New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-05
DONA FRANCESCA.
THE STORY OF HER HIDE-OUT.
BY Y. II. Adds.

snme 400 as scurvy knayes as could well be thrust
upon the notice and endurance OF people peace
able and law-abiding, albeit somewhat s snlelcss
and indoIent for the moet part. The Mexican
Army to-day, is recruited laTseiS, as 70 IU1
ranks from the convicted criminal elemcnb' ana
SO most of Micheltorena's men were preSluariOs-
that is TO say, men who were doing sentenee-from
the prison of Lake Chapaa, in the State Oh JaLsco
near the fair city Of Guadalaxara.
is it not written in the histories now 1nese hw
less gentry proved "a scourge OF God TO the
simple and kindly people Of California, anu "naV
desperate measures they often had to take TO pro-
tect themselves from the dePredatlons Of the jail
birds? In Los Angeles, where Mlcheltorena es-
tablished his headquarters in Maln-St, on the
ground where afterward stood the Bella Chlon-
still later changed to the st. Charles.Hotel, the
civil powers had to enact new code of ordinances
in consequence Of the invasion The young In
dian girls, who had been secluded in apartments
called nunneries," under the care OF matronS, al
the Missions had been left at large since secular,
ization But. in the interests Of humanity as well
as morality it was now found necessary to treat
them as depostadas, under the old Spanish system
of dealing with girls whose safety was menace1
that Is to say, they were given into the custody
and keeping OF respectable and prominent families,
who became responsible for their safe keeping
Among the other inconvenience resultant from Jne
importation of Michetorena's deectabe crew, 1t
became necessary to establish % committee OF
safety, and patrol force to beat the streets at
night. and guard against robberes and other OUT
RACES.
The alcade of that time was young gentleman
born in Mexico. who had come to California some
wears earlier land who, it may be said en- PEASANT
still lives in Los Angeles at the ripe age OF some
three-quarters Of century, beloved by his
familiars and respected by all, since the record OF
his long useful life is married by no shameful deed.
nor any conduct other than manly generous ana ha
called Don Mariana Hidalgo, chiefly because his
real name Is something entirely different opened
his house to the newly arrived officers OF
MicheltOenas retinue, and among those VINO ac
cepted his hospitality was one Captain Norlega
This was handsome fellow, in dark-Drowed
gypsy fashion, though his snaky eye inspired a
certain dstrust and repugnance And: trutn 10
tell he as we'll rs various Of his confreres, was
tarred with the same stick as the men OF the
ranks OF each and every one, too it might be
the women and they paid prompt and pertinacious
court TO the fair Calfornians. who were, perhaps
because Of the vicisstudes Of their SURROUNDINGS
Of character more frank and animated than their
somewhat inane sisters Of Mexico proper
Now. the particular maiden whom Captain
Noriega singled out by his attentions was Fran
cisca, the eldest daughter Of Don Jose Vedapuse,
grantee Of one of the largest domains acquired
under the Mexican Govemment-the Rancho San
tiago dc Santa Ana. Francisco was handsome
young woman. and clever one in her day and
Platonic filtration with Don Mariana Hidalgo. who
was her most frequent partner in the dances
which celebrated most social events Of the period,
and his attentions, grave II gallant, were be-
slowed upon her on all occasions. Nevertheless,
he had never manifested any disposition to
monopolize her nor 70 keep her from any suitor,
sentiment than friendship.
Such was the situation when Captain Noriega
arrived and paid TO DOna Francisco such assiduous
court as soon terminated in direct PROPOSAL OF
marriage Don Jose Vcdapulse was man of
pronounced. not TO say violent. manners, and his
language was not such as would have dis
tnguished him Of court by its elegance. Wheh
Noriegas proposal was laid before him he bel
lowed and ragged like one of the bulls of his
What! marry my Francisco! But heard we
fla ira Of Iph
Dios a miserable iail-brd captain Does he think,
then, that my girls were bred up for camr-follow-
ers or canteen-women that he makcth such pre-
tensions? and there ensucd string Of the SOFT,
understanding Oaths of the Spanish language,
which sound vastly like cndearmcntS but con-
tain insults so monstrous. so ,inconccivably in
human, as to shock and stab even the least
sensitive OF susceptblitieS. And the good and
numerous family Of Don Jose were treated
to such a dogs life that the boys took to the
bush incontinenty like hnrried coyotes, and found
IL convenient to pay visits to neighboring ranches,
and the girls were seized with marked attack
of devoutness, and kept TO their beads all day
long and for many q day thereafter.
Only Francisco did not snccumb She was really
the energetic and stronG-minded one Of the family
as she had proved ere this on more than one Occa-
sion. A year or two before, for instance when
Don Jose had sold. for good many tlousands
in ready cash, one OF his various ranches, Fran
cisca had gone to his big Chinese chest. red
leathercovered' and brass-studded. into which the
money had been tumbled, big clumsy dollars and
golden ounces. and she had theIefrom filled her
apron with the coins. which she straightway
carried to her ally. Hidalgo and, asscveratng
that her father had given her the money. she
had prevailed upon the young man to use il for
the sending TO school, at an Eastern college, of
two Of her brothers, Andronico and (gnaciO, who
afterward came 10 figure with credit IN affairs of
history. This had done Francisco, ignorant her.
self as might be as to aught Of booI-earning, but
Of natural parts so good that she laid great stress
on the advantages Of education seeing how poor
q figure her own people cut in comparison with
those more learned.
A.. IL.
emergency, did not succumb with meekness to
her fathers anger, although at first she did not
jeOpardize the situation by overt defiance. Tenn
PORTING, as most women are by nature. and
cunning as Mexican women are made by their
surroundings and conditions, she at first affected
submission, until she could effect an interview
with Don Mariana Hidalgo; and, him seeing, she
at once asked him roundly if he entertained to-
ward her intentions matrimonial.
"Francisquito,' said the young man; gravely,
that your company is pleasant TO me- all the
world knows. / have never sought to deny or
conceal this l have ever sought you freely
and frankly, yet not trust, in such manner as
TO cause you detrlmcnt or 10 keep of any sutton
you might incline to welcome. As for myself, |
lam in no position TO marry. AS you know, my
father is absorbed in books and studies, and
am practically the head of our family With
my mother and all my sisters TO provide for |
could not give wife the material surroundings
Of her desertsTand will wed no woman to do
Now upon this avowal there followed little
scene of despair reproach, and disappointment,
pretty enough, no doubt, from the romantic, dra.
matte standpoint but trying TO a young mani
nerves and courage. But, IL the sngle-hearted
young alcade was inclined to waver, he some
hoY found strength to carry him over the ordeal
and restored the tender and fearful maiden to the
bosom Of her family, whence after a time given
over TO hystercal plants and wailings, she pres
entity dispatched TO Noricga messenger to say
that she favored his suit, and was inclined 10 wed
him, in the very teeth Of her irate father.
The doughty captain fastened TO the dwelling
of the Vedapulses which stood some distance up
the river, on the way TO the Arroyo Seco. For
his sins, he arrived just in time 10 meet Don
Jose Verdapulse, trimming over with wrath and
hatred and he received from the furious father
n storm of abuse that would speedily have merged
into a storm of blows had not Norega chosen the
prudent part Of valor.
This treatment, however, was not calculated TO
sweeten q temper never Seraphc. Therefore it
happened that when Don Mariana Hidalgo, re-
fnrning from the ROUTING of his civic dmties.