Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-13
RARE HONESTY.

An instance oil fetnATkaDle honesty
aud fidelity has just been made pub.
lie, which rivals in interest any olden
legend or any tale of the Arabian
Nights. The characters are well known
in Santa Barbara and Ventura coun-
ties, and the names figure conspicu-
ously in Southern California history.
The thread of the story, briefly stated,
is as follows:
Nearly twenty years ago one Of the
wealthy ladies of Los Angeles county,
finding herself nigh unto death, made
very unusual provision for her only
daughter, then an infant. She in.
trusted to one Of her dear lady friends
very large amount of jewelry aud
valuables, which the friend was to
keep until the child grew TO woman
hood and married.
On her wedding day the mothers
gift was to be given the daughter. but
until then the most profound secrecy
was to be maintained regarding the
existence of the legacy. There was a
magnificent pearl and diamond neck.
lace, whose value was not less than
ten thousand dollars. There were
quantities of massive silver and gold
plate; there were large solitaire dia.
mond rings there were ornaments 80
rich and rare they would have honor
ed the diadem of queen. The most
costly warlrobcs of silk aud satin and
fine lace were among the treasures
which were coniided 10 this friend. and
with the rest was the very wedding.
robe which the mother had worn az
she stood before the altar. II was the
mothers request that the daughter be
married in the same robe.
And so the mother died, and the
earnest kiss which the devoted friend
pressed upon the paid brow was the
seal of n vow of fidelity. The wealth
ty Spanish father may have wondered
what disposition his wife made Of her
treasures, but, if so. he never gave ex-
preston to his thoughts.
Time rolled on, and the little orphan
child became n sweet, graceful girl.
Nighttime the father removed TO Santa
Barbara, and the tide of fortune turn
ed from his door aud left him almost
penniless. Misfortune. too. had visit
ed the household of the friend, and
her vast estates became involved, and
poverty crept close to her fireside.
She had a son whose talents gave
promise of n brilliant career. Her
very life was wrapped up in his fu-
ture. There was n time when the
trust confded to her keeping would
have been sufficient to have saved her
from bankruptcy. There was not
living soul who knew of the existence
of the treasures. From time to time
the great chests had TO be opened and
the rich robes and laces cared for, lest
moths or dust, or time mar the delicate
fabrics. Yet never once did this
faithful friend falter. Reversals came,
poverty came, and many bright hopes
vanished, but the treasures were pre-
served.
The girl grew TO be beautiful
young lady, and in due time became
betrothed to a young gentleman of
good business prospects, and who is
highly respected In the community.
The wedding occurred a short time
ago, and was largely attended. The
brides attire was so rich and elegant
that it attracted universal admiration,
but none guessed that il was the
mothers wedding robe so mysteriously
preserved and so faithfully presented.
All the treasures, to the value of
many thousand Of dollars, we're scru-
pulously delivered TO the new bride,
and are now safely deposited in one Of
our city banks.
The faithful friend Is now living in
Ventura county. Kss ssn has been a
member Of the Legislature, and is one
OF the most prominent young men in
Southern California.