The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-05-30

out her trembling hands. els i
you, Marcelina2 All, poor little
one, how she tremblesl They are
very cruel, darling, but we will not
be separated. They shall not take
you from me, my precions one"
| And then he spoke long, low, and
rapidly in the beautiful Spanish Ian
guage-so exquisitely fitted for ex-
pressions of tenderness and endear-
ment-telling her, that, as her par
ents objected to their union on the
ground of poverty, he had determin-
ed to win wealth; that an old Indian.
bound to him by ties of gratitude.
possessed knowledge of a rich mine
far away among the mountains. and
to which he had promised to Guide
him and his company; and, by cour-
age and skill, he would soon return
to claim her hand from her ambi-
tious, avaricious parents.
"Remain true to me, Lima, and re-
sist their seheming. Wait for me
but two years, my darling, and if, at
the end of that time, you do not hear
of me, know that 1 have perished IN
the attemptto win YOU"
He then gave her cutting from a
grapevine, telling her to carry it to
her new home and plant it, keeping
it as a reminder of him, anf. that
while it lived and flourisheo, she
might know that he loved her and
was true to her. The cutting was in
the form of q riding-Whip, and as
such she was to carry it, for her
journey was to be performed on
horseback.
Vowing eternal fidelity, the lovers
parted, and, the next morning, Don
and Dona Feliz, with their daugh-
ter and attendants, started on their
journey; while Carlos & Co., with
their Indian guide, wended their
way, full Of hope and confidence, ov-
er the mountain trail.
Marcellina, as may be supposed,
made little use of her grapevine
switch to urge her mustang along
the weary way between Los Angeles
and Santa Barbara. Arriving at
their destination-four miles from
the Mission Of Santa Barbara-her
first act was to plant the cutting up-
on the hillside, with many tears and
prayers to the Virgin for the success
and safety Of her lover.
The vine grew and fourished with
wonderful luxuriance, and gladdened
the heart of the waiting maiden,
who could hardly have borne the
burden of anxiety and suspense
without its silent encouragement;
for the Don and Dona had found, as
they thought, a suitable companion
for their daughter, in a Spaniard of
reputed great wealth, who promised
them liberal compensation for her
hand. He was short, of good cir
conference, and grizzled with years,
but to counterbslance these defects
in lover, his fingers and shirt-front
shone with gems. Marcellina's vio-
lent opposition, however, while it
did not move them to renounee
their purpose, induced them to post
pone the marriage, in the hope that
she would forget her former love,
and become more reconciled to their
will.
In the interval thus granted, the
time for the return of Carlos would
expire; and Marcellina prayed daily
for the arrival of her betrothed, with
the fortune that was to find favor in
the eyes of her parents. The two
years were rapidly drawing to a
close, and yet no sign or token had
come save what she found in the
vigorous growth of the cherished
vine.
At length her parents, pressed
with poverty and weary of the pro-
longed indulgence of what they con-
sidered an idle fancy, fixed the day
for the wedding with the suitor Of
their choice, whose only recommen-
dation was his wealth.
The eve of Marcellina's wedding
day was the second anniversary of
the parting in the olive grove, when
Carlos told her that if he did not re-
turn or send word within two years,
she might know he was dead. She
had crept away from the scene of
busy preparation within her home,
and hiding herself beneath the shad-
ON of her beloved vine, which was
now large enough to shelter her
from causual observation in the un-
certain gloaming-she sobbed and
wept calling upon the Virgin in
hopeless anguish to take her away
to the spirit world, where she believ-
ed Carlos to be.
Approaching footsteps arrested
her attention. She started guiltily
and attempted to hide her tears, for
she dared not let her parents know
she still mourned her absent lover.
"Lina, LinaT greeted her ears in
familiar voice, and stayed her
flight. Trembling, she awaited the
near approach of the intruder, when
with one wild, joyous cry Of Carlos p
she dropped into his arms, her beau
tiful head pressed close to his throb-
bing heart.
It, was, indeed, Carlos, returned
at last, faithful to his promise,
bringing with him fortune at least
equal to that of her aged and detest-
ed suitor.
Carlos, with faith in his love and
confidence in his ultimate success,
followed the Indian across the Coast
Range into the heart of the Sierras,
where he proved the honesty of his
guide and the truth of his promises
by the marvellous deposits of gold
to which he led them. Two years
suficed to gain the fortunes for
which they so earnestly sought and
strove.
All other things being equal, the
Don and Dona consented that their
daughter should choose between
the suitors, and the next day, instead
of being led to the alter a wretched
sacrifice to their ambition and ava
rice, she went as the willing and
happy bride Of her adoring Carlos.
Years passed away; Don and