Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-15
Gales aud Sketehes.
An OLD.rIME CALIFORNIA STORY.

| The Tolmy and Richardson families lived
| in the Pajaro valley forty years ago
! owned adjoining ranches, and were or
terms of the most neighborly character
When their children grew up, the young
| people we're society unto each other, vary.
| ing the dull routine of rural life with
dances and picnics, and such innocent
sports as suggested themselves to thell
rustic fancy. And though the boys and
girls, who had dash of Mexican blood
| in them, lacked the accomplishments
which adorn the Young people OF the
present generation, they had their full
share-the girls of beauty, and the boys
of that dash which makes even rustics ac-
ceptable in female society. Ii julia
Richardson, now in her eighteenth year,
was sparkling brunette. who could round
ND a mob of cattle with any vaquero in
Paiaro, Jim Tolmv was dashing rancho
70 of twenty two, who could Jump his
mustang over four-railed fence. and pick
up a silver dollar off the grass while his
steed was gallopng at the rate OF fifteen
miles an hour.
The two. James and Julia, had
been equestrian rivals since child
hood, = lila insisted that she was
the better horseman, so 10 say, of the two
"a piece of assurance little Jimmy Tol.
nv resented by jumping his pony across
a two foot ditch and challenging his com
petitor to follow, which. to do her justice
she always did in fearless fashion.
And thus the children grew to certain
age. when their manner each to the other
changed-and when Julia no longer talked
defiantly at James and challenged him to
daring deeds OF Workmanship, and when
James, sad to say, felt shorn of all his
dash and bravery, and was awkward, alb
sent, and timid in the presence OF Julia.
Together and along they were silent and
uncomfortable. 1t was only when in COM
pany that James natural exuberance
glowed and rallied, and when Julia. when
she thought nobody was watching, would
lift her dark ewes from under their sweep
ing lashes and look with glowing admira-
ton on her old playmate.
But why dwell on the ardent though
Pickering omens of love? Let simple de-
votion be told in artless story, and let US
say at once that Julia and James loved
each other. Love is passion which, how
ever much and long it shoulders, finds
expression at last. and the longer il
shoulders the prompter and palmer will
usually be the avowal. And so it was
here The avowal came in the fullness
of time; James was accepted, and the
young couple were happy. Their parents
consented, but judged it better to defer
the union for a wear.
"a year - exclaimed young Tolmy, a:
| he aud his bride-eleet sauntered one day
| in her fathers orchard. 81 see no reason
for deierring it so long. The branding
and mastering is over, and why cant they
| let us get married at oncep"
| at is better to wait, since they wish
it," answered Julia, in a conciliatine
tone. "A year won't be long passing
and they will be better pleased and better
prepared"
''Do you know" he said, Laughing.
"What ?"
Il think my sister Belle and your broth
er Tom will get ahead of us, if we dom
hurry up"
Tom !" she exclaimed, with merry
laugh. "Why, the great gawk i:
ashamed to look girl in the facer'
Never mind; | see them often togeth
er, and they're as thick as berries on +;
bush !" And the lovers laughed over the
discovery. and before parting laid plans
to twit and tease Belle and Tom.
Thus, as may be seen, the lovers conid
ed each in the other, and the young ant
the old of both families were happy il
expectancy.
| But though year would not be Ions
passing. as Julia phrased it, still yea
often brings many changes in affairs of thu
heart, for love is as caprlcious as young
spring
Twenty miles away lived the Castr,
family. where young Tolmy, when hunt
ing for stray stock. had often called, anC
where he was always made welcome
| Mabel Castro was a beautiful girl, wei
born. accomplished, and affable-a differ
ent type of beauty from Julia Richardson
She was fair and tall with the dark ,liquiC
eyes of old Spain. The mustangs al
Pajaro had been staying away very mucl
of late. and always in the direction of the
Castros'. OF course. young Tolmv woulC
90 in pursuit of his mustangs. and woue
naturally call to make inquiries at the
Castros'. In those frequent visits Mabe
and he became mutually attached. when
faithess to his engagement. and forgetfn
OF the pretty Julia. he induced her tC
| ciope WIFI niIU, duu tue HTSt knOWI Oh tHt
affair was that they were married!
Julia Richardson's feelings may be bet
ter imagined than described. She was
sighted, she was betrayed. and jealou:
rage fired her Mexican blood. The whole
Richardson family felt outraged, and the
Tolmys, to do them Justice, were scarcely
less painfully shocked. The false lover
knowing that such would be tn.
result, kept directly out of sigh
tor several weeks, whom. supposins
both families to have cooled down, h.
visited his parents.
When Tom Richardson heard of his ar
rival. he rode over quietly towards tn,
Tolmy residence, with rifle at his saddl,
horn. AS he approached, he observes
James and his sister Belle standing at tn,
door, chatting. and he hestateG as to how
he should act. His movements attracte,
the attention of Tolmy. who. suspectn.
bad blood. turned in. doors, and taking al
his shotgun. took up his position by hi
sisters side at the door, awaiting develop
ments. Seeing the weapon in his hand
and thinking he was going to use it. Rich
ardson raised his rifle. The act was re
peated by Tolmy. Both fired simultane
ously, and Belle dropped dead. pierce,
with the bullet intended for her brother
Frantic and appalled, at having killed hi
afiianced. Richardson galloped madl,
away, remorse and despair giving wing t
| IL. Tho To1p,v., ,,o.,- Co., l.