The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-09-29
RARE HONESTY.
The Fidelity With Which, a Spanish Lady
Kept Vow.

Tho Fidelity With Which, a Spanish Lady
Kept Vow.
From the Santa Barbara Press.
An instance of remarkable honesty and
fidelity has just been made public, which
rivals interest any olden legend or any tale
of the Arabian Nights. The characters are
all we'll known in Santa Barbara and Ven-
t,lra counties, AMI the names figure con-
spicuously in Southern California history.
Tho thread of the story. briefly stated, is az
follows: Nearly twenty years ago, one of
the wealthy ladies' of Los Angeles county,
finding herself nigh unto death. made a
very unusual revision for her only daugh-
ter, then an infant. She entrusted to one
of her near aud dear lady friends very
large amount Of jewelry and valuables,
which the friend was to keep until the child
grew to womanhood. and married. On her
wedding day the mothers gift was to be
given 10 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 $4,000. There were quantities of
massive silver and gold plate, there were
large solitaire diamond rings; they were
ornaments 80 rich and rare that tn ey would
have honored the diadem Of queen. The
most costly wa1drobes Of silk and satin an
fine lace were among the treasures which
were contided to this friend, and with the
rest was the very wedding robe which the
mother bad worn as she stood before the
altar. It was the mothers request that the
daughter be married in this same robe. And
80 the mother died, and the earnest Kiss
which the devoted friend pressed upon the
pallid brow was the seal of VOW of fidelity.
The wealthy Spanish father may have
wondered what disposition his wife made
of her treasures, but if so, he never gave
expression to his thoughts. Time rolled
on, and the little orphan child became a
sweet, graceful girl. Meantime the father
removed to Santa Barbara. the tide of for.
tune turned from his door, and left him al
most penniless. Misfortune too, had visit
ed the household of the friend, and her vast
estate became involved, and poverty crept
close to her fireside. She has son whose
talents gave promise of a brilliant career.
Her very life was wrapped up in his future.
There was time when the trust contded
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
tor lest moths or dust, or time mar the
delic,te fabrics. Yet never once did this
faithful friend falter. Reverses came,
poverty came, and many bright hopes
vanished, but the treasures were preserved.
The girl grew to be a beautiful young lady,
and in due time became betrothed to a young
gentleman of good business prospects, and
highly respected in the community. The
wedding occurred q short time ago. and
was largely attended. The brides attire
was 80 rich and elegant that it attracted
univers Il admiration but none guessed that
it was the mothers wedding robe so mys-
teriously preserved and 80 faithfully pre-
scented. All the treasures, to the value of
many thousands Of dollars. we're scrupu:
lousy delivered to the new bride, and are
now deposited in our oity banks. The
faithful friend is now living in Ventura
county. Her son is q member of the Leg
ish.ture and is one of the most promin ent
young men in Southern Cal fornia.