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diff --git a/35538.txt b/35538.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5548eac..0000000 --- a/35538.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16746 +0,0 @@ - The Squatter and the Don - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Title: The Squatter and the Don - -Author: C. Loyal - -Release Date: March 09, 2011 [EBook #35538] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SQUATTER AND THE DON *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Katherine Ward, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. - -This file was produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries. - - - THE SQUATTER AND THE DON - - - - - A NOVEL DESCRIPTIVE OF CONTEMPORARY OCCURRENCES IN CALIFORNIA. - - - - - BY - C. LOYAL. - - - - - - - SAN FRANCISCO: - 1885. - - - _Copyright, 1885._ - C. LOYAL. - _San Francisco, Cal._ - - _All Rights Reserved._ - - - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - - - I. Squatter Darrell Reviews the Past. - - - II. The Don's View of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. - - - III. Pre-empting under the Law. - - - IV. Efforts to Right the Wrong. - - - V. The Don in his Broad Acres. - - - VI. Naughty Dog Milord an Important Factor. - - - VII. From Alameda to San Diego. - - - VIII. Victoriano and His Sister. - - - IX. Clarence is the Bearer of Joyful News. - - - X. But Clarence Must Not be Encouraged. - - - XI. George is a Christian Gentleman. - - - XII. Why the Appeal was Not Dismissed. - - - XIII. At San Francisco. - - - XIV. Of Miscellaneous Incidents. - - - XV. Journeying Overland. - - - XVI. Spanish Land Grants Viewed Retrospectively. - - - XVII. Dona Josefa at Home. - - - XVIII. At Newport. - - - XIX. In New York. - - - XX. At the Capitol. - - - XXI. Looking at the Receding Dome. - - - XXII. Perplexities at Alamar. - - - XXIII. Home Again. - - - XXIV. The Brewers of Mischief. - - - XXV. The Squatter and the Don. - - - XXVI. Mrs. Darrell's View of Our Land Laws. - - - XXVII. Darrell Astonishes Himself. - - - XXVIII. Shall it be Forever? - - - XXIX. Hasty Decisions Repented Leisurely. - - - XXX. Effect of Bad Precept and Worse Example. - - - XXXI. A Snow Storm. - - - XXXII. A False Friend Sent to Deceive the Southerners. - - - XXXIII. San Diego's Sentence is Irrevocable. - - - XXXIV. The Sins of Our Legislators! - - - XXXV. The Fashion of Justice in San Diego. - - - XXXVI. Clarence and George with the Hod-carrier. - - - XXXVII. Reunited at Last. - - - CONCLUSION.--Out with the Invader. - - - - - -CHAPTER I.--_Squatter Darrell Reviews the Past._ - - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"I do not wish to do anything of the kind. I think reproaches seldom do -good." - -"No use in crying over spilt milk, eh?" - -"That is not my idea, either. On the contrary, if by '_milk_' it is -meant all or any earthly good whatever, it is the '_spilt milk_' 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 _spilt milk_, -by all means, if by doing so we learn how to avoid spilling any more. -Let us cry for the _spilt milk_, and remember how, and where, and when, -and why, we spilt it. Much wisdom is learnt through tears, but none by -forgetting our lessons." - -"But how can a man learn when he is born a fool?" - -"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 _perversity_ 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." - -Mr. Darrell smilingly bowed, and with a voice much softer than his usual -stentorian tones, said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"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 '_Squatter_.' That pretty name (which I hate because you -despise it) is what I have earned." - -"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." - -"They, too, the poor squatters, have suffered as much distress as they -have caused, the poor hard-worked toilers." - -"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." - -"That's exactly it. We aren't squatters. We are '_settlers_.' We take up -land that belongs to us, American citizens, by paying the government -price for it." - -"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 '_Squatter_.'" - -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. - -"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 -_insist upon it_." - -"And how am I to know who is the owner of a rancho that has been -rejected, for instance?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Compel you!" he exclaimed, laughing. "Compel you, when you know I have -obeyed you all my life." - -"Oh! no, William, not all your life, for you were well grown before I -ever saw you." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"But, are you sure it is finally rejected?" - -"I saw the book, where the fact is recorded. Isn't that enough?" - -"Yes, if there has been no error." - -"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 _afraid_ to marry him; but, after all, he -won her and brought her all the way from Washington to his New England -home. - -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. - -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. - -"Why are you to return home so early?" Darrell asked Mary, after Mrs. -Newton had informed him of Mary's intention of going. - -"Because I think it is best," she answered. - -"Why is it best?" - -"For several reasons." - -"May I be permitted to ask what are those reasons?" - -"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." - -"Yes, only because you have a notion to do it." - -"A notion! Do you think I am rich?" - -"No, but there is no need of your working." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Do you reject me, Miss Mary? Tell me one thing; tell me truly, do you -care for any one else?" - -"No, I care for nobody. I don't want to marry." - -"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." - -"You will get over it. I am going soon. Forget me." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"No danger of that, William," Mrs. Newton replied. - -"Yes, there is. You ought to hate me for driving her away. I hate myself -worse than I hate the devil." - -"William, you mustn't feel so. It isn't right." - -"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." - -"William, she does not hate you." - -"How do you know she don't?" - -"Because she would have told me. She is very truthful." - -"I know it. She gave me my walking papers in a jiffy. I wish I could -hate her." - -"William, do you promise not to get angry, if I tell you why Mary -declined your offer?" - -"Say on. You couldn't well make a burning furnace any hotter. I am too -mad already." - -"Well, I'll tell you. She likes you, but is afraid of you." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"But you are a Catholic and uncle is Protestant." - -"Certainly, I think the barrier is not insuperable." - -"So, my temper frightened her! It is awful!" He mused in silence for a -few minutes and then left the room. - -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: - -"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. - -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. - -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 _business_ with Mary. His was no friendly -visit; it was a matter of life and death with him. - -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-- - -"Come in the parlor, please. It is true glad Miss Mary will be to see -ye." - -"Do you think so, Tisha?" he asked. - -"I know it; no thinking about it, neither. She is going to mass; but -she'll see you for a little while, anyway." - -Opening the parlor door for Darrell to walk in, Tisha ran up stairs to -Mary's room. - -"Oh Miss Mary!" said she, "guess who is down stairs." - -"I couldn't, Tish, being so early and on Sunday, but I heard a man's -voice. Is it a gentleman?" - -"You bet; ah! please excuse me, I mean sure as I live it is, and no -other than Mr. Darrell, from New England." - -"Ah!" said Miss Mary, affecting indifference, but her hands trembled as -she tied her bonnet strings. - -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. - -"Is my aunt well?" Mary began as she came in. - -"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." - -"Oh, Mr. Darrell!" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"The carriage that brought me is at the door, take it, and don't walk, -it is quite warm out." - -"Will you go with me to church? You see, that is another obstacle; the -difference of religions." - -"Indeed, that is no obstacle; your religion tells you to pity me." - -"We will talk to Father White about that." - -"Then Mary, my beloved, will you give me hope?" - -"And will you really try to control your anger when you feel it is -getting the mastery over you?" - -"I will, so help me God," said he, lifting his hand. - -"Take care, that is an oath." - -"I know it, and mean it," said he, much moved. - -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-- - -"Yes, father, I believe I do." - -"Very well, send him to see me to-morrow morning." - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER II.--_The Don's View of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo._ - - -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 _authorized_, 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 "_Squatter's -Sovereignty_" was now rather on the wane, and the "_squatter vote_" was -no longer the power, still, the squatters would not abdicate, having yet -much to say about election times. - -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. - -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. - -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-- - -"What keeps you away? Lizzie has been looking for you; she wants you for -a partner in the lancers," said Dona Josefa, putting her arm under that -of her husband, bending her head forward and turning it up to look into -his eyes. - -"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." - -"Nothing, dear wife. Nothing has happened. That is to say, nothing new." - -"More squatters?" she asked. Senor Alamar bent his head slightly, in -affirmative reply. - -"More coming, you mean?" - -"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." - -"But, didn't we hear that Darrell was no longer a squatter, that he is -rich and living quietly in Alameda?" - -"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." - -"Strange that Darrell should believe such men; I suppose he does not -know how low they are." - -"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." - -Dona Josefa was silent, and holding to her husband's arm, took a turn -with him up and down the piazza. - -"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. - -"Protection for our land, or for our cattle, you mean?" - -"For both, as we get it for neither," she said. - -"In the matter of our land, we have to await for the attorney general, -at Washington, to decide." - -"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." - -"But, as George is to marry my daughter, he would be the last man from -whom I would ask a favor." - -"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." - -"You know why, my dear boy. It isn't exactly the thing to bother you -with my disagreeable business." - -"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." - -"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 _settlers_ (I don't mean to make -puns), are killing my cattle by the hundred head, and I cannot stop -them." - -"But are there no laws to protect property in California?" George asked. - -"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. - -"How so? Is there no law to punish the thieves who kill your cattle?" - -"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 '_corral_' 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." - -"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." - -"It could be done, perhaps, if our positions were reversed, and the -Spanish people--'_the natives_'--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 '_to protect -agriculture_' (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." - -"I thought that the rights of the Spanish people were protected by our -treaty with Mexico," George said. - -"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 Dona Josefa, feelingly. - -"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 _foundation_ 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, '_In -Congress Assembled_,' 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 _now_, 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." - -"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." - -"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. - -"It is the duty of law-givers to foresee the effect of the laws they -impose upon people," said Dona Josefa. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"You have not danced because you were sick, but now you are well. Don't -be lazy," said Mrs. Mechlin. - -"You would be paying to San Diego climate a very poor compliment by -refusing to dance now," George added. - -"That is so, papa. Show us how well you feel," Lizzie said. - -"I shall have to dance a hornpipe to do that," Mr. Mechlin answered, -laughing. - -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. - -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 Senor -Alamar. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER III.--_Pre-empting under the Law._ - - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"That is all right," said Darrell, with a shiver of disgust, and went to -take a seat on deck where he could be alone. - -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. - -The voyage down the coast was made safely. Darrell had managed to keep -away from his fellow-travelers, to think of home unmolested. - -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. - -"Here we are," said John Gasbang; "how do you like the looks of our -little city, Mr. Darrell?" - -"Very well; it is larger than I supposed, and the site of it seems very -pleasant." - -"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." - -"When we get the railroad," added Mathews, with a mouth full of tobacco, -spitting profusely on the deck. - -"Exactly, and we'll soon have that. Our news from Washington is very -encouraging. Tom Scott will visit us this summer," Gasbang said. - -"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." - -"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. - -"That is an excellent recommendation, as life is not worth having -without health," Darrell observed. - -"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." - -The loud report of a cannon, close by, made Darrell jump and look around -quickly, not knowing what that explosion could mean. - -"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." - -"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. - -"O yes, we always give it. The San Diego people are very military. At -least, I should say the settlers on Senor Alamar's rancho are, as I hear -they practice rifle shooting there all the time," the captain said, -looking at Mathews and Gasbang. - -"That is a shot at us," Gasbang answered, laughing. - -"But it is a blank cartridge, meant not to hurt," the captain replied. - -"The rifle practice is in dark nights," said a young Spaniard, who had -been listening at what was said by the others. - -"Or in the daytime, if the cattle deserve it," Mathews said. - -"That is very creditable and brave, to shoot tame cows," the Spaniard -rejoined. - -"Perhaps you had better come and try it," Mathews returned. - -"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. - -"That is impudence for you," Gasbang exclaimed. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Why must cattle be shot? Can't they be kept off, away from your crops -without shooting them?" he asked. - -"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." - -"I suppose fencing would be too expensive." - -"Phew! It would be ruinous, impossible," Mathews said. - -"Mr. Mechlin is the only one who has attempted to put up any fences," -Romeo said, who had been listening in silence. - -"He did so, because he is an old hypocrite," Mathews said. - -"Because his daughter Lizzie is going to marry Gabriel Alamar, and of -course, they have to be on friendly terms," said Hughes. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Why should he go? He paid a very good price for his farm, and has made -many improvements," said Romeo. - -"Who did he buy from?" asked Darrell. - -"From me. I sold him that claim, and took up another a mile up the -valley," said Mathews. - -"And a good bargain it was, too," Romeo observed. - -Mathews gave him a black look, but made no answer. - -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. - -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. - -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 -"_corrales_" 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. - -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. - -"I think I'll locate here," said he, "if no one else has already filed a -claim to this land." - -This he said to his fellow-settlers, all being present, addressing all. - -"I am sure I have no objection," said Hughes. - -"Nor I, neither," said Gasbang. "What do you say, Pittikin and Mathews? -Do you know _if_ this land is located, or who done it?" - -Mathews shook his head in the negative, and kept on chewing his tobacco -in silence. - -Pittikin said, "I reckon nobody is located here, and if they _done it_, -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." - -"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. - -"You'll take 320 acres?" asked Hughes. - -"Yes, 320 acres,--according to law," replied Darrell. - -"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." - -"That will do temporarily, I suppose; but I'll have the two claims -properly surveyed afterwards according to law," Darrell said. - -"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. - -"Have you all made your selections?" Darrell asked Hughes. - -"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." - -"I am glad you like it. I think this is good enough soil for me," -Darrell said. - -"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. - -"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." - -And so it was. - -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. - -This certainly was a more simple way of appropriating the property of -"_the conquered_" than in the days of Alaric or Hannibal. - -There would have been bloodshed then. Now tears only flowed; silent -tears of helpless discouragement; of a presentiment of impending -desolation. - -Sadly Dona 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. - -Don Mariano Alamar, Gabriel and Victoriano--his two sons--had also -silently witnessed Mr. Darrell's _lawful_ appropriation of their own -property. Gabriel was pale and calm. Victoriano was biting his lips, and -his face was flushed. - -"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. - -"And as we pay the taxes on the land that they will cultivate, our taxes -will double next year," Gabriel added. - -"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 '_the natives_' who must bear the burden of -taxation, while the titles are in the courts, and thus the pre-emptors -hold the land free." - -"I wish we were squatters," Victoriano remarked. - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER IV.--_Efforts to Right the Wrong._ - - -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. - -"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. - -"Did he say anything to you about the condition of the title?" Mrs. -Darrell asked. - -"Not a word. I suppose the land is vacant," Clarence replied. Mrs. -Darrell shook her head, as if in doubt. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -"Good morning, Mr. Darrell," said Don Mariano. - -"Good morning," Darrell answered, laconically. - -"Can I speak a few words with you?" - -"Certainly," he said, going a few steps nearer. - -"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. - -"Why is it reported rejected then? I have seen the law report, stating -that your title was rejected." - -"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." - -"We will see about that," Darrell said. - -"Undoubtedly we will; meantime I thought it was best to undeceive you, -and give you warning that you are building on my land." - -"Your land if you get it," was the answer. - -"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. - -Darrell thought of his wife, and her earnest injunctions. He wished to -keep his promise to her. He said: - -"If the courts say that this land rightfully belongs to you, I shall pay -you for your land or vacate." - -"But, Mr. Darrell, you will get me into litigation with you, and I wish -to avoid that." - -"No, I shall not get you into any law suit with me. I shall buy your -land or leave." - -"Very well, Mr. Darrell, I shall rely on your word. I shall remember -what you say; please do the same." - -"I am not in the habit of forgetting what I say." - -Don Mariano and his two sons lifted their hats, bowed slightly, turned -their horses' heads and moved off. - -Darrell returned their bow, muttering to himself, "They take off their -hats and bow like gentlemen, anyway." - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"He lies; it was rejected," Gasbang said. - -"That is why we appealed," Mathews added. - -"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. - -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 "_squatter_." These doubts, -these fears, were the perennial theme of endless discussion with the -settlers of Alamar. - -With date of February 14, 1872, the Honorable Legislature of California -passed a law "_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_." - -In the very first section it recited, that "every owner _or occupant_ of -land, _whether it is enclosed or not_," could take up cattle found in -said land, etc., etc. It was not stated to be necessary that the -_occupant_ should have a good title. All that was required seemed to be -that he should _claim to be an occupant_ of land, no matter who was the -owner. - -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 _occupants_ -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 _occupants_ 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. - -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 _one acre_ 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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"I heard he had. You saw him?" - -"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." - -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. - -"But don't you think there is a trap in it?" Mathews asked. - -"None whatever. We are not children," Darrell replied. - -"But suppose he makes us promise something?" Mathews argued. - -"How can he coerce any one against his will," said Darrell. - -"No one will be obliged to accede unwillingly," said Clarence. "Let us -at least be courteous." - -"Certainly. Have you any idea what it is that he wants to say?" asked -Gasbang. - -"He wants to make some proposition to the settlers, by which he hopes -that the interests of all concerned will be subserved," said Clarence. - -"Visionary!" exclaimed Gasbang, tapping his forehead with his -forefinger; "not practical." - -"But his intentions are perfectly kind and fair," Clarence said. - -"That is to say, Mr. Mechlin thinks they are." - -"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?" - -"He certainly won't propose to fight us single-handed. We are the -majority," said Darrell. - -"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. - -"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. - -"What a low, vulgar fellow this is, even too low for a squatter," said -Clarence, driving off. - -"Phew!" ejaculated the elder Darrell, "you speak like _a Don_. Your idea -of _a squatter_ is not flattering." - -"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." - -"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." - -"O, I am willing to go to speak to the old men, but why should I see the -girls?" - -"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." - -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. - -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 _the men_ -together would be excellent, but the _girls_ would be there, too, -thought Clarence, not over pleased. - -"Please excuse me, I am not dressed to appear in company. I came to see -you on business," said he. - -"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." - -"Nothing of the kind. If I thought so, I would not hesitate to present -myself before the ladies in this dress." - -"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." - -"I'll go home and put on other dress and come back immediately," said -Clarence. - -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." - -"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." - -"Can't the business wait till to-morrow?" - -"Not very well, as I promised Mr. Mechlin." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Then, I can count upon your help?" - -"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." - -Clarence was received with loud demonstrations of pleasure. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"This is a lovely place," said Clarence. - -"Yes, and Mathews wanted to kill me for it," said Romeo. - -"Why so?" asked Clarence. - -"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. - -"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. - -I jumped up, took my rifle and hallooed to him, as if I didn't know him, -"Who is there, hammering my fence?" - -"Your fence?" said he; "your fence?" - -"Yes, sir, mine. I located here yesterday." - -"You! you! Get a beard first," said he, and with another streak of -oaths, began hammering again. - -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." - -He stopped. - -"You have no right to locate--you are a minor," said he, livid with -rage. - -"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." - -"Why didn't you say you wanted this place?" he growled. - -"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." - -"I don't believe a word. You ain't twenty-one. 'Tis a lie!" - -"No, it ain't," my father said, coming from the cabin. - -"Then he is a jumper. He's jumped my claim." - -"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." - -"But I put up my notice that I was going to locate here." - -"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." - -"I think it is a mean performance on your part, too, coming here to -steal a march on me." - -"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." - -"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. - -"The same to you; the same to you," father would say, as if answering -prayers, and then we both laughed heartily. - -"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. - -Voices calling them to dinner were now heard, and they returned to the -picnic grounds. - -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. - -The elder Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Pittikin were proud of having given a -banquet which no other settler would dare surpass in Alamar. - -When the dessert was being served, Clarence said, "We must drink to the -bride and groom." All agreed that it should be done. - -He arose and made a neat little speech, which was so "_sweetly pretty_," -Mr. P. said, that it brought tears to the eyes of Mrs. Pittikin and Mrs. -Hancock, the elder. - -This put Clarence's popularity beyond doubt. - -"Fill your glasses, for I have something to say to Mr. Clarence Darrell, -but we must first drink his health," said Mr. Pittikin. - -"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." - -"But we don't promise to accept any proposition, if it don't suit each -one, no matter what anybody votes," said old Hughes. - -"That is understood; we want to be polite, that's all," explained Mr. -Pittikin. - -"And that is all I have requested," Clarence said. "I do not ask any one -to accept any proposition against his will." - -"That is fair enough," said old Hancock. - -"And little enough, considering we are in possession of land that the -Don believes to be his own," said Romeo. - -"But it ain't," said old Hager. - -"It has been for more than fifty years," Romeo asserted. - -"But he lost it by not complying with the law," said Hughes. - -"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. - -"That was the fault of his lawyers, perhaps," Clarence said. - -"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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER V.--_The Don in his Broad Acres._ - - -"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." - -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? - -"No. 189. _An Act to ascertain and settle the private land claims in the -State of California_," says the book. - -And by a sad subversion of purposes, all the private land titles became -_unsettled_. It ought to have been said, "An Act to _unsettle_ land -titles, and to upset the rights of the Spanish population of the State -of California." - -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, _appeals to itself_ as against the -land-owners, after their titles might have been _approved_. 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 _from which the claim is -derived_; the principles of equity, and the decisions of the Supreme -Court of the United States, etc., etc." - -Thus the government washes its hands clean, liberally providing plenty -of tribunals, plenty of crooked turnings through which to scourge the -wretched land-owners. - -Don Mariano had been for some years under the lash of the maternal -government, whom he had found a cruel stepmother, indeed. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -At ten minutes before two, all the settlers were there, that is to say, -all the old men, with their elder sons. - -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. - -At five minutes to two, Senor Alamar, accompanied by Mr. Mechlin, -arrived in a buggy; his two sons followed on horseback. - -Clarence had time to look at them leisurely, while they dismounted, and -tied their horses to a hitching post. - -"They are gentlemen, no doubt," observed Clarence. - -"You bet they are," Romeo coincided. Evidently he admired and liked -them. - -"How much the boys look like the old man," Tom said. - -"They look like Englishmen," was Clarence's next observation. - -"Yes, particularly Victoriano; he is so light he looks more like a -German, I think," said Romeo. - -"I think Gabriel is very handsome," Tom said, "only of late he seems -always so sad or thoughtful." - -"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." - -"The ladies, though, ain't so affable. They are very proud," said Tom; -"they walk like queens." - -"They didn't seem proud to me, but I never spoke to them," said Romeo. - -Gasbang went forward to meet his guests, and all came into the porch. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Take this chair, Senor, 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." - -Clarence came forward and offered three chairs. Mr. Mechlin took his arm -and presented him to the Alamars. - -"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. - -Don Mariano excused himself for not speaking English more fluently. - -"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. - -"Romeo talks Spanish; he can interpret for you," said Victoriano. - -"You talk English better," Romeo proudly replied, thinking he could tell -his wife that the Don had asked him to be his interpreter. - -"Perhaps Mr. Clarence Darrell would do me the favor," said Don Mariano. - -"You speak very good English, senor. We understand you perfectly. You do -not require an interpreter," Clarence said. - -"That is so; you speak very well," said Mr. Mechlin. - -Gasbang and Pittikin added: "Certainly, we understand him very well." - -"Of course we do," said Darrell and others. - -"You are very kind," said the Don, smiling, "and I will try to be brief, -and not detain you long." - -"We have all the afternoon," said Hughes. - -"That's so, we ain't in a hurry," said several. - -"Only let us out in time to bring the milch cows home, before night -comes on," said old Miller, dryly. - -"Exactly, we want to look after our cows, too," said the Don, laughing. - -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 -"_corraled_" more of the Don's cattle than any other settler. - -"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!" - -"That's it, exactly," said many voices, and all laughed. - -"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." - -All laughed again. - -"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?" - -"We could have raised better crops if your cattle hadn't damaged them," -said Mathews. - -"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?" - -"It takes a long time to get fruit trees to bearing. What are we to do -for a living in the meantime?" asked Miller. - -"Begin raising cattle--that will support you," the Don replied. - -"Where is the capital to buy cattle with?" Gasbang asked. - -"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." - -"What do you expect us to do in return? To give back to you our -homesteads?" asked Hughes. - -"No, sir; I have said, and repeat again, you will retain your -homesteads." - -"And will you stop contesting our claims?" asked Mathews. - -"I will, and will give each one a quit-claim deed." - -"You will not fight our claims, but you don't want us to plant grain on -our land," said Gasbang. - -"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." - -"Pshaw! I knew there was to be something behind all that display of -generosity," muttered Mathews. - -Don Mariano reddened with a thrill of annoyance, but quietly answered: - -"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." - -"Where is the water to irrigate?" asked Miller. - -"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 '_no fence_' law, follow their inclination to go and eat the -green grass. Then they are '_corralled_' 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 '_no fence law_,' _perhaps_. I say -*PERHAPS*, because, in my humble opinion, we ought to prefer cattle -raising and fruit growing for our county. We should make these our -specialty." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Yes, because your cattle destroyed them," said Mathews. - -"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." - -"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." - -"Yes, how many cows will you let us have?" asked Hager. - -"I will divide with you. Next week I shall have my '_rodeo_.' 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." - -"That is fair," Darrell said. - -"I don't want any cattle. I ain't no '_vaquero_' to go '_busquering_' -around and _lassooing_ cattle. I'll lasso myself; what do I know about -whirling a _lariat_?" said Mathews. - -"Then, don't take cattle. You can raise fruit trees and vineyards," said -Darrell. - -"Yes, and starve meantime," Mathews replied. - -"You will not have to be a vaquero. I don't go '_busquering_' around -_lassooing_, unless I wish to do so," said the Don. "You can hire an -Indian boy to do that part. They know how to handle _la reata_ and -_echar el lazo_ 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." - -"Where can we sell our cattle?" asked Hancock. - -"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." - -"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. - -"I think I will be able to spare five or six hundred cows. I don't know -how many I have left." - -"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." - -"For all of us here. Perhaps you understand _vaquering_; we don't," said -Hancock; all laughed. - -"Then fence your claim and plant grain," Darrell retorted. - -"I am not so big a fool as to spend money in fences. The '_no fence_' -law is better than all the best fences," Mathews said. - -"But what if you make more money by following other laws that are more -just, more rational?" said the Don. - -"The 'no fence' law is rational enough for me," said Miller. - -"And so say I," said Mathews. - -"And I," said Gasbang. - -Hughes nodded approvingly, but he was too much of a hypocrite to commit -himself in words. - -"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. - -"Then propose something practicable," said Mathews. - -"I think what has been proposed is practicable enough," Darrell said. - -"Certainly it is," Mr. Mechlin added. - -"I don't see it," said Mathews. - -"Nor I, either," added Gasbang. - -"Nor I, neither," said Hughes. - -"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." - -"I will do that, Senor Alamar," Clarence said; "if the settlers agree to -fence their lands, I will advance the money to them to put up their -fences." - -"Yes, and if our crops fail, we will be in debt to the ears, with a -chain around our necks," Mathews growled. - -"I thought you said that if it were not for my cattle, your crops would -not have failed," said Don Mariano, smiling. - -"I said so, and it is so. But you see, that was before we had the '_no -fence_' law," answered he, grinning. - -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. - -"I suppose you, too, think the '_no fence_' law iniquitous, as you -appear to favor the aristocracy," said Gasbang to Clarence. - -"It is worse than that, it is stupid. Now it kills the cattle, -afterwards it will kill the county," Clarence answered. - -"Shall we plant no wheat, because the Spaniards want to raise cattle?" -Mathews asked. - -"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. - - - - -CHAPTER VI.--_Naughty Dog Milord an Important Factor._ - - -Three large wagons, each drawn by six horses, were hauling the lumber -for Mr. Darrell's house, which was already commenced. - -Victoriano, riding across the valley, had to stop to let the heavily -loaded wagons pass. This gave Clarence time to overtake him. - -"Good morning," said he, "I am glad to catch up with you, Don -Victoriano. I have been wanting to speak to you." - -Victoriano bowed, saying, "Will you go to my house?" - -"No, I'd rather not. I am not dressed to be seen by ladies. I would -rather speak to you here." - -"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." - -"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 Senor -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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -Victoriano took the path to the right, saying: "Go up and sit down. I'll -bring my father here." - -"Do not disturb him if he is taking his _siesta_." - -"The _siesta_ 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: - -"Stop, Milord! you bad dog! Milord! Milord!" - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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!" - -"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." - -"If you turned your foot, don't put any weight upon it. Do not try to -walk, let me carry you to a chair." - -"O no, no! I am not so much hurt as to require giving all that trouble." - -"_Please_ 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?" - -"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. - -"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: - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -"Yes, but I met him and he returned with me. He has gone to look for -Senor Alamar, I came to see him on business," said the respectful young -man, still on his knees. - -"Do you know my father?" - -"Only very slightly." They were silent. He added: "I met him a few days -ago when he had that meeting with the squatters." - -"Were you at the meeting?" said she, avoiding his gaze. - -"Yes," he said, watching her beautiful face. What would she think of -him, believing him a _Squatter_, 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. - -Voices were heard approaching through the hall. He stood up and walked -towards the door. Senor 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 -"_corral_" looking at some new colts just brought in. - -"I am glad that Mercedes came to converse with you," said Victoriano. - -"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. - -"I fear the lady's foot is hurt," said he. - -"Is it?" exclaimed Don Mariano, going towards Mercedes. "Does it pain -you baby?" - -"Yes papa, a little. It burns me. Do you think it would be bad for me to -walk to my room?" - -"Of course it would," Clarence said, and blushed redder yet at his -temerity. - -"Can you stand on your foot?" Victoriano asked. - -"I don't know." - -"Don't try. I'll carry you to your room," said her father. - -"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. - -"You are too absurd," said Mercedes, blushing again, to see her slipper -brandished aloft, in the face of a stranger. - -"I ain't. It's women's feet that are absurd." - -"When we want the ladies to be infantry soldiers, then we will ask them -to cultivate big feet," said Don Mariano, laughing. - -"But not until then, please," said Clarence, smiling. - -"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." - -"No, no. You take me, papa, Tano might drop me." - -"Nonsense; as if I couldn't carry a kitten like you." - -"Papa, you take me, but not to bed. Put me on the lounge in mamma's -room, and call Madam Halier to me." - -"All right; anything to please the children," said Don Mariano, stooping -to lift her. - -She put her arms around his neck, and whispered: "Papa, who is this -young man? I never saw him." - -"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. - -"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. - -"Shake hands with the gentleman, that's a dear," said Victoriano, -talking baby talk to her. - -"Oh, papa, make Tano hush. Mr. Darrell, I am afraid that I shall always -seem ridiculous to you." - -"Not at all; I don't see why," Clarence replied, "but I fear that your -hurt might be serious." - -"That's it. You might be ridiculous, but your hurt might be serious," -said Victoriano. - -It was Clarence's turn to blush now, but he smiled good naturedly. - -"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." - -"Mr. Darrell will see us often, I hope, and think better of Tano," said -Don Mariano, carrying away his precious burden. - -"My opinion is all that you could wish, Miss Mercedes," said Clarence, -and their eyes met, transmitting that strange thrill to both. - -Don Mariano placed Mercedes tenderly on her mamma's lounge, called Madam -Halier to attend to the sprained ankle, and returned to the veranda. - -Clarence made no delay in stating the object of his visit. He said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"But that will be ruinous, father. How can we herd them in the -mountains? They will all become wild and run away," said Victoriano. - -"I am afraid they will. I am sure of it, in fact. But there is no other -way to save any at all." - -"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 -_corral_ 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." - -"Does your father wish to pay?" - -"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 -_all_ 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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Would your father object to it?" - -"Perhaps not. And yet he might see in it a disclaimer from my part--a -criticism. He is a settler--a '_Squatter_'--you know, and consequently -very sensitive about (what they call) '_rights of settlers under the -law_.' 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." - -"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." - -Clarence blushed with pleasure and bowed, saying: - -"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." - -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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"I have no objection to Mr. Mechlin knowing it," Clarence said. - -"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." - -"It is a pity that Mrs. Mechlin don't send those two thieves away," -Victoriano said. - -"Yes, I hear that the woman Hogsden repeats things she hears at the -Mechlins," Clarence said. - -"Of course she does, and steals too, and yet Mrs. Mechlin keeps them," -Victoriano said, impatiently. - -"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. - -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. - -"You wicked Milord. See what you have done with your poor mistress' -silk. She will be distressed," said Victoriano. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER VII.--_From Alameda to San Diego._ - - -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. - -"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?" - -"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." - -"Don't be sure of that." - -"O, but I am sure--only not too much so--which is the right way of being -sure," he replied. - -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 Senor 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. - -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. - -"Clarence has come to bid us good-by," said Victoriano, walking into the -parlor, followed by Clarence. - -"Why! Where is he going?" said Mercedes, rising, dropping the book she -was reading. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"They will require my services more if they are sick," said Clarence, -laughing. - -"If you are a good nurse," Victoriano observed; adding, "Imagine Corina -Holman nursed by a strange young gentleman; that would kill her sure." - -"I would try and prevent that," said Clarence. - -"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. - -Clarence promised, therefore, to look after the Misses Holman, and let -them know which steamer would be best to take coming to San Diego. - -Mercedes said she would write notifying them of this arrangement. - -There was a great _something_ 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. - -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. - -"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. - -The waiter smiled, showed them to the best room in the house, and -retired. - -"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." - -"I wrote you immediately after that, it was only the first hundred -shares I wanted sold." - -"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." - -"A whole million?" - -"Most assuredly. Look at yesterday's quotations, and the stock is still -rising." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Well, I'll bear the scolding patiently, considering that it was to -avoid scoldings that I gave you the order to sell." - -"To avoid scolding? How so? From whom?" - -"From my father. He is terribly down on mining stocks. He would consider -me next to a thief if he thought I bought stocks." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Yes, $260,000, when it ought to be $400,000 at least." - -Clarence laughed at Hubert's rueful face. - -The waiter brought in their breakfast. - -"Broiled oysters on toast! Oysters baked in the shell! Broiled chicken. -Let us discuss them in preference to stock," said Clarence. - -Having helped his friend and then himself, Hubert said: - -"What are you going to do with your $260,000 now since you are not to -buy stock?" - -"I have not thought about it, but I guess the best thing would be to -invest all in government bonds." - -"Which is the same as burying your cash." - -"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. - -"I'll see to-day what government bonds are selling for, and report to -you this evening." - -"That can't be, as I am to take the two o'clock boat for Alameda." - -"When will you be back?" - -"To-morrow evening if you want me, but if not I shall wait until the -family comes down." - -"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." - -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. - -Everything was ready for the journey when Clarence arrived at his -Alameda home. - -"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. - -"You'll make us cry if you talk like that," said Mrs. Darrell. "Alice -has nearly cried her eyes out already." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"I know who they are," said Clarence. "The little one is married, so -Alice can rest her hopes on the big footed one only." - -"Gracious, how very repulsive the small one is," Corina exclaimed. - -"Who are they?" Mrs. Darrell asked when they had turned to go back. - -"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." - -"Did you give that permission?" asked Jane, sternly. - -"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." - -"What did he say to that?" Alice asked. - -"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." - -"How impertinent and vulgar," Jane exclaimed. - -"He is of the genus _hoodlum_. A bird aboriginal of the San Francisco -sand dunes, resembling the peacock," said Corina Holman. - -"What did you do when he made those grimaces?" Alice asked. - -"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." - -"I hope he will remain so, and not come near you again," said Jane. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He was saying: "So, you think there is no lawyer of any prominence; not -one that might be called a leading lawyer?" - -"I didn't say that; I only said I don't know of any." - -"Exactly. You hear, though, who has the largest practice?" - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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. - -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 phaeton which they also had admired, and behind -the phaeton was Mr. Darrell's Concord. He frowned and said: - -"There was no use in hiring those carriages, Clarence." - -"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 phaeton 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. - -All laughed, approving the disposition of forces. - -"Are these carriages ours, Clary?" asked Clementine. - -"It looks like it," said Clarence, lifting her to her place, "and you -shall see how soon the phaeton distances the big carriage." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII.--_Victoriano and His Sister._ - - -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 -phaeton, 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: - -"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." - -"I would, indeed, unless it might seem intrusive." - -"They are too kind hearted to think that, besides, I have a message of -Dona Elvira to deliver," he said, guiding his horses to the left, slowly -climbing the hill to approach the gate silently. The phaeton 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?" - -"Who is that lady?" asked Alice in a whisper. - -"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. - -"I hope she will sing," said Alice. - -"Perhaps," was the laconic reply, and both waited in silence. Clarence -could distinctly hear his heart throbs. - -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. - -"I never thought that song capable of so much expression, or Tano -capable of giving it so well." - -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." - -"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 phaeton, 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: - -"Hallo! What made you return? Didn't the Holmans come? What has -happened?" - -"Nothing," Clarence answered. "The Holmans came all safe and sound, and -I delivered them into the hands of Don Gabriel, who, accompanied by Dona -Elvira, came to meet them. Dona Elvira requested me to say that they -will remain in town a couple of days and then come home." - -"And where is your family?" asked Tano, coming to the phaeton. - -"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." - -"Miss Alice, your humble servant," said Victoriano, bowing. "Allow me to -go to the other side of the phaeton to try a more graceful bow a little -nearer, and the honor of shaking hands, _a la Americana_". - -Mercedes came now, tripping down in the path, also thinking that their -carriage had returned, because some accident had happened to somebody. - -"Is that you, Gabriel?" said she. - -"You come and see," said Victoriano. - -She came close to the phaeton, 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. - -He hastened to reply: "Nothing has happened. Your friends are all safe -and well." - -"This is Miss Alice Darrell. Can you bow to her in the dark, and shake -hands?" asked Victoriano. - -"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." - -Clarence took her hand, as Alice had not seen it. - -"See here, that hand was for me," Alice said, laughing. - -"Certainly," said Clarence, putting Mercedes' hand in hers. - -"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." - -"Mr. Darrell has never expressed his kind sympathy to me, how was I to -presume he felt it?" - -"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. - -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. - -Neither one took any notice of what Victoriano and Alice were saying -until they heard him say: - -"That's all right. He is going to be married soon, then he'll be on the -shelf. That's a comfort." - -"Who will be on the shelf?" Mercedes asked. - -"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." - -"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." - -"That is so. Come out of the shadow." Clarence suggested. - -"I can't now. I feel too abashed," Victoriano replied. - -"He will soon recover. His fits of diffidence don't last long," said -Mercedes. - -"So he is diffident now?" asked Alice, laughing. - -"Yes; that is why I don't want you to tell me that Gabriel is handsome; -it abashes me too much." - -"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. - -"I think you might stop and take supper with us," said Victoriano. - -"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." - -"I am sorry. Then you must have heard me sing. Bah! Mercedes, it is your -fault," said Victoriano. - -"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. - -"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." - -"I am glad to hear you say that, for you are constantly singing it," -Mercedes said. - -"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. - -"That is the prophecy I meant," said Victoriano, and all laughed, glad -of the timely turn thus given to the conversation. - -"With this assurance we must go home comforted," said Clarence, and all -bade each other good night. - -The lamps were lighted, and the windows and doors opened. The Darrell -house looked as if there was an illumination for a national celebration. - -"Let us go and see how the house looks from the front outside, all -lighted up," said Clarence. - -They went out to look at it from the garden. - -"How could you build such a nice house, Clary, and how could papa allow -it?" Alice said. - -"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." - -Mercedes and Victoriano remained for a few moments standing by the gate, -watching the phaeton. - -"By Jove! but isn't she sweet! She has just left me deaf and dumb!" said -Victoriano, as the phaeton disappeared down the hill. - -"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." - -"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. - -"You will do nothing of the kind. The idea!" - -"Why not, pray? Clarence told me to call soon." - -"Yes, but he supposed you would have the good taste to wait at least two -or three days." - -"Three days! Three days! Not if I am alive!" - -"What is that about being alive?" asked Rosario. - -"Let him tell you," Mercedes replied. - -"That I am going to see that sweet little Alice Darrell to-morrow, dead -or alive," explained Victoriano. - -"Who will be dead or alive?" asked Carlota. - -"I, of course! What a question?" Victoriano exclaimed. - -"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. - -Victoriano looked at his sister reproachfully, saying: - -"How mean to talk so about that sweet girl." - -"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," Dona Josefa said. - -"Why don't you talk like Gabriel? He always uses good language--in -Spanish or in English," Carlota added. - -"Bother Gabriel, and Gabriel, and Gabriel! Everybody throws him at my -teeth," said Victoriano, beginning to eat with very good appetite. - -"The operation don't hurt your teeth, though," said Rosario, "to judge -by the very effective manner in which you use them." - -"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." - -"There is your confusion of ideas again. You are thinking that yours -might have been the calf's head made into jelly," said Rosario. - -"No, miss. I meant what I said." - -"Gabriel is very strong and a good boxer," Don Mariano said. - -"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 _pipian_ to -console myself with. Say, mother, why is this delicious chicken stew -called '_pipian_?' Because it makes a fellow '_pio_' '_pio_' for more? -or because the chicken themselves would cry '_pio_,' '_pio_', 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?" - -"No," laconically answered Dona Josefa. - -"Why should we?" queried Carlota. - -"Because they are neighbors like the Mechlins," Victoriano replied. - -"Old Mathews is our neighbor, too," said Rosario. - -"But he is a thief," replied Victoriano. - -"Isn't to steal land robbery?" asked Carlota. - -"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." - -"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. - -"I think the Holmans will be too well-bred to ask questions," said Dona -Josefa. - -"They are well-bred, but they are very intimate friends," Rosario said - -"And very inquisitive ones, too," added Victoriano. - -"Refer them to me," Don Mariano said; "I'll give them quite a -satisfactory answer." - -"Meantime, are we not to visit them?" Victoriano asked. - -"Visit whom?" Carlota asked. - -"The Darrells, of course," Victoriano answered. - -"I thought you meant the Holmans, as we spoke of them last." - -"Bother, with your grammar, you had better keep school," Victoriano -said. - -"You had better go to one," Carlota retorted. - -"I have enough of it here. The question now is the visit to the -Darrells. Is this family to visit them or not?" - -"Why, you are to do so to-morrow, dead or alive," Rosario said. - -"Bother! You will call, Mercita, won't you?" - -"With pleasure, if mamma will permit me," Mercedes replied. - -"You are a sweet pussy always, and the best of sisters. Can't she go, -mother?" - -"Certainly, if her father does not object." - -"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." - -"Hurrah for father, he is a man after my own heart," said Victoriano, -clapping his hands. - -"Papa feels proud of your approval," Carlota said. - -"I would suggest that Tano make a _reconnoitering_ visit before Mercedes -goes, as a leader of a forlorn hope," said Rosario. - -"Goodness, how military your terms, but how little your courage," said -Victoriano, derisively. - -"I admit that I always dread to face squatters," said Rosario. - -"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. - -"I beg pardon. I forgot that," said Rosario. - -"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?" - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER IX.--_Clarence is the Bearer of Joyful News._ - - -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. - -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. - -Mercedes was the only one not at work. She was reclining on a hammock, -reading. - -"Arn't you going to work anything for the girls, Mercedes?" Rosario -inquired. - -"Which girls?" Mercedes asked, with her eyes fixed on her book. - -"Lizzie and Elvira, of course," Rosario answered. - -"I will when the wedding day is fixed." - -"It will soon be, when George arrives," Dona Josefa said. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Had we known that, we would all have rushed there," said Corina Holman. - -"In a perfect stampede," added Rosario. - -"I thought you had gone with your father," Dona Josefa said. - -"No, he said he might stay to lunch at aunt's. It is too hot a day to be -riding about in the sun." - -"Certainly, after having been in the moon for two months the change of -temperature might hurt you," said Amelia Holman. - -"That's a fact; I have been in the moon ever since _you_ came," assented -Victoriano. - -"Your moon stays in the valley, it doesn't rise to this level," said -Amelia. - -"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. - -"Mercedes' French novel must be very interesting," Carlota said. - -"It is not a novel--it is French History," said Madam Halier. - -"Mercedes, Tano wants you to escort him this evening," said Rosario. -"Will you take him?" - -"Where?" Mercedes asked, without moving. - -"To the moon," said Corina. - -"She means to the third heaven," rejoined Victoriano. - -"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. - -"Talk of the angels, and you hear the clatter of their hoofs," said -Rosario; "there he is at the gate." - -"This awning is too low--we don't see people until they are upon us," -said Carlota. - -"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. - -"Stay, he has seen us all; it would be discourteous to leave now," said -Dona Josefa, and Rosario remained. - -Victoriano jumped out of the hammock to meet Clarence. - -"Hallo, yourself and welcome! Any news?" - -"Yes, _big_ 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. - -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. - -"What is the news, pray? Don't kill us with suspense," pleaded Miss -Corina Holman. - -"The news is that Colonel Scott has arrived at San Francisco, and will -be in San Diego next week." - -"Hurrah," shouted Victoriano, "now we'll all be rich." - -"How do you make that out?" Rosario asked. - -"Never mind how, we'll not go into particulars." - -"No, better not," Rosario advised. - -"Papa will be so glad to hear this news," said Mercedes, "and Mr. -Holman, also. He'll come down now, will he not?" - -"Yes, father will come down with Col. Scott, and may be build us a house -right away," said Amelia. - -"There is papa now; I am so glad," Mercedes exclaimed. - -"I must run with the news to him," said Victoriano, rushing madly -through the hall, to the _patio_, or court, where Don Mariano had just -dismounted. - -The news was so gladdening to Don Mariano, that he came immediately to -propose to the young ladies to have a dance that evening. - -"But where are the gentlemen? There are plenty of ladies, but unless you -invite squatters"--Rosario began, but Dona Josefa stopped her with a -look. - -"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." - -"Plenty. I'll send a vaquero to aunt's to call the boys, and you bring -your brothers and sisters, Clarence," said Victoriano. - -"With pleasure," was Clarence's reply. - -"There will surely be some fellows from town this evening, and we'll -make them stay," added Victoriano. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -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. - -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. - - ---- - -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. - -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. - -"I'm afraid my dear husband that we are too closely surrounded by -Americans for us to indulge in our old-fashioned rejoicings," Dona -Josefa said. - -"We would be laughed at," Carlota added. - -"Who cares for that?" Victoriano asked, scornfully. - -"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. - -"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. - -"That is all right; if they are satisfied I am," said Don Mariano, -philosophically, with characteristic amiability. - -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. - -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. - -The brides and grooms had been gone for some time, and might now be -coming back in a few days. - -"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 Dona -Josefa to Carlota and Rosario, as they sat in their favorite front -veranda, sewing. - -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. - -"What is it, mamma?" Carlota asked, seeing that her mother seemed to -hesitate; "anything unpleasant?" - -"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." - -"And yet it may not," said Carlota. - -"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: - - 'La ausencia es para el amor - Lo que el aire para el fuego; - Si es poco, lo apaga luego, - Si es grande, lo hace mayor.' - -and I fear that Mercedes is too deeply interested already." - -"That is so. Have you spoken to papa about it?" Carlota asked. - -"I mentioned it only once, knowing his partiality to Clarence," Dona -Josefa replied. - -"He might be partial, but when it comes to the danger of his daughter's -marrying a _squatter_ I should think there would be a limit to -partiality," Carlota said, warmly. - -"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 _sangre azul_,' -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.'" - -"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." - -"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. - -"Neither could I," added Carlota. - -And thus felt and thus reasoned these proud ladies _in those days_. 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. - -"And has Clarence the means of supporting a wife?" Rosario asked. "That -is another question to be considered." - -"I don't know. I heard he had made money in stocks, but I don't know how -much," Dona Josefa replied. - -"I have no faith in stocks," said Carlota. - -"Let us not mention this to Mercedes yet. When Elvira returns we will -consult with her," Dona Josefa said. - -Nothing was said to Mercedes about her journey, but she was never -allowed to see Clarence alone. - -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. - -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: - -"What is this unexpected news about my going to New York with you?" - -"Good news, I think. Don't you like it?" - -"Certainly. But it is too sudden. Why hadn't mamma thought of it -before?" - -"Because she did not think your health required any change." - -"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." - -"But you _do_ look pale and thin, Mercita." - -"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." - -"Very well. I'll be alarmed for you, too, until we get off." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -The day of departure arrived, and she had not had one minute's -conversation alone with Clarence. - - - - -CHAPTER X.--_But Clarence Must Not be Encouraged._ - - -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 "_Fuerza del -destino_" 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. - -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: - -"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." - -Clarence shook his head, but suppressing his emotion, said: - -"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!" - -"Why have you not spoken to me of this before?" asked Don Mariano, -kindly. - -"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 _you_, but from -Dona Josefa and the young ladies I did, and I have never had an -opportunity to speak alone to Miss Mercedes." - -"That was an additional reason for speaking to me. Cheer up. '_Faint -heart never won fair lady._'" - -"Tell me that again. Say you do not reject me, and I'll jump aboard and -follow her." - -"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." - -Clarence looked toward the boat. The gang-plank had been removed. - -"What a happy girl you are, Mercedes, to visit New York. How I wish I, -too, could go," he heard Corina Holman say. - -"Come on, it is not too late yet," George replied. - -Clarence looked up, and met Mercedes' eyes. It seemed as if George's -words were intended for him. - -He clasped Don Mariano's hand, saying hurriedly: - -"If I understand you, I have your permission to go. May I? Tell me -'yes.'" - -"'_Faint heart never won fair lady_,'" he repeated, smiling, and -returning the warm pressure of his hand, added: "Yes, go and try your -luck." - -Clarence turned, and without another word quickly made his way through -the crowd. - -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. - -Clarence felt himself pulled by the arm, he turned impatiently, and met -Everett, who handed him two telegrams, saying: - -"I have looked for you everywhere. These telegrams followed each other -quickly." - -"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." - -"But you haven't read them," urged Everett, trying to follow him. - -"But I know what they are; I have another in my pocket." - -Lifting his arm with the telegrams in his hand, he said to the captain: - -"Captain, one moment. I must go north. Please take me." - -The captain did not hear him, and at the same time called out: - -"Let go that hawser! Do you want it to snap?" - -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. - -The stern expression of the captain's face softened as he saw Clarence -standing on the brink of the wharf. - -"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. - -A minute after the steamer stood still for an instant, then the wheels -began to revolve in reversed motion. - -"There she is, Mr. Darrell; she'll be alongside in a minute," the -captain said, pleased with the opportunity to oblige Clarence. - -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. - -"Read your telegrams," Everett repeated. - -"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." - -"Now, Mr. Darrell, come on," the captain said. - -Hurriedly Clarence shook hands with Don Mariano, Gabriel, Everett and -Victoriano. - -"Take care, jump in on the downward swing, when about on a level with -the wharf," said Gabriel. - -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: - -"Bravo, my boy, I could have done that twenty years ago." - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -Elvira looked unutterable thanks. - -"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. - -"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. - -But George was mistaken. The Alamar ladies found it very hard and -difficult to reconcile themselves to be separated from Elvira and -Mercedes. - -The fact that Clarence had gone in the same steamer, added much -bitterness to Dona 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"If you wish to go, Mr. Darrell, please do so; do not remain on my -account," said Mercedes, when George rose to go. - -"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." - -"Certainly, do so, else I'll stay," said George, going. - -"Have I offended you in any way?" Clarence asked. - -"No, of course not. What a question. What makes you ask that?" - -"Because you must know it would be cruel punishment to send me off." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Please do not talk like that, some one might hear you." - -"There is not a soul within hearing. Our only witness is that lovely -moon, and she will not betray." - -"No matter, please do not speak like that." - -"Like what? That I love you? I have never yet said it in words, but you -know it." - -"Oh! Mr. Darrell!" - -"Yes, you know it, and to avoid me you are going away; going from me, no -matter if it killed me." - -"It is not my choice, I only obey," said she, clasping her trembling -hands, now cold as ice. - -"Is it so? Did you not wish to avoid me?" - -"Please do not ask me, you'll make me very miserable." - -"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?" - -"Please don't blame mamma." - -"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?" - -"I have nothing against you; I like you very much, as--as a friend," she -said, trembling, painfully agitated. - -Clarence laughed a hoarse, discordant laugh that made her feel -miserable. - -"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." - -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. - -He seated himself very near her, and took both of her hands in his own. -Surely there was something troubling her. - -"How cold these dear little hands are. Have I caused you pain?" he -asked. She nodded but did not speak. - -"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?" - -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. - -"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." - -She turned quickly, gazed at him with an eager, inquiring look. - -"Yes, he gave me permission to follow you and ask you to be my wife." - -"What? He? My papa did that?" - -"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?" - -"Darling papa, he is so kind," she said, eluding Clarence's question, -but her evident gratitude toward her father spoke volumes. - -"Indeed he is. His heart is full of nobility. He does not permit unjust -prejudices to influence him into dislikes." - -"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." - -"I did some wrong act? What is it? When?" - -"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." - -Clarence mentally demurred to this warm praise, but wisely held his -peace. - -"Promise me you will not think mamma is prejudiced," said she, without -the least suspicion of the tyranny, the unreasonableness of such a -request. - -"I promise it, of course, if you desire it, but I would at the same -time, like to know what is the _wrong_ 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?" - -"Oh, no. She does not know that, and if she did, she would not think it -wrong, for she knows nothing about stocks." - -"Then I vow I have not the remotest idea of what it is." - -"Think no more about it now, and when you return, you ask papa. He will -soon find out the mistake and vindicate you." - -"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 Dona 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. - -"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?" - -"I have never done anything dishonorable. I can prove that to Dona -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?" - -"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. - -"Oh! Mr. Darrell! Don't do that. Please let us go now to call Elvira. -She thinks George is with me," she said, rising. - -"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?" - -"What is the question?" said she, sitting down again, only a little -further off; "tell me, and then we must go to find Elvira." - -"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?" - -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 "_not to encourage him_." 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? - -She looked down, and her expressive features again showed that she was -troubled. - -"Oh! I was mistaken. Your silence tells me I cannot hope." - -"Do not be impatient, please. I was trying to think how I could explain -to you my position." - -"Your position?" - -"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." - -"Patience and despair do not travel together." - -"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 _to encourage him_. She was silent. She could have -rejected an offer of marriage easily without taking away all hope, but -as she "_must not encourage him_," 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." - -"I shall not blame you. I shall do whatever you order me. But at all -times I do not understand you," said he, sadly. - -"It is because my position is so--so difficult, so unnatural. I wish you -could understand it without my explaining it. Can't you?" - -"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." - -"Oh! that is just _the word_ I cannot give," she sighed. - -"This is all the work of Dona 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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XI.--_George is a Christian Gentleman._ - - -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." - -"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?" - -"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!" - -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. - -"And so I am to be patient whether there is hope or not," said Clarence. - -"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." - -"Yes, he is most generous, almost too noble for this world." - -"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." - -"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." - -"I shall treasure those words in my heart, believe me. Let them remain -there forever," she said, her voice vibrating with emotion. - -"Well, well, and where is George?" said Elvira, looking around for her -missing husband. - -"He went to the captain's room to play cribbage about two minutes after -you left," said Mercedes. - -"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?" - -"One isn't, any way," Clarence said, smiling. - -"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?" - -"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." - -"Let Mr. Darrell take a look first," suggested Mercedes. - -Clarence arose to go, Elvira said: "Only pass by, as if by accident, and -we'll go or not, according to circumstances." - -When Clarence had gone beyond hearing, Elvira said: "He looks pale -again, have you made him unhappy?" - -"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." - -"I must say I feel sorry for him myself. I am not sure that mamma does -him justice," Elvira observed reflectively. - -"And to think that papa himself told him to follow me." - -"Is that so?" - -"Yes; and he is disappointed, but what can I do, dear, when mamma told -me _not to encourage_ him?" - -"I certainly am under no pledge, and papa's authority is entitled to as -much respect as mamma's," Elvira said significantly. - -"That is true, but you see mamma made me promise not to _encourage_ -him," said Mercedes with sad insistence. - -"Yes, and Rosa and Lota urged her to it. There is George now." - -"I will go to my room; they will see by my red eyes that I cried." - -"Go and bathe them. Drink some water, too, and come back." - -"And I'll bring you some by way of an excuse." - -"Why did Mercedes run off?" George asked. - -"She will be back in a minute; she went to take a glass of water." - -"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?" - -"Yes, champagne with ice would be very nice, provided the champagne be -good," George replied. - -"Let us try any way," said Clarence, going to order the wine. George and -Elvira watched him, and when out of hearing George said: - -"Don't you know I like that young man very much. What is your mother's -objection to him?" - -"His family, I believe, or rather his father." - -"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." - -"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." - -"He did? That is just like him. Doubtless he thought of the times when -he would ride eighty miles to go and serenade Dona Josefa, and his -sympathies all went to Darrell. It is a pity your mother doesn't feel as -kindly." - -"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." - -"Then _we_ must, that's all. Only let us first be sure that she loves -him." - -"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." - -"Then my course is clear. I am a Christian gentleman and will not see -savage torture inflicted on my blue-eyed _hermanita_. I think I know how -to fix it up." - -"What will you do?" - -"_Quien sabe_ just this minute, but it will be _something_, 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. - -"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. - -"No; let me go," said Elvira. When George was left alone with Clarence -he said: - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -"But is it alone her mother's wishes? In obeying her mother, does she -not follow her own inclination?" - -George laughed, saying: "She must be a strange girl, indeed, if she -weeps so bitterly and is so unhappy to follow her inclination." - -"Oh, if I only could think that! Are you sure?" - -"Why did Dona 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 Dona 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." - -"Oh, how she must hate me then to have such strong objections to me," -said Clarence, sadly. - -"No, she does not hate you"--and George hesitated. - -"Yes, I know she thinks I have done something wrong or dishonorable, but -what that is, I have not the slightest idea." - -"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. Dona 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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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 '_Squatter rights_?' He has had so much trouble -about those same rights." - -"I suppose you will have to tell him soon--I mean when the attorney -general dismisses the appeal." - -"When will that be, do you think?" - -"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." - -"I heard he had, and I heard the settlers rejoicing about it, but I -never knew how it happened--I would like to hear." - -"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 senorita to come. Would you -believe it? she was actually in bed for the night." - -"Ah!" Clarence exclaimed, regretfully. - -"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." - -"Go and tell her we have good news for her," suggested George. - -"She'll think you are jesting," Elvira answered. - -"Not if you tell her that we know what it is that Dona Josefa has -against Darrell, and we'll make it all right." - -"Oh, don't deceive the poor little thing when she seems as if all her -strength is already gone from her," Elvira said. - -"But we are not deceiving her," George insisted. - -"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." - -"News that the wine is good, I suppose, but I don't like wine," she -said. - -"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." - -"What is it?" Mercedes asked, looking from one to the other. - -"I can't tell you, little sister, for they haven't told me," Elvira -said. - -"Darrell, you fill the glasses now while I tell these senoritas what -sort of a black sheep Dona 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 -'_squatters_,' 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." - -"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." - -"It is my fault, Mrs. Mechlin," Clarence said; "my father holds the -accepted but very erroneous popular opinions about '_squatter rights_,' -and I, to avoid painful discussions with him, requested Senor Alamar not -to say, for the present, that I had paid for the land." - -"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." - -"Dona 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." - -"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. - -All emptied their glasses, except Mercedes, whose hand shook so -violently that she spilled more wine than she drank. - -"Don't lose your courage now," Elvira said to her. - -"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?" - -"Oh, what a silly boy," she said, laughing. - -"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!'" - -"Oh, George, stop your nonsense," Elvira said. - -"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 _denouement_, 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?" - -"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. - -"Let me go," said George, "as I am the hungry one." - -"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. - -"Can you forgive my stupidity? See what a world of anxious thoughts we -would have avoided by explaining to Dona Josefa everything," said -Clarence to Mercedes. - -"Yes, it was unfortunate. But you will return soon and ask papa to tell -her all, will you not?" - -"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?" - -"Couldn't you _bring_ it yourself?" - -"Oh, Mercedes, my beloved! how happy you make me!" - -"Look here," said George, groping in the dark; "Where are the magic -baskets? I don't smell them." - -"I knew you wouldn't, that is why I came to find them." - -"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. - -"Stop, George, some one might pass who didn't know you are my husband." - -"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." - -"Here they are. I'll carry the plates and knives." - -"Tano said something about boned turkey, _a la espanola_, stuffed with -mashed almonds and '_ajonjoli_,'" said George, setting the baskets on a -chair before Clarence; "and something about a '_tortita de aceituna_,' -with sweet marjoram, and I think we got them, to judge by their -fragrance." - -"Shall I go and order more wine?" asked Clarence. - -"Oh, no, no," said Elvira, "this is plenty." - -"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." - -"But don't you feel warmer? You were shivering when you came from your -room," George said. - -"Yes, I feel better," she said, timidly. - -"Now eat a little and you will sleep better. Take one of these -'_empanaditas de pollo_,'" said Elvira, offering one. - -"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." - -"Yes, I want to know all about that," said Clarence, filling the -glasses. - - - - -CHAPTER XII.--_Why the Appeal was Not Dismissed._ - - -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 _Colton suit_. This suit was hidden in the mists of a -distant future, and therefore the famous "_Huntington Letters_" had not -come forth to educate the American mind in the fascinating, meandering, -shady ways of "_convincing_" or of "_bribery and corruption_," as the -newspapers and committee reports have harshly stigmatized Mr. -Huntington's diplomacy(!) At that time, 1872, people yet spoke of -"_bribery_" 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 "_convincing_" 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 _convinced and the -convincer_ be treated with the most distinguished consideration. So -after drinking half of his second glass, George said: - -"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: - -"'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 Senor 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.' - -"I thanked the Attorney General, and as I took my leave I said I did not -know he was going away. - -"'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.' - -"As I went out I said to the Solicitor, 'I suppose then this business is -finished now?' - -"'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 _boo_ -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. - -"'But the law does not open to settlers private property, private -lands?' - -"'Yes it does, because land is not considered _private property_ 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 -_corral_ 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.' - -"'But that is very hard on those land owners.' - -"'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.' - -"'This is certainly very sad,' said the President, with genuine -sympathy, adding after a short pause: - -"'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. - -"'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.' - -"'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.'" - -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.' - -"'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 _disobeyed the instructions of the Attorney -General first_, and then to justify his disobedience, trumps up the -pretext that the case had not been examined,' said uncle. - -"'The Attorney General did not tell him to look into the case and give -his opinion. He was told that the case _had been examined_; that the -pleadings and allegations were trivial; that the United States had _no -case_, and the matter should be dismissed,' I said. - -"'It is clear, that without authority he took upon himself to review and -reverse the decision of the Attorney General,' said my uncle. - -"'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.' - -"'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.' - -"'Of course they are,' the President said. - -"'And now, sir, what do you advise us to do?' asked uncle. - -"The President smiled, mused a little, and said: - -"'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.' - -"'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.' - -"The President laughed, and said: 'You mustn't be so hard on the -Solicitor.' - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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?' - -"He colored up, but still smiling, answered: 'Did you not understand it? -I thought I wrote in very plain English.' - -"'The English was plain enough, but I failed to catch your idea. Will -you permit me to make a few enquiries?' - -"'Certainly.' - -"'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.' - -"He bowed, but did not speak. - -"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?" - -"'You evidently do not understand our relative positions, and I have not -the time to instruct you.' - -"'Whose positions do you mean?' - -"'Ours--mine and the Attorney General's.' - -"'Who is the head of the department--the Attorney General or the -Solicitor?' - -"'The Attorney General.' - -"'Then he was your chief--your superior--when he gave the order to make -the dismissal?' - -"'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.' - -"'Ah, I see. The chief might issue an order, but the subaltern might -only execute it if he deems it proper.' - -"'I am not a subaltern--I have as much authority--' - -"'Yes, in the absence of the Attorney General.' - -"'Always--when absent or present' - -"'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?' - -"'Yes, I shall not remand the case, as I might have done; it will wait.' - -"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." - -"And will the squatters have to go then?" Elvira asked. - -"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. - -"Ah! The endless red tape," said Elvira. - -"Poor papa, he has so much trouble," Mercedes sighed. "In another year -all the cattle will have been killed." - -"And the squatters will be more murderous, when they learn that their -appeal is dismissed," George said. - -"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. - -"Yes, you help him all you can," George said. - -"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. - -"No doubt, if Mr. Darrell is to be unfriendly, papa will have much more -trouble to manage the others," Elvira said. - -"How singular that a man as bright and honorable as he is, can find any -reason to justify '_squatterism_,'" said George. - -"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. - -"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." - -"The moon is so lovely I could sit here for hours, watching its flashes -on the water," said Mercedes. - -"So could I," Clarence exclaimed. - -"But I could not allow it, and let you both run the risk of being -considered moon struck," said George, laughing. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII.--_At San Francisco._ - - -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. - -"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. - -"No they are not," Elvira said, coming out as fresh and beautiful as a -_rosa de castilla_. "Good morning, Mr. Darrell, I hope you are well." - -"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." - -"Oh yes," Elvira answered, "I really enjoy it; but where is the Senorita -Mercita; is she not yet up?" - -"I think not. She has not come from her room," was Clarence's reply. - -"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. - -"By jove, Darrell, you ought to see this picture." - -"Hush! you will awake her by speaking so loud," Elvira said, still -looking at her sister. - -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." - -"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." - -So saying, she pulled back the curtain, shut down the window slats, and -all walked noiselessly away. - -As they went down to breakfast, Elvira said: - -"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." - -"I thought she was not subject to sea-sickness," George said. - -"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." - -"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. - -"I think so too. We have too many rights, and more than our share of -privileges," Clarence added. - -"Wait until we have woman suffrage. We will make things uncomfortable -for inebriates and tobacco smokers," Elvira said, laughing. - -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. - -"I put your name down, Darrell, for we want you with us while in the -city," said George. - -"I thank you sincerely; that is exactly what I wished." - -"We will be ready for dinner at six." - -"I shall be on hand promptly." - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Hundred and forty thousand?" - -Hubert shook his head, saying "Try again." - -"Hundred and twenty?" - -"Ninety thousand only, lucky fellow." - -"What? You said he asked a hundred and fifty thousand." - -"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 _to-day_, 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." - -"Thanks," Clarence said, squeezing Hubert's hand. "And now about the -balance on hand and the Arizona mines." - -"Well, you have about one hundred thousand dollars. If you sell all your -stocks, you could have two hundred thousand," Hubert replied. - -"Besides the interest on the bonds?" - -"Certainly. I never figure on that." - -"What about the Arizona mines?" - -"Well, the men say they are yet '_a prospect_,' 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." - -"Between the two prospects," Clarence suggested. - -"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." - -Rather rough looking men were the three waiting, but all had good faces. -After exchanging salutations with them, Clarence asked: - -"Have you had any assays made?" - -"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." - -"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." - -The miners laughed. The oldest said: - -"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." - -"Did you make your locations in good legal form?" was the next question. - -"Yes sir, we have our papers," said the spokesman, handing to Clarence -some papers. - -"I see you are four partners, where is the other?" - -"He is at the mine, working at the shaft." - -"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?" - -"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." - -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. - -"He is here, he came yesterday." - -"And you did not mention that fact to me, when you know I want a good, -reliable expert." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"I'll remember. He will be there promptly." - -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 _distingue_. - -"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. - -"Which is the bride, the blonde or the brunette?" - -"The brunette." - -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: - -"I have had to answer those questions a dozen times already." - -Immediately after dinner a waiter came from the office and handed to -Clarence a card, with "Fred Haverly" written on it. - -"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." - -"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." - -"I shall be with you in fifteen minutes," was the reply. - -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: - -"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." - -"But there are no seats that you can have that I would offer you in -exchange," was George's reply. - -"Those I got for you are good seats for gentlemen," the clerk suggested, -"and I think you can get two more." - -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. - -"The opera! Why didn't you tell us before?" was Elvira's exclamation. - -"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, Senorita Mercedes." - -"Bah!" ejaculated Mercedes; "who cares!" - -"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. - -"It is a lucky thing for me that Lizzie's aunt sent this pretty cloak -and bonnet to her. Poor Lizzie! I am to _splurge_ in her fine Parisian -things, while she remains at the _rancho_, buried alive," said Mercedes. - -"She is perfectly willing to have that sort of burial as long as she has -Gabriel near her." - -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. - -The theatre was filled to its utmost capacity when our four _San -Dieguinos_ 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. - -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. - -George by this time was exchanging bows with the New Yorkers. They spoke -among themselves, and soon after all arose and left their seats. - -"I think Gunther is bringing his brother and friends to present them to -you, ladies," said George. - -"Being your friends, we shall be pleased to see them," Elvira answered. - -"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. - -"I am afraid it is. You had better try to get used to it, and don't mind -it," George replied. - -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. - -George and Clarence had left their seats to receive the guests, so very -naturally Mr. Selden slipped by and sat next to Mercedes. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV.--_Of Miscellaneous Incidents._ - - -"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. - -"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 "_muscadin_" and well traveled young -man. - -"Ah! you never saw the opera before to-night!" - -"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 -_rancho_." - -"Yes, yes; Mr. Mechlin said you had not been in San Francisco since you -were twelve months old." - -"Twelve months?" - -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. - -"What are you laughing at?" Mr. Selden asked, sharply. - -"I suppose Mr. Gunther thinks that girls must grow very quickly in -California if I was twelve months old five years ago." - -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. - -They all arose to go. George said: "Will not some of you remain? there -is room for two or three more." - -"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. - -"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. - -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: - -"You look unhappy; have I done anything to displease you?" - -"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." - -"Could you not go with us as far as the Yosemite?" - -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. - -"Oh! if you will only let me." - -"Let you! Your pleasure is the only thing to consult." - -"Then I know what I shall do." - - ---- - -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. - -"Did you make a satisfactory bargain?" George asked Clarence next -morning, when the ladies had gone to church. - -"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.?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"Most willingly, my dear fellow, particularly as these senoritas are not -in a hurry to leave fascinating San Francisco." - -"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 _twelve months old_." - -"Poor Selden; those fellows will never cease laughing at his mistake," -George said. - -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. - -Next to Selden sat Robert Gunther, making almost the same mental -observations, and resolving to try and win her in spite of all -obstacles. - -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. - -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. - -"Shall we go to the Cliff House this afternoon?" George asked his wife. - -"You may, but Mercedes and I are going to vespers," she replied, and -soon after the two sisters retired to their rooms. - -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." - -"I thought we all were going to drive to the Cliff," Bob Gunther said, -maliciously. "Perhaps you would rather go to church." - -"You judge others by yourself," Selden retorted. - -"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." - -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. - -After dinner several lady friends, who had received Elvira's wedding -cards and had seen her and Mercedes at church that morning, called. - -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. - -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. - -About ten o'clock, Mr. Charles Gunther said to them: - -"Much as it pains me to tear myself away, young men, it must be done, -for we have made _a first call_ of nearly two hours' duration." - -"It has not seemed to us nearly so long," Mercedes said. - -"It was no more than two minutes," Bob Gunther added. - -"How you exaggerate," Mr. Selden exclaimed. - -"Ask him how long it has seemed to him," Bob suggested. - -"I would not dare. He thinks you exaggerate, that is enough," replied -Mercedes. - -Selden gave her a look of tender reproach, and a savage one at Bob, as -he bowed, leaving the room. - -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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"They are good men. I have known them for years, and have had them -working with me," Fred added. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"There is plenty of room here for all the navies of the world," George -observed, looking at the harbor. - -"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." - -"Yes, I only wish we had commerce enough for ships to be crowded there." - -"If Colonel Scott succeeds in constructing his railroad, there is no -doubt that San Diego will be a large city in a few years." - -"I believe that, but the question is, will Colonel Scott succeed?" - -"I think he will, but he has a hard crowd to fight." - -Clarence mused a little, then, changing his position so as to face -George, said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"Yes, that is the sole and unavoidable condition." - -"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." - -"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." - -"He would make a good cashier; he is a good bookkeeper already. I think -I could put in twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars." - -"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." - -"You ought to be the president." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Why, that makes you worth over a million." - -"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 '_No-Fence Laws_' are allowed -to exist." - -"Yes, I heard Don Mariano say to my father: 'I am sure I am to be -legislated into a _rancheria_, 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." - -"That's it; it all depends upon that railroad, I am sorry to say, when -we are so powerless to counteract hostile influences." - -"We must hope and wait." - - - - -CHAPTER XV.--_Journeying Overland._ - - -The crashing and thundering of Yosemite's falls plunging from dizzy -heights, in splendor of furious avalanches, had been left behind. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The west-bound train would pass the station first, so Clarence must be -the one to leave his friends. - -"Write to us soon, won't you?" George said. - -"Certainly, as soon as I get to San Diego." - -"Write before, and let us know what you are doing." - -"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. - -"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. - -"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?" - -"To me, of course," Elvira replied, "and you will write to Mercita also, -after matters have been explained to mamma." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -But there was now the east-bound train, and George taking her towards -it. - -He laughed loudly as they walked to the cars, and Elvira asked why he -laughed. - -"I declare, Mercedes, you must have fascinated those two fellows more -than is good for them--for there they are as large as life." - -"Who, George?" Elvira asked. - -"Why, who should it be but Selden and Bob Gunther." - -"Oh!" ejaculated Mercedes. "Please George get a compartment where we can -be by ourselves," implored she. - -"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. - -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. - -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: - -"But my good fellah, we were told positively that travelers going from -the Yosemite east must get on the train here." - -"And so they do," George said, laying his hand on Selden's shoulder. - -"By Jove! we've got 'em!" ejaculated Gunther. - -"Here they are," Selden said, with radiant face, seizing hold of -George's hands, which he shook emphatically. - -"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." - -While George gave a hand to each, he told the porter he wanted a -compartment, if such was to be had. - -"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. - -"I have that already; but the ladies with me want a good, large -compartment." - -"We have one which we will be most happy to place at your service," -Gunther said. - -"And rob you of it. That wouldn't be fair." - -"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. - -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. - -The three then went to bring the ladies to their room. - -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: - -"Mercedes had better lie down for a while. If she sleeps she will feel -better." - -"I think so; I will join you presently," Elvira answered. And hearing -this the gentlemen retired. - -Mercedes took her hat and gloves and cloak off, and sat at the window -_to enjoy_ 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. - -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. - -"Do you really think so?" said Mercedes' sad voice. - -"Of course, I do. Clarence is too energetic and too much in love to be -kept away." - -"But mamma--you know mamma's feelings." - -"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." - -"Yes, darling, you go; but at present I'd rather sit here by the -window." - -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 _knew_, -Clarence was sitting by a car window, thinking of her, gazing blankly at -his misery. - -And so he was. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -"All right. Will you have me for a partner, Mr. Gunther? I warn you that -I am a very poor player," said Mercedes. - -"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. - -"That being the case, I am ready," said she, sitting by her sister, -thereby being diagonally opposite to Mr. Gunther. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI.--_Spanish Land Grants Viewed Retrospectively._ - - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"What have you done?" Clarence asked, laughing. - -"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?" - -"Not one word, for I suppose you know what you are about." - -"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." - -"I should say not. You are the prince of brokers, Berty. You have not -made a single mistake in managing my stock." - -"Yes I have. I sold your Crown Point too soon." - -"But that was my mistake, not yours." - -"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." - -"I forgive you." - -"But I don't forgive myself, nor you either." - -"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,' _et cetera_. Where shall we go to dinner--the Poodle Dog or -California?" - -"Let us go to the California House. John keeps the best." - -To the California House they went, and had a most excellent dinner with -Chateau Yquem and a bottle of Roderer. - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -"Good-by, old fellow; take care of yourself." - -"Good-by, my boy; good luck to you," said they, with a lingering grip of -the hands. - -"I hope Fred has had a safe journey," Clarence added. - -"I think so, and I hope soon to get his telegram--about his '_first -impression_'--which I shall transmit to you." - -Once more Clarence was crossing San Francisco Bay--on to the Golden -Gate, on to the broad Pacific. - -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. - -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. - -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 _the shortest transcontinental -railway_. 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, _the true one_ 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. - -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. - -"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: - -"We will have to _lazo_ you to keep you home." - -"I think we will have to put a yoke on him," added Victoriano. - -"Exactly; only let me select my yokefellow," Clarence said, laughing. - -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: - -"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 _you_ 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?" - -Clarence thought for a moment, then answered: - -"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." - -They rode on in silence for a few moments; then Don Mariano said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"I see it all now," Clarence said, thoughtfully. - -"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." - -"Of course, he couldn't, he wouldn't, he shouldn't do that. That would -be worse than the lowest theft." - -"That is true, but there is a law to protect him if he did; in fact, to -_authorize_ him to do so. Thus, you see, here again come _our -legislators_ 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." - -"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." - -"It was rather generous, but not as much so as you perhaps think. I was -looking out for myself, too." - -"I heard them talk about an appeal that was pending, and I thought it -was your appeal, not theirs." - -"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." - -"I think your reasoning was correct--it did seem as if the Solicitor -meant mischief. It was fortunate that he dropped the matter." - -"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." - -"At the hands of our law-givers." - -"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, _the -natives_ 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 -_thought_ 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, _our -California delegation_ then in Washington, must bear the bulk of the -blame. They should have opposed the passage of such laws instead of -favoring their enactment." - -"Why did they favor such legislation?" - -"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." - -"But that was outrageous. Their motive was a political object." - -"Certainly. The motive was that our politicians wanted _votes_. 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 _a few_ 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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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 _until it had been proved that our titles were not -good_, 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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -Don Mariano sighed and shook his head, then in a very sad voice said: - -"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." - -"And yet you do not seem to hate us." - -"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." - -"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." - -"What is the plan?" - - - - -CHAPTER XVII.--_Dona Josefa at Home._ - - -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 _plan_ 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: - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"You must be prudent in incurring risks." - -"I am. I have more than two hundred thousand that I can put in this bank -without troubling my government bonds or my farm." - -Clarence then explained to Don Mariano his financial affairs. - -Don Mariano smiled as he said: "I had no idea you were so well off." - -"I expect to make a fortune out of my Arizona mines," said he, laughing. - -"Take care. Do not put any of your government bonds in them." - -"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. - -"To take care of your wife," Don Mariano said. - -"Yes, sir; for that alone. But do you think Dona Josefa will object to -me after you explain my position?" - -"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." - -"You make me very happy telling me that. I hope you will let me know -soon what answer she gives to you." - -"Certainly. You can come to-morrow." - -"I have some little packages that Mrs. Mechlin sends. I can bring them -this evening--the ladies might wish to see the contents." - -"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." - -"Thank you, sir." - -Everett and Victoriano overtook them now as they entered the valley. - -"Say, Clary," Everett called out, "don't you want to get out here and -change seats with Tano?" - -"I'll take him home," Don Mariano answered; and they all drove toward -the Darrell house. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -"La massa! and right welcome ye are, too, by everybody in this 'ere -family, and I knows it exactly." - -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. - -"_All the world love the lover_," 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 _Clarence was in -love_! She had taken upon herself to watch and see that the affair -progressed and ended happily. - -In the evening Clarence proceeded to deliver the packages sent by Elvira -to her mother and sisters. - -With beating heart he timidly ascended the steps of the front veranda of -the Alamar house, for he did not feel entirely certain that Dona -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. - -"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." - -Milord barked, wagged his tail in token of friendship, and sat up to -listen. - -"You are very kind," Clarence said, placing the packages on a table near -him, not knowing, however, what else to say. - -"Sit down," Dona 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." - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"Certainly, madam; with great pleasure." - -"I trust that her good influence will be of great assistance to you in -persuading your father to change his views." - -"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." - -"That is a pity. I am very sorry for that." - -"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. - -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. - -Clarence knew all this, but he saw Dona Josefa smile, and grew brave. - -"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." - -"And so it was. You did right." - -"Yes, but it did not enter into my calculations that you were to jump on -board the steamer," said she, laughing. - -Clarence's face and ears became crimson. - -"I hope you have forgiven me for it," he stammered. - -"I suppose I must," said she, still laughing. - -"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." - -"And as you received some dispatches, you thought it was best to -dispatch other matters as well." - -"But, after all, she left everything for _you_ to dispatch. My fate is -in your hands." - -It was now Dona Josefa's turn to blush. - -"I thought that George and Mariano had decided that." - -"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. - -"What shall I say?" - -"Say _yes_." - -"Yes," she said, smiling, with a kind look in her beautiful eyes. - -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: - -"Thanks! thanks!" - -And all before she knew what he was about. - -"Impetuous boy! is that the way you rushed and assaulted my poor little -Mercedes?" said she, laughing. - -"You have said yes--God bless you for it." - -"But, yes to what?" - -"Ah! your heart will tell you." - -"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. - -"It is love-making, only it is by proxy, and I am to guess at things -without being told," said she, still laughing. - -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 Dona 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. - -He gave a most appealing look to Don Mariano, whose kind heart -immediately responded by saying to his wife: - -"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 _you_ -understood me very quickly." - -"Hear him! but please do not learn such frightful lessons in vanity and -conceit," said she, laughing again, but blushing also. - -"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." - -Don Mariano kept talking in that strain until Clarence recovered his -composure. - -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." - -Whereupon, down went Clarence again on his knees, and seizing her hand, -kissed it warmly and repeatedly, in spite of Dona Josefa's -protestations, saying: - -"That will do. Once is enough--once is enough. Reserve your kisses for -younger hands." - -"I'll warrant he has plenty more in reserve," Don Mariano said, -laughing. - -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. - -The days now passed pleasantly and peacefully enough at the Alamar -rancho. - -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 _finally_, 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. - -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. - -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. - -It read thus: - -"Prospect splendid. Far better than described. Have written to-day. -Hurrah!" - -Like the telegram, Fred's letter came promptly in the early part of -August. - -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. - -"But," Fred added, "If the mine proves to be one-tenth as good as it -seems, 'there are millions in it,' literally." - -So Clarence must make up his mind to wait developments. - -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." - -Thus, every night the fusilade of the law-abiding settlers would be -heard, as they, to protect _their_ "_rights under the law_," 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 -_vaqueros_ 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 -_under the law_. 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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"I thought you had given it up as a bad job to be the Don's champion, -Mrs. Darrell," said her husband. - -"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." - -"Never mind, mother, the Don will soon have the power to drive all this -_canaille_ out of his rancho," Clarence said. - -"Do you include me with the _canaille_?" asked Darrell. - -"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." - -"When there is no more _dispute_ about it," Darrell explained. - -"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. - -"I will keep to what I said--but I am not going to have my words -construed to suit everybody," Darrell said, doggedly. - -"How is the Don to have power to drive off the settlers, Clary? Tell -us," Webster inquired. - -"Don't you tell him, Clary. He'll go and tell it to the _squatters_," -Willie interposed. - -"And since when did you learn to call the settlers squatters, Master -Willie? Ain't you a squatter yourself?" asked Mr. Darrell. - -"No, I'm not. Am I, mamma?" asked Willie. - -"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. - -"What is a squatter, anyhow, mamma?" Clementine inquired. - -"A squatter is a person who locates a land claim on land that belongs to -some other person," Mrs. Darrell explained. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"Bravo!" cried Everett; "you got it straight this time." - -"Then a squatter is a land thief?" Clementine inquired. - -"That is a severe term," Alice observed. - -"But isn't it true?" Clementine argued. - -"No, because the squatter might not _intend_ 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. - -"But why should they make such mistakes? Ain't somebody there to say to -whom the land belongs?" Master Willie inquired. - -"Yes, but that somebody might not be believed, Master Willie, and there -is where the shoe pinches," Webster explained. - -"Ah!" was Willie's exclamation, and he became thoughtful. - -"I give it up," said Clementine with a sigh, making them all laugh. - -"That is a very wise resolve," Darrell observed. - -"I've got it, papa," Willie's voice again was heard saying. - -"Well, what have you got?" his father asked. - -"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?" - -"Oh, you are quoting Clarence. I thought it was your own original idea -you were giving us," Darrell said, and all laughed at Willie. - -But he held his ground, saying; "It is Clarence's idea, but I only -understood it this minute, so now it is mine." - -"That is right, Willie. That is the way correct ideas are disseminated -and take root," Everett said. - -"And erroneous ones, too," Darrell added. - -"Which is the correct, papa?" asked Willie. - -"Your mind is even more inquisitive than usual this morning, Willie," -said Jane. - -"Suppose it is, do you object to it?" Willie queried. - -"I think you had better be a lawyer," Lucy suggested. - -"I mean to be. Then I will be the Don's lawyer." - -"But suppose he don't want you?" asked Webster. - -"But he will, for I will be honest." - -"Will he want you if you are stupid, only because you are honest?" asked -Clementine. - -"I hate girls, they talk so silly," said Willie, again bringing the -laugh on himself. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII.--_At Newport._ - - -Mr. George Mechlin and traveling companions had a most delightful -journey across the continent in spite of the hot weather. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -George smiled. He knew his aunt must be much pleased to put herself to -the trouble of this traveling in hot weather. He replied: - -"I am sure these young ladies will be most happy to follow you, aunt." - -"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. - -"We do not intend going to-morrow. We have something to do in town yet," -said Mrs. Mechlin. - -"Some shopping, I suppose," Mr. Lawrence observed. - -"Exactly," his wife assented. - -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: - -"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." - -"You are always so kind to me, dear aunt." - -"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." - -"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. - -"That is a pity. Couldn't they go in December?" - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"Do you like this life?" - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -"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." - -"Do I frighten you? or am I tiresome?" said he, pale to the lips, -following her. - -"Neither; but young ladies who--who are--I mean any young lady, should -not have such _tete-a-tetes_ with fascinating young gentlemen in rosy -bowers." - -"Young ladies who are--what?" - -"Who are judicious." - -"Were you not going to say 'who are engaged?'" - -"If I had, I might not have said the truth, _strictly_." - -"Oh, in Heaven's name, tell me the truth! Are you engaged?" - -"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell thee no lies." - -"You are cruel; you are trifling with me!" - -She stopped and looked up quickly into his eyes. For a moment she -hesitated, then resolutely said: - -"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!" - -"Forgive me this time. I shall never offend again." - -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: - -"That path goes to your boat-house, I suppose." - -"Yes. I have a new boat; would you like to see it?" - -"Is it far? You see it is getting late." - -"We can come back in ten minutes." - -"Truly? No longer than ten minutes?" - -"Not a second longer unless you wish it." - -"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. - -"How long is it since we started?" she asked. He looked at his watch. - -"Not quite two minutes," he answered. - -"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." - -"No apology is needed. If it gave you pleasure to run, I am glad you did -so." - -"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. - -"Let us return. More riders might be passing," said Mercedes, and began -to walk back. - -"What! without seeing the boat?" - -"It will be dark inside the house. I'll come some other time, earlier." - -"Do you promise me that?" - -"Certainly. You see, we can't run as fast up hill; it will take more -than two minutes to return." - -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. - -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." - -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: - -"Who was the lady with Robert on the beach?" - -"When?" - -"This evening as we rode by his boat-house," explained his sister. - -"Were they coming out of the boat-house?" asked the elder sister. -Arthur's lips became white again. - -"Don't be alarmed. They did not go into the boat-house," said he, -sneeringly. - -"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. - -"Who is the lady, any way? I ask," reiterated Mrs. Selden. - -"She is George Mechlin's sister-in-law," Arthur replied. - -"Ah! That is the beauty I hear half a dozen fellows are raving about," -said Miss Selden, to pique her brother. - -"Is she so very pretty, Arthur?" asked the younger sister. - -"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. - -The mother and daughters exchanged looks. They understood it all now. -Poor Arthur, he, too, was raving. - -"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. - -"I understand. We will call to-morrow," Mrs. Selden said, sententiously. -"We will see the beauties." - -And they did. When they were in their carriage riding home, Mrs. Selden -said: - -"I am sorry for Arthur if he is in love with that girl. I fear he will -never get over it." - -"So much the better if he marries her," said the younger sister. - -"Yes, but if he does not, he'll never have any heart left." - -"Do you suppose she would refuse him?" said the elder sister, haughtily. - -"I don't know; I must have a talk with Arthur." - -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. - -"But if she is not positively engaged to that Darrell, why should you -fear him more than you fear Gunther?" - -"Because I believe she loves him." - -"Perhaps. But we are not sure of it. Moreover, he is far off in -California, and you are here." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Mr. Arthur Selden," said the tall servant at the library door, and -behind his broad shoulders peeped Arthur's red whiskers. - -"I took the liberty of following the servant," said he, "because I hoped -we would be less interrupted here." - -"Undoubtedly," replied she, laughing and offering him a chair; "very -logical deduction." - -"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." - -"Why, Mr. Selden, you see me very often." - -"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?" - -"Mr. Selden, I like you very much, but please do not ask me to love you. -It is not possible." - -"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." - -"I do not doubt it. But I cannot. Please don't ask me, and don't hate -me." - -"Mr. Robert Gunther," said the tall waiter, and Bob's broad brow and -good-natured smile shone at the door. - -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. - -"So Clarence will be here next month," Elvira remarked. - -"Yes, he says he will spend Christmas with us, and if we'll let him, he -will go with us to Washington." - -"That will be delightful. I suppose Gunther and your other numerous -slaves will disappear when he arrives." - -"They ought not, for I have never encouraged any one any more than if I -had been married already." - -"But you are not, my darling, and that makes a very great difference -with young gentlemen." - -"Why is it that Mrs. Mechlin does not approve of my being engaged to -Clarence?" - -"Because she had set her heart upon your marrying Gunther, who is a -great favorite of hers." - -"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." - -"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. - -"Indeed I have," Mercedes answered. - -"And haven't you broken hearts as if they were old cracked pottery?" - -"They must have been, to be broken so easily. But I guess I didn't hurt -any very much." - -"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." - -"Clarence will soon be here and stop the epidemic from spreading any -further," Elvira said. - -"I don't know about that. But I am glad he is coming. When will he be -here?" - -"About Christmas--perhaps about the twentieth of December," Mercedes -answered. "He says he will telegraph to you the day he starts." - -"I shall be glad to see him; he is a noble fellow," said he, and -embraced Mercedes, saying good night. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX.--_In New York._ - - -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. - -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. - -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: - -"I feel as if you were not quite a stranger to us, having heard George -speak of you so often, and always most kindly." - -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. - -"And what about mining news?" George asked. - -"Splendid," was the reply. - -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. - -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. - -"But that young fellow is splendid, wife." - -"What young fellow?" - -"That young Darrell, from California." - -"Ah! where did you see him?" - -"Down stairs. He is talking with George in the library, and I asked him -to take dinner with us." - -"He might be splendid--but never superior to Bob Gunther--never!" said -Mrs. Mechlin, with firmness. - -"Perhaps not superior, mentally or morally, but he is certainly much -handsomer." - -"Handsomer than Bob? The idea!" - -"You wait until you see him," said Mr. Mechlin, going into his room to -get ready for dinner. - -If Mercedes' hands had not trembled so much she would have been ready to -come down stairs much sooner. - -"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." - -"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." - -"I wish I had thought of sending my maid to help you," said Elvira, -coming to Mercedes' assistance. - -"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--" - -"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." - -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. - -"Don't run so fast, dear. I want you by me," said she. - -"Take my arm, old lady," said Elvira, laughing. - -The rustle of silk approaching put Clarence in a tremor--making him -forget what he was saying. - -Elvira entered, and he rose to meet her. - -"I must salute you Spanish fashion," she said, embracing him. - -"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. - -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. - -"Here she is, laughing at me," said George, taking her arm. - -She looked so lovely, that Clarence stood looking at her in silence, not -even taking a step to meet her. - -"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. - -Elvira looked at her surprised. She herself was surprised at her sudden -and perfect calmness. Because George made her laugh looking for _pussy_ -in Elvira's train, she lost all her fear. - -"This is a step from the sublime to the ridiculous," she said to -herself, as she became of a sudden philosophically calm. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -At last the desired moment came, and he was able to whisper a few words. - -She blushed as she replied: "Perhaps not this evening--there are so many -here." - -"I brought you the ring which you told me I was not to send but _bring_ -in person." - -"Bring it to-morrow," she said, with deeper blush. - -"At what time?" - -"Perhaps between ten and eleven." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"If you have anything else to do this morning, of course, go and return. -We lunch at one." - -"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." - -"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?" - -Mrs. Mechlin now came down stairs, and Clarence waited on them to their -carriage. - -As he closed the carriage door Mrs. Mechlin said: "Elvira has told you -we shall expect you to luncheon." - -"Yes, madam; thank you," said he, bowing. - -The carriage drove off, and Mrs. Mechlin said: "He is certainly very -handsome. I am sorry for Bob." - -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. - -"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 Dona Josefa on the veranda at the rancho. - -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. - -"Where shall I begin?" said he, with mock gravity. - -"Anywhere--at the top with papa, or at the bottom with Tisha. It will -all be interesting." - -"Can't I begin at the middle, for instance, with myself?" - -"Yes; but you are here--I see you." - -"Do you? At this distance? Don't you want a telescope?" - -"You are near enough," she said, laughing. - -"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!" - -"Are you too near the fire?" - -"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." - -She arose, walked over to where he was, and sat on another arm-chair -nearest to the sofa. - -"Let us freeze at this end of the room," she said. - -"Are you cold? If you are, let us go back to the fire." - -She did look a little cold, with her pretty little hands calmly folded -on her lap, but she smiled. - -He drew a low seat close to hers, and took the soft hands into his, -saying in beseeching accents: - -"Let me sit by you, please. After so many weary months of absence grant -me this happiness. You told me not to send but _bring_ our engagement -ring. Here it is. Let me put it on the dear little finger myself." - -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. - -"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!" - -"What a foolish boy!" she said, covering her face. - -"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?" - -"You must ask mamma and papa. Talk to Elvira about it." - -"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." - -"I don't know whether mamma would approve--" - -"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?" - -She looked down reflectingly. Suddenly she uttered an exclamation of -surprise. She had seen the ring for the first time. - -"I had not seen this diamond. Is it not too magnificent for an -engagement ring?" - -"Nothing is too magnificent for you." - -"But, really, will it not attract too much attention?" - -"I think not. You are not ashamed of it, are you?" - -"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." - -"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." - -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." - -"When am I going to have one sweet kiss?" said he, in pleading tones. -"Only one." - -"I don't know--I can't tell," she said, running off, eluding him. - -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. - -"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 _steals land_. 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." - -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. - -"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 _apropos_ 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 _tete-a-tete_ with her _fiance_. 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 _tete-a-tete_ 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." - -"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 -_tete-a-tetes_ 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." - -"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." - -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 _dictum_, 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. - -On Christmas night our Californians attended a _musicale_ 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. - -"We will have a regular '_rodeo_,'" 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 _corral_." - -"We don't want you, if you call your round of visits a '_rodeo_.' Aren't -you ashamed to laugh at us Californians like that?" said Elvira, -affecting great resentment, which took several kisses from George to -pacify. - -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. - -The Mechlins received in grand style on New Year's, and finished the day -with a dance and collation. - -Next night Mrs. Gunther's ball took place, which was followed by an -equally grand affair at the Seldens, on the 6th. - -And now it was time to talk about the trip to Washington. George wanted -his uncle and aunt to go with him. - -"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 -_feeler_ 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." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"I would like it very well. I shall miss these two young ladies very -much, and as the best way to cure _ennui_ is to avoid it, I think a -visit to Washington would be just the thing for me now." - -Mercedes clapped her hands in such genuine delight at hearing this, and -Elvira and Clarence were evidently so pleased, that Mrs. Mechlin added: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"That is a good idea. I'll see Mrs. Gunther to-day, and we will appoint -the day to start." - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XX.--_At the Capitol._ - - -"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. - -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! - -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 "_palsy_." For it is a well demonstrated fact that -_sense of justice_, or pure _philanthropy_, 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 _money_, 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! - -"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 _here_, and cannot be annihilated or permanently held -back." - -But how many of the influential of the earth think thus? If only the -_law-givers_ 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 _forever_, 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 _other politicians_ 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 _they_ -are--that's all. And if these law-givers see fit to _sell themselves_ -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. - -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: - - - 43d Congress, _House of Representatives._ Mis. Doc. No. - 1st Session. 68. - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - _Central Pacific Railroad Company._ - - *Preamble and Resolutions submitted by* _Mr. Luttrell_. - - - -January 12, 1874.--Referred to the Committee on the Pacific Railroad, -and ordered to be printed, together with accompanying papers. - -"_Whereas_, 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: - - - Land granted by the United States of the $50,288,000 00 - value in gold coin of - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Granted and donated by various corporations 5,000,000 00 - and individuals within the State of - California - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Granted and donated by various corporations 3,000,000 00 - and individuals, situate within the State - of Nevada - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Granted and donated by various corporations $1,500,000 00 - and individuals within the Territory of - Utah - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Donated by the State of California 1,500,000 00 - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Bonds on which the State of California 12,000,000 00 - guarantees and pays interest - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Donated by the County of Placer, in the 250,000 00 - State of California--Bonds - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Donated by the City and County of San 400,000 00 - Francisco--Interest bonds - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Donated by the City and County of 300,000 00 - Sacramento--Interest bonds - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Bonds by the United States Government 27,389,120 00 - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - First mortgage bonds of Central Pacific 27,389,120 00 - Railroad Company - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Second mortgage bonds of said Central 15,601,741 83 - Pacific Railroad, legalized by law - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Second mortgage bonds, issued and sold as 11,787,378 17 - above - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Total $156,825,360 00 - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -And, whereas, the directors of said Central Pacific Railroad Company -made contracts with _certain of their own members_ 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, - -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 -_violation_ of their duties and _in fraud_ of the United States -Government; and, - -Whereas, said directors of the said Central Pacific Railroad Company -_issued to themselves, and for their personal profit and benefit_, 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 _issue to -themselves_ of the bonds aforesaid, bought, _in order to defraud_ 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 _fraudulently refusing to pay the Government of the United States_, -the interest legally due on said mortgage bonds; therefore, be it - -_Resolved_, 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 _by fraud_; * * * 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 _to defraud the Government_ -and the people; and said committee is hereby authorized to send for -persons and papers, and to report at any time." - -Here follows a long recital of _frauds_ 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 _cheated_ the -Government by presenting _false statements_ of the cost of constructing -the Central Pacific Railroad, and in other ways, and _cheated_ the -stockholders of said railroad by issuing _to themselves_ the stock, and -appropriating other subsidies, which should have been distributed _pro -rata_ among all the stockholders. - -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. - -George was shocked to read Mr. Luttrell's "_Preamble and Resolutions_," -and Mr. Brannan's "_complaint_." Mr. Lawrence Mechlin waited to read -them in the evening, at his hotel. - -"These two gentlemen ever since their arrival had heard strange rumors -about Congressmen being '_bribed with money_,' and in other _ways -improperly influenced by 'a certain railroad man,' who was organizing a -powerful lobby to defeat the Texas Pacific Railroad_." 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. - -"Pshaw! the thing is too preposterous," he had said to his uncle, who, -with saddened voice, had answered. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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 "_at -home_" 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. - -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. - -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. - -"You made two new conquests last night," said the eldest Miss Selden to -Mercedes. "Those two _attaches_ 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." - -"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. - -"Do you expect us to believe that?" Miss Selden asked. - -"You may believe it, for it is the truth." - -"You are a strange girl, then." - -"Why so? Why should I wish men to fall in love with me, when I cannot -return their love?" said Mercedes, evidently vexed. - -"You are the first girl I ever saw that did not want to have admirers; -yes, loads of them." - -"Admirers and friends, yes; but you spoke of those young men being _in -love_. Now, if I thought so, I would be very sorry, and, as I do not -wish to be unhappy, I hope you are mistaken." - -The Misses Selden laughed incredulously. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -"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. - -"Oh! Mercedes, it is frightful how much I love you! What shall I do to -conquer this unfortunate infatuation?" - -"Forget me; I shall soon be away--far away." - -"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." - -"I wish you could feel for me, as you do toward Elvira. How I envy her -your friendship," she said, in very low tones. - -"Do you, truly?" - -"Indeed I do. I would be so happy." - -"I shall try. But how can I, loving you so ardently?" - -"As a proof of your love, try to be my friend--only a friend." - -"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?" - -"I am that now--most sincerely," said she, earnestly. - -On leaving the conservatory, they saw Clarence coming to meet them. He -joined Elvira and walked by her side. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"They looked like a little troop of patriarchs," Miss Selden added. -"What can they want at the Capitol?" - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI.--_Looking at the Receding Dome._ - - -There was one thing that the gay New Yorkers, under Mrs. Mechlin's -_chaperoning_, 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. - -"Therefore," Mrs. Mechlin added, "they would have a picnic under the -glorious trees in the Arlington grounds." - -"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." - -"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. - -"It is awful how unpatriotic and irreverent are the young men nowadays," -Miss Gunther said. - -"Yes; it makes me weep," added Arthur Selden, blinking. - -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. - -"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 -_ensemble_, was most pleasing and startling. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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?" - -"I think my thoughts were about the same subject, uncle. What were your -thoughts, Darrell? Tell us," George said. - -"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." - -George and his uncle looked at each other as if saying, "We all were of -the same mind, surely." - -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." - -"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, _successfully_. The chief of the -lobby is king." - -"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--_must_ -hope--that our Congress has many honest men." - -"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." - -"Don't be so desponding, boy." - -"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, _now_, 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." - -"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 _the duties of law-givers_, 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 _fundamental morality_,' that 'the inferences of political economy -are true, only because they are discoveries by a roundabout process of -_what the moral law commands_.' It is an unfortunate mistake that the -words '_moral law_' 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 _fundamental morality_, 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 _constituencies_ 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 _against_ anything, seems to be thought -the proof of a man being a good legislator. Combativeness is the one -faculty ever in use to offer _obstructions_, and thus necessary and -useful legislation is foolishly retarded, and untold misery is brought -upon innocent citizens. All this is a mistake. Because the '_fundamental -law of morality_' is not understood. Herbert Spencer says: 'Now, this -that we call _moral law_ is simply a statement of the _conditions_ 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." - -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 -_finale_, which was also a success pecuniarily. - -To the charity ball follow the Liederkranz and the Purim. - -"Are you to go masked, George?" Mrs. Mechlin asked, as they were -discussing the coming ball with Miss Gunther. - -"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." - -"But why not keep masked?" Clarence asked. - -"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." - -"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. - -"But is he not to be of our party?" Mrs. Mechlin asked. - -"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." - -"But we can't, if we speak to him, as he will recognize our voices, -Mercedes and mine, by our accent immediately," Elvira said. - -"You can mimic the German way of talking English, and Mercedes can talk -half French and half English, with an Irish brogue," George suggested. - -"She talks Irish brogue to perfection," Elvira said. - -"But I'll have to practice before I would speak to him," said Mercedes. - -"Practice every day--you have six days yet," Mrs. Mechlin said. - -"Do, Miss Mercedes. I would like you to fool Bob," Miss Gunther said. - -"But you must make your voice sound guttural. Your voice is naturally -very musical. You must disguise it," George suggested. - -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 _role_ 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. - -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. - -"The fact of the matter is, that you will attract me always, no matter -under what disguise," he whispered to Mercedes. - -"_Pas si bete_," she answered, stammering fearfully, and looking the -prettier for it. - -The Liederkranz and Purim balls were highly enjoyed also, but Mercedes, -though in domino, assumed no _role_. She was very amiable to Bob and -Arthur, to heal the wound of their lacerated vanity. - -The winter had now passed, and spring came--bringing to our Californians -thoughts of returning home. - -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. - -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. - -"Did you get letters from home to-day?" Elvira asked. - -"Yes; and among them a long one from Don Mariano," Clarence replied. - -"What did he say? Any good news for poor papa?" - -"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. - -"How did he make twenty thousand dollars?" George asked, with a -brightened look, which was reflected in the beautiful eyes of the -sisters. - -"By sending five hundred steers to Fred Haverly." - -"Are five hundred steers worth that much?" George asked, surprised. - -"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." - -"The best thing Don Mariano can do is to sell you all his cattle, even -at half of this price," George said. - -"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." - -"A most excellent idea," George said. - -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. - -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. - -"Do you want our assistance?" George asked, laughing. - -"No, thanks. If people did not come to drive their funerals through the -park, no one would run over them," Bob said. - -"And you want to kill them, so as not to have funerals without dead -bodies?" Mercedes asked. - -"Be merciful! Remember your name is Mercedes," said poor, embarrassed -Bob. - -Whereupon Mercedes wafted a kiss to him, saying: "That goes as a peace -offering." - -"Ah, yes; I understand," said he, following her with his eyes. "A kiss -to the empty air is all you will ever give me." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII.--_Perplexities at Alamar._ - - -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 "_been written_" (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. - -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 _each_." 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 _inferior_ -people be more considered than the Americans? - -"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 _better than Americans_ because -the Government did not take _all_ 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." - -"No, I ain't; but I always will maintain that the Spanish Californians -should not have a right to any more land than Americans." - -"And they have not. The Government does not give them any more land; all -they ask and expect is that the Government may _not take away what they -had_. 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." - -"Why should Clarence be made miserable?" - -"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." - -"Marry him? Does Clarence think she will marry him? She marry a -squatter?" He laughed derisively. - -"Clarence is no squatter." - -"He is the son of a squatter." - -"You have been one, but if you keep your word, and this land is paid -for, you will not be a squatter." - -"I suppose Clarence followed the girl to New York, believing she'll -marry him. I thought he would have more sense." - -"If he did follow her, he would also be following his father's example." - -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. - -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. - -"Mamma dear, I overheard your conversation with papa; I hope you won't -let him quarrel with the Don." - -"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." - -"Can anything be more kind and generous?" - -"But all his kindness is thrown away." - -"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." - -"I know it; Jane and Lucy feel very badly about it." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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 "_rodeo triste_," -insisting that the cattle knew it was a "_rodeo triste_," 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." "_Rodeo triste_" 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. - -Alice, watching from behind the honeysuckle, saw Don Mariano, his two -sons and three _vaqueros_ ride down the valley. There they separated, -each followed by a _vaquero_, going in different directions. - -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. - -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." - -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 _vaqueros_, had gone out in search of his cattle, as usual, just -as if no _remittitur_ had come. The settlers thought this was a most -excellent subject to ventilate with their neighbor, Darrell; they came -in goodly numbers, "to _revolve_ the matter, and talk it over in a -_neighborly_ way," Mr. Hughes had said, with his perennial smile. - -"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?" - -"Why, the remittitur, of course," Hughes replied, in his oiliest tones. - -"Oh, I thought something new," Darrell remarked. - -"That is a clincher, you know," Hughes replied. - -"Yes, but we knew it was coming." - -"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?" - -"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 _a -few_ head," said Romeo Hancock, smiling. - -"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." - -"After the land is surveyed?" Darrell asked. - -"Yes, after the survey." - -"We begin our new war by _objecting_ to the survey, I suppose; ain't -it?" Miller asked. - -"That is what Roper says," Hughes replied. - -"And, meantime, harass the enemy like the deuce," Gasbang added. - -"Exactly; that is Roper's advice," said Mathews. - -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." - -"Look here, young man, you had better get more years over your head -before you talk so glibly," Billy Mathews snarled at Romeo. - -"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. - -"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." - -"Roper says those girls must have done good service in Washington to get -the appeal dismissed so quick." Gasbang said, grinning. - -"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. - -"Sit still, Retty," Mr. Darrell said, "nobody minds what Roper says, -except, perhaps, in law matters." - -"Some people do mind what the whelp says, as he is quoted here," Everett -argued. - -"It oughtn't to be so. I don't like women's names mixed up in men's -business." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"The vile little reptile; I'll put my heel on him yet," said Everett, -with white lips. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"Why shouldn't George Mechlin help his father-in-law? Because it upsets -the liver of the amiable Mr. Mathews?" asked Romeo, laughing. - -"Keep quiet, Romeo," Old Hancock said, smiling. - -"If George Mechlin hadn't helped, the thing would have been done in some -other way. It had to come," Darrell said. - -"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. - -"They know enough to employ a lawyer to defend their rights," Old Miller -observed. - -"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?" - -"And the pretty daughters," added Gasbang. - -"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." - -"Yes, what are you going to do, Mr. Darrell?" asked velvety Hughes, with -his sickly smile. - -"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." - -"You said _when the title is settled_," Gasbang said. - -"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 _settled_, -since the principal opponent (the Government) has thrown up the sponge," -Darrell answered. - -"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." - -"It is settled with the Government, which was the question when I made -my location," Darrell answered. - -"But you ain't going to desert our cause?" Hughes asked. "You'll be our -friend to the last, won't you?" - -"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." - -"And spare his cattle," Romeo added, looking at Mathews. - -"You seem to want to pick a quarrel with me, youngster," growled -Mathews. - -"What makes you think so? Did _you_ 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." - -The boys, the young men, all laughed. Mathews arose, too angry to remain -quiet. - -"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. - -"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 _your own_, only as old as that, -and weigh half as much?" - -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. - -"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. - -"That is the hardest hit Mathews ever got. He is awfully sensitive about -having always been jilted and never been married," Miller said. - -"He'll never forgive you," added old Hancock. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"No matter what might be his motive, the sentiment is kind anyway," -Hancock, senior, said. - -"Perhaps," said the others, still unwilling to yield. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII.--_Home Again._ - - -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 "_A fete in celebration -of Miss Alamar's birthday, on the 5th day of May_." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"The darling," said Elvira, perfectly overjoyed at the sight of that -beloved apparition, throwing her arms about his neck. - -"Precious," said he, clasping her to his heart. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"We heard that his mine is in bonanza," Amelia said. - -"That it has been in bonanza ever since he bought it--hasn't he told you -that?" Corina added. - -"No; he only said that the ore was very rich," Elvira replied. - -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. - -"How are all the ladies of your family? Well?" Amelia asked of Everett. - -"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. - -"I hope all will come," Elvira said. - -"What? Mr. Darrell, senior, also?" Corina asked. - -"Certainly. Why not?" Mercedes answered. - -"We were speaking of the ladies--but if Mr. Darrell should call, we will -be happy to receive him with sincere cordiality," Elvira added. - -"All of which would be thrown away upon the stiffest neck in San Diego -County," Victoriano observed. - -Everett laughed. - -"Why, Tano! What makes you talk like that?" Mercedes exclaimed, -reddening with evident annoyance. - -"Because his '_butt-headedness_' 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. - -"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," Dona Josefa said. - -"I forgive him," Everett said, patting Tano on the back. - -"Not go to his house!" Tano exclaimed. "That is exactly what the old -pirate wants. It would be _nuts_ for the old Turk if I stayed away. Not -much--I won't stay away. I'll go when he is at _the colony_ with his -sweetly-scented pets." - -"Where is the colony?" Mercedes asked. - -"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 -'_squattery_,' because father always receives the settlers there; but -mother changed the name to '_colony_' 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. - -"Whether he be at the colony or not, you should not go if he does not -wish you to visit his house," Dona Josefa said to Tano. - -"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. - -"I think Mrs. Darrell ought to put her foot down, and have it out with -the old filibuster," Tano asserted. - -"We will see what he will do when Clarence comes," Everett said. - -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. - -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 "_squatting_" -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 "_rights -under the law_;" 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Clary is so much in love, father, that he comes courting you, too," -Everett said, laughing, as they all went into the parlor. - -"I suppose so," Darrell answered, not looking at any one's face, -excepting that of the clock on the chimney mantel. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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. - -"The excursion to West Point was to celebrate Mercedes' birthday," Alice -observed. - -"Yes, the Mechlins must be rich, to judge by their style of living. -Their social position is certainly very high," Clarence replied. - -"You had a delightful time, Clary?" Everett said. - -"Yes, indeed; most delightful," was the answer. - -"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. - -"Willie!" Mrs. Darrell said, to impose silence, but as Clarence and -Everett laughed, and his father did not seem particularly displeased, -Willie added: - -"And the old man gets so mad, that he perspires, and smoke comes out of -his back, as if his clothes were on fire." - -"Oh, Willie! how you exaggerate," Lucy exclaimed. - -"I don't. He snorts and clucks and growls and snarls. Romeo says he -miauls like a disappointed hyena." - -"That will do. You must not repeat such unkind criticisms. Romeo is -always ridiculing Mr. Mathews," Mrs. Darrell said. - -"Old Mathews is in worse humor since the Don began to send his cattle -away," Webster said. - -"Why so?" Clarence asked. - -"Because they made nice targets for his rifle," Everett replied. - -"Scandalous!" Clarence exclaimed. - -"He threatens to shoot George Mechlin, Tom Hughes says," Webster added. - -"Why?" Clarence asked. - -"Because he got the appeal dismissed," answered Webster. - -"He is foolish to suppose that if George hadn't had it dismissed that no -one else would," Clarence said. - -"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. - -"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. - -"And it is so. Only those boys--Romeo, Tom and Jack Miller--are always -ridiculing or teasing Mathews," Darrell said. - -"Why, father!" Everett exclaimed; "the fathers of those boys are as bad -as Mathews, and old Gasbang is worse yet!" - -"Gasbang was always dishonest, but he is worse now, at Peter Roper's -instigation," Darrell said. - -"Gasbang says that he and Roper will send the Don to the poor-house," -Everett said. - -"Not while I live," Clarence replied; adding, "and how is everybody at -the Alamar house--all well?" - -Up started Willie and Clementine, eager to be the first to tell Clarence -the great news. - -"They had two arrivals," Mrs. Darrell said. - -"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. - -"The boy has gray eyes," Willie interposed, with authority not to be -controverted. "He hasn't no blue eyes." - -"How do you know? You haven't seen them, but _I_ 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." - -"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 Dona Josefa and Mrs. -Beatrice Mechlin were nearly crazy with happiness, but that the craziest -of all was Mr. James Mechlin, who made more "_fuss_" 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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV.--_The Brewers of Mischief._ - - -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. - -Mercedes and Dona 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. - -Clarence was very angry, of course. He reflected in silence for a few -moments, then said to Gabriel: - -"I think if Don Mariano would make now, to-day, a deed of sale of _all_ -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." - -"I think Clarence's idea is a good one," George said. - -"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." - -"Tell him that I shall consider that the cattle are mine _now_, and will -let our friends, the settlers, know it, so that they can have the -satisfaction of killing _my cattle_." - -"Do you really mean it?" Dona Josefa asked. - -"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. - -"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 _vaquero_ waited for him. Clarence and George followed to -bid him good-by. Clarence said: - -"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." - -"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. - -"Yes, I think that will be the best time," Gabriel said. - -"Very well; I'll write to Hubert that we will be up by the 20th of this -month," Clarence said. - -"Gabriel can take his place on the 1st of October. That will do -splendidly, as Lizzie and Mercedes will be together," George said. - -"But we must live in the hope that we will all come down to make our -homes here," Gabriel added. - -"Of course. That is understood," Clarence replied. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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 -_vaquero_. - -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. - -Clarence sat close to Mercedes and said: "Does the sweetest thing that -God created realize that this day is the first day of September?" - -"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. - -"And does the loveliest rosebud and the prettiest hummingbird remember -that in two weeks more she is to be mine, mine forever?" - -"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: - -"I have a piece of information that is going to make your dear heart -glad. What will you give for it?" - -"What is it? Do tell me. Is it about papa?" - -"No, but it is about Gabriel and Lizzie." - -"What?" - -"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." - -"Oh! Clarence, is that so? Oh! you make me so glad! How can I ever thank -you?" - -"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 _extra_." - -Mercedes blushed crimson. - -"I am going to town now, to be away a long time; won't you give me one -single kiss to say good-by?" - -"Must you go? Why don't you write your letters or telegrams and send -them from here?" - -"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." - -"Then this will be a good chance to send up your photograph I want to -have enlarged and painted." - -"Yes; give it to me; I'll send it up." - -"I'll bring it," she said, going to the parlor. He followed her. He -closed the door, saying: - -"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." - -"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. - -"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." - -"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!" - -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 Dona -Josefa's doctrines, which she had carefully inculcated into the minds of -her daughters. - -"Well, I hope that at last you have kissed me enough," said Mercedes, -rather resentfully. - -"Never enough, but I hope sufficiently to give me good luck," answered -the happy Clarence. - -"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." - -"You must not believe in dreams, dearest." - -"I do not, but this seemed prophetic to me." - -"Prophetic of a snow storm in San Diego?" - -"The snow was symbolic of bereavement, perhaps." - -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: - -"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." - -"I would, but Hubert might come to-morrow." - -"I had forgotten that." One more long kiss and they parted, her heart -sinking under a load of undefined terrors. - -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: - -"Father, I came back to ask a favor of you." - -"A favor? You alarm me. You never did that in all your life," he said, -smiling. - -"You mean I never did anything else. I know it. But this is a very -especial one, and a business favor." - -"Let us hear it. Of course I'll do anything I can for you or any other -of my children." - -"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 _you_ by killing your son's -cattle they might spare the poor animals." - -"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--" - -"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." - -"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 _squatters_?" - -"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." - -"He has more sense than I gave him credit for. I guess you put him up to -that dodge." - -"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." - -"All right. I'll speak to the settlers, but of course I cannot promise -that they will do what I ask." - -"I understand that. Many thanks. Good-by." - -"When will you return?" - -"To-morrow," and he was off at a tearing speed for his horses were tired -of waiting, and longed to be on the road. - -There was a little _arroyo_ 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 phaeton 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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Why, Webster, go and listen unseen!" Mrs. Darrell exclaimed. - -"Certainly, and do it quickly, for those old imps mean mischief to -Clarence." - -"To Clarence!" exclaimed Alice and her mother at the same time. - -"Yes, mother, Web. might be right. You might just be in time to unmask -some lie against Clary," Everett suggested. - -"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: - -"You might be right, my children, but that would not justify my -listening at the keyhole." Everett shrugged his shoulders, saying: - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV.--_The Squatter and the Don._ - - -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: - -"Girls, I want to hear. Hush! Listen!" - -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: - -"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 _you -yourself_ had been fooling us and laughing at us. This we can hardly -believe." - -"We don't believe at all," Hughes explained, seeing Darrell's brow -darken. - -Jane's window was possessed of most favorable acoustic qualities. Every -word could be distinctly heard. - -"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." - -"Precisely!" Hughes exclaimed, bowing deferentially. - -"Did you ever give us to understand that this land you occupy you had -bought and paid for?" Mathews asked. - -"No. I said to the Don I would pay when the title is settled; that's -all. You all heard that." - -"But you never paid him any money?" - -"Not a red cent. But see here, what do you mean by coming here to -catechise _me_? 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. - -"I know it," Gasbang said, shaking with laughter. - -"Stop your nonsense," Darrell said to him; then to Mathews, "Speak out -like a man--what is it all about?" - -"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. - -"When did I do that?" Darrell asked, with increasing pallor, the sight -of which his interlocutor did not relish. - -"On the 13th day of February, 1872," Gasbang replied. - -"Who saw the record?" - -"I did. I saw the entry made by the notary." - -"Well, the notary lies, that's all." - -"He couldn't. He could be prosecuted for it," Miller said. - -"Very well, he shall be; for it is a lie that I bought any such land or -paid any such price for it." - -"Perhaps the Don had the entry made," Hughes suggested. - -"Then the Don lied, and I'll tell him so," Darrell retorted. - -"Are you sure that Mr. Clarence did not buy the land unbeknown to you?" -Mathews asked. - -"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." - -"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. - -"And who in the devil has been building theories on my affairs? I'd like -to see the fellow who does that," thundered Darrell. - -"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. - -"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 -_casually_. 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 _accidentally_, 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." - -"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. - -Darrell was silent, but shook his head. - -"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. - -"So you think he received the money?" Darrell asked. - -"No doubt of it," all the others answered. - -"There he goes now," said Hughes, and all could see the Don riding -towards home, accompanied by his two sons. Behind them the _vaqueros_ -were driving a lot of cattle towards the "_corral_" at the back of the -house. - -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 _me_ word. I ask this of all of you, as a -favor to me, not to Clarence." - -"Certainly! certainly!" said Hughes, Miller and Gasbang. - -"Will it be too much trouble to do that?" Darrell asked Mathews, who had -remained silent. - -He was compelled to reply: "Of course not--not for you." - -"Well, you see, I ask only what the law gives." - -"I know that." - -"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." - -All arose. - -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." - -"Very well. I am going to ask all he knows about it." - -"He knows everything, the greaser!" Mathews growled. - -"But you think Clarence paid the money?" asked Darrell. - -"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." - -"So says I," added Miller. - -"And I," said Hughes, and they drove off, laughing. - -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. - -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: - -"Retty, father means mischief. He has a 'black snake,' and trembles with -rage as if he had the ague." - -"Poor father, how unfortunate it is that he got into such a wrong train -of reasoning," Jane said. - -"He is bound to keep wrong as long as he permits such men to influence -him. I am ashamed of father," Lucy added. - -"No, don't say that," Jane begged. - -"But I am," Lucy maintained; "very much ashamed." - -"And I also--bitterly ashamed," Everett said. - -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. - -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 _vaqueros_ driving the -cattle up the hill. - -"Mamma, see father going to meet the Don. What does he mean?" exclaimed -Alice, alarmed. - -Mrs. Darrell went to the window, and both sat there to watch -proceedings. - -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. - -"Good afternoon, Mr. Darrell," said Don Mariano, pleasantly. "You see we -are Clarence's _vaqueros_ now." - -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. - -The enraged man gasped twice, but no sound came. On the third effort his -harsh tones said: - -"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." - -"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." - -"Didn't Clarence pay you for the land I took?" - -"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." - -"Then you have some private business together." - -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: - -"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." - -"What were those bribes?" Don Mariano asked. - -"What were they? Your daughter's pretty looks, by G--!" - -"Oh, father!" exclaimed Everett, turning very pale. - -"Pshaw! That is too low," the Don said, turning his horse towards his -house. - -Darrell spurred his and stood in the way. - -"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." - -"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. - -Darrell again placed his horse in front to intercept his road, and said, -livid with rage: - -"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." - -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. - -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 _reata_ held him in an iron grip, and he could not move. He looked -about him amazed, and saw that the other end of the _reata_ 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. - -"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 _reata_. - -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. - -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. - -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 -_reata_, which, if loosened, might entangle the horse, and thus pull the -old man off his saddle, followed, maintaining the _reata_ 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. - -The two Indian _vaqueros_ after putting their cattle in the _corral_, -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 _reata_ in his hands, the _lazo_ end of which was -attached to Darrell, they thought that for sport Don Gabriel had thrown -the _lazo_ on the old squatter. Having come to this conclusion, they -began to shout and hurrah with renewed vigor. - -"Apa! viejo escuata o cabestreas o te orcas," cried one. - -"No le afloje patroncito Gabriel," said the other. - -Now the ground being very rough, Darrell began to sway, as if losing his -balance. - -"Aprietate viejo! aprietate miralo! ya se ladea!" cried again one -_vaquero_. - -"Creo que el viejo escuata va chispo," said the other. - -"Que es eso? A que vienen aca? Quien los convida? Callense la boca, no -sean malcreados, Vallense!" said Victoriano, turning to them in great -indignation. - -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. - -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. - -Gabriel immediately gathering the _reata_ quickly in successive loops, -all of which he hung on the pommel of his saddle, came to Darrell's -side. - -"I'll take that _lazo_ 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. - -"Yes, damn you, and you'll pay for it, too!" was Darrell's courteous -reply. - -"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. - -"I suppose you think a _lazo_ is a very genteel weapon. It is good -enough for cowardly, treacherous greasers," said the irate Darrell, -eager to be as insulting as possible. - -"And to subdue wild cattle," Gabriel added. "I threw my _lazo_ 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 _lazo_ 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 _reata_ off Mr. Darrell's -arms." - -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. - -"I cannot loosen the noose without hurting Mr. Darrell," said -Victoriano, giving up the task. - -Gabriel dismounted, and examined the noose carefully. He shook his head, -saying: - -"No, sir; we cannot loosen that _reata_ 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." - -"Come on, Mr. Darrell, Retty and I will let you down nicely," said -Victoriano. - -"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. - -"For shame, Victoriano, to be so discourteous," said Gabriel, -reprovingly--his handsome features perfectly serious. - -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. - -"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. - -"I think we had better go home first," he said. - -"No, sir. It will be painful for Mrs. Darrell to see you as you are, and -then you ought to have that _reata_ off now, quickly. It will sicken -you." - -"Yes, I feel a very strange sort of cold feeling." - -Gabriel was afraid that impeded circulation might make the old man -faint, so he said: - -"Come, Mr. Darrell, quick." - -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. - -"Can you get on your horse now?" Gabriel asked, after Darrell had moved -his arms several times. - -"Yes, I think I can," he said, looking towards his house. A new shadow -passed over his face. - -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. - -"What is the matter, William? Did you fall?" - -"No. And if I had, you couldn't pick me up. What did you come out here -for?" was the characteristic answer. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"I will tell my father what you say, and let us hope that the cause of -all this misunderstanding may be explained," Gabriel replied. - -"I hope so," she said, offering her hand to him, which he took and -pressed warmly. - -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. - -Mrs. Darrell then asked Gabriel to explain everything to her, which he -did, while she listened to him very attentively. - -"If you only had heard what those squatters said, and prevented father -from riding out," Everett exclaimed. - -Mrs. Darrell sighed, shook hands with the Alamares, and, followed by her -sons, walked home. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI.--_Mrs. Darrell's View of Our Land Laws._ - - -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: - -"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. - -"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. - -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: - -"Missus says that mayhap when you rested awhile you might feel a little -hungry." - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -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: - -"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." - -"Who made the entry then?" Darrell asked, sharply. - -"That is what I came to say. The land was bought and paid for at _my_ -request. If there is any blame, or crime, or guilt in the matter, _I_ am -the criminal--_I_ 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, _never_ 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." - -"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. - -"I have only expressed my opinion, gentlemen; I mean no slur upon yours. -I hope you see now that I alone, _I am_ the one to blame for the -purchase of the land which has given so much offence. Good night, -gentlemen." - -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. - -"By George," he said, "but ain't she superb! I see now where Clarence -gets his good sense and correct ideas." - -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. - -"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. - -Hughes and Miller laughed with him, but no one else. All were deeply -impressed with Mrs. Darrell's words. - -"I wish she had told me this before," Darrell said, and resumed his -recumbent position. - -"Yes, why didn't she?" Gasbang asked. - -"Because women are bound to do mischief," Mathews replied. - -"She stated her reasons very clearly," Romeo said. - -"What were they?" Mathews asked. - -"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. - -Mathews snorted and turned his back on Romeo. Everett answered him, -saying: - -"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." - -"How did she know that the Don's title would not be rejected?" Mathews -inquired. - -"Her good sense told her," Romeo answered. - -"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. - -The conversation had now drifted to the subject of the coming survey of -the rancho. - -"I heard that the surveyor will be on the ground by the first of -October," Miller said. - -"All right; that will give us plenty of time," Gasbang observed. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"Yes, wise women generally put their foot in it," said he, turning his -back on her. - -"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." - -"No thanks to you, though." - -"That is true, but you know my maxim." - -"Which one? Wise women have so many." - -"To accept blessings thankfully, even when they come in disguise," she -replied, taking no notice of his sarcasm. - -"I have yet to see the blessing in this." - -"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." - -"I don't want a bath; I feel badly." - -"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." - -"Why don't you, then?" - -"Because I wanted first to see you resting for the night." - -"I don't know that I'll go to bed. I think I'll sleep in this chair." - -"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." - -"Do as you please." - -"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?" - -He said nothing, but looked very pale. She waited; he never said a word. - -"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." - -"Good night." - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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 _his bashfulness_. 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 _reata_. 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. - -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. - -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. - -She had been embroidering a _mouchoir_ 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. - -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. - -"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. - -"_Palabra suelta, no tiene vuelta_," Dona Josefa said. "Darrell can -never recall his insulting words." - -"But he can apologize for them," Don Mariano said. - -"And would that satisfy you?" Carlota asked. - -"It would have to," was the Don's answer. - -"Oh! papa!" Rosario exclaimed. - -"What then? Shall I go and shoot the old fool?" - -"I believe he would enjoy that, he is so full of fight," Victoriano -said, recommencing his laughing. - -"I fear his anger will not abate as long as the bruises of the _reata_ -remain painful," Gabriel said, thoughtfully. - -"Did you draw the _lazo_ very tight?" Don Mariano asked. - -"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." - -"This is a bad business, George," the Don said to his son-in-law, who -had remained a silent listener to all. - -"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. - -"If those squatters could be kept away, Darrell would come to his senses -much sooner," Mr. Mechlin said. - -"That's it exactly," Gabriel added; "they make the mischief." - -"But why does he allow it?" Dona Josefa said. - -"Because he loves the smell of gunpowder, and they are full of it," Tano -explained. - -"I think Mrs. Darrell ought to prevent those horrible creatures from -invading her house," Carlota said. - -"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. - -"You don't speak very respectfully of your future father-in-law," George -said to Victoriano, laughing. - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -In the morning Madame Halier came to see her, and immediately went to -report to Dona Josefa the state of Mercedes' eyes. Don Mariano came in -at once and took his pet in his arms. - -"Papa, you said you were going to-day. Please don't go," she begged. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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." - -"But, papa, you will keep out of Mr. Darrell's way." - -"Certainly, my poor little darling. Don't be afraid; Darrell will not -attack me again." - -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. - -"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." - -"No, I couldn't laugh. I wouldn't if I could." - -"Very well. To sleep is the best for you." - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII.--_Darrell Astonishes Himself._ - - -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. - -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: - -"Dona Josefa, Dona Beatrice, Dona Carlota, Dona Rosario, Dona Elvira, -Dona Carolina, Dona Elizabeth, all request the pleasure of your company -at a canning performance to take place this afternoon in the kitchen of -Dona Beatrice." - -Mercedes laughed, asking: "Are they really going to do the canning? Who -knows about it?" - -"They all know, theoretically, but as to practice, that '_quien sabe_.' -However, they are going to peal peaches by the bushel this evening, so -they will all dine there." - -"Doesn't mamma expect papa to dinner?" asked she, alarmed; "I hope so." - -"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 Dona Josefa were waiting for -George to go with them. - -"Mamma, don't you expect papa to dinner?" asked she. - -"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." - -"I will wait for them here." - -"Will you not go to Mrs. Mechlin's?" - -"No, please. I'll stay home." - -"Take my advice, and don't see Clarence yet," Carlota said. - -"Why not, pray?" - -"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. - -"And must I give up Clarence because--because his father gets mad, -and--and--" - -"And insults your father, and insults you," Carlota said. - -"But that would be awful," said she, looking at George, who full of -sympathy for his favorite sister-in-law, said: - -"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." - -"I doubt that," Carlota said. - -"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," Dona Josefa said. - -"What are we to do?" Mercedes exclaimed, in low, tremulous tones, that -revealed all the desolation she felt. - -"Try to be courageous, little sister," Carlota said. - -"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?" Dona Josefa asked. - -"But Clarence is innocent, and so am I," pleaded Mercedes, with white -lips. - -"My daughter, do you not see that I _must_ withdraw my permission to -your marriage now?" - -"Will you tell that to Clarence?" asked Mercedes, frightened. - -"Certainly, as soon as I see him." - -"And break our engagement?" she asked, with a voice scarcely audible. - -"Certainly. What else, my daughter?" - -"I want to go to my room," she said, slowly turning to go back, walking -as if in a dream. - -George put his arm around her shoulder, and walked with her. - -"Don't be discouraged, my dear _humanita_. Dona 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." - -"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." - -"We will keep your mamma at our house until Don Mariano returns. Tano -will see Clarence first." - -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. - -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. - -When her sobs were almost a paroxysm, Madame Halier, who had come to the -door to listen, went, and much excited, told Dona Josefa that Mercita -would certainly be ill if some one didn't show a little humanity to her. - -Dona 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. - -"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." - -"You will not tell Clarence to--that--to go away?" - -"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." - -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. - -"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. - -"Did Mr. Darrell say that?" Mercedes asked, blushing, so that her pale -face became suffused to the roots of her hair. - -"He said worse--but you had better hear no more." - -"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. - -"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, Dona Josefa hastened to add: -"I don't say that you will wait that long, but that you are young enough -to do so." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -With these cheerful thoughts, he was getting into his phaeton, 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: - -"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 -Senor Alamar made to you. They might mean mischief, though I don't see -how." - -"Of whom are you speaking?" Clarence asked. - -"Of Roper and Gasbang. Why should they wish to know about that -conveyance?" - -"I don't know; but I am sure it is for no good. When did they look at -the entry?" - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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 _other_ irritating circumstance." - -"None that we know of." - -"I am glad he did not strike the Don." - -"So am I, though I have a big bump to testify that he struck _me_, and I -suppose Tano has another to speak for him." - -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. - -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." - -Everett laughed at this, thinking it rather a witticism under the -circumstances, and was still laughing when both went into the -dining-room. - -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. - -"What made you laugh just now, Retty?" Willie asked. - -"Something that Clary said," answered Everett. - -"Was it anything funny?" - -"It must have been; but you needn't hear it." - -"But I want to hear it," he insisted. - -"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 -_in_ 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. - -"Oh, father! I am very sorry," was all that Clarence could answer. - -The entire family were almost choking with suppressed laughter, but none -dare give vent to it. - -"Why don't you laugh--all of you?" asked he, looking around fiercely. - -"Because you frighten their laughter away," Mrs. Darrell replied. "They -fear to offend you." - -"Offend me? _Me?_ And since when such consideration? Since when, I say?" - -"Since they were old enough to know you as their father," calmly replied -Mrs. Darrell. - -"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." - -"I am sorry, father. My intention was most kind," Clarence answered, -respectfully, but very calmly. - -"You only thought that as I was a fool, you would be my sense-bearer, -and act for me--you, the man of brains." - -"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." - -"If you were so sure of my approval, why didn't you tell me the whole -thing before?" - -"Because I was pledged to my mother not to do so. I was bound to be -silent." - -"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!" - -"No one will think that but yourself," Mrs. Darrell said; "and you will -change your mind, I hope." - -"And how do you know that?" - -"I was supposing that people reason in the way that in all my life I -have believed to be correct." - -"Yes, what _you_ believe to be correct no one else has any right to -think differently." - -"Whether they have or not, I shall not interfere." - -"No, you only wanted to interfere with me." - -"Certainly. As my life is united to yours, I am obliged to try and -prevent such of your actions as will make me unhappy." - -"An excellent doctrine for wives--for mothers to teach their -children--and we see the result now." - -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: - -"Well, sir, since yourself and your mother have bought this land, and -since I am an unreclaimed _squatter_, I suppose I had better leave this -place, and go back to Alameda again. I suppose I can have that place -again?" - -"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. - -"How is that?" - -"I bought the place, and if you wish you can live in it." - -"You? _You_ bought the place! Then, by George! _you_ 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. - - - -"Don't say that, please. The place was for sale, Hubert telegraphed me, -and I telegraphed back to buy it." - - -"I didn't know you were so rich," he answered, sneeringly. - -Clarence made no reply. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -Mrs. Darrell and Clarence looked at each other. The case seemed -hopeless. All were silent. - -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." - -"But why should you wish to do that? What has Don Mariano done to you? -and if Don Gabriel threw his _lazo_ on you, it was to protect his -father." - -"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." - -"Then you don't believe me?" Mrs. Darrell said. - -"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." - -Clarence rose to his feet, very pale, but he sat down again, and -controlling himself, said as calmly as possible: - -"I had never seen one, not one of Don Mariano's daughters when I went to -offer to pay for this land." - -"Do you mean that you wouldn't have done so if your mother hadn't wished -it?" - -"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." - -"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 -_lasooing_ at people." - -"Pshaw! I never thought you capable of--" - -"Of what? Insulting those greasers?" - -"They are gentlemen, no matter how much you may wish to besmear them -with low epithets." - -"Gentlemen that won't fight." - -"They told you they would fight _like gentlemen_." - -"Who told you that?" - -"I did, father. I heard Don Mariano and Don Gabriel both tell you that," -Everett said. - -"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?" - -"What! Did you say that?" asked Clarence, reddening to the roots of his -hair, his face quickly blanching again. - -"I did--in clear language." - -"In dirty, low, nasty language, and it is you who are the coward, to -insult _me_ 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." - -"That suits me. You are too _greasy_ for both of us to live under the -same roof," said Darrell, contemptuously, with a gesture of disgust. - -"Good-by, mother; good-by, my sisters; good-by, boys--take care of -mother and the girls. God bless you." - -With a piercing cry, that rang through the house, Alice ran to Clarence, -and throwing her arms around his neck, said: - -"Kiss me, my darling, for if you leave us I shall be wretched until you -return. Oh! I can't let you go." - -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: - -"Alice has fainted, mother. My sweet sister, how dearly I love her, God -only knows." - -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. - -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? - -Mechanically he walked to the phaeton, got into it and took the reins to -drive off. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII.--_Shall it be Forever?_ - - -Everett followed Clarence and got into the phaeton with him. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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. - -"It was so horrible, I couldn't. Forgive me, dear Clary." - -"Certainly; I can't blame you." - -"Are you going to Don Mariano's?" - -"Yes. I will ask Tano to give me a place to sleep; that is, if Dona -Josefa is not too disgusted to tolerate a Darrell under her roof." - -"I am sure they feel nothing but kindness for you." - -"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." - -"Don't do that. Wait for the Don, if he is not in now." - -"I may, but I don't know. I dread to see Mercedes. I feel so humiliated, -so ashamed. What can I say to her?" - -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. - -"But you will see her yourself," Everett said. - -"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 -phaeton's wheels and came out to meet it. - -"I am so glad to see you, old fellow," said he to Clarence; "it seems an -age since sundown." - -"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." - -"So do I, but it has been awful. Retty told you." - -"Yes, I know it all now." - -"Unfortunately I did not tell him father's insulting remarks about Miss -Mercedes," sadly observed Everett. - -"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." - -"And hungry, too. Father spoiled his supper with his courteous remarks," -added Everett. - -"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." - -"No. I'll say good-by to Clary now and walk home." - -"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?" - -"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. - -"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. - -"But what? Better tell me all, dear Tano," said Clarence. - -"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." - -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: - -"My heart misgives me, dear Tano; I cannot blame her if she considers my -father's words unpardonable." - -"But they were not _your_ words," Everett interposed. "You are not to -blame if your father forgets _himself_ and makes a brute of _himself_. I -almost hate him. Courage, dear Clary." - -"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: - -"I suppose we must part now, dear brother." - -Everett threw his arms around him, and for a few moments both brothers -held each other in close, silent embrace. - -"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: - -"Walk in, Clary. Mercedes will be in the parlor in a minute. Now, Retty, -I'll take you home." - -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: - -"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?" - -"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!" - -"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?" - -Clarence was silent, still holding the dear little hands. His face -flushed with shame, but became pale again as he replied: - -"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." - -"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?" - -"He has done so. That proves he can, doesn't it?" - -"No, Clarence. No matter what he does he is still your father." - -Clarence leaned his head back on the sofa and looked at the chandelier -in silence for some moments, then said: - -"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?" - -"But was he ever cruel to you before?" - -"Never. He has been always most kind and indulgent to all his children, -but especially so to Alice and myself." - -"Then, Clarence, for this one fault, all his life of kindness and -devotion must not be forgotten." - -"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, _I -then--I must suffer alone_!" - -"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--" - -Clarence sprang to his feet, and with hands pressed to his forehead, -began pacing the room, greatly agitated, but without speaking a word. - -"Clarence, hear me. It will only be for a little while." - -He shook his head, and continued his walk--his mind a prey to the -wildest despair. - -"Would it not be very unbecoming for us to marry now, and your family -not be present at the wedding?" - -"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." - -"Since he is so furious, I don't think he would like his wife and -children to be at our wedding." - -"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." - -"Never! Such an idea never entered my mind. How could it?" said -Mercedes, with great earnestness. - -"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. - -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. - -"Mercedes, we part now. Heaven bless you." - -"Clarence, you are ill. What do you mean? Will you not wait for papa?" - -"No. I had better go now." - -"You misunderstood me, I think, else how could you think of going?" - -"Did you not say that our wedding had better be postponed? And does that -not mean that it may never, _never_ be?" - -"Why should it mean that?" - -"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--" - -"Clarence, I do not reject you, and I have no right, no wish, to do so. -Please do not say that." - -"Will you be mine--my wife--after all the ruffianly words my father has -said?" - -"Certainly. Why should I blame you?" - -"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?" - -"What do you mean by asking if I will _call_ you?" - -"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." - -"But I do. Please do not say those dreadful things. Why should you go -away?" - -"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." - -"I don't think mamma would consent to that." - -"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." - -"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. - -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: - -"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 -_beg_ of you?" - -"Oh, Clarence, why do you ask me? How can I tell? You will have to ask -papa and mamma." - -"Will they consent?" - -"Papa, perhaps; but I fear mamma will not approve of such a hasty -marriage." - -"That is so. Perhaps I am unreasonable. Good-by, my beloved. Will you -call me back soon?" - -"Clarence, you are not going? How can you?" - -"I must. Do not ask me to remain, under the circumstances, unless it is -to make you my wife. I cannot." - -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. - -"Clarence, do not look at me so sadly. Please remain until papa comes. -Do not go. You might never see him." - -"I must, or I will lose the steamer. Farewell, my own sweet love." - -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 -phaeton had been left by Victoriano, after having taken Everett home. - -"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." - -Muttering this short soliloquy, Clarence drove quickly down the incline -leading to the main road. - -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 phaeton's wheels as they grated harshly on the pebbles of the brook, -and then all was silent again. - -"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. - -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. - -"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--_just_ five minutes." - -"I thought I heard her voice in this direction," said Clarence, pointing -to the opposite side. - -"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?" - -"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?" - -"To Madam Mechlin's, monsieur." - -"Be it so. Good-by, madam," said he, extending his hand. - -"But will you not wait for madamoiselle?" - -"No, madam; if she did not call me, I need not wait." - -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. - -Tano and Dona Josefa now came and saw the phaeton ascending the hill on -the other side of the brook. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX.--_Hasty Decisions Repented Leisurely._ - - -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 -phaeton 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. - -"Yes, _patroncito_, 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 Dona Josefa -and Victoriano returning from Mrs. Mechlin, came in through the garden -side gate. - -"Who is going in that carriage?" was the first question put by -Victoriano to Madame Halier. - -"It is Monsieur Clarence." - -"And where is Mercedes?" - -"She called you to go to Madame Mechlin's." - -"No such thing," said Victoriano, going to look in the parlor; returning -immediately to renew his questions. - -But the madame could do no more than repeat all she knew, which was -little enough, and that little thoroughly mixed in her mind. - -All that Victoriano and Dona 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. - -"I must overtake Clarence. There is some misunderstanding here, that is -plain," said Victoriano, going to the back piazza to call a servant. - -This time Chapo came a little quicker, not knowing whether he would be -to blame, because the _Americano_ went off with his horses before he had -time to put them in the stable. - -"Bring me my bay horse, saddled, in two minutes, do you hear? Two -minutes--not two hours--go quick." - -"We cannot find Mercita. She is not in the house," said Dona Josefa to -her son, much alarmed. - -"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." - -Fifteen minutes after Clarence had left, Victoriano was galloping behind -him, wondering why he could not see him anywhere on the road. - -Madame Halier and Dona Josefa continued looking for Mercedes most -anxiously, but in vain. George now came up, and joined in the search for -the missing girl. - -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. - -Dona 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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"Wait a little while. I'll carry her a little longer," said George, -holding the unconscious girl. - -"Father is too agitated to be steady enough just now," said Gabriel. -"I'll carry her." - -"Let me see her face, for God's sake! Has she no life?" Don Mariano -exclaimed. - -"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. - -"But why did they part? Why did he go?" Don Mariano asked. - -"That is as much a mystery to me as to you," George replied. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The agent said, as he handed the note, that Mr. Darrell had left orders -at the stable to keep the two horses and phaeton until Don Victoriano -sent for them. Eagerly Victoriano read the note. It ran thus: - - _Dear Tano_: - - Forgive me for not waiting to bid you good-by. I feared to miss - the boat; and since Dona 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. - - 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. - - 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. - - 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. - - Good-by, dear Tano, again. God bless you all. - - Ever your true friend, - Clarence. - - P. S.--I leave you my horses and phaeton - -There was nothing for Victoriano to do now but return home. He went to -the stable, ordered fresh horses put to the phaeton, 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. - -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. - -Don Mariano and Dona 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. - -About midnight Dona Josefa asked her if she had been sleeping. She shook -her head and whispered: - -"I am waiting for Clarence. He is coming, sitting on a water lily. I see -him. I am waiting." - -The look of dismay that Dona Josefa exchanged with her husband, revealed -to each other their terrible anxiety and dread. - -"We must wait for Victoriano, and if Clarence does not come, then we -must send for a doctor," Don Mariano whispered. - -But Mercedes heard him, and said, scarcely audibly: "He will come. I am -waiting. He loves me. He don't want to kill me." - -When Victoriano arrived it was near daylight, but Don Mariano was up and -came out to meet him. Seeing the phaeton 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -"I will go at once," Victoriano said, jumping to his feet. - -"No, you have been up all night. We don't want too many sick to take -care of. Gabriel will go." - -Victoriano looked towards the fascinating window, and hesitating a -little, said: - -"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." - -"There is some one going out in Clarence's buggy. Perhaps they are -sending for a doctor," Don Mariano said. - -"I believe it," Victoriano said, watching the buggy. "It is Everett. -Alice is ill, I am sure. Retty is coming this way." - -Everett was driving fast, and in a very few minutes was at the gate, and -coming to the piazza. - -"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." - -"Is Alice sick, Retty?" Victoriano asked, without heeding Everett's -apology for coming. - -"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." - -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 _why_ Clarence left must yet remain a mystery to -them until Mercedes could explain it. - -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. - -"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." - -"He will find two," said Don Mariano. - -"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?" - -"Yes; Gabriel will go very soon," Don Mariano replied. - -"Who is your doctor? Can't I call him for you?" - -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. - -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 _other_ 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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -The business which brought Fred up from the mines was soon explained, -and in conclusion Fred said: - -"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?" - -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. - -"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." - -"But to-morrow there will be no steamer to take me to San Francisco." - -"Then wait for the next. The matters you have under consideration are -too important to decide hastily." - -"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." - -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 "_bonanza_," 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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX.--_Effect of Bad Precept and Worse Example._ - - -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. - -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, _protege_ of Judge Lawlack -and partner of Colonel Hornblower. - -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: -"_Because Roper says he has so much influence with the Judge_?" 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 _retained the Judge_, 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. - -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. - -"But what if your friend, the Judge, is reversed, as he always is?" -Roper would be asked. - -"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." - -"But in the end you don't win?" - -"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 _my Judge_ 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." - -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. - -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 _factotum_ 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. - -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 _Nemesis_. 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 _reata_ 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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! - -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! - -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? - -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. - -Mercedes and Alice were no longer delirious, but their condition was -still precarious, and the anxious parents could not lay aside their -fears. - -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. - -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? - -"I expect we will have to kick _him_ 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!" - -"Why are you the Don's enemy, Roper? Did he ever do you any injury?" -Romeo asked. - -"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. - -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 _secret bargain_ between Judge Gryllus Lawlack -and his favorite. This shameful debauchery of judicial power was the -wages of the _political factotum_; and Roper unblushingly acknowledged -it, and _boasted_ 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 "_influence with the Court_." Wishing at the same time that -he was facetious, to be considered a wit, he would relate several -stories illustrative of _his power over the Judge_. 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: - -"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?" - -"Very true," answered the other. "You have the law, the equity, the -money and the talent, but _I have the Judge_." - -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 _I have the Court in my pocket_. Give us another drink." And he -staggered for more whisky. - -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. - -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. - -"Yes, we will watch and pray, brother John," Roper said, with a nasal -twang. Gasbang was a church deacon. - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -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 _reata_ 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. - -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: - -"Indeed, George, that baby ought to be in bed now. See, it is after -seven, and he is still awake. You keep him awake." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"What mischief do you fear?" Darrell asked. - -"Well, you see--I can scarcely explain--for, after all, it might be all -talk of William, when he has drank that horrible whisky." - -"What does he say?" - -"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 _shot -dead_, 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!" - -"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. - -"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?" - -She started to her feet, and so did Darrell, for the report of a rifle -rang loud and distinct in the evening air. - -"That is William's rifle. I hope he did not fire it," she said. - -Darrell went to the door to listen for another shot, but none was heard, -so he came back and resumed his seat. - -"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." - -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. - -"What makes the old maid shriek like a fool?" said he. - -"Your death-like face," Darrell replied. - -"Nonsense!" he said, going to a side-table to pour out whisky from a -demijohn he took from under it. - -"Oh, William! for pity's sake! don't drink more," she begged. "It will -make you crazy, I am sure." - -"Anybody might suppose I have drank a river, to hear the old hag talk -like that," he snarled. - -"You have not said good evening to Mr. Darrell." - -"You don't give me a chance, with your infernal chatter. Mr. Darrell -knows he is welcome," he said, without looking at him. - -"Where is your rifle, William?" she asked. - -With an oath he turned and glared at her, with distorted features. - -"It is none of your business where it is. Have I to give you an account -of everything?" - -"I thought you might have loaned it to somebody, for we heard it fired a -little while ago." - -"Is there no rifle but mine in this valley?" - -"I am sorry to say there are plenty, but I know the report of yours. I -never mistake it for any other." - -Mathews became so enraged, hearing this, and so violent and abusive in -his language, that Darrell had to interfere to silence him. - -"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." - -"I wish the devil would take the old hag," he retorted. "She torments my -life. I hate her." - -"What is the matter with you, Billy?" Darrell asked. "Why are you so -excited?" - -"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. - -Miss Mathews whispered hurriedly to Darrell: "Take away his rifle." - -"Neighbor Mathews," said Darrell, "I want to send my rifle to have it -fixed, will you lend me yours for a few days?" - -"Take it," said he gruffly, then folding his arms on the table and -leaning his head upon them, immediately sunk into a heavy sleep. - -"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." - -"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. - -As both stepped outside the first object that met their eyes was Billy's -rifle, peacefully reclining against the window. - -Darrell took it up and looked at Miss Mathews perplexed. She was looking -at him aghast. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI.--_A Snow Storm._ - - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"But will he succeed?" Elvira asked. - -"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." - -"Will it really help the South so much?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"But why has he to _fight_? 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 _because they don't -want to have competition_? Isn't that their reason?" - -"That's all. They have not an earthly _right_ to oppose the Texas -Pacific, and all their motive is that they _don't want competition_ 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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"I am awfully discouraged, George. I am so sorry that papa put all his -money into town property." - -"Let us yet hope Tom Scott might succeed." - -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 "_to be or not -to be_" 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 _never came_! That aid which was to bring peace and comfort to so -many homes, which at last were made forever desolate! - -Yes, aid was refused. The monopoly triumphed, bringing poverty and -distress where peace might have been! - -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! - -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, Senor Alamar and Mr. Holman. They exhorted -all to keep up courage, and trust in Tom Scott. - - ---- - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Now they enjoyed a two hours' _tete-a-tete_, which was very sweet to -them, and which pleasure they had not had since Clarence left. - -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. - -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 "_stampeding_" 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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Besides all of us, the Holman girls will be good company for her," -added George. - -Mercedes, therefore, was told by her papa that she was to remain with -Elvira and Lizzie in town during his absence. - -"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." - -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. - -The _mayordomo_, with about twenty _vaqueros_, 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. - -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. - -"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 _mayordomo_. - -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. - -The bellowing of cattle and shouts of the _vaqueros_ 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. - -"With a good supper and good night's rest, we will make a long march -to-morrow," said the _mayordomo_ to Don Mariano. "There is plenty of -feed here for our cattle." - -"But the weather looks so threatening. I wish we were out of this," said -Don Mariano. - -"And I, too. We are going to get a wetting," added Tano. - -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. - -"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. - -"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." - -In a short time several fires were started under oak trees which had -widely-spreading branches or under pines which clustered together. - -Don Mariano had a consultation with his _mayordomo_, 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. - -"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." - -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. - -"What? Still in bed?" said he, seeing Victoriano lying down. "This won't -do. Up with you, boy." - -"Come here to me, father," said Victoriano's voice, very sadly. His -father was quickly by his side. - -"What is the matter, my boy?" asked he. - -"Father, I cannot stand up. From my knees down I have lost all feeling, -and have no control of my limbs at all." - -"Have you rubbed them to start circulation? They are benumbed with the -cold, I suppose." - -"I have been rubbing them, but without any effect, it seems. I don't -feel pain though, nor cold either." - -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. - -As soon as all the herders had drank plenty of warm coffee, all mounted -their horses, and the work of rousing the cattle began. - -The shouts of the _vaqueros_, 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. - -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. - -About four o'clock the _vaqueros_ 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 _mayordomo_ -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. - -"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. - -The snow had not ceased falling for one moment, and if the _mayordomo_ -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. - -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 _mayordomo_ 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. - -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 _mayordomo_ and all but one _vaquero_ with the -cattle, Don Mariano had with him only this one _mozo_ 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 -Dona Josefa had two invalids more to nurse. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII.--_A False Friend Sent to Deceive the Southerners._ - - -"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. - -If conspicuousness or notoriety could mean greatness, we have our _great -men_ 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 _heavenly signs_, for surely they march -before us in the opposite direction from that in which heavenly Fire -Pillars would be expected to stand. - -And who are the most conspicuous in our State? The _monied men, of -course_--the monopolists. They are our _Fire Pillars_! Unfortunate -California! if thou art to follow such guides, thy fate shall be to -_grovel for money_ 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. - -And are not _our_ "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! - -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 _good news_ 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. - -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 _to persuade_ 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 _the Southern Pacific_, 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, _for money_, he would go to deceive trusting friends? That, -_for money_, 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?" - -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. - -"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." - -Mr. James Mechlin read to Mr. Holman this portion of his brother's -letter, and both looked at each other in dismay. - -"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: - -"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." - -"But would Stanford tell us?" - -"Whether he does or not, by talking with him we will find out the -truth." - -"I don't think the sending of Guller to the South can be a ruse only; it -must have cost them money." - -"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." - -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: - -"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." - -"Yes, after I see him, I shall know the truth whether he tells it to me -or I see it myself," said Mr. Mechlin. - -"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. - -"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: - -"Here is a lot of letters and papers that came this morning which I was -almost forgetting to give to you." - -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 archaeology 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 _no letters_, 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. - -"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?" - -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. - -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 Dona -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. - -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 _mayordomo_ thought they would -wait until the storm had passed. Next day the _mayordomo_ 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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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!" - -"Can it be possible that Governor Stanford had any knowledge that his -associate was sending Doctor Guller on that disgraceful errand?" Don -Mariano queried. - -"It looks like it, but let us hope he did not," Mr. Holman replied. - -"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. - -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. - -Lizzie, therefore, had three gentlemen for her escort, and in a few days -they all steamed away for the city of the sand dunes. - -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: - -"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." - -"What is the matter? What has Tom Scott done to anger his persecutors?" -asked Mr. Holman. - -"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. - -"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?" - -"Because, if their earnings had been seventy millions, these men would -still be in need of money," Mr. Perin said. - -"Why so?" - -"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." - -"I hope they'll be disappointed in killing Colonel Scott," said Don -Mariano. "That would mean death to many others." - -"I hope so, too, but I hear that Mr. Huntington devoutly prays that a -kind Providence may enable him '_to see grass growing over Tom Scott_,'" -Mr. Perin replied. - -"Yes, my brother wrote me that Huntington does say that he hopes to -worry Scott to death, and '_see grass growing over his grave_.' I fear -he will see grass growing over many graves if he succeeds in killing the -Texas Pacific," said Mr. Mechlin. - -"He is trying hard to do that, and his associates are backing him up -with millions," Mr. Perin said. - -"Then Heaven help us poor people who have invested our all, believing -that San Diego would have a railroad," said Mr. Mechlin, bitterly. - -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. - -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 _associates_ concerning his _modus -operandi_ in Washington to "_convince_" Congressmen to do as he wished, -to defeat the Texas Pacific; writing all about sending an ex-Senator to -"_switch off the South_," 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. - -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. - -"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. - -"If you were a railroad prince, you would not pay your own taxes, much -less those of the squatters," said Mr. Holman. - -"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. - -"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. - -"It is certainly a very hard case to have to mortgage your property to -pay taxes for the squatters," observed Mr. Holman. - -"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." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII.--_San Diego's Sentence is Irrevocable._ - - -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: - -"Well, I hope this is not to be a second stage of waiting." - -Mr. Stanford arose, bowing from behind his desk, said: - -"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." - -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. - -When all were seated, Governor Stanford said in his low, agreeable -voice, which any one might suppose would indicate a benevolent, kind -heart: - -"What can I do for you, gentlemen?" - -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. - -"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--" - -"Say it out. But what?" said the Governor, smiling. - -"But will do nothing for us," finished Mr. Holman. - -"That is to say, for San Diego," added Mr. Mechlin, afraid that it might -seem as if they came to ask a personal favor. - -"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. - -"But you can hear what we wish to say to you," Mr. Holman interposed, -with a sickly effort at smiling. - -"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." - -They all bowed. - -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. - -"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. - -"Or to let some one else build it," said Mr. Holman. - -The Governor colored slightly, in evident vexation. - -"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." - -"Then why don't you build it?" asked Mr. Mechlin. - -"Because it won't pay," was the dry reply. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"Certainly not. If you can get it, do so, of course." - -"Then, Governor, that is why we came to talk with you. _Is San Diego's -death sentence irrevocable?_ Is it absolutely determined by you that San -Diego is not to have a railroad?" asked Mr. Holman. - -"Well, that is a hard question to answer. No, perhaps for the present -San Diego will _not_ have a railroad," said he, with cool nonchalance. - -"What do you call _for the present_? How long?" - -"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." - -"In other words, San Diego must be strangled. There will not be any -Texas Pacific?" said Mr. Holman. - -"No, not in California," the Governor calmly asserted, passing over the -subject as of no consequence, if a hundred San Diegos perished by -strangulation. - -"By the terms of the Southern Pacific charter were you not to build to -San Diego?" asked Mr. Mechlin. - -"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. - -"A little branch road," observed Mr. Holman. - -"Yes; that is all we think is necessary for our purpose." - -"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." - -"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. - -"But without asking or expecting you to take any sentimental or -philosophic or moralizing view of our case _as a benefactor_, 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." - -"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." - -"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. - -"Our bread; never mind the butter," said Don Mariano, smiling. - -"Why, you at least have plenty of cows to make butter," said Mr. -Stanford, addressing Senor Alamar, evidently wishing to avoid the -subject, by turning it off. - -"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." - -"Those Indians are great thieves, I suppose?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"And what if there is no compromise?" - -"Then, of course, there will be no road for you--that is to say, no -Texas Pacific in California." - -"Why not, Governor? 'Live and let live,'" Don Mariano said. - -"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?" - -"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." - -"You should have been more cautious; not so rash." - -"How could we have foreseen that you would prevent the construction of -the Texas Pacific?" - -"Easily. By studying business principles; by perceiving it would be to -our interest to prevent it." - -"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. - -"Why not?" - -"Because it would have seemed to us impossible that you could have -succeeded." - -"Why impossible?" - -"Because we would have thought that the American people would interfere; -that Congress would respect the rights of the Southern people." - -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." - -"You seem very sure of Congress?" - -"I am sure of what I say." - -"But, Governor, the Government helped you to build your roads, why don't -you let it help ours?" - -"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?" - -"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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"Carlyle, in your place, would not view your position like that, -Governor," said Don Mariano, rising. - -"Nor Herbert Spencer, either. His ideas of what you call business -principles are different," added Mr. Holman. - -"Pray, what would those great thinkers say?" - -"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. - -The Governor smiled, and with the least perceptible sneer he asked: - -"And how does Mr. Herbert Spencer differ with my ideas of business -principles?" - -"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. - -"But that is absurd. Would he stop competition?" - -"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. - -"Fundamental morality forbids us to injure any one because we would be -benefited by that injury," said Don Mariano. - -"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. - -"That is so; but you see, Governor, the devil might sing psalms, and it -won't hurt the psalms," Don Mariano replied. - -"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." - -"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. - -"Corporations have no souls, gentlemen, and I am no Carlylean -hero-philanthropist. I am only a most humble '_public carrier_.' I do -not aspire to anything more than taking care of my business," Mr. -Stanford answered. - -"But, Governor, you cannot be indifferent to the distress your action -will cause?" insisted Mr. Mechlin, with sad earnestness. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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. - -Mr. Mechlin arose and turned towards the door. Mr. Holman followed his -example. Senor Alamar looked sadly at the floor, saying: - -"Well, Governor, I am sorry we have failed in bringing you to our way of -thinking. Time will show who is mistaken." - -"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." - -"To clear away competition." - -"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." - -"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?" - -"No indeed. For the present, it is cheaper to fight. It don't cost so -much money to make friends," said he, smiling. - -"You seem very confident of success." - -"Money commands success, you know." - -"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. - -"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. - -Mr. Mechlin, still lingering sadly, and veiling his great disapprobation -of Mr. Stanford's practical philosophy, said: - -"Mr. Herbert Spencer also, in elucidating his principles, reminds us of -the fact that 'Misery is the highway to _death_, 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 _death_! 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." - -"You have a very vivid imagination; you color up things too dark," said -the Governor, also rising. - -"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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV.--_The Sins of Our Legislators!_ - - -"'_Assey de Bonaparte!_' 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." - -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! - -In heavenly-inspired words Emerson and Carlyle and Herbert Spencer have -repeated those burning aphorisms, but our California "_Fire Pillars_" -differ with them--differ widely and differ proudly. - -Mr. Stanford says that if _he_ did not cause misery some one else would, -for "_misery there must always be in this world_!" Sound philosophy, -truly! Why should he recoil from adding to the sum total of human misery -when so many others do the same! - -Mr. Huntington was about the same time writing from Washington that he -_would_ "_see the grass grow over Tom Scott_" before he stopped his work -of _convincing_ Congressmen. And he kept his word. - -He carried _conviction_ to Washington, distress to the South and ruin to -San Diego. - -Mr. Crocker was answering, "_Anything to beat Tom Scott!_" 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." - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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, _I_ -shall revel in wealth.'" - -"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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"How irksome and distasteful it is for him to hear about '_the rights of -others_.' He almost takes it as an insult that any one but himself and -associates should have _rights_; 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." - -"Does he suppose we don't know that they had no money, and that it was -with capital _given_ 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 -_rights of others_ 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." - -"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. - -"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, _and -yet it is_, 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." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"This won't do. You must change your clothes at once," said Mr. Mechlin. - -Mr. Holman also became alarmed at seeing the bluish pallor of his face. - -"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. - -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. - -Dona Josefa did not feel anxious; she thought that her husband was busy -negotiating a loan on his land, and this detained him. - -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. - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Victoriano, who was now able to be about (but said he _mistrusted_ his -legs), was with him. - -"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, _very_ glad, indeed, -that you did it," said Victoriano, when they had driven for a long time -without uttering a word. - -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." - -"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." - -"Mr. Darrell is wrong, then. I cannot expect to be paid for cattle I did -not deliver." - -"But he says you had sold them already. If they were lost on the way it -was neither your fault nor your loss." - -"No, but was my misfortune, not Clarence's." - -"The cattle were going to Clarence's mines, which goes to prove that -they had been bought by him." - -"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. - -When they arrived home they found that Dona 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. - -He had one day casually met the doctor who attended his father, and -after inquiring whether Don Mariano was better, added: - -"I tell you frankly, Don Gabriel, your father may yet live many years, -but he is in danger, too, of dying very suddenly." - -"How? Why so?" Gabriel asked, pale with alarm. - -"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. - -"I will go and tell him so myself," Gabriel said. - -"That is right. The case is serious, I assure you." - -This short dialogue brought Gabriel home. - -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. - -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. - -Mr. Mechlin replied that they would decide upon that after New Years, -but he was evidently pleased at the prospect of returning to Alamar. - -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 "_a change came over the spirit of their -dream_," and it seemed to have come to quench the light of their lives. - -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 "_fusique_" 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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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. - -"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?" - -"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?" - -"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." - -"I don't see why you should, either. What does your lawyer say?" - -"He shrugs his shoulders, caresses his side-whiskers, and says he -_thinks_ 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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"The sins of our legislators have brought us to this," he exclaimed, -leaning back. Presently he said: "Call your mother, my son." - -Gabriel called his mother, who being in the next room, talking with Mrs. -Mechlin, was quickly by his side. - -"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!" - -Mercedes had her arms around him. He looked at her lovingly. - -"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. - -"Papa, darling, can't we do something to relieve you?" asked Mercedes. -He shook his head and whispered: - -"Too late. The sins of our legislators!" - -"Do you feel pain, father?" Gabriel asked. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -A few days had passed after the funeral, and the Alamar family were -still in town. Dona 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. - -One morning Mr. Mechlin arose from the breakfast table and said he was -going hunting. - -"Don't go far, James; you are too weak," said Mrs. Mechlin. - -"I think, papa, you ought not to carry that heavy gun. You eat nothing, -and walk too far, carrying it," Caroline said. - -"Will you carry it for me?" he said, smiling. - -"I will," Gabriel said; "I'll take George's, too, and go with you, if -you'll permit me." - -"It isn't necessary," he replied, going towards his room. - -"I think papa has taken to heart the death of Don Mariano more than any -one sees," said Caroline. - -"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." - -"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. - -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. - -"Oh, God! Was it accidental?" Mrs. Mechlin exclaimed, clasping her -husband to heart. The dying man smiled, whispering: - -"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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV.--_The Fashion of Justice in San Diego._ - - -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? "_Libel_" 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! - -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. - -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 "_monte_" 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. - -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. - -"I'll see Hogsden the first thing in the morning," said he, joyously. - -"But wait. Can you trust him?" - -"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." - -"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. - -"Leave that to me," said John, rubbing his hands and giving his vest a -downward pull. - -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. - -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. - -Roper now being a property holder, besides being so influential with -_the_ Judge, thought he could soar to higher altitudes. By the -assistance of Gasbang and a few others, whom he said belonged to his -_gang_, he managed to get himself nominated for Representative to -Congress. Bursting with pride, puny Peter started on his way to glory, -to _stump_ 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. - -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. - -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 _low_, the lowest -of the lowly--so very low, so very disreputable, that no one could be -lower. - -"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 _for_ 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 -_to you_ that I had a father, that is all the proof _I_ ever had -myself." - -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. - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -Peter answered with an oath. - -"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. - -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, _according to his own -version_, must have been from the day of his birth. - -"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?" - -Roper laughed loud and derisively, saying: - -"What will you bet that I'll have just as good and just as many friends -in San Diego as I ever had before?" - -"Do you mean to say that the people of San Diego _approve_ of language -such as you used to-night? Approve your conduct?" - -"Never mind about that, only will you take my bet?" - -The henchman shrugged his shoulders and walked off, but if he had taken -that bet, he would have lost. - -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. - -"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." - -"What has happened?" Mrs. Colonel Hornblower asked. - -"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. - -"How absurd! so unnecessary!" she exclaimed. - -"Perfectly, but you see, for a man of _my_ dignity the thing is awkward. -What will the town say of _me_, *ME*?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"Still, I would like to get letters." - -"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." - -"I would like to see other royal people. I would like to see the Pope, -also." - -"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." - -"Does he ever invite people to dinner?" - -"Distinguished people, of course." - -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. - -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. - -But has the Judge no moral responsibility in this? _Has he the right to -impose upon the community_ 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, -"_the Slave of the Ring_" 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. - -With characteristic coarseness, amounting to inhumanity, Peter Roper and -Gasbang decided to throw down their masks, and reveal their fraud in -"_jumping_" Mr. Mechlin's house. They came to this decision about ten -days after Mr. Mechlin's death. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The proceedings seemed so atrocious that at first no one could -understand the Sheriff. - -"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. - -"Yes; that's what I was told to say," the Sheriff replied. - -"But why? How is he the owner of our house?" - -"Because he and Gasbang bought it from Hogsden, who located a claim -there after you abandoned the place." - -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. - -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. - -"Is there no quicker way to obtain redress?" George asked. - -"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." - -"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?" - -"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." - -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. - -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 Dona Josefa, -conveying the property to Mrs. Mechlin, as it had been agreed before the -death of their husbands that it should be done. Dona Josefa cheerfully -assented, remembering that Don Mariano had said to her: - -"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." - -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. - -Mrs. Mechlin, Dona 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. - -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: - - _In the District Court of the ---- of the County of San Diego, - State of California._ - - _Beatrice Mechlin_, _Plaintiff_, - - _v._ - - _Peter Roper_, _John Gasbang_, and _Charles Hogsden_, - _Defendants_. - - 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: - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -This string of prevarications ran on for about twenty pages more, -repeating, _ad nauseam_, the same falsehoods with all legal alliteration -and more than legal license. - -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. - -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. - -In sorrow and silent tears the Alamar family returned to their country -house the day after the Mechlins left. - -Mrs. Mechlin's suit in ejectment against the "_innocent_ purchasers," -Peter and John, was, as a matter of course, decided in favor of these -_innocents_ 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 _again_ decided by Judge -Lawlack in favor of his friends. Thus, in fact, the Supreme Court was -_reversed by Judge Gryllus Lawlack_. The case was the second time -remanded by the Supreme Court, but in a new trial it was _again_ 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. - -As for Peter Roper, he made no concealment of there being a _private -bargain_ between himself and Judge Gryllus Lawlack. Peter to render -political or other services, Gryllus to reward them with judicial ones. - -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. - -"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." - -This is the fashion of dispensing justice in San Diego, just as Peter -bargains for. - -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. - -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. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI.--_Clarence and George with the Hod-carrier._ - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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 -'_venta_' 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." - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"What is it, pray?" - -"I have been trying to learn a trade." - -"A trade! What trade, for gracious sake?" - -"A very respectable one. That of a mason." - -"But can you learn that? Where?" - -"Anywhere. I have been taking some lessons and earning my two dollars -per day besides." - -"Oh, Gabriel, why did you do that?" said Lizzie, her face suffused with -blushes. - -"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." - -"But how did you come to select that trade?" - -"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." - -"That is why you have been reading those books on architecture?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"Yes; in my own land, you mean. Don't be proud. Let me work a little -while longer at _my trade_, and we'll go home." - -But Lizzie was not willing he should, though she said nothing more about -it to him. She wrote to Dona Josefa, saying that if she could spare -fifty dollars, to, please, send that sum to her to enable them to come -home. - -There would be ten days, however, before she could get Dona Josefa's -reply. This was not so agreeable, but Lizzie thought she would get ready -to start as soon as the money came. - -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. - -"Plowing is too hard work for poor Tano," Dona Josefa said, looking at -Victoriano working in a field near the house, while the sad tears ran -down her pale cheeks. - -"Yes, mamma, it is; and I begged him not to try to plow again, but he -insisted on doing so," Mercedes replied. - -"What is the matter? Did he fall down?" Dona Josefa exclaimed, alarmed, -drawing her chair close to the window. - -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. - -Dona 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. - -Mercedes now sat by her mother, also to watch Victoriano. She said: - -"Mamma, tell Tano not to try plowing, the ground is very damp. He will -have that lameness again." - -"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." - -They now saw that the Indian boy had run to the house to hitch his -horses to Clarence's phaeton and drive to where Tano was sitting. -Assisted by the Indian, Everett put Victoriano in the phaeton, and -brought him to the house. - -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. - -"Don't write to George or Gabriel that I am sick. Wait until I get -better, or worse," said he. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -She handed the card to George, who read aloud, "Clarence Darrell." - -"Ask the gentleman to please come up," said George to the servant, and -followed him, going to meet Clarence. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The family of Mr. Lawrence Mechlin were also in the same hotel, on their -way to New York. - -George said to Clarence: "Prepare yourself to be cross-questioned by -aunt, for she has been very anxious about you." - -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: - -"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." - -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. - -On the following morning the Mechlins, accompanied by Clarence left -Paris. Before leaving, Clarence telegraphed to Mercedes: - - "I have just received your letters written in '73. I leave for - New York to-morrow with the Mechlins, thence for California. - - ---- _Clarence Darrell._" - -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. - -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? - -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. - -"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." - -When Gabriel came home in the evening of the day in which Lizzie -received the copy of Clarence's telegram, she said to him: - -"Darling, don't go to that horrid work again. Clarence is coming, and -now he and George will establish the bank." - -"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 -Dona Josefa's letter, inclosing seventy dollars, and saying she hoped -they would come immediately, for she wanted Gabriel at home. - -"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. - -"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. - -"Then why should you work like that?" - -"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." - -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. - -"Where are you taking my husband?" she asked the driver. - -"To the city hospital, ma'am." - -"But why not take him home?" - -"Because he will get attendance there quickly, Madam," said the foreman, -who evidently felt he was to blame for a very painful accident. - -"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. - -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. - -They now came to a street-crossing, and several wagons were standing -still, waiting for a line of carriages to pass first. - -"Oh, why do we wait? He is suffering so much!" Lizzie exclaimed. "He is -bleeding; he might bleed to death!" - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -"Lizzie, my sister, why are you here?" George asked. - -"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!" - -"Let me go for a physician immediately," said Clarence. - -"Wait," George said, "Which is the nearest from here, Lizzie, your house -or the hospital? We must take him to the nearest place." - -"The hospital is nearer, sir," the driver answered. - -"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. - -"I shall go for a surgeon, there might not be one at the hospital," said -Clarence. "I shall be there when you arrive." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -George poured a glass of wine for Clarence and another for himself, and -both drank in silence. Evidently they could not eat. - -"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. - -Clarence being as much moved, took some time to reply. - -"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--_my_ cattle, mind you--lost in the snow. But perhaps three -hundred thousand dollars would have been rather small capital." - -"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." - -"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." - -George related how Peter Roper "_jumped_" 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 _contempt of court_ in daring to renew -their complaint when his Honor had decided that they had no case; that -the _innocent purchasers_, 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. - -The plaintiffs, their attorneys and their witnesses, were left to make -the best of _such legal proceedings_! 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. - -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. - -Years before, when she was Lizzie Mechlin, she had moved in what was -called San Francisco's _best_ 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 -_she_ 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 _native Spaniard_, she saw plainly, militated -against them. If he had been rich, his nationality could have been -forgiven, but no one will willingly tolerate a _poor native -Californian_. 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 _Big Bonanza_ 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 _ton_ -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 "_jumpers_." 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 "_go-as-you-please_" race among -the golden-legged. - -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. - -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. - -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 _the entire history_ of the native -Californians of _Spanish descent_ 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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! - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII.--_Reunited at Last._ - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"What is it, dear sister?" asked George, tenderly, observing how thin -and haggard she looked. - -"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." - -"By, Jove! It is a splendid idea, little sister, and I'll write to -Mercita and to Dona Josefa at once." - -"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. - -"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." - -"But we ought to consult him about our project." - -"Certainly. I'll go and stay with Gabriel and send him to you that you -may disclose your plan." - -"No, let me go to Gabriel, while you tell him the plan," said she, -hurrying off to the invalid, whom she found sleeping. - -She whispered to Clarence that George wished to speak to him, and took -his place by the bedside. - -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. - -"But will she consent?" Clarence exclaimed at last. - -"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." - -"Oh, I shall be so grateful!" Clarence exclaimed. - -"Send Lizzie to me, we both must write," George said. - -Clarence went back to the sick room, and said to Lizzie that George -wanted her. - -Kissing her hand most fervently, he exclaimed in a tremulous whisper: -"You are my angel!" - -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. - -Mercedes kissed the letter, and cried over it, of course, as women must, -but referred the subject to her mother. Dona Josefa must also cry a good -deal before she said anything, for the memory of her husband made such -subjects most painful to her. - -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. - -"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." - -"But who has refused it, Tano? Wait, won't you?" said Rosario, seeing -that Tano had hidden his head under the covers. - -Victoriano's head came out again, and said: "Nobody says yes." - -But the _yes_ was said. - -Everett took a dispatch from Dona Josefa to George, saying that whenever -Clarence came, Mercedes would go with him, as George suggested. - -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. - -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 -_trousseau_ sent by Mrs. Lawrence Mechlin in '74, and the jewelry which -Clarence had given her in New York. - -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. - -"But, _mon Dieu_, mademoiselle," said Madame Halier, coming in, "why -don't you come? Miss Carlota is waiting to begin getting your things -ready." - -"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. - -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 Dona Josefa feel that it was her imperative duty to -send Mercedes to her brother at once. - -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 Dona Josefa was still in very deep mourning, he -consented. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -Everett had gone to Victoriano's room, and now that impatient invalid -was screaming for Clarence to come. His loud calling brought Dona Josefa -to him, and then all the family learned that Clarence had arrived. - -"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." - -Which Clarence did gladly, but his mother and Dona 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. - -Clarence was a brave fellow, so he never flinched and kissed them all, -very deliberately. "Not to give offence," he said. - -There was one duty which Clarence shrank from performing, but which he -submitted to quietly, and that was meeting his father. - -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 _the office_, 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. - -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. - -"Oh, father!" exclaimed Clarence, seeing the open arms before him. - -"My boy, my best beloved," said the old man, with a sob and a checking -of breath, holding his son close to his breast. - -"Father, why are you so gray?" Clarence asked. - -"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. - -"You did not murder him; don't think that," he said. - -"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 _my sake_, also, I beg you to -be a devoted son to the widowed lady whom I have injured so frightfully. -A wrong legislation authorized _us squatters_, 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." - -"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." - -"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 _my friends_. 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: '_The sins -of our legislators brought me to this_.' 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." - -"I will, father; I vow I will." - -"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." - -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. Dona 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. - -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: - -"Don't be disheartened. I have been thinking that Dona 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." - -Dona Josefa shook her head doubtingly, but Mercedes asked: - -"Do you think George might come?" - -"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." - -"Business without capital? See where my poor Gabriel is now," Dona -Josefa answered, sadly. - -"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." - -"But who, who will buy mortgaged land, full of squatters, and without a -patent, in this dead place?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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 _now_, 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." - -"Talk to the boys. See what George and Gabriel say," Dona Josefa said, -smiling sadly at Clarence's wily argument and earnest manner. - -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. - -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. - -The letters from home spoke of Victoriano's marked improvement, but -still his malady was not cured; so Clarence proposed that Dona 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 -Dona 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. - -Dona 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. - -"I wonder why they put on so many cars. One would carry all the -passengers," said Rosario. - -"Half a car would be more than enough," Carlota added. - -"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." - -"Don't wish that, it is unkind, unchristian, ungenerous," said Dona -Josefa, with a sigh. - -"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. - -"Perhaps they will," said Carlota. - -"I know they'll not," Tano retorted, emphatically. - -In the afternoon, Clarence and Mercedes met them in Oakland, and -together they crossed the bay. - -And now on that same night as Dona 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 "_silver wedding_" party to the _elite_ of San Francisco. Dona -Josefa sighed, and sat at the window to think. - -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 "_The Great Nob Hill Silver Wedding Ball_" 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. - -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. - -The band struck up a wedding march, and Mr. Millionaire, with his wife -leaning on his arm, proceeded to the last of an elegant _suite_ 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. - -"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 _eclat_ 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. - -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: - -"Yes, I would be _plucky and persevering_ 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." - -"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. - -"And for which millions you never paid taxes," added another. - -"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." - -And while all this went on in the brilliantly lighted mansion, Dona -Josefa sat at her window in the dark, thinking of what "_might have -been_" 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. - -"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. - -Dona Josefa evidently did not believe that because "_misery there must -always be in the world, no matter who causes it_," 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 *BUSINESS*, -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." - -For hours Dona Josefa sat at that window, weeping sadly, while the -others danced gayly. - -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. - -Dona 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. - -"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. - -"Why should I give offense? It is the truth," Dona Josefa replied. - -"That may be, but you cannot speak against such rich people; San -Francisco society will turn against you," was the rejoinder. - -"Then it is a crime _to speak_ of the wrongs we have suffered, but it is -not a crime _to commit_ those wrongs." - -"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." - -"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." - - - - -CONCLUSION.--_Out with the Invader._ - - -"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?'" - -If Channing lived now, his 'anguish of spirit' would be far greater to -find in his own country, firmly enthroned, _a power that corrupts, ruins -and debases_ as utterly as that which he so eloquently deplored, and his -own fellow-citizens--the free-born Americans--ready and willing to _kiss -the foot that tramples them_! - -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. - -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! - -It seems now that unless _the people of California take the law in their -own hands_, and seize the property of those men, and confiscate it, to -re-imburse the money due _the people_, 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. - -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 _lead -others_ 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. - -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 _convinced_" -(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 _be convinced_" 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 _convince_. 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. - -"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. - -"I think the doctor can do us some good if he can work under cover. * * -* He must not come to the surface as _our man_. * * * 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 -"_switch off the South_!" - -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." - -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. - -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. - -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." * * * - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -This, surely, is an "_aggravation of excess_!" - -The House Committee on Public Lands in their report on the "_forfeiture -of the Texas Pacific land grant_" reviewed Mr. Huntington's acts with -merited severity. Amongst many other truths the report says: "The -Southern Pacific claims to 'stand in _the shoes_' of the Texas Pacific. -Your committee agree that 'standing in the shoes' would do if the -Southern Pacific _filled the shoes_." But it does not. It never had -authority or recognition by Congress east of Yuma. For its own purpose, -by _methods which honest men have denounced_, 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, _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_. - -And the committee (with one dissenting voice only) reported their -opinion that the Southern Pacific Railroad Company had _neither legal -nor equitable_ claim to the lands of the Texas Pacific which Mr. -Huntington wished to appropriate. - -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. - -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 _on condition_ 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. - -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: - -"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 _imperium in imperio_; 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." - -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. - -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. - -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." - -The champions of right fought well, fought nobly, in the legislature, -but alas! the gold of the monopoly was too powerful, and the _extra -session_, called to devise means of compelling the railroad corporation -to obey the law, adjourned--adjourned, having _failed_ in accomplishing -the object for which it was called. - -The legislators themselves acknowledged that corruption was too strong -to be withstood. Mr. Nicol said: - -"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. _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._" - -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 _business_ 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? - -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. - -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 _en masse_ 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 _blunder_. - -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? - -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. - -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 _gift_, to build the Southern -Pacific Railroad, which road, the charter said, was to pass through San -Diego and terminate at Fort Yuma. - -The line of this road was changed without authority. [Mr. Huntington -talks in his letters about _convincing_ people to make this change.] -Thus the Mussel Slough farmers got _taken in_, into Mr. Huntington's -lines--as was stated by the public press. - -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. - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SQUATTER AND THE DON *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35538 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. 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