American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-12-28
A CALIFORNIA LEGEND.

Nestled between the cIOud-capped noun.
tainS and the sea. in the sunny regions oi
southern California, lies the beautiful
town of Santa Barbara. Here, through
the long winter months. the air is mild
and balmy, and the hills are rich with YER
dure. Pepper and acacia-trees mingle
the grace of their perennial foliage with
that of the sturdy live-Oak and the dark
leaved olive, all the year round: while
flowers, both wild and cultivated, bloom
in unbounded profusion.
Santa Barbara claims to be one of the
most favored spots on the globe for health
fulness, the geniality of it. climate, and
the beauty and productivene- of its semi
tropical vegetation. Differing from the
Neapoli' ans, he San'a Barbarans say.
"See Santa Barlara aud live ~
About four miles from the town. in the
valley of MOntecito. grows the now IA
nous grapevine, one of the wonders for
the tourist in southern California. 1t is
the largest on record. 1t measures four
feet four inches in circumference at the
Yroan', forty-one inches two feet from
the ground, and rises eight feet before
branching OIt; then, spreading with eX-
treme luXuriance, its branches cover more
than five thousand square feet, and are
supported by tifty-twO treliSes. The lar
e, st branch is thirty inches in circumfer-
ence, and, were it not for rigid pruning,
the branches would extend indefinitely in
every direction: 1t is of the Mission va
riety and exceedingly prolific, producing
annually from five to six tons of grapes,
which hang in massive clusters b .liea'h
the trellises, The effect OF which,
in the mellow autumn-time, ex-
cites admiration and Won
der. 1t is claimed that it has produced
1000 punches OF grapes, varying from
one to foar pounds in weight each. A
bean was put into vase for each bunch
plucked, until the beans numbered 1000.
1t grows on sunny slope of the foot
Mills, commanding fine view OF the rug
ged mountains in one direction, and in
the other the lovely Montecito Valley,
with glimpses of the blue Pacific. The
vine is irrigated by waters from the hot
springs few miles distant; and the cOun-
try about the vine is very beautiful and
Mexican in its natural and artificial sur
rOundings.
There is a tradition connected with the
origin of this vine we wish to record.
Seventy years ago, during the occupancy
of the Mission Fathers, there lived in the
vicinity of Los Angeles beautiful young
Spanish girl. Nearly all Spanish girls,
while in the bloom and freshness OF youth,
possess more or less of their national cast
of beauty but the Senorita Marcellina
edged queen among the maidens of her
native place. Her complexion, tinged
with the warm. brunette hue of her race
was clear and bright with the rich tint
of health. Her wealth of black hair fell
in Iippling waves far below her waist :;
an her large, dark eyes were fringed
with silken lashes that matched the eX-
quisite penciling OF the arched brOws
above them. Her parents, though belong
tp hot f-Ia
come poor. through extravaganza and
and had formed the pro-
ject OF lettering their fortunes by we'd
ding their lovely daughter to some
wealthy Don.
The lovely Marcellina did not lack
for admirers nor ardent lovers, and among
them all, Senior Carlos de DOmingues was
the fayOrite and accepted sutton. He was
tall, and manly, but alas
without fortune, and socially not the
equal of Marcellina. AS may be supposed,
his SAT- met with no encouragement from
the Don and Dona Feliz and they, find
ing the attachment between the young
people was becoming stronger than ac-
corded with thier plans for their daughter
resolved to remove to Santa Barbara-a
mission some hundred miles north
where resided many wealthy families.
among whom they doubted not an alliance
would be formed suitable in fortune and
position.
The announcement of their cOntempla-
ted removal struck dismay to the hearts
OF Marcellina and Carlos but the latter,
receiving courage from desperation, pre-
sented his suit to the parents. As was
it was scOrnfully rejected,
and further Intercourse sternly forbidden.
The lovers, were, however, too ardent to
be separated thus, and, through the me-
"A of olI nj
attached to the girl, they obtained
one interview before parting.
In the carly twilight, Marcellina stole
out to an Olive-orchard, surrounded by an
adobe wall, which lay back of the paternal
mansion. Here she stood, waiting with
heart the arrival of her lover.
while her nurse kept watch on the other
by signal agreed upon, should any one
approach from the house. Already the
shadows lay dark beneath the thick, low
branches OF the olive-trees, and at every
rustic and sound the fair transgressOr
started and trembled. Suddenly tall
figure sprang over the wall, and crept
along in its shadow, till
he came close to where the wait
ng maiden stood. Carlos" she
cried, holding out her trembling hands.
SIS it you, Marcellina? All, poor little
one, how she trembles! They. are very
cruel, darling. but we will not be separa-
ted. They shall not take you from me,
my precious one"
And then he spoke long, low, and rap
idly in the beautiful Spanish language
so exquisitely fitted for expressions of
tenderness and endearment-'elling her,
that, as her parents objected to their UNI
ION on the ground of poverty, he had de-
to win wealth that an old Indi-
IN, bound to him by ties of gratitude,
possessed knowledge of a rich mine far
away among the mountains, ami to which
ne had promised to guide him and his
company; and, by courage and skill, he
would soon return to claim her hand from
ler ambitious. avaricious parents.
'sRemain true to me, Lima, and resist
their scteming. Wait for me but two
years, my darling. and if, at the end of
hat time, you do not hear of me, know
hat have persisted in the attempt to win
vou.'
He then gave her cutting from a grape
vine, telling her to carry it to her new
nome and plant it, keeping it as remind
.r of him, and that while it lived and
lourisbed, she might know he loved her
md was true to her. The cutting was in
he form of ariding-whip, and as such she
was to carry it, tor her journey was to be
performed on horseback.
Vowing eternal fidelity, the lovers part
ID and, the next morning, Don and Dona
FeliZ, with their daughter and attendants,
started on their Journey; while Carlos &
Co, wi h their Indian guide, wended
heir way, full of hope and confidence,
over the mOuntain-trail.
Marcellina, as may be supposed, made
little use of her grapevine switch to urge
her mustang along the weary way be-
ween Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
Arriving at their destination-four miles
rom the Mission of Santa Harbara-l