Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-04-02
From the overland Monthly.
Legend of the I0ntecitu Grape Vine.

legend of the sIontecitO Grape Vine.
Nestled between the cloud-c capped
mountains nd the sea, in the sunny
regions of 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 verdure. Pepper and acacia trees
mlngle the grace oftheir perennial foliage
with that of the sturdy oak and the dark
eaved olive all the year round, while
| flowers, both wild and cultivated, bloom
IN unbounded profuson.
Santa Barbara claims to be one of the
most favored spots on the globe for
healthluness, the geniaIity Of its climate,
and the beauty and productiveness of its
semi-tropical vegetation. Differing from
the Neapolitans, the Santa Barbarans say,
See Santa Barbara and live -
About four miles from the town, in the
valley Of Montecito, grows the now famous
grape vine, one of the wonders for the
tourists in Southern California. 1t is the
four inches in circumference at the ground
forty-one inches two feet from the ground
and rises eight feet before branching out );
then, spreading with extreme uxuriance.
its branches cover more than five thousand
square feet, and are supported by forty
two trelises. The largest branch is thirty
inches in circumference, and were it not
for rigid pruning, the branches would
extend indefinitely in every direction. 1t
is of the Mission variety, and exceedingly
prolific, producing annually from f,e to
six tons of grapes, which hang in massive
clusters beneath the treliises, the effect OF
which, in the mellow autumn time, excites
admiration and wonder. 1t is claimed it
has produced 1000 bunches of grapes.
varying from one to four pounds in weight
each. A bean was put into a vase for
each bunch plucked, until the beans num-
bered !, 900. 1t grows on sunny slope
of the foothills, commanding a fine view of
the rugged mountains in one direction, and
in the other the lovely Montecito Valley,
with gIimpses Of the blue Pacific. The
vine is irrigated by waters from hot
springs few miles distant and the coun-
try above the vine is very beautiful and
Mexican in its natural and artificial
surroundings.
There is a tradition connected with this
vine we wish to record. Seventy years
ago, during the occupancy of the Mission
Fathers, there lived in the vicinity of Los
Angeles q beautiful Spanish girl. Nearly
all Spanish girls, while in the bloom of
freshness of youth, possess more or less of
their national cast Of beauty; but the
Seportia MarceIina had from childhood
been the acknowledged queen among the
maidens of her native place. Her COM
plexion, tinged with the warm, brunette
hue of race was clear and bright with the
rich tint Of health. Her wealth OF black
hair fell in ripping waves far below her
waist; aud her large, dark eyes were
fringed with silken lashes that matched
the exquisite peneilling of the arched
brows above them. Her parents, though
belonging to the better class OF Spanish,
had become poor through extravaganza
and mismanagement, and had formed the
project Of bettering 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 Senor Carlos deDomingues wa
the favorite and accepted sultor. He was
handsome, tall and manly but alas! with
out a fortune, and socially not the equal
of MarcellIna. As may be supposed, his
suit met with no encouragement from the
Don and Donna Felix, and they, finding
the attachment between the young people
was becoming stronger than accorded with
their plans tor their daughter, resolved to
remove to Santa Barhara-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 contemplated
removal struck dsmay to the hearts OF
Marcelina and Carlos but the latter, re-
ceving courage fiom desperation, pre-.
sented his suit to the parents. AS was
anticipated, it was scorntulIy rejected and
/ further intercourse sternIy forbidden. The
| lovers were, however, far too ardent to be
; separated thus, and, through the medium
? OF an old Indian nurse, who was devotedlJ
attached to the girl, they obtained an in
terview before parting.
In the early twilight Marcellia stole out
to an olive orchard, surrounded by ar
adobe wall, which lay back of the paterna
mansion. Here she stood, waiting with
r throbbing heart the arrival of her lover
while her nurse kept watch on the other
e side of the wall, ready to give the alarm
: by signal agreed upon should any one
approach from the house. Already the
i, shadows lay dark beneath the thicb, low
branches of the olive trees, and at every
, rustic and sound the fair transgressol
] started and trembed. Suddenly a tai
figure sprang over the wall and crep
;. stealthily along in its shadow, till he came
!, close to where the waiting maiden stood
! Carlos" she cried, holding out hel
Q trembling hands. els it you, Marcellina
r Alb, Door little one, how she trembles
f They are very cruel, darling, but we will
not be separated. They shall not tak'
you from me, my precious one."
And then he spoke long, low and rapid
" in the beautiful Spanish languages
e exquisitely fitted for expressions OF tender
e ness and endearment-telling her that a
e her parents objected to their union on tn
$ ground of his poverty, he had determlne(
: to win wealth: that an old Indian, bounc
+ to him by the ties Of gratitude, posse esse'
= knowledge of rich mine, far away anon
b the mountains, and to which be had prom