loving +a squatter? What a pity,” said George, putting his arm +around Mercedes, who buried her face in the lappels of his coat. +“It isn't half so romantic to love a plain gentleman as to love +a brigand, or, at least, a squatter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Doña Josefa's objection to me is perfectly proper and correct. +I would not let a daughter of mine marry a squatter no +more than to marry a tramp. I shall, of course, request Don +Mariano to put me right in her estimation, and tell her I do +not feel authorized by Congress to steal land, though my father +and many other honest men hold different opinions about it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“There! Do you hear that? Let us have a bumper, and +drown the squatter in champagne! Exit tramp! Enter gentleman! +Here is to Baby's health,” said George.</p> +<p class="pnext">All emptied their glasses, except Mercedes, whose hand +shook so violently that she spilled more wine than she drank.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't lose your courage now,” Elvira said to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I believe pussy is regretting she lost her squatter. Isn't +that so, pussy? You have not said one word. Are you regretting +that, after all, you cannot sacrifice to love your patrician +pride by marrying a land-shark, thus proving you are a +heroine?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, what a silly boy,” she said, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Really, I think our romance is spoiled. It would have been +so fine—like a dime novel—to have carried you off bodily by +order of infuriated, cruel parents, and on arriving at New York +marry you, at the point of a loaded revolver, to a bald-headed, +millionaire! Your midnight shrieks would have made the +blood of the passers-by curdle! Then Clarence would have +rushed in and stabbed the millionaire, and you, falling across +his prostrate body, said: ‘Tramp or not, I am thine!’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, George, stop your nonsense,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Whereas now,” George went on, “the unpoetical fact comes +out that Darrell is a decent sort of a fellow, and there is no +reason why a proper girl shouldn't have him for her husband; +and our romance is stripped of its thrilling features, as the +hero will not steal, even when Congress tells him to. And that +is the <em class="italics">dénouement</em>, with the addition only that I am hungry. +What have you got to eat in those two little baskets that Tano +brought on board, and which smell so nice?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah, yes, I had forgotten. Mamma put up a nice lunch, +thinking we might want it if we felt sick, or didn't want to go to +the table. I'll go and bring it,” said Elvira, setting down her +glass, and rising.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let me go,” said George, “as I am the hungry one.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bring both baskets. Let us see what they have. Ah, I +was forgetting, I have the three little silver plates in my +satchel; we must have those,” added Elvira, following her +husband.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can you forgive my stupidity? See what a world of anxious +thoughts we would have avoided by explaining to Doña Josefa +everything,” said Clarence to Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, it was unfortunate. But you will return soon and ask +papa to tell her all, will you not?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed I will, by the next steamer; and will have better +heart to await your return. My precious angel, don't ever forget +how devotedly I idolize you! Will you let me send you a +ring, if your mother allows me?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Couldn't you <em class="italics">bring</em> it yourself?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Mercedes, my beloved! how happy you make me!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here,” said George, groping in the dark; “Where are +the magic baskets? I don't smell them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I knew you wouldn't, that is why I came to find them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here! if you follow a fellow like that, you'll get +kissed,” said he, taking his wife in his arms, and covering her +face with kisses.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Stop, George, some one might pass who didn't know you +are my husband.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's so,” said he, desisting. “But the fact of the matter +is, that I want to kiss you all the time, you are so pretty and +such a sweet darling. Give me the basket, and let your hungry +husband go before he eats you up.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here they are. I'll carry the plates and knives.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tano said something about boned turkey, <em class="italics">a la espanola</em>, +stuffed with mashed almonds and ‘<em class="italics">ajonjoli</em>,’” said George, setting +the baskets on a chair before Clarence; “and something +about a ‘<em class="italics">tortita de aceituna</em>,’ with sweet marjoram, and I think +we got them, to judge by their fragrance.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shall I go and order more wine?” asked Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, no, no,” said Elvira, “this is plenty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How strange it is that I haven't felt this wine at all,” said +Mercedes; “one-half glass only will make my face unpleasantly +warm always, for that reason I dislike wines; but see, I +drank this whole glassful, and I don't feel it any more than if +it was water.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But don't you feel warmer? You were shivering when you +came from your room,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I feel better,” she said, timidly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now eat a little and you will sleep better. Take one of +these ‘<em class="italics">empanaditas de pollo</em>,’” said Elvira, offering one.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Give me one,” George said. “I know them by experience, +and the trouble about them is that you can never have +enough, though you feel you have eaten too many. Try +them, Darrell, and when you have filled our glasses I'll satisfy +your curiosity, telling you why the Solicitor General would not +dismiss the appeal of the squatters.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I want to know all about that,” said Clarence, filling +the glasses.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xii-why-the-appeal-was-not-dismissed"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id13">CHAPTER XII.—<span class="small-caps">Why the Appeal was Not Dismissed.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">At the time when this moonlit picnic of four took place +on the steamer's deck, as it glided northward over the glassy +surface of the immense Pacific, the people of California had +not yet heard about the disclosure of the famous <em class="italics">Colton suit</em>. +This suit was hidden in the mists of a distant future, and +therefore the famous “<em class="italics">Huntington Letters</em>” had not come forth +to educate the American mind in the fascinating, meandering, +shady ways of “<em class="italics">convincing</em>” or of “<em class="italics">bribery and corruption</em>,” +as the newspapers and committee reports have harshly stigmatized +Mr. Huntington's diplomacy(!) At that time, 1872, +people yet spoke of “<em class="italics">bribery</em>” with a degree of shamefacedness +and timidity. It was reserved for Mr. Huntington to +familiarize the American people with the fact that an American +gentleman could go to Washington with the avowed purpose +of influencing legislation by “<em class="italics">convincing</em>” people with money +or other inducements, and yet no one lose caste, or lose his +high social or public position, but on the contrary, the <em class="italics">convinced +and the convincer</em> be treated with the most distinguished +consideration. So after drinking half of his second glass, +George said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't believe the stories about Washington being such a +corrupt place, where people get everything by bribing. That +is a shameful slander. I went there about that dismissal of +the Squatters' Appeal, and was treated like a gentleman, even +by the Solicitor General, who was outrageously unjust to us. +After my uncle had sent to the Attorney General Don Mariano's +letter explaining the case and stating how the transcript +had been in Washington two years, I went as Don Mariano's +attorney to look after the case. I saw the Attorney General +immediately, and he told me to return at ten o'clock next morning. +I did so, and was shown in at once. He said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘I looked at the case again last evening, and don't see +where those settlers can find a hook on which to hang their +appeal. There isn't any. It is very singular that this case has +not been dismissed before by my predecessor. So I was just +telling the Solicitor General, as you entered, to have it dismissed +this morning. I have explained my opinion to him. +He is going now to the Supreme Court and can make the motion +and tell the clerk to enter the dismissal to-day. The +United States have no case against Señor Alamar, his title is +perfectly good,’ said he, looking at the Solicitor, who stood +by silent and motionless. ‘You have only this one case to +attend to this morning, besides the one I want continued until +I return. The others, you understand, I leave you to manage +as you think proper, and at such times as you think best.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thanked the Attorney General, and as I took my leave I +said I did not know he was going away.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I am going this evening to Oregon to see +my constituents, but my absence will not affect your case, the +Solicitor General takes my place during my absence, and he +has only to say before the Supreme Court that I enter a dismissal, +and that ends the matter.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“As I went out I said to the Solicitor, ‘I suppose then this +business is finished now?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Such is the supposition,’ said he, and we went out together. +I had a great mind to follow him to the Supreme +Court and see what he was going to do, but I thought he +might not like being watched. Well, sir, would you believe +it? That man went to the Supreme Court and never said <em class="italics">boo</em> +about our dismissal. Next morning I went to ask him if the +dismissal was entered. He sent word he was engaged,—to call +again. I called in the afternoon, and he had left the office. +Next morning I called again, and he of course was engaged. +I went to the clerk of the Supreme Court, and giving him the +number of the case, asked if it had been dismissed. He said +no, that the Solicitor General had been at the Supreme Court +every day, but had entered no dismissal. I telegraphed to +Uncle Lawrence to come, and as soon as he arrived we went +to see the President about it. I laid the whole case before +him. I told him how the squatters were destroying Don Mariano's +cattle, and how by a law of the California legislature, +any one could plant grain field without fencing, and take up +cattle that went to those fields, no matter whether there was +any title to the land or whether the field was no larger than +one acre.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘But the law does not open to settlers private property, private +lands?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Yes it does, because land is not considered <em class="italics">private property</em> +until the title to it is confirmed and patented. As the proceedings +to obtain a patent might consume years, almost a life +time, the result is that the native Californians (of Spanish descent) +who were the land owners when we took California, are +virtually despoiled of their lands and their cattle and horses. +Congress virtually took away their lands by putting them in +litigation. And the California legislature takes away their cattle, +decreeing that settlers need not fence their crops, but put +in a <em class="italics">corral</em> the cattle that will surely come to graze in their +fields. As the cattle don't know the law, they eat the crops +and get killed.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘But that is very hard on those land owners.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Certainly. They are being impoverished with frightful rapidity. +In a few years the majority of them will have been +totally ruined, socially obliterated. I doubt if a dozen families +will escape ruin. There seems to be a settled purpose with our +law-givers to drive the natives to poverty, and crowd them out +of existence. If we don't turn them all into hardened and +most desperate criminals, it will be because they are among +the most incorruptible of the human race. But there is no +denying that our laws are doing all that can be done to drive +them into squalid hovels, and thence into the penitentiaries +or the poor houses.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘This is certainly very sad,’ said the President, with genuine +sympathy, adding after a short pause:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Wait for me here. I'll run across the street to the Attorney +General's office, and I'll ask the Solicitor what it all means +in this Alamar case,’ so saying he put on his hat and went +out.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘That is what endears General Grant to all his friends,’ +said my uncle; ‘the idea of his going personally to see the +Solicitor, he the President, and only because he wishes to do +a kindness.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘I wish he had sent for the proud Solicitor to come here. +This visit of the President will make him more over-bearing,’ +said I. ‘I am disgusted at his most arbitrary conduct.’ +‘Wait,’ said my uncle, ‘let us hear first what he has to say +to the President.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">In a short time the President returned. He said: ‘Well, +gentlemen, I cannot make out why the Solicitor did not dismiss +the case, as he was ordered. He says he found that the +Attorney General had not looked into the record carefully, and +so he did not think the case should be dismissed.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘But how could he have found out that the Attorney General +had not looked into the case carefully only by riding from +the office to the Supreme Court? He must have <em class="italics">disobeyed the +instructions of the Attorney General first</em>, and then to justify his +disobedience, trumps up the pretext that the case had not +been examined,’ said uncle.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘The Attorney General did not tell him to look into the case +and give his opinion. He was told that the case <em class="italics">had been examined</em>; +that the pleadings and allegations were trivial; that +the United States had <em class="italics">no case</em>, and the matter should be dismissed,’ +I said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘It is clear, that without authority he took upon himself to +review and reverse the decision of the Attorney General,’ said +my uncle.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘I don't understand his motive or object,’ the President +said. ‘But I told him I presumed he could state his opinion in +writing, and he said he would. Perhaps he will give a better +reason for his action than he did verbally.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘No, sir,’ uncle said, ‘he will give no better reason, as he +has none to give. He has some spite against the Attorney +General, and is laying in wait to catch something to hurt him. +Fortunately, he can't use this case for any such purpose, for +it is a very clear one, and the hands of the Attorney General are +very clean.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Of course they are,’ the President said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘And now, sir, what do you advise us to do?’ asked +uncle.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The President smiled, mused a little, and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘My advice would be to wait until the Attorney General returns +from Oregon. I know it is a hardship for the rightful +owner of the land to wait so long, but the question is, would +it not be longer if the Solicitor finds other reasons to take this +case into his own hands. Now he has promised me to let the +matter rest until the Attorney General comes back.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Yes,’ my uncle said, ‘I think what you advise is the best +thing to do. Evidently the Solicitor is beating the bush to +start some game, and will be satisfied with a ‘mare's nest,’ if +he can only entangle the Attorney General in it. But this is a +very paltry and picayunish business for a Solicitor General, Mr. +President, and it is silly, too, because he has shown his hand +to little purpose. He has plainly demonstrated how anxious +he is to find something against the Attorney General, but that +something he hasn't got yet.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“The President laughed, and said: ‘You mustn't be so hard +on the Solicitor.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“It was decided that my uncle would return to New York by +the four o'clock train that afternoon, and I would remain to +receive the opinion in writing which the Solicitor had promised +the President he would give.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did not have to wait until next day for that profound opinion. +As I was going to dinner at six o'clock, a messenger +handed me a closed official envelope which felt quite heavy. +But that was all the weight the thing possessed, for it was the +lightest, most vapory composition that a grown-up man, long +past boyhood, could evolve from a mature brain.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It made me angry to read it. ‘The man is evidently not a +fool, but thinks we are,’ I said to myself, and made up my +mind I would go next morning and tell him to his face what I +thought of his conduct and his document.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Promptly at ten o'clock next morning I presented myself at +the Attorney General's office, and was immediately ushered before +the august presence of the great Solicitor, the mighty +hunter of ‘mare's nests.’ He evidently thought I had come +to thank him for his vapory effusion, for he received me quite +smilingly, and without a trace of that hauteur which he had +at first meant should be so crushing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Taking the chair he so graciously offered me, I said: ‘Sir, +without meaning any disrespect to the Solicitor General of the +United States, I would like to inquire what is the meaning of +the document I had the honor to receive from you yesterday?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“He colored up, but still smiling, answered: ‘Did you not +understand it? I thought I wrote in very plain English.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘The English was plain enough, but I failed to catch your +idea. Will you permit me to make a few enquiries?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Certainly.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘You remember I was present when the Attorney General +told you that he had examined the transcript carefully, and not +finding that the government has any case at all, ordered you +to dismiss it.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“He bowed, but did not speak.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I continued: ‘The Attorney General did not request you or +authorize you to review his opinion. He merely said you were +to dismiss the appeal, and have the clerk of the court enter in +the record the order of dismissal that same morning. Had +you obeyed the Attorney General's order, you could not have +had time to review his opinion, and find that it was incorrect. +Has the Solicitor General the right, and is it incumbent +upon him, to correct the Attorney General's acts and +opinions?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘You evidently do not understand our relative positions, +and I have not the time to instruct you.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Whose positions do you mean?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Ours—mine and the Attorney General's.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Who is the head of the department—the Attorney General +or the Solicitor?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘The Attorney General.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Then he was your chief—your superior—when he gave the +order to make the dismissal?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘But I was not his clerk. You do not know how far +it was discretionary with me to execute the order that day +or not.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Ah, I see. The chief might issue an order, but the subaltern +might only execute it if he deems it proper.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘I am not a subaltern—I have as much authority—’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Yes, in the absence of the Attorney General.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Always—when absent or present’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Then the department has two heads. That is, I suppose, +what confused things in my mind. The matter then +is to rest as it now is until the Attorney General returns?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Yes, I shall not remand the case, as I might have done; it +will wait.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“I took my leave then, having seen that he understood I saw +through the contemptible impertinence of his conduct. That +is all the satisfaction I could have then, but next winter, as +soon as the Supreme Court convenes, the matter will be +settled.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And will the squatters have to go then?” Elvira asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not immediately, unless they were to be guided by honorable +motives. The rancho will be surveyed first, and then the +patent issued after the survey is approved by the Surveyor General,” +George replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! The endless red tape,” said Elvira.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Poor papa, he has so much trouble,” Mercedes sighed. +“In another year all the cattle will have been killed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the squatters will be more murderous, when they +learn that their appeal is dismissed,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I was thinking what will be the best to do to meet +the emergency. I shall speak about that to Don Mariano on +my return,” said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, you help him all you can,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Most undoubtedly. I will be able to do much more if I +can persuade my father to take a correct view of the matter. +But he might not, for as he has had so much trouble sustaining +the rights of squatters, he has got to feel as if he were the +champion of a misunderstood cause and much maligned +people,” Clarence said, smiling sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No doubt, if Mr. Darrell is to be unfriendly, papa will +have much more trouble to manage the others,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How singular that a man as bright and honorable as he is, +can find any reason to justify ‘<em class="italics">squatterism</em>,’” said George.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think he began by being persuaded to take a claim in +the Suscol rancho, honestly thinking it was government land. +Afterwards the grant was confirmed, I think, but then he already +felt compelled to maintain his position to justify his +action, and so he began by a mistake which his pride will not +let him acknowledge. I was a little child then, but I know +he has had a great deal of trouble. For the last ten years we +have been leasing land, but he had been wishing to have a farm +of his own, so as not to be putting his labor and time and +money to improve some one else's land. Thus he was induced +to come south on the representations that there was plenty of +vacant government land, and that the Texas Pacific railroad +would soon be built and southern California be prosperous,” +said Clarence, anxious to extenuate his father's errors.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall telegraph to Don Mariano when the appeal is dismissed, +so you can prepare the ground the best way you can,” +said George. “And now young ladies it is near midnight, and +is time for well regulated children to be asleep.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The moon is so lovely I could sit here for hours, watching +its flashes on the water,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So could I,” Clarence exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I could not allow it, and let you both run the risk of +being considered moon struck,” said George, laughing.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiii-at-san-francisco"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id14">CHAPTER XIII.—<span class="small-caps">At San Francisco.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The sun was quite high above the horizon when George +joined Clarence on deck; and both began to promenade and +talk while waiting for the ladies to come, that the four might +go to breakfast together.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My private opinion is that these young ladies are going to +oversleep themselves,” George said, as they passed the door of +his room, after promenading for half an hour.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No they are not,” Elvira said, coming out as fresh and +beautiful as a <em class="italics">rosa de castilla</em>. “Good morning, Mr. Darrell, +I hope you are well.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thank you,” replied Clarence, “I believe I never felt +better. I am delighted to see you so bright and blooming; +you are evidently an excellent sailor.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh yes,” Elvira answered, “I really enjoy it; but where is +the Señorita Mercita; is she not yet up?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think not. She has not come from her room,” was Clarence's +reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am going to peep through her window,” said Elvira. She +did so by turning the slats and pushing aside the curtain just +a little. She then motioned to George to come and look.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By jove, Darrell, you ought to see this picture.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hush! you will awake her by speaking so loud,” Elvira +said, still looking at her sister.</p> +<p class="pnext">A tiny sunbeam played over Mercedes' forehead, making +the little curls over it look like golden threads. Her head was +thrown back a little and turned towards the window, displaying +her white throat, partially covered by the lace frills of her +night dress. Her left arm rested gracefully over her head, with +the sleeve pushed off displaying part of the forearm and the +perfect curve of her delicate wrist. The right hand rested over +the coverlet, and it looked like a child's hand, so dimpled +and white and soft. It was a perfect picture of a “sleeping +beauty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Doesn't she look like a baby? My own sweet sister; I am +so glad she is sleeping so sweetly. She has slept very poorly +for months,” whispered Elvira. “Come away, we mustn't talk +near her window, she must have all the sleep she wants.”</p> +<p class="pnext">So saying, she pulled back the curtain, shut down the window +slats, and all walked noiselessly away.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they went down to breakfast, Elvira said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope no one will come smoking some nasty cigar by her +window, poisoning the air and making her miserable, for she +cannot bear tobacco smoke when the boat is in motion.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought she was not subject to sea-sickness,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, not at all, as long as there are no tobacco fumes near, +but it seems that tobacco smoke, combined with the rocking +of the sea, make her deathly sick, whereas the tobacco alone +or the rocking by itself, will not affect her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I understand that well, for I don't like to smoke while sailing +either, if there is much motion, and I think no one ought to +be allowed to smoke on deck where ladies are,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think so too. We have too many rights, and more +than our share of privileges,” Clarence added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wait until we have woman suffrage. We will make things +uncomfortable for inebriates and tobacco smokers,” Elvira +said, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Their pleasant voyage came to its end, as all things must in +this fleeting life, and the names of Mr. George Mechlin and +party, from San Diego, were duly entered in the hotel register.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I put your name down, Darrell, for we want you with us +while in the city,” said George.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thank you sincerely; that is exactly what I wished.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will be ready for dinner at six.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall be on hand promptly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was anxious to see his broker and afraid he would +leave the office before he got there, but it was more imperative +yet to visit his tailor. He did so, and though in haste, selected +with care the cut and style and color which he knew was most +becoming. He left a list of all the articles of clothing he desired +to be sent to his hotel by five o'clock, and then directed +his driver to take him to his broker's office.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just in time,” said Hubert Haverly, coming forward to +meet him. “As soon as the steamer was signaled at the gate, +I sent to look for our Arizona men. They are now at the back +office waiting for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell me something about the matter, to guide me. And +tell me too, how poor or how rich I am, before I make any +bargain to purchase mines.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, on the whole, I guess I'll call you rich. I bought +the farm as you—or rather as Everett—telegraphed. I paid—well, +how much do you think I paid for it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hundred and forty thousand?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Hubert shook his head, saying “Try again.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hundred and twenty?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ninety thousand only, lucky fellow.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What? You said he asked a hundred and fifty thousand.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and you—or Everett—telegraphed to pay the money, +but you see the poor fellow lost heavily in stocks that day, and +as the bank was going to foreclose on the farm for a loan of +forty thousand, he thought the best thing he could do was to +sell out quick. He came to see me and said ‘Do you think +Clarence will buy for one hundred and twenty thousand?’ I +told him I had telegraphed to you and probably you would +come up. He said ‘If you pay me ninety thousand cash down +<em class="italics">to-day</em>, Clarence can have the farm for that price.’ I told him +to let me have the refusal for you, for that price, until the next +morning. I got your telegram in the evening. Next morning +he came looking very dejected, and asked if I had heard from +you. ‘Yes,’ I said. He waited, but as I said no more, he added, +‘I hope Clarence is not going to pinch me hard. The farm is +worth two hundred thousand, but as the Darrells made all the +improvements on it, I am willing he should have it cheaper +than any one else. How much does he offer?’ ‘He left it to +me to make the best bargain I can. I will let you have the +ninety thousand, of course.’ You never saw a man so relieved. +He lifted his head and said, ‘I will pay all my debts and +have thirty thousand clear, anyway, to make a beginning,’ +and so the papers were drawn up and the farm is yours. I congratulate +you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thanks,” Clarence said, squeezing Hubert's hand. “And +now about the balance on hand and the Arizona mines.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, you have about one hundred thousand dollars. If +you sell all your stocks, you could have two hundred thousand,” +Hubert replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Besides the interest on the bonds?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. I never figure on that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What about the Arizona mines?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, the men say they are yet ‘<em class="italics">a prospect</em>,’ but a very good +one. Their proposition is that you pay them five hundred +dollars down if you accept their proposal. Then you are to +send an expert to examine the mines. If on his report you +conclude to buy them at once, you can have them for ten +thousand dollars. If you prefer to bond them to prospect +further before buying, then you can have six months to prospect; +but then you must pay two thousand down, and at the +end of the six months you must pay fifty thousand dollars if +you want both mines, or twenty thousand if you only take one. +The shaft they have sunk is the dividing line between the two +mines.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Between the two prospects,” Clarence suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, that is more proper, the shaft is only about one hundred +feet deep. But you had better talk to them. They +brought rock similar to that which they sent me last month.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Rather rough looking men were the three waiting, but all +had good faces. After exchanging salutations with them, Clarence +asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have you had any assays made?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes sir,” said the oldest of the three handing to him three +slips of paper. “Here are three certificates from assayers recommended +to us as the best in San Francisco.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What! One hundred silver and one hundred and fifty +gold? And two hundred, and three hundred and fifty? But +that is enormous for surface rock.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The miners laughed. The oldest said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the ledge is so wide that it almost takes the half of +the hill. We took two claims and put our prospect shaft in +the middle.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you make your locations in good legal form?” was +the next question.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes sir, we have our papers,” said the spokesman, handing +to Clarence some papers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I see you are four partners, where is the other?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is at the mine, working at the shaft.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well gentlemen,” Clarence said, “I have just come, an +hour ago. I don't know how soon I will find an expert, but I +think I will do so between now and to-morrow by mid-day. I +will consult with him and see how soon he can go to look at +your mines. Meantime I'll have some of the rock assayed. +From what depth was the rock assayed taken?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“From fifty, seventy and ninety feet. We have some few +pieces from the last we took the day we left, at a depth of one +hundred feet.” So saying, he handed to Clarence other pieces +of rock which looked much richer, adding, “This is the ore +we have not had assayed yet. My opinion is that the rock +hasn't changed much.”</p> +<p class="pnext">It was agreed that Clarence would meet them at eleven next +morning and notify them if he had found an expert. When +they had left the room Clarence asked Hubert where his +brother Fred was.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is here, he came yesterday.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And you did not mention that fact to me, when you know +I want a good, reliable expert.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did not, because I wouldn't urge his services upon any +one—even you—and then I think he might be already engaged +to go to examine some mines in Nevada, as parties have been +looking for him for that purpose.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Please don't be so proud as to deprive me of the services +of so good a man, but tell him to come to my hotel at once.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, I'll tell him, but he will not be here until five +o'clock. Shall I tell him to call on you after dinner?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, at half-past seven exactly, to send his card to me to +any place I may be at the hotel. And now I'll go to have two +or three assays more of this rock. Remember, I shall be looking +for Fred at half-past seven.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll remember. He will be there promptly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">It was very evident that the “party from San Diego” made an +impression and quite a stir among the guests of the hotel, who +were at dinner when they entered the dining-room. Preceded +by the head waiter, they had to cross the entire length of the +room, for the seats assigned to them were at the furthest corner +from the door. Everybody turned to look, to see what +everybody else was looking at, and all acknowledged that they +had never seen handsomer or more graceful people than +those two couples. Exclamations of surprise were uttered +in suppressed tones, and unqualified praises were whispered +everywhere. The head waiter was called here and there to say +who these four people were, so very handsome and <em class="italics">distingué</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are from Southern California, on their way east. Mr. +George Mechlin and bride, her sister, and their friend Mr. Darrell, +travelling with them,” was the answer that the steward +had to give twenty times.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which is the bride, the blonde or the brunette?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The brunette.”</p> +<p class="pnext">After dinner several young gentlemen remained in the corridors +to see them pass, and some four eastern tourists who +were dining at the next table, made a pretext of drinking +more wine, to remain looking at the southern beauties. One +of them especially looked at Mercedes so persistently that +Clarence began to feel angry, and when they arose from the +table he looked at the admirer with a bold stare of defiant +reproval. But that in no way checked the admiration of the +New Yorker, and he followed as near to Mercedes as he could, +and when he saw her disappear into her parlor, he looked at +the number on the door and went straight to the office to +make all the enquiries he could concerning those two beautiful +ladies. The clerk gave all the information he could, and +added laughing:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have had to answer those questions a dozen times already.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately after dinner a waiter came from the office and +handed to Clarence a card, with “Fred Haverly” written +on it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Say to the gentleman I shall be down immediately,” Clarence +said to the servant; and then to George, “This is the +expert I want to send to Arizona. It is lucky for me to find +him in town.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll go down with you,” George said. “One of the clerks +promised to get me a box at the opera, or if that can't be had, +to get the four best seats he could find disengaged. Do you +think you will have finished with your expert in half an hour? +I want the girls to see the opera bouffe; they have never +seen it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall be with you in fifteen minutes,” was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">George was talking with the clerk about the seats at the +opera, when he felt a hand laid softly on his shoulder. Looking +back, he saw his friend, Charles Gunther, of New York, +standing by him, and behind him the four gentlemen who had +dined at the next table. After shaking hands most cordially, +and congratulating him on being a married man, Gunther presented +to George his four friends, and his brother Robert, who +now came in; then he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard you say you wanted a box at the opera, and that +there are ladies with you. Permit me to offer you our box, +we can take seats anywhere else. I shall be glad if you will +accept.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But there are no seats that you can have that I would offer +you in exchange,” was George's reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Those I got for you are good seats for gentlemen,” the +clerk suggested, “and I think you can get two more.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Gunther was so urgent that George, only by being very rude, +could have declined making the exchange. There was nothing +else to do but accept, order a carriage for eight o'clock, +and then go up stairs to tell the ladies that they were to get +ready for the opera.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The opera! Why didn't you tell us before?” was Elvira's +exclamation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I was not sure I could get seats,” was George's +reply; and he then explained how he obtained their box by +casually meeting Gunther, adding: “By the by, he introduced +me to his brother Robert and those four admirers of yours, +Mercedes, who dined at the next table. They are all of the +same party. The young fellow of the little saffron whiskers, who +stared at you so persistently, making Clarence's ears red, is a +Mr. Selden, of New York; he and Robert Gunther have been +in Europe several years. His father I know is a millionaire, +and he is the only son. So he considers himself a good catch, +I suppose, Señorita Mercedes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bah!” ejaculated Mercedes; “who cares!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Be ready with your hats and cloaks on at five minutes +to eight. Clarence and I will come for you. I am going to +look for him now, and see Gunther for a few moments,” George +said, leaving the two sisters to go to their bedrooms to delve +for their opera cloaks and white hats in the deep recesses of +their Saratoga trunks.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is a lucky thing for me that Lizzie's aunt sent this pretty +cloak and bonnet to her. Poor Lizzie! I am to <em class="italics">splurge</em> in her +fine Parisian things, while she remains at the <em class="italics">rancho</em>, buried +alive,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She is perfectly willing to have that sort of burial as long +as she has Gabriel near her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Lawrence Mechlin had sent to Elvira and Lizzie their +wedding trousseau, which she ordered from Paris. To do this +was a pleasure to Mrs. Mechlin, which she could well afford, +being rich, and which she delighted in, being devoted to her +sister's children.</p> +<p class="pnext">The theatre was filled to its utmost capacity when our four +<em class="italics">San Dieguinos</em> arrived and occupied their proscenium box, +which was on the left of the auditorium, very roomy and elegantly +furnished. Elvira's seat faced the stage, and Mercedes' +faced the audience, so that the perfect contour of her features +was clearly seen when she looked at the actors. Between the +sisters sat their cavaliers. The curtain rose as they took their +seats, so that not one of them gave a thought to the audience, +until the curtain fell on the first act.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then they all looked at the house which was filled with a +brilliant audience. Immediately in front, in the first row of +orchestra chairs, were Mr. Gunther and the party of New +Yorkers. They were all looking at their box. Mercedes +blushed when she met the steady gaze of Mr. Selden, and his +face reproduced the blush, while his heart beat with wild throbs +of delight. Clarence's face also flushed, and then turned +pale. He had seen the two blush, and a cold feeling of undefinable +fear and savageness seized him—a desire to go and +choke Mr. Selden where he was—right there in his orchestra +chair.</p> +<p class="pnext">George by this time was exchanging bows with the New +Yorkers. They spoke among themselves, and soon after all +arose and left their seats.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think Gunther is bringing his brother and friends to present +them to you, ladies,” said George.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Being your friends, we shall be pleased to see them,” Elvira +answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope those gentlemen will cease to stare when they are +acquainted. That young man of the red whiskers made me +blush by looking at me so steadily. I hope that that is not the +custom of New Yorkers,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am afraid it is. You had better try to get used to it, and +don't mind it,” George replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Gunther now presented himself at the door, followed +by his brother and the four others, already well known by +sight, the ceremony of introduction being performed by +George, with the ease and grace of one used to those society +duties. All took seats, there being room enough for a dozen +people in the spacious box.</p> +<p class="pnext">George and Clarence had left their seats to receive the +guests, so very naturally Mr. Selden slipped by and sat next +to Mercedes.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiv-of-miscellaneous-incidents"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id15">CHAPTER XIV.—<span class="small-caps">Of Miscellaneous Incidents.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“What do you think of the opera—are you enjoying it +much?” asked Mr. Selden, by way of opening conversation, +having turned his chair to face Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am enjoying the novelty of the thing, but I don't know +what I shall think of the opera. I suppose I shall like it better +when I understand it. Thus far it is to me only a very puzzling +maze of hastily uttered French, imperfectly heard and mixed with +music, all of which is rather unintelligible to me, so unprepared +to judge of it as I am,” said Mercedes, smiling, watching to +see the effect that her candid avowal of ignorance would have +upon such a “<em class="italics">muscadin</em>” and well traveled young man.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not the French opera. I was at two matinees of the Italian +opera about five years ago, when I left my San Francisco +school. Mamma thought I was too young to go out at night, +and since then I have been living at the <em class="italics">rancho</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, yes; Mr. Mechlin said you had not been in San Francisco +since you were twelve months old.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Twelve months?”</p> +<p class="pnext">A laugh immediately behind him, made Mr. Selden turn +quickly around. He met the eyes of Mr. Robert Gunther, +who had taken the chair next to him, and made no secret of +being amused at Mr. Selden's mistake.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What are you laughing at?” Mr. Selden asked, sharply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose Mr. Gunther thinks that girls must grow very +quickly in California if I was twelve months old five years ago.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Selden could not escape now the raillery of his friends. +Each one had something to say on the subject of Mr. Selden's +ideas of the wonders of California, until the bell rung for the +curtain to rise for the second act.</p> +<p class="pnext">They all arose to go. George said: “Will not some of you +remain? there is room for two or three more.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I am not going to crowd you, I shall accept your kind +invitation and hide about here,” said Robert Gunther, taking +a chair behind Elvira.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bob Gunther is always such a good boy that I always like +to follow his example; so, with your kind permission, Mr. +Darrell, I shall sit here behind you. Keep your chair,” said +Mr. Selden, refusing to change seats with Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mercedes saw that this arrangement was not as satisfactory +as might be, so she moved her chair, and making room +for Clarence on her left, told Mr. Selden to push his chair further +to the front, on her right. This was a more desirable distribution, +and it pleased Clarence better, for she would turn +her face to him on looking at the stage. Still, there was that +odious little fellow with his red mutton chops sitting so near +her, that he wanted to pitch him out of the box. Mercedes +watched for an opportunity to say to him:</p> +<p class="pnext">“You look unhappy; have I done anything to displease +you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, never!” he quickly answered, but did not dare to look +at her. Presently he added: “It is too painful to think that +only for one day more I can see you, then we must part, and—and +others will be with you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Could you not go with us as far as the Yosemite?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence turned quickly to look at her, and her eyes had +that sweet, loving expression which, to him, was always irresistible, +entrancing. He had never seen it in any other eyes, +and in hers only very seldom.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! if you will only let me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let you! Your pleasure is the only thing to consult.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then I know what I shall do.”</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">Neither Mr. Selden nor Mr. Gunther could sleep that night. +Those little golden curls over the blue eyes floated in a hazy +mist and music in tantalizing recurrence until dawn.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you make a satisfactory bargain?” George asked Clarence +next morning, when the ladies had gone to church.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, as far as we can see at present. I am to send an expert +to look at the mines to-morrow, and on his report will decide +what to do. But I am in a quandary now about one thing. +Have you positively decided to leave to-morrow at seven A.M.?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If we don't oversleep ourselves,” was George's reply. “But +that depends. Why do you ask? If by waiting a few days +we can have your company further on, we will wait, of course. +The girls are enjoying themselves very much, and will be glad +to wait for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thanks, thanks,” said Clarence, warmly. “Yes, I would +like to go as far as the Yosemite with you; but as I would like +to have one final talk with the miners to-morrow before I pay +them any money, I would be much obliged if you could wait +until Tuesday morning.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Most willingly, my dear fellow, particularly as these señoritas +are not in a hurry to leave fascinating San Francisco.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have not driven anywhere around the city, and Miss +Mercedes wishes to see more of San Francisco,” said Clarence, +“as she has not seen it since she was <em class="italics">twelve months old</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Poor Selden; those fellows will never cease laughing at his +mistake,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">After mass, our travelers went immediately to luncheon. At +their table were already seated the six New Yorkers, but four +chairs were carefully turned, in token of being reserved. Clarence +sat next to Mercedes, but Selden was opposite, and anxiously +expected the moment when she would lift her veil. He +dreaded to be disenchanted by finding her to be less beautiful +in daylight, but such was not the case. She appeared to him +even prettier, seeing better the lovely dark blue of her eyes. +He looked at her in silence, saying to himself mentally: “She +is exquisite; am I going to love her hopelessly!” And he +looked at Clarence with a pang of jealousy, for he could not +deny to himself that he was handsome, yes, beautiful as an +Apollo, and very manly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next to Selden sat Robert Gunther, making almost the same +mental observations, and resolving to try and win her in spite +of all obstacles.</p> +<p class="pnext">Luncheon was much enjoyed by all excepting Mr. Selden, +who seemed to get more and more nervous as he sat there +trying not to look at Mercedes as much as he wished.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Gunther brothers were very brilliant conversationalists, +and so was George, who was in his element in the company of +such polished gentlemen as were now before him. On leaving +the table, Mr. Charles Gunther begged Elvira's permission to pay +their respects, asking if it would suit her convenience for them +to call that evening after dinner, to which she gracefully assented, +and all walked towards the parlor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shall we go to the Cliff House this afternoon?” George +asked his wife.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You may, but Mercedes and I are going to vespers,” she +replied, and soon after the two sisters retired to their rooms.</p> +<p class="pnext">As all of the gentlemen walked down to the reading room, +Selden said: “And how in thunder are we going to kill time +this afternoon until dinner? It will be intensely stupid here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought we all were going to drive to the Cliff,” Bob +Gunther said, maliciously. “Perhaps you would rather go to +church.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You judge others by yourself,” Selden retorted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I believe I do. But our sudden access of religion, I fear, +would not be appreciated. My dear fellow, our piety, like that +of his satanic majesty, would be distrusted. It would edify +no one, only make us ridiculous. Let us go to the Cliff.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And to the Cliff all went, but the drive was not much enjoyed. +Bob and Selden were quarrelsome, and all the others +laughed at them, which ended by making them surly. Selden +ridiculed the San Franciscans for their stupid Cliff House, while +all sat in arm-chairs on the broad veranda and looked at the +Pacific Ocean, and Pacific sea lions, and Pacific rocks, and +thought them all equally monotonous. To watch the ugly sea +beasts awkwardly dragging their unwieldly hulks up the rocks, +there to spread themselves in the sun, was not a very exhilarating +spectacle for young gentlemen who desired to see other +kinds of lions. Sunday not being the fashionable day for San +Franciscans to drive to the Cliff, the New Yorkers concluded +that the elite would not be seen that afternoon and returned +to the hotel.</p> +<p class="pnext">After dinner several lady friends, who had received Elvira's +wedding cards and had seen her and Mercedes at church that +morning, called.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cards of the New Yorkers, also, were brought, and they +followed immediately. Elvira presented them very gracefully, +while George watched with delighted attention the perfect ease +and natural elegance with which she did the honors as hostess.</p> +<p class="pnext">Robert Gunther and Arthur Selden seated themselves in a +corner, on the right of Mercedes' chair, but Clarence held his +place on the end of the sofa, very near her.</p> +<p class="pnext">About ten o'clock, Mr. Charles Gunther said to them:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Much as it pains me to tear myself away, young men, it +must be done, for we have made <em class="italics">a first call</em> of nearly two +hours' duration.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It has not seemed to us nearly so long,” Mercedes said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It was no more than two minutes,” Bob Gunther added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How you exaggerate,” Mr. Selden exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ask him how long it has seemed to him,” Bob suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would not dare. He thinks you exaggerate, that is +enough,” replied Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Selden gave her a look of tender reproach, and a savage one +at Bob, as he bowed, leaving the room.</p> +<p class="pnext">By nine o'clock Monday morning Clarence had received the +certificates of assay he had ordered on Saturday afternoon. It +seemed to him that there must be a mistake somewhere about +the rock, for these assays gave even a higher percentage than +those shown him by the miners. He went to Hubert's office +and found Fred already there waiting for him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here, Hubert, are you sure that these men did not +bring us this rich rock from some other mine? The assays are +very high. One goes as high as $2000 per ton.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They might have selected the specimens, but I can vouch +for their being from the same ledge, for I know the rock. I +can also vouch for the honesty of the men, for I know them +well; besides, what would be the good of telling a falsehood +that would be found out the minute the expert got there? Their +reputation is worth more to them than the five hundred dollars +that you will pay now,” was Hubert's reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are good men. I have known them for years, and +have had them working with me,” Fred added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then let us finish this business now, for I go out of town +to-morrow morning,” Clarence said, and in half an hour he +had explained his views and wishes and made his contract +with Fred Haverly, the terms of which had been already mentioned +on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The miners +now came and the contract with them, also, was made and acknowledged +in due form.</p> +<p class="pnext">By twelve o'clock that day Clarence had dispatched his business +with the miners and with Fred Haverly, reserving until +he returned instructions regarding his Alameda farm.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the afternoon all drove to the Cliff House. The ugly +sea lions did not seem so clumsy to Mr. Selden, as Mercedes +laughed, amused to see their ungainly efforts at locomotion, +and as she pronounced the Pacific Ocean to be grand and the +wild surf dashing madly against the impassive rocks very impressive, +Mr. Selden was of the same way of thinking, and +found the sea lions rather graceful and dignified, the black +rocks more interesting than they had been the day before.</p> +<p class="pnext">The gayeties of San Francisco made time slip away magically, +and a week passed in receptions, drives and yacht sailing, +in honor of Elvira, seemed very short indeed. But now another +week had begun, and the journey eastward must be +resumed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Our travelers took an early breakfast on Tuesday morning, +and by seven o'clock they left the hotel. Half an hour later, they +were on the Oakland boat, crossing San Francisco Bay on their +way to New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There is plenty of room here for all the navies of the +world,” George observed, looking at the harbor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I believe the bay is forty miles across,” replied Clarence. +“For all intents and purposes at present, however, San +Diego Bay is as good as this.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I only wish we had commerce enough for ships to be +crowded there.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If Colonel Scott succeeds in constructing his railroad, there +is no doubt that San Diego will be a large city in a few years.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I believe that, but the question is, will Colonel Scott succeed?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think he will, but he has a hard crowd to fight.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence mused a little, then, changing his position so as to +face George, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have had an idea in my head, a sort of project, I want to +talk to you about. Of course, its practicability, I fear, will +entirely depend upon the building of the Texas Pacific Railroad; +for if San Diego is not to have population, my plan will +be impracticable. It is this: The two banks in San Diego, I +don't think, have a paid-up capital of more than a hundred +thousand dollars. I think we could establish a bank of two or +three hundred thousand dollars that would be a paying institution. +I heard you say that you thought you would like to +come to California, so as to be near your family. That gave +me the idea of starting a bank. You could be the president +and manager, and I would furnish as much of the capital as +suited you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your idea is splendid, nothing could suit me better; but I +suppose we will have to see whether we are to have a railroad +or not.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, that is the sole and unavoidable condition.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose we will know next winter, and if it be decided +that the Texas Pacific is to be built, I will immediately accept +your proposition, and put in some money with you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can take half, or a third of the stock, and put in some +money for Don Gabriel and Victoriano; and Everett can come +in, too. You can easily instruct Don Gabriel in the banking +business.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He would make a good cashier; he is a good bookkeeper +already. I think I could put in twenty-five or thirty thousand +dollars.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you put in twenty-five thousand, I will put in that much +for each of the others, Don Gabriel, Tano and Retty, and one +hundred thousand for myself, or will put in thirty thousand for +Don Gabriel and ninety-five thousand for myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You ought to be the president.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I want you and Don Gabriel to have the entire management. +You can take in Tano and Retty, if you like, if they +prove themselves efficient; but as for myself, I want to be free +to attend to those mines (if they are worth working) and take +care of my Alameda farm. Don't you think that two hundred +thousand will be enough to start? I can put in more, if necessary, +by selling some of my United States bonds. I have seven +hundred and fifty thousand in United States securities, which +I can convert into money at any time.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Two hundred thousand is more than enough. We can +increase the capital, if we wish, afterward. I am glad you are +so well fixed in government securities.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I could have had a round million if I had not sold my +stock too soon; but my father kept talking to me so much +against dealing in mining stocks, that I ordered Hubert Haverly +to sell all I had. Fortunately he held on for a few days to my +Crown Point, and sold for nine hundred thousand dollars. I +was sorry enough to have lost a million for being so obedient +a son, and when in that mood I promised Hubert I would not +interfere again, but let him manage my stocks as he thought +best. Since then he has done very well, so that now I have +seven hundred and fifty thousand in United States bonds, my +farm, for which Hubert paid ninety thousand, some town lots +in San Francisco, and about one hundred and sixty thousand +dollars in bank, besides the interest on my bonds, which I have +not drawn for over a year.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, that makes you worth over a million.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but if I had kept my Crown Point for a few days +longer I could have sold for a million and a half. However, I +think the Arizona mines will reward my filial obedience,” added +he, smiling, “and if we can start that bank I shall be satisfied. +I think it is a pity that such men as Don Mariano and his sons +do not have some other better-paying business than cattle-raising. +It used to pay well, but I fear it never will again, while +such absurdities as the ‘<em class="italics">No-Fence Laws</em>’ are allowed to +exist.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I heard Don Mariano say to my father: ‘I am sure +I am to be legislated into a <em class="italics">rancheria</em>, as there is no poor-house +in San Diego to put me into,’ he said it smiling, but his smile +was very sad. However, when the appeal is dismissed and he +is rid of squatters, he will recuperate, provided, of course, there +be a Texas Pacific to make San Diego lands valuable. Without +it the prospect is gloomy indeed, I may well say dead.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's it; it all depends upon that railroad, I am sorry to +say, when we are so powerless to counteract hostile influences.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We must hope and wait.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xv-journeying-overland"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id16">CHAPTER XV.—<span class="small-caps">Journeying Overland.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The crashing and thundering of Yosemite's falls plunging +from dizzy heights, in splendor of furious avalanches, had been +left behind.</p> +<p class="pnext">George and his three companions had given the last lingering +look towards the glorious rainbows and myriads of dazzling +gems glittering in the sun's rays, which pierced the vertical +streams and played through the spray and mist enveloping +them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The memory of the mirror lakes, with their gorgeous borders +of green, their rich bouquets of fragrant azaleas and pond +lilies, as well as the towering cliffs, the overpowering heights +of that wonderful valley, all made a picture to remain forevermore +a cherished souvenir.</p> +<p class="pnext">But alas, for the fatality of human joys, all is evanescent in +this world of ours; the moment of parting at last came for the +lovers.</p> +<p class="pnext">The west-bound train would pass the station first, so Clarence +must be the one to leave his friends.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Write to us soon, won't you?” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, as soon as I get to San Diego.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Write before, and let us know what you are doing.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, I will do so,” said he, and looked at Mercedes, +who with down-cast eyes, felt his gaze but dared not look up.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't fail to write the long letter you promised, after you +have your talk with papa, and he has explained to mamma +your position,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is my all-absorbing thought. There is no danger of +my failing to see Don Mariano the first minute I can do so. I +will write immediately. To whom shall I direct my letter?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To me, of course,” Elvira replied, “and you will write to +Mercita also, after matters have been explained to mamma.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The distant rumbling as if of coming earthquake, and a far off +shriek were now heard. In another minute the round-eyed +monster was there, and snorting maliciously, rushed off with +Clarence, leaving Mercedes leaning on George's arm, scarcely +able to stand, and hardly realizing that Clarence had left +them.</p> +<p class="pnext">She was still very pale, and her hands yet trembled, when the +thundering of the east-bound train was heard in the distance. +Two shrieks pierced the air simultaneously, as the two trains +passed each other. Her heart gave accelerated throbs when +she heard those shrieks, because she knew that one of them +came from the train which bore Clarence away, and it seemed +to her as if expressive of his pain at being torn from her. +Yes, that magician, the locomotive, understood it all, and +shrieked to say he did so, because he knew she, too, wished to +shriek like that.</p> +<p class="pnext">What would you, my reader? She was so young—only seventeen—and +in love. The poor child was naturally indulging +in all sorts of foolish fancies while looking at the woods through +which he had disappeared.</p> +<p class="pnext">But there was now the east-bound train, and George taking +her towards it.</p> +<p class="pnext">He laughed loudly as they walked to the cars, and Elvira +asked why he laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I declare, Mercedes, you must have fascinated those two +fellows more than is good for them—for there they are as large +as life.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who, George?” Elvira asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, who should it be but Selden and Bob Gunther.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh!” ejaculated Mercedes. “Please George get a compartment +where we can be by ourselves,” implored she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will; you shall have it if money or influence or anything +short of murder can get it,” said he, helping them up the car +steps. “But in the meantime I am going to locate you here, +while I go to interview the conductor and porter. This is the +last car—you will be here unobserved. Those fellows did not +see us get in.” So saying, George went off, laughing heartily.</p> +<p class="pnext">Neither conductor nor porter were to be found in the next +car, or the next to that, and George made his way through them +as quickly as their jolting and swinging permitted.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the further end of the fourth car he spied a porter talking +with two foreign-looking gentlemen, who were none other +than Messrs. Gunther and Selden. Their backs were turned +toward him, so he had time to approach them unobserved, +near enough to hear Selden say, in his anglicised accents:</p> +<p class="pnext">“But my good fellah, we were told positively that travelers +going from the Yosemite east must get on the train here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so they do,” George said, laying his hand on Selden's +shoulder.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By Jove! we've got 'em!” ejaculated Gunther.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here they are,” Selden said, with radiant face, seizing hold +of George's hands, which he shook emphatically.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here! let me have one of his hands, won't you?” said +Gunther; “what an all-absorbing fellow you continue to be, I +am sure.”</p> +<p class="pnext">While George gave a hand to each, he told the porter he +wanted a compartment, if such was to be had.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There are none disengaged, sir, except some of those little +ones at the end of the car, which no one wants; but you can have +a section if you like,” the porter replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have that already; but the ladies with me want a good, +large compartment.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have one which we will be most happy to place at your +service,” Gunther said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And rob you of it. That wouldn't be fair.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes it would, as we don't care for it. And it is very +nice and private, and the ladies should have it,” Selden said, +warmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the section which George's tickets assigned to him was +the very next to the apartment in question, it was very clear to +Mr. Selden that no arrangement could have been more fortunate, +and he said so.</p> +<p class="pnext">The three then went to bring the ladies to their room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes pleaded a headache, and George knew that she +wished to be alone, to have a cry all to herself, as most girls +would, when their sweethearts have just left them. So he said +to Elvira:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes had better lie down for a while. If she sleeps +she will feel better.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think so; I will join you presently,” Elvira answered. +And hearing this the gentlemen retired.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes took her hat and gloves and cloak off, and sat at +the window <em class="italics">to enjoy</em> her misery in a thorough womanly fashion. +She fixed her eyes on the far-off, flying wall of verdure, +seeing nothing, not even the tall trees which, close by, indulged +in such grotesque antics, as if forgetting their stately +dignity only to amuse her—making dancing dervishes of themselves, +and converting that portion of the Pacific slope into a +flying gymnasium to perform athletic exercises, rushing on +madly, or even turning somersaults for her recreation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira left her alone with her thoughts, and silently devoted +herself to unpacking their satchels, arranging their toilet things, +traveling shawls and night-dresses and comfortable slippers all +in their proper places. She then took her hat off, and tying a +large black veil over her head (Spanish fashion), told her sister +to sleep if she could, and not to cry, for, after all, Clarence would +soon be in New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you really think so?” said Mercedes' sad voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, I do. Clarence is too energetic and too much +in love to be kept away.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But mamma—you know mamma's feelings.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which will be entirely changed when she hears that Clarence +is no squatter. Leave all that to papa. Come, give me +a kiss, and if you can't sleep, put a veil over your head and +come out. I am going to join the gentlemen.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, darling, you go; but at present I'd rather sit here by +the window.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And she sat there, but the sad blue orbs saw nothing—for +her mental gaze was fixed on that other flying train, that was +rushing away, carrying her beloved with such frightful rapidity. +She felt, she <em class="italics">knew</em>, Clarence was sitting by a car window, thinking +of her, gazing blankly at his misery.</p> +<p class="pnext">And so he was.</p> +<p class="pnext">It is to be feared that his misery would have been greatly +intensified had he caught a glimpse of Messrs. Gunther and +Selden, as they rushed past him on their eastward journey. +This aggravation, however, was spared him. And, as when +he arrived at San Francisco, Charles Gunther and his three +companions had already left for Oregon, Clarence remained, +for the present, in blissful ignorance of the whereabouts of +those two persistent young gentlemen, traveling so near Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">But could magician of old have shown to him in enchanted +mirror the image of his beloved, he would have read in those +expressive eyes how sadly she felt his absence.</p> +<p class="pnext">When she had sat there, motionless, for two hours, Elvira +came to tell her to get ready for dinner, which she declined +doing, saying that she was not a bit hungry. And so the +day passed—the night came—and she did not gladden the +hearts of their traveling companions, by letting them see her +that day. Next day the morning hours also passed. She had +her breakfast in her room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Selden began to feel piqued and Mr. Gunther nervous. +They and Elvira were playing a three-handed game of casino; +George was elsewhere, talking to an acquaintance he had +met on the train.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently, softly and unexpectedly, the sliding-door of the +compartment moved, and Mercedes stood beside Mr. Selden, +sweet as a rosebud, smiling in her most bewitching way. The +blood mounted to Mr. Selden's temples, and those of Mr. +Gunther's assumed the same hue. Then she, of course, +blushed also—for she could never see any one blush without +doing the very same thing herself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira alone kept her composure, and said: “Why, Baby! I +am so glad you feel better. Come, take a hand, for these gentlemen +will cut your sister's throat, or she theirs. We are +having a fierce battle.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right. Will you have me for a partner, Mr. Gunther? +I warn you that I am a very poor player,” said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll have you for a partner, Miss Mercedes, on any terms, +and be most happy to do so,” said Mr. Gunther, with more +emphasis than the occasion required.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That being the case, I am ready,” said she, sitting by her +sister, thereby being diagonally opposite to Mr. Gunther.</p> +<p class="pnext">From that time the five travelers were constantly together, +and the days passed delightfully for all during the entire journey, +especially so to Gunther and Selden. They had no +occasion to complain of Mercedes for staying away. She +most amiably took part in all their games and other amusements, +their walks while waiting at stations, their conversations +during the sentimental and delightful twilight hours. +She had found that both young gentlemen were a most excellent +protection against one another, as neither one was ever +willing to go leaving her alone with the other. As for ardent +loving looks, she knew that the best way of eluding them was +by having recourse to her little trick of dropping her gaze, as +if she must look down for something missing near by. That +little trick came to her from sheer timidity and bashfulness +long ago. In fact, she was unconscious of it, until Corina +Holman had told her that whenever Clarence Darrell was +present she became sly, and did not dare to look at people +squarely in the face—that she was the veriest hypocrite. +Thus she learned that her bashful timidity had been entirely +misunderstood, but she was also made aware that she had +accidentally discovered how to avoid looks which were best +not to meet—best to avoid by simply dropping her gaze. As +her long, curly lashes veiled her eyes with a silken fringe, they +could hide under that cover like two little cherubs crouching +under their own wings.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvi-spanish-land-grants-viewed-retrospectively"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id17">CHAPTER XVI.—<span class="small-caps">Spanish Land Grants Viewed Retrospectively.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">San Francisco seemed deserted, dusty and desolate to Clarence +after his return from the Yosemite and the society of +Mercedes. It was the step from the sublime to the ridiculous; +so he ran off to his Alameda farm and remained there until +the day before the steamer would leave for San Diego. He +then came back late to the dusty city and went in search of +Hubert to take him to dinner.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come for pity's sake to dine with me and talk to me. I +can't eat alone, I am too blue,” said he, going to Hubert's +desk.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, my boy. You are the very man I wanted to see, +for I have been slashing into your stocks like all possessed;” +and he made cuts and thrusts in the air illustrative of a terrible +havoc.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What have you done?” Clarence asked, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, in the first place, I have sold all your Yellow Jacket, +all your Savage and half of your Ophir, and I bought you some +Consolidated Virginia and California. What do you say to +that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not one word, for I suppose you know what you are +about.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I do, and, as a proof of it, I made for you twenty +thousand dollars clear profit by the operation, besides buying +your Consolidated Virginia. So if that last venture is a failure, +I shall not feel I have swamped all your cash.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I should say not. You are the prince of brokers, Berty. +You have not made a single mistake in managing my stock.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes I have. I sold your Crown Point too soon.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But that was my mistake, not yours.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes it was. I ought to have sold half to fool you, and +kept the other half ten days longer to make a million with it. +I was stupidly honest that time.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I forgive you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I don't forgive myself, nor you either.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know that. You are only piling coals of fire on my head. +Now I have to bear twenty thousand more fresh coals, and I +forbearingly say: ‘Pile on Macduff,’ <em class="italics">et cetera</em>. Where shall we +go to dinner—the Poodle Dog or California?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us go to the California House. John keeps the best.”</p> +<p class="pnext">To the California House they went, and had a most excellent +dinner with Chateau Yquem and a bottle of Roderer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you know I like some of our California wines quite +as well as the imported, if not better? I suppose I ought to +be ashamed to admit it, thus showing that my taste is not cultivated. +But that is the simple truth. There is that flavor of +the real genuine grape which our California wines have that is +different from the imported. I think sooner or later our wines +will be better liked, better appreciated,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think so too, but for the present it is the fashion to cry +down our native wines and extol the imported. When foreigners +come to California to tell us that we can make good +wines, that we have soils in which to grow the best grapes, +then we will believe it, not before.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The two friends went after dinner to Clarence's rooms, where +they spent the evening together. Twelve o'clock found them +still busy talking of a thousand things. Next morning Hubert +came to breakfast with Clarence and accompanied him to the +steamer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good-by, old fellow; take care of yourself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good-by, my boy; good luck to you,” said they, with a +lingering grip of the hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope Fred has had a safe journey,” Clarence added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think so, and I hope soon to get his telegram—about his +‘<em class="italics">first impression</em>’—which I shall transmit to you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Once more Clarence was crossing San Francisco Bay—on +to the Golden Gate, on to the broad Pacific.</p> +<p class="pnext">The surrounding scenery recalled Mercedes' image so vividly +to his mind that it made his heart long to see her, and the +entire voyage was painful to him with the keen regret of her +absence.</p> +<p class="pnext">But now, again, on the fourth morning—a lovely one in the +sunlit July—he was once more making his way between Ballast +Point and the sandy peninsula, facing La Playa and then +turning to the right towards San Diego City.</p> +<p class="pnext">San Diego at that time—in July, 1873—be it remembered, +was fresh and rosy with bright hopes, like a healthy child just +trying to stand up, with no sickness or ill-usage to sap its vitality +and weaken its limbs. Only ten months before Col. Scott +had come to say that the Texas Pacific Railroad would be built +through the shortest, most practicable route, making San Diego +the western terminus of <em class="italics">the shortest transcontinental railway</em>. +It was true that on the following winter Congress had done +nothing further to help the Texas Pacific. But many reasons +were given for this singular lack of interest in so important a +matter on the part of Congress. Among the many reasons, +<em class="italics">the true one</em> was not mentioned, hardly suspected; it would +have seemed too monstrous to have been believed all at once; +incredible if revealed without preparing the mind for its reception. +Yes, the mind had to be prepared—slowly educated +first. Now it has been. The process began about that time +and it has continued up to this day, this very moment in which +I write this page. Mr. Huntington's letters have taught us +how San Diego was robbed, tricked, and cheated out of its inheritance. +We will look at these letters further on.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the steamer arrived near enough to the wharf for persons +to be recognized, Clarence's heart leaped with pleasure, +for he saw the well known, tall form of Don Mariano sitting in +his buggy leaning back, looking at the approaching steamer. +A minute after, he saw Victoriano and Everett standing together +near the edge of the wharf ready to receive him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, Mr. Runaway, welcome back!” Victoriano said, clasping +Clarence's hand as soon as he was upon the wharf. He +gave the other hand to Everett, who said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will have to <em class="italics">lazo</em> you to keep you home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think we will have to put a yoke on him,” added Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly; only let me select my yokefellow,” Clarence said, +laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Don Mariano intended returning home that day, Clarence +proposed that Victoriano should drive with Everett, and he go +with Don Mariano, an arrangement which was very satisfactory +to all parties. He was very anxious to unburden his mind, +and Don Mariano's inquiries about his daughters and their +voyage to San Francisco soon gave him the desired opportunity. +He told Don Mariano what George had said, and how firmly +and sincerely Mercedes wished to abide by her mother's wishes. +Don Mariano listened very attentively, then said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I had intended suggesting to you the same thing. Gabriel +has spoken to me about the matter several times, insisting that +all the ladies of our family ought to know that <em class="italics">you</em> paid for +your land. Since we cannot divest them of the resentment +they have towards squatters, let them know the truth. Let +them see that Congress, if it does not always follow moral principles, +can certainly subvert them most arbitrarily and disastrously. +Do you still wish to keep the matter from your +father?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence thought for a moment, then answered:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but only for a short time. I suppose we will have to +define our position as soon as the appeal is dismissed. Before +that comes, I shall explain all to him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">They rode on in silence for a few moments; then Don Mariano +said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, I shall tell my wife that, for the present, the +matter must not be mentioned outside the family or in the +hearing of servants.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thank you,” Clarence said: “it is very painful to me to +find my father adhering so tenaciously to his old conviction +that all Mexican grants not finally confirmed to their owners +are public land, and being so, they are open for settlement to +all American citizens. Thus, he still insists that, being an +American citizen, he has the right to locate on your land or +any other unconfirmed grant. This idea has been the bane of +his life for many years, but for the very reason that in maintaining +it he has caused so much trouble to himself and to others, +he seems to cling to it most pertinaciously. He believes your +land was rejected, and that the rejection will be sustained.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, my land was reported rejected, but it was by some +mistake of the clerks, because at that time the title had not +been either finally rejected or confirmed. It had been before +the Land Commission, and that (of course) decided adversely, +as it generally did. Then I appealed to the United States +District Court. This said that there was not sufficient testimony +to confirm my title, but did not affirm the opinion of the +Land Commission, nor reverse their decision, nor enter a decree +of rejection. It simply left the case in that uncertain condition +until 1870, when I discharged my lawyer and engaged +another to attend to the suit. Then the case was reopened, +and a decree of confirmation was entered. In the meantime, +squatters had been coming, and they now have carried their +appeal to Washington, to the United States Supreme Court, +against me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I see it all now,” Clarence said, thoughtfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And don't you know,” Don Mariano continued, “that I +don't find it in my heart to blame those people for taking my +land as much as I blame the legislators who turned them loose +upon me? And least of all I blame your father, for he has not +killed my cattle, as the others have.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, he couldn't, he wouldn't, he shouldn't do that. +That would be worse than the lowest theft.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is true, but there is a law to protect him if he did; in +fact, to <em class="italics">authorize</em> him to do so. Thus, you see, here again +come <em class="italics">our legislators</em> to encourage again wrong-doing—to offer +a premium to one class of citizens to go and prey upon another +class. All this is wrong. I hold that the legislators of a nation +are the guardians of public morality, the teachers of what is +right and just. They should never enact laws that are not +founded upon rectitude, as Herbert Spencer says, no matter if +expedience or adventitious circumstances might seem to demand +it. But I need not tell you this, for you hold the same +opinion.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed I do, and understanding your rights better than I +did, I think you were too generous in making the offer you +made to the settlers at the meeting with them last year.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It was rather generous, but not as much so as you perhaps +think. I was looking out for myself, too.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard them talk about an appeal that was pending, and +I thought it was your appeal, not theirs.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The position then was this: In the first place, I was willing +to give them a chance of getting good homes for their families, +for I shall always consider that the law has deluded and misled +them, and helped them to develop their natural inclination to +appropriate what belonged to some one else; so they should +bear only half the blame for being squatters—Congress must +bear the other half. Then, in the second place, about the time +I had that meeting, I had just received a letter from George, +written at Washington, telling me how the Solicitor General +had disobeyed the order of the Attorney General, instructing +him to dismiss the appeal against the confirmation of my title. +As I did not know that the Solicitor General was acting thus +out of pique or personal animosity against the Attorney General, +I naturally feared that he was going to make me suffer +other worse outrages, judging by his arbitrary, irresponsible +conduct. I thought that there might be many more years of +delay while waiting for the dismissal of the appeal, and while +thus waiting all my cattle would be killed. Reasoning thus, I +concluded that it would be less ruinous to me to make the concessions +I offered than to wait for tardy justice to restore my +land to me—restore it when all my cattle shall have been destroyed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think your reasoning was correct—it did seem as if the +Solicitor meant mischief. It was fortunate that he dropped +the matter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, for which I am devoutly thankful. I hope the mischief +he has done may soon be corrected by the Attorney +General. Of course, the additional eighteen months of depredations +on my cattle which I have had to endure, must go +unredressed together with all else I have had to suffer at the +hands of those vandals.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“At the hands of our law-givers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly. I shall always lay it at the door of our legislators—that +they have not only caused me to suffer many outrages, +but, with those same laws, they are sapping the very life +essence of public morality. They are teaching the people to +lose all respect for the rights of others—to lose all respect for +their national honor. Because we, <em class="italics">the natives</em> of California, +the Spano-Americans, were, at the close of the war with Mexico, +left in the lap of the American nation, or, rather, huddled +at her feet like motherless, helpless children, Congress <em class="italics">thought</em> +we might as well be kicked and cuffed as treated kindly. +There was no one to be our champion, no one to take our part +and object to our being robbed. It ought to have been sufficient +that by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo the national +faith, the nation's honor was pledged to respect our property. +They never thought of that. With very unbecoming haste, +Congress hurried to pass laws to legalize their despoliation of +the conquered Californians, forgetting the nation's pledge to +protect us. Of course, for opening our land to squatters and +then establishing a land commission to sanction and corroborate +that outrage, <em class="italics">our California delegation</em> then in Washington, +must bear the bulk of the blame. They should have +opposed the passage of such laws instead of favoring their +enactment.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why did they favor such legislation?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because California was expected to be filled with a population +of farmers, of industrious settlers who would have votes +and would want their one hundred and sixty acres each of the +best land to be had. As our legislators thought that we, the +Spano-American natives, had the best lands, and but few votes, +there was nothing else to be done but to despoil us, to take +our lands and give them to the coming population.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But that was outrageous. Their motive was a political +object.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. The motive was that our politicians wanted +<em class="italics">votes</em>. The squatters were in increasing majority; the Spanish +natives, in diminishing minority. Then the cry was raised that +our land grants were too large; that a few lazy, thriftless, ignorant +natives, holding such large tracts of land, would be a hindrance +to the prosperity of the State, because such lazy people +would never cultivate their lands, and were even too sluggish +to sell them. The cry was taken up and became popular. It +was so easy to upbraid, to deride, to despise the conquered +race! Then to despoil them, to make them beggars, seemed +to be, if not absolutely righteous, certainly highly justifiable. +Any one not acquainted with the real facts might have supposed +that there was no more land to be had in California but that which +belonged to the natives. Everybody seemed to have forgotten +that for each acre that was owned by them, there were thousands +vacant, belonging to the Government, and which any one +can have at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. No, +they didn't want Government land. The settlers want the lands +of the lazy, the thriftless Spaniards. Such good-for-nothing, +helpless wretches are not fit to own such lordly tracts of land. +It was wicked to tolerate the waste, the extravagance of the +Mexican Government, in giving such large tracts of land to a +few individuals. The American Government never could have +been, or ever could be, guilty of such thing. No, never! But, +behold! Hardly a dozen years had passed, when this same +economical, far-seeing Congress, which was so ready to snatch +away from the Spanish people their lands (which rightfully +belonged to them) on the plea that such large tracts of land +ought not to belong to <em class="italics">a few</em> individuals, this same Congress, +mind you, goes to work and gives to railroad companies millions +upon millions of acres of land. It is true that such gifts +were for the purpose of aiding enterprises for the good of the +people. Yes, but that was exactly the same motive which +guided the Spanish and the Mexican governments—to give +large tracts of land as an inducement to those citizens who +would utilize the wilderness of the government domain—utilize +it by starting ranchos which afterwards would originate ‘pueblos’ +or villages, and so on. The fact that these land-owners +who established large ranchos were very efficient and faithful +collaborators in the foundation of missions, was also taken into +consideration by the Spanish Government or the viceroys of +Mexico. The land-owners were useful in many ways, though +to a limited extent they attracted population by employing +white labor. They also employed Indians, who thus began to +be less wild. Then in times of Indian outbreaks, the land-owners +with their servants would turn out as in feudal times in +Europe, to assist in the defense of the missions and the sparsely +settled country threatened by the savages. Thus, you see, +that it was not a foolish extravagance, but a judicious policy +which induced the viceroys and Spanish governors to begin +the system of giving large land grants.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I never knew that this was the object of the Spanish and +Mexican governments in granting large tracts of land, but it +seems to me a very wise plan when there was so much land +and so few settlers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Precisely. It was a good policy. In fact, the only one in +those days of a patriarchal sort of life, when raising cattle was +the principal occupation of the Californians.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must say that to establish the Land Commission seems +to me rather a small subterfuge for the Congress of a great +nation to resort to.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What makes this subterfuge a cold-blooded wrong, of premeditated +gravity, is the fact that at the time when we were forced +to submit our titles for revision, and pending these legal proceedings, +we, the land-owners, began to pay taxes, and the squatters +were told that they have the right to take our lands and keep them +until we should prove that we had good titles to them. If the +law had obliged us to submit our titles to the inspection of the +Land Commission, but had not opened our ranchos to settlers +<em class="italics">until it had been proved that our titles were not good</em>, and if, too, +taxes were paid by those who derived the benefit from the land, +then there would be some color of equity in such laws. But +is not this a subversion of all fundamental principles of justice? +Here we are, living where we have lived for fifty or eighty +years; the squatters are turned loose upon us to take our lands, +and we must pay taxes for them, and we must go to work to +prove that our lands are ours before the squatter goes. Why +doesn't the squatter prove first that the land is his, and why +doesn't he pay his own taxes? We, as plaintiffs, have to bear +heavy expenses, and as the delays and evasions of the law are +endless, the squatter has generally managed to keep the land +he took, for we have been impoverished by heavy taxation +while trying to prove our rights, and the squatter has been +making money out of our lands to fight us with. Generally +the Californians have had nothing but land to pay their +taxes, besides paying their lawyers to defend their titles. Thus, +often the lawyer has taken all that was left out of the cost of +litigation and taxes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It makes me heartsick to think how unjustly the native +Californians have been treated. I assure you, sir, that not one +American in a million knows of this outrage. If they did, they +would denounce it in the bitterest language; they would not +tolerate it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They would denounce it perhaps, but they would tolerate +it. I used to think as you do, that the American people +had a very direct influence upon the legislation of the country. +It seems so to hear public speakers in election times, but half +of all their fire goes up in smoke, and Congress is left coolly to +do as it pleases. And the worst of it is, that this very arbitrary +Congress, so impervious to appeals of sufferers, is also led by a +few persistent men who with determination do all things, spoil +or kill good bills, and doctor up sick ones; and then they half-fool +and half-weary the nation into acquiescence, for what can +we do? The next batch that is sent to the Capitol will have +the same elements in it, and repeat history.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It seems to me there ought to be some way to punish men +for being bad or ineffectual legislators, when sense of honor or +dread of criticism fail to make them do their duty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano sighed and shook his head, then in a very sad +voice said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“That should be so, but it is not the case. No, I don't see +any remedy in my life-time. I am afraid there is no help for +us native Californians. We must sadly fade and pass away. +The weak and the helpless are always trampled in the throng. +We must sink, go under, never to rise. If the Americans had +been friendly to us, and helped us with good, protective laws, +our fate would have been different. But to legislate us into +poverty is to legislate us into our graves. Their very contact +is deadly to us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And yet you do not seem to hate us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hate you? No, indeed! Never! The majority of my +best friends are Americans. Instead of hate, I feel great attraction +toward the American people. Their sentiments, their +ways of thinking suit me, with but few exceptions. I am fond +of the Americans. I know that, as a matter of fact, only the +very mean and narrow-minded have harsh feelings against my +race. The trouble, the misfortune has been that the American +people felt perfect indifference towards the conquered few. +We were not in sufficient numbers to command attention. +We were left to the tender mercies of Congress, and the American +nation never gave us a thought after the treaty of peace +with Mexico was signed. Probably any other nation would +have done the same. Why should I then hate them? No, +indeed. But I confess my heart collapses when I think what +might be the fate of my family if I am not able to avert the ruin +which has overtaken the majority of Californians. We have +not been millionaires, but we have never known want. We are +all ill prepared for poverty; and yet this long-delayed justice, +and the squatters crowding me so relentlessly—” he stopped +short, then added: “I am not giving you a cheerful welcome +with my gloomy conversation.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I want you to talk to me frankly and give me your views. +You have told me much that I had never heard before, and +which I am glad to learn. But as for feeling gloomy about the +future of the family, I think a plan that Mr. George Mechlin +and myself have been forming will make things rather better +for the future, and we trust you will approve it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the plan?”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvii-dona-josefa-at-home"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id18">CHAPTER XVII.—<span class="small-caps">Doña Josefa at Home.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Don Mariano had only said, “What is the plan?” a very natural +and simple inquiry, and yet it threw Clarence into something +of a flutter, as it flashed vividly before his mind that the +said <em class="italics">plan</em> was based entirely upon the fate of the Texas Pacific +Railroad, and that as a natural sequence it depended +upon the wisdom, the moral sense and patriotism of Congress. +If Congress acted right and did its duty as the mentor, guardian +and trustee of the people, all would be well. But would +it? Would it, indeed? The past promised nothing to the +future, judging by the light of Don Mariano's experience. But +why should the Texas Pacific not be granted aid? The public +treasure had been lavished to help the Central Pacific, a northern +road—why should the southern people not be entitled to +the same privilege? These thoughts flashed through Clarence's +mind before he answered, then he said, somewhat +timidly:</p> +<p class="pnext">“The plan is to establish a bank in San Diego, with Mr. +George Mechlin for President, and Don Gabriel for Cashier. +The only drawback is, of course, the delay there might be in +constructing the Texas Pacific Railroad—the delay in the growth +of San Diego. As yet, however, we are hopeful, and the prospect +seems good.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The prospect is perfectly good, and I would have entire +confidence in it, if the fate of the railroad did not depend upon +right and just legislation. The Congressmen from the north +do not seem to feel all the interest they should in reviving the +south. They are angry yet. The fact that they coerced back +into the Union the southern people has not appeased them +yet, it seems. I wish Tom Scott would build his road without +Congressional aid. The success of your banking project +must, of course, depend upon the amount of population +in San Diego.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Undoubtedly. And if there is no railroad, there will be +no population. But Mr. Mechlin and myself are ready with +our money, and with the least encouraging sign we start our +bank. I think we will begin at first with two hundred thousand +dollars. Mr. Mechlin says he can subscribe twenty-five +or thirty thousand dollars, and I will put the balance in, subscribing +thirty thousand for Don Gabriel, twenty-five thousand +for Victoriano and twenty-five thousand for Everett, with ninety +thousand for myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You must be prudent in incurring risks.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am. I have more than two hundred thousand that I can +put in this bank without troubling my government bonds or my +farm.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence then explained to Don Mariano his financial affairs.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano smiled as he said: “I had no idea you were +so well off.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I expect to make a fortune out of my Arizona mines,” said +he, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take care. Do not put any of your government bonds in +them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed, I shall not. The interest on those bonds gives me +nearly thirty-five thousand dollars per year, and this income is +for—” here Clarence blushed and was silent.</p> +<p class="pnext">“To take care of your wife,” Don Mariano said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, sir; for that alone. But do you think Doña Josefa +will object to me after you explain my position?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“As her only objection is that she thinks you are squatters, +she would be very unreasonable should she hold the same objections +after she knows that you are not.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You make me very happy telling me that. I hope you will +let me know soon what answer she gives to you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. You can come to-morrow.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have some little packages that Mrs. Mechlin sends. I +can bring them this evening—the ladies might wish to see the +contents.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, they will. They wouldn't be women if they +didn't. They'll want you to relate all the incidents of the voyage, +too, and the trip to the Yosemite. If you can, come +this evening. I'll tell them you are coming.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thank you, sir.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett and Victoriano overtook them now as they entered +the valley.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Say, Clary,” Everett called out, “don't you want to get out +here and change seats with Tano?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll take him home,” Don Mariano answered; and they all +drove toward the Darrell house.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the door were Mr. Darrell and Alice. Immediately after, +Darrell came out to greet his son. He was rather cordial to +Don Mariano, and asked him to come in and take lunch. This +was so very unexpected to all his hearers, that, with the exception +of Don Mariano, all showed their surprise. This kind +invitation, however, was politely declined—whereupon Victoriano, +pretending to feel slighted because he was not invited, +tossed his head at Clarence and Everett, and marched majestically +towards his father's carriage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett overtook him, and would not let him get in, insisting +upon his remaining to luncheon. Victoriano then indicating +that he was entirely pacified, remained, perfectly happy, +knowing his seat would be near Alice, and that was the allurement, +but he said to Tisha, as she came to set a plate for +him:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your cooking is so good, Tisha, that I always come sneaking +around, begging for an invitation, for I am sure you have +something nice to give us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“La massa! and right welcome ye are, too, by everybody in +this 'ere family, and I knows it exactly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And Tisha winked to herself in the pantry, indicating to +the crockery on the shelves that she knew why Massa Tano +liked her cooking, “and Miss Alice knows it, God bless her,” +said Tisha, nodding her head to the rows of preserves and +pickle jars, in sheer exultation, for there was nothing so interesting +to Tisha on the face of the earth as a love affair.</p> +<p class="pnext">“<em class="italics">All the world love the lover</em>,” says Emerson, and Tisha +could certify to this aphoristic truth, for who more humble +than Tisha? And yet her heart went headlong to the lover, +whoever he might be. Therefore, a love affair in the Darrell +family was to Tisha perfectly entrancing. She had been in a +state of undefined bliss ever since her perceptive organs and +other means of information had indicated to her that <em class="italics">Clarence +was in love</em>! She had taken upon herself to watch and see that +the affair progressed and ended happily.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the evening Clarence proceeded to deliver the packages +sent by Elvira to her mother and sisters.</p> +<p class="pnext">With beating heart he timidly ascended the steps of the +front veranda of the Alamar house, for he did not feel entirely +certain that Doña Josefa's objections would be withdrawn. +He was not kept in suspense about the matter, +however, as now, preceded by woolly Milord, the handsome +matron herself came forward to meet him, extending +her hand in welcome most gracious. She never had +seemed to him so handsome, so regally beautiful. He thought +that he had been right in imagining Juno must have looked +like her. And when she smiled, as she extended her hand to +him, he thought that such was surely the smile, the manner +and the beauty of a goddess.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am so glad to welcome you, Mr. Darrell,” said she, “and +knowing that you wish to speak to me, and as I, too, wish to +speak with you alone, I thought I would meet you here by +myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Milord barked, wagged his tail in token of friendship, and +sat up to listen.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are very kind,” Clarence said, placing the packages +on a table near him, not knowing, however, what else to say.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sit down,” Doña Josefa said, pushing one of the large arm-chairs +for Clarence to sit near. “And let me begin our conversation +by apologizing for the very wrong, very unjust opinion +I have had of you. Believe me, it gives me great pleasure to +know I was mistaken.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Her voice, her manner, were more gracious than her words, +and Clarence thought that it was not to be wondered that the +daughters were so very charming.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am the one who should apologize,” he hastened to reply; +“I ought to have asked Don Mariano to explain my position +to you before.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish you had, for that would have saved us many anxious +thoughts. But let us not regret the past too much, only enough +to cause us to appreciate the present. I understand how you +felt, not wishing to seem disrespectful to your father, and yet +not agreeing with him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It has been the source of very painful feelings to me to +see my father so misled, but I have found very great comfort +in the fact that my mother agrees with me. She told +me she would never come down if I did not pay for the +land.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; Mariano told me this, and I beg of you to convey to +her my regrets at having been in error about this matter. Will +you do so, please?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, madam; with great pleasure.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I trust that her good influence will be of great assistance to +you in persuading your father to change his views.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I hope so; in fact, I feel pretty sure that, more or less +warmly, all of my brothers and sisters will agree with me, especially +Everett and Alice. Another fact, also, is in my favor, +that my father promised to Don Mariano, when he first took +up the land, that he would pay for it if the Courts decided +against the settlers. That promise, I think, will have a good +effect, for he always keeps his word. When the appeal is dismissed +I shall remind him of it. In the meantime I shall +watch my opportunities to conciliate him, for I feel sure +he will resent my having paid for the land without his consent.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a pity. I am very sorry for that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is unpleasant that he should take so decided a view of +so clear a subject, but I feel perfectly justified in acting as I did. +What I do regret sincerely is that you and—and Miss Mercedes +should not have known the truth sooner,” said Clarence, +reddening to the roots of his hair, for he felt that he was +touching on most delicate ground; with anxious, beating heart +he waited for her reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">Her face flushed a little. Was it pride, or was it because +the heart of woman must always flutter when in her presence +the subject of love is approached, in which ever direction it +may be, and no matter if the snows of eighty winters rest +placidly on her brow? Love is woman's special province—she +has, or has had, or will have, power there. Man might take, +and absolutely appropriate, monopolize and exclude her from +money-making, from politics and from many other pursuits, +made difficult to her by man's tyranny, man's hindrances, +man's objections—but in the realms of love he is not the +absolute dictator, not the master. He must sue, he must wait, +he must be patient. Yes, the lord of creation often has to take +snubbing quite meekly, for he can't help it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence knew all this, but he saw Doña Josefa smile, and +grew brave.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; Mercedes, poor child, was very unhappy, and it went +to my heart like a knife to send her away, but I deemed it to +be my duty—I hoped it would be for the best.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so it was. You did right.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but it did not enter into my calculations that you were +to jump on board the steamer,” said she, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence's face and ears became crimson.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope you have forgiven me for it,” he stammered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose I must,” said she, still laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I assure you I had no idea of doing such a thing, but when +I saw her going I didn't care what I did.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And as you received some dispatches, you thought it was +best to dispatch other matters as well.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, after all, she left everything for <em class="italics">you</em> to dispatch. My +fate is in your hands.”</p> +<p class="pnext">It was now Doña Josefa's turn to blush.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought that George and Mariano had decided that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, indeed. It is all left to you. Please be merciful,” +he pleaded, feeling very nervous, for he heard steps and voices +approaching from through the hall.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What shall I say?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Say <em class="italics">yes</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes,” she said, smiling, with a kind look in her beautiful +eyes.</p> +<p class="pnext">He glanced quickly toward the front door, and seeing no +one in sight, dropped on his knees, and seizing her hand, covered +it with hurried and vehement kisses, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thanks! thanks!”</p> +<p class="pnext">And all before she knew what he was about.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Impetuous boy! is that the way you rushed and assaulted +my poor little Mercedes?” said she, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have said yes—God bless you for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, yes to what?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! your heart will tell you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is that? What about the heart?” asked Don Mariano, +standing in the door. “This looks like love-making. I +am interested. Let me hear a little of it,” said he, pulling +after him a chair, to sit between Clarence and his wife.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is love-making, only it is by proxy, and I am to guess at +things without being told,” said she, still laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was greatly embarrassed. He knew he had not +formally asked for the hand of Mercedes in the serious manner +that the subject merited, but he had been carried away by +his fears, then by his hopes, and the matter was launched before +he could scarcely say how. When for months past he +had thought, time and again, of a probable interview with +Doña Josefa, he had imagined himself talking to that queenly +lady in his most stately Spanish. But now he had taken hold +of Cervantes' language—I may say, jumped into it, just as he +had jumped on the steamer's deck, thinking of no difficulties +in the way, except that they must be overcome in order to +reach Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">He gave a most appealing look to Don Mariano, whose kind +heart immediately responded by saying to his wife:</p> +<p class="pnext">“If it is love-making, and you are to guess at it, there won't +be much delay, for no woman was ever slow to guess such matters. +I know <em class="italics">you</em> understood me very quickly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hear him! but please do not learn such frightful lessons +in vanity and conceit,” said she, laughing again, but blushing +also.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know she understood what I meant, when I would ride +eighty miles on horseback for the pleasure of serenading her. +To do that, or jump aboard the steamer after it is under way, +means about the same thing, I think.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano kept talking in that strain until Clarence +recovered his composure.</p> +<p class="pnext">He then said: “I have been your ambassador before this +queen, and her majesty has granted your petition. So you have +nothing more to do now than to fall on your knees and kiss +her hands.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Whereupon, down went Clarence again on his knees, and +seizing her hand, kissed it warmly and repeatedly, in spite of +Doña Josefa's protestations, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“That will do. Once is enough—once is enough. Reserve +your kisses for younger hands.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll warrant he has plenty more in reserve,” Don Mariano +said, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">And it was true, for Clarence was so happy that he could +have kissed the entire Alamar family—all, all—irrespective of +age or sex.</p> +<p class="pnext">The days now passed pleasantly and peacefully enough at +the Alamar rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano knew that he would have to go through +many disagreeable scenes with the squatters when the appeal +should be dismissed, but as the law would be on his side +<em class="italics">finally</em>, he confidently hoped to see the end of his troubles, +intending to allow the squatters to keep their homes, provided +only that they would fence their crops and pay their own +taxes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence reconciled himself to wait until the fall to take +that ring which Mercedes had told him to bring himself. This +would be the most judicious plan, as he would thus take the +necessary time to have the mines prospected and to decide +about their purchase, before going to New York. In the +meanwhile he worked in the garden, fenced and prepared +ground for planting grapevines and fruit trees. He read and +wrote love letters, and passed nearly all of his evenings at the +Alamar house, holding Milord, who always came to be held by +him as soon as he arrived.</p> +<p class="pnext">The telegram from Fred Haverly came in due time, a few +words only, but how exhilarating they were to Clarence, +making his pulse beat high.</p> +<p class="pnext">It read thus:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Prospect splendid. Far better than described. Have +written to-day. Hurrah!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Like the telegram, Fred's letter came promptly in the early +part of August.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ledge was so wide, Fred said, that the miners had sunk +their prospect shaft in the center of the vein, and consequently +all the rock taken out was a high-grade ore. That he was +going to run two drifts, and would then have a more correct +idea of the character of the mine, its volume, formation, etc. +Only a small portion of the hanging wall was visible at the +entrance, as the shaft went immediately into the very heart of +the broad vein.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But,” Fred added, “If the mine proves to be one-tenth +as good as it seems, ‘there are millions in it,’ literally.”</p> +<p class="pnext">So Clarence must make up his mind to wait developments.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the meantime the settlers had harvested their crops of +hay and grain, and were hauling them to town. Don Mariano, +as a matter of course, had paid dearly for these same +crops, with the sacrifice of his fine cows, besides very heavy +taxes. He had sent half of his cattle away to the sierra, and +those left had been as carefully guarded as possible, but still +the dumb brutes would be attracted by the green grain, and +would obey the law of nature, to go and eat it, in utter disregard +of the “no fence law.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus, every night the fusilade of the law-abiding settlers +would be heard, as they, to protect <em class="italics">their</em> “<em class="italics">rights under the law</em>,” +would be shooting the Don's cattle all over the rancho. In +vain did he, or his sons and servants, ride out to find who +fired. There was never a man to be seen with a gun or rifle in +his hands; it never could be proved that any one of these +peaceful farmers had fired a shot. The cattle were killed, but +who had done it no one could say. Day after day the <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> +would come in and report the number of cattle found +shot, dead or wounded, that morning, and Gabriel would make +a note of the number; at the end of the month he would add +these figures, and the Don had the sad satisfaction of knowing +how many of his cattle were killed <em class="italics">under the law</em>. For although +the law did not enjoin upon any one to kill cattle in this manner, +the effect was the same as if it had said so plainly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think Southern California isn't such a very dry country +as people try to make it out. The settlers on this rancho, I +reckon, will realize nice little sums on their crops this year,” +Mr. Darrell observed at breakfast one morning.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And with their little sums they should pay the Don for the +cattle they have shot. It is a shame to take his land, have +him pay taxes, and then kill his cattle also,” replied Mrs. +Darrell. “Those heartless people keep me awake sometimes +with their cattle-shooting. I think the Don and his +family are too kind to bear all these daily (and nightly) outrages +so patiently.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you had given it up as a bad job to be the Don's +champion, Mrs. Darrell,” said her husband.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If by being his champion I could save his cattle there +would be no danger of giving up my championship. What I +regret is that my sympathy should be so useless.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind, mother, the Don will soon have the power to +drive all this <em class="italics">canaille</em> out of his rancho,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you include me with the <em class="italics">canaille</em>?” asked Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, father, I do not. I suppose you have not forgotten +you promised Don Mariano to pay for the land you located +when the title should be approved.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When there is no more <em class="italics">dispute</em> about it,” Darrell explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I understood you had said that when the government did +not dispute it. We all know that the squatters will dispute it +as long as they can find lawyers, who for a fee will fight against +right and justice,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will keep to what I said—but I am not going to +have my words construed to suit everybody,” Darrell said, +doggedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How is the Don to have power to drive off the settlers, +Clary? Tell us,” Webster inquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you tell him, Clary. He'll go and tell it to the <em class="italics">squatters</em>,” +Willie interposed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And since when did you learn to call the settlers squatters, +Master Willie? Ain't you a squatter yourself?” asked Mr. +Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I'm not. Am I, mamma?” asked Willie.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope not, my dear. If I thought any one in this family +were to deserve such a name I would not have come down to +this place,” Mrs. Darrell replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is a squatter, anyhow, mamma?” Clementine inquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“A squatter is a person who locates a land claim on +land that belongs to some other person,” Mrs. Darrell explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“On land that other persons say belongs to them, but +which land, as no one knows to whom it belongs, it is free to +be occupied by any American citizen,” Mr. Darrell added +with emphasis.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There you are again mixing the wilful squatter with the +honest settler, who pre-empts his land legitimately. The dividing +line between the squatter and the settler is very clear to +any one who honestly wants to see it,” Mrs. Darrell said, and +three or four of her children started to explain how well they +did see that line.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is as plain as the nose on your face,” Willie's voice said +in a high key. “The honest settler only pre-empts government +land, but the squatter goes into anybody's land before +he knows who has title.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bravo!” cried Everett; “you got it straight this time.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then a squatter is a land thief?” Clementine inquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a severe term,” Alice observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But isn't it true?” Clementine argued.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, because the squatter might not <em class="italics">intend</em> to steal. He +might mistakenly take land which belongs to some one else. +The intention is what makes the action a theft or not,” Mrs. +Darrell explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why should they make such mistakes? Ain't somebody +there to say to whom the land belongs?” Master Willie +inquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but that somebody might not be believed, Master +Willie, and there is where the shoe pinches,” Webster explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah!” was Willie's exclamation, and he became thoughtful.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I give it up,” said Clementine with a sigh, making them +all laugh.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a very wise resolve,” Darrell observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I've got it, papa,” Willie's voice again was heard saying.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, what have you got?” his father asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The government ought to say first to whom the land belongs, +and not let anybody take a single acre until the government +says it is public land. Isn't that the way you say, +Clarence?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, you are quoting Clarence. I thought it was your own +original idea you were giving us,” Darrell said, and all laughed +at Willie.</p> +<p class="pnext">But he held his ground, saying; “It is Clarence's idea, +but I only understood it this minute, so now it is mine.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is right, Willie. That is the way correct ideas are +disseminated and take root,” Everett said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And erroneous ones, too,” Darrell added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which is the correct, papa?” asked Willie.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your mind is even more inquisitive than usual this morning, +Willie,” said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Suppose it is, do you object to it?” Willie queried.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think you had better be a lawyer,” Lucy suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I mean to be. Then I will be the Don's lawyer.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But suppose he don't want you?” asked Webster.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But he will, for I will be honest.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will he want you if you are stupid, only because you are +honest?” asked Clementine.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hate girls, they talk so silly,” said Willie, again bringing +the laugh on himself.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviii-at-newport"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id19">CHAPTER XVIII.—<span class="small-caps">At Newport.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Mr. George Mechlin and traveling companions had a most +delightful journey across the continent in spite of the hot +weather.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Lawrence Mechlin and wife came to New York to meet +George's bride and her sister and take them to Long Branch, +where they had been sojourning for the last two months.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Lawrence Mechlin was most favorably impressed with +her nephew's wife and her sister. The two young beauties captivated +her at once. She was enthusiastic.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My dear,” said she after dinner, addressing Elvira, “before +I saw you and your sister I had been deliberating in my mind +whether we should not go directly to our cottage in Newport +and spend the remainder of the summer there. But now I +think we had better go to Long Branch first, and then, unless +you wish to visit Saratoga, we will go to Newport. How will +that do?” She looked at George.</p> +<p class="pnext">George smiled. He knew his aunt must be much pleased +to put herself to the trouble of this traveling in hot weather. +He replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sure these young ladies will be most happy to follow +you, aunt.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you all get too tired. And this reminds me that +people who have been in the cars for ten days should have some +rest. The day will be cool to-morrow; we need not go back to +Long Branch until the day after,” said the senior Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We do not intend going to-morrow. We have something +to do in town yet,” said Mrs. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Some shopping, I suppose,” Mr. Lawrence observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly,” his wife assented.</p> +<p class="pnext">After Mrs. Mechlin accompanied Elvira and Mercedes to +their respective apartments, she returned to the library, where +her husband and nephew were engaged in conversation. There +was in Mrs. Mechlin's step and manner a degree of pleased +elasticity, an amiable buoyancy of contented alacrity, which +betokened that her mind was in a state of subdued pleasurable +excitement which was to her very enjoyable. She came to +George and kissed him twice, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must repeat my kiss and congratulations, dear George. +Your wife is perfection. Where in the world did such beauties +grow? I assure you I am perfectly carried away by those two +girls. No wonder you were so impatient to get married. They +will be the rage next winter, and I shall give several dinners +and receptions in honor of your wife, of course.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are always so kind to me, dear aunt.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No more than I ought to be, but this time pleasure and +duty will go together. I know I shall be proud to present my +beautiful niece to New York society. Her manners are exquisite. +She is lovely. She will be greatly admired, and justly so.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will have to arrange for your parties and dinners to be +in December and February, because George is going to Washington +in January, and the young ladies will take that opportunity +to visit the Capital with him,” said Mr. Mechlin, senior.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a pity. Couldn't they go in December?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, because George's business is with the Attorney General, +and he wrote to me that he would not be ready until +January. However, January is six months off yet. For the +present, you have enough on your hands with your plans for +the summer.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is very true. We will order some summer things to +be made immediately. But I feel quite sure that we can find +imported dresses ready made that will suit. I saw some lovely +batists and grenadines at Arnold & Constable's, just from +Paris, also beautiful embroidered muslins at Stewart's. We +will see to-morrow and be ready to return the day after.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Life at Long Branch in the Mechlin cottage was very delightful +to Elvira and Mercedes. When they had been there +about two weeks, Mr. Robert Gunther appeared on the scene, +and next day Mr. Arthur Selden followed. As they were old +friends of the Mechlins, Mrs. Mechlin thought it was a natural +thing that these two young gentlemen, on their return from +their travels, should come to see her at Long Branch.</p> +<p class="pnext">“In a day or two we are going to Newport, young gentlemen,” +she said. “You had better join our party and we'll all +go together.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall be most happy. My mother and sister have been +with friends in the White Mountains, but will be at Newport +next week, so this arrangement will suit me,” said Gunther.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It will suit me, also, as I promised my mother and sisters +I should be at Newport in two weeks. Saratoga is too hot for +me. I left them there under father's care. He likes Saratoga,” +Mr. Selden said.</p> +<p class="pnext">If their sojourn at Long Branch had seemed so delightful +to Elvira and Mercedes, their pleasures increased ten-fold at +Newport. The Mechlin villa, shaded by tall elms and poplars, +and surrounded by shrubbery and flowers, with a beautiful +lawn and fountains in front, facing the ocean, and well-kept +walks and arbors in different places on the grounds, was certainly +a charming abode, fit to please the most fastidious taste. +Then the drives, croquet playing, boat sailing and promenades, +were also much enjoyed by our two little Californians. In the +evenings, music and dancing would add variety to their pleasures, +until such life seemed to them too charming to be real.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And is this life repeated every summer, year after year?” +asked Mercedes one evening as in the coming twilight she was +sitting with Mr. Bob Gunther in a cozy bower of roses located +on a little knoll in the grounds of the Gunther villa. They +were looking at the gay equipages which drove by. Gunther +sighed as he answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you like this life?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very much, but perhaps because it is a novelty to me. +However, I am never tired of things that I once like, so I suppose +I would like it always.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She did not look at Gunther; her attention was all given to +the beautiful carriages driving by. If she had looked at him +she would have seen the intensity of his passion in the workings +of his features. For a moment the struggle with himself +was terrible; but controlling his voice all he could, he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“You can have this life if you wish, and continue in the +winters in a beautiful residence in New York or in Paris, +should you desire it. You know it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I do not. I have no fairy god-mother to give me palaces. +Come, let us go. Where is everybody?” said she, hurrying +out of the arbor, looking about the grounds for Elvira +and Miss Gunther, who had but a moment before been near +her. “Ah! there they are; let us go to them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do I frighten you? or am I tiresome?” said he, pale to +the lips, following her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Neither; but young ladies who—who are—I mean any +young lady, should not have such <em class="italics">tete-á-tetes</em> with fascinating +young gentlemen in rosy bowers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Young ladies who are—what?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who are judicious.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Were you not going to say ‘who are engaged?’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I had, I might not have said the truth, <em class="italics">strictly</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, in Heaven's name, tell me the truth! Are you engaged?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ask me no questions, and I'll tell thee no lies.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are cruel; you are trifling with me!”</p> +<p class="pnext">She stopped and looked up quickly into his eyes. For a +moment she hesitated, then resolutely said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Gunther, I like you very much. Don't talk to me like +this. I want to find pleasure in your society, but I shall not if +you talk so to me. I am not and have never been cruel, and +it never entered my head to trifle with you—never!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Forgive me this time. I shall never offend again.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He looked so distressed that Mercedes felt very sorry for +him. She would have comforted him if she could. They +walked in silence a few steps, but as he still looked pale, she +did not wish the other ladies to see him. They were walking +towards the house. Pointing to a narrow path leading towards +the seashore, she said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“That path goes to your boat-house, I suppose.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes. I have a new boat; would you like to see it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is it far? You see it is getting late.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We can come back in ten minutes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Truly? No longer than ten minutes?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not a second longer unless you wish it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come,” said she, turning quickly into the little path, and +he followed her. She did not care a straw to see the boat, but +she wanted to give him time to get back the color to his face. +She walked so fast down the hill; she almost ran. She looked +back; he was following close. She began to laugh and started +to run. He ran after her, and they did not stop until they got +to the beach.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How long is it since we started?” she asked. He looked +at his watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not quite two minutes,” he answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I beg your pardon for running, obliging you to run, but I +felt like it when I saw the blue water. It reminded me of home, +of San Diego.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No apology is needed. If it gave you pleasure to run, I +am glad you did so.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“One look only, and then we must go back. Perhaps we +had better return; I hear horses coming,” she said, and at the +same time Mr. Selden and his youngest sister came down by +the boat-house at a gallop. His face flushed and became pale, +but he lifted his hat as he passed. Gunther did the same, in +answer to Miss Selden's salutation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us return. More riders might be passing,” said Mercedes, +and began to walk back.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What! without seeing the boat?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It will be dark inside the house. I'll come some other +time, earlier.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you promise me that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. You see, we can't run as fast up hill; it will +take more than two minutes to return.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Again the galloping of horses was heard, and Selden, with +his sister, passed on their way back just as Mercedes and Gunther +reached the bank at the edge of the lawn and sat down to +rest.</p> +<p class="pnext">Selden's sister had noticed how he flushed and how livid he +became a minute after, and faithfully reported the fact to her +vigilant mamma as soon as she got home. Arthur would be +watched now. His mamma knew that he was a millionaire and +considered “a catch.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The Seldens had been abroad many years, the greater +time in England, and had acquired some English habits, one +of which was to dine late. That evening Arthur did not come +down to dinner until half-past eight o'clock. He was afraid +he would be questioned regarding the young lady with Robert +Gunther. He felt too angry with his friend to hear his name +spoken. But it was unavoidable. As soon as he took his +seat at the table his mother asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who was the lady with Robert on the beach?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“This evening as we rode by his boat-house,” explained his +sister.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Were they coming out of the boat-house?” asked the elder +sister. Arthur's lips became white again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be alarmed. They did not go into the boat-house,” +said he, sneeringly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I? I alarmed? It seems to me you are the one alarmed. +I might say frightened,” she replied, reddening like a peony, +trembling with anger, as she well understood her brother +meant to allude to her well known fondness for Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who is the lady, any way? I ask,” reiterated Mrs. Selden.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She is George Mechlin's sister-in-law,” Arthur replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! That is the beauty I hear half a dozen fellows are +raving about,” said Miss Selden, to pique her brother.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is she so very pretty, Arthur?” asked the younger sister.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I never saw any woman so beautiful in all my life,” he answered, +with dogged resolution as if about to pull the string of +his shower bath.</p> +<p class="pnext">The mother and daughters exchanged looks. They understood +it all now. Poor Arthur, he, too, was raving.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By-the-by, I met Mechlin in the street to-day, and he +asked if any one was sick in our family,” observed Mr. Selden, +senior.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I understand. We will call to-morrow,” Mrs. Selden said, +sententiously. “We will see the beauties.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And they did. When they were in their carriage riding +home, Mrs. Selden said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sorry for Arthur if he is in love with that girl. I fear +he will never get over it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So much the better if he marries her,” said the younger +sister.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but if he does not, he'll never have any heart left.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you suppose she would refuse him?” said the elder sister, +haughtily.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know; I must have a talk with Arthur.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She had a talk with Arthur, and when he saw evasion would +be useless, he told her all about his love and why he believed +it hopeless, judging by what he heard George say.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But if she is not positively engaged to that Darrell, why +should you fear him more than you fear Gunther?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I believe she loves him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps. But we are not sure of it. Moreover, he is far +off in California, and you are here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Arthur shook his head despondingly, but, nevertheless, he +was pleased to hear his mother say that they must entertain +those two Californians, and Mrs. Mechlin would think it was +all intended as a compliment to herself.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Gunthers being more intimate with the Mechlins, should +not be outdone by the Seldens in courtesy to these two ladies +(at least such was the opinion expressed by Robert to his +mother), and thus a day hardly passed without some entertainment +for their amusement.</p> +<p class="pnext">Arthur closed his eyes to the future and let himself float +down this stream of sweet pleasures, knowing that they were +but a dream, and yet for that reason more determined to drink +the last drop of that nectar so intoxicating, and enjoy being +near her, within the sound of her voice, within the magic circle +of her personality. The thought that he had seen her with Gunther +rambling on the beach had been at first very bitter and +disconcerting, but when he had learned that she had intended +going to see the boat, but changed her mind, he consoled +himself, and more easily yet, when he observed that Gunther +and other admirers made no more progress as suitors than he +did himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Misery loves company, sure. Thus it will be seen that Mr. +Arthur Selden did not deceive himself with any very great +hopes of success; still, such is the complexity of man's aspirations +and man's reasoning, that he determined to speak to +Mercedes of his love, for he had never done so—had never +offered himself to her. He would know the worst from her +own lips. So one morning in the month of September, when +George Mechlin and his uncle had gone to New York on business +on account of Jay Cook's failure, Selden saw the two +Misses Mechlin out driving on the road towards Fort Adams. +He concluded that the two Misses Mechlin must be going to +call on the officers' wives, stationed at the Fort, and Mercedes +must be alone at home. He immediately took a side road +thus to avoid meeting the Mechlins and drove directly to the +Mechlin villa. He found Mercedes alone in the library, where +she had gone for a book to take to her room.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Arthur Selden,” said the tall servant at the library door, +and behind his broad shoulders peeped Arthur's red whiskers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I took the liberty of following the servant,” said he, “because +I hoped we would be less interrupted here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Undoubtedly,” replied she, laughing and offering him a +chair; “very logical deduction.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't laugh at me, please,” said he, blushing; “I know +you are thinking that others might follow you here as well as I, +and it is so, but you see, Miss Mercedes, I am in despair at +times. I have been wishing to speak to you alone, but I never +have a chance.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, Mr. Selden, you see me very often.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but not alone, not where I could tell you all I feel for +you, and beg you not to drive me to despair. You know I +have loved you from the first instant I saw you. Can I hope +ever to win your love? May I hope, or is my love hopeless?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Selden, I like you very much, but please do not ask +me to love you. It is not possible.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not? Is it because I am not handsome like Bob +Gunther?” said he, with a painful sneer. “Believe me, I shall +be a devoted, loving husband; none can love you more passionately +and devotedly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not doubt it. But I cannot. Please don't ask me, +and don't hate me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Robert Gunther,” said the tall waiter, and Bob's broad +brow and good-natured smile shone at the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">The delightful sojourn at Newport was now over. The +Mechlin family were again at their town residence in New York +City. Elvira and Mercedes, as it was their habit, were that +evening having their cosy chat before going to bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So Clarence will be here next month,” Elvira remarked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, he says he will spend Christmas with us, and if we'll +let him, he will go with us to Washington.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That will be delightful. I suppose Gunther and your +other numerous slaves will disappear when he arrives.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They ought not, for I have never encouraged any one any +more than if I had been married already.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you are not, my darling, and that makes a very great +difference with young gentlemen.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why is it that Mrs. Mechlin does not approve of my being +engaged to Clarence?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because she had set her heart upon your marrying Gunther, +who is a great favorite of hers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sorry to disappoint her, for she has been so sweet and +good to me, but I can't help it. Here are the letters I got +from home. I'll leave them for you to read, and you let me +have yours. I hear George coming up stairs, I must go to +my room.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, pussy, haven't you had a nice frolic at Newport?” +said George, stopping Mercedes at the door and making her +come back into the room again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed I have,” Mercedes answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And haven't you broken hearts as if they were old cracked +pottery?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They must have been, to be broken so easily. But I guess +I didn't hurt any very much.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed you did. Besides Gunther and Selden who are +given up as incurable, there are three or four others very badly +winged. Poor fellows, and friends of mine, too. It is like an +epidemic, uncle says.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence will soon be here and stop the epidemic from +spreading any further,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know about that. But I am glad he is coming. +When will he be here?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“About Christmas—perhaps about the twentieth of December,” +Mercedes answered. “He says he will telegraph to you +the day he starts.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall be glad to see him; he is a noble fellow,” said he, +and embraced Mercedes, saying good night.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xix-in-new-york"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id20">CHAPTER XIX.—<span class="small-caps">In New York.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Cards for Mrs. Mechlin's ball, on the 27th of December, +had been out for two or three days, when, on the 20th of that +same month and year—1873—Clarence arrived at the American +metropolis. He was in a high state of excitement. He +could scarcely repress his impatience to see Mercedes, and yet +he exerted sufficient self-control to go first to Tiffany and purchase +the finest diamond ring in the establishment. He even +was patient enough to wait until the diamond which he selected +was reset in a ring from which an emerald was removed. When +the exchange was made and the jewel paid for, he told the +driver to hasten to Mr. Mechlin's house.</p> +<p class="pnext">George and his uncle had just come from their office when +Clarence arrived, so he met them in the hall as he entered. +George presented him to his uncle, and the three walked into +the library. The cordial manner in which Clarence was received +by Mr. Mechlin, demonstrated clearly how favorably +this gentleman was impressed.</p> +<p class="pnext">After conversing with him, while George went to carry the +news of his arrival up-stairs, Mr. Mechlin, when George returned, +invited him to dine with them, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I feel as if you were not quite a stranger to us, having +heard George speak of you so often, and always most kindly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence hesitated, but George insisted, and he remained. +Then the two friends sat down to chat while the ladies came +down. In a few minutes Clarence had given a synopsis of +home news.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And what about mining news?” George asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Splendid,” was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">And Clarence quickly told him how rich his mines had +turned out, and how he had already sold six hundred thousand +dollars' worth of ore, and had an offer of one million dollars +for the mines, but the Haverly brothers advised him not to +sell. That he thought of putting up crushing mills in the +spring.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin went into his wife's room without knocking—an +omission indicative of great pre-occupation of mind—and +his words proved that to be the case.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But that young fellow is splendid, wife.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What young fellow?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That young Darrell, from California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! where did you see him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Down stairs. He is talking with George in the library, +and I asked him to take dinner with us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He might be splendid—but never superior to Bob Gunther—never!” +said Mrs. Mechlin, with firmness.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps not superior, mentally or morally, but he is certainly +much handsomer.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Handsomer than Bob? The idea!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You wait until you see him,” said Mr. Mechlin, going into +his room to get ready for dinner.</p> +<p class="pnext">If Mercedes' hands had not trembled so much she would have +been ready to come down stairs much sooner.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you had accepted aunt's offer to get you a maid you +would not labor under so many difficulties,” said Elvira, coming +into Mercedes' room as she was going down stairs. “You +have never dressed yourself without some one to help you at +home, whether it was my squaw, your squaw, or mamma's, or +the other girls, or whether it was your own Madame Halier—you +always had an attendant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so,” Mercedes said, ready to cry. “I am so utterly +useless when—when—sometimes—but how could I accept +a maid? It would have been an extravagance after the +many dresses and other things bought for me. I couldn't.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish I had thought of sending my maid to help you,” +said Elvira, coming to Mercedes' assistance.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish so, too, now; but I didn't think I wanted her, +as Mrs. Mechlin's maid had dressed my hair. What I dread +is that your aunt will be present when I meet him, and—and +as she don't like him—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nonsense. She likes Bob Gunther, that's all. But she +will not go down before we do if she knows Clarence is here. +She will give you time to meet him first.”</p> +<p class="pnext">With Elvira's assistance Mercedes at last was ready, and with +trembling knees, which scarcely supported her light weight, she +managed to walk down stairs.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't run so fast, dear. I want you by me,” said she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take my arm, old lady,” said Elvira, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">The rustle of silk approaching put Clarence in a tremor—making +him forget what he was saying.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira entered, and he rose to meet her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must salute you Spanish fashion,” she said, embracing +him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where is pussy?” said George, going towards the door, +but as the train of Elvira's dress lay in his way, he looked +down and pushed it aside.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes, who had remained behind the door, saw him do +so, and burst out laughing, for it seemed to her as if George +was expecting to find pussy entangled in Elvira's train.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here she is, laughing at me,” said George, taking her arm.</p> +<p class="pnext">She looked so lovely, that Clarence stood looking at her in +silence, not even taking a step to meet her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell, I am very glad to see you,” she said, still +laughing, all her fear and trembling having left her. She +extended her hand to him with perfect composure.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira looked at her surprised. She herself was surprised +at her sudden and perfect calmness. Because George made +her laugh looking for <em class="italics">pussy</em> in Elvira's train, she lost all +her fear.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is a step from the sublime to the ridiculous,” she said +to herself, as she became of a sudden philosophically calm.</p> +<p class="pnext">When she explained what had made her laugh, all joined +her, remembering that it had indeed seemed as if George +was looking for some small object hidden in the ruffles of +Elvira's train.</p> +<p class="pnext">Those rosy lips and pearly teeth looked so sweet, and the +little dimples so charming when she laughed, that Clarence +would have been satisfied to remain there looking at them for +an indefinite length of time without saying anything, only +holding her hand in his, and looking into her eyes. But +other people were not so entranced, and as now Mr. and Mrs. +Mechlin came in, all proceeded to the dining-room, after +George had presented him to his aunt.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Mechlin was a little cold in her manner at first, thinking +that surely Bob must give up all hopes. But being a very +courteous hostess, her manner soon became affable, she engaged +Clarence in conversation, asking him about fruit-raising +in California, and about those wonderfully rich mines, which +had given so many millions to the world. Mr. Mechlin also +became much interested in what Clarence had to say. Before +dinner was over, Mercedes had the pleasure of seeing that Mr. +and Mrs. Mechlin were more than favorably impressed with +her intended.</p> +<p class="pnext">After dinner many callers began to arrive. Clarence had +not spoken a word yet to Mercedes alone. He followed her +with his eyes and watched—without seeming too watchful—for +an opportunity of speaking to her without being overheard.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last the desired moment came, and he was able to whisper +a few words.</p> +<p class="pnext">She blushed as she replied: “Perhaps not this evening—there +are so many here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I brought you the ring which you told me I was not to send +but <em class="italics">bring</em> in person.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bring it to-morrow,” she said, with deeper blush.</p> +<p class="pnext">“At what time?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps between ten and eleven.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence returned to Elvira's side, and had to console himself +with studying how Mercedes could have become more +beautiful when it had seemed that it would be impossible for +any human being to be more perfect.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was deliciously occupied in pondering upon this problem +when ices and cakes, tea and coffee were served by two +waiters, in white gloves, and very irreproachable manners, and +now Clarence could have the happiness of taking his ice cream +beside Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next day, at half-past ten exactly, Clarence ran up the steps +of the Mechlin mansion. He gave his card to the servant for +Miss Alamar, and asked for no one else, but Elvira came from +the library as she heard his voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Aunt and myself are going to attend to some shopping. +You will stay to luncheon, won't you? Aunt requests it. I +am glad she likes you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am truly grateful to her, and much pleased, indeed. But +I shall be making a very long call if I wait. I shall go and return +at one—hadn't I better?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you have anything else to do this morning, of course, go +and return. We lunch at one.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have nothing on earth to do but to see you people and +wait on you. I hope you won't get tired of me. I was in +hopes you two would go with me to see some very pretty +things at Tiffany's.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We are going there now. I promised aunt to go with +her. Mercedes and I, you mean, I suppose, can go with +you to-morrow?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Mechlin now came down stairs, and Clarence waited +on them to their carriage.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he closed the carriage door Mrs. Mechlin said: “Elvira +has told you we shall expect you to luncheon.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, madam; thank you,” said he, bowing.</p> +<p class="pnext">The carriage drove off, and Mrs. Mechlin said: “He is certainly +very handsome. I am sorry for Bob.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When Clarence returned he met Mercedes in the hall. She +was evidently frightened, and so was he, but soon rallied as he +followed her into the library.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell me more about home, now that we are alone,” said +she, pushing a chair for him, and occupying another on the +opposite side of the fire-place, with a graceful affability, which reminded +him of his interview with Doña Josefa on the veranda +at the rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">He understood by her manner and the position of the +chairs, which had high backs and high arms, that the interview +was to be very formal, and so he took his seat accordingly—far +off and demurely.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where shall I begin?” said he, with mock gravity.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Anywhere—at the top with papa, or at the bottom with +Tisha. It will all be interesting.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can't I begin at the middle, for instance, with myself?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; but you are here—I see you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you? At this distance? Don't you want a telescope?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are near enough,” she said, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can't talk of anybody but you. What is the use of putting +me in this chair like a bad child that must be punished by +being roasted alive!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are you too near the fire?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And too far from you,” said he, rising, and going to sit +on a sofa, at the other end of the room. She kept her seat +by the fire-place. “Please come here. I have so much to +say to you. It will give me a headache to sit so near the +fire.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She arose, walked over to where he was, and sat on another +arm-chair nearest to the sofa.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us freeze at this end of the room,” she said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are you cold? If you are, let us go back to the fire.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She did look a little cold, with her pretty little hands +calmly folded on her lap, but she smiled.</p> +<p class="pnext">He drew a low seat close to hers, and took the soft hands +into his, saying in beseeching accents:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let me sit by you, please. After so many weary months +of absence grant me this happiness. You told me not to send +but <em class="italics">bring</em> our engagement ring. Here it is. Let me put it +on the dear little finger myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">So saying he put the ring on, and covered the hand with +kisses. Mercedes' face was suffused with blushes, and she did +not dare look at the ring.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have been longing for this moment of bliss, Mercedes, +my own, my precious. You are pledged to me now. Look at +me, my sweet wife!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a foolish boy!” she said, covering her face.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now you must set the day of our marriage. Let it be +the day after we arrive. Let us be married at San Francisco. +Why not?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You must ask mamma and papa. Talk to Elvira about it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will. She will not object. Particularly as Mechlin intends +going to reside in California, and engaging in business there. +So you see, it will be just the thing for our marriage to take +place as soon as we arrive. I think it would be so nice for all +your family, and my mother and Alice and Everett to come to +meet us at San Francisco, and we be married there, and I then +take you to your house, which will be ready for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know whether mamma would approve—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, my precious! Why not? She will, if you say you +wish it so. I will write to-day to Hubert. I shall telegraph +him to buy the handsome house he told me was for sale. Shall +I telegraph?”</p> +<p class="pnext">She looked down reflectingly. Suddenly she uttered an +exclamation of surprise. She had seen the ring for the first +time.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I had not seen this diamond. Is it not too magnificent for +an engagement ring?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing is too magnificent for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, really, will it not attract too much attention?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think not. You are not ashamed of it, are you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, indeed. Only it might be considered too large for +an engagement ring,” she said. But observing that he looked +pained, she added: “It is very beautiful. It is like a big drop +of sunlight.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad you like it. But perhaps it might not be considered +in good taste for an engagement ring. Let us go to Tiffany's +now and ask your sister. I'll give you all home news as +we drive down. But don't you remove the ring. I am superstitious +about that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes laughed and arose, saying: “I will not touch it. +I'll go now to put on my bonnet. Elvira told me I may drive +down with you to Tiffany's, if I wished. I won't be gone but +two minutes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When am I going to have one sweet kiss?” said he, in +pleading tones. “Only one.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know—I can't tell,” she said, running off, eluding +him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The gentle motion of Mrs. Mechlin's luxuriantly cushioned +carriage invited conversation, and Elvira soon perceived that +her aunt desired to know all about Clarence's family and +history and wished to obtain all necessary information in that +respect as they drove down Broadway to Tiffany's, Elvira +therefore proceeded to enlighten the good lady, remembering, +however, that George had cautioned her never to mention +that old Darrell had taken land on the rancho in the sincere +conviction that by wise enactments of Congress, to rob people +of their lands, was and had been made a most honest transaction.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My aunt will not understand,” George had said, “and +never realize the effect that our legislation has upon us, as a +nation, particularly upon the untraveled, the stay-at-home +Americans, and more specially yet, the farmers. She will not +believe old Darrell honest in his error, and no matter whether +Clarence might be the prince of good fellows, to her he will +always be the son of a squatter, of one who <em class="italics">steals land</em>. No matter +under whose sanction—theft is theft to her—and she would +snap her fingers at the entire Senate and House of Representatives, +if those honorable bodies undertook to prove to her +that by getting together and saying that they can authorize +American citizens to go and take the property of other citizens +(without paying for it) and keep it—and fight for it +to keep it—that the proceeding is made honorable and +lawful.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Remembering these words of George, Elvira spoke highly +of Mrs. Darrell and the other members of the family, but said +very little of the head thereof. Still, as there was much to say +about Clarence himself, very favorable to that young gentleman, +the time was agreeably occupied with his biography, +while the two ladies drove through Broadway.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I noticed last evening that his manners are very good,” said +Mrs. Lawrence Mechlin, speaking of Clarence. “You know, +my dear, that I have a confirmed dread of bad-mannered people. +They spread discord and discomfort wherever they are. And +<em class="italics">apropos</em> of manners, I must not omit saying that Mercedes' +behavior last evening was all that could be desired in a well-bred +young lady. A great many quite nice young ladies on +such an occasion would have gone into the library, or the +little boudoir, or the other parlors, or would have sat on the +stairs, anywhere, to have a whispered <em class="italics">tête-à-tête</em> with her <em class="italics">fiancé</em>. +Your sister remained in the drawing-room, like a lady, though +I know well enough her heart was longing to express how +glad she was to see him. And he, too, behaved very well. +Did not hang about her, but was courteous to all the ladies. +I noticed last summer that Mercedes was not fond of running +off to have a <em class="italics">tête-à-tête</em> with this one, and then with another, +as many of our girls do, but I thought she avoided it on +account of being engaged. Now, however, I see that her reason +is even a better one. That it is inbred self-respect, a lady's +sense of decorum.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad you think so well of my sister, dear aunt; and I +think she is naturally refined and lady-like. But as for running +off to have <em class="italics">tête-à-têtes</em> with gentlemen is a thing never +seen among our Spanish girls. I know that we, Spanish +people, are criticised and much ridiculed for keeping girls +too strictly guarded, and in some instances this may be so, +but as a general thing, the girls themselves like to be guarded. +We have all the freedom that is good for us. Now, for instance, +I told Mercedes she may receive Clarence alone, and +after they had their talk together, that she might drive down +and join us here. I know I can trust her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is right. I am glad you told her to come, for I want +to give her a Christmas present, and would like to have some +idea of her taste in jewelry.”</p> +<p class="pnext">In due time the two ladies arrived at the jeweler's, and +very soon after Mercedes and Clarence joined them. The +ring was submitted to Mrs. Mechlin's <em class="italics">dictum</em>, and she pronounced +it superb, not at all inappropriate for an engagement +ring. Meantime, however, Clarence had seen another which he +liked best, and he bought it at once. It was made of large +diamonds, set in a circle, close together, so that the ring +looked like a band of light, very beautiful, “and,” he said, +“just the thing; in fact, symbolical,” considering that he +wished to surround Mercedes with never-ending brightness +and joy.</p> +<p class="pnext">On Christmas night our Californians attended a <em class="italics">musicale</em> at +Mrs. Gunther's. On the 27th, Mrs. Mechlin's grand ball came +off (and a grand affair it was). On New Year's Day George +took Clarence on an extensive tour of visiting.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will have a regular ‘<em class="italics">rodeo</em>,’” said George, laughing, as +they were about to start; “and wind up our drive by coming +home to make a long visit here, at our <em class="italics">corral</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We don't want you, if you call your round of visits a ‘<em class="italics">rodeo</em>.’ +Aren't you ashamed to laugh at us Californians like that?” +said Elvira, affecting great resentment, which took several +kisses from George to pacify.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was so pleased with the number and character of +the acquaintances he made on New Year's, and he was so +warmly invited to call again, that he became convinced that +New York was just the nicest city on the continent, and even +thought he would like it for a residence, provided Mercedes +was of the same opinion.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Mechlins received in grand style on New Year's, and +finished the day with a dance and collation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next night Mrs. Gunther's ball took place, which was +followed by an equally grand affair at the Seldens, on the 6th.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now it was time to talk about the trip to Washington. +George wanted his uncle and aunt to go with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have no fears that the Solicitor General will give us +any trouble,” said Mr. L. Mechlin; “I think his action in the +Alamar case was a <em class="italics">feeler</em> only for some ulterior purpose, which +he has abandoned. But if I could see how I might help Scott +with his Texas Pacific Railroad, I should be most happy to go +and try—for his sake, for the sake of the southern people, and +for the sake of you people at San Diego. But I don't see what +I can do now. The failure of Jay Cook has hurt Scott at the +very time when Huntington is getting stronger and his influence +in Congress evidently increasing.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Several persons have told me that a certain railroad man is +bribing Congressmen right and left to defeat the Texas Pacific +Railroad,” said George, “and I believe it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bribery is an ugly word,” Mr. Mechlin replied; “and if +that is the way railroad men are going to work, it will be a difficult +matter for an honest man to compete with them and keep +his hands clean. However, I might be able to help Scott in +some way. I guess we might go for a week or two. Lizzie, +what do you think? Would you like to go to Washington for +a week or two?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would like it very well. I shall miss these two young +ladies very much, and as the best way to cure <em class="italics">ennui</em> is to avoid +it, I think a visit to Washington would be just the thing for +me now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes clapped her hands in such genuine delight at +hearing this, and Elvira and Clarence were evidently so pleased, +that Mrs. Mechlin added:</p> +<p class="pnext">“These dear children seem so pleased that now I would +feel great satisfaction in going, even if I did not expect any +pleasure in my visit. But I do. I have not been in Washington +for years, and I have many warm friends there whom I +would like to see.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus it was fixed that all the family would go to Washington +on the 9th or 10th, and remain for two or three weeks at +the gay capital.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Mechlin now remembered that the Gunthers and the +Seldens had mentioned that perhaps they would accept some +invitations to several parties and a wedding, to come off in +Washington about the middle of January, and would be going +down about the same time.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll tell you what I'll do,” Mr. Mechlin said, “I'll get a +special car, and you invite the Gunthers and Seldens to go +with us, and we will make a pleasant party all together.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a good idea. I'll see Mrs. Gunther to-day, and we +will appoint the day to start.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And thus it came to pass that on the 9th of January our +Californians were traveling in a palace car on their way to +Washington, in company with the most elite of New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">Messrs. Bob Gunther and Arthur Selden were of the party. +They derived no pleasure in being so, but they followed Mercedes +because they preferred the bitter sweet of being near her, +in her presence, rather than to accept at once the bitter alone +of a hopeless separation. They knew they must not hope, +but still they hoped, for the reason alone that hope goes with +man to the foot of the gallows.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xx-at-the-capitol"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id21">CHAPTER XX.—<span class="small-caps">At the Capitol.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“There is no greater monster in being than a very ill man +of great parts, he lives like a man in a palsy, with one side of +him dead; while perhaps he enjoys the satisfaction of luxury, +of wealth, of ambition, he has lost all the taste of good-will, of +friendship, of innocence,” says Addison.</p> +<p class="pnext">If this can be said of a man whose influence is of limited +scope, how much more horrible the “palsy,” the moral stagnation, +of the man whose power for good or evil extends to millions +of people, to unlimited time; whose influence shall be felt, +and shall be shaping the destinies of unborn generations, after +he shall be only a ghastly skeleton, a bundle of crumbling +bones!</p> +<p class="pnext">Would that the power, the wisdom, the omniscience of God +had not been repudiated, discarded, abolished, by modern +thinkers, so that now but few feel any moral checks or dread +of responsibility; for if there is to be no final accounting, morality +ceases to be a factor, there being no fear of any hereafter; +and as a natural sequence, there is no remedy left for the terrible +“<em class="italics">palsy</em>.” For it is a well demonstrated fact that <em class="italics">sense of +justice</em>, or pure <em class="italics">philanthropy</em>, alone, is but frail reliance. Fatally +has man elevated his vanity to be his deity, with egotism for +the high priest, and the sole aim and object of life the accumulation +of <em class="italics">money</em>, with no thought of the never-ending to-morrow, +the awakening on the limitless shore! no thought of his fellow-beings +here, of himself in the hereafter!</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is a high, solemn, almost awful thought,” says Carlyle, +“for every individual man, that his earthly influence, which +has had a commencement, will never, through all ages—were +he the very meanest of us—have an end! What is done, is +done; has already blended itself with the boundless, ever-living, +ever-working universe, and will also work for good or for evil, +openly or secretly, throughout all time. The life of every man +is as a well-spring of a stream, whose small beginnings are indeed +plain to all, but whose ulterior course and destination, as it +winds through the expanses of infinite years, only the Omniscient +can discern. Will it mingle with neighboring rivulets as +a tributary, or receive them as their sovereign? Is it to be a +nameless brook, and with its tiny waters, among millions of +other brooks and rills, increase the current of some world's +river? or is it to be itself a Rhine or a Danube, whose goings +forth are to the uttermost lands, its floods an everlasting boundary-line +on the globe itself, the bulwark and highway of whole +kingdoms and continents? We know not, only, in either case, +we know its path is to the great ocean; its waters, were they +but a handful, are <em class="italics">here</em>, and cannot be annihilated or permanently +held back.”</p> +<p class="pnext">But how many of the influential of the earth think thus? If +only the <em class="italics">law-givers</em> could be made to reflect more seriously, +more conscientiously, upon the effect that their legislation must +have on the lives, the destinies, of their fellow-beings <em class="italics">forever</em>, +there would be much less misery and heart-rending wretchedness +in this vale of tears. Now, the law-giver is a politician, +who generally thinks more of his own political standing with +<em class="italics">other politicians</em> than of the interests entrusted to his care. To +speak of constituents sounds well, but who are the constituents? +The men who govern them, who control votes, those who guide +the majorities to the polls; the politicians, who make and unmake +each other, they are the power—the rest of the people +dream that <em class="italics">they</em> are—that's all. And if these law-givers see fit +to <em class="italics">sell themselves</em> for money, what then? Who has the power +to undo what is done? Not their constituents, surely. But the +constituencies will be the sufferers, and feel all the effect of +pernicious legislation.</p> +<p class="pnext">These were George Mechlin's thoughts as he sat, with his +uncle, in the gallery of the House of Representatives, listening +to a debate, a few days after their arrival in Washington. The +attention of George, however, was divided between the debate +and some papers he held in his hands which a member of Congress +had given him. These papers contained several arguments, +speeches and petitions, praying Congress to aid in the +construction of the Texas Pacific Railroad, thus to help the +impoverished South to regain her strength wasted in the war. +Among these papers there was one which more particularly +arrested his attention. It read as follows:</p> +<table class="align-center table" style="margin-left: 0%; width: 100%" summary="Preamble Intro" id="table-3"> +<colgroup> +<col width="25%"/> +<col width="50%"/> +<col width="25%"/> +</colgroup> +<tbody valign="top"> +<tr class="first last"><td><p class="first last pfirst">43d Congress, +1st Session.</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: center"><p class="first last pfirst"><span class="small-caps">House of Representatives.</span></p> +</td> +<td><p class="first last pfirst">Mis. Doc. +No. 68.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</tbody> +</table> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost"> +<div class="line"><span class="small-caps">Central Pacific Railroad Company.</span></div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"><strong class="bold">Preamble and Resolutions submitted by</strong> <span class="small-caps">Mr. Luttrell</span>.</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">January 12, 1874.—Referred to the Committee on the Pacific +Railroad, and ordered to be printed, together with accompanying +papers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“<span class="small-caps">Whereas</span>, The Central Pacific Railroad Company was +incorporated by the State of California on the 27th day of +June, A.D. 1861, to construct a railroad to the eastern boundary +of said State; and whereas, by Acts of Congress of the years +1862 and 1863, said company was authorized to extend said +railroad eastward through the territory of the United States by +an Act entitled ‘An Act to aid in the construction of a railroad +and telegraph line from the Missouri River to the Pacific +Ocean,’ and received from the United States, under said Act +and the Acts supplemental thereto and amendatory thereof, +and from the State of California and counties and corporations +within said State, from the State of Nevada, and from the Territory +of Utah, the following amounts, estimated in gold coin, +to wit:</p> +<table class="align-center table" style="margin-left: 0%; width: 100%" summary="Gold Amounts" id="table-4"> +<colgroup> +<col width="33%"/> +<col width="33%"/> +<col width="33%"/> +</colgroup> +<tbody valign="top"> +<tr class="first"><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Land granted by the United States of the value in gold +coin of</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">$50,288,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Granted and donated by various corporations and individuals +within the State of California</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">5,000,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Granted and donated by various corporations and individuals, +situate within the State of Nevada</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">3,000,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Granted and donated by various corporations and individuals +within the Territory of Utah</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">$1,500,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Donated by the State of California</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">1,500,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Bonds on which the State of California guarantees and +pays interest</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">12,000,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Donated by the County of Placer, in the State of California—Bonds</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">250,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Donated by the City and County of San Francisco—Interest +bonds</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">400,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Donated by the City and County of Sacramento—Interest +bonds</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">300,000 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Bonds by the United States Government</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">27,389,120 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">First mortgage bonds of Central Pacific Railroad Company</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">27,389,120 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Second mortgage bonds of said Central Pacific Railroad, +legalized by law</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">15,601,741 83</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><p class="first last pfirst">Second mortgage bonds, issued and sold as above</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">11,787,378 17</p> +</td> +</tr> +<tr class="last"><td> </td> +<td style="text-align: right"><p class="first last pfirst">Total</p> +</td> +<td style="text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom"><p class="first last pfirst">$156,825,360 00</p> +</td> +</tr> +</tbody> +</table> +<p class="pfirst">And, whereas, the directors of said Central Pacific Railroad +Company made contracts with <em class="italics">certain of their own members</em> to +construct said road, known as the ‘Contract and Finance +Company,’ for consideration in lands, money, and bonds, far +in excess of the actual cost of construction; and,</p> +<p class="pnext">Whereas, said Central Pacific Railroad is, and has been, +completed and in running order for, in part and in whole, over +six years last past, and the profits accruing from same, amounting +to over —— millions of dollars per annum, has been +kept and appropriated to their own use, in <em class="italics">violation</em> of their +duties and <em class="italics">in fraud</em> of the United States Government; and,</p> +<p class="pnext">Whereas, said directors of the said Central Pacific Railroad +Company <em class="italics">issued to themselves, and for their personal profit and +benefit</em>, the second mortgage bonds of said Central Pacific +Railroad Company, to the amount of $27,387,120, payable in +United States gold coin, with interest at ten per cent. per annum, +and have, with said profits accruing to the Central Pacific +Railroad Company, from the sales of United States bonds, +lands, and other subsidies, as aforesaid mentioned, and the +<em class="italics">issue to themselves</em> of the bonds aforesaid, bought, <em class="italics">in order to +defraud</em> the Government of the United States out of the interest +now due from said Central Pacific Railroad Company, +other roads in the State of California, and expended in doing +the same, all the accruing profits of said Central Pacific Railroad +for the benefit of the directors, failing and <em class="italics">fraudulently +refusing to pay the Government of the United States</em>, the interest +legally due on said mortgage bonds; therefore, be it</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Resolved</em>, That a select committee of seven members of this +House be appointed by the Speaker, and such committee be and +is hereby instructed to inquire whether or not any person connected +with the organization or association commonly known +as the ‘Contract and Finance Company’ of the Central Pacific +Railroad Company, now holds any of the bonds, lands, or +other subsidies granted said company, for the payment of +which, or the interest thereon, the United States is in any way +liable; and whether or not such holders, if any, or their assignees +of such bonds, lands, or other subsidies, are holders in +good faith, and for a valuable consideration, or procured +the same illegally, or <em class="italics">by fraud</em>; * * * and to inquire +into the character and purpose of such organization, and fully, +of all the transactions of said Central Pacific Railroad Company, +and all transactions had and contracted by and between +the directors of the Central Pacific Railroad Company and +Charles Crocker & Co.; and of all transactions and contracts +made by said directors with the ‘Contract and Finance Company’ +for the furnishing of material of every kind and character +whatever, and the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad +and other branch roads connected therewith; * * * +and to report the facts to this House, together with such bill as +may be necessary to protect the interests of the United States +Government and the people, on account of any bonds, lands +and subsidies of the class hereinbefore referred to, and against +the combinations <em class="italics">to defraud the Government</em> and the people; +and said committee is hereby authorized to send for persons +and papers, and to report at any time.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Here follows a long recital of <em class="italics">frauds</em> perpetrated by Messrs. +Leland Stanford, Huntington, Crocker and Hopkins, under +the name of “Central Pacific Railroad Company” and “Contract +and Finance Company,” etc. Said frauds, Mr. Luttrell +says, were against the Government and against the stockholders +of the Central Pacific Company. A Mr. Brannan, in a long +complaint, sets forth also how and when these gentlemen +<em class="italics">cheated</em> the Government by presenting <em class="italics">false statements</em> of the +cost of constructing the Central Pacific Railroad, and in other +ways, and <em class="italics">cheated</em> the stockholders of said railroad by issuing +<em class="italics">to themselves</em> the stock, and appropriating other subsidies, which +should have been distributed <em class="italics">pro rata</em> among all the stockholders.</p> +<p class="pnext">The entire statement is a shameful exposure of disgraceful +acts, any one of which, were it to be perpetrated by a poor +man, would send him to the penitentiary.</p> +<p class="pnext">George was shocked to read Mr. Luttrell's “<em class="italics">Preamble and +Resolutions</em>,” and Mr. Brannan's “<em class="italics">complaint</em>.” Mr. Lawrence +Mechlin waited to read them in the evening, at his hotel.</p> +<p class="pnext">“These two gentlemen ever since their arrival had heard +strange rumors about Congressmen being ‘<em class="italics">bribed with money</em>,’ +and in other <em class="italics">ways improperly influenced by ‘a certain railroad +man,’ who was organizing a powerful lobby to defeat the Texas +Pacific Railroad</em>.” In his endeavors to aid Tom Scott, Mr. +Lawrence Mechlin had come across some startling facts regarding +the manipulation of railroad bills, especially in the +Congressional committees. Still, he was loth to believe that +bribery would be so openly used. He was a man of strict +probity, slow to think any man dishonorable. George, brought +up in the same school, felt, also, a reluctance to believe that +the Congress of these United States could be packed, bundled, +and labeled, by a few of its treacherous members, who would +sell themselves for money, in spite of their honest colleagues.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pshaw! the thing is too preposterous,” he had said to his +uncle, who, with saddened voice, had answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So it seems to me. Let us go to the Capitol again; I +want to speak to some of the Representatives; I have only +seen Senators; I must talk with the House a little.” And +they had come, and were now listening to the House.</p> +<p class="pnext">George's business with the Attorney General had been +more satisfactory. The appeal was at last dismissed, and the +joyful news had been telegraphed to Don Mariano. There +was now no dispute about the validity of his title. The Government +itself had said that the land belonged to him; would +the squatters vacate now? We will see. Meantime, the remittitur +had to be sent to the court below, and it was expected +that Congress would soon make an appropriation to defray expenses +of surveying lands in California. George wrote to Don +Mariano not to engage any surveyor to survey his rancho, as +there would be an appropriation made for lands to be surveyed +by the Government.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira and Mercedes were made very happy on hearing that +the appeal was dismissed. They did not well understand +what it all meant; but as they were told that now the Government +of the United States had said that the rancho belonged to +their father, they naturally concluded that the squatters would +go away, and there would no longer be any trouble about the +destruction of their cattle, and their father not be so worried +and unhappy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus, life seemed very sweet to those two innocents, and +they enjoyed their visit to Washington to the fullest extent. +The Gunthers and Seldens had stopped at the same hotel with +the Mechlins, and the three families were constantly together. +Their parlors in their evenings “<em class="italics">at home</em>” were filled with a +crowd of distinguished visitors; other evenings were given to +parties and receptions. One cloud only cast a shadow on +Mercedes' brilliant surroundings, and this was the obvious +misery she saw in Arthur Selden's dejected countenance, and +a certain dread she felt at the silent coldness of Robert Gunther. +His eyes seemed to her darker than they used to be, but +perhaps they seemed so because he was so much paler. But +what could she do? she asked herself, and wished very much +that these two young gentlemen had remained in New York, +for, surely, they couldn't expect that she would give up Clarence! +No, indeed. Not for fifty thousand Gunthers, or two +million Seldens.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were times when the coldness of these two young gentlemen +was very marked, and, amiable as she was, she felt it. +But her Clarence was always near, and his superb eyes were +watching, ready to come to her at the slightest indication. It +was so sweet to be so quickly understood and so promptly +obeyed by him.</p> +<p class="pnext">There had been a brilliant ball at one of the legations, and +on the following morning the Seldens and Gunthers were discussing +the event in Mrs. Mechlin's parlor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You made two new conquests last night,” said the eldest +Miss Selden to Mercedes. “Those two <em class="italics">attachés</em> are now your +new slaves. They are awfully in love. I felt pity for them, to +see them so completely captivated. You ought to be proud.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't think they are in love, but, admitting it is so, why +should I be proud? I should be annoyed, that's all,” replied +Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you expect us to believe that?” Miss Selden asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You may believe it, for it is the truth.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are a strange girl, then.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why so? Why should I wish men to fall in love with me, +when I cannot return their love?” said Mercedes, evidently +vexed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are the first girl I ever saw that did not want to have +admirers; yes, loads of them.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Admirers and friends, yes; but you spoke of those young +men being <em class="italics">in love</em>. Now, if I thought so, I would be very +sorry, and, as I do not wish to be unhappy, I hope you are +mistaken.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The Misses Selden laughed incredulously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“In my opinion, no kind-hearted girl ought to desire to be +loved except by the one she loves. Else, she must be a very heartless +creature, who enjoys the miseries of others,” added she, +earnestly. “Now, I want you to know, I am not cruel; I am +not heartless; so I do not wish any man (but one) to be in +love with me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are right, my dear,” Mrs. Gunther interposed. “But +the trouble is, you are too pretty, too sweet, to be let alone; +you can't help being loved.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then I am unlucky, that's all,” she said, with trembling +lips, “and the sooner I go home, the better it will be for mutual +comfort.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Robert Gunther was talking with Elvira, but he had not lost +one word of this conversation. In the evening they went +to a Presidential reception. It happened that he was near +Mercedes when Elvira proposed to go and see the flowers in +the conservatory; he offered her his arm, and they followed +Elvira. He had spoken very few words to her since they returned +from Newport, but had watched her and feasted his +eyes on her loveliness. Now, after walking in silence for some +time, he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is a sad sort of consolation to know that you regret inspiring +hopeless love. I heard your conversation with the +Misses Selden this morning. I thank you for not enjoying +my misery.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! how could I do that? I wish I could make you +happy; please forgive me if I have ever caused you pain?” said +she in the sweetest of pleading tones. He looked at her sweet +face, turned toward his, and his love for her seemed to rush +upon him like an overwhelming wave—like a hot flame rising +to his brain.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! Mercedes, it is frightful how much I love you! What +shall I do to conquer this unfortunate infatuation?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Forget me; I shall soon be away—far away.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! darling, I would rather suffer seeing you, than to have +your sweet presence withdrawn from my sight. You see my +unfortunate situation? I vow it is awful to love so hopelessly! +But I shall never talk to you of my love again. I see I pain +you,” he added, seeing that she trembled and looked pained. +“Forgive me, for I am very wretched. My life will now be a +blank.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish you could feel for me, as you do toward Elvira. +How I envy her your friendship,” she said, in very low tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you, truly?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed I do. I would be so happy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall try. But how can I, loving you so ardently?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“As a proof of your love, try to be my friend—only a +friend.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You ask of my love a suicide—to kill itself. Be it so. I +shall try,” said he with a sad smile. “The request is rather +novel, but perhaps it might be done. I doubt it. I suppose +you will be my friend then?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am that now—most sincerely,” said she, earnestly.</p> +<p class="pnext">On leaving the conservatory, they saw Clarence coming to +meet them. He joined Elvira and walked by her side.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thanks, Mr. Darrell. I am glad you have good sense,” +said Gunther, addressing the back and broad shoulders of +Clarence from the distance. Mercedes laughed and felt herself +regaining her composure.</p> +<p class="pnext">They had now been in Washington ten days, and the ladies +of the party had only made one very hurried visit to the Capitol. +This day Mrs. Mechlin had set apart “to devote to Congress,” +she said, and it was arranged that they would go in the +morning, would lunch at the Capitol, and remain part of +the afternoon. A debate on the Texas Pacific Bill was expected +that day, and the Mechlins, as well as Clarence and Mercedes, +wished to hear it. The President of the Senate put his rooms +at the service of Mrs. Mechlin and friends. Thus the ladies +had a delightful time, taking a recess in the President's parlor +when they liked, or strolling through the corridors, or sitting in +the galleries.</p> +<p class="pnext">After luncheon, the party, walking toward the public reception +room, were met by five or six old men with very white +beards. Two of them walked slowly as if weakened by sickness, +one walked on crutches, and one had lost an arm, his +coat-sleeve being pinned to his breast. Mr. Mechlin stopped +to shake hands with them, saying to his wife to go on, that he +wished to speak with these gentlemen. On rejoining the party, +Mr. Mechlin was asked by Miss Gunther where these venerable +old gentlemen came from.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They looked like a little troop of patriarchs,” Miss Selden +added. “What can they want at the Capitol?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They want bread,” Mr. Mechlin replied. “Those men +should be pensioned by our Government, but it is not done +because Congress has not seen fit to do it. The three oldest +of those men are veterans of the Mexican War. For twenty-five +years they have been asking the Government to grant them +a pension, a little pittance to help them along in their old age, +but it is not done. Year after year the same prayers and +remonstrances are repeated in vain. Congress well knows how +valuable were the services of those who went to Mexico to conquer +a vast domain; but, now we have the domain, we don't +care to be grateful or just. It would perhaps be a matter of +perfect indifference to half of our Congress should they hear +that all those poor veterans died of starvation.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxi-looking-at-the-receding-dome"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id22">CHAPTER XXI.—<span class="small-caps">Looking at the Receding Dome.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">There was one thing that the gay New Yorkers, under Mrs. +Mechlin's <em class="italics">chaperoning</em>, had to do before they left the capital. +They must make an excursion across the Potomac to Arlington, +and visit the tomb of Washington. Patriotism, she said, +imposed this duty upon them, which must be fulfilled with +due reverence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Therefore,” Mrs. Mechlin added, “they would have a +picnic under the glorious trees in the Arlington grounds.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let our libations be on that sacred spot,” said George; “we +will pour wine on the grave of Washington—that is, we will go +close to it and drink it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You mean that we will drink the wine and rub the bottle +devoutly upon the monument, as the Irish woman did when +she cured her rheumatism,” Bob Gunther added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is awful how unpatriotic and irreverent are the young +men nowadays,” Miss Gunther said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; it makes me weep,” added Arthur Selden, blinking.</p> +<p class="pnext">There would be a day or two before the picnic, and Mercedes +told George she wanted to go to the dome of the Capitol, +and see Washington City from that elevated place.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The little puss shall have her wish,” George said, and on +the following day all the party drove again to the Capitol, and +walked through labyrinths of dark corridors leading into committee +rooms or may-be into solemn judicial halls, where justice +sat holding the scales in terrific silence. Emerging from +the cool, musty air of the lower halls, they again visited the +upper rooms and galleries, which Elvira and Mercedes liked +better than on their former visits. Now all ascended to the +highest point they could go, and their exertions were amply +rewarded by the pleasure of seeing the beautiful panorama at +their feet. Washington City has been viewed and reviewed, +and too minutely described to be considered any longer interesting +to Eastern people, but to our Californians the view +of that city of proud and symmetric proportions, with its radiating +avenues lost in diminishing distances, its little triangular +parks and haughty edifices, all making a picturesque <em class="italics">ensemble</em>, +was most pleasing and startling.</p> +<p class="pnext">With Clarence by her side, Mercedes looked carefully at +the city that like a magnificent picture lay there beneath +them. She wished to carry it photographed in her memory.</p> +<p class="pnext">The picnic to Arlington was much enjoyed by all. Mercedes +would have preferred to walk over the grounds of Mount +Vernon with Clarence alone, for her love was of that pure +character which longs to associate the cherished object with +every thought and feeling having its source in our highest +faculties. She thought Mount Vernon ought to be visited reverently, +and she knew Clarence would not laugh at her for +thinking so. But, alas! those other young gentlemen had no +such thoughts. They were in high glee, determined to have fun, +and enjoy it; and though Mercedes and Miss Gunther told +them they were behaving like vandals, such rebukes only increased +their merriment, which continued even after they recrossed +the Potomac.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin's party had at last to tear itself away from +Washington, and hurry to New York, for the “charity ball” +was to come off in a few days; then the Liederkranz and the +Purim balls would follow—all in the month of February—and +Mrs. Mechlin wished that Elvira and Mercedes should see +them all. They had been at masked balls in Washington at +the house of a Senator and of a foreign minister, but Mrs. +Mechlin said that no masked balls in America could or did +equal those given in New York at the Academy of Music, +consequently it became an absolute necessity that these two +young ladies should see those grand affairs. Moreover, she +was one of the matrons of the charity ball, and her presence +was indispensable to attend to their management.</p> +<p class="pnext">A special car was again in readiness, and the Mechlin party +occupied it one morning at eight o'clock. The party was now +increased by the addition of six ladies and eight gentlemen +from Washington, who were going to attend the charity ball +and Liederkranz. The train was in motion, going out of the +city limits, accelerating its speed as it plunged into the woods +beyond. George and Clarence sat at one end of the car, separate +from the company, looking at the Capitol, as it seemed to +retreat, flying with receding celerity. The woods were beginning +to intercept its view at times—the dome would disappear and +reappear again and again above the surrounding country.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin joined the two young men, saying to them, as +he turned the seat in front, and sat facing them: “You are +watching the receding Capitol. I was doing the same. I +wonder whether your thoughts were like mine in looking at +that proud edifice?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think my thoughts were about the same subject, uncle. +What were your thoughts, Darrell? Tell us,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I was thinking of your father and of Don Mariano—thinking +that under that white shining dome their fate would be +decided perhaps, as they both have embarked so hopefully in +the boat of the Texas Pacific Railroad.”</p> +<p class="pnext">George and his uncle looked at each other as if saying, “We +all were of the same mind, surely.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Lawrence Mechlin said: “We certainly were thinking +nearly alike, Mr. Darrell, with this difference, may-be, that I +don't feel as hopeful as I did a few weeks ago, when you and I +talked about the fair chances of the Texas Pacific as we looked +at that same white dome when we were coming down. Now I +am very fearful that the sad condition of the impoverished +South is not going to have the weight which it deserves in the +minds of this Congress. I talked with many of our law-givers +about the matter, and all seemed not to realize the importance, +the policy, the humanity of helping the South, and of +giving to the Pacific Coast a competing railway, to get California +out of the clutches of a grasping monopoly. All agree that +it ought to be done, but it looks as if few put their hearts into +the matter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Their hearts are in their pockets, uncle, and I am afraid +that after all our reluctance to believe that our Congressmen +can be improperly influenced, we will have to submit—with +shame and sorrow—and accept the fact that bribery has been +at work, <em class="italics">successfully</em>. The chief of the lobby is king.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not yet—not yet. It is a frightful thought. Let us not +accept it yet. Let us think it is an error, but not knavery. I +am coming down again, I think, before this session is over. +I want to see more before I am convinced. I have my fears +and my doubts, but I still hope—<em class="italics">must</em> hope—that our Congress +has many honest men.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You can hope—but it will be in vain,” George said; “the +money of the Central Pacific Railroad will be too much for +Colonel Scott.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be so desponding, boy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can't have any hope in this Congress. There never can +be any better arguments in favor of the Texas Pacific than are +now plain to everybody. So, then, if in the face of all these +powerful considerations Congress turns it back and will not +hear the wail of the prostrate South, or the impassionate appeals +of California, now, <em class="italics">now</em>, when there is not one solitary +reason under heaven why such appeals and entreaties should +be disregarded, is there any ground to expect any better in the +uncertain future? Certainly not. But still, I do not say that +we should abandon all hope. For the sake of my father, who +has trusted so much in the Texas Pacific, I am glad you will +do all you can to help Colonel Scott.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I certainly shall,” Mr. Mechlin replied. Then, after a +few minutes of silence, he said: “If our legislators could only +be induced to adopt Herbert Spencer's view of <em class="italics">the duties of +law-givers</em>, there would be far less misery in the United States. +If they could but stop to see how clearly it stands to reason +that ‘legislative deductions must be based upon <em class="italics">fundamental +morality</em>,’ that ‘the inferences of political economy are true, only +because they are discoveries by a roundabout process of <em class="italics">what +the moral law commands</em>.’ It is an unfortunate mistake that the +words ‘<em class="italics">moral law</em>’ are generally understood to apply practically +only to private conduct; to a man's fidelity to his marriage +vows; to his religious belief; this we learn at school. But +these words are only loosely applied (if at all) to a man's actions +as a legislator. I never heard in election times that any +one expects our law-givers to base their legislation upon <em class="italics">fundamental +morality</em>, and regard expediency as a secondary consideration. +Congressmen know that they are expected to +watch the material interests of their States or counties, but +they do not feel any moral responsibility to see that other <em class="italics">constituencies</em> +do not suffer injustice. Thus, if the Congressmen +of one State choose to betray the rights of their constituencies, +other Congressmen generally look on indifferently, or, perhaps, +amused—and do not interfere any more than they +would in the domestic affairs of perfect strangers. They do +not seem to perceive that on the very instant in which they see +that a community, or an individual, is being wronged by the +neglect or design of their own representatives, that then any +other Congressman should come forward to protect the betrayed +community or defenseless citizen. This is clearly their +duty. But it seems to be ignored by tacit consent. All Congressmen +are ready to offer objections to every conceivable +measure. To jump up and shout <em class="italics">against</em> anything, seems +to be thought the proof of a man being a good legislator. +Combativeness is the one faculty ever in use to offer <em class="italics">obstructions</em>, +and thus necessary and useful legislation is foolishly retarded, +and untold misery is brought upon innocent citizens. +All this is a mistake. Because the ‘<em class="italics">fundamental law of morality</em>’ +is not understood. Herbert Spencer says: ‘Now, this +that we call <em class="italics">moral law</em> is simply a statement of the <em class="italics">conditions</em> +of beneficial action. Originating in the primary necessities +of things, it is the development of these into a series of limitations +within which all conduct conducive to the greatest happiness +must be confined. To overstep such limitations is to +disregard these necessities of things, to fight against the constitution +of nature.’ Mr. Spencer applies this axiom to the +happiness of individuals, as well as of entire communities. If +the principles of fundamental morality were better understood +and more conscientiously respected, railroad manipulators +would find it impossible to organize a lobby to defeat all laws +intended to aid the Texas Pacific. But I repeat, in spite of all +discouragement, I will use my best efforts to help the Texas +Pacific, as I firmly believe every honest man in these United +States ought to do, even when not directly interested.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The journey to New York was accomplished safely by our +party, and in good time for the charity ball. Mrs. Mechlin +and Mrs. Gunther being in the list of its distinguished matrons, +busied themselves about that grand affair from the day after +their return until its successful <em class="italics">finale</em>, which was also a success +pecuniarily.</p> +<p class="pnext">To the charity ball follow the Liederkranz and the Purim.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are you to go masked, George?” Mrs. Mechlin asked, as +they were discussing the coming ball with Miss Gunther.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I think not. I think the best plan is to wear a +domino and mask, as we go in with you ladies, so that you +may not be recognized. Then after awhile we will leave you +and go out into the vestibule and take off our masks and return +unmasked.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why not keep masked?” Clarence asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because we will have no fun at all with masks on. The +ladies not knowing who we are will have nothing to say to +us. But if they see who we are, then they'll come and talk +saucily, thinking we will not recognize them. We will, though, +and then the fun begins.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nobody knows at home what my domino is to look like, +but I think Bob will recognize my voice, and know who we all +are, as he knows I am going with you,” Miss Gunther said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But is he not to be of our party?” Mrs. Mechlin asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No; he is going to escort Miss Selden. My brother Charles +will be my escort. He will be in our secret, of course. How +I wish we could mystify Bob.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we can't, if we speak to him, as he will recognize +our voices, Mercedes and mine, by our accent immediately,” +Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You can mimic the German way of talking English, and +Mercedes can talk half French and half English, with an Irish +brogue,” George suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She talks Irish brogue to perfection,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I'll have to practice before I would speak to him,” +said Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Practice every day—you have six days yet,” Mrs. Mechlin +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do, Miss Mercedes. I would like you to fool Bob,” Miss +Gunther said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you must make your voice sound guttural. Your +voice is naturally very musical. You must disguise it,” George +suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes followed his suggestion, and by carefully imitating +Mrs. Mechlin's French maid (who spoke very broken English +and stammered a good deal), she passed herself off for a stammering +French girl, who was very talkative, in spite of the difficulty +in her speech—maintaining her <em class="italics">rôle</em> so well that neither +Bob nor Arthur recognized her until she took off her mask. +Then the faces of the two young men were a study. They +both had paid most ardent compliments to her feet and +hands, and had earnestly begged for the privilege of calling +upon her, which she granted, promising to give the number of +her house when she unmasked. She had danced with both +several times, and had asked them to present George and +Clarence to her. Both of whom also asked her to dance, and +while dancing had a good laugh at the expense of the two deluded +ones.</p> +<p class="pnext">When she unmasked, Selden left the ball in the midst of +the peals of laughter from those who understood the joke. +Bob stood his ground, with the crimson blush up to his ears +and eyebrows.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The fact of the matter is, that you will attract me +always, no matter under what disguise,” he whispered to +Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“<em class="italics">Pas si bete</em>,” she answered, stammering fearfully, and looking +the prettier for it.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Liederkranz and Purim balls were highly enjoyed +also, but Mercedes, though in domino, assumed no <em class="italics">rôle</em>. She +was very amiable to Bob and Arthur, to heal the wound of +their lacerated vanity.</p> +<p class="pnext">The winter had now passed, and spring came—bringing to +our Californians thoughts of returning home.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sun was shining brightly on Madison Square—there +had been a heavy shower that morning, in the early March—which +had washed the snow off the pavements into the sewers, +leaving the streets clean. Children were out with their +nurses in the square, among the trees, which were trying hard +to bud out, but as yet succeeded very poorly. Still, there were +some little birds of sanguine temperament, chirping like good +optimists about the ungainly, denuded branches, calculating +philosophically on coming green leaves, though vegetation was +slow to awake from its winter sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence, from his window at the hotel, saw that the day was +bright, and hastened, in an open carriage, to take Elvira and +Mercedes out for a drive in the park. They first went down +for George, who had not yet left the bank.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you get letters from home to-day?” Elvira asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; and among them a long one from Don Mariano,” +Clarence replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What did he say? Any good news for poor papa?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He has just made twenty thousand dollars, any way, in +spite of squatters. And he will make sixty thousand dollars +more if he will do what I asked him in my letter to-day,” +Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How did he make twenty thousand dollars?” George +asked, with a brightened look, which was reflected in the +beautiful eyes of the sisters.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By sending five hundred steers to Fred Haverly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are five hundred steers worth that much?” George asked, +surprised.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes—at forty dollars per head—which for large cattle is +not too high a price. That is what Fred has been paying for +cattle weighing in the neighborhood of four hundred pounds.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The best thing Don Mariano can do is to sell you all his +cattle, even at half of this price,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is what I have been writing to him to-day. As I +have to buy cattle for the mines, and I am willing to pay him +a good price, he ought to sell them all to me, and when he gets +his rancho clear of trespassers then buy finer breeds and restock +the rancho.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A most excellent idea,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Robert Gunther passed by, driving his four-in-hand at a +furious speed, with a very handsome girl sitting by his side. +He bowed as he passed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes laughed, saying he looked “sheepish,” and though +he did not hear what she said, he blushed to the roots of his +hair, and ran against a heavy carriage which slowly rolled +ahead of him, loaded with four elderly ladies, who screamed +terrified. This mishap only increased Bob's confusion, forcing +him to check his speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you want our assistance?” George asked, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, thanks. If people did not come to drive their funerals +through the park, no one would run over them,” Bob said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And you want to kill them, so as not to have funerals without +dead bodies?” Mercedes asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Be merciful! Remember your name is Mercedes,” said +poor, embarrassed Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">Whereupon Mercedes wafted a kiss to him, saying: “That +goes as a peace offering.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah, yes; I understand,” said he, following her with his +eyes. “A kiss to the empty air is all you will ever give me.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxii-perplexities-at-alamar"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id23">CHAPTER XXII.—<span class="small-caps">Perplexities at Alamar.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It has generally been the custom of biographers to treat their +subject after he is resting peacefully in his grave, indifferent to +the world's opinion. Seldom has a man “<em class="italics">been written</em>” (in a +biography) until he is past knowing what is said of him in print. +Epitaphs are non-committal, or laudatory only, and too brief; +they are solely a charitable or affectionate tribute to the dead, +intended to please the living. Biographies—it is to be supposed—are +intended, or should be, admonitory; to teach men +by the example of the one held up to view—be this an example +to be followed or to be avoided. But if no offense be intended +by the biographer, why wait until a man is forevermore beyond +hearing what is said of him, before his fellows are told in what +and how he surpassed them so much as to be considered worthy +of special notice? If he ought to be reproved, let him know +it; and if we must worship him as a hero, let him know it also. +Only such an irascible man—for instance—as Dr. Johnson +was, could have received the homage of admiration and reverence +such as Boswell's, so impatiently, almost ungratefully. It +is more natural for man to receive incense at least passively, +and endeavor to deserve it. Biographies, therefore, ought to be +intended, not to mislead readers, but to instruct them. From +this point of view, then, it would be difficult to say flattering +things of Mr. Darrell, and more difficult yet to say them of the +other squatters of Alamar, in a biographical sketch.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Darrell did not receive the news of the appeal being dismissed +as Mrs. Darrell and Clarence had hoped. Mr. Darrell +was evidently out of humor with the executive branch of the +Government—with the Attorney General—and he discussed +the matter with himself in many an animated soliloquy. High +as his opinion of Congress was and had always been, he, in his +ill humor, even went so far as to say—to himself—that this +much respected body of legislators had been entirely too lenient +with the conquered natives. Congress ought to have confiscated +all their lands and “only allowed them one hundred +and sixty acres <em class="italics">each</em>.” The idea that they (the conquered) +should be better off than the Americans! They should have +been put on an equality with other settlers, and much honor to +them, too, would have been thereby, for why should these <em class="italics">inferior</em> +people be more considered than the Americans?</p> +<p class="pnext">“Inferior? What are you talking about? It is enough to +see one of those Alamar ladies to learn that they are inferior to +nobody,” said Mrs. Darrell, happening to overhear the last +words of her lord's soliloquy. “Neither are the Californians +considered <em class="italics">better than Americans</em> because the Government did +not take <em class="italics">all</em> their lands from them. I declare, William, you +have gone back to your old unfortunate ideas which brought so +many troubles to us in Napa and Sonoma. You forget those +troubles, and you are ready to bring them back again.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I ain't; but I always will maintain that the Spanish +Californians should not have a right to any more land than +Americans.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And they have not. The Government does not give them +any more land; all they ask and expect is that the Government +may <em class="italics">not take away what they had</em>. You see this perfectly well, +and you know that every time you have disregarded this truth, +we have suffered. This time it might lead to worse suffering, +since it is Clarence that might be made very miserable; and if +he is, so must I. Then good-by happiness for me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why should Clarence be made miserable?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because he is devotedly attached to Miss Mercedes; and +if you are to be the enemy of her family, perhaps she will not +marry him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Marry him? Does Clarence think she will marry him? +She marry a squatter?” He laughed derisively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence is no squatter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is the son of a squatter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have been one, but if you keep your word, and this +land is paid for, you will not be a squatter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose Clarence followed the girl to New York, believing +she'll marry him. I thought he would have more sense.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If he did follow her, he would also be following his father's +example.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Darrell blushed, but he smiled, for he was pleased. +The recollection of that tender episode of loving devotion was +always very sweet to him. It had been a folly of which he +was proud to cherish the memory.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mr. Darrell did not pursue the subject any further this +time; he felt he would be defeated if he continued it; it was +best to beat a masterly retreat before he was routed. He +made an orderly march toward the stable, and Mrs. Darrell, +remaining master of the field, busied herself with her flower +garden, where Alice presently joined her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mamma dear, I overheard your conversation with papa; +I hope you won't let him quarrel with the Don.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall do my best to prevent it, but you see, he has all the +settlers at his heels all the time worrying him about their +claims. Any one might suppose that he induced them to come +here, instead of being induced by them. Since they heard that +their appeal was dismissed, they have openly said to him that +they rely entirely upon his assistance to retain their homes. +This pleases him, it flatters him, but it is a piece of hypocrisy +on their part, because the Don is too kind-hearted to eject +them. Clarence says that the Don will let them keep their +homesteads, on the sole condition that they put up fences to +keep his cattle off.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can anything be more kind and generous?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But all his kindness is thrown away.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“At all events, there is this much to be said, that if papa +will insist upon wanting to be a squatter, and favor squatters, +he will find that not one of his family approves it. No, not +even the children.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know it; Jane and Lucy feel very badly about it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so does Everett; Webster don't like it either. We +all feel very badly to see papa so wrong, and the worst of it is, +how it all might affect our darling Clarence, who is so sweet +and so good to all of us—yes, to everybody. I do hope he +will marry Mercedes. I know she loves him dearly. I am +so afraid that papa will quarrel with the Don, and Clarence +and Mercedes be separated. It would be awful.”</p> +<p class="pnext">If sweet Alice had said all she held in her dear heart, and +which might be affected by the course that her father would +pursue between the settlers and the Don, she would have revealed +other anxieties besides those she felt on Clarence's +account. The thought that Victoriano, too, might be estranged +from her, had made that dear heart of hers very heavy with +forebodings. Gentle and loving though she was, she could +not help feeling exasperated to foresee how miserable she and +Clarence, and Mercedes and Victoriano might all be, all +on account of this squatter quarrel, which might so easily be +avoided if those people were not so perverse, and her father +upholding them, which was perversity, also.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus ran Alice's thoughts as she helped her mother to trim +the fuschias and train them up the posts of the porch, beside +the honeysuckle and roses, which already formed an arbor +over the front steps. Occasionally she would look up the valley; +it was time that Victoriano should be riding out with +Gabriel or his father, superintending the gathering of their +cattle, to be sent to the Sierra.</p> +<p class="pnext">Strange as it may appear, now that the Government, by the +dismissal of the appeal, acknowledged that Don Mariano's title +was good, now, when by this decision, the settlers should have +made up their minds to leave the premises or purchase their +homesteads from the owner of the land, now their disgraceful +destruction of dumb animals was renewed with obvious virulence, +and every night the firing of rifles and shot-guns was heard +all over the rancho. Don Mariano saw that this devastation was +a malicious revenge, which he could not avert, so he began to +collect his stock to take them all to the mountains. About that +time he received the letter in which Clarence proposed to buy +all of his cattle, advising him to restock the rancho afterwards, +when cleared of all trespassers. He liked the proposition, +and immediately gave orders to drive all the cattle to his +sister's rancho as they were got together; there to be put in a +valley and kept in a sort of depot, as they were gathered and +brought in bands of any number, to wait until Clarence returned. +But as afterwards Don Mariano feared that by the +time Clarence came back, there would be no cattle left to sell, +he now hastened their gathering and decided to send them off +as soon as possible. Patiently, and without a word of complaint, +Don Mariano and his two sons would ride out every day to +superintend personally the collecting of the cattle and sending +them off to his sister's rancho to the valley, where the rendezvous +or depot had been established. Victoriano named this +valley the “<em class="italics">rodeo triste</em>,” insisting that the cattle knew it was a +“<em class="italics">rodeo triste</em>,” and walked to it sadly, guessing that they were +to be exiled and butchered. “Just like ourselves, the poor +natives,” he said, “tossed from one cruelty to another still +worse, and then crushed out.” “<em class="italics">Rodeo triste</em>” was a very appropriate +name, considering the fact of its being different from +the gay and boisterous gatherings of other years, when “the +boys” of the surrounding ranchos all assembled at Alamar to +separate their cattle and have a grand time marking and +branding the calves; twisting the tails of stubborn ones by way +of a logical demonstration, a convincing argument conveyed in +that persuasive form, which was to a calf always unanswerable +and irresistible. Then the day's work and fun would wind up +with a hilarious barbecue. But this was all in the past, which +had been happy, and was now a fading tableau.</p> +<p class="pnext">Alice, watching from behind the honeysuckle, saw Don +Mariano, his two sons and three <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> ride down the valley. +There they separated, each followed by a <em class="italics">vaquero</em>, going in +different directions.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Alice was not the only one watching the riders going +out to gather stray cattle. Though with very different sentiments +from those which agitated her loving heart, the entire +population of the rancho had been attentive, though unseen, +spectators of the Don's proceedings. In the evenings the +neighbors would come to relate to Darrell how many head of +cattle and horses they had seen pass by their farms, and renew +their comments thereon.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus six weeks passed. The remittitur from the Supreme +Court to the United States District Court at San Francisco +came. This caused a ripple of excitement among the settlers. +Then a bigger one—a perfect tidal wave—was expected with +the surveyors that would come to make the survey of the +rancho; and when this should be finished, then the grandest and +last effort must be made by the settlers to prevent the approval +of it. Thus, at least, they would have more litigation, and while +the case was in the courts, they would still be on the rancho +raising crops, and paying no taxes and no rent, as they knew +perfectly well that the Don would never sue them for “rents +and profits.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett had gone to town for the mail that day; letters from +Clarence were expected. The neighbors knew it, for by dint +of asking questions they had learned to time the arrival of his +letters, and would drop in quite accidentally, but unerringly, +and in an off-hand manner ask if there was “any news from +Mr. Clarence?” The Don, with his two sons and three +<em class="italics">vaqueros</em>, had gone out in search of his cattle, as usual, just as +if no <em class="italics">remittitur</em> had come. The settlers thought this was a +most excellent subject to ventilate with their neighbor, Darrell; +they came in goodly numbers, “to <em class="italics">revolve</em> the matter, and talk +it over in a <em class="italics">neighborly</em> way,” Mr. Hughes had said, with his perennial +smile.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just so; sit down, sit down,” Mr. Darrell replied; and when +all having dragged chairs and pulled them forward from between +their knees, had dropped upon them, he added, “What +may happen to be the matter we are to revolve?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, the remittitur, of course,” Hughes replied, in his oiliest +tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, I thought something new,” Darrell remarked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a clincher, you know,” Hughes replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but we knew it was coming.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you think it queer that the Don be hurrying off his +cattle, now that he's won his suit? Don't that look as if he don't +put much trust in his victory?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He trusts his victory, but he knows that more stock has +been shot for the last six weeks than for six months previous. +He wants to save <em class="italics">a few</em> head,” said Romeo Hancock, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Roper told me,” said Hughes, ignoring what Romeo said, +“that, if the settlers wish it, this case might be kept in the +courts for fifty years.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“After the land is surveyed?” Darrell asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, after the survey.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We begin our new war by <em class="italics">objecting</em> to the survey, I suppose; +ain't it?” Miller asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is what Roper says,” Hughes replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And, meantime, harass the enemy like the deuce,” Gasbang +added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly; that is Roper's advice,” said Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a gesture of disgust, Romeo said: “Of course, no cattle +having been shot in this rancho before Roper advised it, let +the harassing begin now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here, young man, you had better get more years over +your head before you talk so glibly,” Billy Mathews snarled at +Romeo.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is a settler like yourself, Mr. Mathews, and he has as +good a right to express his opinion, though he may not have +the happiness of being old,” interposed Everett.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It seems to me that all the young bloods on this rancho are +either on the fence or have bolted clean over to the other side, +Mr. Darrell,” said Mathews, addressing his remarks to the elder +Darrell, “but they forget that there aren't girls enough to go +round. There are only two left, if, as rumor says, Mr. Clarence +has taken the blue-eyed one.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Roper says those girls must have done good service in +Washington to get the appeal dismissed so quick.” Gasbang +said, grinning.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And Roper is a dirty-minded dog to say that, and I'll make +him eat his dirty words, or I'll take his hide off of his filthy +carcass,” Everett said, jumping up from his seat, livid with +anger.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sit still, Retty,” Mr. Darrell said, “nobody minds what Roper +says, except, perhaps, in law matters.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Some people do mind what the whelp says, as he is quoted +here,” Everett argued.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It oughtn't to be so. I don't like women's names mixed up +in men's business.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Roper only said that, because we heard that those girls +were in Washington with a gay crowd, who took them from +New York,” Gasbang explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, a crowd who went as guests of Mr. Lawrence Mechlin,” +Everett replied; “a New York banker, and brother of +this Mr. Mechlin here. Mr. Mechlin engaged a special car, as +George wanted to take his wife and sister-in-law to visit the +capital, and then two other families (of the highest and best +in New York) were invited, and all made a party to spend +three weeks in Washington. Clarence being a friend of George +Mechlin's, was invited, also.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That may all be, but we heard that the crowd was a gay +one, running about the corridors and taking lunches at the +Capitol with Senators,” Gasbang explained. “And as that is +the way things are managed when there are any axes to grind, +Roper guessed that the girls had been pressed into service to +help with their smiles to bamboozle Senators.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The vile little reptile; I'll put my heel on him yet,” said +Everett, with white lips.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It isn't likely that Clarence would have stayed by, seeing +Mercedes smiling improperly on anybody, if he cares for +her. He wouldn't be a son of mine if he did,” said Darrell, +frowning.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No; that is all a very mean talk of Roper's. Attorney +General Williams had promised George Mechlin's uncle, six +months ago, to dismiss the appeal as soon as the Supreme +Court should be session, and, though it cuts us all to pieces, +I must say he kept his word like a man; that's all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, it was that infernal, dandified puppy George Mechlin, +who did the mischief. I'll be even with him yet for it,” Old +Mathews growled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why shouldn't George Mechlin help his father-in-law? Because +it upsets the liver of the amiable Mr. Mathews?” asked +Romeo, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Keep quiet, Romeo,” Old Hancock said, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If George Mechlin hadn't helped, the thing would have +been done in some other way. It had to come,” Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know about that; these Californians are too ignorant +to know how to defend their rights, and too lazy to try, +unless some American prompts them,” Mathews replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They know enough to employ a lawyer to defend their +rights,” Old Miller observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; but, after all, they have to use influence in Washington,” +Old Mathews insisted. “And what influence have they, +unless it is by the aid of some American?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the pretty daughters,” added Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind the pretty daughters,” said Miller, seeing that +Everett clenched his fists as if ready to pounce upon Gasbang +at the next provocation. “The question now is, what is to be +done? and who is for us, and who against? The time has come +when we have to count noses.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, what are you going to do, Mr. Darrell?” asked velvety +Hughes, with his sickly smile.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing. What is there for me to do? You heard me +promise to the Don that I would pay him for the land I was +locating, if it was decided that the title was his.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You said <em class="italics">when the title is settled</em>,” Gasbang said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The title is settled as far as the Government is concerned. +As you—the settlers—and the Government were on one side, +and the Don on the other, I guess he now naturally supposes +I must regard the title as <em class="italics">settled</em>, since the principal opponent +(the Government) has thrown up the sponge,” Darrell answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we haven't,” said Mathews; “and as long as we keep +up the fight I don't see how the title can be considered settled.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is settled with the Government, which was the question +when I made my location,” Darrell answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you ain't going to desert our cause?” Hughes asked. +“You'll be our friend to the last, won't you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Such is my intention, but what I might think I ought to +do, circumstances will point out to me. Probably we will see +our way better after the survey is made. Meantime, as the Don +don't trouble any one with orders to vacate, the best thing to +do is to keep quiet.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And spare his cattle,” Romeo added, looking at Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You seem to want to pick a quarrel with me, youngster,” +growled Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What makes you think so? Did <em class="italics">you</em> ever shoot any of +the Don's cattle, that you should appropriate my remarks to +yourself? If you never did, I can't mean you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The boys, the young men, all laughed. Mathews arose, too +angry to remain quiet.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Next time I come to talk business—serious business—with +men, with men of my age—I don't want to be twitted by any +youngster. Children should be seen, and not heard,” said he, +putting on his hat energetically.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, Mr. Mathews, you shouldn't call me a youngster. +You forget I am a married man,” Romeo replied, with great +amiability. “I am a papa, I am. Our baby is now six months +old; he weighed twelve pounds when he was born. Now, can +you show us a baby of <em class="italics">your own</em>, only as old as that, and weigh +half as much?”</p> +<p class="pnext">The shout of laughter that followed these words was too +much for Mathews. The banging of doors as he left was the +only answer he deigned to give.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Mathews! Five pounds! Two-and-a-half, Mr. Mathews!” +shouted Romeo from the window, to the retreating form +of Billy, swiftly disappearing in long strides along the garden +walk.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is the hardest hit Mathews ever got. He is awfully +sensitive about having always been jilted and never been married,” +Miller said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He'll never forgive you,” added old Hancock.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He never has forgiven me for locating my claim either, but +I manage to survive. One more grievance can't sour him much +more,” Romeo replied, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">After Mathews had made his exit, the conversation went on +more harmoniously. Gasbang was now the only malignant +spirit present, but being very cowardly, he felt that as Mathews' +support was withdrawn, and the other settlers were inclined to +abide by Darrell's advice, he would be politic; he would listen +only and report to Peter Roper. Gasbang knew well how unreliable +Roper was, but as they were interested in sundry enterprises +of a doubtful character, he consulted Peter in all matters +when found sober.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell's advice being to “keep quiet,” the meeting soon +broke up and the settlers went home by their separate ways, +all more or less persuaded that, after all, peace was the best +thing all around. Old Mr. Hancock gave utterance to this +sentiment as he stopped by the gate of the Darrell garden to +say good-night to his neighbors.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard the Don say that he does not blame us settlers so +much for taking his land as he blames our law-givers for those +laws which induce us to do so—laws which are bound to array +one class of citizens against another class, and set us all by the +ears,” Romeo said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I heard him say about the same thing, but I thought +he said it because he was a hypocrite, and to keep us from shooting +his cattle,” Gasbang added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No matter what might be his motive, the sentiment is kind +anyway,” Hancock, senior, said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps,” said the others, still unwilling to yield.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiii-home-again"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id24">CHAPTER XXIII.—<span class="small-caps">Home Again.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">On the 25th day of May, of '74, Elvira and Mercedes found +themselves again under the paternal roof of their California +home, in the Alamar rancho. They could have arrived ten +days sooner had they left New York on the first of the month, +as was first intended. This they were not allowed to do, because +when Mrs. L. Mechlin heard that Mercedes' birthday +would be on the 5th of May, she immediately said she could +not and would not think of allowing Mercedes to spend her +eighteenth birthday in the cars. Consequently, invitations +would be issued the following day (which was the 22d of +April) for “<em class="italics">A fête in celebration of Miss Alamar's birthday, on +the 5th day of May</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The invitations were issued thus early to prevent friends of +Mrs. Mechlin's from going into the country for the summer, as +many of them did every year, in May. All, however, accepted, +and waited most graciously.</p> +<p class="pnext">The season was already too far advanced, and the nights were +getting too warm to enjoy dancing, so Mrs. Mechlin thought +it would be better to have an excursion to West Point; to +charter a river steamer, and thus pass the day on the water; +to take breakfast on board on the way to the Point; visit the +Post; see the cadets drill and review; and re-embark; take dinner +on board, and then the young people dance on deck, as +there would be a full band to give them music.</p> +<p class="pnext">This was the programme—which though decided upon +hurriedly, on their return from Baltimore, where they had +been visiting—was carried out successfully. All their pleasure +excursions had been equally delightful. They had visited +Boston first, then they went to Philadelphia, intending to +remain only three or four days, but when they were there, +Mrs. Mechlin's relatives in Baltimore sent urgent invitations +to visit them, so there was nothing else to do but accept. +Thus the jaunt to Philadelphia was extended to Baltimore, +and might have been prolonged, had not Elvira refused to be +separated from George one day more. This young gentleman, +on his part, seemed to have thought, too, that Elvira had been +away long enough. For as the party were waiting for the train +to move out of the depot who should come aboard but this +same young gentleman, George Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The darling,” said Elvira, perfectly overjoyed at the sight +of that beloved apparition, throwing her arms about his neck.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Precious,” said he, clasping her to his heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now Elvira and Mercedes, surrounded by their beloved +family, were relating this episode and many other occurrences +of their eastern visit, all sitting in their favorite front veranda.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Holman girls were there, too. They had made several +visits to Carlota and Rosario within the last ten months, but +this time they came to see Elvira and Mercedes. Mr. Holman +himself had accompanied them, that being a good pretext +to question George closely regarding Texas Pacific +matters. Mr. Holman had invested all his ready money in +San Diego, placing implicit faith in the fact that the building +of the Texas Pacific was a measure of national importance +so manifest that Congress would never have the hardihood to +deny it assistance, nor would be so lacking in sense of honor, +sense of justice, as to deprive millions of American people of +a railway so much needed. These had been the reasons, he +alleged, for plunging headlong into real estate speculations, followed +closely by his friends, Don Mariano and Mr. James +Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">These three gentlemen now sat at the eastern end of the +veranda, listening to what George said that he and his uncle +had learned in Washington regarding the prospect of that unlucky +railroad; while the ladies were equally entertained, listening +to Elvira and Mercedes, on the western end of the same +veranda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But what has become of the handsome Clarence? Why is +he not here?” Corina inquired, seeing Everett and Victoriano +riding up with Gabriel towards the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira informed her that on their arrival at San Francisco, +Clarence found it necessary to visit his farm, and thence to go +to Arizona on business, but would return about the first of +July.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We heard that his mine is in bonanza,” Amelia said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That it has been in bonanza ever since he bought it—hasn't +he told you that?” Corina added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No; he only said that the ore was very rich,” Elvira replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano and Everett now came in and took seats near the +ladies. Gabriel joined the gentlemen, and soon was deeply interested +in their conversation, it of course being upon that +subject—the railroad—which filled the minds and hearts of +all the San Diego people, absorbing all their faculties and all +their money.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How are all the ladies of your family? Well?” Amelia +asked of Everett.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, thank you. They are all well, and I think they will +be up this evening—at least, some of them will. I heard words +to that effect,” Everett replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope all will come,” Elvira said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What? Mr. Darrell, senior, also?” Corina asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. Why not?” Mercedes answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We were speaking of the ladies—but if Mr. Darrell should +call, we will be happy to receive him with sincere cordiality,” +Elvira added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All of which would be thrown away upon the stiffest +neck in San Diego County,” Victoriano observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, Tano! What makes you talk like that?” Mercedes +exclaimed, reddening with evident annoyance.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because his ‘<em class="italics">butt-headedness</em>’ is like that of a vicious old +mule, which no one began to break until he was ten years +old, and loves to kick from pure cussedness,” Victoriano explained, +with free use of slang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If Mr. Darrell has said or done anything to vex you, the +best thing is not to go to his house, but it is not very courteous +to speak as you have in the presence of his son,” Doña +Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I forgive him,” Everett said, patting Tano on the back.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not go to his house!” Tano exclaimed. “That is exactly +what the old pirate wants. It would be <em class="italics">nuts</em> for the +old Turk if I stayed away. Not much—I won't stay away. +I'll go when he is at <em class="italics">the colony</em> with his sweetly-scented pets.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where is the colony?” Mercedes asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is the new name for the large room next to the +dining-room, which Clarence said he built for a ‘growlery.’ +Alice called it the ‘<em class="italics">squattery</em>,’ because father always receives +the settlers there; but mother changed the name to ‘<em class="italics">colony</em>’ +to make it less offensive, and because the talk there is always +about locating, or surveying, or fencing land—always land—as +it would be in a new colony,” Everett explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Whether he be at the colony or not, you should not go if +he does not wish you to visit his house,” Doña Josefa said to +Tano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we all wish it—my mother and every one of her children. +Father doesn't say anything about Tano's coming or +not, but he is cross to all of us, and don't have the politeness +to be more amiable in Tano's presence—which, of course, is +very disagreeable,” Everett replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think Mrs. Darrell ought to put her foot down, and have +it out with the old filibuster,” Tano asserted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will see what he will do when Clarence comes,” Everett +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett thought as all the family did—that Clarence, being +the favorite child of the old man, and having naturally a winning +manner and great amiability, combined with persuasiveness, +would influence his father, and dispel his bad humor. +But if the family had known what was boiling and seething in +the cauldron of their father's mind, they would have perceived +that, for once, neither Clarence's influence, nor yet the more +powerful one wielded by Mrs. Darrell, would at present be as +effective as they heretofore had been.</p> +<p class="pnext">Time alone must be the agent to operate on that hard skull. +Time and circumstances which, fortunately, no one as yet was +misanthrophic enough to foresee. The fact was, that no one +of his family had understood William Darrell. It can hardly +be said that he understood himself, for he sincerely believed +that he had forever renounced his “<em class="italics">squatting</em>” propensities, +and honestly promised his wife that he would not take up +land claimed by any one else. But no sooner was he surrounded +by men who, though his inferiors, talked loudly in +assertion of their “<em class="italics">rights under the law</em>;” and no sooner had +he thousands of broad acres before his eyes—acres which, by +obeying the laws of Congress, he could make his own—than +he again felt within him the old squatter of Sonoma and Napa +valleys. That mischievous squatter had not lain dead therein; +he had been slumbering only, and unconsciously dreaming +of the advantages that the law really gave to settlers. Alongside +the sleeping squatter had also slumbered Darrell's vanity, +and this was, as it is generally in every man, the strongest +quality of his mind, the chief commanding trait, before which +everything must give way.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell had heretofore been the only will that had +dared stand before it, but Mrs. Darrell, being a wise little +woman, not always made direct assaults upon the strong citadel—oftener +she made flank movements and laid sieges. This +time, however, all tactics had thus far failed, and Mrs. Darrell +withdrew all her forces, and waited, in “masterly inactivity,” +reinforcements when Clarence returned.</p> +<p class="pnext">What exasperated Darrell the most, and had ended by putting +him in a bad humor, was a lurking self-reproach he could +not silence, a consciousness that having promised Don Mariano +to pay for his land whenever the title was considered settled, +that it was fair to suppose he ought to pay now. But on +the other hand, he had also promised the settlers to stand by +them, and was determined to do so. Thus he stood in his own +mind self-accused, unhappy and unrepentant, but resolutely +upholding a lost cause. He avoided the society of his family +with absurd persistency. After meals he would fill his pipe, +and march himself off to the farther end of his grain fields; +resting his elbows on the fence boards, and turning his back +upon the house which contained his dissenting family, would +puff his smoke in high dudgeon, like an overturned locomotive +which had run off its track, and became hopelessly +ditched. In that frame of mind, he thought himself ready to +do battle against all his family, but he knew he dreaded Clarence's +return.</p> +<p class="pnext">However, that event had at last arrived, and there was Clarence +now on the porch—just come from Arizona—kissing all +the ladies of the family and hugging all the males, not omitting +the old man, who was literally as well as figuratively taken off +his feet by the strong arms of the dreaded Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clary is so much in love, father, that he comes courting +you, too,” Everett said, laughing, as they all went into the +parlor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose so,” Darrell answered, not looking at any one's +face, excepting that of the clock on the chimney mantel.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrel's eyes, however, were not in the least evasive—they +met those of Clarence, and he read in them a volume of +what was troubling his father's mind. He longed to have a +talk with that true-hearted and clear-headed, well-beloved +mother, but he must wait—for now came Tisha to announce +that luncheon was on the table. She was grinning with delight +to see her favorite Massa Clary again, and Clarence +jumped up and ran to throw his arms around her, making +that faithful heart throb with unalloyed happiness, for she +loved him from his babyhood, just if he had been her own +child.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I love them all, missis—all your dear children,” she would +say to Mrs. Darrell; “and they are all good children; but +Massa Clary I love the best of all. Next comes Miss Alice. +But Massa Clary took my heart when he was six months old, +and had the measles. He was the best, sweetest baby I ever +saw, and so beautiful.” Thus Tisha would run on, if you let +her follow the bent of her inclination, for Clarence was a theme +she never tired of.</p> +<p class="pnext">All sorts of questions now showered upon Clarence about +New York, about Washington, about San Francisco, and about +Arizona—all of which he answered most amiably.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And are the Mechlins very grand? As rich as one might +suppose? hearing the Holman and Alamar girls talk of the +parties and excursions that Mr. Lawrence Mechlin gave in +honor of Elvira?” Jane asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The excursion to West Point was to celebrate Mercedes' +birthday,” Alice observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, the Mechlins must be rich, to judge by their style of +living. Their social position is certainly very high,” Clarence +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You had a delightful time, Clary?” Everett said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, indeed; most delightful,” was the answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We, too, have had lots of fun, with old Mathews on the +rampage, like an old hen who got wet and lost her only chicken,” +said Willie, at the top of his voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Willie!” Mrs. Darrell said, to impose silence, but as Clarence +and Everett laughed, and his father did not seem particularly +displeased, Willie added:</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the old man gets so mad, that he perspires, and +smoke comes out of his back, as if his clothes were on fire.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Willie! how you exaggerate,” Lucy exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't. He snorts and clucks and growls and snarls. +Romeo says he miauls like a disappointed hyena.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That will do. You must not repeat such unkind criticisms. +Romeo is always ridiculing Mr. Mathews,” Mrs. Darrell +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Old Mathews is in worse humor since the Don began to +send his cattle away,” Webster said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why so?” Clarence asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because they made nice targets for his rifle,” Everett replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Scandalous!” Clarence exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He threatens to shoot George Mechlin, Tom Hughes +says,” Webster added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why?” Clarence asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because he got the appeal dismissed,” answered Webster.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is foolish to suppose that if George hadn't had it dismissed +that no one else would,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I met the old man this morning. He stopped his wagon +to ask me if father knew that Congress had passed the appropriation +for money to survey lands in California. I told +him I hadn't heard, and he went off whipping his horses, +and swearing at Don Mariano and George Mechlin,” Everett +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought there would be a better feeling when the Don's +cattle should be sent off, as they were the principal cause of +irritation,” Clarence observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And it is so. Only those boys—Romeo, Tom and Jack +Miller—are always ridiculing or teasing Mathews,” Darrell +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, father!” Everett exclaimed; “the fathers of those +boys are as bad as Mathews, and old Gasbang is worse +yet!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gasbang was always dishonest, but he is worse now, at +Peter Roper's instigation,” Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gasbang says that he and Roper will send the Don to the +poor-house,” Everett said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not while I live,” Clarence replied; adding, “and how is +everybody at the Alamar house—all well?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Up started Willie and Clementine, eager to be the first to tell +Clarence the great news.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They had two arrivals,” Mrs. Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Clary! you never saw prettier babies in all your life! +Both have the loveliest blue eyes,” Clementine exclaimed, +joining her hands, as if in prayer, as Tisha always did when +speaking of Clarence's babyhood.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The boy has gray eyes,” Willie interposed, with authority +not to be controverted. “He hasn't no blue eyes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How do you know? You haven't seen them, but <em class="italics">I</em> have,” +Clementine asserted; “and the little girl is exactly the image of +Miss Mercedes. She has Miss Mercedes' blue eyes, exactly, +with long, curling lashes, the little thing.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The girl looks like Don Gabriel, as she ought to,” Willie +stated in a peremptory manner, not to be contradicted, and +whilst he discussed with Clementine the looks of the babies, +Clarence was informed by his mother and sisters that Elvira +was the happy mother of a big, handsome boy, and Lizzie rejoiced +in the possession of a beautiful little girl, which weighed +nearly as much as her boy cousin. That Doña Josefa and +Mrs. Beatrice Mechlin were nearly crazy with happiness, but +that the craziest of all was Mr. James Mechlin, who made +more “<em class="italics">fuss</em>” over those two babies than either Gabriel or +George, and went from one house to the other all day long, +watching each baby, and talking about them by the hour.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiv-the-brewers-of-mischief"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id25">CHAPTER XXIV.—<span class="small-caps">The Brewers of Mischief.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Eight delicious weeks passed—the most delightful that Clarence +and Mercedes had ever lived. The first of September +had dawned, and on the 16th they would be married. With +the first rays of the coming morn, Clarence arose and went to +the west window of his chamber, which looked towards the +Alamar House. As he peeped through the closed shutters, +thinking it would seem foolish to open them so early, he saw +the shutters of one window—in that well known row where +Mercedes' room was located, and which looked to the east—pushed +open, and a white hand and part of a white arm came +out and fastened it back. His heart told him whose white +arm that was, and of course he could not think of going back +to bed. He began to dress himself, deliberating whether he +should or not go to town that day and telegraph to Hubert to +do as he thought best about selling another cargo of ores, or +say to wait for him, that he would be at San Francisco on the +20th. When he was dressed, he sat by the west window and +tried to read, but that white arm would come across the page +and that white hand would cover the letters, so that he threw +the book down and began to walk, trying to think about that +business of selling the ore to the Austrian house, of which Hubert +had been writing to him. Yes, he thought, the best thing +would be to go to town that same day and ask Hubert couldn't +the matter wait until the 20th. But should Hubert be coming, +or should it be necessary to wait for telegrams, he might +not be back until the following day in the evening. He would +go immediately after breakfast to tell Mercedes that he could +not see her that evening.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes and Doña Josefa were on the front piazza when +he arrived, and Gabriel was talking to George in quite an excited +manner, for him, as he was always so calm and self-contained. +As soon as Clarence came up the piazza steps, +George began to tell him that some of the last lot of cattle +which had been sent off to the mountains, had got away from +the herders and returned to the rancho on the previous day, +and that morning a couple of cows of a very choice breed were +found shot through the body, in a dying condition. The poor +brutes had to be shot dead by Gabriel himself, to save them +from further suffering. No one knew who had fired on the +poor dumb animals, but circumstantial evidence clearly pointed +to Old Mathews.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was very angry, of course. He reflected in silence +for a few moments, then said to Gabriel:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think if Don Mariano would make now, to-day, a deed +of sale of <em class="italics">all</em> his cattle and horses to me, they would have a +better chance of being spared. Not that Mathews, or Gasbang, +or Miller like me any better, but they are not so anxious to +annoy me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think Clarence's idea is a good one,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think so, too, and have thought so for some time,” Gabriel +replied. “We are going to drive off the last lot to-day. +Father and Tano are down in the valley. I'll tell him what +you say as soon as I go down. I think we will return by +to-morrow night, and he can draw up the deed then.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell him that I shall consider that the cattle are mine <em class="italics">now</em>, +and will let our friends, the settlers, know it, so that they can +have the satisfaction of killing <em class="italics">my cattle</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you really mean it?” Doña Josefa asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. Don Mariano can buy all the cattle he wants +to restock his rancho after he gets rid of the two-legged animals,” +Clarence replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is, if he wants to restock it. He was talking with +George and me last night, and he said if the Texas Pacific is +built, he will have all his land surveyed to sell it in farming +lots, and will not put cattle in it. But if the railroad is not +built, then the best use he can make of the rancho will be to +make it a cattle rancho again, after the squatters go away,” +Gabriel said, adding that he must be going to join his father. +He then went into the hall to go to the court-yard, where his +saddled horse and his <em class="italics">vaquero</em> waited for him. Clarence and +George followed to bid him good-by. Clarence said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wrote to Hubert about procuring for you a place at a +bank, to get broken into the banking business, and he replied +that he can, and will get you a place. Would you like to try +it, now that you will have less to do here, when there will be +no cattle at the rancho? I am going to write and telegraph to +Hubert to-day—or he might be down in to-morrow's steamer—so +that I can tell him about what time you might go up.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think you had better go about the time Clarence and +Mercedes get married, as they will immediately go to their +house in San Francisco,” George suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I think that will be the best time,” Gabriel said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well; I'll write to Hubert that we will be up by the +20th of this month,” Clarence said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gabriel can take his place on the 1st of October. That +will do splendidly, as Lizzie and Mercedes will be together,” +George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we must live in the hope that we will all come down +to make our homes here,” Gabriel added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course. That is understood,” Clarence replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Though at times I feel discouraged, still, I can't well see +how the Texas Pacific is to be defeated permanently. That +would be too outrageous. Let us hope that by next year our +banking scheme will be carried out,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope so, and as I have made more money than I had +when we first talked about it we can put in more capital. We +can, if you advise it, put in a whole million now,” Clarence +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So much the better,” George said, and both shook hands +with Gabriel, who quickly jumped on his horse and was off at +a gallop, followed by his <em class="italics">vaquero</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the hour when the babies got their morning bath. +George had great pleasure in seeing his boy enjoy the sensation +of floating in the water; so he let Clarence return to the porch +where Mercedes was now alone, and he went to watch the +bathing of his boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence sat close to Mercedes and said: “Does the sweetest +thing that God created realize that this day is the first day +of September?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you mean me, though you make me feel very foolish +with your exaggerated praise, I must say that I do realize that +to-day is the first of September,” she replied, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And does the loveliest rosebud and the prettiest hummingbird +remember that in two weeks more she is to be mine, mine +forever?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hush, Clarence, some one might hear you,” she said, putting +her hand over his lips, blushing and looking around, +alarmed. He took that hand and kissed the palm of it, then +turned it over and kissed the back of it most ardently, and held +it in his own, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have a piece of information that is going to make your +dear heart glad. What will you give for it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is it? Do tell me. Is it about papa?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, but it is about Gabriel and Lizzie.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That Gabriel will get a place at a San Francisco bank to +learn the banking business, and they will live with us, so you +and Lizzie will be together.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! Clarence, is that so? Oh! you make me so glad! +How can I ever thank you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Haven't you said that you love me? Haven't you promised +to marry me, and thus make me the happiest man upon +the entire face of all this earth? That is enough for thanks. +But for telling you the news I want to be paid <em class="italics">extra</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes blushed crimson.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am going to town now, to be away a long time; won't +you give me one single kiss to say good-by?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Must you go? Why don't you write your letters or telegrams +and send them from here?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I may have to answer some dispatches immediately. +Or it is possible that Hubert might have run down to +see me for a few hours. To-morrow is steamer day.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then this will be a good chance to send up your photograph +I want to have enlarged and painted.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; give it to me; I'll send it up.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll bring it,” she said, going to the parlor. He followed +her. He closed the door, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now, one sweet kiss to give me good luck and bring me +back all safe. P-l-e-a-s-e don't refuse it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Clarence! Mamma don't approve of such things, and +I don't either. You are not my husband yet,” she pleaded, but +in vain, for he had put his arm around her and was holding +her close to his heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am not your husband yet? Yes I am. In intention I +have been ever since January, 1872. More than two years, +and, in fact, I shall be in two weeks. So you see how cruel it +is to be so distant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you call this distant, holding me so close?” For sole +answer he looked into her eyes, kissed her forehead and blushing +cheeks, then he kissed the heavily fringed eyelids, kept +partly closed, afraid to meet the radiant gaze of his expressive +eyes. Then he put his lips to hers and held them there in a +long kiss of the purest, truest love. “My darling! My wife! +My own for ever! The sweetest, loveliest angel of my soul!”</p> +<p class="pnext">No doubt he would have been willing to hold her thus close +to his heart for hours, but she disengaged herself from his embrace +with gentle firmness. Such warm caresses she intuitively +felt must be improper in the highest degree, even on the +eve of marriage. No lady could allow them without surrendering +her dignity. That was the effect of Doña Josefa's doctrines, +which she had carefully inculcated into the minds of +her daughters.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I hope that at last you have kissed me enough,” said +Mercedes, rather resentfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never enough, but I hope sufficiently to give me good +luck,” answered the happy Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Clarence, that reminds me of my horrible dream of +last night. I dreamed that papa went to look for you in the +midst of a snow storm and never came back. You returned, +but he never did.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You must not believe in dreams, dearest.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not, but this seemed prophetic to me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Prophetic of a snow storm in San Diego?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The snow was symbolic of bereavement, perhaps.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She rested her head on his shoulder and seemed lost in +thought, and he held the little hand, so soft and white and well +shaped, and thought of her beauty and lovely qualities and his +coming happiness. He was thinking that he would have been +content to pass the day thus, when she raised her eyes to his, +saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must not keep you if you must go. Remember how superstitious +my dream has made me. I wish you could wait +until to-morrow.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would, but Hubert might come to-morrow.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I had forgotten that.” One more long kiss and they parted, +her heart sinking under a load of undefined terrors.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the seventh heaven Clarence had to come down again +to prosaic earth; and after bidding adieu to Mercedes, he +drove back home to speak to his father. The old man was +sitting in his easy chair on the porch, smoking his pipe, alone, +behind the curtain of honeysuckle, white jasmine and roses, so +carefully trained over the porch by Mrs. Darrell and Alice. +Seeing his son driving back towards the front steps, he walked +down to meet him. Clarence was glad that he seemed in a +better humor. He at once said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Father, I came back to ask a favor of you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A favor? You alarm me. You never did that in all your +life,” he said, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You mean I never did anything else. I know it. But this +is a very especial one, and a business favor.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us hear it. Of course I'll do anything I can for you +or any other of my children.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thanks, father. The favor is this. That in talking with +the settlers—especially those who have been most ready to +shoot the Don's cattle—that you tell them I have bought all +his stock and all will be driven to the Colorado river just as +soon as cold weather sets in. I don't think many of the settlers +like me any better than they like the Don, but if they +think they might displease <em class="italics">you</em> by killing your son's cattle they +might spare the poor animals.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll do it. I expect Mathews and Miller now. They sent +me word they are coming to bring me some special news as +soon as Gasbang returns from town. But have you really and +truly bought the stock? or is it only to—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have made a bona fide purchase; five hundred head are +already at the mine, and as soon as the hot weather is over, +the others will follow. I must buy cattle somewhere, for we +have to feed five hundred men now at work, and as the Don +is losing his all the time, I proposed to him to sell all to me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But what is he to do with his land? Queer that he should +sell his cattle when he gets his land. Doesn't he believe he'll +get rid of us—the <em class="italics">squatters</em>?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“O yes, but he figures thus: If the Texas Pacific is built, it +will pay better to sell his land in farming lots; if not, he can +restock it when he gets rid of his troublesome neighbors.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He has more sense than I gave him credit for. I guess +you put him up to that dodge.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No indeed. He thought it himself, but it seems that Gabriel +and George thought the same thing at the same time, +and as I was thinking where I could get cattle for my mines, +it struck me I might buy his and suit us both.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right. I'll speak to the settlers, but of course I cannot +promise that they will do what I ask.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I understand that. Many thanks. Good-by.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“When will you return?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To-morrow,” and he was off at a tearing speed for his +horses were tired of waiting, and longed to be on the road.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a little <em class="italics">arroyo</em> which passed about 500 yards on +the west of Don Mariano's house and marked the west line of +Darrell's land; as Clarence approached this dried brook, he +saw Gasbang and Roper coming down from the opposite hill, +evidently unable to check their horses. Roper was so intoxicated +that he could with difficulty keep his seat, and as Gasbang +seemed much frightened, Clarence took his phæton well off +the road and waited so as to lend his assistance, if it should be +required. But “the kind Providence which takes care of +drunken sailors, children and the United States,” was watchful +of Roper, and though he swayed and swung beyond possible +equilibrium, he stuck to his seat with drunken gravity.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Going to invest in more real estate?” Gasbang shouted as +soon as he felt reassured by passing the great danger of sand +and pebbles which his cowardice had magnified to him into a +precipice. Roper laughed heartily, but Clarence, not understanding +the allusion, made no answer and drove on without +looking at them. If a kind fairy could have whispered to him +what was the errand of these two men, he most assuredly would +have turned back. There being no fairy but the blue-eyed +one who had already told her dreams and fears, which he had +not believed, he went on to town, and Gasbang took Roper +to his house, carefully putting him to bed to take a nap that +would sober him before he spoke with Darrell; for it was to +speak with Darrell that he came.</p> +<p class="pnext">While Roper slept, Gasbang went to see Mathews, Miller and +Hughes, and together they held a consultation, at the end of +which it was decided that, as Roper was too intoxicated yet, +and Darrell disliked drunkards, they would go and have a preliminary +talk with him themselves, and Roper would be pressed +into service, if advisable, in the morning, when he would be sober.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell had got tired of waiting for Mathews; so, after thinking +of what Clarence had said, he decided that it would be +better to have a talk with Hancock and Pitikin, who were about +the most reliable of all the settlers. They perhaps knew what +it was that Mathews had to say. He told Webster to saddle a +horse and bring it around; he would go on horseback, as the +wagon road to Hancock's was very long, around the fields.</p> +<p class="pnext">But now when Webster had brought the saddled horse to the +front steps, Darrell saw Mathews, Gasbang, Miller and Hughes +coming in a two-seated wagon, and all seemed to be talking +very excitedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tie the horse there. I'll wait for those men,” said Darrell, +sitting down again. Webster did as he was told, and then +walked straight up-stairs to his mother's room. Everett and +Alice were with her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mother, if I were you, I would go and sit in the parlor and +do my sewing there by the windows on the piazza, while those +bad men are talking to father,” Webster said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, Webster, go and listen unseen!” Mrs. Darrell exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, and do it quickly, for those old imps mean mischief +to Clarence.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To Clarence!” exclaimed Alice and her mother at the +same time.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, mother, Web. might be right. You might just be in +time to unmask some lie against Clary,” Everett suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“One thing is sure, that those men already have too much +influence over father, and we have done nothing to oppose it,” +Alice said. Mrs. Darrell was silent, then, looking at her children, +said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“You might be right, my children, but that would not justify +my listening at the keyhole.” Everett shrugged his shoulders, +saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, mother. Come on, Web.” And both boys left +the room. When they were out, Everett said: “Web, get a +horse saddled and tie him at the back porch for me. I am +going to listen from Jane's room; one of her windows is right +over those men. If what I hear makes it necessary for me to +see Clarence, I shall go to town. Get a horse saddled immediately +and come to me.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxv-the-squatter-and-the-don"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id26">CHAPTER XXV.—<span class="small-caps">The Squatter and the Don.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Everett found Lucy in Jane's room. Both were sewing by +the window he wanted. He squeezed himself into a seat between +his sisters, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Girls, I want to hear. Hush! Listen!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Voices were heard below. All listened. As Webster was +coming down stairs he saw John Gasbang going out at the +other end of the parlor, pushing a large arm-chair out upon +the porch. He heard them laughing at some of Gasbang's +coarse, vulgar jokes, and then all sat down. After some desultory +talk, Mathews, evidently anxious to begin at what they had +to state, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am afraid, neighbor Darrell, that somebody has been +fooling you and laughing at you, or if not, then the thing will +look as if <em class="italics">you yourself</em> had been fooling us and laughing at us. +This we can hardly believe.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We don't believe at all,” Hughes explained, seeing Darrell's +brow darken.</p> +<p class="pnext">Jane's window was possessed of most favorable acoustic +qualities. Every word could be distinctly heard.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't understand you,” says Darrell, gruffly. “I am not +given to joking or laughing much, and I never knew that anybody +dared to laugh at me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Precisely!” Hughes exclaimed, bowing deferentially.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you ever give us to understand that this land you +occupy you had bought and paid for?” Mathews asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No. I said to the Don I would pay when the title is settled; +that's all. You all heard that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you never paid him any money?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not a red cent. But see here, what do you mean by coming +here to catechise <em class="italics">me</em>? You don't know William Darrell, if you +think you can set a trap for him in this way. I tell you he would +kick your trap to the old ‘Nick’ in two minutes,” Darrell said, +getting white with anger.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know it,” Gasbang said, shaking with laughter.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Stop your nonsense,” Darrell said to him; then to Mathews, +“Speak out like a man—what is it all about?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That we are told that it is recorded that you paid six thousand +four hundred dollars to the Don for six hundred and forty +acres of land,” Miller explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“When did I do that?” Darrell asked, with increasing pallor, +the sight of which his interlocutor did not relish.</p> +<p class="pnext">“On the 13th day of February, 1872,” Gasbang replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who saw the record?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did. I saw the entry made by the notary.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, the notary lies, that's all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He couldn't. He could be prosecuted for it,” Miller +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, he shall be; for it is a lie that I bought any +such land or paid any such price for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps the Don had the entry made,” Hughes suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then the Don lied, and I'll tell him so,” Darrell retorted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are you sure that Mr. Clarence did not buy the land unbeknown +to you?” Mathews asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What do you mean, sir? Do you mean to say that my own +son would put me in such a ridiculous position? No, I think it is +more likely that, as Hughes says, the Don had the false entry +made on the strength of my having promised to pay him for +the land I would take. But I'll teach him that I am not to +be dragged into a bargain like that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What would the Don gain by that? Nothing. No, if you +will not be offended, I'll tell you what I heard is the most likely +theory of it all,” Gasbang began.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And who in the devil has been building theories on my +affairs? I'd like to see the fellow who does that,” thundered +Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It was my lawyer, who casually discovered that entry in +the notary's books, and told me of it. He meant no harm,” +Gasbang explained, with conciliatory amiability.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course, he meant no harm. Lawyers of the Peter Roper +stamp never do. When they go sticking their noses into +people's business, they do so <em class="italics">casually</em>. And your lawyer—Mr. +Roper, I suppose—being a very innocent and straightforward +and honorable, high-toned man, who never gets drunk, he did +not mean any harm, and <em class="italics">accidentally</em>, purely so, made this discovery, +and no danger of his having been too drunk to read +straight, either. Look here, John, don't you talk to me as if +you thought me idiotic, for I am not. But what is this innocent +theory of this unsophisticated, honorable Peter Roper? +Let us see.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, he thinks that Mr. Clarence being in love with the +Don's daughter, probably bought the land to propitiate the +family, and dated back the deed of sale,” Gasbang said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell was silent, but shook his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You see, the Don could have had no object in putting on +record that he had received six thousand four hundred dollars, +unless he did so,” said Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So you think he received the money?” Darrell asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No doubt of it,” all the others answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There he goes now,” said Hughes, and all could see the +Don riding towards home, accompanied by his two sons. Behind +them the <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> were driving a lot of cattle towards +the “<em class="italics">corral</em>” at the back of the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing the cattle, Darrell said: “By the way, these cattle +now belong to Clarence. He bought every head on this +rancho belonging to the Don, and will drive them to the Colorado +River as soon as the weather cools off. So I hope that +if any stray cows or calves come up to your places you will +corral them and send <em class="italics">me</em> word. I ask this of all of you, as a +favor to me, not to Clarence.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly! certainly!” said Hughes, Miller and Gasbang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will it be too much trouble to do that?” Darrell asked +Mathews, who had remained silent.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was compelled to reply: “Of course not—not for +you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, you see, I ask only what the law gives.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And Clarence knows that if his cattle go to your fields you +must corral them and give him notice. And now I want to +go and speak with the Don.”</p> +<p class="pnext">All arose.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hughes said: “As we all wish to know more about that +land sale, we will come back this evening to hear what the +Don says.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well. I am going to ask all he knows about it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He knows everything, the greaser!” Mathews growled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you think Clarence paid the money?” asked Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course he did, to get the girl,” laughed Gasbang; then +added: “It was all a put-up job, and they kept the secret well, +so we never smelled the rat, while they laughed at us. But I +don't care so long as you, Mr. Darrell, wasn't in it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So says I,” added Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I,” said Hughes, and they drove off, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell remained standing on the front steps. He ground +his teeth and clenched his fists as he heard the laughter from +the wagon, which sounded louder as the wagon went further +away. He walked to the stable and took a heavy whip, one of +those which teamsters call “black snakes,” which are used +to drive mules with. The old man trembled with suppressed +anger, so much that he could not fasten on his spurs, and this +only increased the more his senseless rage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett was scarcely less angry or less pale. He was waiting +for his father to start, to follow him. Webster came up-stairs +and said to him:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Retty, father means mischief. He has a ‘black snake,’ and +trembles with rage as if he had the ague.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Poor father, how unfortunate it is that he got into such +a wrong train of reasoning,” Jane said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is bound to keep wrong as long as he permits such +men to influence him. I am ashamed of father,” Lucy +added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, don't say that,” Jane begged.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I am,” Lucy maintained; “very much ashamed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I also—bitterly ashamed,” Everett said.</p> +<p class="pnext">The old gentleman at last succeeded in fastening his +spurs and getting on his horse. He trotted off to meet the +Don. Everett and Webster went down stairs. Webster had +saddled two horses; he was not going to let Everett go alone, +when he might need help. So the two boys followed their +father at a short distance.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lucy and Jane went to Clarence's room, from which they +had a better view of that part of the valley through which +passed the main road, in front of the Alamar house. They +saw their father take the main road. The Don was coming +slowly with his two sons, watching the <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> driving the +cattle up the hill.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mamma, see father going to meet the Don. What does +he mean?” exclaimed Alice, alarmed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell went to the window, and both sat there to watch +proceedings.</p> +<p class="pnext">Two or three head of cattle got separated, and Gabriel +turned back at a few paces to head them off. Don Mariano +and Victoriano kept on, and soon after met Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good afternoon, Mr. Darrell,” said Don Mariano, pleasantly. +“You see we are Clarence's <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell muttered something gruffly, and stopped his horse +in the middle of the road. The others did the same. Don +Mariano saw that Darrell was very angry, and waited for him +to speak first.</p> +<p class="pnext">The enraged man gasped twice, but no sound came. On +the third effort his harsh tones said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I want you to tell me what is all this trickery and lies about +my having paid you six thousand four hundred dollars for +land. You know that to be a lie.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course I do. You never paid me a cent, nor the other +settlers either. No settler wants to pay, and I never said you +had, or expected they would, for I know they believe themselves +authorized by law to appropriate my property.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Didn't Clarence pay you for the land I took?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here, Mr. Darrell, business matters between Clarence +and myself are not to be mentioned, and unless he +authorizes me to speak I cannot repeat anything which he +wishes to keep quiet.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then you have some private business together.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano bowed, but did not speak. Darrell came +closer to the Don, and shaking at him the fist in which he +held the whip, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then I tell you, you ought to be ashamed of yourself to +be bargaining with my son in a clandestine manner, fooling +me, and making me appear ridiculous. But I tell you to +your face—for I am not a sneaking coward—I tell you, +that you have acted most dishonorably, inveigling Clarence +into bargains unbeknown to me, inducing him, with seductive +bribes, to act most dishonorably towards me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What were those bribes?” Don Mariano asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What were they? Your daughter's pretty looks, by G—!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, father!” exclaimed Everett, turning very pale.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pshaw! That is too low,” the Don said, turning his horse +towards his house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell spurred his and stood in the way.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Too low, you say? And isn't it low to act as you have? +And now you want to sneak off like a coward, and not give me +any satisfaction.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am ready to give you any satisfaction you want, but demand +it like a gentleman. I am no Peter Roper, or Gasbang, +or Billy Mathews, to have a tumble-down fist-fight in the dirt +with you. If you forget your dignity, I do not,” the Don replied, +again trying to go towards his house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell again placed his horse in front to intercept his road, +and said, livid with rage:</p> +<p class="pnext">“And why didn't you think of your dignity when you paraded +your daughter (like a pretty filly for sale) before my son, +to get his money! Damn you! can't I make you fight? Won't +you be insulted, you coward? I'll publish your cowardice all +over California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">So saying, he lifted his whip and struck a severe blow at the +Don. Quickly, at the same instant, Victoriano and Everett +had dashed their horses between, and the blow fell right upon +the backs of the two young men.</p> +<p class="pnext">This act of devotion was scarcely necessary, for as Darrell +lifted his whip, and before it fell down, Don Mariano touched +his horse with one spur only, giving a quick touch to the reins +to one side. The horse jumped aside, sat on his haunches +for an instant, half-crouching, half-rearing, and in a second he +was up again. Don Mariano smiled at Darrell's clumsy +horsemanship, conscious of being able to ride him down and +all around him before the belligerent squatter could tell what +was happening. Still smiling, the Don rode slowly away. +Darrell followed close, and again lifted his whip to strike, but +instantaneously he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, +or as if an aerolite had fallen upon him. His arm fell powerless +by his side, and an iron hoop seemed to encircle him. He +looked down to his breast surprised, and there the coil of a +<em class="italics">reata</em> held him in an iron grip, and he could not move. He +looked about him amazed, and saw that the other end of the +<em class="italics">reata</em> was neatly wound around the pommel of Gabriel's saddle, +and that young gentleman sat quietly on his horse, as if +waiting Mr. Darrell's orders to move, his handsome face a +little pale, but quite composed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Go home and bring me my pistols, Webster. I'll fix this +brood of greasers,” said Darrell, half choked with rage and the +tight embrace of the <em class="italics">reata</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Webster hesitated, and looked towards his brother for advice. +Everett winked, and Webster understood at once that +Everett meant that he should go, but bring no pistols. He +galloped off towards home.</p> +<p class="pnext">The horse that Darrell was riding was the mate of the one +that Webster rode, so that when he saw his partner go off +towards home, he thought he must do the same, and followed. +As the reins hung loosely upon his neck, he naturally supposed +that he was to follow at the pace his companion went, +so he started at a gallop to catch up with Webster.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus now began a most ridiculous steeple-chase going +home. Darrell could not check his horse or do anything but +hold to the pommel of his saddle, his arms being pinioned to +his body. Gabriel, fearing to let go the <em class="italics">reata</em>, which, if +loosened, might entangle the horse, and thus pull the old man +off his saddle, followed, maintaining the <em class="italics">reata</em> at an even, +gentle tension, carefully keeping at the same distance. Victoriano +and Everett saw nothing to do but follow, trying to get +near Darrell to catch him in case he should lose his balance +going over the rough ground of the plowed field.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two Indian <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> after putting their cattle in the +<em class="italics">corral</em>, came down to inquire for further orders, and seeing +the race going on, they thought they could join in, too. So, +putting spurs to their horses, they began to run and shout in +high glee. Noticing that the patron, Don Gabriel, held a +<em class="italics">reata</em> in his hands, the <em class="italics">lazo</em> end of which was attached to +Darrell, they thought that for sport Don Gabriel had thrown +the <em class="italics">lazo</em> on the old squatter. Having come to this conclusion, +they began to shout and hurrah with renewed vigor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Apa! viejo escuata ó cabestreas ó te órcas,” cried one.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No le afloje patroncito Gabriel,” said the other.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now the ground being very rough, Darrell began to sway, +as if losing his balance.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Apriétate viejo! apriétate míralo! ya se ladea!” cried +again one <em class="italics">vaquero</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Creo que el viejo escuata va chispo,” said the other.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Que es eso? A que vienen acá? Quien los convida? +Cállense la boca, no sean malcreados, Vallense!” said Victoriano, +turning to them in great indignation.</p> +<p class="pnext">This rebuke and imperative order silenced them immediately, +and not understanding why these gentlemen were having +all that fun, and did not laugh, nor wished any one else to +laugh, quietly turned and went home.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell's horse now came to a hollow made by the old bed +of a brook where the road passed diagonally. To gallop +down hill was too much equestrianism for the pinioned rider; +he began again to topple to one side. Quick as a flash Victoriano +darted forward, and grasping the bridle with one hand, +caught with the other the body of Darrell, which having entirely +lost balance, was toppling over like a log.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel immediately gathering the <em class="italics">reata</em> quickly in successive +loops, all of which he hung on the pommel of his saddle, +came to Darrell's side.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll take that <em class="italics">lazo</em> off, Mr. Darrell, if you permit me,” said +Gabriel, very quietly, when Victoriano had straightened him +on the saddle, and he had again a perpendicular position.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, damn you, and you'll pay for it, too!” was Darrell's +courteous reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, but don't be abusive. Use better language; +and if you want to fight I'll accommodate you whenever you +wish, with any weapons, except the tongue,” Gabriel answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose you think a <em class="italics">lazo</em> is a very genteel weapon. It is +good enough for cowardly, treacherous greasers,” said the irate +Darrell, eager to be as insulting as possible.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And to subdue wild cattle,” Gabriel added. “I threw my +<em class="italics">lazo</em> on you to keep you from striking my father. He was unarmed, +and you made a brutal attack upon him with a heavy +mule whip. I would <em class="italics">lazo</em> you again fifty times, or any other +man, under the same circumstances. If you think it was cowardly +to do so, I will prove to you at any time that I was not +prompted by cowardice. Victoriano, loosen the <em class="italics">reata</em> off Mr. +Darrell's arms.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano dismounted, and endeavored to loosen the tight +noose, but it was so firmly drawn that he could not move it. +Everett came to his assistance, but he, too, failed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I cannot loosen the noose without hurting Mr. Darrell,” +said Victoriano, giving up the task.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel dismounted, and examined the noose carefully. He +shook his head, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir; we cannot loosen that <em class="italics">reata</em> while you are sitting +down. We will have to put you on your feet, Mr. Darrell, +and you will be slimmer then. Thus by collapsing a little the +loop will lose the tension that keeps it tight.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on, Mr. Darrell, Retty and I will let you down +nicely,” said Victoriano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Lean on me, father,” said Everett, but as he held up his +arms towards his father, he became convulsed with laughter. +Victoriano was laughing, too, so heartily, that Darrell was afraid +to trust his weight into their hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">“For shame, Victoriano, to be so discourteous,” said Gabriel, +reprovingly—his handsome features perfectly serious.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Victoriano had suppressed his desire to laugh too long, +and now his risibility was beyond control. Everett was overcome +in the same manner, so that he hung on Victoriano's +shoulder, shaking with ill-suppressed laughter.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell, be not afraid to trust to my strength, I am +slender, but I am stronger than I look. Lean your weight on +me slowly, and I'll take you off your horse while those boys +laugh,” Gabriel said, putting up his hands for Darrell to lean +on them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think we had better go home first,” he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir. It will be painful for Mrs. Darrell to see you as +you are, and then you ought to have that <em class="italics">reata</em> off now, quickly. +It will sicken you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I feel a very strange sort of cold feeling.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel was afraid that impeded circulation might make the +old man faint, so he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come, Mr. Darrell, quick.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He slipped off one stirrup, then quickly went around +slipped off the other, and pulled Darrell to him gently. Down +like a felled tree came the old fighter, almost bearing Gabriel +down to the ground. Everett and Victoriano, checking their +laughter somewhat, lent their assistance to hold him up, and +as he had begun to look bluish, they saw the necessity of establishing +the old man's circulation. While Everett and +Victoriano held him up, Gabriel loosened the coil, rubbing +briskly and hard the benumbed arms to start circulation by +friction, moving them up and down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can you get on your horse now?” Gabriel asked, after +Darrell had moved his arms several times.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I think I can,” he said, looking towards his house. A +new shadow passed over his face.</p> +<p class="pnext">Webster was coming back, leading his horse. Would he +bring pistols? No. His mother was walking with him. +Mrs. Darrell saluted the Alamares, and they lifted their hats +respectfully in response. Webster had told her all that had +happened, and she understood everything, excepting the +steeple-chase performance. She had seen all running behind +her husband, but she did not know that the chase was most +involuntary on his part. Seeing them stop for so long a time +in the hollow she thought he had fallen.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the matter, William? Did you fall?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No. And if I had, you couldn't pick me up. What did +you come out here for?” was the characteristic answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because, not seeing you when down in this hollow I feared +you were hurt, but since it is only foolish anger that ails you, I +need not waste my sympathy,” she said in her sweet, low +voice—which Clarence insisted always was like Mercedes' voice, +having that same musical vibration, so pleasing to the ear and +sure to go straight to the heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mrs. Darrell, allow me to assure you that all this trouble +came most unexpectedly to us. We don't know what caused it, +but no matter what the cause may be, I certainly could do +nothing else than prevent anybody from striking my father,” +Gabriel said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, Don Gabriel, you did your duty. I do not blame +you—no one of you—at all. Express my regrets to your +father, please. I am grieved to the heart about this,” she +said, and there was a sad note in her tones, which plainly told +that her expressions of regret were but too true.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will tell my father what you say, and let us hope that the +cause of all this misunderstanding may be explained,” Gabriel +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope so,” she said, offering her hand to him, which he +took and pressed warmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">When Darrell saw that friendly demonstration, he turned his +back upon all, and muttering that he was “to be made the +scape-goat of all,” walked home.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell then asked Gabriel to explain everything to +her, which he did, while she listened to him very attentively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you only had heard what those squatters said, and prevented +father from riding out,” Everett exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell sighed, shook hands with the Alamares, and, +followed by her sons, walked home.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxvi-mrs-darrell-s-view-of-our-land-laws"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id27">CHAPTER XXVI.—<span class="small-caps">Mrs. Darrell's View of Our Land Laws.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Of all the horrible tortures that the human mind is capable of +conjuring up with which to torment itself, none was greater to +William Darrell than the consciousness of being ridiculous—the +conviction that people were laughing at him. He had seen Victoriano +and his own Everett so convulsed with laughter, laughing +at him, laughing in his presence, laughing so heartily that +they could scarcely stand up. This laughter of the two boys +was the most vivid picture in the panorama of living scenes +which he himself had evoked. Surely if his own son laughed +so heartily, everybody else would do the same. And when on +his return home, Clementine had said to him most unceremoniously:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, papa, what made you sit on your horse so stiff? +Why did you want to keep that rope? You looked so funny.” +And Clementine laughed heartily.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Get out of my way,” said he, and went to the “colony” +straight and banged the door; which meant that he wanted no +one else within the precincts of that asylum. “So I looked funny +and stiff; they were all laughing at me,” he said, and with a +groan of mental and physical pain, flung himself on the lounge.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently, Tisha came to say that supper was on the table. +“I don't want any supper,” said he in the gruff tones he used +when he was angry, or pretended to be. Tisha retired, but in +about ten minutes she returned, carrying a tray, which she +deposited on a table, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Missus says that mayhap when you rested awhile you +might feel a little hungry.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Give me a cup of tea; I want nothing else,” he said, +and Tisha fixed his tea just as she knew he liked it with plenty +of rich cream and four lumps of sugar, for Darrell's teacup +held a pint; she placed the tea on a little table by the lounge +and retired.</p> +<p class="pnext">The tea seemed to refresh him in spite of himself, and he +accepted the improvement with an inward protest as if setting +down an exception (as lawyers call it) by which he renounced +all obligation to be grateful.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early the settlers began to arrive at the “colony” through the +side door of the back hall. Everett joined the meeting, as +Romeo came to request his company. Darrell gave his son a +withering look, but did not speak to him. He kept his reclining +position on the lounge and his satellites sat in a semi-circle +around him. He soon told them he had nothing satisfactory +to say, as the Don had refused to make any explanation, alleging +that he had promised Clarence to say nothing. When +Clarence returned he would clear the mystery. The settlers +again recommenced their conjectures, and discussed the motives +which must have actuated the Don to make a false entry, +to record having received money which he never got. Land +was the discussion, but there seemed no dissenting voice as to +the Don's culpability, and the sinister motives which actuated +him in acting in that underhand manner. When the altercation +was at the highest, and could be heard all over the house, +Mrs. Darrell walked in and, bowing to the astonished squatters, +came slowly forward and stood about the middle of the +semi-circle, though outside of it. Darrell sat up and all the +others stood on their feet and stared as if they had seen some +Banquo spectre or other terrible ghostly apparition.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Be seated, gentlemen, I beg of you. I have but a few +words to say. Please sit down,” she reiterated, seeing that +every one remained standing.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly all one by one dropped into their seats and all the +faces were turned towards her. No one thought of offering her +a chair, and she did not want one either. When all had resumed +their seats, she said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“All those amongst you, gentlemen, who think that Don +Mariano Alamar induced my son Clarence to purchase land +from him are much mistaken; and all those who think Don +Mariano made a false entry of a land sale, do him an injustice.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who made the entry then?” Darrell asked, sharply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is what I came to say. The land was bought and +paid for at <em class="italics">my</em> request. If there is any blame, or crime, or +guilt in the matter, <em class="italics">I</em> am the criminal—<em class="italics">I</em> am the guilty one. +I told my son, Clarence Darrell, that if he did not pay for the +land which his father had located, I would never, <em class="italics">never</em> come +to live upon it. Moreover, I told my son not to mention the +fact of having paid for the land, because his father would +think we were interfering in his business, and I did not wish +him to know that the land was paid for until the question of +the Don's title was settled. Then we would have avoided +painful discussions, and the eloquence of facts (I trusted) +would clearly show to my husband that his wife and son had +acted right, when we had paid the legitimate owner for his +property.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And now, gentlemen, let me add this, only this, that I do +not mean to criticise anybody's actions or opinions, but, from +my point of view, I say, those laws which authorize you to +locate homesteads upon lands claimed as Mexican grants, +those laws are wrong, and good, just, moral citizens should +not be guided by them. Settlers should wait until the titles +are finally approved or rejected. See! look back and see all +the miseries that so many innocent families have suffered by +locating in good faith, their humble homes upon lands that +they were forced to abandon. Our law-givers doubtless mean +well, but they have—through lack of matured reflection, I +think, or lack of unbiased thought—legislated curses upon +this land of God's blessings. I love my country, as every true-hearted +American woman should, but, with shame and sorrow, +I acknowledge that we have treated the conquered Spaniards +most cruelly, and our law-givers have been most unjust to them. +Those poor, defenseless ones whom our Government pledged +its faith to protect, have been sadly despoiled and reduced to +poverty.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have only expressed my opinion, gentlemen; I mean no +slur upon yours. I hope you see now that I alone, <em class="italics">I am</em> the +one to blame for the purchase of the land which has given so +much offence. Good night, gentlemen.”</p> +<p class="pnext">So profound was the silence following Mrs. Darrell's exit, that +a pin could have been heard drop. Romeo Hancock was the +first to find utterance to his amazement.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By George,” he said, “but ain't she superb! I see now +where Clarence gets his good sense and correct ideas.”</p> +<p class="pnext">At any other time, Darrell would have been proud of this +tribute paid to the wife he adored, with passionate, secret, unrevealed +tenderness, but now he was too angry. He even felt +angry at the longing to take to his heart that darling so resolute +and yet so gentle. This longing, when his pride clamored +that she was wrong and should be reproved, was an additional +torture to him. He remained silent.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I suppose that—in the language of the poets—‘this +settles our hash,’” Gasbang said, and laughed at his witticism, +as it was his habit to do.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hughes and Miller laughed with him, but no one else. All +were deeply impressed with Mrs. Darrell's words.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish she had told me this before,” Darrell said, and +resumed his recumbent position.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, why didn't she?” Gasbang asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because women are bound to do mischief,” Mathews replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She stated her reasons very clearly,” Romeo said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What were they?” Mathews asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can your memory be failing you already, Mr. Mathews, +that you forget what you just heard, or are you getting hard of +hearing?” Romeo answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mathews snorted and turned his back on Romeo. Everett +answered him, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“My mother said that she wished the purchase to be kept +quiet until the Don should have his title. Then the fact of +the land being his, would prove the correctness of having paid +for what we took, and thus all discussions would have been +avoided. Unfortunately some busybody went to see the entry, +and came to herald his glorious discovery.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How did she know that the Don's title would not be +rejected?” Mathews inquired.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Her good sense told her,” Romeo answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wasn't talking to you,” Mathews retorted, making all +laugh—and even Darrell smiled—but he looked very pale, and +Everett began to feel anxious, to see his pallor.</p> +<p class="pnext">The conversation had now drifted to the subject of the coming +survey of the rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard that the surveyor will be on the ground by the first +of October,” Miller said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right; that will give us plenty of time,” Gasbang observed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett said something to Romeo, who then went and whispered +to his father, whereupon Old Hancock nodded an assent +and in a few moments said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, my friends, let us go home. For the present I don't +see that anything can be done. Mr. Darrell looks fatigued, +and I don't wonder at it, for we have bored him nearly to +death. Let him go to bed and rest.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Evidently Mathews, Gasbang and others had no idea of +going home so early, but as Darrell said nothing, they reluctantly +arose and took their departure.</p> +<p class="pnext">If Darrell had obeyed the impulse of his heart when he went +up-stairs to his bed-chamber, he would have taken his wife in +his arms and, with a kiss, made his peace with her; for he +knew her to be true, and always acting from the best motives. +But there was that streak of perversity within, which impelled +him to do or say the wrong thing, when at the same time an +inner voice was admonishing him to do the opposite.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sorry, William, that I kept that matter of the land +purchase from you. Believe me, my husband, I did so out of +a desire to avoid discussions always painful to me. You seemed +so happy here, that I hated to bring up for argument any disagreeable +subject. It was a mistake; I regret it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, wise women generally put their foot in it,” said he, +turning his back on her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can you forgive me? I am very sorry. And now I want +you to take a nice warm bath; after so much excitement it will +soothe you, and you will sleep sweetly. After all, it is better +that you know the whole thing now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No thanks to you, though.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is true, but you know my maxim.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which one? Wise women have so many.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To accept blessings thankfully, even when they come in +disguise,” she replied, taking no notice of his sarcasm.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have yet to see the blessing in this.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will to-morrow if you will only take care now of your +physical comfort—your health. Come, take a bath; it will +prevent your having a fever.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't want a bath; I feel badly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is why you should have it. I know your constitution +well—nothing would be better for you than warm bathing. Be +reasonable, please. I feel tired, too; I would like to go to +bed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why don't you, then?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I wanted first to see you resting for the night.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know that I'll go to bed. I think I'll sleep in this +chair.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, then, I shall go into Clarence's room and sleep +there! It would keep me awake to know that you were sitting +up.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do as you please.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can it be possible, William, that you refuse to go to bed +because you are too angry with me to have me lie by your +side?”</p> +<p class="pnext">He said nothing, but looked very pale. She waited; he +never said a word.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well, William, I am dismissed I suppose. If you +are sick or require anything, knock at Clarence's door. I +shall be there. Good night.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good night.”</p> +<p class="pnext">She went quietly into Clarence's room and lit a lamp. She +went to a hall closet and took a soft merino wrapper, came +back, locked her door, undressed herself, put the wrapper on, +and sat by the window to think.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What fools men are? Such small vanity guides them. To +think that William should fling away happiness at the instigation +of a reptile like Gasbang! And you, my sweet boy, my +darling Clarence, how will this affect your happiness?” This +thought gave her the keenest pain.</p> +<p class="pnext">While Mrs. Darrell was thus sadly meditating, her angry +lord was nearly choking with smothered rage—intensified a +hundred fold by his disappointment at being left alone without +his adored, worshipped Mary. Mrs. Darrell knew that her +husband loved her, but she had never guessed that torrent of +passion and devotion which rushed through that rugged nature +like a river plunging from Yosemite hights into unknown abysmal +depths.</p> +<p class="pnext">Why would he not yield to her sweet entreaties to bathe and +take his comfort? Was it all perverse obstinacy? Partly, yes. +He had refused a warm bath and her sweet society, for the +very reason that those two were the things he most desired on +earth—he felt as if even his bones clamored for them. But +there was yet another equally strong motive in that very complex +nature—a motive stronger than obstinacy—compelling +him in spite of himself, and this was <em class="italics">his bashfulness</em>. He +feared that his wife might see the bruises on his arms and the +heavy welt that he knew there must be around his body, made +by the coil of the <em class="italics">reata</em>. He felt very sore, and his bruises +became more painful, but he would rather die than let any one +see his pitiful plight. And thus he sat up all night and would +not undress, or go to bed, or be comforted.</p> +<p class="pnext">Towards morning he walked to the window and looked into +the valley, then his gaze wandered towards the Alamar house. +All the windows had the shutters closed and no light was seen +from them excepting one. He did not know what room that +was or who occupied it, but unconsciously he watched it—watched +the light he could see through the lace curtains. The +light became intercepted at regular intervals; so he concluded +that some one must be going and coming before that light. +He smiled, hoping that the Don might be as miserable as he +was—unable to sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the Don was sleeping. She who was awake, walking in +her solitary vigil, was Mercedes. Those beautiful blue eyes +had never closed in sleep all night.</p> +<p class="pnext">She had been embroidering a <em class="italics">mouchoir</em> case for Clarence +that unfortunate afternoon of Darrell's performance, when she +heard loud talking in the piazza. At first she paid no attention +to it and went on with her work, hoping that Clarence would +return early, because her dream troubled her. The talking +becoming louder, and more voices being heard, she felt alarmed, +imagining that Clarence's horses had run away and he had been +hurt. She went out to inquire.</p> +<p class="pnext">The entire Alamar family, as well as Mrs. Mechlin, George +and Lizzie, were in the veranda. All had seen Darrell's attempt +and subsequent steeple-chase. Now Gabriel and Victoriano +had returned and related what had passed in the hollow. Victoriano +was again overcome with laughter, which, being so +hearty and uncontrollable, became contagious. Even Gabriel +and Mr. Mechlin, who were less disposed to indulge in hilarity, +laughed a little. Mercedes was the only one who not even +smiled. She did not understand a word of what was said. +Gradually she began to comprehend, and she stood motionless, +listening, her pale lips firmly compressed, her eyes only showing +her agitation and how grieved she was; their dark-blue was +almost black, and they glowed like stars.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Cheer up, little pussy. When Clarence comes he will undeceive +the old man, and all will be right,” said Don Mariano, +putting his arms around her yielding form and drawing her to +his heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">“<em class="italics">Palabra suelta, no tiene vuelta</em>,” Doña Josefa said. “Darrell +can never recall his insulting words.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But he can apologize for them,” Don Mariano said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And would that satisfy you?” Carlota asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It would have to,” was the Don's answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! papa!” Rosario exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What then? Shall I go and shoot the old fool?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I believe he would enjoy that, he is so full of fight,” Victoriano +said, recommencing his laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I fear his anger will not abate as long as the bruises of the +<em class="italics">reata</em> remain painful,” Gabriel said, thoughtfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you draw the <em class="italics">lazo</em> very tight?” Don Mariano asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not intentionally, but he himself did so by stooping forward +as his horse galloped. Every time he did so the noose became +more closely drawn until he could scarcely breathe.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is a bad business, George,” the Don said to his son-in-law, +who had remained a silent listener to all.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, sir; but let us hope that between Clarence and Mrs. +Darrell they will pacify the old man. The thing now is to give +him time to cool off his anger,” George replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If those squatters could be kept away, Darrell would come +to his senses much sooner,” Mr. Mechlin said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's it exactly,” Gabriel added; “they make the mischief.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why does he allow it?” Doña Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because he loves the smell of gunpowder, and they are full +of it,” Tano explained.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think Mrs. Darrell ought to prevent those horrible creatures +from invading her house,” Carlota said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They only go to the ‘colony.’ The old buster wants them +there. He would smash the furniture if his pets were not +allowed to come to lick his boots,” Victoriano asserted, positively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You don't speak very respectfully of your future father-in-law,” +George said to Victoriano, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not at present. Not when I have just seen him running +away like a chicken thief, just caught with a turkey under each +arm,” Tano replied, lapsing into another fit of laughter.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Tano! if you care for Alice, how can you so ridicule +her father?” Mercedes exclaimed, speaking for the first time. +And without waiting for a reply, she turned away and went to +her room.</p> +<p class="pnext">There she remained inconsolable, her lovely face often +bathed in tears. She did not go to bed; she hoped that Clarence +might possibly have finished his business in town and +hurried back. She watched for the faintest sound all night.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the morning Madame Halier came to see her, and immediately +went to report to Doña Josefa the state of Mercedes' +eyes. Don Mariano came in at once and took his pet in his +arms.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa, you said you were going to-day. Please don't go,” +she begged.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not, my pet? I shall go only a little ways with those +stupid Indians who keep letting the cattle turn back. I shall +return before dark,” he said, smoothing her golden hair.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa, please don't go. I want you to be here when Clarence +returns. Let the cattle be. I want you here. You +may never see Clarence again in this world if you go.” And +she put her pale cheek against her father's and sobbed convulsively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What an idea! Why shouldn't I see Clarence again if I +ride one or two miles? My baby darling, you are too nervous. +You have cried all night, and now your mind is in a whirl of +sad visions. Do not exaggerate the mischief that Darrell +might do. He will probably say very insulting things to Clarence, +but Clarence is as true as steel, and has a very clear +head.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know that. I am sure of him. He is so true. But, +papa, can I marry him after what his father said to you, and +when he tried to strike you? Can I marry him after that, +papa?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not, pray? What he said is an infamous lie, and because +Darrell chooses to indulge in mean thoughts and atrocious +language, is that a reason why you and Clarence should +be made wretched for life? If Darrell did not permit men +like Gasbang, and others influenced by Peter Roper, to come +near him, his ears would not hear such low, vulgar suggestions. +As long as we know that Clarence is a gentleman, and he behaves +as such, I shall not permit that you two be separated by +anything that Darrell may do or say.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, papa, you will keep out of Mr. Darrell's way.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, my poor little darling. Don't be afraid; Darrell +will not attack me again.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The Don talked in this consoling and reassuring way to his +favorite child until he saw that he had quieted her. She +promised to eat breakfast and then try to sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It won't do to look at Clarence through such swollen orbs. +You had better let Tano give you one of his graphic accounts +of the battle of Alamar, as he calls Darrell's performance, and +make you laugh.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, I couldn't laugh. I wouldn't if I could.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well. To sleep is the best for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He kissed her and soon after he and Gabriel went on their +way. They quickly overtook the herders, who were driving +the lot of cattle which had started at daylight. The Don was +confident of returning at sundown, and glad to leave Mercedes +more contented and hopeful, he rode away cheerfully.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxvii-darrell-astonishes-himself"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id28">CHAPTER XXVII.—<span class="small-caps">Darrell Astonishes Himself.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Mercedes felt so comforted by what her father had said, +that in less than ten minutes after he left she was sleeping like +the good child that she was. Madam Halier watched her +slumbers, coming to the door every few minutes. And when +she had slept and felt refreshed, she had a bath and a luncheon +of tea, cold chicken, fresh peaches with cream, and fresh +grapes just cut from the vines; then she was ready to dress +herself and take up her embroidery. She was afraid her eyes +would yet be too swollen for her to go into the parlor or +veranda, and perhaps meet George or Mr. Mechlin. So she +stayed in her room.</p> +<p class="pnext">But she was missed, and George came to knock at her +door, and being asked to come in, he did so, making a profound +bow. Then counting on his fingers as he spoke, began:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Doña Josefa, Doña Beatrice, Doña Carlota, Doña Rosario, +Doña Elvira, Doña Carolina, Doña Elizabeth, all request +the pleasure of your company at a canning performance to +take place this afternoon in the kitchen of Doña Beatrice.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes laughed, asking: “Are they really going to do the +canning? Who knows about it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They all know, theoretically, but as to practice, that ‘<em class="italics">quién +sabe</em>.’ However, they are going to peal peaches by the bushel +this evening, so they will all dine there.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Doesn't mamma expect papa to dinner?” asked she, +alarmed; “I hope so.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll go and inquire,” George said, going; but she followed +him, trembling—she did not know why. She took George's +arm, and both went to the piazza, where Carlota, Rosario +and Doña Josefa were waiting for George to go with them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mamma, don't you expect papa to dinner?” asked she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but he might be late; so we will dine at Mrs. +Mechlin's, and he and Gabriel will take supper here on their +return.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will wait for them here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you not go to Mrs. Mechlin's?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, please. I'll stay home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take my advice, and don't see Clarence yet,” Carlota +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not, pray?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because, after what his father did and said, the least you +have to do with the Darrells the more it will be to your honor,” +Rosario said, sententiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And must I give up Clarence because—because his father +gets mad, and—and—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And insults your father, and insults you,” Carlota said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But that would be awful,” said she, looking at George, +who full of sympathy for his favorite sister-in-law, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do not worry about that now—you have suffered enough. +No doubt, Clarence will make it all right, if we only give him +time. All will be explained.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I doubt that,” Carlota said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't think Mercedes knows all that Darrell said. I +think Clarence himself will see the impossibility of his marrying +Mercedes as things are now,” Doña Josefa said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What are we to do?” Mercedes exclaimed, in low, tremulous +tones, that revealed all the desolation she felt.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Try to be courageous, little sister,” Carlota said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What to do? Clarence himself ought to know—to separate +for the present. Will you marry the son of a man who +said of you and your father such horrible things?” Doña Josefa +asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But Clarence is innocent, and so am I,” pleaded Mercedes, +with white lips.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My daughter, do you not see that I <em class="italics">must</em> withdraw my permission +to your marriage now?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you tell that to Clarence?” asked Mercedes, frightened.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly, as soon as I see him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And break our engagement?” she asked, with a voice +scarcely audible.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. What else, my daughter?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I want to go to my room,” she said, slowly turning to go +back, walking as if in a dream.</p> +<p class="pnext">George put his arm around her shoulder, and walked with +her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be discouraged, my dear <em class="italics">humanita</em>. Doña Josefa is +justly indignant now, but her anger will pass off, and she will +see how absurd it will be to punish you and Clarence for the +sins of his ill-tempered, foolish father. The only thing now is +to drop the matter. ‘Least said, sooner mended,’ applies to +this case exactly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish papa were here. He don't think as mamma does. +If mamma sees Clarence first, she will send him away. Oh! +that will be awful to me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will keep your mamma at our house until Don Mariano +returns. Tano will see Clarence first.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When George left, Mercedes hurried to her bedside to +pray. In all the sad tribulations of her mind, her heart +turned to her Redeemer and the Blessed Virgin Mary. To +them she told all her grief, all her trials, and after begging to +be strengthened, she always arose from her bended knees +comforted.</p> +<p class="pnext">This time, however, her convulsive sobs only became more +uncontrollable, as she poured out her great sorrow and terrible +fears before the pitying Mother of suffering humanity.</p> +<p class="pnext">When her sobs were almost a paroxysm, Madame Halier, +who had come to the door to listen, went, and much excited, +told Doña Josefa that Mercita would certainly be ill if some +one didn't show a little humanity to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa hurried to Mercedes' room, and found her +still at her bedside sobbing and praying. Gently the mother +lifted her child and pressed her to her heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes, darling, have courage. Your father and Clarence +will talk this matter over, and determine what is best to +do. Perhaps it might all be arranged.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will not tell Clarence to—that—to go away?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly not. But there must be some other arrangement +about the wedding. It will be postponed, perhaps. Darrell +could not be expected to be present, or he might wish the engagement +broken off.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Carlota and Rosario came in to see how Mercedes felt, as +Madam Halier seemed to be so anxious and indignant with +everybody for their cruelty to Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If old Darrell wants the engagement broken off, then +my dear sister you must break it—else he will have a +good reason to say that papa wants to sell you, or to entrap +Clarence, for his money, into marrying you,” Rosario +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did Mr. Darrell say that?” Mercedes asked, blushing, +so that her pale face became suffused to the roots of her +hair.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He said worse—but you had better hear no more.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is awful!” the poor child exclaimed, clasping her +hands in eloquent protestation; then adding: “Mamma, I will +try to have courage. I don't know what I am to do. But +if my father has been so grossly insulted, I must feel for him. +I must not be selfish. I don't know what I'll do,” and the unhappy +girl pressed her hands to her forehead, as if to keep together +her distracted thoughts.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think the best thing for you to do is to go to bed. To-morrow +your father will see Clarence. That is George's +advice, and I think it is good,” said her mother, as she kissed +and embraced her, adding: “the sweet, blued-eyed baby is too +young to get married, any way, and can well wait four years, +and then be only twenty-two years old.” But seeing the blank +despair in those expressive eyes, Doña Josefa hastened to add: +“I don't say that you will wait that long, but that you are +young enough to do so.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When Mercedes was again alone, she tried to think it was +her duty to her father to break her engagement. Her mind +utterly refused to see the matter in that light, but as her older +sisters had said her engagement ought to be broken off, and +her mother spoke of the wedding being postponed, it was +clear that she could not be married on the 16th. Would Clarence +be willing to wait? and these thoughts revolved around +her mind in a circle of coils, worse than the one which so enraged +and hurt Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">Madam Halier and Victoriano ate their dinner alone—with +Milord for sole company. Poor Tano, though he had +laughed heartily at Darrell's plight, was scarcely less distressed +than Mercedes, and anxiously looked for Clarence's +return.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the meantime this young gentleman was traveling at the +rate of twelve miles per hour, and would have come faster had +the road been better. He had been obliged to delay, because +Hubert had telegraphed that if he waited two hours he would +give him a definite answer about Gabriel's business. The answer +came, and it was all that could be desired. Gabriel could +go at any time, or wait until the first of October to take his +place at the bank. Clarence was delighted to have this good +news to carry to Mercedes, with the addition that Fred said +that the mines developed richer ores every day. He had an +offer of two million dollars for his mines—but both Hubert +and Fred advised him not to sell.</p> +<p class="pnext">With these cheerful thoughts, he was getting into his +phæton, when the notary, who had made the entry of Don +Mariano's conveyance, came close to him, and said in a low +voice, and looking mysteriously around:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Look here, it may be nothing, but those two fellows are so +tricky and slippery that I always imagine they are up to something, +and both have been twice to look in my books at +the entry of the land conveyance which Señor Alamar +made to you. They might mean mischief, though I don't +see how.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of whom are you speaking?” Clarence asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of Roper and Gasbang. Why should they wish to know +about that conveyance?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know; but I am sure it is for no good. When did +they look at the entry?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“About two days ago, the last time. When they first looked +at it I was not at home. My wife was at my office when Roper +came and asked permission to see the date of a conveyance +which he himself had made. This was only a ruse. +Two days after he came and told me that one of his clients +wanted to buy land from Darrell, and wished to see what sort +of a title he had. I, of course, let him see it. Gasbang came +after, and that made me suspicious.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence thanked the notary, and drove home as fast as +the uneven road permitted. He felt that he must at last +disclose to his father all about that land transaction, and +feared that he would be angry. His fears, he saw, were only +too well founded as soon as he arrived home.</p> +<p class="pnext">The family were at supper when he drove up to the door. +On hearing the sound of wheels, Everett left the table and +hastened to meet him. All his brothers and sisters would +gladly have done the same, but a look from their mother kept +them in their chairs.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few words Everett condensed the unfortunate occurrences +of the previous day and evening, ending his hurried +statement by saying that the entire family hoped that Clarence's +influence might appease their father's irritation when +nothing else would.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No; I am sure that if mother has failed, I shall have no +effect at all,” Clarence said. “But are you sure that there is +nothing else to anger him? The fact alone of my having paid for +the land, and at my mother's request, would not so infuriate +him while in his normal state of mind. There must be some +<em class="italics">other</em> irritating circumstance.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“None that we know of.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad he did not strike the Don.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So am I, though I have a big bump to testify that he +struck <em class="italics">me</em>, and I suppose Tano has another to speak for +him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence told the servant who came to take the horses to +the stable to leave them where they were, only throwing a +blanket on, as he had driven them very fast. He and Everett +then walked into the hall, carrying some small parcels which +he (as usual) had brought home—one of those parcels being a +beautiful pipe, for which he had paid forty dollars, and a lot of +fine tobacco, for his father.</p> +<p class="pnext">Placing them on the hall table, he said to Everett: “I suppose +father would rather throw this tobacco into my eyes than +put it in his pipe and smoke it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett laughed at this, thinking it rather a witticism under +the circumstances, and was still laughing when both went into +the dining-room.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence said good evening to all, kissing his mother as he +took his seat beside her. Darrell never lifted his eyes, paying +no attention to his son.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What made you laugh just now, Retty?” Willie asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Something that Clary said,” answered Everett.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Was it anything funny?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It must have been; but you needn't hear it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I want to hear it,” he insisted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It must have been about your father, he is the funny man +now—the laughing stock,” said Darrell to Willie; then to +Clarence: “We have had circus performances. Your father +distinguished himself by performing <em class="italics">in</em> the tight rope, with +Don Gabriel—a very tight rope,” he said, making a semi-circular +sign around his body with both hands, and nodding his +head at Clarence by way of emphasis, or as if he challenged +him to contradict his statement.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, father! I am very sorry,” was all that Clarence could +answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">The entire family were almost choking with suppressed +laughter, but none dare give vent to it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why don't you laugh—all of you?” asked he, looking +around fiercely.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because you frighten their laughter away,” Mrs. Darrell +replied. “They fear to offend you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Offend me? <em class="italics">Me?</em> And since when such consideration? +Since when, I say?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Since they were old enough to know you as their father,” +calmly replied Mrs. Darrell.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! I am glad to hear it. Well, sir,” he said, addressing +Clarence again, to the terror of all the family, “I have at last +learned that you have been making clandestine bargains +with your future father-in-law, placing me in a most ridiculous +position, for which I don't thank you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sorry, father. My intention was most kind,” Clarence +answered, respectfully, but very calmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You only thought that as I was a fool, you would be my +sense-bearer, and act for me—you, the man of brains.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir. All I thought was, that as you seem to love +my mother, you would prefer to give her the kind of home +that she desires. I thought that when you came to know +all, you would approve of my having obeyed my mother's +wishes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you were so sure of my approval, why didn't you tell me +the whole thing before?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I was pledged to my mother not to do so. I was +bound to be silent.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“By George!” said Darrell, striking the table with his fist, +making all the glasses and cups dance; “and for all that nonsense +I have been made a laughing stock, a ridiculous, trusting +fool—an ass!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No one will think that but yourself,” Mrs. Darrell said; +“and you will change your mind, I hope.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And how do you know that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I was supposing that people reason in the way that in all +my life I have believed to be correct.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, what <em class="italics">you</em> believe to be correct no one else has any +right to think differently.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Whether they have or not, I shall not interfere.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, you only wanted to interfere with me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. As my life is united to yours, I am obliged to +try and prevent such of your actions as will make me unhappy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“An excellent doctrine for wives—for mothers to teach their +children—and we see the result now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell was pleased that his attacks seemed directed to +herself instead of Clarence, but she felt prematurely relieved, +for now he came down upon Clarence. He said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, sir, since yourself and your mother have bought this +land, and since I am an unreclaimed <em class="italics">squatter</em>, I suppose I had +better leave this place, and go back to Alameda again. I suppose +I can have that place again?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You will not have to lease it, father; you can have it rent +free, as long as you live, if you prefer to reside there,” Clarence +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How is that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I bought the place, and if you wish you can live in it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You? <em class="italics">You</em> bought the place! Then, by George! <em class="italics">you</em> +have managed to coop me up,” said Mr. Darrell, drawing down +the corners of his mouth and elevating his shoulders deprecatingly, +as if he thought Clarence was a voracious land-grabber, +who wanted to appropriate to himself all the vacant land in the +United States.</p> +<div class="level-3 section" id="don-t-say-that-please-the-place-was-for-sale-hubert-telegraphed-me-and-i-telegraphed-back-to-buy-it"> +<h3 class="level-3 pfirst section-title title">“Don't say that, please. The place was for sale, Hubert telegraphed me, and I telegraphed back to buy it.”</h3> +<p class="pfirst">“I didn't know you were so rich,” he answered, sneeringly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence made no reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I must admit you have cornered me completely; but +as I don't want to live on the bounty of my rich son, I must +get out of this place.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You can refund me the price of one hundred and sixty +acres, father, if you are too proud to accept that from me, +which is little enough, considering your generosity to me all +my life. The other two claims, you know, you said would be +one for Retty and the other for myself. This house and the orchards +are all on your claim.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have taken a dislike to the whole thing,” said he, waiving +his hand, as if to shift the position of the land in question. +“You can have it all, together with the Alameda farm. There +are other lands in California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell and Clarence looked at each other. The case +seemed hopeless. All were silent.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Darrell continued: “All I want before I leave here is +to give your greaser father-in-law a sound thrashing and another +to that puppy, Gabriel, who is so airy and proud, +and such an exquisite, that it will be delightful to spoil his +beauty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why should you wish to do that? What has Don Mariano +done to you? and if Don Gabriel threw his <em class="italics">lazo</em> on you, +it was to protect his father.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What has the old greaser done? He inveigled you into +that land business, and you together have made me ridiculous. +That is what the matter is.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then you don't believe me?” Mrs. Darrell said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't you take so much credit to yourself, and throw +yourself into the breach like a heroine. If the Don hadn't had +that pretty daughter, Clarence would not have been so obedient +to his mother, perhaps.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence rose to his feet, very pale, but he sat down again, +and controlling himself, said as calmly as possible:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I had never seen one, not one of Don Mariano's daughters +when I went to offer to pay for this land.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you mean that you wouldn't have done so if your +mother hadn't wished it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No sir, not that. I think I would, for I felt great sympathy +with the Don for the contemptible manner in which +the squatters received the propositions he made them. I +was convinced then that the land belonged to him, and +nobody had a right to take it without paying for it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Aha! I knew we would come to that,” said Darrell, sternly, +glaring at his son. “I was a thieving squatter, of course, +and that is what you said to your greaser father-in-law, who +to reward your high sense of honor, took you to the bosom of +his family. The cowardly dog, who will take insults and not +resent them, but has puppies at his heels to throw <em class="italics">lasooing</em> at +people.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pshaw! I never thought you capable of—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of what? Insulting those greasers?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are gentlemen, no matter how much you may wish to +besmear them with low epithets.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gentlemen that won't fight.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They told you they would fight <em class="italics">like gentlemen</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who told you that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did, father. I heard Don Mariano and Don Gabriel both +tell you that,” Everett said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If they are so ready to fight, why didn't they do it +when I told the old dog that the bait to catch you was his +daughter?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What! Did you say that?” asked Clarence, reddening to +the roots of his hair, his face quickly blanching again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did—in clear language.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“In dirty, low, nasty language, and it is you who are the +coward, to insult <em class="italics">me</em> under the shelter of your paternal privileges,” +said Clarence, rising. “You have been taunting me +until I can bear it no longer. I suppose you wish to drive me +from your house. Be it so. I leave now—never to enter it +again.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That suits me. You are too <em class="italics">greasy</em> for both of us to live +under the same roof,” said Darrell, contemptuously, with a +gesture of disgust.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good-by, mother; good-by, my sisters; good-by, boys—take +care of mother and the girls. God bless you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">With a piercing cry, that rang through the house, Alice +ran to Clarence, and throwing her arms around his neck, +said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Kiss me, my darling, for if you leave us I shall be +wretched until you return. Oh! I can't let you go.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Tenderly Clarence pressed his sister to his heart. He felt +her arms relaxing, her head fell back, and she closed her eyes. +Lovingly he then lifted her, and placing her upon a lounge, +said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Alice has fainted, mother. My sweet sister, how dearly I +love her, God only knows.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He covered her face with kisses, while his own was bathed +in tears. Without lifting his eyes or saying another word, he +walked out into the darkness.</p> +<p class="pnext">The delicious, fragrant air, loaded with the perfume of roses +and honeysuckle and heliotrope, seemed to breathe a farewell +caress over his heated brow, and the recollection of the loving +care he had bestowed upon these flowers when he planted +them to welcome his mother, flashed through his memory +with a pang. He sighed and passed into the gloom, overpowered +with a dread that made him feel chilled to the heart. +It seemed to him as if an unseen voice was warning him of a +dire misfortune he could not perceive nor avert. What could +it be? Was Mercedes to be taken from him? Would her +family object to him on account of his father's ruffianly behavior? +Could he claim to be a gentleman, being the son of +that rough? These thoughts flashed through his mind, filling +him with sickening dismay and inexpressible disgust. Would +he dare stand in the presence of Mercedes now? Or, would +he return to town at this late hour? Where could he go for a +shelter that night?</p> +<p class="pnext">Mechanically he walked to the phæton, got into it and took +the reins to drive off.</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxviii-shall-it-be-forever"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id29">CHAPTER XXVIII.—<span class="small-caps">Shall it be Forever?</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Everett followed Clarence and got into the phæton with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My dear brother,” said Clarence, in a hoarse voice that +sounded unnatural, as if coming from a great depth, “I would +like to have your company, but as I am not coming back, I +can't take you with me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No matter; drive off. I'll go with you a little ways, and +will walk back,” said Everett. Clarence turned his horses and +drove away through the middle drive in the front lawn, and +was out of the gate before he fully realized that he himself was +driven away from the paternal roof.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Retty, you did not tell me that my father had insulted my +darling so grossly. I wish you had, for I would not have gone +inside the house,” Clarence said, with a sigh.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It was so horrible, I couldn't. Forgive me, dear Clary.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly; I can't blame you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are you going to Don Mariano's?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes. I will ask Tano to give me a place to sleep; that is, +if Doña Josefa is not too disgusted to tolerate a Darrell under +her roof.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sure they feel nothing but kindness for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope so; but should she wish to break the engagement, +I will not stay. I'll drive to town to-night and take the boat +for San Francisco, which is not to leave until to-morrow at daylight. +I'll have time, I think.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't do that. Wait for the Don, if he is not in now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I may, but I don't know. I dread to see Mercedes. I +feel so humiliated, so ashamed. What can I say to her?”</p> +<p class="pnext">At the foot of the hill Clarence stopped his horses to send to +his mother and sisters—especially to Alice—loving messages. +He also said if he should miss seeing Don Mariano, Everett +would say that he would write from San Francisco, and would +return at any moment, if Mercedes called him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you will see her yourself,” Everett said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope so,” said the disheartened Clarence, driving up +toward the house in which he felt his fate would be decided. +Victoriano had heard the phæton's wheels and came out to +meet it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am so glad to see you, old fellow,” said he to Clarence; +“it seems an age since sundown.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I was detained in town about that business of Don Gabriel, +but it is all arranged. He can take his place at the bank now, +whenever he wishes, or wait until the 1st of October; it will be +kept for him. Then I had my own business about the mine. +That is all right, too. I only wish that things had gone on as +well at home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So do I, but it has been awful. Retty told you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I know it all now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Unfortunately I did not tell him father's insulting remarks +about Miss Mercedes,” sadly observed Everett.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, had I known that, I would not have gone into the +house. But I went, and father had the satisfaction of saying it +to me himself; and on my telling him what I thought about it, +he expressed himself willing that I should take myself off. So +here I am, driven from home, and I came to ask you for a bed +to-night, as I am very tired.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And hungry, too. Father spoiled his supper with his courteous +remarks,” added Everett.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come, my dear boy; no one is more welcome to this whole +house,” Victoriano said, with true Spanish hospitality, much +intensified by present circumstances. “Come; father will soon +be here. At present, Mercedes, Madame Halier Milord and +myself only are at home. Mother and the rest are at the +Mechlins. Come in; come, Retty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No. I'll say good-by to Clary now and walk home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But this is awful,” Victoriano said, as if beginning to realize +the situation. “For Heaven's sake, where are you going? +And why must you go?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will not if Mercedes does not send me away. If she +does, I shall go first to San Francisco, and thence God only +knows where,” was Clarence's reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She won't send you away; she shan't. If you only knew +how the poor little thing cried, so that this morning literally +she could not see out of her eyes, you would then know how +she feels. She told me that if she lost all hope of being your +wife she would lie down and die. She felt better this morning +when father left, as he told her he would arrange everything +with you so that the wedding should not be postponed. Then +she was comforted and went to sleep. But—” And Victoriano +stopped.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But what? Better tell me all, dear Tano,” said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I was going to say that she is again unhappy because +Lotte and Rosy told her what your father said. She had not +heard that part of the trouble before.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence stood silent with one foot upon the first step. He +was calculating the chances against him. He turned to Victoriano, +and, with a sickly smile that was truly painful to see, +said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“My heart misgives me, dear Tano; I cannot blame her if +she considers my father's words unpardonable.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But they were not <em class="italics">your</em> words,” Everett interposed. “You +are not to blame if your father forgets <em class="italics">himself</em> and makes a +brute of <em class="italics">himself</em>. I almost hate him. Courage, dear Clary.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, remember, ‘Faint heart never won fair lady,’” Victoriano +added, and the quotation brought such sweet recollections to +poor Clarence's troubled mind, that he staggered as he went +up the steps. But, with a renewed effort over himself, he +managed to stand firmly, and to say to Everett:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose we must part now, dear brother.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett threw his arms around him, and for a few moments +both brothers held each other in close, silent embrace.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Cheer up, boys. Don't think you are to part,” said Victoriano, +with assumed cheerfulness. “You must come to breakfast +with us to-morrow Retty. When father comes he and +Clary will concoct some plan so as not to postpone the wedding. +Come, I'll take you home. I'll let Mercedes know first +that Clarence is here.” So saying he walked into the house. +Returning in a few moments, he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Walk in, Clary. Mercedes will be in the parlor in a minute. +Now, Retty, I'll take you home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">While both drove to the Darrells, Clarence went in the parlor +to wait with beating heart Mercedes' coming. He walked +about the room looking at every object in it without seeing +anything. When he heard the rustle of her dress, he stood by +the piano with his arms crossed over his breast as if trying to +compress the wild throbbing of his heart. He was pale to the +lips and his eyes had an expression of longing, of beseeching +tenderness, that was far more sad and eloquent than tears +would have been. Mercedes came in, followed by her faithful +Milord, who, seeing that Clarence paid no attention to him, +turned up his nose in mild resentment and went to lie down +upon the rug in front of the fire-place. She offered to Clarence +her hand in silence. In silence he took it, kissed it and led +her to a sofa, sitting down by her side. She was the first to +speak. Looking into his eyes, she said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence, must we part? I have such, faith in your truth +that I believe you will candidly tell me your opinion, even if it +kills both of us. Am I right?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“My darling, what is it? Do not put me to a test that may +be too hard, for I tell you frankly I can give up my life, but +not my love. Not you! my own! Oh, no; anything but +that. Not that.” So saying, he took both her hands—the +beauty of which he so loved—and kissed them warmly, all the +time fearing that if she said to him that she must break off +their engagement, he must submit, as he could not blame her +if she considered him beneath her love. “What is it you wish +to ask me? Oh, my angel! be merciful!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish to ask you what must I do when your father has +said such frightful things to my papa? Am I obliged and in +duty bound to decline a tie which will create any relationship +with him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was silent, still holding the dear little hands. His +face flushed with shame, but became pale again as he replied:</p> +<p class="pnext">“It would have been more difficult to solve that problem if +my father himself had not done so by driving me off. I am +exiled now—driven away from home. I doubt whether he +would consider you related to him by being my wife now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am glad of that,” said she, quickly, but then checking +herself, and a little abashed by what she thought the hasty expression +of a selfish feeling, she said: “Forgive me; I don't +mean I am glad he should drive you away, but that since he +has cut you off—and yet—he cannot do that. How can he?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He has done so. That proves he can, doesn't it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, Clarence. No matter what he does he is still your +father.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence leaned his head back on the sofa and looked at +the chandelier in silence for some moments, then said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, he is my father, but not the father he used to be. There +are different kinds of fathers. Some are kind and good, others +are most unnatural and cruel. Are they entitled to the same +love and respect?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But was he ever cruel to you before?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never. He has been always most kind and indulgent to +all his children, but especially so to Alice and myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, Clarence, for this one fault, all his life of kindness +and devotion must not be forgotten.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, my darling! are you going to plead for him and +forget my misery? My heart is bleeding yet with the pain +of leaving home, and if your indulgence to him means that I +must bear the burden of his fault, <em class="italics">I then—I must suffer +alone</em>!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not wish you to suffer at all. If there is to be any +suffering, I shall share it with you. No. All I say is that if +Mr. Darrell is so angry at my papa and myself, we had better +postpone our wedding until—”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence sprang to his feet, and with hands pressed to his +forehead, began pacing the room, greatly agitated, but without +speaking a word.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence, hear me. It will only be for a little while.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He shook his head, and continued his walk—his mind a +prey to the wildest despair.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Would it not be very unbecoming for us to marry now, +and your family not be present at the wedding?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why shouldn't they be present? All would be but father, +and in the furious state of his feelings he had better be away—a +great deal better—far, far away.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Since he is so furious, I don't think he would like his wife +and children to be at our wedding.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes, tell me frankly,” said he, resuming his place +at her side: “tell me, has my father's outrageous conduct +made me lose caste in your estimation? If so, I shall not +blame you, because when a man acts so ungentlemanly, so +ruffianly, it is fair to suppose that his sons might do the +same.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never! Such an idea never entered my mind. How +could it?” said Mercedes, with great earnestness.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If it did not, it is because you are good and generous. +Still, perhaps, it is selfish in me to keep you to your engagement +with the son of such a rough. I release you, Mercedes. +You are free,” he said, and he closed his eyes and leaned his +head again on the back of the sofa. A sensation of icy coldness +came over him, and he thought that death must come +like that. But for all that mental agony, he still thought Mercedes +would be right in rejecting him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The whole scene as described to him by Everett, when his +father was uttering those low insults to Don Mariano, came +vividly before him, and he thought it would be impossible for +Mercedes not to feel a sense of humiliation in uniting herself +to him—he, the son of that brutish fellow—that rough. He +arose, and his pallor was so great that Mercedes thought he +must be ill.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes, we part now. Heaven bless you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence, you are ill. What do you mean? Will you not +wait for papa?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No. I had better go now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You misunderstood me, I think, else how could you think +of going?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you not say that our wedding had better be postponed? +And does that not mean that it may never, <em class="italics">never</em> +be?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why should it mean that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because, how can we measure the duration of an anger so +senseless? It might last years. No, Mercedes, I feel that you +have the right to reject me. I shall be so very wretched without +you, that I would beg and entreat, but—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence, I do not reject you, and I have no right, no wish, +to do so. Please do not say that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you be mine—my wife—after all the ruffianly words +my father has said?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. Why should I blame you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“My own, my sweet wife. Oh! how dearly I love you! +The strength of my love makes my heart ache. Will you call +me when you think you can consent to our wedding?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What do you mean by asking if I will <em class="italics">call</em> you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I mean that if our marriage is to be postponed, I shall +leave you, but shall be ready to obey your call, and I pray I +may not wait for it a long time. And I say this, also, that if +upon reflection you decide to cast me off, I shall not complain, +because—because my father has lowered me. I am not +the same Clarence I was two days ago. You cannot feel proud +of me now.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But I do. Please do not say those dreadful things. Why +should you go away?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because it is best, as long as our marriage is to be postponed. +My presence here will be a cause of irritation to my +father, and goodness knows what he might not do in his angry +mood. If you would not feel humiliated by marrying me, the +best thing would be to have a quiet wedding immediately, with +only the members of your family present, and not invite guests +at all, and then we would take the steamer to San Francisco, +and go to our home there.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't think mamma would consent to that.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, my darling, I must leave you now. I will return to +town, and take the steamer which leaves at daylight, I shall +abide implicitly by what you decide. Make known your wishes, +and I shall obey.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are offended, Clarence, and I do not know how I +have incurred your displeasure,” she said in those tones of her +voice which were the most thrilling to him—most sure of going +straight to his heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">Silently he approached her, and kneeling at her feet, he put +his arms around the slender and graceful form he idolized so +fervently. He rested his head on her shoulder for a few moments, +then with a sigh, that seemed to come from his very +soul, he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am not offended, my sweet rosebud, but I am very miserable. +Pity me. You see, on my knees I beg you to marry +me now—immediately—in two days. If not, I must go now—to-night. +Say, will you marry me, as I <em class="italics">beg</em> of you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Clarence, why do you ask me? How can I tell? You +will have to ask papa and mamma.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will they consent?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa, perhaps; but I fear mamma will not approve of such +a hasty marriage.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so. Perhaps I am unreasonable. Good-by, my +beloved. Will you call me back soon?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence, you are not going? How can you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must. Do not ask me to remain, under the circumstances, +unless it is to make you my wife. I cannot.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He pressed her to his heart in a long, tender embrace. He +arose, and gazed at her sweet face so sadly, that she felt a pang +of keen distress and apprehension.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Clarence, do not look at me so sadly. Please remain until +papa comes. Do not go. You might never see him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must, or I will lose the steamer. Farewell, my own +sweet love.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He clasped her to his heart, and wildly covered her face +with kisses. Then, without daring to look back, hurried +out of the room into the hall, across the piazza and down +the garden-path to the gate, where his phæton had been left +by Victoriano, after having taken Everett home.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She must naturally hesitate to marry the son of a man who +can act and has acted as my father did. I cannot blame her. +I ought to respect her for it. Oh, pitying God! how wretched +I am! Farewell, happiness for me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Muttering this short soliloquy, Clarence drove quickly +down the incline leading to the main road.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the last sound of his footsteps died away, a feeling of +utter desolation rushed upon Mercedes. The silence of the +house was appalling. In that silence it seemed to her as if a +life of lonely misery was suddenly revealed. To lose Clarence, +was to lose happiness forevermore. Shocked and terrified +at her loneliness, with no hope of seeing him again, she +rushed out and ran to the gate, calling him. She saw that +he was driving fast, and would soon be crossing the dry bed of +the brook to take the main road. Once there he would be too +far to hear her voice. She ran out of the gate and turned to the +right into a narrow path that also led to the main road, going +across the hill through the low bushes and a few elder trees +near the house, thus cutting off more than half the distance. +Loudly she called his name, again and again, running in +the narrow path as fast as her strength allowed. She heard +the sound of the phæton's wheels as they grated harshly +on the pebbles of the brook, and then all was silent again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, my darling is gone,” said she, and the ground swelled +and moved under her feet, and the trees went round in mad +circles, and she knew no more. She had fallen down fainting, +with no one near her but her faithful Milord, who had followed +her, and now nestled by her side.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence had heard her voice call to him, and tried to turn +his horses immediately, but they were going down the hill too +fast to turn without danger of upsetting; he saw he must first +get to the foot of the hill, and turn when he reached the +brook. He did so, and with heart-throbs of renewed hope, +he re-ascended the hill and hurried to the house. At the door +he met Madam Halier, who was blinking at the hall lamp as +if just awakened from a sound sleep. Clarence asked for Miss +Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think madamoiselle has just gone down to Madame +Mechlin's. I heard her calling Tano, and that woke me up. +I had just dropped off into a short nap of five minutes—<em class="italics">just</em> +five minutes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought I heard her voice in this direction,” said Clarence, +pointing to the opposite side.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, no. I think she was afraid to go to Mrs. Mechlin's +alone, and she called her brother. But she has been +anxious to see you all day. I will send a servant to say +you have come. Walk in. Had you a pleasant drive from +town?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Madam, I have seen Miss Mercedes since my return +from town. I had said farewell, and was driving away, +when I thought I heard her voice calling me. Perhaps I +was mistaken, but I think not. Where has she gone, I +wonder?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To Madam Mechlin's, monsieur.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Be it so. Good-by, madam,” said he, extending his +hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But will you not wait for madamoiselle?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, madam; if she did not call me, I need not wait.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This time Clarence drove slowly down the hill, looking at +both sides of the road, peering under the trees and bushes, +still impressed with the idea that he might see her form or +hear her voice. The moon was just rising, casting long +shadows as it arose, but the shadow of that beloved, graceful +form was nowhere to be seen. This added disappointment was +added bitterness to his cup of misery, and he began to feel sick +in body and mind, and he saw in himself a most wretched outcast.</p> +<p class="pnext">Tano and Doña Josefa now came and saw the phæton +ascending the hill on the other side of the brook.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxix-hasty-decisions-repented-leisurely"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id30">CHAPTER XXIX.—<span class="small-caps">Hasty Decisions Repented Leisurely.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">When Victoriano had left Everett at his front door, exacting +the promise that he would come to breakfast with Clarence +next morning, he merely delayed long enough to learn that +Alice was quiet, and Mrs. Darrell thought that with a night's +rest she would be well next day. He then drove back home, +and thinking that Clarence was going to stay, left the phæton +at the front gate to run down through the side gate to Mrs. +Mechlin's, to call his mother and say to her that Clarence had +been sent off by his father, and had come to their house to +pass the night. But as he hurried through the front garden, +Victoriano remembered that the horses had to be put in the +stable and taken care of, so he went in the kitchen to tell a +servant he must attend to the horses immediately.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, <em class="italics">patroncito</em>, I'll do it right away,” said the lazy Indian, +who first had to stretch himself and yawn several times, then +hunt up tobacco and cigarette paper, and smoke his cigarette. +This done, he, having had a heavy supper, shuffled +lazily to the front of the house, as Clarence was driving down +the hill for the second time, and Doña Josefa and Victoriano +returning from Mrs. Mechlin, came in through the garden side +gate.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who is going in that carriage?” was the first question put +by Victoriano to Madame Halier.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is Monsieur Clarence.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And where is Mercedes?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“She called you to go to Madame Mechlin's.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No such thing,” said Victoriano, going to look in the parlor; +returning immediately to renew his questions.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the madame could do no more than repeat all she +knew, which was little enough, and that little thoroughly +mixed in her mind.</p> +<p class="pnext">All that Victoriano and Doña Josefa could ascertain, with +some clearness, was that Clarence was going, and had come +back, thinking that Mercedes had called him, but that on being +told that Mercedes had called Tano to accompany her to +Mrs. Mechlin's, he had gone away.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must overtake Clarence. There is some misunderstanding +here, that is plain,” said Victoriano, going to the back +piazza to call a servant.</p> +<p class="pnext">This time Chapo came a little quicker, not knowing whether +he would be to blame, because the <em class="italics">Americano</em> went off with +his horses before he had time to put them in the stable.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Bring me my bay horse, saddled, in two minutes, do you +hear? Two minutes—not two hours—go quick.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We cannot find Mercita. She is not in the house,” said +Doña Josefa to her son, much alarmed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She must be, mother. Call the other girls. Look again +for her. I must run after Clarence, and learn why he is going, +instead of passing the night here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Fifteen minutes after Clarence had left, Victoriano was galloping +behind him, wondering why he could not see him anywhere +on the road.</p> +<p class="pnext">Madame Halier and Doña Josefa continued looking for +Mercedes most anxiously, but in vain. George now came up, +and joined in the search for the missing girl.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Victoriano crossed the brook and ascended the hill beyond +it, Don Mariano and Gabriel came up into the court-yard. +They immediately hurried into the house, Don Mariano +knowing that Mercedes would be anxious for him to talk +with Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa and the madame met them at the door, and +related as well as they knew all that had occurred. They all +agreed that the matter had better be kept from the servants, if +possible, and they all went out by the front gate again, since +it was useless to search in the direction of Mrs. Mechlin's +house. Don Mariano and Gabriel saw George follow the +path to the right and disappear. They followed him. George +had heard the barking of a dog in the distance, and at first +paid no attention to it, but when the barking would be followed +by most piteous howls, he listened, and thought he recognized +the plaintive whining of Milord. He followed the +path, and as he did so, came nearer to the barking, and soon +after Milord himself met him, with demonstrations of great +satisfaction.</p> +<p class="pnext">George had no doubt now of finding Mercedes. He let +Milord be the guide, and run ahead, he following. In a few +minutes he saw something white on the ground, and immediately +after recognized Mercedes' form lying motionless across +the path, as she had fallen. In a moment George had lifted +her insensible form in his arms, calling out he had found her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano ran to him, but Gabriel, being more active, +passed him, and was quickly at George's side, gazing anxiously +at his sister's face.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Give her to me, George,” said Don Mariano, in a hoarse +whisper, for he was so agitated he could scarcely speak. “Give +my baby to me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wait a little while. I'll carry her a little longer,” said +George, holding the unconscious girl.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Father is too agitated to be steady enough just now,” said +Gabriel. “I'll carry her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let me see her face, for God's sake! Has she no life?” +Don Mariano exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes. She has fainted only. We will soon restore her +to consciousness. Don't be alarmed. I think the parting with +Clarence has nearly killed her—but she is alive,” George +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why did they part? Why did he go?” Don Mariano +asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is as much a mystery to me as to you,” George replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fainting girl was tenderly placed in her bed, and all the +care that loving hearts could bestow was lavished on her. But +nearly two hours elapsed before she returned to consciousness. +Then, after looking vaguely about the room for some +minutes, an expression of pain came over her face, and looking +at her father, she asked for Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Victoriano has gone to call him,” Don Mariano replied, +hoping that this little fiction would come true, and believing it +would if Victoriano could overtake the fugitive.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am so glad,” she said, and with a sigh closed her eyes, +lying so calmly that it was difficult to see whether she had +relapsed into a swoon, or lay so quiet from sheer exhaustion.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the meantime, he for whose love all this misery was suffered—and +who shared it fully—was flying onward as rapidly +as a couple of fast thoroughbreds could take him. Victoriano +followed at full gallop, confident of overtaking him, or if not, of +being in town before the steamer left. But the fates decided +it should not be as the heart of the anxious rider wished, and +when he rode up to the wharf the steamer was leaving it. He +could see its lights moving swiftly away, and hear the shaking +and revolving of the wheels on the smooth bay, as the black, +floating mass glided off, like a cruel monster swimming away +with the happiness of so many loving hearts.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano stood looking at the steamer with a disappointment +so keen that it seemed unbearable. He could have rebelled +against any power. Then a sense of realization of the +inevitable came like a revelation to him, and he felt overpowered, +surrounded by dangers that he might not avoid, because +they would come upon him unawares.</p> +<p class="pnext">In this perturbed state of mind he was still looking at the +steamer passing over the moonlit bay, when the freight agent +for the steamer came to say that Mr. Darrell had left a note +for him, and he would bring it if he waited. Victoriano not +only would wait, but followed to the door of the freight office.</p> +<p class="pnext">The agent said, as he handed the note, that Mr. Darrell had +left orders at the stable to keep the two horses and phæton +until Don Victoriano sent for them. Eagerly Victoriano read +the note. It ran thus:</p> +<blockquote><div> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="small-caps">Dear Tano</span>:</p> +<p class="pnext">Forgive me for not waiting to bid you good-by. I feared to miss the +boat; and since Doña Josefa desired to postpone the wedding, I thought +it was best for me to be away, under present circumstances. It would be +too unendurable in my painful humiliation to be constantly dreading some +other unexpected outbreak from my father. My presence would be a source +of irritation to him, which might lead to worse results.</p> +<p class="pnext">Say to Don Mariano and Don Gabriel I will write to them as soon as I +reach San Francisco, perhaps before. My love to all of you, my good and +beloved friends. Heaven bless you all.</p> +<p class="pnext">I don't ask you to think kindly of me, for I know you will. I feel sick +in mind and body; and how I wish I could have slept under your hospitable +roof.</p> +<p class="pnext">Tell Retty to write or telegraph how Alice is. I was so disappointed +not to find Miss Mercedes when I drove back. I had felt so sure I heard +her voice calling me, that I was faint with disappointment and thoroughly +heartsick.</p> +<p class="pnext">Good-by, dear Tano, again. God bless you all.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">Ever your true friend,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Clarence.</div> +</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">P. S.—I leave you my horses and phæton</p> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">There was nothing for Victoriano to do now but return +home. He went to the stable, ordered fresh horses put to +the phæton, and leaving his own horse with the other two, +said he would send for them when they were thoroughly +rested. He went to see Clarence's horses himself to be sure that +they were well groomed. Two men were rubbing them down, +and he saw that neither of the two fine animals had been hurt +by their furious drive. He patted them, and they turned their +pretty heads and intelligent eyes, expanding their nostrils as +they recognized him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano was so depressed that he felt a presentiment of +never more seeing Clarence. He looked at the two horses as +if they were a last token of his friendship, and he hurried out +of the stable and out of town quickly, to be alone with the +silent moon and his own thoughts; his thoughts of Alice, +of Clarence and Mercedes going with him, as he drove home. +But Victoriano's thoughts of those three interesting persons +were shared by many others.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano and Doña Josefa sat by Mercedes' bedside. +Her heavy slumber began to alarm them. She lay motionless, +with closed eyelids, but she was not sleeping, for she would +open her eyes when they spoke to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">About midnight Doña Josefa asked her if she had been +sleeping. She shook her head and whispered:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am waiting for Clarence. He is coming, sitting on a +water lily. I see him. I am waiting.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The look of dismay that Doña Josefa exchanged with +her husband, revealed to each other their terrible anxiety +and dread.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We must wait for Victoriano, and if Clarence does not +come, then we must send for a doctor,” Don Mariano whispered.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mercedes heard him, and said, scarcely audibly: “He +will come. I am waiting. He loves me. He don't want to +kill me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When Victoriano arrived it was near daylight, but Don Mariano +was up and came out to meet him. Seeing the phæton +with only one occupant, he knew the sad truth. Victoriano +gave him Clarence's letter, which he read with the keenest regret, +feeling that if he had stayed at home, as Mercedes had +begged, Clarence would not have felt compelled to go, but +would have been made happy under that roof, as he deserved +to be. Vain regrets now. He was gone, and there was nothing +to be done but wait until he arrived at San Francisco. It +would only be a matter of three days, Don Mariano tried to +argue to himself, but the experiences of the last two days had +taught him how much mischief might be effected in a very +short space of time.</p> +<p class="pnext">When he returned to Mercedes' room he found that she +was sleeping, but her sleep was restless, and now a high fever +had set in. Her cheeks were like red roses, and her pulse +beat with telegraphic velocity. She moaned and moved +her head, as if it pained her, but did not awake. It was +evident that a doctor must be sent for immediately.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano never drove or rode past Darrell's house without +looking at a certain window next to that of Clarence's room. +As he came from town now, before driving into the court of +his own house, he looked towards the well-known window. His +heart beat with alarm, seeing a light through the shutters. +Alice must be ill, he thought, and that light has been burning +all night. The lover's heart had guessed the truth. Alice was +ill with a raging fever, and when daylight came, instead of the +fever passing off, as Mrs. Darrell had hoped, she became delirious.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano did not go to bed. He preferred to walk out +to the front piazza and have another look at that window of +Alice's room. Yes the light was still burning. He felt sure +that she was ill. Was she to be sick, and he not able to see +her? or inquire for her? How angry he felt at old Darrell. +Poor Tano, he was a prey to contending emotions. He now +wished to see Mercedes, and had told his father that he would +lie in one of the hammocks in the veranda, instead of going to +bed, so that he would be called to Mercedes' room as soon as +she awoke.</p> +<p class="pnext">Presently Don Mariano came and said to him: “Victoriano, +Mercedes is awake, but so entirely out of her head that she +does not know any one of us. We must send for a physician.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will go at once,” Victoriano said, jumping to his feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, you have been up all night. We don't want too many +sick to take care of. Gabriel will go.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano looked towards the fascinating window, and hesitating +a little, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am afraid Alice is sick too. Evidently a light has +been burning in her room all night. She fainted when Clarence +was leaving them, and for the last two days she has +been so nervous, Everett says, that she was almost in convulsions.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“There is some one going out in Clarence's buggy. Perhaps +they are sending for a doctor,” Don Mariano said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I believe it,” Victoriano said, watching the buggy. “It +is Everett. Alice is ill, I am sure. Retty is coming this +way.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett was driving fast, and in a very few minutes was at +the gate, and coming to the piazza.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I ventured to come up,” he said, “because I saw you +here. It is a most unchristian hour to go into a neighbor's +house.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is Alice sick, Retty?” Victoriano asked, without heeding +Everett's apology for coming.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, she has a high fever, and is very delirious. I am going +for a doctor, but as she has been calling for Clarence +most piteously, mother thought he would come to see her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano and Victoriano turned several shades paler +than they were before, but they related to Everett what had +happened, as far as they knew. Still the reason <em class="italics">why</em> Clarence +left must yet remain a mystery to them until Mercedes could +explain it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett was greatly disconcerted and pained. He had +hoped to find Clarence, and as his father seemed moved and +grieved at Alice's illness, all the family inferred that he would +be only too glad to see Clarence restored to them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must hurry for a doctor,” said Everett, with trembling +lips, “and when Clarence arrives in San Francisco he will find +a telegram awaiting him there.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He will find two,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He can never stay away if he knows that Miss Mercedes +and Alice are sick—sick with grief at his going from us,” Everett +said; adding: “are you not going to send for a physician +for Miss Mercedes?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; Gabriel will go very soon,” Don Mariano replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who is your doctor? Can't I call him for you?”</p> +<p class="pnext">On being told the doctor's name, Everett said that he was +the one he proposed to bring for Alice. Don Mariano then +wrote a line asking the doctor to come, and Everett hurried off +on his sad errand.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence had passed the night on deck, walking about in +the moonlight, or sitting down to muse by the hour, with no +one near—no company but his thoughts. He felt ill and +weary, but wakeful, and could not bear to lie down to rest. +He must be moving about and thinking. He felt convinced +that his father had some <em class="italics">other</em> cause of irritation than the +mere fact of the land having been paid for, but what that +cause could be he had not the remotest idea. Then his +thoughts would go back to their center of attraction, and pass +in review, over and over again, the last scene at the Alamar +house, and every word that Mercedes had said. The more he +reflected upon them, the clearer it seemed to him that Mercedes +could not help thinking it would be humiliating to marry +him, for how could a lady marry the son of a man who used +such low language? And if she did, out of the purest devotion +and tenderest love, could she avoid a feeling of loathing +for such a man? Certainly not; and such a man was his father; +and Clarence's thoughts traveled around this painful circle all +night.</p> +<p class="pnext">On arriving at Wilmington, he heard the puffing of the +little tug boat, coming to ferry the passengers to Los Angeles. +He had nothing to do at Los Angeles, but he would go with +the passengers, rather than wait all day in the steamer at +anchor, rolling like a little canoe, and whose fate was too +much like his own—as he, too, was tossing over a broad expanse, +a boundless ocean, like a block of wood, helpless, compelled +to obey, as though he was an infant. He took a cup +of coffee, and joined the passengers on the little tug boat, +which was soon meandering over the shallow, muddy creek, +or rather swamp, with its little crooked channels, which is to +be made into an harbor, with time, patience and money.</p> +<p class="pnext">At Los Angeles a surprise awaited Clarence, an incident +which, coming after those of the previous night, was delightful, +indeed. He was sauntering past a hotel, when he +heard the well known voice of Fred Haverly, calling him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are the very man I came to see. I am now expecting +at any moment, a dispatch from Hubert in answer to my inquiry +for your whereabouts,” Fred said, conducting Clarence to +his room, where they could talk business without being interrupted.</p> +<p class="pnext">The business which brought Fred up from the mines was +soon explained, and in conclusion Fred said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish you could go with me, see the ores yourself, and +talk with the men who wish to buy the mines. But the weather +is frightfully hot, and you are not looking well. What is the +matter? May I inquire?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence soon told Fred all that had happened at home, and +how he was exiled, and did not care where he went. Fred was +truly distressed, for he had never seen Clarence take anything +so much to heart and be so cast down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll tell you what we had better do to-day. Let us take +a carriage, and go for a drive among the orange groves. Then +we will come back to dinner. After dinner we will kill time +somehow for a couple of hours, then you go to bed. To-morrow +you will decide what to do.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But to-morrow there will be no steamer to take me to San +Francisco.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then wait for the next. The matters you have under consideration +are too important to decide hastily.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is true. I wish some one had reminded me of that +fact last evening. I'll let the steamer go, and if I do not decide +to go with you, I'll take the next boat. But now, as to +our drive, I think I would rather have it after I had some +breakfast, because I begin to feel faint, having eaten nothing +for twenty-four hours.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence sat down to a very nice breakfast, but did not succeed +in eating it. He had no appetite. All food was distasteful +to him. They had their drive and dinner, and he +managed to get some sleep. This, however, did not refresh +him, and he felt no better. Still, he decided to go to see his +“<em class="italics">bonanza</em>,” and talk with the men who wished to buy the +mines. If he did not sell them, Fred thought stamp mills +ought to be put up, as the ore heaps were getting to be too high +and too numerous and very rich.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence devoted that day to writing letters. He wrote to +his mother, Alice and Everett, to George, Gabriel and Victoriano; +but his longest letters were to Mercedes and Don +Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the following day he and Fred took the stage for Yuma. +When they reached that point, the river boat was about to start, +thus Clarence and Fred lost no time in going up the river to +their mines. But as the navigation up the Colorado River, +above Fort Yuma, was rather slow, having to steam against the +current following the tortuous channel of that crooked, narrow +stream, and the mines were more than three hundred miles +from Yuma (about thirty from Fort Mojave), they did not +arrive as soon as they would have wished, and Clarence had +been stricken down with typhoid fever before they reached +their camp.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxx-effect-of-bad-precept-and-worse-example"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id31">CHAPTER XXX.—<span class="small-caps">Effect of Bad Precept and Worse Example.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The whir of threshing machines was heard in the valleys +of the Alamar rancho, and wagons loaded with baled hay +went from the fields like moving hills. The season had been +good, and the settlers, forgetting their past conduct, were beginning +to calculate on the well-known good nature and kind +heart of the Don, to get their lands by purchasing them from +him at a low price and easy terms when he got his patent.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gasbang and Mathews were the only ones who still slandered +the entire Alamar family, in the vilest language, having +for their instigator and legal adviser the little lawyer, Peter +Roper, <em class="italics">protegé</em> of Judge Lawlack and partner of Colonel +Hornblower.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everybody in San Diego knew that Roper had made for +himself a most discreditable record, unblushingly vaunting of +his degradation, but because he managed first to become a +partner to the pompous Colonel Hornblower, and then—“for +some secret service unexpressed”—to be a special favorite of +Judge Gryllus Lawlack, Roper was not only tolerated but well +treated. Even among the respectable people of San Diego +Roper had clients who, when he was intoxicated, or when he +was obliged to keep his bed because, as it often happened, he +had been too severely whipped in some drunken brawl, would +patiently wait for him to get sober and on his feet again. Why +did those respectable people employ such a low, disreputable +character? strangers in town asked. The answer was: “<em class="italics">Because +Roper says he has so much influence with the Judge</em>?” And +verily Roper, intoxicated or sober, won his cases, for when in +ignorance of the law, he made any mistakes, which he generally +did, being only an amateur lawyer, the Judge, with his +rulings, would remedy the harm done, thus unwittingly, or not, +assisting Roper, giving him a seemingly good cause to boast +that he had <em class="italics">retained the Judge</em>, and by so boasting get clients. +Of course, many of Judge Lawlack's decisions were constantly +reversed, but the serene majesty of the law in his Honor's +breast was not in the least disturbed by this; on the contrary, he +spoke jestingly about being constantly reversed, and said jokingly +to lawyers that if they desired to win their suits they +should not wish him to decide in their favor, as the Supreme +Court was sure to reverse him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Nevertheless, on the strength of his vaunted influence with +the Judge, Roper had gone to the Alamar rancho to solicit the +patronage of the settlers. He was willing to take contingent +fees, he said, as he was sure to win.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But what if your friend, the Judge, is reversed, as he always +is?” Roper would be asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, then we will make a motion for a new trial, or +we will call the same suit by some other name, and file a +new complaint, or do something else, so as to keep in +possession of the property. Possession, as long as it lasts, is +ownership.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But in the end you don't win?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who says we don't? Isn't it to win if you keep in possession +as long as you live? Or, any way, as long as <em class="italics">my Judge</em> +is in office? And in office he shall be, for I shall keep him +there, if I have to swill whisky by the barrel in election times, +see if I don't.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And with this low bragging and bar-room swagger Roper +managed to impose upon people, saying that his influence +kept the Judge in office, because he had advocated his cause +and worked to have him elected. So, with his delusive sophistry, +Peter got clients among the Alamar settlers. While +making inquiries about the Alamar lands he came across the +entry made by Don Mariano of the land sold to Clarence. +This discovery he communicated to Gasbang, and we have +seen what resulted.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now these two worthies were rejoicing at the effect they +had caused, and would have been happier had they known the +full extent of the misery they had inflicted. They guessed +enough, however, to furnish them with matter for their coarse +jests, and Roper got intoxicated to celebrate his triumph. He, +of course, came out of the tavern with a black eye, but being +the chosen friend and political <em class="italics">factotum</em> of the Judge, this +public degradation was kindly condoned, and San Diego threw +its cloak over the prostrate Roper, as usual, when overcome by +whisky.</p> +<p class="pnext">It would have seemed unbearable to Darrell if he had known +how amused and pleased Roper and Gasbang were to know +that they had brought trouble to the Alamares, and made him +ridiculous. This additional misery, however, was fortunately +spared to the already much-afflicted, proud spirit. But, indeed, +he suffered enough to have satisfied the most relentless +<em class="italics">Nemesis</em>. No one guessed the extent of his misery. In fact, +Clarence was the only one who suspected the existence of some +secret source of irritation goading him, and had that kind son +been permitted to remain at home, he would have coaxed and +persuaded his father to say what was torturing him. For torture +it was—mental and physical. A band of purple and black +encircled his body, and his arms were of that same hue from +the elbow to the shoulder. The bruises made by the tight +coil of the <em class="italics">reata</em> had left a narrow ring, which became blacker +as it grew daily wider and wider. He had done nothing to relieve +the soreness, and he went about aching so much that he +could scarcely walk, and with a fever to intensify his pains, he +was indeed a wretched man. But all this physical suffering +was nothing compared to the mental distress of being bereft +of his wife's cherished society. He knew that Mrs. Darrell +was grieved to think that he was the cause of all the unhappiness +brought upon two innocent families, and this thought +almost made him crazy.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was willing to accept his bodily aches as a retributive +penance for his cruelty to Clarence, but to endure the loneliness +of his room when his infirm body could hardly bear the +weight of his bitter remorse, that indeed seemed beyond human +strength. He would go to his solitary bedroom, close +the door, and extend his aching, bruised arms in silent appeal, +in mute supplication to the adored wife who was now in another +room, at the bedside of Alice, forgetful of the entire +world except the suffering child before her, and the exiled +one, for the sight of whom her heart yearned with aching +pulsations.</p> +<p class="pnext">And where was he, the best beloved, now? He lay on a +sick bed, delirious, with a raging fever that seemed to be drying +the very fountain of his young life. They had not made +a very quick trip to Yuma, for the hot sands of the desert +seemed to burn through the very hoofs of the horses, and they +were obliged to stop at ten o'clock A.M., and not resume their +journey until past three in the afternoon. The exposure to +this excessive heat was more than Clarence had strength to +endure, for he was already ill when he arrived at Los Angeles. +He was only partially conscious when they arrived at the mine, +and Fred now gave all his time and attention to the care of his +friend. By a great effort of his mind, Clarence had succeeded +in impressing upon Fred that he was, on no consideration +whatever, to tell to his family or write to anybody in San Diego +that he was ill. “They must not be made anxious,” he whispered. +“If I get well, I'll tell them myself; if I die, they'll +know it soon enough.” He closed his eyes, and in a short +time delirium had come to make him forget how miserable he +was.</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately Fred telegraphed to Hubert to send the best +physician he could induce to come to that terribly hot climate. +No money or trouble was spared, for the two brothers valued +Clarence too highly to neglect anything that might be for his +benefit. The doctor went at once. The sum of five thousand +dollars was paid down to him, and five thousand more he would +get on his return after leaving Clarence out of danger, if he +lived.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the meantime, his letters, sent from Los Angeles, had +arrived at Alamar, and were answered immediately. In his +letters to Gabriel and George, Clarence had explained that his +absence must not make any difference in the business arrangement +they had made, and the projected bank would be established +by George whenever he thought fit to do so—whenever +the prospect of the Texas Pacific Railroad justified it. For +this purpose, and to pay for the cattle sent to the mines, he +had instructed his banker to pay to Don Mariano three hundred +thousand dollars.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel replied, thanking him, and saying that he would +adhere to the original plan of going to San Francisco by the +first of October, when he hoped Mercita would be out of danger. +If Clarence could only have read these letters!</p> +<p class="pnext">George answered him that he did not intend returning to +New York until Mercita got better (Elvira not wishing to leave +home while her sister was yet in danger), but that he would be +ready to return to California and establish their projected bank +at any time that the business outlook justified it; that the +chances seemed much in favor of the Texas Pacific, and all +were hopeful. If Clarence could only have read this!</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano wrote a cheerful letter, telling him to return +at once. The fact of the matter was that he confidently expected +to see Clarence's bright face very soon; to see those +eyes of his, with their brilliant glow of kindness, emanating +from a generous, manly heart. How could it be otherwise +when all that was necessary would be to recall him, and recalled +he had been?</p> +<p class="pnext">But days and days passed, and Clarence did not come, nor +any letters from him either, and the month of September, +which was to have brought so much happiness, had been passed +in sadness, and was now ending in gloom.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes and Alice were no longer delirious, but their condition +was still precarious, and the anxious parents could not +lay aside their fears.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus the month of October passed, and November came, +bringing the United States Surveyors to measure the Alamar +rancho in accordance with the decree of the United States +District Court. This advent, though fully expected, did not +fail to agitate the settlers of Alamar. It brought before their +minds the fact that the law, though much disregarded and +sadly dilatory, did sometimes, as if unawares, uphold the right.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gasbang and Mathews, inspired by Roper, were very active +in trying to urge the settlers to some open demonstration. +Roper wanted lawsuits, and he saw a chance now to originate +several; but the settlers were rather disposed to be quiet, and +disposed to wait until the survey was finished and approved, +for, after all, what had they to do? The Don took no steps +to eject them. What pretext had they to complain?</p> +<p class="pnext">“I expect we will have to kick <em class="italics">him</em> out of his own house,” +said Peter Roper, and laughed, thinking it would be such a +good joke to do that; “and by ——, if you only show me the +ghost of a chance, we'll do it!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why are you the Don's enemy, Roper? Did he ever do +you any injury?” Romeo asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, my! No; why should he? I am nobody's enemy; +but if I can make any money by kicking him out of his house, +don't you suppose I'd do it? You don't know me if you think +I wouldn't,” was Roper's characteristic reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">But his sharp yellow eyes clearly saw that Gasbang and +Mathews were the only ones really anxious to be aggressive, +yet aggressive only according to the natural bent of their dispositions. +Mathews was unscrupulous, vicious and murderous; +Gasbang, unscrupulous, vicious and cowardly—he would use +no weapons but the legal trickery of Roper, aided by the indulgence +of Judge Lawlack's friendship. In fact, Judge Lawlack +was a host in himself, and when that host was led on to battle +by the loquacious Roper against clients who had only justice +and equity on their side, everybody knew that Roper's brow +would be crowned with honorable laurels of fraud and falsehood +and robbery, while innocent people were cruelly despoiled +and left homeless. This, however, was (according to Roper) +the <em class="italics">secret bargain</em> between Judge Gryllus Lawlack and his favorite. +This shameful debauchery of judicial power was the wages +of the <em class="italics">political factotum</em>; and Roper unblushingly acknowledged +it, and <em class="italics">boasted</em> of it—boasted openly, in his moments of exultation, +when he had imbibed more whisky than was consistent +with discretion; when he would become loquacious, and following +the law of his being, which impelled him to swagger and +vaunting, he longed to make known to people his “<em class="italics">influence +with the Court</em>.” Wishing at the same time that he was facetious, +to be considered a wit, he would relate several stories +illustrative of <em class="italics">his power over the Judge</em>. One of these stories +was that of two litigants, who had had a lawsuit for a long time; +at last, one litigant came to the other and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“See here; you had better compromise this suit. Don't +you see, on my side I have the law, the equity, the money and +the talent?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very true,” answered the other. “You have the law, the +equity, the money and the talent, but <em class="italics">I have the Judge</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And Roper would laugh, thinking himself very funny, and +with a wink would say: “Didn't I tell you I run this whole +town? Of course I do, because <em class="italics">I have the Court in my pocket</em>. +Give us another drink.” And he staggered for more whisky.</p> +<p class="pnext">Could the Judge ignore that his name and office were thus +publicly dragged in the mire? Certainly not, but he would +merely remark that “Mr. Roper was joking,” seeing no disgraceful +reflection upon himself.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the full reliance of secured power, Gasbang and Roper +decided that they would do nothing while the survey of the +rancho was going on, but would watch and wait for developments, +and then, relying upon the Judge's friendship to serve +their purpose, start some plot to rob the Alamares or the +Mechlins.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, we will watch and pray, brother John,” Roper said, +with a nasal twang. Gasbang was a church deacon.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Mathews had no Judge Lawlack to bedraggle justice for +his sake. So while Gasbang and Roper were jubilant, he became +gloomy and morose. He could not give vent to his ill +humor by shooting stray cattle now; not that he liked Clarence +any better than he liked the Don, but he had promised Darrell +not to shoot his son's cattle, and he could not afford to break +his promise and make an enemy of so useful a man as Darrell. +So Mathews went back to his old love of whisky, and as his +whisky was of the cheapest, burning poison circulated in his +veins. Miss Mathews, his maiden sister, was seriously alarmed, +observing her brother's ways of late, and would kindly remonstrate +against his drinking such poor liquor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“For you see, William, all liquor is bad, but bad liquor is +worse,” the poor old maid would say, in unconscious aphorism, +pleading with her hardened brother to the best of her ability.</p> +<p class="pnext">One morning, when Mathews had been on a debauch of several +days' duration, Miss Mathews walked over to Mrs. Darrell, +and apologizing for not having been to see Alice, because she +had had so much trouble at home, said she wished to speak to +Mr. Darrell. On being told by Jane—who received her—that +her father had gone to the fields where grain was being threshed, +she left word that she would thank Mr. Darrell to call on her +that evening. Agreeable to this request, Mr. Darrell started +for Mathews' house after supper.</p> +<p class="pnext">Slowly Darrell went over the field and across the little hollow +where Gabriel had taken him off his horse. Then he followed +the path he had galloped with the <em class="italics">reata</em> around his body, and +came to the road where he had met the Don and tried to strike +him. This was the first time Darrell had been over this ground +since that memorable day which was now recalled to his mind +so painfully. He wondered how he could have been so blind, +such a fool, not to take the right view of Clarence's actions. Ah! +and where was Clarence now, that beloved first-born boy, of +whom he was so proud? In this sad meditation, with head bowed +down most dejectedly, Darrell followed the path until he came +to a fence. He looked up and saw this was the south side of +Mr. Mechlin's garden. He turned around the southeast corner +and followed along the fence, remembering that going by +that path he would shorten the distance to Mathews' house. +For a few rods Darrell walked in the path, but not wishing to +be seen by the Mechlins, he left the path and walked close to +the fence, hidden by a row of olive trees. Presently he heard +a man's voice, talking and walking up and down the piazza. +On the next turn he saw it was George Mechlin carrying his +baby boy in his arms, kissing him at every few words.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell was pleased to see the young man kissing his child +so lovingly. It reminded him of his young days when he held +his own first boy like that. Then he felt a pang shoot through +his heart as he thought that if it had not been for his wicked +folly, Clarence in another year might have held his own child, +too, in his arms, as George was now holding his, and that baby +would have been his own grandchild! Darrell trembled with +the strength of his keen remorse—a remorse which now constantly +visited him, invading his spirit with relentless fury, like +a pitiless foe that gave no quarter. He leaned against the +fence for support and stood still, wishing to watch George +caressing his baby. Meantime, George continued his walking, +his talking and caressing, which Darrell could hear was +occasionally reciprocated by a sweet little cooing from the +baby. Elvira came out on the piazza now, and he heard her +say:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed, George, that baby ought to be in bed now. +See, it is after seven, and he is still awake. You keep him +awake.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin also came out and took the baby, saying he, +too, must have a kiss. Then Mrs. Mechlin followed, and +Caroline, and all caressed the baby, showing how dearly they +loved the little thing, who took all the petting in good part, +perfectly satisfied.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last Elvira carried him off to bed, and Darrell saw +George and Mr. Mechlin go into the library and sit by the +center-table to read. He then, with down-cast eyes, continued +his walk towards Mathews' house.</p> +<p class="pnext">He found Miss Mathews alone, with eyes that plainly +showed sad traces of tears, she was sitting by the lamp darning +her brother's stockings, which, like those of Darrell himself, +had always holes at the heels, for the tread of both was alike, +of that positive character which revealed an indomitable +spirit, and it soon wore out the heels of their socks.</p> +<p class="pnext">After the customary inquiries for the health of the family, and +the usual remarks about the crops being good, Miss Mathews +went on to say that she could no longer bear the state of her +mind, and thought it was her duty to tell Mr. Darrell her fears, +and prevent mischief that might occur, if her brother was not +spoken to by somebody.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What mischief do you fear?” Darrell asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, you see—I can scarcely explain—for, after all, it +might be all talk of William, when he has drank that horrible +whisky.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What does he say?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, you see, he is awful sore about the appeal being +dismissed, and he blames it all on Mr. George Mechlin, and +says he ought to be <em class="italics">shot dead</em>, and all other horrible talk. +And now, since the surveyors came, he is worse, saying +that the Don will drive us off as soon as the survey is finished!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He will do nothing of the sort. He is too kind-hearted,” +Darrell said, and he felt the hot blush come to his face—the +blush of remorseful shame.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's what I think, but William don't, and I wish you +would talk encouragingly to him, for he is desperate, and +blames Congress for fooling settlers. He says Congress ought +to be killed for fooling poor people into taking lands that they +can't keep, and Mr. Darrell I hope you will talk to him. What +is that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">She started to her feet, and so did Darrell, for the report of +a rifle rang loud and distinct in the evening air.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is William's rifle. I hope he did not fire it,” she said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell went to the door to listen for another shot, but +none was heard, so he came back and resumed his seat.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Three times I have taken that very rifle from William. He +was going to shoot cattle, he said, and I had to remind him that +the cattle now belong to your son.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Steps were heard now, and Mathew's face peered through +the window. Miss Mathews gave a half-suppressed shriek, +and dropped her sewing. Her brother's face looked so +ghastly pale that it frightened her. He pushed the door and +came in.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What makes the old maid shriek like a fool?” said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Your death-like face,” Darrell replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nonsense!” he said, going to a side-table to pour out +whisky from a demijohn he took from under it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, William! for pity's sake! don't drink more,” she +begged. “It will make you crazy, I am sure.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Anybody might suppose I have drank a river, to hear the +old hag talk like that,” he snarled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have not said good evening to Mr. Darrell.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You don't give me a chance, with your infernal chatter. +Mr. Darrell knows he is welcome,” he said, without looking +at him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where is your rifle, William?” she asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">With an oath he turned and glared at her, with distorted +features.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is none of your business where it is. Have I to give you +an account of everything?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you might have loaned it to somebody, for we +heard it fired a little while ago.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is there no rifle but mine in this valley?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sorry to say there are plenty, but I know the report +of yours. I never mistake it for any other.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mathews became so enraged, hearing this, and so violent +and abusive in his language, that Darrell had to interfere to +silence him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you talk like that to your sister, I would advise her not +to stay alone in this house with you,” Darrell said; “her life +might be in danger.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish the devil would take the old hag,” he retorted. “She +torments my life. I hate her.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the matter with you, Billy?” Darrell asked. “Why +are you so excited?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It makes me mad to hear her nonsense,” he said, in a +calmer voice, but still much agitated, and he again went to pour +himself another drink.</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Mathews whispered hurriedly to Darrell: “Take away +his rifle.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Neighbor Mathews,” said Darrell, “I want to send my rifle +to have it fixed, will you lend me yours for a few days?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take it,” said he gruffly, then folding his arms on the table +and leaning his head upon them, immediately sunk into a +heavy sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Take the rifle with you now, Mr. Darrell, he might change +his mind when he awakes. I'll bring it directly,” said Miss +Mathews, hurrying out of the room. Presently she returned, +and in her dejected countenance keen disappointment was +depicted. Dropping into her seat she whispered: “The rifle +is not in the house. Somebody has taken it and fired it. I +am sure that was the shot we heard. I know the ring of it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll go and see. Perhaps I'll find out who fired it,” Darrell +said, walking towards the front door, followed by Miss +Mathews, who preferred to make a few parting suggestions +outside, not sure of Billy's soundness of sleep.</p> +<p class="pnext">As both stepped outside the first object that met their eyes +was Billy's rifle, peacefully reclining against the window.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell took it up and looked at Miss Mathews perplexed. +She was looking at him aghast.</p> +<p class="pnext">The undefined fears that neither one expressed were only +too well founded. The rifle had been fired, and fired by +Mathews with murderous intent. For several weeks, instigated +by Roper and bad whisky, Mathews had been watching an +opportunity to shoot George, because he had the appeal dismissed. +This evening he at last saw his chance when George +was walking the porch caressing his baby. He could not take +good aim while he was walking, but when Elvira at last took +the baby away and George walked into the library, then, as he +went to put the window down, Mathews aimed at his heart +and fired. Fortunately the ball struck the window sash, deflected +and glanced down, striking the hip-bone instead of the +heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell and Miss Mathews were still looking at the rifle, as +if expecting that by a close examination they might guess who +fired it, when they were startled by Mathews uttering frightful +curses and smashing the furniture. The noise brought two +hired men, who were smoking their pipes by the kitchen fire, +and they helped Darrell to grapple with the maniac and pinion +his arms, tying him to a chair.</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Mathews was greatly shocked to see her brother crazy, +but she had been expecting it. She quietly consented to have +him taken to an insane asylum.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxi-a-snow-storm"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id32">CHAPTER XXXI.—<span class="small-caps">A Snow Storm.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">George Mechlin's wound was not mortal, but it made it +necessary to convey him to town to have medical attendance +near at hand, and no doubt it would be of a long and painful +convalescence, with the danger, almost a certainty, of leaving +him lame for life. This danger was to him far more terrible +than death, but he concealed in the deepest recesses of his +heart the horror he felt at being a cripple, for he knew the +keen anguish that Elvira suffered at the thought of such a probability. +Her lovely black eyes would fill with tears, and her +lips would tremble and turn white, when he or any one else +spoke of the possibility of his being lame. So he had to be +consoler, and soothe her grief, and be the one to speak of +hope and courage.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no possibility of his being able to return to his +duties at their bank in New York at present, and he, to cheer +Elvira's desponding heart, would say that he could attend to a +bank in San Diego.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be despondent, my pet,” he said one day, when she +looked very sad; “things will not be so bad, after all, for in +the spring I will be well enough to attend to bank business +here, even if I cannot stand the trip to New York. With the +money that Clarence sent, and with what I will put in myself, +we can start quite a solid bank. Gabriel will have learned a +good deal by that time, and though I will not walk much, I can +be a very majestic President, and give my directions from my +arm-chair. All we want is the success of the Texas Pacific—and +my uncle writes that Tom Scott is very confident, and +working hard.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But will he succeed?” Elvira asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He has powerful enemies, but his cause is good. The +construction of the Texas Pacific ought to be advocated by +every honest man in the United States, for it is the thing that +will help the exhausted South to get back its strength and +vitality.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will it really help the South so much?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. Don't we see here in our little town of San +Diego how everything is depending on the success of this +road? Look at all the business of the town, all the farming +of this county, all the industries of Southern California—everything +is at a stand-still, waiting for Congress to aid the +Texas Pacific. Well, the poor South is in pretty much the +same fix that we are. I am sure that there are many homes +in the Southern States whose peace and happiness depend +upon the construction of the Texas Pacific. Look at our two +families. All the future prosperity of the Alamares and Mechlins +is entirely based upon the success of this road. If it is +built, we will be well off, we will have comfortable homes and +a sure income to live upon. But if the Texas Pacific fails, +then we will be financially wrecked. That is, my father will, +and Don Mariano will be sadly crippled, for he has invested +heavily in town property. For my part, I'll lose a great deal, +but I have my bank stock in New York to fall back upon. +So my poor father and yours will be the worst sufferers. Many +other poor fellows will suffer like them—for almost the entire +San Diego is in the same boat with us. It all depends on +Congress.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why should Congress refuse to aid the Texas Pacific, +knowing how necessary the road is to the South? It +would be wicked, George, downright injustice, to refuse aid.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And so it would, but if rumors are true, the bribes of the +Central Pacific monopolists have more power with some Congressmen +than the sense of justice or the rights of communities. +The preamble and resolution which Luttrell introduced +last session were a ‘flash in the pan,’ that was soon forgotten, +as it seems. In that document it was clearly shown that the +managers of the Central Pacific Railroad Company were guilty +of undeniable and open frauds. Enough was said by Luttrell +to prove those proud railroad magnates most culpable, and +yet with their record still extant, their power in Congress seems +greater every year. Still, uncle writes that Tom Scott is to +make a big fight this winter, and that his chances are good. I +am bound to hope that he'll win.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why has he to <em class="italics">fight</em>? What right have those men of +the Central Pacific to oppose his getting Congressional aid? +Does the money of the American people belong to those +men, that they should have so much to say about how it +should be used? Is it not very audacious, outrageous, to +come forward and oppose aid being given, only <em class="italics">because they +don't want to have competition</em>? Isn't that their reason?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That's all. They have not an earthly <em class="italics">right</em> to oppose the +Texas Pacific, and all their motive is that they <em class="italics">don't want competition</em> +to their Central Pacific Railroad. They have already +made millions out of this road, but they want no one else to +make a single dollar. They want to grab every cent that +might be made out of the traffic between the Atlantic and +Pacific Oceans, and they don't care how many people are +ruined or how many homes are made desolate in the South or +in California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, George, but this is awful! If those men are so very +rapacious and cruel, what hope have we? They will certainly +sacrifice San Diego if their influence in Congress is so great! +Poor San Diego! my poor, little, native town, to be sacrificed +to the heartless greed of four or five men.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And what claim have these men upon the American +people? Think of that! Have they or their fathers ever rendered +any services to the nation? None whatever. All they +rely upon is their boldness in openly asking that others be sacrificed, +and backing their modest request with money earned +out of the road they built with Government funds and Government +credit. But they have tasted the sweets of ill-gotten +gain, and now their rapacity keeps increasing, and in a few +years—if they kill the Texas Pacific—they will want to absorb +every possible dollar that might be made on this coast. The +only thing that will put a check upon their voracity is the +Texas Pacific. If this is killed, then heaven knows what a +Herculean work the people of this coast will have to destroy +this hydra-headed monster, or in some way put a bit in each +of its many voracious mouths.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am awfully discouraged, George. I am so sorry that papa +put all his money into town property.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us yet hope Tom Scott might succeed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And thus this young couple went on discussing San Diego's +chances of life or death, and their own hopes in the future. +They were not the only couple who in those days pondered +over the problem of the “<em class="italics">to be or not to be</em>” of the Texas Pacific. +It is not an exaggeration to say that for nearly ten long +years the people of San Diego lived in the hope of that much-needed +and well-deserved Congressional aid to the Texas Pacific, +which <em class="italics">never came</em>! That aid which was to bring peace +and comfort to so many homes, which at last were made forever +desolate!</p> +<p class="pnext">Yes, aid was refused. The monopoly triumphed, bringing +poverty and distress where peace might have been!</p> +<p class="pnext">Yet in those days—the winter of '74-'75—everybody's hopes +were bright. No clouds in San Diego's horizon meant misfortune. +Not yet!</p> +<p class="pnext">And of all of San Diego's sanguine inhabitants, none surpassed +in hopefulness the three friends who had invested so +heavily in real estate, viz.: Mr. Mechlin, Señor Alamar and +Mr. Holman. They exhorted all to keep up courage, and +trust in Tom Scott.</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">Many of the cattle sent to Clarence's mines had returned to +the rancho from the mountains, and now it was necessary to +collect them again and send them back.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano himself, accompanied by Victoriano and two +of his brothers, would start for the Colorado River, intending +to see that the cattle got to the mines safely.</p> +<p class="pnext">The evening before leaving Victoriano enjoyed the great +happiness of seeing Alice by herself and talking to her of his +love. For three long months her illness had kept her a close +prisoner in her bedroom, and she had not seen Tano.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now they enjoyed a two hours' <em class="italics">téte-â-téte</em>, which was very +sweet to them, and which pleasure they had not had since +Clarence left.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes' convalescence was very slow. Her despondency +at Clarence's absence retarded her recovery. The wounding +of George had also impressed her painfully, for she was devotedly +attached to him; and now she was worrying about her +father having to go away.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano told her that as soon as the cattle were on +the other side of the mountains he would not feel any apprehension +of their running away; that once in the desert they +would go straight to the river, but that while in the mountains +there was danger of their “<em class="italics">stampeding</em>” and being lost. She +heard all this, but still she dreaded her papa's going out of her +sight. She could not forget that had he been at home when +Clarence came that last evening all might have been right. +She had no faith in human calculations any more. She was +sick, and wanted her papa near her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think the best thing you can do is to send Mercita to +town, to remain with us while you are away,” George had said +to Don Mariano, hearing how badly she felt at his going.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, you are right. The surroundings at the rancho bring +to her painful thoughts which will be gloomier when Tano and +myself are away. She will have the two babies, of whom she +is so fond, to amuse her here,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Besides all of us, the Holman girls will be good company +for her,” added George.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes, therefore, was told by her papa that she was to +remain with Elvira and Lizzie in town during his absence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa, darling, I shall not cease to be anxious about you +and Tano until I see your dear faces again. I am a thoroughly +superstitious girl now. But still, I do agree with you and poor, +dear George, that the babies will be a sweet source of consolation +to me. Yes, take me to them. I'll play chess or cards +with George, and we'll amuse each other. He will read to +me; he is a splendid reader; I love to hear him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes, therefore, was conveyed to town by her loving +father, who went away with a much lighter heart, thinking that +she would be less desponding.</p> +<p class="pnext">The <em class="italics">mayordomo</em>, with about twenty <em class="italics">vaqueros</em>, were nearly at +the foot of the mountains with twenty-five hundred head of +cattle, when Don Mariano and Victoriano overtook them, and +as the cattle had been resting there for two days, their journey +to the Colorado River would be resumed at daybreak.</p> +<p class="pnext">The weather had been intensely cold for the last two days, +so that the benumbed animals could scarcely walk in the early +morning, but now the air felt warmer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I fear it is going to rain. We must try to reach the desert +and leave the storm behind us,” said Don Mariano to his +<em class="italics">mayordomo</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">A good day's journey was made that day, and night overtook +them as they descended into a small valley, which seemed to +invite them to rest within its pretty circumference of well-wooded +mountain slopes, from which merry little brooks ran +singing and went to hide their music among the tall grasses +that grew in rank solitude.</p> +<p class="pnext">The bellowing of cattle and shouts of the <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> soon +awoke the mountain echoes, and the silent little valley was +noisy and crowded with busy life. Camp-fires were quickly +lighted, from which arose blue columns of smoke, making the +lonely spot seem well populated.</p> +<p class="pnext">“With a good supper and good night's rest, we will make a +long march to-morrow,” said the <em class="italics">mayordomo</em> to Don Mariano. +“There is plenty of feed here for our cattle.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But the weather looks so threatening. I wish we were +out of this,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I, too. We are going to get a wetting,” added Tano.</p> +<p class="pnext">About midnight Don Mariano awoke, startled; he had heard +nothing, and yet he awoke with a sense of having been summoned +to arise. He sat up and looked around, but saw nothing. +The darkness of the sky had changed from inky black +to a leaden hue, and the clouds hung down among the tall +trees like curtains of ashy gray, draping them entirely out of +view. The fires were out, and yet he did not feel cold. He +thought it strange that all the fires should have burned out, +when they had put on such heavy logs before going to sleep. +He struck a light to look at his watch, for he had no idea what +the hour might be. By the light he saw that his blankets +seemed covered with flour. He brushed off the white dust, +and found that snowflakes had invaded even their retreat under +the shelter of oak trees.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There must have been some wind to blow this snow under +the thick foliage of these oaks,” said he, hurriedly putting his +coat and shoes on, these being the only articles of his dress he +had removed, “and I did not hear it. How stealthily this +enemy came upon us. I fear it will be a winding-sheet for my +poor cattle.” He now proceeded to awake everybody, and a +hard task it was, for the treacherous drowsiness spread over +them with that snow-white coverlet was hard to shake off. But +he persisted, and when he made believe he was losing his +patience, then all arose, slowly, reluctantly, but they were on +their feet.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on, boys, let us build fires, fires! Fires under every +tree, if we have to put up barricades to keep off snow-drifts. +Come on; we must drink coffee all night to keep us awake.”</p> +<p class="pnext">In a short time several fires were started under oak trees +which had widely-spreading branches or under pines which +clustered together.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano had a consultation with his <em class="italics">mayordomo</em>, and +both agreed that it would be best to drive the cattle back for +a few miles and wait until the snow had melted sufficiently for +them to see the trails, else all might plunge unawares into hidden +pitfalls and gulches covered over by snow-drifts.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, this is our only course,” said Don Mariano, “and now +we must start them up. Sleep under snow cannot be any better +for cattle than it is for men. Let us have some coffee, and +then we must whip up and rouse the cattle; they seem dead +already; they are too quiet.”</p> +<p class="pnext">He was going back to the tree where he had slept, when he +was met by his brother Augustin, who came to say that Victoriano +wished to see him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What? Still in bed?” said he, seeing Victoriano lying +down. “This won't do. Up with you, boy.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come here to me, father,” said Victoriano's voice, very +sadly. His father was quickly by his side.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the matter, my boy?” asked he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Father, I cannot stand up. From my knees down I have +lost all feeling, and have no control of my limbs at all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have you rubbed them to start circulation? They are benumbed +with the cold, I suppose.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have been rubbing them, but without any effect, it seems. +I don't feel pain though, nor cold either.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This was the saddest perplexity yet. There was nothing to +be done but to wait for daylight to take Victoriano home. In +the meantime, a fire was made near his bed. His limbs were +wrapped in warm blankets; he drank a large cup of warm coffee +and lay down to wait for the dawn of day to appear.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as all the herders had drank plenty of warm coffee, +all mounted their horses, and the work of rousing the cattle began.</p> +<p class="pnext">The shouts of the <em class="italics">vaqueros</em>, bellowing of cattle and barking of +dogs resounded throughout the valley, the echo repeating them +from hill to hill and mountain side. In a short time everything +living was in motion, and the peaceful little valley seemed the +battle-ground where a fiercely contested, hand-to-hand fight was +raging. The great number of fires burning under the shelter of +trees, seen through the falling snow as if behind a thick, +mysterious veil, gave to the scene a weird appearance of unreality +which the shouts of men, bellowing of cattle and barking of +dogs did not dispel. It all seemed like a phantom battle of +ghostly warriors or enchanted knights evoked in a magic valley, +all of which must disappear with the first rays of day.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano and his two brothers also mounted their horses, +but remained near Victoriano's bed to keep him from being +trampled by cattle that might rush in that direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">About four o'clock the <em class="italics">vaqueros</em> had a recess. They had put +the cattle in motion, and could conscientiously think of cooking +breakfast. By the time that breakfast was over, daylight began +to peep here and there through the thick curtains of falling snow. +Giving to the <em class="italics">mayordomo</em> the last instructions regarding the management +of the cattle, Don Mariano got Victoriano ready to start +on their forlorn ride homeward. It was no easy task to put him +in the saddle, but once there, he said he was all right.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am a miserable chicken from my knees down, but a perfect +gentleman from my knees up. Don't be sad, father; I'll be +all right again soon,” said he, cheerfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">The snow had not ceased falling for one moment, and if the +<em class="italics">mayordomo</em> had not been so good a guide they might not have +found their way out, for every trail was completely obliterated, +and no landmarks could be seen. After a while, Don Mariano +himself, aided by a pocket compass, got the bearings correctly. +The entire band of cattle were driven back, so that all began +their retreating march together, preceded by Victoriano, with his +limbs wrapped up in pieces of blanket, an expedient which he +found very ridiculous and laughable, suggesting many witticisms +to him.</p> +<p class="pnext">About ten o'clock they came to a grove of oak trees which +covered a broad space of ground and afforded good shelter for +man and animals. Don Mariano told his <em class="italics">mayordomo</em> that he +thought this would be a good place for him to stay with the stock +until the storm had passed, for although the snow might fall on +the uncovered ground, there would be shelter for all under the +trees.</p> +<p class="pnext">After resting for an hour and eating a good luncheon, Don +Mariano, aided by his brothers, again put Victoriano on horseback +and started homeward, all the country being still enveloped +in snow. About nightfall the snow was succeeded by rain, and +this was much worse, for it came accompanied by a violent wind +which seemed as if it would blow them away with their horses. +Having left the <em class="italics">mayordomo</em> and all but one <em class="italics">vaquero</em> with the +cattle, Don Mariano had with him only this one <em class="italics">mozo</em> to wait on +them, and his two brothers to assist him in the care of Tano. +The night was passed again under the friendly shelter of trees, +but in the morning it was found necessary to ride out into the +storm, for now Victoriano's limbs ached frightfully at times, and +it was imperative to reach home. This was not done until the +following day, when Victoriano's malady had assumed a very +painful character, and when Don Mariano himself had taken a +severe cold in his lungs. A doctor was immediately sent for, +and now Doña Josefa had two invalids more to nurse.</p> +<p class="pnext">For six weeks Don Mariano was confined to his bed with a +severe attack of pneumonia, followed by a lung fever, which +clung to him for many days. In the latter part of January, however, +he was convalescing. Not so Victoriano; his strange malady +kept him yet a close prisoner. When his father was out +already, driving and riding about the rancho, poor Tano had to +be content with sitting by the window in an arm-chair, and looking +at that other window which he knew was in Alice's room. +Everett came daily to sit with him, to read to him, or play chess +or cards, and he helped the invalid to take a few steps, and little +by little, Tano began to walk.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxii-a-false-friend-sent-to-deceive-the-southerners"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id33">CHAPTER XXXII.—<span class="small-caps">A False Friend Sent to Deceive the Southerners.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“Great men are the Fire Pillars in this dark pilgrimage of +mankind; they stand as heavenly signs, ever living witnesses of +what has been, prophetic tokens of what may still be—the revealed +embodied Possibilities of human nature,” says Carlyle.</p> +<p class="pnext">If conspicuousness or notoriety could mean greatness, we have +our <em class="italics">great men</em> in California. But are they the Fire Pillars in +our dark pilgrimage? Verily, no. They are upas trees, blighting +life, spreading desolation, ruin, death upon all they overshadow. +Only the cruelist irony could designate them as <em class="italics">heavenly +signs</em>, for surely they march before us in the opposite direction +from that in which heavenly Fire Pillars would be expected +to stand.</p> +<p class="pnext">And who are the most conspicuous in our State? The <em class="italics">monied +men, of course</em>—the monopolists. They are our <em class="italics">Fire Pillars</em>! +Unfortunate California! if thou art to follow such guides, +thy fate shall be to <em class="italics">grovel for money</em> to the end of time, with +not one thought beyond, or above, money-making, and not one +aspiration higher than to accumulate millions greedily for rapacity's +sake—without once remembering the misery that such rapacity +has brought upon so many innocent people—the blight it has +spread over so many lives. Thy ambition shall be to control +the judiciary and utterly debauch the legislative branch of our +Government; to contaminate the public press and private individual +until thy children shall have lost all belief in honor, and +justice, and good faith, and morality. Until honesty shall be made +ridiculous and successful corruption shall be held up for admiration +and praise.</p> +<p class="pnext">And are not <em class="italics">our</em> “Fire Pillars” dragging us already in that +direction? blinding us instead of guiding and enlightening? +Yes, alluring, tempting, making rapacity and ill-gotten wealth appear +justifiable, seen through the seductive glamour of Success!</p> +<p class="pnext">The letter Mr. James Mechlin received one morning about +the latter part of November, 1875, would seem so to indicate. +He and Mr. Holman met often at the postoffice each winter +since 1872, always hoping to get railroad news from Washington. +These two gentlemen religiously went to the postoffice +every day again this winter—particularly since the Mechlins +had taken their temporary residence in town—and religiously +they expected that <em class="italics">good news</em> would come at any time while +Congress was in session—news that a bill to aid in the construction +of the Texas Pacific Railroad had been passed. But days +and days went by and no news came. This morning, however, +Mr. Mechlin received two letters from his brother, the first he +had got since he brought the wounded George to town.</p> +<p class="pnext">One of these letters said that early in that month (November) +Mr. C. C. had taken east from California in his special car ex-Senator +Guller, for the purpose of being sent South <em class="italics">to persuade</em> +the Southern people into believing that the Texas Pacific Railroad +would be injurious to the South; that it was being built +for the benefit of Northern interests, but that <em class="italics">the Southern Pacific</em>, +of Mr. Huntington and associates, was truly the road for +the South. Mr. Huntington instructed Senator Guller in all the +fictions he was to spread in the South, and with that burden on +his soul (if the old man has one), the hoary headed ex-Senator +started from Washington about the 12th of November, 1875, on +this errand to deceive, to betray. To betray cruelly, hiding under +the cloak of friendship and good will, the worst, blackest, most +perfidious intent. “He is going about the South making public +speeches,” Mr. Mechlin said, “and using his influence to mislead +Southern newspapers and Southern influential men; trying +to convince all that the Texas Pacific will do the South great +harm. The Southern people and Southern Press have fallen +into the trap. They never doubted, never could doubt, the +veracity of ex-Senator Guller, who had espoused their cause +during the war of the rebellion, and had always held Southern +sentiments. Who could believe that now, <em class="italics">for money</em>, he would +go to deceive trusting friends? That, <em class="italics">for money</em>, he would +cruelly mislead Southerners to their ruin? Who would believe +that this old man, calling himself a friend, was the veriest, worst, +most malignant Mephistopheles, holding in the heart so wicked a +purpose, such an infamous design?”</p> +<p class="pnext">In the second letter Mr. Lawrence Mechlin spoke of ex-Senator +Guller being still at work in the South, and that his patron, +Mr. Huntington, seemed to think that the old man was not telling +as many fictions as he (Huntington) wished. But that what +more false statements he desired, it did not appear, for in reality +Dr. Guller had prevaricated and misrepresented all that he could +within the limits of possible credibility.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And now,” Mr. Mechlin's letter added, “old man Guller +will soon return from his Southern trip. Let us hope that the +old man will be well paid for his unsavory work. I cannot believe +that in making his public speeches he does not occasionally +feel a pang of regret, of remorse, when seeing the faces of +those unfortunate, betrayed Southerners upturned to him, listening +in the sincerity of their hearts to the atrocious concoctions +which he is pouring upon their unsuspecting heads.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. James Mechlin read to Mr. Holman this portion of his +brother's letter, and both looked at each other in dismay.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come with me,” said Mr. Mechlin. “Let us go and talk +with George about this.” When they had walked in silence a +few minutes, Mr. Mechlin turned suddenly around and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have an idea. Let us (you, Don Mariano, and myself) +go to see Governor Stanford and find out from him directly +whether they really mean to kill the Texas Pacific, or whether +those tricks of Huntington are intended only as a ruse to bring +Tom Scott to terms.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But would Stanford tell us?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Whether he does or not, by talking with him we will find +out the truth.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't think the sending of Guller to the South can be a +ruse only; it must have cost them money.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“True. You are right,” said Mr. Mechlin, sadly, resuming +his walk. “And it proves conclusively that these men of the +Central Pacific Railroad will stop at nothing to obtain their end; +and yet, I have always thought so well of Governor Stanford +that I am unwilling to believe he is a party to any trickery of +Huntington's.”</p> +<p class="pnext">On arriving home, Mr. Mechlin, followed by Mr. Holman, +went directly into George's room to lay before him his idea of +interviewing Governor Stanford. After listening attentively, +George said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have not the slightest doubt that the railroad men of the +Central Pacific wish to establish an iron-bound monopoly on +the Pacific slope, to grasp all the carrying business of the entire +coast, and to effect that, they will do anything to kill the Texas +Pacific, or any other road that might compete with them. Still, +as you are going to San Francisco to escort Lizzie, you can +then, for your own satisfaction, have a talk with Governor Stanford, +and Mr. Holman and Don Mariano can join you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, after I see him, I shall know the truth whether he tells +it to me or I see it myself,” said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I shall join you at any time. Let us go to see Don +Mariano to-morrow and find out when he thinks he will be well +enough to travel,” said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Very well; I shall call for you about nine A.M.,” said Mr. +Mechlin. Mr. Holman then arose, and, saying he wished to +speak with the ladies and try to forget railroads, went into the +parlor. Mr. Mechlin followed him, saying to George as he was +leaving the room:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here is a lot of letters and papers that came this morning +which I was almost forgetting to give to you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Among the various letters of less interest to George, there +was one from his uncle, one from Bob Gunther and (would he +believe his eyes!) one from Clarence! The sight of that writing +made George start, and he immediately thought of the effect it +would have on Mercedes. He hastily tore open the envelope +and found four letters besides the one for himself. One was +for Don Mariano, one for Gabriel, one for Tano, and one for +Mercedes. “The noble fellow forgets no one,” said George, +beginning to read his letter, and thinking it was best not to give +to Mercedes hers until all the visitors had left, was soon absorbed +in what Clarence said. Knowing that all would repeat +the contents of his letters to one another, Clarence related to +each different incidents of his travels, leaving for Mercedes alone +the recital of his heart's longings, and sufferings, and fears, and +hopes. To George he related his travels in the interior of +Mexico, speaking with great enthusiasm of the transcendent +beauty, the sublimity of the scenery in that marvelous country. +He had passed several weeks in the Sierra Madre, had ascended +to the summits of Popocatepetl and Orizaba, viewing from the +snow-clad apex of this last named mountain, at an elevation of +more than three miles above the sea level, a vast panorama of +the entire Mexico, bordered on each side by the Pacific and +Atlantic Oceans. Clarence also spoke in highest terms of +praise of the delta of the Sumasinta River, and beautiful scenery +of the Rio Verde and Rio Lerma, and Chapala Lake, so large +and picturesque that it looks like an ocean set apart by the jealous +gods so that men may not defile its beauty and break its +silence with the hurry scurry of commercial traffic. Clarence +dwelt, also, upon his visit to Yucatan, where he went more especially +to see the ruins of Urmal. Those ruins which are the +irrefragable witnesses of a past civilization, lost so entirely that +archæology cannot say one word about its birth or death. Clarence +found those ruins intensely interesting, and would have +spent much longer time than the month he passed there, examining, +studying and admiring them, had his traveling companions +been willing to remain longer, but they were anxious to +visit the City of Mexico, and so he was obliged to leave those +majestic ruins whose silence spoke to him so eloquently. They +seemed to him symbolical of his ruined hopes, his great love, +in fact, himself. Was he not like those crumbling edifices—a +sad ruin of lofty aspirations? Poor Clarence, his sad heart was +only made sadder when, upon his arrival at the City of Mexico, +he found no letters there. He inquired at the American Legation +whether any letters had come for him, and was told by the +Secretary that <em class="italics">no letters</em>, but one package, only one, had been +received, which had been kept for six months, at the end of +which time Mr. Hubert Haverly had written saying that if Mr. +Darrell did not call for the package soon, to return it to him +(Haverly) at San Francisco. This had been done about +two weeks previously. On hearing this, Clarence sat down, +wrote letters to all his friends, and then started for South America, +intending to cross that continent and embark at Brazil for +Europe. His letter to Mercedes he ended with these words.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do not blame you for renouncing me, for it must be repugnant +to you to unite yourself with one who has such rough +blood in his veins. But, Oh! Mercedes, can you not pity me +enough to say one kind word? What have I done to deserve being +the miserable outcast that I am?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes was in despair. Where could all their letters be? +Why did he not get them? He wrote to his mother, to Everett +and Alice, and to them he made the same complaint, and yet, +all had written to him repeatedly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin, accompanied by Mr. Holman, arrived at the +rancho about luncheon hour. Their drive had given them a +good appetite and they enjoyed their repast. After it, they all +adjourned to the parlor to discuss, by the fire, their intended +visit to San Francisco. Don Mariano would have preferred to +sit out doors on one of the verandas, but Doña Josefa reminded +him that a whole year had passed since he was overtaken by +that disastrous snow-storm, and he had not yet regained his +usual health; neither had Victoriano. The injury to his health +seemed even greater and more difficult to remedy, for every two +or three months he had attacks more or less serious of the same +lameness which deprived him of the use of his limbs.</p> +<p class="pnext">As for the cattle, the poor, dumb brutes who had never seen +snow, they became so frightened at the sight of that white pall, +enveloping everything, that they were absolutely unmanageable +after Don Mariano had gone in advance with Victoriano, and +the <em class="italics">mayordomo</em> thought they would wait until the storm had +passed. Next day the <em class="italics">mayordomo</em> went about in hopes of finding +such stray animals as might have ran less wildly, but none +were to be seen, excepting those which lay stiff in death under +the snow.</p> +<p class="pnext">The loss of his cattle made it more imperative that Don Mariano +should look closely into land matters, into the prospects of +a railroad for San Diego. He therefore listened attentively to +what his friends said about Mr. Lawrence Mechlin having written, +and their proposed visit of inquiry to ex-Governor Stanford +as to what might be the fate of San Diego's railroad.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It seems to me incredible that Doctor Guller should have +lent himself for such service, no matter how well paid,” said Don +Mariano. “If he had been sent to deceive the North, to fool +the Yankees, the errand would have been—if not more honorable—at +least less odious for a Southerner, not so treacherous; +but to go and deceive the trusting South, now when the entire +country is so impoverished, so distressed, that act, I say, is inhuman, +is ignominious. No words of reprobation can be too severe +to stigmatize a man capable of being so heartless.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Truly, but the instigators are as much to blame as the tool +they used. They should be stigmatized also as corrupters, as +most malignant, debasing, unscrupulous men,” said Mr. Holman. +“Men who are harmful to society, because they reward dishonorable +acts; because they reward, with money, the blackest +treason!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can it be possible that Governor Stanford had any knowledge +that his associate was sending Doctor Guller on that disgraceful +errand?” Don Mariano queried.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It looks like it, but let us hope he did not,” Mr. Holman +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, let us hope also that Mr. Lawrence Mechlin was misinformed, +and Doctor Guller has not been guilty of anything so +atrocious,” the Don said.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was finally decided that the three friends would go to San +Francisco at the same time that Lizzie would be going. She +had made a flying visit to her family at San Diego, and Gabriel +was calling loudly for her to return, saying that after banking +hours he felt lonely and missed her dreadfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lizzie, therefore, had three gentlemen for her escort, and in a +few days they all steamed away for the city of the sand dunes.</p> +<p class="pnext">The first day in the city Don Mariano devoted to raising a +sum of money by a mortgage on his rancho, as he needed the +money to pay taxes on the land occupied by the squatters; but +the day after, the three friends presented themselves at the railroad +office and inquired for Governor Stanford. They were +told that he had just left the office, but that he would be there +on the following day. As they were leaving the office, they met +a Mr. Perin, a friend whom they had not seen for some time. +When they had exchanged greetings, Mr. Perin asked them if +they had come to see Governor Stanford. On being told that +such was the case, he said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is well that you did not see him, for he is not in a very +good humor to-day, and as for Mr. C., he is like a bear with a +sore head—furious at Tom Scott.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the matter? What has Tom Scott done to anger +his persecutors?” asked Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It seems they need money and can't raise as much as they +want, while Huntington keeps clamoring for more to kill Tom +Scott together with the Texas Pacific,” was the answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The earnings of the Central Pacific this last year were seventeen +millions of dollars. How are they in such need of money? +Is not that enough to kill Colonel Scott?” Mr. Mechlin asked. +“Why do they want more?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because, if their earnings had been seventy millions, these +men would still be in need of money,” Mr. Perin said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why so?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because, as they wish to absorb all the carrying business of +this coast—in fact, all sorts of business—they want money, +money, money. They want to buy steamboats, ferry-boats, ocean +steamers; street railroads and street cars; coal mines and farms; +in fact, they want everything, and want it more when some poor +devil loses his business thereby and goes, frozen out, into the +cold world. So you see, to go into such a variety of business +besides railroading and killing Tom Scott, it costs money. It +takes millions and millions to kill and freeze out so many +people.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope they'll be disappointed in killing Colonel Scott,” +said Don Mariano. “That would mean death to many others.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope so, too, but I hear that Mr. Huntington devoutly +prays that a kind Providence may enable him ‘<em class="italics">to see grass +growing over Tom Scott</em>,’” Mr. Perin replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, my brother wrote me that Huntington does say that +he hopes to worry Scott to death, and ‘<em class="italics">see grass growing over +his grave</em>.’ I fear he will see grass growing over many graves +if he succeeds in killing the Texas Pacific,” said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is trying hard to do that, and his associates are backing +him up with millions,” Mr. Perin said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then Heaven help us poor people who have invested our +all, believing that San Diego would have a railroad,” said Mr. +Mechlin, bitterly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next morning the three friends went again to the railroad +office and sent their cards to Governor Stanford. In a few +minutes the servant returned to say that the Governor was very +busy, but if the gentlemen could wait he would see them as +soon as possible. The gentlemen waited; they read the morning +papers and looked over railroad guides to while away time.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yes, they waited, but they would have spared themselves +that trouble, and they would have never made that pilgrimage +from San Diego to consult the oracle at San Francisco, could +they have read what Mr. Huntington was about that time writing +to his <em class="italics">associates</em> concerning his <em class="italics">modus operandi</em> in Washington +to “<em class="italics">convince</em>” Congressmen to do as he wished, to defeat +the Texas Pacific; writing all about sending an ex-Senator to +“<em class="italics">switch off the South</em>,” and there to pretend to be an anti-subsidy +Democrat, and to state falsely that the Texas Pacific would +injure the South. All this, however, was only known lately, +when Mr. Huntington's letters were made public. At that +time the three friends, thinking it impossible that the rights of +Southern California would be so utterly disregarded, did not +see any absurdity in interviewing the Governor.</p> +<p class="pnext">While they waited they had an opportunity of hearing several +instructive matters freely mentioned. One of these was the way +of avoiding the payment of taxes, and how to fight the cases in +the courts. The gentlemen who discussed the subject evidently +understood it and were waiting to have an audience. Their +talk suggested a very sad train of thoughts to Don Mariano, as +he heard that the railroad people did not mean to pay taxes, +and would resist the law. He thought how those millionaires +would pay no taxes, and defy the law openly and fight to the +bitter end, whilst he was not only obliged to pay taxes upon a +too highly appraised property, but must also pay taxes for +the land occupied by the squatter and on the improvements +thereon! As a necessary sequence to such unjust, unreasonable, +inhuman taxation, Don Mariano had been obliged to mortgage +his rancho to raise funds to pay the taxes of the squatters. +With the yearly sales of his cattle he had always been able to +pay his own taxes as well as those of his unwelcome neighbors, +but as his cattle were now lost, his only resource was his land. +Not yet having the patent, he could not sell to advantage at all. +He must therefore mortgage.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I were a railroad prince, I suppose I would not be forced +to pay taxes for the squatters on my land,” said Don Mariano +to his friends, smiling sadly to hear how the taxes on railroad +property were to be fought.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you were a railroad prince, you would not pay your own +taxes, much less those of the squatters,” said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think you ought not to hesitate to use the money that +Clarence paid for your cattle. If they ran away, it was not your +fault,” Mr. Mechlin said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, not my fault, but my misfortune; a misfortune which +I have no right to put on Clarence's shoulders. I did not +deliver the cattle; I don't take the pay. I am going to mortgage +my land, but I can't avoid it,” Don Mariano replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is certainly a very hard case to have to mortgage your +property to pay taxes for the squatters,” observed Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If these railroad men will only let us have the Texas Pacific +all will be right, but if not, then the work of ruining me begun by +the squatters will be finished by the millionaires—if they kill +our railroad,” said Don Mariano sadly, adding: “Our legislators +then will complete their work. Our legislators began my +ruin; our legislators will end it.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxiii-san-diego-s-sentence-is-irrevocable"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id34">CHAPTER XXXIII.—<span class="small-caps">San Diego's Sentence is Irrevocable.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">After waiting in the reception room for nearly two hours, +Don Mariano and his two friends were at last ushered into the +presence of ex-Governor Stanford. He was so well hid behind +his high desk, that looking around the empty room, Mr. +Holman observed:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I hope this is not to be a second stage of waiting.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Stanford arose, bowing from behind his desk, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Be seated, gentlemen. Excuse my having kept you waiting.” +Then seeing that there were but two chairs near by, and +only one more at the furthest corner of the room, he added, +going to bring the chair: “I thought that there were chairs for +you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano, too, had started for the same chair, now that +its existence was discovered, but the Governor got there first, +and brought it half way, then the Don took it and occupied +it.</p> +<p class="pnext">When all were seated, Governor Stanford said in his low, +agreeable voice, which any one might suppose would indicate +a benevolent, kind heart:</p> +<p class="pnext">“What can I do for you, gentlemen?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano laughed outright. The situation struck him +as being eminently ridiculous. Here was this man, who held +pitilessly their destiny in his hands—held it with a grip of +iron—and not one thought of the distress he caused; he, +through his associate, Huntington, was lavishing money in +Washington to kill the Texas Pacific, and thus snatch away +from them (the three friends) the means of support, absolutely +deprive them of the necessaries of life, and he asked them +what he could do? and asked it with that deep-toned, rich +melody of voice which vibrated softly, as if full of sympathy, +that overflowed from a heart filled with philanthrophy, +generosity and good will. This was a sad and cruel irony, +which to Don Mariano made their position absurd, to the +point of being laughable.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is like laughing at a funeral,” said Don Mariano, +apologetically. “Please pardon me. What made me laugh +was that I felt like answering you by saying, ‘Governor, you +can do for us all we ask.’ But—but—”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Say it out. But what?” said the Governor, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But will do nothing for us,” finished Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is to say, for San Diego,” added Mr. Mechlin, +afraid that it might seem as if they came to ask a personal +favor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! it is of San Diego that you wish to speak to me? +Then, truly, I fear I can do nothing for you,” the Governor +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But you can hear what we wish to say to you,” Mr. Holman +interposed, with a sickly effort at smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. But really, gentlemen, you must excuse me for +saying that I am very busy to-day, and can only give you a +half hour.”</p> +<p class="pnext">They all bowed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin and Don Mariano looked at Mr. Holman, as +it was understood that he would be spokesman. But Mr. +Holman's heart was leaping with the indignation of a lion, and +then shrinking with the discouragement of a mouse into such +small contractions—all of which he in no way must reveal—that +for a minute he could not speak.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose the San Diego people wish me to build them a +railroad, isn't that it?” said the man of power, slowly arranging +some papers on his desk.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Or to let some one else build it,” said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Governor colored slightly, in evident vexation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tom Scott, for instance,” said he, sneeringly. “Take my +advice, gentlemen, and don't you pin your faith on Tom Scott. +He'll build no Texas Pacific, I assure you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then why don't you build it?” asked Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because it won't pay,” was the dry reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why won't it pay? We have plenty of natural resources, +which, if developed, would make plenty of business for two +railroads,” Mr. Holman said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Only the San Diego people say so. No one else thinks of +San Diego County, but as a most arid luckless region, where +it never rains.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is the talk of San Francisco people, Governor, because +they want all the railroads to come to their city, and nowhere +else,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have less rainfall in Southern California, on an average, +but on average, too, we get better crops than in the +northern counties in dry years. How it is I can't tell you, unless +it be that a given quantity of rain is all that crops require, +and above that it is superfluous, or else that for certain +soils a certain amount of rainfall is all that is required. It is +undoubtedly true that in dry years more crops have been lost +in some of the northern counties than in ours,” said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps, but when we have such magnificent wheat country +in our northern valleys, it isn't to be supposed that we can +give any attention to San Diego.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If our county does not take the lead as wheat-growing, it +certainly can take it as fruit-growing. We have no capital to +make large plantations of vineyards or trees, but what has +been done proves, conclusively, that for grapes, olives, figs, +and in fact all semi-tropical fruits, there is no better country +in the world.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That may be so, but you see we are not engaged in the +fruit-growing business. We build railroads to transport freight +and passengers. We do not care what or who makes the +freights we carry.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly. But surely there cannot be any reason why, if +San Diego should have freights and passengers to be carried, +that we should not have a railroad.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly not. If you can get it, do so, of course.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, Governor, that is why we came to talk with you. +<em class="italics">Is San Diego's death sentence irrevocable?</em> Is it absolutely determined +by you that San Diego is not to have a railroad?” +asked Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, that is a hard question to answer. No, perhaps for +the present San Diego will <em class="italics">not</em> have a railroad,” said he, with +cool nonchalance.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What do you call <em class="italics">for the present</em>? How long?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a harder question yet. You see, if we effect a +compromise with Mr. Scott, we will keep on building the +Southern Pacific until we meet his road, and then, as all the +Eastern freight can come by the Southern Pacific, there will +not be any necessity of another railroad.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“In other words, San Diego must be strangled. There will +not be any Texas Pacific?” said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, not in California,” the Governor calmly asserted, passing +over the subject as of no consequence, if a hundred San +Diegos perished by strangulation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By the terms of the Southern Pacific charter were you not +to build to San Diego?” asked Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; that is to say, through San Diego to the Colorado +River, but that wouldn't suit us at all. Still, I think that after +a while, perhaps, when we have more time, we might build to +San Diego from some point of the Southern Pacific that we +see is convenient,” said he, as if it didn't matter what the terms +of the Southern Pacific charter were, knowing that Congress +would not enforce them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“A little branch road,” observed Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; that is all we think is necessary for our purpose.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then to sum up, what we must understand is, that San +Diego cannot hope to be a western terminus of a transcontinental +railway; that all we may hope to get is a little branch +road from some point convenient to the Southern Pacific Railroad.” +Mr. Stanford bowed. “And yet,” Mr. Holman continued, +“by right, San Diego is the terminal point of a transcontinental +railway, and San Diego ought to be the shipping +point for all that immense country comprising Arizona, Southern +California and Northern Mexico. We are more than five +hundred miles nearer to those countries than San Francisco, +thus you will be making people travel six hundred miles more +than is necessary to get to a shipping point on the Pacific.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So much more business for our road,” Mr. Stanford said, +laughing, in a dignified way, and slightly elevating his eyebrows +and shoulders, as if to indicate that really the matter +hardly merited his consideration.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But without asking or expecting you to take any sentimental +or philosophic or moralizing view of our case <em class="italics">as a benefactor</em>, +will you not take into consideration, as a business man, the +immense benefit that there will be to yourselves to have control +of the trade which will be the result of uniting Southern +California with Arizona, with the Southern States and Northern +Mexico, and developing those vast countries now lying +useless, scarcely inhabited.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes; we have thought of that, I suppose, but we are +too busy up here. We have too much business on hand nearer +us to think of attending to those wild countries.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, Governor, let some one else attend to them. We +have only one life to live, and, really, much as we would like +to await your pleasure, we cannot arrest the march of time. +Time goes on, and as it slips by, ruin approaches us. We invested +all our means in San Diego, hoping that Colonel Scott +would build his railroad. Now we see plainly that unless you +withdraw your opposition to Scott we are ruined men, and +many more innocent people are in the same situation. So we +come to you and say, if you will not let any one else build us +a railroad, then do build it yourself. It will save us from ruin +and give you untold wealth. We will be glad to see you make +millions if we only secure for ourselves our bread and butter,” +said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Our bread; never mind the butter,” said Don Mariano, +smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, you at least have plenty of cows to make butter,” +said Mr. Stanford, addressing Señor Alamar, evidently wishing +to avoid the subject, by turning it off.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir, I haven't. The squatters at my rancho shot and +killed my cattle, so that I was obliged to send off those that I +had left, and in doing this a snow-storm overtook us, and nearly +all my animals perished then. The Indians will finish those +which survived the snow.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Those Indians are great thieves, I suppose?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, sir; but not so bad to me as the squatters. The +Indians kill my cattle to eat them, whereas the squatters did +so to ruin me. Thus, having now lost all my cattle, I have +only my land to rely upon for a living—nothing else. Hence +my great anxiety to have the Texas Pacific. My land will be +very valuable if we have a railroad and our county becomes +more settled; but if not, my land, like everybody else's land in +our county, will be unsaleable, worthless. A railroad soon is +our only salvation.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is bad,” Mr. Stanford said, looking at his watch. +“But I don't see how I can help you San Diego people. If +Mr. Huntington effects some compromise with Mr. Scott, we +will then build a branch road, as I said.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And what if there is no compromise?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then, of course, there will be no road for you—that is to +say, no Texas Pacific in California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not, Governor? ‘Live and let live,’” Don Mariano +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You don't seem to think of business principles. You forget +that in business every one is for himself. If it is to our interest +to prevent the construction of the Texas Pacific, do you +suppose we will stop to consider that we might inconvenience +the San Diego people?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is not a matter of inconvenience—it is ruin, it is poverty, +suffering, distress; perhaps despair and death,” said Mr. +Mechlin. “Our merchants, our farmers, all, the entire county +will suffer great distress or ruin, for they have embarked their +all in the hope of immediate prosperity, in the hope that emigration +would come to us, should our town be the western +terminus.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You should have been more cautious; not so rash.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How could we have foreseen that you would prevent the +construction of the Texas Pacific?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Easily. By studying business principles; by perceiving +it would be to our interest to prevent it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We never thought, and do not think now, that it is to your +interest to prevent it. But even if we had thought so, we would +not have supposed that you would attempt it,” Mr. Mechlin +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because it would have seemed to us impossible that you +could have succeeded.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why impossible?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because we would have thought that the American people +would interfere; that Congress would respect the rights of the +Southern people.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Stanford laughed, saying: “The American people mind +their business, and know better than to interfere with ours. +All I can tell you, gentlemen, is that if Mr. Scott does not agree +to come no further than the Colorado River, he shall not be +able to get the interest of his bonds guaranteed by our Government, +which means that he will not have money to build his +road—no Congressional aid at all.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You seem very sure of Congress?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am sure of what I say.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, Governor, the Government helped you to build your +roads, why don't you let it help ours?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who told you that?” said he, with an angry expression, +like a dark shadow passing over his face. “Who told you +that the Government helped us to build the Southern Pacific?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The Government gave you a grant of many millions of +acres to help build it, as the Central Pacific was constructed +with Government subsidies, and the earning of the Central Pacific +were used to construct the Southern Pacific, it follows +that you were helped by the Government to build both,” said +Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You are talking of something you know nothing about. +The help the Government gave us was to guarantee the interest +of our bonds. We accepted that help, because we knew +that, as private individuals, we might not command the credit +necessary to place our bonds in the market, that's all. As +for the land subsidy, we will pay every cent of its price +with our services. We do not ask of the Government to give +us anything gratis. We will give value received for everything.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is certainly a very ingenious view to take of the +whole matter, and so viewing it, of course the killing of the +Texas Pacific seems justifiable to you,” said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Carlyle, in your place, would not view your position like +that, Governor,” said Don Mariano, rising.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nor Herbert Spencer, either. His ideas of what you call +business principles are different,” added Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pray, what would those great thinkers say?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Carlyle would think you are much to blame for flinging +away a magnificent chance to be great and heroic. Carlyle +worships heroes, but his idea of heroism is not only applicable +to warriors and conquerors, but to any one capable of rising +to a high plane of thought or heroic endeavor, doing acts +which require great self-denial for our fellow-beings, for humanity's +sake, with no view or expectation of reward in money,” +Mr. Mechlin said.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Governor smiled, and with the least perceptible sneer +he asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">“And how does Mr. Herbert Spencer differ with my ideas +of business principles?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He differs in this, that he thinks that commercial honor, +business morality, should be based on strict rectitude, on the +purest equity. That so soon as any one in the pursuit of riches +knowingly and wilfully will injure any one else, that he then +violates the principle upon which commerce should rest,” Mr. +Holman replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But that is absurd. Would he stop competition?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not at all. Competition generally has the effect of securing +the preference to whomsoever deserves it. No, what Mr. +Spencer maintains is that monopolies should not exist when +they have become so powerful that they defy the law, and use +their power to the injury of others. The fundamental principle +of morality is then subverted,” said Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Fundamental morality forbids us to injure any one because +we would be benefited by that injury,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The same old axiom of the French revolution, that ‘the +rights of one man end where those of another begin.’ Danton +and Marat sang that to the music of the guillotine,” said the +Governor, a little bit contemptuously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is so; but you see, Governor, the devil might sing +psalms, and it won't hurt the psalms,” Don Mariano replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have made you waste your time talking to us, Governor,” +said Mr. Holman; “can we not hope that you will reconsider +this matter, and examine more carefully the advantages +of making San Diego the direct outlet for all that country +that needs a railroad so much? Believe me, sir, such road +will bring you more millions than the Central and Southern +Pacific Railroads. If you do not build it, and prevent Col. +Scott from building it, sooner or later some one else will, for +it stands to reason that such a magnificent enterprise will not +be left neglected after other less advantageous routes are tried. +Then you will have the regret of having spurned this golden +chance.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And besides the chance of making millions for yourselves. +Think of the blessings you will bring to so many hearts who +are now sadly discouraged, and will be desolate if our hopes +are frustrated,” Mr. Mechlin said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Corporations have no souls, gentlemen, and I am no Carlylean +hero-philanthropist. I am only a most humble ‘<em class="italics">public +carrier</em>.’ I do not aspire to anything more than taking care +of my business,” Mr. Stanford answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, Governor, you cannot be indifferent to the distress your +action will cause?” insisted Mr. Mechlin, with sad earnestness.</p> +<p class="pnext">“As for that,” replied Mr. Stanford, smiling; “if I don't +cause distress some one else will. Distress there must be, +bound to be in this world, in spite of all that your philanthropists +might do or say to prevent it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But do you not think that if all and every one of those who +have it in their power to be beneficent were not so indifferent +to human suffering, but were to be benevolent, that then the +combined result would be great alleviation and diminution of +human distress?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No; because those who have power to do good are very +few, and the improvident, the vicious, the lazy are in myriads; +and they and their folly and vices and improvidence will, forever, +more than counterbalance the good that the beneficent +might effect,” Mr. Stanford asserted.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin arose and turned towards the door. Mr. Holman +followed his example. Señor Alamar looked sadly at the +floor, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, Governor, I am sorry we have failed in bringing you +to our way of thinking. Time will show who is mistaken.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes! Time will show. We can't cast any astrological +horoscope at the birth of a railroad. All we can do is to take +care that it thrives.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“To clear away competition.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly. The country is not settled enough yet to divide +profits. Besides, we think that Eastern people ought not to +build any roads to the Pacific Coast, when we of California are +ready to do it. Let Tom Scott keep away. We don't build +roads in Pennsylvania.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But are you sure you will always be able to prevent a competing +road? Would it not be cheaper for yourself to build +than to fight Tom Scott?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No indeed. For the present, it is cheaper to fight. It +don't cost so much money to make friends,” said he, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You seem very confident of success.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Money commands success, you know.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, money is everything! And it weighs not a feather, all +the ruin and squalor and death you will bring to a people who +never harmed you! Not a feather's weight, as against the accumulation +of money for yourselves,” said Mr. Mechlin, forgetting +his usual consideration for others' feelings.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I did not cause this misery you apprehend, some one +would. Be sure of it, for there will always be misery in the +world, no matter who causes it,” the Governor replied, with an +air of being satisfied with his philosophy, inasmuch as he was +to be exempt from human suffering, no matter who went under.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin, still lingering sadly, and veiling his great disapprobation +of Mr. Stanford's practical philosophy, said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Herbert Spencer also, in elucidating his principles, +reminds us of the fact that ‘Misery is the highway to <em class="italics">death</em>, +while happiness is added life, and the giver of life.’ Think of +this, Governor. Surely, you do not wish to make us so miserable +that you cause <em class="italics">death</em>! Yes, death from poverty and +despair. Poverty, overwork and discouragement are the causes +of sickness and death oftener than it is supposed, and this Mr. +Spencer also maintains unswervingly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have a very vivid imagination; you color up things +too dark,” said the Governor, also rising.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope you will not be sorry to have thought so. I hope +you will not regret that you closed your heart and your mind +against us, against justice, humanity and reason.” So saying, +Mr. Mechlin slowly walked off; then at the door he turned, +and lifting his finger, said to Don Mariano: “I feel a prophetic +warning that neither you nor I will ever see light in this world. +These men—this deadly, soulless corporation, which, like a +black cloud, has shut out the light from San Diego's horizon—will +evermore cast the shadow that will be our funeral pall. +But let them look to it, they might yet carry their heartless +rapacity beyond limit. The mighty monopoly, that has no soul +to feel responsibility, no heart for human pity, no face for manly +blush—that soulless, heartless, shameless monster—might yet +fall of its own weight.” So saying, Mr. Mechlin walked away, +as if he intended this prophecy to be a parting salutation to +the men who had blighted his life and made him utterly hopeless.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxiv-the-sins-of-our-legislators"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id35">CHAPTER XXXIV.—<span class="small-caps">The Sins of Our Legislators!</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“‘<em class="italics">Assey de Bonaparte!</em>’ cried France, in 1814. Men found +that his absorbing egotism was deadly to all other men,” says +Mr. Emerson. “It was not Bonaparte's fault. He did all +that in him lay to live and thrive without moral principle. It +was the nature of things, the eternal law of the man and the +world, which balked and ruined him; and the result in a million +experiments would be the same. Every experiment by +multitudes or by individuals, that has a sensual or selfish aim, +will fail. The Pacific Fourier will be as inefficient as the pernicious +Napoleon. As long as our civilization is essentially +one of property, of exclusiveness, it will be mocked by delusions. +Our riches will leave us sick; there will be bitterness in +our laughter, and our wine will burn our mouth. Only that +good profits which serves all men.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Yes, only that good profits which does not represent the +misery of others; only that wine should be sweet which is +not drunk when the tears of those we have rendered desolate +are silently running over pale cheeks from eyes that have kept +the vigil of want, mourning for the beloved to whom poverty +brought death!</p> +<p class="pnext">In heavenly-inspired words Emerson and Carlyle and Herbert +Spencer have repeated those burning aphorisms, but our +California “<em class="italics">Fire Pillars</em>” differ with them—differ widely and +differ proudly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Stanford says that if <em class="italics">he</em> did not cause misery some one +else would, for “<em class="italics">misery there must always be in this world</em>!” +Sound philosophy, truly! Why should he recoil from adding +to the sum total of human misery when so many others do the +same!</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Huntington was about the same time writing from +Washington that he <em class="italics">would</em> “<em class="italics">see the grass grow over Tom Scott</em>” +before he stopped his work of <em class="italics">convincing</em> Congressmen. And +he kept his word.</p> +<p class="pnext">He carried <em class="italics">conviction</em> to Washington, distress to the South +and ruin to San Diego.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Crocker was answering, “<em class="italics">Anything to beat Tom Scott!</em>” +The thing was to prevent the construction of San Diego's railroad, +no matter to whom ruin came thereby. “No matter how +many were sacrificed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Nothing was more hopeless, therefore, than to suppose +that any of those men would swerve one iota from their +course of greedy acquisition, out of respect for equity or humanity.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not a word was spoken until the three saddened friends +reached Don Mariano's parlors at the hotel. They had walked +silently out of the railroad building, silently taken the street +car and silently walked out of it, as it happened to stop in +front of their hotel.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, we have failed sadly, but I am glad to have had the +chance of studying that piece of humanity, or rather I should +say inhumanity,” Mr. Mechlin exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How confident he is of their power over Congress! And +he certainly means to wield it as if he came by it legitimately. +He is proud of it,” added Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but he is wrong to be proud of a power he means to +use only for selfish ends. Sooner or later the people will get +tired of sending men to Congress who can be bought so +easily. I am disappointed in Governor Stanford. I thought +him much more just and fair; a much higher order of man,” +said the Don. “How coolly he laughed at us for quoting +Carlyle and Spencer! As if he would have said, ‘You quote +the philosophers, gentlemen, and I'll make the millions. You +might die in poverty, <em class="italics">I</em> shall revel in wealth.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I ought to have quoted Emerson, when he says: ‘I count +him a great man who inhabits a higher sphere of thought into +which other men rise with labor and difficulty.’ This might +have pointed out to him how groveling it is never to rise above +the mere grubbing for money. No, he is not half as large-minded +as I had believed,” said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How can he be if he is cognizant of the means employed +by Huntington to defeat all legislation in favor of the Texas +Pacific?” observed Mr. Holman.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I fear now the Governor gives his sanction to Huntington's +work. I never believed it before. I am disappointed +in the Governor as much as in our fruitless errand,” the Don +said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How irksome and distasteful it is for him to hear about +‘<em class="italics">the rights of others</em>.’ He almost takes it as an insult that any +one but himself and associates should have <em class="italics">rights</em>; and he +seems to lose all patience at the mention of the distress they +have brought upon the people of San Diego and the financial +ruin that their rapacity and heartless conduct will cause the +Southern people,” said Mr. Holman. “Did you notice how +he frowned at the allusion to the fact that the Central Pacific +was built with Government money? The mere mention irritates +his nerves.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Does he suppose we don't know that they had no money, +and that it was with capital <em class="italics">given</em> as absolute gifts, or loaned +to them on the guarantee of the Government, that they built +and are building their roads?” said Mr. Mechlin. “I never +saw such complete subversion of the laws of reasoning as these +men exhibit. Good luck has made them think that to genius +they owe success. Thus their moral blindness makes them +take as an insulting want of proper deference any allusion to +those <em class="italics">rights of others</em> which, in their feverish greed, they trample. +For this reason they hate San Diego, because San Diego +is a living proof of their wrong-doing; a monument reminding +California of their deadly egotism, of the injury done by unscrupulous +men to their fellow-men. Hence, my friends, I +say that San Diego must have no hopes while those men live.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am afraid you are right, and as I have invested in San +Diego all I have in the world, I see no hope; nothing but +hard-featured poverty staring me in the face,” said Mr. Holman, +sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If it were owing to natural laws of the necessities of things +that San Diego is thus crippled, our fate would seem to me less +hard to bear,” said Don Mariano; “but to know that the +necessities of commerce, the inevitable increase of the world's +population, the development of our State, all, all demand that +Southern California be not sacrificed, <em class="italics">and yet it is</em>, and our +appeals to Congress are of no avail! All this adds bitterness +to our disappointment. Yes, it is bitter to be reduced to want, +only because a few men, without any merit, without any claims +upon the nation's gratitude, desire more millions.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus the disheartened friends discoursed, fully realizing their +terrible proximity to that financial disaster which was sure to +overtake them. In the generosity and kindness of their hearts, +they felt added regret, thinking of so many others who, in San +Diego, were in the same position of impending ruin; so many +good, worthy people, who certainly did not deserve to be thus +pitilessly sacrificed; so many who yet clung to the hopes of +'72, when all rushed to buy city lots; so many out of whose +hopes three years of disappointment had not quenched all +life. The failure of Jay Cook in the fall of '73 had made +the financial heart of America shrink with discouragement and +alarm, but San Diego did not realize how much her own fate +was involved in that sad catastrophe, and continued her gay +building of proud castles in the air and humble little cottages +on the earth—very close to the earth, but covered with fragrant +flowers, with roses, honeysuckles and fuchsias. These little +one-story wooden cottages were intended for temporary dwellings +only. By and by the roomy stone or brick mansions +would be erected, when the Texas Pacific Railroad—the highway +of traffic across the continent—should bring through San +Diego the commerce between Asia and the Atlantic seaboard, +between China and Europe. San Diego lived her short hour +of hope and prosperity, and smiled and went to sleep on the +brink of her own grave, the grave that Mr. C. P. Huntington +had already begun to excavate, to dig as he stealthily went +about the halls of our National Capitol “offering bribes.” But +such “foul work” was then only surmised and scarcely believed. +It was reserved for Mr. Huntington himself to furnish proof +that this was the fact. His letters were not published until +years after, but the world has them now, and the monopoly, +with all its power, cannot gainsay them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The three friends were yet discussing this painful topic of +their pilgrimage, when Mr. Mechlin observed that Don Mariano +was looking very pale, and asked if he felt ill.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes,” Don Mariano replied; “I feel very cold. I feel as if +I was frozen through and through. When we were at the +Governor's office I felt very warm, and when we came out my +clothing was saturated with perspiration. Now I feel as if I +had been steeped in ice.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“This won't do. You must change your clothes at once,” +said Mr. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Holman also became alarmed at seeing the bluish pallor +of his face.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, this is a congestive chill,” said he, hurrying off to call +the doctor, who resided at the hotel, and who fortunately was +at home.</p> +<p class="pnext">Prompt and efficient medical attendance saved Don Mariano's +life, but he was too ill to leave his bed for several days. +His two friends remained with him, writing home that business +matters detained them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa did not feel anxious; she thought that her +husband was busy negotiating a loan on his land, and this detained +him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel and Lizzie also were in constant attendance, and +thus the sick man was kept in a cheerful frame of mind, a +thing much to be desired in sickness always, but more especially +in his case, accustomed as he was to be surrounded by a +loving family.</p> +<p class="pnext">Still he was anxious to return home. Reluctantly the doctor +allowed him to do so, hoping that the salubrious climate +of Southern California would be beneficial. But he said to +him:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I let you go on condition that you pledge me your word +to be very careful not to get into a profuse perspiration and +then rush out into the cold air. If your lungs had not been +originally so healthy and strong you could not have rallied so +soon, if ever; but they are yet filled with phlegm, and the least +cold might give you pneumonia.” To Gabriel the doctor repeated +the same words of warning, adding: “Not only is the +condition of your father's lungs very precarious, but also that +of his heart. He must not task either too much.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel was thoroughly alarmed at hearing the doctor's +opinion, and immediately wrote to his mother how careful his +father ought to be, and how she should watch him.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano tried to be careful, but having been very +healthy all his life, he did not know how to be an invalid, nor +guard against fresh colds.</p> +<p class="pnext">About two weeks had elapsed since his return from San +Francisco, when a notice that many of his city lots would be +sold for taxes brought Don Mariano to town. He still held to +the belief that a railroad to San Diego would surely be built at +some future day, but had ceased hoping to see that day. However, +he would willingly have waited for a rise in real estate +before selling any of his city property, but he saw it was ruinous +for him to pay taxes—taxes for town property and taxes +for squatters—it was too much; so he reluctantly concluded +that it would be best to lose a great many lots (yes, whole +blocks), permitting them to be sold for taxes, hoping to redeem +them on the following year if Tom Scott was more successful +with the Texas Pacific. Mr. Mechlin and Mr. Holman +did the same, and many other unlucky ones followed their +discouraging examples. Thus city lots by the hundreds were +sold every year.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano saw his city property thus sacrificed before his +eyes at public sale, just as he had seen his cattle buried under +the snow. He submitted in both cases to the inevitable +without a murmur; but this time the blow seemed heavier. +He was pecuniarily less able to bear it, and being in bad +health and discouraged, his misfortunes were more depressing. +He rode home saddened indeed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano, who was now able to be about (but said he <em class="italics">mistrusted</em> +his legs), was with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Father, why don't you use some of that money Clarence +sent you? I am sure he would approve your doing so, and +feel glad, <em class="italics">very</em> glad, indeed, that you did it,” said Victoriano, +when they had driven for a long time without uttering a word.</p> +<p class="pnext">Don Mariano turned sharply and said: “Why should I use +Clarence's money? If I had delivered the cattle to Fred +Haverly, as it was agreed I should, then I would have a +right to take from Clarence's money the price of the cattle +delivered. But having delivered no cattle, I take no money.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Everett was saying that Clarence distinctly stated to his +father that the cattle in the Alamar rancho with your brand +were all his, and would be driven as soon as the weather permitted. +Mr. Darrell thinks that the cattle lost belonged to +Clarence, and not to you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Darrell is wrong, then. I cannot expect to be paid +for cattle I did not deliver.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But he says you had sold them already. If they were lost +on the way it was neither your fault nor your loss.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, but was my misfortune, not Clarence's.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The cattle were going to Clarence's mines, which goes to +prove that they had been bought by him.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I cannot view the matter like that,” Don Mariano said, +and Victoriano saw his mind was settled upon the subject, and +it was best not to annoy him by insisting in opposition.</p> +<p class="pnext">When they arrived home they found that Doña Josefa had +received a telegram from Gabriel, sent the night before, saying +that he, Lizzie and the baby would spend Christmas and +New Year's Day at the rancho. This was glad news, indeed, +and most unexpected, for inasmuch as Lizzie had just been +down on a visit and hurried back, so that Gabriel would not be +all alone on Christmas, they did not think that Lizzie would +want to take the trip so soon again. But Lizzie would travel +many more miles to be with her family. And the reason that +Gabriel had for coming was, moreover, a most powerful one.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had one day casually met the doctor who attended his +father, and after inquiring whether Don Mariano was better, +added:</p> +<p class="pnext">“I tell you frankly, Don Gabriel, your father may yet live +many years, but he is in danger, too, of dying very suddenly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How? Why so?” Gabriel asked, pale with alarm.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because his heart may give out if his lungs don't work +well, and as he is not very careful of himself, you see he might +task his heart with heavier work than it can perform. If he +is kept from excitement and gets rid of all that phlegm +which has accumulated in his lungs, he will be well enough. +So write to him to be careful in avoiding colds,” said the +doctor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will go and tell him so myself,” Gabriel said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is right. The case is serious, I assure you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This short dialogue brought Gabriel home.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the time he had entered the bank he had never been +absent from it one minute during office hours, so a three weeks' +vacation was readily granted to him.</p> +<p class="pnext">All the Mechlins would come to Alamar to pass the holidays. +George told his father that they might as well go back +to their home again since his lameness did not require daily +medical attendance.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Mechlin replied that they would decide upon that +after New Years, but he was evidently pleased at the prospect +of returning to Alamar.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Alamar house looked once more as it had in the days +of old, before squatters invaded the place; it was full of people, +and music and laughter resounded under the hospitable roof. +Mercedes, however, sat silent, and though she smiled her own +sweet smile, it was too sad; it failed to deepen the cunning +little dimples as it did in other days. The Don and Mr. +Mechlin, too, were not as cheerful as they used to be. In that +visit to San Francisco “<em class="italics">a change came over the spirit of their +dream</em>,” and it seemed to have come to quench the light of +their lives.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the young people wanted to decorate the house with +green boughs and have a huge Christmas-tree, and the Don +himself went to help them to get pine branches and red +“<em class="italics">fusique</em>” berries. The tree would be in honor of his two +grandchildren; they were now eighteen months old, and the +proud mammas said they were so intelligent that they would +surely appreciate the tree.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett, Alice, Rosario and Victoriano were the committee +on decorations; Carlota, Caroline, Lucy and Webster were the +committee on refreshments. While the laughter of the young +people came ringing out through the parlor windows, Don +Mariano and Mr. Mechlin slowly walked up and down the +back veranda in earnest conversation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes,” Mr. Mechlin said, as if to reiterate some previous +assertion, “yes, I have lived my allotted term; my life is now +an incumbrance—nay, it is a burden on those who love me. +If I were not living, George could take his wife, his mother +and sister, to reside in New York, but because I cannot live in +that climate, all those dear ones remain in this exile.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why should you call it exile? They don't think it is; +and even if it were, my friend, you have no right to cut your +life off at your will,” said Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not? Life is a free gift, and often a very onerous +one. Why keep it, when to reject it would be preferable? +when it would release others from painful obligations?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But are you sure that the grief and horror of knowing that +you took your own life would not be a million times worse +than the supposed exile you imagine to be so objectionable?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps so; but I assure you, since I have lost all my +money, and when I am too old to make another fortune, my +health has begun to fail again. I hate life without health, and +these constant annoyances of financial difficulties will end by +prostrating me on a sick-bed again. Now, when I have lost +nearly all the money I invested in San Diego, now they come +down on me to pay a note of ten thousand dollars which I endorsed, +with five others. Why don't the others pay their share? +I am willing to pay two thousand dollars, but not the entire +sum.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't see why you should, either. What does your lawyer +say?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“He shrugs his shoulders, caresses his side-whiskers, and +says he <em class="italics">thinks</em> that some of the other indorsers are insolvent, +because their property has depreciated so much that it would +bring nothing if sold; while those that have some means, no +doubt, put everything out of their hands, so I am left alone to +pay the entire sum.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The sad dialogue of the grandpapas was now interrupted, as +they were called to witness the glee of the babies at the sight +of the illuminated Christmas-tree. When the surprise of first +sight was over, little Mariano Mechlin stretched out both hands +for the colored candles. His uncle Tano gave him a tin trumpet, +teaching him how to blow it; whereupon baby Mechlin +gave the company a blast, and looked so surprised at his own +performance, and gazed around so triumphantly and yet so +perplexed, that he made everybody laugh. Josefita looked at +her cousin distrustfully and gave her arms to her papa, as if +she thought Marianito was entirely too martial for the vicinity +of peaceful babies like herself. Gabriel took her near the tree +to select any toy she liked. She fancied a string of bright +balls, which her father gave her. The babies were allowed to +be in the parlor for nearly an hour, and they were so bright, +trying to repeat what was taught them, that it was really amusing +to watch them. Marianito sang for the company; all were +surprised to hear so young a baby sing so well. None enjoyed +more heartily their cunning ways than the two grandfathers, +especially Don Mariano, and both babies clung to him when +the nurses came to take them to bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">When the babies had made their exit, the children of larger +growth had their music and dancing until ten, supper being +then announced. On returning to the parlor, after supper, the +clock upon the mantel struck twelve; at the same time a curtain +ran up, and an altar was disclosed to view, tastefully decorated +in the Roman Catholic style, having statues of the +Virgin Mary, the divine infant, enveloped in fleecy drapery, +and St. Joseph standing by his side. Behind the cradle were +three magi, and further off, the hills of Judea were seen. As +all the company were Roman Catholics, all entered into the +spirit of the commemoration, and joined with true feeling in +the carol led by Mrs. Darrell and Alice. Other sacred songs +were sung, and then all retired for the night; the Darrells +promising to come on the following evening to have another +dance, because—said Victoriano—it must be celebrated that +they had heard from Clarence, and that he had found his legs, +meaning that he (Tano) had again the use of his limbs.</p> +<p class="pnext">Christmas Day was passed very happily, and in the evening +the young people assembled in the parlor for a dance. Don +Mariano excused himself to Mr. Mechlin, saying he felt badly, +and thought that he ought to be in bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">At about eleven o'clock he sat up in bed and looked around +as if wishing to speak. Gabriel and Mercedes were sitting by +his bed, and promptly asked if he wished for anything.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The sins of our legislators have brought us to this,” he +exclaimed, leaning back. Presently he said: “Call your +mother, my son.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel called his mother, who being in the next room, talking +with Mrs. Mechlin, was quickly by his side.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Call Elvira and Tano. Call Carlota and Rosario and +George. Call all, all, quickly! I fear, my beloved son, I fear +I am dying! Bring all my girls; I must bless them all!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes had her arms around him. He looked at her lovingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My baby, kiss me. Tell Clarence I bless him with my last +breath.” His voice began to fail him, but his eyes seemed +glowing with an intensity that was startling. He sat up again, +looking at each one of the anxious faces around his bed. “God +bless you all, my beloved ones,” said he, hoarsely.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Papa, darling, can't we do something to relieve you?” asked +Mercedes. He shook his head and whispered:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Too late. The sins of our legislators!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you feel pain, father?” Gabriel asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not now,” he whispered, extending his hand to George as if +to say good-by. He looked again to see whether every one of +his family was there; he forgot no one; he seemed anxious to +see them all for the last time. He extended his arms to his wife; +she came to him. “Pray for me,” he whispered, moving his +lips as if in prayer, and leaning on Gabriel, who held him, closed +his eyes and sighed. A few aspirations followed that last sigh, +and all was over—his noble soul had passed away.</p> +<p class="pnext">For some moments no one believed that his lofty and noble +spirit had left the earth, but when the truth was at last realized, +the scene of grief, of heart-rending agony, that followed would +be impossible for me to describe.</p> +<p class="pnext">Closely in the sad train of this mournful event, and as a fitting +sequel and a complement of such dire misfortune, another disaster, +more unexpected, more dreadful and tragic, followed, +which must now be related. It shall be told as briefly as possible.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few days had passed after the funeral, and the Alamar family +were still in town. Doña Josefa and Mercedes were at the +Mechlins. Victoriano, Carlota and Rosario were at the Holmans; +that is, they slept there, but as Mercedes was again prostrated +with fever, they, as well as the Holmans, divided their +time between the two houses.</p> +<p class="pnext">One morning Mr. Mechlin arose from the breakfast table and +said he was going hunting.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't go far, James; you are too weak,” said Mrs. Mechlin.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think, papa, you ought not to carry that heavy gun. You +eat nothing, and walk too far, carrying it,” Caroline said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you carry it for me?” he said, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will,” Gabriel said; “I'll take George's, too, and go with +you, if you'll permit me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It isn't necessary,” he replied, going towards his room.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think papa has taken to heart the death of Don Mariano +more than any one sees,” said Caroline.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know he has; he has hardly slept or eaten enough to sustain +life since that awful night,” Mrs. Mechlin said, “and constantly +talks about soon joining his best friend.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have observed how very sad he is. I wrote uncle to come; +I think to see his brother will be great consolation to him,” said +George.</p> +<p class="pnext">The report of a gun was heard in Mr. Mechlin's room, and +all jumped to their feet. Gabriel was the first to run and got +to the room in advance of the others. He found Mr. Mechlin +shot through the heart.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, God! Was it accidental?” Mrs. Mechlin exclaimed, +clasping her husband to heart. The dying man smiled, whispering:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do not mourn for me; it is best so; I shall be happier.” +He looked lovingly at the anxious faces surrounding him, and +closed his eyes forever.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxv-the-fashion-of-justice-in-san-diego"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id36">CHAPTER XXXV.—<span class="small-caps">The Fashion of Justice in San Diego.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">If those kind eyes of the Goddess of Justice were not bandaged, +but she could see how her pure white robes have been +begrimed and soiled in San Diego, and how her lofty dignity +is thus lowered to the dust, she would no doubt feel affronted +and aggrieved. And if she is so irreverently maltreated, can +she afford any protection to those who must rely on her alone, +having no riches to maintain protracted litigation or carry their +plaints to higher tribunals? To the moneyless laity Justice +thus defiled seems as helpless as themselves. She is powerless +to accomplish her mission upon earth whenever a Judge, +through weakness or design, may choose to disregard her dictates. +At present the dignity of a Judge's personality is more +sacred than the abstract impersonality of justice. Because the +accepted theory being that Judges are always just and incorruptible +(and generally the supposition is correct), there is a +broad shelter for a Judge who may be neither just nor impartial. +What mockery of justice it is in our fair land of freedom +to say that a bad Judge can be impeached when impeachment +is so hedged with difficulties as to be impossible—utterly ineffectual +to protect the poor, victimized laity! Who is the +poor litigant that would dare arraign an unjust Judge, well +sheltered in his judicial ermine, and the entire profession ready +to champion him? “<em class="italics">Libel</em>” would be the cry against any one +who would dare hold the mirror for such Judge to see himself! +Ah, yes, when the real libel is to distort the law and degrade +the mission of justice on earth!</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter Roper, knowing well with what impunity he could +violate justice and decency, conceived the brilliant idea of taking +the Mechlin house at Alamar, now that the family were sojourning +in town. Peter did not like to divide the spoils, but as accomplices +were absolutely necessary, there was no alternative but +to take his friend and client Gasbang into the plot.</p> +<p class="pnext">On a Sunday evening Peter proceeded to unfold his plan +before John, who had come from his farm to attend church +and was attired in a white vest and black coat, having just +come from evening service. For, as I have said before, John +Gasbang was a pillar of the church now, and never failed in his +attendance every Sunday. People knew that in old times, +when John was very poor, he used to play “<em class="italics">monte</em>” with the +Indians and cheat them out of their money. Many times he +had been known to spend almost the entire night sitting cross-legged +on a blanket with a tallow candle set in a bottle to +light his high-toned game, surrounded by the select company +of naked Indians, who were too fascinated to see how plainly +John was robbing them. Pitilessly would John strip his unsophisticated +tattooed comrades of everything they owned on +this earth. Their reed baskets, bows and arrows, strings of +beads, tufts of feather-tips, or any other rustic and barbaric ornaments. +All, all, John would gather up with his skillfully +shuffled cards. The spoils he thus collected he would sell to +other Indians from whom he would presently gather in (like +the good Sexton he was), gather in, with high-toned and highly +skillful shuffling. But John now was a rich man. Kindly San +Diego had forgiven John's petty thieving. The money won +from the poor Indians had helped him to thrive, and consequently +convinced him that, after all, cheating was no worse than +other sins, the gravity of which entirely depended upon the +trick of hiding them. He would now try to hide his humble, +predatory gambling, he said to himself, and seem respectable.</p> +<p class="pnext">Yes, he would wear a white vest and try to look honest, but +on hearing Roper's project, his dull, fishy eyes revolved quickly +in their little sockets, and his square jaws expanded like those +of a snake before it shakes its rattle and coils up to spring. +His mouth watered in anticipation of the sweets of ill-gotten +gain as he listened attentively to all that Roper had to say.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll see Hogsden the first thing in the morning,” said he, +joyously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But wait. Can you trust him?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Trust him? I should say I could, and if he weakens, there +is his wife to brace him up with her good advice. He owes a +big sum of money to old Mechlin; so old Hoggy will be only +too glad to get even by jumping the house. I suppose our +friend, the Judge, is with us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be silly. Do you suppose I would do a thing of this +kind if I wasn't sure of him? He won't fail me. He'll do as +I say. Be sure of that, and don't talk. Come to my house +now and I'll draw up the conveyance. Hog. must sign his quit-claim +deed, and then I'll see that his location of one hundred +and sixty acres is properly filed. But, mind, if Hogsden betrays +us, he'll spoil our game,” observed Roper.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Leave that to me,” said John, rubbing his hands and giving +his vest a downward pull.</p> +<p class="pnext">The result of this dialogue was that Hogsden quit-claimed +all his, “right, title and interest in a certain parcel of land, etc., +etc., with a dwelling house and other improvements, etc., etc.,” +and the description of the property might have applied to +a hundred others in the county. This transaction accomplished +and recorded, they took the furniture that had been left +in the house by the Mechlins and put it temporarily in the barn; +Mrs. Hogsden taking only such articles as she wished to keep. +She stole them brazenly, saying she had bought them.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was further agreed that they would work the farm in partnership, +dividing profits equally, and a contract in writing to +this effect was signed by them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Roper now being a property holder, besides being so influential +with <em class="italics">the</em> Judge, thought he could soar to higher altitudes. +By the assistance of Gasbang and a few others, whom he said +belonged to his <em class="italics">gang</em>, he managed to get himself nominated for +Representative to Congress. Bursting with pride, puny Peter +started on his way to glory, to <em class="italics">stump</em> his district. He would +begin at San Bernardino and carry the county by storm, with +the force of his eloquence and personal magnetism, he said, +with characteristic modesty.</p> +<p class="pnext">He made speeches at San Pascual, and Poway, and San Bernardo, +and Bear Valley, and Julian, but his greatest effort, the +achievement that would crown his brow with laurels, that effort +he reserved for Los Angeles. Quite a big crowd was marshaled +to hear him. He had paid a good deal of money in advertisements +so as to collect an audience. He succeeded; a crowd +was there ready to make up in quantity what it lacked in +quality.</p> +<p class="pnext">Roper came forward. His face was red as usual, but he +seemed sober—he stood straight. He was as loquacious as +ever, of course, and talked incessantly for quite a while, making +the crowd laugh. After he had all his audience in a laughing +mood with his coarse anecdotes and broad jokes, he thought he +would capture their votes beyond a doubt if he then and there +proved himself—by his own admissions—to be <em class="italics">low</em>, the lowest +of the lowly—so very low, so very disreputable, that no one +could be lower.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You cannot doubt,” said Peter, “that my sympathies as well +as my interests, are with you, the working people, the poor who +must work or starve. I have nothing in common with bloated +bondholders or pampered monopolists who have enriched themselves +with the earnings of the poor. I don't know how I came +to be a lawyer. I suppose it happened because I don't like to +work. I would rather talk and let others work. [Laughter.] +I am a child of the people, and <em class="italics">for</em> the people—the poor people +I mean. My mother was a cook, a poor cook—poor in +pocket I mean. Her cookery may have been rich [laughter], +but upon that point I couldn't enlighten you, for I have forgotten +the flavor of her dishes. But she was a cook by profession, +just as I am a lawyer by profession, and one is as good as the +other. [Laughter.] As for my father, of him I know nothing +to speak of—literally—[laughter], so the less said on that head, +the sooner mended; for if the fact of my being here goes to prove +<em class="italics">to you</em> that I had a father, that is all the proof <em class="italics">I</em> ever had myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Here Peter laughed, but he laughed alone. He thought that +a burst of laughter and applause would follow this last shameless, +revolting admission, but not a sound was heard. He had +overstepped the bounds of decency so far, that even such a +crowd as made his audience was silent as if unanimous disgust +was beyond utterance. Roper was evidently disconcerted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We don't want to be represented in Washington by a fellow +who exults in degradation and has no respect for the memory +of his mother,” said a loud voice, and the crowd began to disperse.</p> +<p class="pnext">Soon Peter's native impudence came to his aid and he tried +to recommence his discourse. “Look here,” he cried, “where are +you going? You ain't going to send my mother to Congress! +Did you think I came to ask you to vote for her?” He went on +in this coarse, bantering style which had taken so well at first, +but in vain. Nobody wanted to hear him now. It seemed as +if the ghost of the poor reviled cook had come, like that of +Banquo, to frighten off the audience. In a few minutes only +about half a dozen of his supporters had been left, and they remained +to scold.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well,” said one, looking back at the receding crowd, “that +cake is all dough, Peter. I hope your mother would have +made a better job of it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A delightful dough,” said another; “and his goose is well +cooked. I say, Peter, you cooked your goose brown, browner +than your mother ever cooked hers, and I bet on it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Peter answered with an oath.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The worst of it is, that in cooking your goose, you burnt +ours to a cinder. We haven't the ghost of a chance now, and +the Republican candidate will have a walk-over to Congress,” +said a third supporter.</p> +<p class="pnext">Alas for human delusions! This fiasco was the crowning +glory of Roper's political campaign. Like the celebrated ambitious +toad which cracked its sides by the force of its own inflation, +Peter came to grief, ignominious grief; that is to say, it +would have been ignominious to any one not thoroughly inoculated +with disgrace as he, <em class="italics">according to his own version</em>, must +have been from the day of his birth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let me ask you a question, Roper,” said a fourth friend. +“Why did you bring out such a thing against your mother? It +was your misfortune as long as you kept quiet about it, but +now it is your shame. What was the good of telling against +your own mother? Don't you know that people, even the +humblest, must censure and despise you for it? Few, very few +decent men, like to have anything to do with a man who +reviles his dead mother, no matter if she was a poor cook. +What pleasure can you find in proclaiming your shame?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Roper laughed loud and derisively, saying:</p> +<p class="pnext">“What will you bet that I'll have just as good and just as +many friends in San Diego as I ever had before?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you mean to say that the people of San Diego <em class="italics">approve</em> +of language such as you used to-night? Approve your conduct?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind about that, only will you take my bet?”</p> +<p class="pnext">The henchman shrugged his shoulders and walked off, but if +he had taken that bet, he would have lost.</p> +<p class="pnext">When Colonel Hornblower received the news of Roper's +fiasco, it occurred to him that he would take a trip to Europe. +He had now made money enough out of the troubles and distress +he and Roper brought upon others, to indulge in that luxury, +the pleasure of saying he had been to Europe.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My dear,” said the Colonel to his wife, “I think now is the +best time to take that trip to Europe we have had in our hearts +for so long. Get ready; let us go.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What has happened?” Mrs. Colonel Hornblower asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nothing, except that that partner of mine made a fiasco of +his political campaign,” and the Colonel related to his swarthy +lady Roper's speech, and how it was received.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How absurd! so unnecessary!” she exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perfectly, but you see, for a man of <em class="italics">my</em> dignity the thing is +awkward. What will the town say of <em class="italics">me</em>, <strong class="bold">ME</strong>?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The town will say nothing. As long as Roper has the +friendship of Judge Lawlack he can have clients; and as long +as he has clients the San Diego people will be indulgent to +him, no matter how debased he says he is. However, drop +him, and let's go to Europe. I wish we could get letters to +distinguished people abroad.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What for? Our American ministers can present us to the +best society, and besides, I am sure I am well known abroad. +My name—the name of Colonel Hornblower—must be as +familiar to Europeans as the names of other distinguished +Americans. I am the most prominent man in San Diego. All +the world knows San Diego, all the world must know Colonel +Hornblower.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Still, I would like to get letters.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not at all necessary, I assure you. I'll tell our minister +in England that Mrs. Colonel Hornblower wishes to be presented +to Queen Victoria, and he'll present you. The Queen, +no doubt, will wish to make our acquaintance.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I would like to see other royal people. I would like to see +the Pope, also.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You shall see as many princes and princesses as you like. +We Americans are princes, all of us. We are the equals of +princes. As for the Pope, I would not take one step to make +his acquaintance, unless he met me half way; but if you like +to see him, we'll get an introduction easily. Perhaps he might +invite us to dinner. If he does, I hope it won't be on Friday, +as fish don't agree with me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Does he ever invite people to dinner?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Distinguished people, of course.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The Hornblowers sailed for Europe before Roper returned +from his stumping tour. He was detained at Los Angeles, +where he had been beaten so badly in a bar-room brawl that +he was obliged to keep in bed for several days. The Colonel +then wisely slipped off for Europe, to hob-nob with royal +people and take dinner with the Pope, perhaps.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Hornblower conjectured rightly. Roper's disgrace was +condoned by San Diego, because he was under the patronage of +Judge Lawlack, and in San Diego everybody has a law suit.</p> +<p class="pnext">But has the Judge no moral responsibility in this? <em class="italics">Has he +the right to impose upon the community</em> a man so self-debased +and noxious? If the Judge were to withdraw his support Peter +would collapse like a pricked gas-bag, to be swept off into the +gutter. But the Judge is the genii, “<em class="italics">the Slave of the Ring</em>” and +his power keeps the little gas-bag afloat, soaring as high as it is +in the nature of little gas-bags to soar. The Judge keeping in +his hand the check-string, kindly preventing him from going to +destruction.</p> +<p class="pnext">With characteristic coarseness, amounting to inhumanity, +Peter Roper and Gasbang decided to throw down their masks, +and reveal their fraud in “<em class="italics">jumping</em>” Mr. Mechlin's house. +They came to this decision about ten days after Mr. Mechlin's +death.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel had returned that same day from San Francisco, +where he had accompanied the remains of his father-in-law, +and deposited them in a vault to await until Mrs. Mechlin +should be able to travel, when she, with all the family, would +go East.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Lawrence Mechlin had also arrived. He started from +New York on the day of his brother's death, two hours after +receiving George's telegram conveying the terrible news. He +reached San Francisco on the night before the steamer for San +Diego sailed. Thus he and George came together.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Deputy Sheriff presented himself to announce to Mrs. +Mechlin that her furniture left at her country house had been +taken out by order of Peter Roper, and put on the road +about two miles from the house. As Mrs. Mechlin was too +ill to see any one, excepting the members of her family, the +Sheriff made his statement to George, in the presence of his +uncle and Gabriel, just arrived.</p> +<p class="pnext">The proceedings seemed so atrocious that at first no one +could understand the Sheriff.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you mean to say that Peter Roper claims to own our +house, and because he is the owner, has taken out the furniture +and left it lying on the road?” asked George.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; that's what I was told to say,” the Sheriff replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why? How is he the owner of our house?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because he and Gasbang bought it from Hogsden, who located +a claim there after you abandoned the place.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The trick was infamous. George and Gabriel saw through it. +There was nothing to do but to bring a suit in ejectment to get +rid of them, but in the meantime they would hold possession +(perhaps for years), and that was what they wanted, to get the +property into litigation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel went to state the matter to the lawyer who had +attended to Mr. Mechlin's law business, and he corroborated +their opinion, that there was no other course to pursue but to +file a complaint in ejectment to dispossess the thieves.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is there no quicker way to obtain redress?” George +asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, sir,” the lawyer answered; “as the deed is done by +Peter Roper and John Gasbang, the Judge will decide in their +favor, and you will have to appeal.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But this is atrocious,” Mr. Lawrence Mechlin said; “Do you +mean to say that people's houses can be taken like that in this +country?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not generally; but Peter Roper might, if there is the ghost +of a pretext, and if there is a dishonest servant, like Hogsden, +left in charge, who will steal and help to steal; then, you see, +the thing is easy enough, as long as the Judge befriends trespassers. +But the Supreme Court will put things to right +again. That is to say, if the Judge's findings are not a +string of falsehoods which will utterly mislead the Supreme +Court.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This property, Mr. Mechlin had repeatedly said, he intended +should be a homestead for his wife, so the suit in +ejectment was brought in her name. She at the same time +filing a petition for a homestead before the Probate Court, and +asking that Gabriel Alamar be appointed administrator of her +husband's estate.</p> +<p class="pnext">All this would, of course, involve the property in tedious +legal proceedings, there being the probate matters, beside the +suit in ejectment to litigate in the District Court. The attorney +employed in the case advised George to have a deed executed +by Doña Josefa, conveying the property to Mrs. Mechlin, as it +had been agreed before the death of their husbands that it +should be done. Doña Josefa cheerfully assented, remembering +that Don Mariano had said to her:</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I should die before I get my land patented, the first +thing you must do is to make a conveyance of his place to Mr. +Mechlin.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The shock caused by his father's death when that of Don +Mariano was yet so recent, acted most injuriously upon George's +health. It made him feverish, inflaming his wound again very +painfully, as the ball had never been extracted; now it chafed +the wound, and gave him as much pain as before.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Mechlin, Doña Josefa and Mercedes were also in their +beds, suffering with nervous prostration and night fevers. It +seemed impossible that people could be more bereaved and +disheartened than these ladies, and yet exist. Mr. Lawrence +Mechlin saw that George must have skillful medical attendance +without delay, and wanted his own doctor to take him under +his care. So he and Gabriel arranged all business and other +matters in order that George should go East. It was heart-rending +to Elvira—the mere thought of leaving her mother and sister +sick, and all the family in such distress—but she must go +with her husband. Gabriel would attend to the lawsuits. He +had powers of attorney from George and Mrs. Mechlin, and +was the administrator.</p> +<p class="pnext">The answer to Mrs. Mechlin's complaint was a masterpiece +of unblushing effrontery that plainly showed it had originated +in a brain where brazen falsehoods and other indecencies thrived +like water-reptiles growing huge and luxuriating in slimy swamps. +The characteristic document ran in the following manner:</p> +<blockquote><div> +<p class="pfirst"><em class="italics">In the District Court of the —— of the County of San Diego, +State of California.</em></p> +<p class="pnext"><span class="small-caps">Beatrice Mechlin</span>, <em class="italics">Plaintiff</em>,</p> +<p class="pnext"><span class="small-caps">v.</span></p> +<p class="pnext"><span class="small-caps">Peter Roper</span>, <span class="small-caps">John Gasbang</span>, and +<span class="small-caps">Charles Hogsden</span>, <em class="italics">Defendants</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now come the defendants, Peter Roper, John Gasbang +and Charles Hogsden, and for answer to plaintiff's complaint, +on file herein, they and each of them say:</p> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">That they deny that in the year of 1873, or at any other time +before or after that date, James Mechlin was owner of the premises +described in this complaint; deny that the said James Mechlin +ever purchased from William Mathews the aforesaid property or +any part thereof, or paid any money or any other valuable consideration; +deny that the said Mechlin ever built a house, or planted +trees, or resided on the said property himself, with his family, or by +agent or servant occupied said premises; deny that respondent, +Charles Hogsden, was ever put in charge of the aforesaid premises +or any part thereof, as the agent, or servant, or tenant of the +said James Mechlin; deny that the said James Mechlin ever was +in the possession of the said premises, but on the contrary, these +defendants allege that if James Mechlin had any kind of possession, +it was as a naked trespasser, and his title to said property +was at all times disputed and contested by other parties.</p> +<p class="pnext">These defendants allege that defendant Charles Hogsden +was the rightful owner of the said premises; that defendants +Peter Roper and John Gasbang are the innocent purchasers of +the legal and equitable title, and are now in actual and lawful +possession of the said premises, having paid a just and fair +price to the rightful owner, Charles Hogsden.</p> +<p class="pnext">These defendants further allege, that the plaintiff Beatrice +Mechlin wrongfully, unlawfully, fraudulently and maliciously, +and for the purpose of cheating and defrauding the aforesaid +innocent purchasers, Peter Roper and John Gasbang, out of +their rights in said property, entered into a fraudulent conspiracy +with one Josefa Alamar and one Gabriel Alamar, wherein +it was agreed by and between them that said Josefa Alamar, as +executrix of the estate of Mariano Alamar, and purporting to +carry out the wishes and instructions of her deceased husband, +the said Mariano Alamar, would execute a deed of sale or a +confirmatory deed of said property.</p> +<p class="pnext">And these defendants aver, that in pursuance of the fraudulent +conspiracy aforesaid, the said Josefa did execute a fraudulent +deed of sale to the said Beatrice Mechlin, for the purpose +of cheating and defrauding these innocent purchasers, etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">This string of prevarications ran on for about twenty pages +more, repeating, <em class="italics">ad nauseam</em>, the same falsehoods with all legal +alliteration and more than legal license.</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel was left to attend this suit and other matters, and +with grief, which was too profound for description and too +heart-rending almost for human endurance, the two loving +families separated.</p> +<p class="pnext">Elvira must leave her beloved mother in her sad bereavement; +Lizzie must see hers go to perform the painful duty of +accompanying the remains of a beloved husband.</p> +<p class="pnext">In sorrow and silent tears the Alamar family returned to their +country house the day after the Mechlins left.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Mechlin's suit in ejectment against the “<em class="italics">innocent</em> purchasers,” +Peter and John, was, as a matter of course, decided +in favor of these <em class="italics">innocents</em> of Judge Gryllus Lawlack. The +Judge knew, as well as any one else, that the allegations of +these men were brazen falsehoods strung together for the purpose +of robbery. Nevertheless, his Honor Lawlack made his +rulings, and set down his findings, all to suit the robbers. +Among the findings that his Honor had the hardihood to write +down, were these: That “James Mechlin had never possessed +the premises in question; had never lived there in person or +by proxy, and had never made any improvements, etc.” And +these premeditated falsehoods went to the Supreme Court. +The case was, of course, reversed and remanded for new trial, +but with additional misstatements it was <em class="italics">again</em> decided by +Judge Lawlack in favor of his friends. Thus, in fact, the Supreme +Court was <em class="italics">reversed by Judge Gryllus Lawlack</em>. The +case was the second time remanded by the Supreme Court, but +in a new trial it was <em class="italics">again</em> decided in favor of Peter and John. +This being the same as “reversing the Supreme Court,” but +Lawlack laughs at this, saying that the Supreme Court decides +according to their opinions, and he (Lawlack) does the same.</p> +<p class="pnext">As for Peter Roper, he made no concealment of there being +a <em class="italics">private bargain</em> between himself and Judge Gryllus Lawlack. +Peter to render political or other services, Gryllus to +reward them with judicial ones.</p> +<p class="pnext">At a political meeting a friend of Roper (a lawyer in +the pay of the monopoly), urged him to make a speech in +favor of the railroad. Peter declined, saying that as Gryllus +Lawlack wanted to run again for the Judgeship, and knew +how anti-monopolist San Diego County was, it would hurt the +Judge politically to have him (Peter Roper) speak for the monopoly, +as everybody knew that he (Peter) was the principal +support of the Judge, and exponent of his principles.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And,” concluded Peter, “if I speak for the monopoly the +Judge will grant a rehearing in a suit I am opposing, and will +not decide my case as I want. That is understood between +us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This is the fashion of dispensing justice in San Diego, just +as Peter bargains for.</p> +<p class="pnext">But this order of things (or rather disorder) could not have +been possible if the Texas Pacific Railroad had not been +strangled, as San Diego would not then be the poor, crippled +and dwarfed little city that she now is. In this unfortunate +condition it is that she submits to the scandalous debaucheries +of judicial favorites; debaucheries and violations of common +justice, social decorum, of individual rights; debaucheries tolerated +because the local power sanctions with his encouragement +such proceedings.</p> +<p class="pnext">If San Diego had been permitted to grow, to have a population, +her administration of the laws would have been in +other hands, and outrages like breaking into the Mechlin +house could not have occurred. The voters of the county +would not then have elected a Judge that could reward such +vandalism, by allowing the thieves to keep the stolen premises. +Now, however, without a railroad, San Diego is at the bottom +of a bag, the mouth of which Mr. Huntington has closed and +drawn the strings tight.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxvi-clarence-and-george-with-the-hod-carrier"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id37">CHAPTER XXXVI.—<span class="small-caps">Clarence and George with the Hod-carrier.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The lawsuits forced upon the Mechlins, to resist the fraudulent +claims trumped up by Roper and Gasbang, obliged +Gabriel to delay returning to his place at the San Francisco +bank. It was very painful to leave his mother and Mercedes +still so sick and depressed, but they themselves urged him to +go, fearing that his place would be given to another, and now, +when their pecuniary circumstances were so embarrassed, he +could ill afford to lose his position. But he did, for as the +bank could not wait for him longer, they took some one else +instead. He wished to spare his family the regret of knowing +this, and tried to get anything to do to earn a living. Thus +he began that agony endured by so many young men of good +families and education, trying to find employment to support +themselves decently. Gabriel found the task most difficult. +He was dignified and diffident, and could not be too pressing. +He was persevering and patient and willing to work, but he +dreaded to seem importunate, and never urged his services +upon any one. But he tried everything, every means he could +think of or Lizzie suggest to him. At times he would find +some writing to do, either copying or translating English or +Spanish, but this did not give him permanent employment, +and between one job and another Lizzie's jewelry had to be +sold for their daily expenses. They gave up the nice little +cottage they had had before, and took two small rooms at the +house of a widow lady who kept a few boarders. Their living +was simple, indeed; but their landlady was kind and courteous +and obliging, and her house clean and very respectable. Thus +many months went by.</p> +<p class="pnext">George and Elvira and Caroline wrote to them, constantly +telling them how and where they were. Now they were in +Germany, as Mr. Mechlin's physician advised George to try +some German baths in which he had great faith. His faith +was justified in George's case, for he began to improve rapidly +before he had been taking the baths a month, and he was confident +of regaining his health perfectly. This was cheerful +news, and Lizzie felt great reluctance in writing to George how +unsuccessful Gabriel had been, thus perhaps checking his recovery +by making him again despondent; for it was a noted fact, +well recognized by the two families, that misfortunes made +them all more or less physically ill.</p> +<p class="pnext">The winter of 1876 now set in, and Gabriel thought he must +make up his mind to find some manual labor, and by that +means perhaps get permanent occupation; but here other obstacles, +no less insuperable, confronted him. He had had no +training to fit him to be a mechanic, and what could he do? +He did not know, and yet his family must be supported. He +had not been able to send to his mother any money, as his +scant earnings were inadequate to support his wife and babies. +There was now another little girl to provide for—a little darling, +eight months old. Poor people are bound to have children.</p> +<p class="pnext">About this time he got a letter from Victoriano, telling him +how his miserable legs had failed him again, giving out in the +midst of his plowing. Everett had come to help him plow up +a fifty-acre piece of land he had intended to put in wheat, but +lo! before he had plowed two acres, his legs seemed to disappear +from under him as if the very Old Nick had unscrewed +his knees and carried them off. Tano added: “And here I +am, a perfect gentleman from my knees up, but a mean +chicken, a ridiculous turkey, a kangaroo, from my knees down; +and this, too, when we can so ill afford to have me lying in a +sick-bed, perfectly useless. If land was not so valueless now, +we might perhaps be able to sell some, although the price +would have to be very low, on account of the delay in getting +our patent and its being mortgaged; but as all hopes in the +Texas Pacific are dead, land sales are dead, too, and we might +as well all be dead, for as we have nothing but land to get a +living from, and that is dead, you can draw the inference. +However, don't worry about us; for the present, we are getting +along very well. Several of the cattle lost in the mountains +have come and keep coming, and Everett puts our ‘<em class="italics">venta</em>’ +brand on, and pays mamma, on Clarence's account, cash down +for them. To-day he paid mamma three hundred dollars, and +he says he heard that more cattle are on the way here.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Gabriel was very glad that his mother and sisters would +have this little pittance at least, but he was much alarmed and +anxious about Victoriano, and hastened to tell Lizzie he +thought they ought to go home.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I am truly sorry for poor Tano. Really, my sweet husband, +you must let me write to George, telling him our circumstances. +He can and will help us, and we might go back +to the rancho.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, don't write to him about that yet. I'll try to get +money enough to take us home. If Tano is sick, I certainly +should be there. If he was trying to plow, I think I can do +that, too. Yes, I ought to have stayed at home and worked in +our orchard, and we would not have suffered the distress of +mind at my repeated failures. As soon as I make money +enough to pay the board bill I owe and have enough left to +pay our fare to San Diego, we'll go home. Don't write +to George to help me, I don't like that. I can work and +help myself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Forgive me, my darling,” said Lizzie, blushing crimson; +“I have already written to George. I told him I was going +to persuade you to go home. I wrote him a month ago. I +expect his answer very soon.” Seeing that Gabriel also +blushed, Lizzie added: “I am sorry if I offended you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You have not offended me. I blushed because I, too, +have been keeping a secret from you, thinking you might not +approve of it, or feel humiliated.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is it, pray?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have been trying to learn a trade.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A trade! What trade, for gracious sake?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“A very respectable one. That of a mason.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But can you learn that? Where?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Anywhere. I have been taking some lessons and earning +my two dollars per day besides.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Gabriel, why did you do that?” said Lizzie, her face +suffused with blushes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“There! See how you blush because I want to learn an +honest trade, and yet see how your people, the Americans, +deride us, the Spanish, for being indolent, unwilling to +work. For my part, I am willing to prove that I will +work at anything that is not absolutely repulsive, to earn a +living.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But how did you come to select that trade?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because to go down town I had to pass by the houses of +the railroad millionaires which have been in process of construction. +There are two Californians from Santa Barbara, +whom I know, working there, and to see them earning their +two dollars per day, while I have been losing months in search +of more gentlemanly work to do, suggested to me the idea of +also earning my two dollars a day while the gentlemanly occupation +is being found. Then I thought, too, that I might learn +to be an architect, perhaps.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is why you have been reading those books on architecture?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and I think I understand a good deal about it already, +but I'll combine practice with theory. The thing now is, as +Tano is sick, I must go home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, let us go. I don't like the idea of your being a mason. +Give it up. I think I'd rather see you plowing.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes; in my own land, you mean. Don't be proud. Let +me work a little while longer at <em class="italics">my trade</em>, and we'll go home.”</p> +<p class="pnext">But Lizzie was not willing he should, though she said nothing +more about it to him. She wrote to Doña Josefa, saying +that if she could spare fifty dollars, to, please, send that sum to +her to enable them to come home.</p> +<p class="pnext">There would be ten days, however, before she could get +Doña Josefa's reply. This was not so agreeable, but Lizzie +thought she would get ready to start as soon as the money +came.</p> +<p class="pnext">The cause of Victoriano's second severe attack of lameness, +of which he spoke in his letter, was again exposure—exposure +to cold and dampness. About the same time that Gabriel +was trying to be a mason, and working as a common day laborer +at two dollars per day, Victoriano had been pruning +trees, fixing fences, repairing irrigating ditches and plowing. +He had only two men to help him, so he worked very hard, +in fact, entirely too hard for one so unused to labor. Work +broke him down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Plowing is too hard work for poor Tano,” Doña Josefa said, +looking at Victoriano working in a field near the house, while +the sad tears ran down her pale cheeks.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, mamma, it is; and I begged him not to try to plow +again, but he insisted on doing so,” Mercedes replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is the matter? Did he fall down?” Doña Josefa +exclaimed, alarmed, drawing her chair close to the window.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes arose from hers, and came to look down the orchard. +Yes, there was Victoriano sitting on the ground, and +Everett standing by him. Presently Everett sat down beside +him, and an Indian boy, who had also been plowing with another +team, came up, leading his horses towards the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa thought that they wanted to put the boy at +some other work, and that Tano was resting, so she sat quietly +waiting to see whether he would walk.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes now sat by her mother, also to watch Victoriano. +She said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mamma, tell Tano not to try plowing, the ground is very +damp. He will have that lameness again.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have told him, but he says he must work now, since we +are so poor, and have only land with a title that no one +believes in, and no one will buy. So what is he to do but +work? And he has been working very hard all the fall and +winter, but I fear he is getting that lameness again. He walks +lame already.”</p> +<p class="pnext">They now saw that the Indian boy had run to the house to +hitch his horses to Clarence's phæton and drive to where +Tano was sitting. Assisted by the Indian, Everett put Victoriano +in the phæton, and brought him to the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was as his mother and sister had feared—Victoriano was +again unable to walk. With great difficulty, assisted by Everett +and the servant boy, he reached his bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't write to George or Gabriel that I am sick. Wait +until I get better, or worse,” said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">Seeing, however, that there was no change in his condition, +he wrote to Gabriel himself, telling him of his second attack. +Willingly would Gabriel have taken his little family and started +for home, but he did not have money enough to pay their fare, +and he owed for their last month's board. So there was nothing +to do but to wait and work as a day laborer yet for a while. +He knew what he earned in a whole month would scarcely be +enough to pay their board, and that to go home he must write +his mother to send him money for their fare. But his pride +revolted. He hated to do this. He could not bring his mind +to it. He hesitated.</p> +<p class="pnext">About the time that Victoriano was taken sick and Gabriel +was trying to be a mason, George and family arrived in Paris +on their return from Germany. They would only spend a +week or ten days in that city, and then sail for New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">The day before they were to start, a card was sent to Elvira +from the office of the hotel. Elvira took it very indifferently +and read the name, but the words she read seemed to be cabalistic, +for she started, turned red and then pale.</p> +<p class="pnext">She handed the card to George, who read aloud, “Clarence +Darrell.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ask the gentleman to please come up,” said George to the +servant, and followed him, going to meet Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two friends met and clasped each other in a tight embrace; +to shake hands seemed to both too cold a way of greeting, +when they felt so much pain and joy that to express their +sentiments, words were inadequate.</p> +<p class="pnext">When Clarence came in, he stretched both hands to Elvira, +and she, on the impulse of the moment, threw her arms around +his neck and sobbed. Mrs. Mechlin and Caroline were also +affected to tears. Clarence brought back to them vividly the +happy days at Alamar, when Mr. Mechlin and Don Mariano +lived so contentedly in each other's society.</p> +<p class="pnext">All were so anxious to learn how Clarence came to be in +Paris, and where he had been in all these years, and Elvira +showered so many questions upon him, that George told him +he must remain with them and tell them everything.</p> +<p class="pnext">The family of Mr. Lawrence Mechlin were also in the same +hotel, on their way to New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">George said to Clarence: “Prepare yourself to be cross-questioned +by aunt, for she has been very anxious about +you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence replied he was willing to be questioned, and began +his narrative by saying how he came to miss all the letters written +to him. He said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“When I was delirious and at the point of death in a cabin +at the mines, all the letters that came addressed to me the +doctor put in a paper bag, and when he left he considered me +still too weak to read letters that might cause me excitement, +so he took the paper bag and placed it behind a camp looking-glass +which hung over a little table beside my bed. I was +so impressed with the conviction that I might not be considered +fit to marry Miss Mercedes, that when, upon asking if +any letters had come for me, and Fred Haverly, thinking that +I meant other letters besides those handed to the doctor, answered +in the negative. I did not explain that I had not received +any at all. I accepted patiently what I considered a +natural result of my father's conduct, and said nothing. I +went to Mexico, and there a fatality followed my letters again. +I missed them twice—once through the mistake of a clerk at +my bankers, the second time by a mistake of the Secretary +of the Legation, who misunderstood Hubert's request about +returning the letters to him. From Mexico I went to South +America, crossed to Brazil, and went to England. From England +I went to the Mediterranean, and since then I have been +on the go, like the restless spirit that I was, believing myself a +miserable outcast. It was almost accidentally that I came to +Paris. I got a letter from Hubert, and in a postscript he said +that he hoped I got my letters at last, for he had sent them +with a remittance to my bankers, requesting that my letters +should be kept until I called for them. I was far up the Nile +when I received his letter, but next morning I started for +Paris with a beating heart, I can assure you. Twenty-six letters +I found, and I am more grieved than I can express to you +to think that I did not get them before.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence arose and paced the floor in great agitation, and +his friends were much moved also, for they knew he was thinking +that never again, in this world, would he see his noble +friend, Don Mariano.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the following morning the Mechlins, accompanied by +Clarence left Paris. Before leaving, Clarence telegraphed to +Mercedes:</p> +<blockquote><div> +<p class="pfirst">“I have just received your letters written in '73. I leave for New York +to-morrow with the Mechlins, thence for California.</p> +<p class="attribution">—— <span class="small-caps">Clarence Darrell.</span>”</p> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">Everett, who had been to town, religiously, to see whether +there might be a letter from Clarence, or news about him, +brought Mercedes the cablegram.</p> +<p class="pnext">Poor Mercedes, she read the few words many times over +before she could realize that they were from Clarence. When +she did so, she was seized with a violent trembling, and then +completely overcome by emotion. Ah! yes she would see +him again, but where was now her darling papa, who was so +fond of Clarence?</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes sent the dispatch for Mrs. Darrell to see, and when +Everett brought it back, Carlota made a copy of it to send to +Lizzie in a letter next day. The Darrells were truly overjoyed, +thrown into a perfect storm of pleasure. The old man said +not a word. He went to his lonely room, locked the door, +and there, as usual since he lived the life of a half-divorced +man, battled with his spirit. This time, however, he allowed +tears to flow as he blessed his absent boy, and thanked God +that he was coming.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If I had a decent pair of legs to speak of,” said Tano to +Everett, “I would dance for sheer joy, but having no legs, I +can only use my tongue and repeat how glad I am.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When Gabriel came home in the evening of the day in which +Lizzie received the copy of Clarence's telegram, she said to +him:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Darling, don't go to that horrid work again. Clarence is +coming, and now he and George will establish the bank.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but in the meantime I must earn enough to pay our +board; remember, we owe one month's board already. Be +patient for a few days longer.” And she was patient, but anxious. +A few days more passed, and she received Doña Josefa's +letter, inclosing seventy dollars, and saying she hoped they +would come immediately, for she wanted Gabriel at home.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now we have money enough to pay our board bill, and as +George will surely come to our assistance, why should you go +to work as a mason? Darling, leave that work,” Lizzie begged.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let us see; Clarence's cablegram was dated twenty days +ago. They must have arrived in New York a week ago, and +if he don't delay at all, he'll be here in two or three days,” +Gabriel said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then why should you work like that?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I'll stop to-morrow, but I must give notice of a day or two, +at least, for the foreman to get somebody else in my place.”</p> +<p class="pnext">When Gabriel arrived at his place of employment near Nob +Hill, he found that his occupation that day would be different +from what it had been before, and in the afternoon he was put +to work at another place in the building. He would have to +carry bricks and mortar up a ladder to quite a high wall. He +told the foreman that he would rather not do that, as he had +never done such work and was very awkward about it. The +foreman said he had no one else to spare for that job, and +Gabriel at last said he would try. He had carried many loads, +and was beginning to tremble with fatigue, when upon going +up, carrying a hod full of bricks, the ladder slipped to one side +a little. In his effort to steady it, Gabriel moved it too much, +and it fell to one side, taking him to the ground. As he fell, +the bricks fell upon him. He was insensible for some time. +When he regained consciousness he was being carried to a +wagon which would take him to the city hospital. Lizzie, to +whom the foreman had sent a message notifying her of the +accident, now met the wagon.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where are you taking my husband?” she asked the driver.</p> +<p class="pnext">“To the city hospital, ma'am.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why not take him home?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because he will get attendance there quickly, Madam,” +said the foreman, who evidently felt he was to blame for a very +painful accident.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If that is the case, let us go to the hospital,” Lizzie said, +getting into the wagon. She sat beside Gabriel, and placed +his head in her lap. Gabriel smiled, and his beautiful eyes +were full of love, but he could scarcely speak a word.</p> +<p class="pnext">The jolting of the wagon gave him much pain, and Lizzie +asked the driver to go very slow. “He ought to be carried on +a stretcher, ma'am; he is too much hurt to go in a wagon,” +said the driver.</p> +<p class="pnext">They now came to a street-crossing, and several wagons +were standing still, waiting for a line of carriages to pass first.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, why do we wait? He is suffering so much!” Lizzie +exclaimed. “He is bleeding; he might bleed to death!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We are waiting for them carriages to pass, ma'am. They +are carrying people to a reception on Nob Hill, ma'am,” said +the driver.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the other side of the street, in a carriage which also had +been stopped that the guests for the Nob Hill festivities might +pass, sat George and Clarence, just arrived, and on their way +to see Lizzie and Gabriel. They saw that a man lay in a +wagon which stood in front of them, and noticing that a +woman sat by his side holding his head in her lap, bending +over him anxiously, Clarence said to the driver that there +seemed to be some one sick in that wagon, and that it should +be allowed to pass.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, sir; but he is a hod-carrier who fell down and hurt +himself. I suppose he'll die before he gets to the hospital,” +said the driver, indifferently, as if a hod-carrier more or less +was of no consequence. “The carriages must pass first, the +police says.”</p> +<p class="pnext">As Lizzie raised her head to ask the driver to take some +other street, they saw her. Both uttered an exclamation of +surprise, and left their carriages immediately, walking hurriedly +to the wagon where she was.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Lizzie, my sister, why are you here?” George asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, George! Gabriel fell down!” she replied, sobbing, her +courage failing now that she had some dear ones to protect +her. “Oh, Clarence, see how you find my darling! We are +taking him to the city hospital, but because those carriages +must pass first my darling may die here—bleeding to death!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let me go for a physician immediately,” said Clarence.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wait,” George said, “Which is the nearest from here, Lizzie, +your house or the hospital? We must take him to the +nearest place.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The hospital is nearer, sir,” the driver answered.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then let us go the hospital,” George said, getting into +the wagon beside his sister, shocked to find Gabriel in a +situation which plainly revealed a poverty he had never +imagined.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shall go for a surgeon, there might not be one at the +hospital,” said Clarence. “I shall be there when you arrive.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The wagon went so slowly that Clarence, with a doctor, +overtook them before they reached the hospital. Meantime, +Gabriel had whispered to Lizzie and George, in a few words, +how he had fallen down.</p> +<p class="pnext">On arriving at the hospital he was carried to the best room, +with best attendance, two rooms adjoining were for his nurses, +one to be occupied by Lizzie and the other by George and +Clarence, for neither of them would leave Gabriel now.</p> +<p class="pnext">The doctor would give no opinion as to his recovery. If +he had internal injuries of a serious character, they might +prove fatal, but of this it was impossible to judge at present. +About eight o'clock Gabriel seemed to be resting a little more +comfortably, and Lizzie took that opportunity to go to see her +babies. She found them already asleep. The kind landlady +had given them their supper and put them to bed. She told +Lizzie of a good nurse who could be hired to take care of the +baby, and that she would engage her to come the next morning. +Lizzie thanked her, and then returned to her husband's +bedside, and there, accompanied by George and Clarence, she +passed the night.</p> +<p class="pnext">About daylight, with great reluctance, she was prevailed +upon to lie down on a lounge at the foot of Gabriel's bed, +and as the patient seemed to be resting quietly, George and +Clarence went into the next room to partake of a light +collation.</p> +<p class="pnext">George poured a glass of wine for Clarence and another +for himself, and both drank in silence. Evidently they could +not eat.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Was it possible to imagine that Gabriel could have become +so poor that he had to be a hod-carrier?” George said at last, +scarcely above a whisper.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence being as much moved, took some time to reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The thing is to me so shockingly preposterous and so very +heart-rending that it does not seem possible. And to think that +if I had not gone away, I might, yes, could, have prevented +so much suffering! Oh! the fool, the idiot that I was to go,” +said Clarence, rising and pacing the room in great agitation. +“I will never forgive myself nor my bankers either, and shall +take my money to some other bank. They should never have +given Don Gabriel's place to anybody else, for it was at my +request, and to oblige me that they employed him, and they +have had the use of my money all this time. Oh! how I wish +you could have established a bank here with the three hundred +thousand dollars I placed to Don Mariano's credit, since he +would not accept any payment for the cattle—<em class="italics">my</em> cattle, mind +you—lost in the snow. But perhaps three hundred thousand +dollars would have been rather small capital.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It would have been plenty to begin with, but as the understanding +was that the bank was to be in San Diego, none of +us felt authorized to change the plan. I doubt if Don Mariano +would have drawn any of the three hundred thousand dollars. +You know he mortgaged his rancho rather than take +any of your money.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“His money, you ought to say, for I had already bought his +cattle. I wish he had not taken so different a view of the +matter. Really, the money was his from the moment I agreed +to make the purchase. But tell me, why is it that Mrs. Mechlin +lost her homestead. It might have been sold to help the +family.”</p> +<p class="pnext">George related how Peter Roper “<em class="italics">jumped</em>” the Mechlin +house in true vandalic style, breaking open the doors with axes +and dragging out the furniture when the family were in great +grief, and how this outrage as well as others were indulgently +passed over by San Diego's august tribunal of justice. George, +however, did not know all. He did not know that Judge +Lawlack upon one occasion, when he had made a decision in +favor of Peter Roper and against the Mechlins, discovering +upon reflection that he had made a gross mistake, because the +authority upon which he based his decision, obviously favored +the Mechlins, had changed his decision. He actually called the +attorneys of both sides into court and then amended his own +decree and had an entirely different judgment entered—a judgment +based upon another authority, which, with his construction +of the law, favored Peter. Then again when the Mechlins tried +to file another complaint, Peter got up, and in his coarse loquacity, +vociferously exhorted his Honor to send all the plaintiffs +and their attorney to jail for <em class="italics">contempt of court</em> in daring to renew +their complaint when his Honor had decided that they +had no case; that the <em class="italics">innocent purchasers</em>, Roper and Gasbang, +were the legitimate owners of the Mechlin place. Whereupon, +his Honor Lawlack hurriedly slid off the judicial bench, under +the judicial canopy, in high tantrums, and shuffled off the judicial +platform, gruffly mumbling: “I have passed upon that +before,” and slouchingly made his exit.</p> +<p class="pnext">The plaintiffs, their attorneys and their witnesses, were left +to make the best of <em class="italics">such legal proceedings</em>! They could not +even take an appeal to the Supreme Court, for they had no +record; they could make no pleadings; Judge Lawlack had +carefully and effectively done all he could to ruin their case. +Peter winked and showed his yellow teeth and purple gums in +high glee, proud to have exhibited his influence with the Court, +and, as usual, went to celebrate his triumph by getting intoxicated +and being whipped, so that he had a black eye and +skinned nose for several days.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was obvious to George and Clarence that the position +of Gabriel and Lizzie in San Francisco must have been painful +in the extreme, and yet they did not know all. Lizzie +had never told anybody all the disagreeable, humiliating, repugnant +experiences she had had to pass through. She had +tried to help her husband to find some occupation more befitting +a gentleman than that of a day laborer. But she gave up +her sad endeavors, seeing that she was only humiliating herself +to no purpose. She met at times gentlemen and kind-hearted +men, who were courteous to her, but oftener she found occasion +to despise mankind for their unnecessary rudeness and +most unprovoked boorishness. More painful yet was the evident +change she noticed in the manners of her lady acquaintances.</p> +<p class="pnext">Years before, when she was Lizzie Mechlin, she had moved +in what was called San Francisco's <em class="italics">best</em> society. Her family, +being of the very highest in New York, were courted and +caressed in exaggerated degree on their arrival in California. +Afterwards, for the benefit of Mr. Mechlin's health, they went +to reside in San Diego. When Gabriel came to his position +in the bank, she was again warmly received by all her society +friends. But this cordiality soon vanished. Her family went +back to New York, and she and Gabriel returned from San +Diego to San Francisco to find that he had lost his place at +the bank. Then he endeavored to get something else to do. +This was bad enough, but when <em class="italics">she</em> tried to help him, then her +fashionable friends disappeared. Nay, they avoided her as if +she had been guilty of some disgraceful act. The fact that +Gabriel was a <em class="italics">native Spaniard</em>, she saw plainly, militated against +them. If he had been rich, his nationality could have been +forgiven, but no one will willingly tolerate a <em class="italics">poor native Californian</em>. +To see all this was at first painful to Lizzie, but afterwards +it began to be amusing and laughable to see people show +their mean little souls and their want of brains in their eager +chase after the rich, and their discourtesy to an old acquaintance +who certainly had done nothing to forfeit respect. About +that time the fever for stock gambling was at its height. The +<em class="italics">Big Bonanza</em> was, in the twinkling of an eye, making and unmaking +money princes, and a new set of rich people had rushed +into “San Francisco's best society.” The leaders of the <em class="italics">ton</em> +then, who held title by priority of possession, not forgetting +that many of them had had to serve a rigorous novitiate of +years of probation before they had been admitted to the high +circles, were disposed to be exclusive and keep off social +“<em class="italics">jumpers</em>.” But the weight of gold carried the day. Down +came the jealously guarded gates; the very portals succumbed +and crumbled under that heavy pressure. Farewell, exclusiveness! +Henceforth, money shall be the sole requisite upon +which to base social claims. High culture, talents, good antecedents, +accomplishments, all were now the veriest trash. +Money, and nothing but money, became the order of the day. +Many of the newly created money-nobility lived but a day in +their new, their sporadic, evanescent glory, and then, with a +tumble of the stocks, went down head-foremost, to rise no +more. But some of the luckiest survived, and are yet shining +stars. Lizzie saw all this from her humble seclusion. Occasionally, +at the houses of those few friends who had remained +unchanged in her day of adversity, she met some of the newly +arrived in society as well as a few of the fading lights, taking a +secondary place. All the new and the old lights she saw, with +equal impartiality, shifting their places continually, and she +began to think that, after all, this transposing of positions perhaps +was right, being the unavoidable outcome in a new country, +where naturally the raw material is so abundant, and the +chase after social position must be a sort of “<em class="italics">go-as-you-please</em>” +race among the golden-legged.</p> +<p class="pnext">Therefore, like the true lady that she was, Lizzie had quietly +accepted her fate, and forgiven fickle society, without a +murmur of complaint or a pang of regret. But what certainly +was a perennial anguish, a crucifixion of spirit to her, +was to see in Gabriel's pale face,—in those superb eyes of +his,—all his mental suffering; then courage failed her, and +on her bended knees she would implore a merciful heaven to +pity and help her beloved, her beautiful archangel.</p> +<p class="pnext">What Gabriel suffered in spirit probably no one will ever +know, for though he inherited the natural nobility of his +father, he was not like him communicative, ready to offer or +receive sympathy. He was sensitive, kind, courteous and unselfish, +but very reticent.</p> +<p class="pnext">But if Gabriel had never complained, the eloquence of facts +had said all that was to be said. In that hod full of bricks +not only his own sad experience was represented, but <em class="italics">the entire +history</em> of the native Californians of <em class="italics">Spanish descent</em> was +epitomized. Yes, Gabriel carrying his hod full of bricks up a +steep ladder, was a symbolical representation of his race. The +natives, of Spanish origin, having lost all their property, must +henceforth be hod-carriers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unjust laws despoiled them, but what of this? Poor they +are, but who is to care, or investigate the cause of their poverty? +The thriving American says that the native Spaniards +are lazy and stupid and thriftless, and as the prosperous know +it all, and are almost infallible, the fiat has gone forth, and the +Spaniards of California are not only despoiled of all their +earthly possessions, but must also be bereft of sympathy, because +the world says they do not deserve it.</p> +<p class="pnext">George and Clarence entertained a different opinion, however, +and in suppressed, earnest tones they now reviewed the +history of the Alamares, and feelingly deplored the cruel legislation +that had ruined them.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lizzie, unable to sleep, had again taken her place by the +bedside, and sadly watched the beautiful face which seemed +like that of slumbering Apollo. Would he recover, or was it +possible that her darling would die, now when relief had +come? Oh, the cruel fate that made him descend to that +humble occupation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Lizzie shuddered to think of all the suffering he would +yet have to undergo. Oh, it was so inexpressibly sad to think +that his precious life was risked for the pitiful wages of a poor +hod-carrier!</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxxvii-reunited-at-last"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id38">CHAPTER XXXVII.—<span class="small-caps">Reunited at Last.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The life of Gabriel hung by a very frail thread for several +days, and Clarence did not have the heart to leave him. He +did not telegraph to Mercedes their arrival, for he would then +have been obliged to give a reason for delaying. He wrote her +saying that Gabriel had accidentally fallen from a ladder, and +not knowing how seriously he might have been hurt, George +and himself had decided to remain with Lizzie, who was very +much frightened and distressed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes answered, thanking him in the warmest terms of +gratitude for remaining with her darling brother, adding that +much as she wished to see the long-lost Clarence, she preferred +to endure the pains of waiting rather than to have him +leave Gabriel now.</p> +<p class="pnext">The proudest man in America was Clarence. He knew +that in the gratitude of her heart she would allow him to +press her to his, and he longed to have that bliss. But faithfully +he kept his watch at the hospital, and Gabriel lived yet. +No doctor dared say whether he would die or survive his terrible +fall, or his health remain impaired. No one dare venture +a prophecy for so dark a future.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the meantime Clarence got his house ready for occupation, +and as soon as Gabriel could be removed without danger, +they took up their residence there. In the silent recesses +of her heart Lizzie thanked God that her surroundings were +again those of a lady. She shuddered to remember the poverty +she endured for so long a time, and she would have felt +really happy could she have been sure that her beloved Gabriel +would live.</p> +<p class="pnext">“George,” said she to her brother, as they walked towards +the library, when Clarence had relieved their watch, and was +sitting by Gabriel's bedside, “I have an idea in my head which +I think we might put into practice, if you will help me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is it, dear sister?” asked George, tenderly, observing +how thin and haggard she looked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is this, that if you and I write to Mercedes that she +ought to marry right away, so that Clarence can bring her to +be with me, to help me take care of Gabriel, that she will +do so.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“By, Jove! It is a splendid idea, little sister, and I'll write +to Mercita and to Doña Josefa at once.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is little enough, George, for you and I to do, when Clarence +has been so devoted to my darling,” said she, her eyes +filling with tears of heart-felt gratitude.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course it is, but it comes so natural to Clarence to act +always like the noble fellow he is, that it would surprise me if +he had acted otherwise than nobly.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But we ought to consult him about our project.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Certainly. I'll go and stay with Gabriel and send him to +you that you may disclose your plan.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, let me go to Gabriel, while you tell him the plan,” +said she, hurrying off to the invalid, whom she found sleeping.</p> +<p class="pnext">She whispered to Clarence that George wished to speak to +him, and took his place by the bedside.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence could find no words to express to George his joy +and gratitude. He flushed and paled by turns, and finally, +stroking his mustache with trembling fingers, and trying to +bite it, in his agitation, sat down in silence, while George went +into the details of the matter.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But will she consent?” Clarence exclaimed at last.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think she will, for you know how all of them love Gabriel, +Mercedes more than all,—and the thought that he is suffering, +and Lizzie's distress, and your kindness to him,—all that +will furnish a most excellent excuse to do what her heart has +been begging for,” said George. “I am going to write now +about it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, I shall be so grateful!” Clarence exclaimed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Send Lizzie to me, we both must write,” George said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence went back to the sick room, and said to Lizzie +that George wanted her.</p> +<p class="pnext">Kissing her hand most fervently, he exclaimed in a tremulous +whisper: “You are my angel!”</p> +<p class="pnext">George and Lizzie's letters were very pleading. Clarence +wrote also, imploring Mercedes to forgive the stupidity that +took him away, and beseeched her to yield to his prayer, and +be his wife, after so many years of suffering.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes kissed the letter, and cried over it, of course, as +women must, but referred the subject to her mother. Doña +Josefa must also cry a good deal before she said anything, for +the memory of her husband made such subjects most painful +to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Victoriano stormed from his bed. He would have no +delay. He sent for Everett, so that he would in person +carry a dispatch to town, saying to Clarence, by telegraph, to +come in the very first steamer. Victoriano would have no +contradiction.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If Mercedes don't marry Clarence, as George advises, I +want to be taken by the legs—my mean, cripple legs, my +ridiculous kangaroo legs—and dragged out of this bed, and +out of this house. I don't want to live under the same +roof with people that will refuse so just and reasonable a +request.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But who has refused it, Tano? Wait, won't you?” said +Rosario, seeing that Tano had hidden his head under the +covers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Victoriano's head came out again, and said: “Nobody +says yes.”</p> +<p class="pnext">But the <em class="italics">yes</em> was said.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett took a dispatch from Doña Josefa to George, saying +that whenever Clarence came, Mercedes would go with +him, as George suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">There would be five days only before another steamer +would arrive, but by telegraphing to Clarence on that day, he +would have time to take the steamer next morning, or go on +the cars to Los Angeles, and take the steamer at Wilmington. +And this was what Clarence telegraphed he would do, suggesting +that if Mercita would be ready, they could take the +same boat, and by again taking the cars at Los Angeles, be +with Gabriel in two days.</p> +<p class="pnext">Was it a dream? To see Clarence within five days, and be +his wife, when she thought she might never see him on this +earth again! Thus ran Mercedes' reflections, when she had +gone to her room to open a wardrobe which had been locked +for three years. That wardrobe held the <em class="italics">trousseau</em> sent by +Mrs. Lawrence Mechlin in '74, and the jewelry which Clarence +had given her in New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mercedes thought of those days, and the image of her +father arose before her vividly. She sat by the window to +think of him with loving tenderness and ever living regret.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But, <em class="italics">mon Dieu</em>, mademoiselle,” said Madame Halier, coming +in, “why don't you come? Miss Carlota is waiting to begin +getting your things ready.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I beg pardon; I had forgotten,” said Mercedes, rousing herself +from her reverie. Carlota, Rosario and Alice now came +in, and soon the contents of the wardrobe were distributed all +over the room. Madame Halier was to pack in trunks all +Mercedes' things, leaving out only her bridal attire and traveling +dress. The madame did her work with pleasure, as she was +going with Mercedes, and had been wishing to visit the city of +San Francisco for a long time.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everything was ready. A dispatch came from George saying +that Clarence had started; that Gabriel was a little better, +and anxious to see Mercedes. This made Doña Josefa feel +that it was her imperative duty to send Mercedes to her brother +at once.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mrs. Darrell went to see the priest about going to the rancho +to perform the marriage ceremony there. The good man +would have preferred that it were solemnized in the church, +but, considering that Victoriano could not leave his bed and +Doña Josefa was still in very deep mourning, he consented.</p> +<p class="pnext">There would be no invited guests except the Holmans and +Darrells. There would be no bridesmaids either, though there +were plenty of young girls that could act as such.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett went to town the night before the arrival of the +steamer to bring Clarence as soon as he landed, and they came +from town so quickly and noiselessly that no one knew when +they arrived at the rancho.</p> +<p class="pnext">The ladies were all in Mercedes' room discussing the wedding +outfit and other matters, when it occurred to her to go +out and from the veranda look towards the road, as she might +perhaps see the carriage in the distance. What was her surprise +when, on passing by the parlor door, she saw Everett +coming through the gate, and there, right there, where Clarence +had stood on that terrible night when he left her, there he stood +again, looking at her with those same speaking, glowing, loving +eyes. He seemed to her like an apparition, and she uttered an +exclamation of surprise, turning very pale and tottering as +if about to fall. In an instant he was by her side pressing her +to his heart and covering her face with kisses.</p> +<p class="pnext">Surely this was no ghost. His warm kisses and beating heart +spoke of the lover full of life and hope, trembling with the realization +of years of longing to hold her thus close, very close in +his loving, chaste embrace.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mercedes, my own, my sweet wife,” he said, and his voice +had so much the same tone and vibration as in that last memorable +night, that the rush of sad memories and painful emotions +made her for a moment feel confused, bewildered, almost losing +consciousness. As her yielding form relaxed in his arms he +carried her to the sofa and sat there holding her, scarcely realizing +it was not all a dream.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everett had gone to Victoriano's room, and now that impatient +invalid was screaming for Clarence to come. His loud +calling brought Doña Josefa to him, and then all the family +learned that Clarence had arrived.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come here, you truant,” said Victoriano to Clarence, “come +here, you ugly man.” And as Clarence stooped to embrace +him, he clasped him to his heart, making him lie down by his +side. “There,” said he, “I have given you a good hugging; +now go and kiss the girls.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Which Clarence did gladly, but his mother and Doña Josefa +he kissed first. He then went to the parlor, where he was +kindly greeted by no less than fourteen girls, counting thus: +three Alamares, three Holmans, four Darrells, and four other +Alamares, cousins of Mercedes.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was a brave fellow, so he never flinched and kissed +them all, very deliberately. “Not to give offence,” he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was one duty which Clarence shrank from performing, +but which he submitted to quietly, and that was meeting his +father.</p> +<p class="pnext">Darrell came to the Alamar house for the first time in his +life, and as he said he would like to be alone when he met +Clarence, Rosario conducted him to <em class="italics">the office</em>, a room used by +her father when he saw people on business and where he wrote +his letters, but where others of the family scarcely ever entered.</p> +<p class="pnext">Clarence was shocked to see how aged his father was. When +he left, the auburn hair of the old man showed no white lines +at all. Now he was so gray that his hair was almost white. +The sight of that white hair swept from Clarence's heart all +trace of resentment, and his love for his father seemed to rush +back to him with pain, but with great force.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, father!” exclaimed Clarence, seeing the open arms +before him.</p> +<p class="pnext">“My boy, my best beloved,” said the old man, with a sob +and a checking of breath, holding his son close to his breast.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Father, why are you so gray?” Clarence asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Because I did you a great wrong. Because I murdered +the Don, and he was the best man I ever saw.” When Darrell +said this he completely lost his self-control and wept like a child. +Clarence wept with him, for he felt deeply Don Mariano's death, +but thought he must speak kindly to his father.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You did not murder him; don't think that,” he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I did. My wickedness helped the wickedness of +others to kill him. And our wickedness combined brought infinite +misery upon this innocent family. But a merciful God +brought you back, and I know you will devote your life to repair +as much as it is possible the wrong your father did. I +know you will be a good husband, but for <em class="italics">my sake</em>, also, I beg +you to be a devoted son to the widowed lady whom I have +injured so frightfully. A wrong legislation authorized <em class="italics">us squatters</em>, +sent us, to the land of these innocent, helpless people to +rob them. A wrong legislation killed the Texas Pacific, and +such legislation is the main cause of the Don's death. But I, +too, helped the wrong-doers.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't blame yourself so much,” Clarence remonstrated +gently, trying to soothe his father. “George and Lizzie told +me that all the family believe that the disappointment at the +failure of the Texas Pacific was what killed Don Mariano. It +preyed upon his mind; it saddened, worried and sickened him +until it utterly undermined his health and broke down his nervous +system. It did the same with Mr. Mechlin. So, you +see, those who defeated the Texas Pacific are to blame for the +death of these two most excellent men, but not yourself.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I am. No man can injure his fellow-man, and then +shift the blame on some one else's shoulders, because others +had a share in the wrong done. Each man must stand and +bear his proportion of blame. I could and should have prevented +the settlers from destroying the Don's cattle. If I had +done so, he would not have been obliged to take them all at +once. He could have sent them in small bands, but he was +afraid of the murderous rifles of <em class="italics">my friends</em>. So the poor, +dumb animals perished in the snow. But this was not the +worst; the saddest was yet to come. Victoriano lost his health, +and the Don lost his life. The good, the best of men, was +right when, in his dying moments, he said: ‘<em class="italics">The sins of our +legislators brought me to this</em>.’ That was a truth uttered by a +just and noble soul as it passed away. Still, I must feel I am +individually to blame for the sorrow brought upon this family. +I know that if the railroad had been built the Don could have +recuperated his fortune, but yet my share of wrong-doing stands +there all the same; I must bear it myself. If I had not driven +you away, you could have prevented their misfortunes. I was +a monster. So now I beg and entreat, for my own sake, +and as a slight reparation for my cruelty, that you be kind to +that lady, as kind as if you were her own child.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will, father; I vow I will.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is enough. I know you'll keep your word. Now, +my boy, heaven bless you, and your father's blessing will go +with you always. Now, go, and when the ceremony is to be +performed, send Willie to call me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">As everything was ready, the marriage ceremony took place +as soon as the priest arrived. Victoriano was brought to the +parlor in an arm-chair, and managed to stand up, held by +Everett and Webster. Doña Josefa wept all the time and so +did her daughters, but everybody understood that memories of +the sad past, but no fears for the future, caused those tears to +flow.</p> +<p class="pnext">The parting with her mother and sisters was most painful to +Mercedes. Clarence feared she would make herself ill with +weeping. He put his arms around her waist and said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't be disheartened. I have been thinking that Doña +Josefa and all the family had better come to San Francisco to +live. If she does, I think we can persuade George to bring +his family also to reside there.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa shook her head doubtingly, but Mercedes +asked:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you think George might come?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I do, and he can then carry out there our plan of establishing +a bank. San Diego is dead now, and will remain so +for many years, but San Francisco is a good business field. So +we can all locate ourselves there, and Gabriel and Tano go +into business easily.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Business without capital? See where my poor Gabriel is +now,” Doña Josefa answered, sadly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is true, but if you will sell your rancho, they will have +plenty of capital. Even at two dollars per acre, your rancho, +being forty-seven thousand acres—if sold at that low figure—would +bring you ninety-four thousand dollars.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But who, who will buy mortgaged land, full of squatters, +and without a patent, in this dead place?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I will. I will pay you more than ninety-four thousand +dollars—more than double that amount—besides paying you +for the lost cattle, which will be no more than what is right.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, no, I couldn't agree to that, but as for selling the land, +if my children are willing, I shall be, for this place is too full +of sad memories, and will be sadder yet if I cannot have my +children with me. When Gabriel and Victoriano get well, talk +to them about buying the rancho, though I don't think you +ought to pay any such high price. You are too generous to us.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Indeed, I am not. Don't forget I am a money-making +Yankee. I think four—or even three—dollars per acre is a +high price for land in this county <em class="italics">now</em>, but I can wait years, +and then I shall double the price paid now. So, you see, I +am not a bit generous. I am trying to make money out of you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Talk to the boys. See what George and Gabriel say,” +Doña Josefa said, smiling sadly at Clarence's wily argument +and earnest manner.</p> +<p class="pnext">The last adieux were said, but the parting was less painful +to Mercedes, with the new hope held out by Clarence of a +probability of being reunited soon in San Francisco.</p> +<p class="pnext">When Clarence and Mercedes arrived at their home they +found that George and Lizzie had propped up Gabriel with +pillows, and he was sitting up to receive his sister. From that +day he began to improve slowly but perceptibly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The letters from home spoke of Victoriano's marked +improvement, but still his malady was not cured; so Clarence +proposed that Doña Josefa, the two girls and Tano should +come up immediately. She could then make up her mind +whether she would like to make San Francisco her home, +and the change of climate would perhaps do Victoriano good. +The idea was highly approved by all, and that same evening +Mercedes wrote to her mother, begging her to come and see +whether she liked San Francisco for a home; that she and +Clarence were going to Europe on a visit in the fall, and she +wanted to leave her mamma and sisters and brothers all +together; that George and Gabriel liked the plan of selling the +rancho to Clarence very much, and wanted to talk to her and +Tano about it. Thus Doña Josefa was enticed and persuaded +to leave the home of her joys and sorrows, where she had lived +for thirty years. Carlota and Rosario were willing to go, and +Tano was most anxious to find a way of making a living, for +he was every day more in love with Alice, but could not think +of marrying her until he knew how he was going to support a +family.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa, Carlota and Rosario, therefore, escorted by +Victoriano, found themselves, on a bright morning, in the +Southern Pacific Railroad cars, on their way from Los Angeles +to San Francisco. There were only about a dozen persons +besides themselves on the entire train.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wonder why they put on so many cars. One would +carry all the passengers,” said Rosario.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Half a car would be more than enough,” Carlota added.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They must lose money running empty cars,” Tano observed. +“I am glad of it. They were so anxious to leave San +Diego out in the cold, I hope they will lose money with this +road.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't wish that, it is unkind, unchristian, ungenerous,” said +Doña Josefa, with a sigh.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And why not? Didn't they kill our road, the Texas Pacific, +to build this road? What consideration had they for us? +I am glad that many years will pass before they will run crowded +cars over this desert. They are old men, they won't live to +see this, their pet road, with well-filled cars, running over it, +and I bet on that,” said Tano, exultingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Perhaps they will,” said Carlota.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I know they'll not,” Tano retorted, emphatically.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the afternoon, Clarence and Mercedes met them in Oakland, +and together they crossed the bay.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now on that same night as Doña Josefa looked from +her bedroom window upon the lighted city, she noticed that a +large mansion near by, was very brightly illuminated, and +Mercedes told her that one of the railroad kings, who had +killed the Texas Pacific, lived there, and was giving a “<em class="italics">silver +wedding</em>” party to the <em class="italics">elite</em> of San Francisco. Doña Josefa +sighed, and sat at the window to think.</p> +<p class="pnext">Truly, San Francisco had been in a flutter for ten days past, +and the “best society” had stretched its neck until it ached to +see who got invitations for “<em class="italics">The Great Nob Hill Silver Wedding +Ball</em>” of one of San Francisco's millionaires. Mrs. +Grundy ascertained who were to be the best-dressed ladies, +what their pedigree was, and how their money had been made, +and then Mrs. Grundy went to the ball, too.</p> +<p class="pnext">When all the elegance of San Francisco had arrived, nobly +sprinkled with a Baron or two, and ornamented with a Lord +and Lady and a Marquise or Count, the great millionaire proceeded +to astonish his guests in the manner he had conceived +to be most novel and startling.</p> +<p class="pnext">The band struck up a wedding march, and Mr. Millionaire, +with his wife leaning on his arm, proceeded to the last of an +elegant <em class="italics">suite</em> of rooms, where, under a canopy of fragrant flowers, +a mock marriage ceremony was to be performed. After conducting +the blushing bride to the mock altar, and the ceremony +being over, the millionaire thought he would treat his guests to +what he imagined to be a real hymenean oration. He prefaced +his homily with what he believed to be witticisms and +quotations of his own. He then thought it was time to wax +eloquent and didactic, above prejudices, truly large-minded.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But let me read to you a short, telling lesson now,” he said, +swelling with just pride; “I speak most particularly to the +young men, to those who have yet their fortunes to make. Be +not discouraged if you meet with hardships and trials. Go +ahead and persevere. Look at all these luxurious appurtenances +surrounding us! I might well say, look at this wealth! +Look at this splendor! Well, ladies and gentlemen, sixteen +years ago we were in Sacramento, so poor, that we had to put +tin pans over our bed to catch the water that leaked through +our roof, and keep our bed-clothes dry. I had not money +enough to get a better roof over our heads,” and the millionaire +looked around for applause, but none came, because the guests +possessed the good taste, or, perhaps, bad, which their host +lacked, and were pained and mortified; they did not see the +good of waking up memories of unsavory poverty. The foreign +nobility was not so proud, perhaps, as they had been at +the hour of receiving an invitation to all this so very newly +created splendor. But the rich man, still inflated with pride, +hurriedly wound up his peroration as best he could, feeling +vague misgivings that he had marred the <em class="italics">eclat</em> of his magnificent +illumination shining over his costly furniture, by trying to +rise above himself to make a high-minded, witty speech. “Be +plucky, and persevering, and go ahead, as I did,” said he to +close his oration, bowing to his foreign guests.</p> +<p class="pnext">The company scattered in couples or in groups over the +luxuriously furnished and richly decorated rooms, and Mrs. +Grundy hurried about everywhere to catch the comments made +by the grateful guests upon “the brilliant speech of their amiable +host.” At the very first group she heard a young man say:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, I would be <em class="italics">plucky and persevering</em> if I had an associate +in Washington with plenty of money to bribe people so +that no other railroad could be built to start competition in +California.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I could be plucky, too, if the Government had given me +millions of money and more millions of acres to build two railroads, +and which millions I never intended to pay back,” said +another.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And for which millions you never paid taxes,” added another.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Taxes? Bah! Let the poor people pay taxes. Why +should railroad magnates pay taxes when they have money to +fight the law? Absurd!” said a fourth. “Let us go and take +ices; the brilliancy of our host's oration makes me thirsty.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And while all this went on in the brilliantly lighted mansion, +Doña Josefa sat at her window in the dark, thinking of what +“<em class="italics">might have been</em>” if those railroad men had not blighted San +Diego's prosperity. Her husband would have been alive, and +Mr. Mechlin, also, and her sons would not have been driven to +poverty and distress, and perhaps lost their health forever.</p> +<p class="pnext">“God of Justice, is this right, that so many should be sacrificed +because a few men want more millions? Our family is +one of the many who have suffered so much. Oh! so much! +And all to what end? For what? Ah! the same answer +again, because a few heartless men want more millions,” said +she, with her face bathed in tears.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa evidently did not believe that because “<em class="italics">misery +there must always be in the world, no matter who causes it</em>,” +that she was called upon to stoically submit to unmerited infliction. +In a mild and dignified way, her mind rebelled. She +regarded the acts of the men who caused her husband's ruin +and death with genuine abhorrence. To her, rectitude and +equity had a clear meaning impossible to pervert. No subtle +sophistry could blur in her mind the clear line dividing right +from wrong. She knew that among men the word business +means inhumanity to one another; it means justification of rapacity; +it means the freedom of man to crowd and crush his +fellow-man; it means the sanction of the Shylockian principle +of exacting the pound of flesh. She knew all this, but the +illustration, the ocular demonstration, had never been before her +until now in that gay house, in that brightly illuminated mansion, +and she sadly contrasted her sorrow with their gayety, +and continued her soliloquy: “No doubt those people think +they have a right to rejoice and feast with the money extorted +in crushing so many people—the killing of my darling. Doubtless +they say that they earned the money in <strong class="bold">BUSINESS</strong>, and +that allegation is all-sufficient; that one word justifies in the +pursuit of riches everything mean, dishonest, rapacious, unfair, +treacherous, unjust, and fraudulent. After a man makes his +money no one cares how he made it, and so those people dance +while I mourn for my beloved.”</p> +<p class="pnext">For hours Doña Josefa sat at that window, weeping sadly, +while the others danced gayly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Afterwards, when she had been for some time in San Francisco, +she had yet stronger demonstrations, and her sense of +justice and her ideas of moral adjustment of men's actions +with principle, received additional shocks, quite as painful as +seeing the millionaire's palace illuminated, while the humble +houses he had desolated must remain dark.</p> +<p class="pnext">Doña Josefa frankly spoke to the ladies who had called on +her, of the cause of her husband's death. She did so in answer +to their inquiries. She, on two or three occasions, mentioned +how painful it had been to sit by the window looking at +that house of rejoicing, while thinking that if those rich men +had had more sense of justice and less greed of money, that +her husband could have been spared to her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don't say that, my dear lady, for you will give great offense,” +said an old friend, who having heard that Clarence +was worth twelve million dollars, had called on her, suddenly +remembering that she used to know the Alamares years ago.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why should I give offense? It is the truth,” Doña Josefa +replied.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That may be, but you cannot speak against such rich +people; San Francisco society will turn against you,” was the +rejoinder.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then it is a crime <em class="italics">to speak</em> of the wrongs we have suffered, +but it is not a crime <em class="italics">to commit</em> those wrongs.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don't know. I am not a moralist. But this I do know, +that if you accuse those rich men of having done wrong, the society +people will give you the cold shoulder.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, very well, let it be so. Let the guilty rejoice and go +unpunished, and the innocent suffer ruin and desolation. I +slander no one, but shall speak the truth.”</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="conclusion-out-with-the-invader"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id39">CONCLUSION.—<span class="small-caps">Out with the Invader.</span></a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“Let infamy be that man's portion who uses his power to +corrupt, to ruin, to debase,” says Channing, in righteous indignation, +speaking of the atrocities perpetrated by Napoleon the +First to gratify his vanity and ambition. Further on, with increasing +earnestness, Channing adds: “In anguish of spirit we +exclaim: ‘How long will an abject world kiss the foot that +tramples it? How long shall crime find shelter in its very aggravations +and excess?’”</p> +<p class="pnext">If Channing lived now, his ‘anguish of spirit’ would be far +greater to find in his own country, firmly enthroned, <em class="italics">a power +that corrupts, ruins and debases</em> as utterly as that which he so +eloquently deplored, and his own fellow-citizens—the free-born +Americans—ready and willing to <em class="italics">kiss the foot that tramples +them</em>!</p> +<p class="pnext">Not infamy, but honor and wealth, is the portion of the men +who corrupt and ruin and debase in this country. Honor and +wealth for the Napoleons of this land, whose power the sons of +California can neither check, nor thwart, nor escape, nor withstand. +And in California, as in France, “crime finds shelter +in its very aggravations and excess,” for after ten years of +fighting in Congress against legislation that would have given +to the people of the Southern States and the Pacific Coast a +competing railway; and after fighting against creating a sinking +fund to re-imburse moneys due to the Government, and fighting +against laws to regulate freights and fares on a fair basis, they +(the Napoleons) refuse to pay taxes on their gigantic property, +thus making it necessary for the Governor of California to call +an extra session of the Legislature to devise some new laws +which will compel those defiant millionaires to pay taxes, and +not leave upon the shoulders of poor people the onerous duty +of defraying public expenses.</p> +<p class="pnext">Is not this “aggravation of excess?” Excess of defiance? +Excess of lawlessness? How insidiously these monopolists +began their work of accumulation, which has culminated in a +power that not only eludes the law of the land, but defies, derides +it! They were poor men. They came before the Government +at Washington, and before the people of California, +as suppliant petitioners, humbly begging for aid to construct a +railroad. The aid was granted most liberally, and as soon as +they accumulated sufficient capital to feel rich they began their +work of eluding and defying the law. They became insolent, +flinging defiance, as if daring the law to touch them, and truly, +the law thus far has been powerless with them. At Washington +they won their first victories against the American people; +and now California has the shame of seeing that she has not +the power to enforce her laws upon the men she made rich. +The Legislature convened and adjourned, and there is no way +yet of compelling the insolent millionaires to pay their taxes or +regulate their rates on freights and fares!</p> +<p class="pnext">It seems now that unless <em class="italics">the people of California take the law +in their own hands</em>, and seize the property of those men, and +confiscate it, to re-imburse the money due <em class="italics">the people</em>, the arrogant +corporation will never pay. They are so accustomed to +appropriate to themselves what rightfully belongs to others, +and have so long stood before the world in defiant attitude, +that they have become utterly insensible to those sentiments of +fairness animating law-abiding men of probity and sense of +justice.</p> +<p class="pnext">These monopolists are essentially dangerous citizens in the +fullest acceptance of the word. They are dangerous citizens, +not only in being guilty of violation of the law, in subverting +the fundamental principles of public morality, but they are +dangerous citizens, because they <em class="italics">lead others</em> into the commission +of the same crimes. Their example is deadly to honorable +sentiments; it is poison to Californians, because it allures +men with the glamour of success; it incites the unwary to imitate +the conduct of men who have become immensely rich by +such culpable means.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Huntington in his letters (made public in the Colton +suit), shows the truth of all this; shows how bribing and corrupting +seemed to him perfectly correct. He speaks of “the +men that can be <em class="italics">convinced</em>” (meaning the men that will take +bribes), as naturally as if no one need blush for it. And with +the same frankness he discloses his maneuvering to defeat the +Texas Pacific Railroad, and elude the payment of moneys due +the Government. It is surprising, as well as unpleasant, to +read in Mr. Huntington's letters the names of men in high positions +whom he reckons in his list as “men who can <em class="italics">be convinced</em>” +and he speaks of them in a cool way and off-hand +manner, which shows how little respect he has for those whom +he can <em class="italics">convince</em>. Perhaps there are some in his list who never +did take a bribe from him, but then those gentlemen are in +the position of “Old Dog Tray,” who suffered for being in +bad company.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have set matters to work in the South that I think will +switch most of the South from Tom Scott's Texas and Pacific +bill,” etc., etc., Mr. Huntington wrote in April, '75, and in November +of the same year he concluded to send Dr. Gwin to +work on the credulity of the Southerners, to switch them off.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think the doctor can do us some good if he can work +under cover. * * * He must not come to the surface as +<em class="italics">our man</em>. * * * Not as our agent, but as an anti-subsidy +Democrat and a Southern man,” etc. When the deceiver returned, +Mr. Huntington wrote: “I notice what you say about +the interest that Dr. Gwin should have. I have no doubt that +we shall agree about what his interest should be,” says Mr. +Huntington, speaking of the price to be paid the ex-Senator +for his work of helping to “<em class="italics">switch off the South</em>!”</p> +<p class="pnext">In another letter Mr. Huntington says: “I had a talk +with Bristow, Secretary of the Treasury. He will be likely to +help us fix up our matters with the Government on a fair +basis.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Another letter says: “I am doing all I can to have the Government +take six million acres of land, and give the railroad +company credit for fifteen million dollars, etc. I wish you +would have the newspapers take the ground that this land +ought to be taken by the Government and held for the +people, etc. Something that the demagogues can vote and +work for,” etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Huntington also says: “I think there should be a +bridge company organized (that we are not in) to build over +the Colorado River, etc. In this way we could tax the through +business on this line should we so desire,” etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">In another letter, dated March 7th, 1877, he says: “I stayed +in Washington two days to fix up a Railroad Committee in +the Senate. * * * The Committee is just as we want it, +which is a very important thing for us.” * * *</p> +<p class="pnext">He again says: “The Committees are made up for the Forty-fifth +Congress. I think the Railroad Committee is right, but +the Committees on Territories I do not like. A different one +was promised me. Sherrel has just telegraphed me to come +to Washington,” etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Huntington mentions in other letters the fact of bills +being submitted to him before being put to vote; and also +about being consulted concerning the formation of Committees +and other Congressional matters, much as if Congress +really wished to keep on the good side of Mr. Huntington. But +it looked also as if he did not have everything his own way +always, for at times he loses patience and calls Congress a +“set of the worst strikers,” and “the hungriest set” he +ever saw.</p> +<p class="pnext">In his letter to his friend Colton, of June 20th, '78, he exclaims: +“I think in the world's history never before was such +a wild set of demagogues honored by the name of Congress. +We have been hurt some, but some of the worst bills have +been defeated, but we cannot stand many such Congresses,” etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">The thing that annoyed Mr. Huntington the most was that +he could not persuade Governor Stanford to tell the bare-faced +falsehood, that the Southern Pacific did not belong to the +owners of the Central Pacific.</p> +<p class="pnext">Again and again Mr. Huntington urged the necessity of this +falsehood being told, childishly forgetting the fact that such prevarications +would have been useless, as all Californians knew +the truth.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the Congressional Committees, however, he himself attempted +to pass off that misstatement. It is not likely that he +was believed, but he succeeded in killing the Texas Pacific, and +in “seeing the grass grow over Tom Scott.” The subterfuge no +doubt was useful.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Huntington having buried the Texas Pacific, and also +Colonel Scott, as well as other worthy people (of whom no +mention has been made in this book), now proceeded to demand +that the Government surrender to him and associates, the land +subsidy granted by Congress to the Texas Pacific.</p> +<p class="pnext">This, surely, is an “<em class="italics">aggravation of excess</em>!”</p> +<p class="pnext">The House Committee on Public Lands in their report on +the “<em class="italics">forfeiture of the Texas Pacific land grant</em>” reviewed Mr. +Huntington's acts with merited severity. Amongst many other +truths the report says: “The Southern Pacific claims to ‘stand +in <em class="italics">the shoes</em>’ of the Texas Pacific. Your committee agree that +‘standing in the shoes’ would do if the Southern Pacific <em class="italics">filled +the shoes</em>.” But it does not. It never had authority or recognition +by Congress east of Yuma. For its own purpose, by +<em class="italics">methods which honest men have denounced</em>, greedy to embrace +all land within its net-work of rails, to secure monopoly of transportation, +surmounting opposition and beating down all obstacles +in its way, and in doing so, crushing the agent Congress +had selected as instrument to build a road there, <em class="italics">doing nothing, +absolutely nothing, by governmental authority or assent even, and +having succeeded in defeating a necessary work and rendering +absolutely abortive the attempt to have one competing transportation +route to the Pacific built, it coolly asks to bestow upon it fifteen +millions of acres of lands; to give it the ownership of an area +sufficient for perhaps one hundred thousand homes, as a reward +for that result</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">And the committee (with one dissenting voice only) reported +their opinion that the Southern Pacific Railroad Company had +<em class="italics">neither legal nor equitable</em> claim to the lands of the Texas Pacific +which Mr. Huntington wished to appropriate.</p> +<p class="pnext">But is it not a painful admission that these few men should +have thwarted and defeated the purpose and intent of the Government +of the United States of having a competing railway in +the Texas Pacific? Not only Colonel Scott, and Hon. John +C. Brown, and Mr. Frank T. Bond, the President and Vice +President of this road, but also Senator Lamar, Mr. J. W. +Throckmorton, Mr. House, Mr. Chandler, of Mississippi, and +many, many other able speakers, honorable, upright men, all +endeavored faithfully to aid the construction of the Texas +Pacific. All failed. The falsehoods disseminated by ex-Senator +Gwin, which Senator Gordon and others believed, and thus +in good faith reproduced, had more effect when backed by the +monopoly's money.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Tom Scott is laid low, and so is the Texas Pacific; now +the fight for greedy accumulation is transferred to California. +The monopoly is confident of getting the land subsidy of the +Texas Pacific—after killing it; of getting every scrap that +might be clutched under pretext of having belonged to the decapitated +road. Thus the lands that the City of San Diego +donated to Tom Scott <em class="italics">on condition</em> that the Texas Pacific +should be built, even these, the monopoly has by some means +seized upon. No Texas Pacific was built, but nevertheless, +though clearly specified stipulations be violated, San Diego's +lands must go into the voracious jaws of the monster. Poor +San Diego! After being ruined by the greed of the heartless +monopolists, she is made to contribute her widow's mite to swell +the volume of their riches! This is cruel irony indeed.</p> +<p class="pnext">And now those pampered millionaires have carried their defiance +of the law to the point of forcing the Governor of California +to call an extra session of the Legislature to compel them +to obey the law. Speaking of these matters a very able orator +said in one of his speeches in the extra session:</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is stated in the proclamation of the Governor to convene +this Legislature, that for three or four years past the principal +railroads in this State have set at defiance the laws of the +people; that they have refused to pay their taxes; that they +had set up within our borders an <em class="italics">imperium in imperio</em>; that +they had avowed and declared themselves free from the +laws of the State under which they hold their organization; +that there were no laws in this State to which they were bound +to submit and pay such taxes as would have fallen to them had +they been subject to the laws of the State, etc., etc. It has +not occurred before in the United States that a great Commonwealth +has been defied successfully by its own creatures.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Other speakers followed, and we of California have now, at +least, the satisfaction of knowing that faithful hearts and bright +intellects have been aroused and are watching the strides of +the monster power.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Spanish population of the State are proud of their countryman, +Reginaldo del Valle, who was one of the first to take a +bold stand against the monopoly. This young orator with +great ability and indomitable energy, has never flagged in his +eloquent denunciations of the power which has so trampled +the laws of California and the rights of her children.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Breckinridge, another brilliant orator, speaking of the +pertinacious defiance of the law exhibited by the monopolists, +said: “Nothing but a shock, a violent shock, a rude lesson—such +as the old French noblesse got when they saw their chateaux +fired and their sons guillotined—will awaken them from +their dream of security.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The champions of right fought well, fought nobly, in the +legislature, but alas! the gold of the monopoly was too powerful, +and the <em class="italics">extra session</em>, called to devise means of compelling +the railroad corporation to obey the law, adjourned—adjourned, +having <em class="italics">failed</em> in accomplishing the object for which it was called.</p> +<p class="pnext">The legislators themselves acknowledged that corruption was +too strong to be withstood. Mr. Nicol said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“There was once a belief that the legislature of California +was a high, honorable body, into which it should be the pride +and glory of fathers to see their sons gain admission. I have +been here two sessions, and instead of being a place to which +an honorable ambition should prompt a young man to aspire, I +believe it to be the worst place on the continent. <em class="italics">We are surrounded +by a lobby which degrades every man here by constant +temptation and offers of corruption; the monopoly has made it no +place where a careful father will send his son.</em>”</p> +<p class="pnext">If these powerful monopolists were to speak candidly, would +they say that the result of their struggle for money in the last +fourteen years of their lives has compensated them for that +shoulder-to shoulder fight with opponents who were in the right, +and must be vanquished by foul means? “I shall see the grass +grow over Tom Scott,” prophetically wrote Mr. Huntington +several times. He had his wish. The grass grows over Tom +Scott. Mr. Huntington can claim the glory of having laid low +his powerful opponent, for it is well known that the ten years' +struggle for the Texas Pacific undermined Colonel Scott's health +beyond recovery. Broken down in health, he left Mr. Huntington +master of the field. But is the victory worth the cost? +The fight was certainly not glorious for the victor. Is it to be +profitable? Many lives have been wrecked, many people impoverished, +much injustice done, and all for the sake of having the +Southern Pacific Railroad without a rival, without competition. +This road runs mostly through a desert; how is it to be made +profitable? In their eager pursuit of riches, the projectors of +it miscalculated the inevitable, and did not foresee that other +capital could, in a few years, build competing lines through +more favorable routes; did not foresee that it would have been +a better policy to adhere honestly to the terms of their first +charter; did not foresee that it would have been better not to +sacrifice San Diego. No, they deemed it a wiser plan to kill Tom +Scott, to kill San Diego, and then take the money earned in +this manner to go and build railroads in Guatemala and in +British America. To men who do not think that in <em class="italics">business</em> +the rights of others should be considered, this policy of crushing +or desolating everything in the path of triumphant accumulators +no doubt is justifiable. But why should the rich enjoy +rights that are “deadly to other men?” It is alleged in defense +of the California railroad monopolists that as they do not think +it would be lucrative to run a railroad to San Diego, they do +not build any. If this were a true allegation, why did they fear +the Texas Pacific as a competing road? Why did they spend +so much money and ten years of their lives to kill that railroad? +Surely, if they knew so well that a road to San Diego would +not pay, why were they so anxious to prevent its construction? +Was it out of a purely disinterested and philanthropic solicitude +for their rivals? Did Mr. Huntington wish “to see grass grow +over Tom Scott” because he kindly desired to prevent his financial +ruin?</p> +<p class="pnext">Obviously, to maintain that the monopoly did not build a +road to San Diego because it would not pay, and that they +would not allow Tom Scott to build it either, for the same +reason, is not logical. If to construct and run such road would +have been ruinous, that was the very best of reasons for allowing +it to be built. This would have been as effective a way of +getting rid of Colonel Scott as by seeing grass grow over his +grave.</p> +<p class="pnext">But no, it is not true that the San Diego road would not +have been profitable; the truth is, that because it would have +been profitable, it was dreaded as a rival of the Southern Pacific. +But the monopoly had no money to build two roads at +once, so they (characteristically) thought best to kill it. As +they could not have it, no one else should. And for this reason, +and because one of the railroad kings conceived a great +animosity against the people of San Diego and became their +bitter, revengeful enemy, they were not allowed to have a railroad. +This last fact seems incredibly absurd, but if we remember +how a Persian tyrant razed a city to the ground because he +ate there something that gave him an indigestion, we ought not +be surprised if a modern king—one of California's tyrants—should +punish a little city because it did not turn out <em class="italics">en masse</em> +to do him humble obeisance. Doubtless, to indulge in such +petty malice was not lofty; it was a sort of mental indigestion +not to be proud of; it was a weakness, but it was also a wickedness, +and worse yet, it was a <em class="italics">blunder</em>.</p> +<p class="pnext">Time alone, however, will prove this. In the meanwhile, +the money earned in California (as Californians only know +how) is taken to build roads in Guatemala. Towns are crushed +and sacrificed in California to carry prosperity to other countries. +And California groans under her heavy load, but submits, +seeing her merchants and farmers ground down with +“special contracts” and discriminating charges, and the refractory +punished with pitiless severity. Thus, merchants and +farmers are hushed and made docile under the lash, for what is +the use of complaining? When the Governor of this State +sought in vain to curb the power of the monster and compel it +to pay taxes by calling an extra session of the Legislature, and +nothing was done, what more can be said?</p> +<p class="pnext">Ask the settlers of the Mussel Slough what is their experience +of the pitiless rigor of the monopoly towards those who +confidently trusted in the good faith of the great power. These +poor farmers were told by the railroad monopoly to locate +homesteads and plant orchards and vineyards and construct +irrigating canals; that they would not have to pay for their +land any higher price than before it was improved. With this +understanding the farmers went to work, and with great sacrifices +and arduous labor made their irrigating canals and other +improvements. Then when this sandy swamp had been converted +into a garden, and valueless lands made very valuable, +the monopoly came down on the confiding people and demanded +the price of the land after it had been improved. The +farmers remonstrated and asked that the original agreement +should be respected; but all in vain. The arm of the law was +called to eject them. They resisted, and bloodshed was the +consequence. Some of them were killed, but all had to submit, +there was no redress.</p> +<p class="pnext">And what price did the monopoly pay for these lands? Not +one penny, dear reader. These lands are a little bit of a small +portion out of many millions of acres given as a subsidy, a +<em class="italics">gift</em>, to build the Southern Pacific Railroad, which road, the +charter said, was to pass through San Diego and terminate at +Fort Yuma.</p> +<p class="pnext">The line of this road was changed without authority. [Mr. +Huntington talks in his letters about <em class="italics">convincing</em> people to +make this change.] Thus the Mussel Slough farmers got +<em class="italics">taken in</em>, into Mr. Huntington's lines—as was stated by the +public press.</p> +<p class="pnext">But these, as well as the blight, spread over Southern California, +and over the entire Southern States, are historical facts. +All of which, strung together, would make a brilliant and most +appropriate chaplet to encircle the lofty brow of the great and +powerful monopoly. Our representatives in Congress, and in +the State Legislature, knowing full well the will of the people, +ought to legislate accordingly. If they do not, then we shall—as +Channing said “kiss the foot that tramples us!” and “in anguish +of spirit” must wait and pray for a Redeemer who will +emancipate the white slaves of California.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 5em"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 35538 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |