davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1892-10-09

existence OF permanent villages. Stroliing
about the quiet streets of the old mission it
IS hard TO realize that so few years ago
IL swarmed With busy life.
loe quaint old adobe buildings covered a
l. &c tract of ground. Now only the old
Wine cellar remains, and its old tile-roof
mas recently been replaced with one Of
shingles. Stepping within its yine.clad
puacn a motley array of debris greets the
o go ueIe are oid wheels and tires, ancient
snIueh TOOLS. saddler's bench, a d. scarded
Prov ana lumber ad infinitum. We nnsh
open the unlocked door and enter OIL,
casks, everywhere filed with the vintags
from tn. the vineyard that still spreads ont
upon the NILS back OF the church. There is
an inner door; its stills and posts are of nrim
itivs. timber, with the bark still on. and
Deering through the opening we are ahIe
dimly to make out, in what at first seemed
the impenetrable darkness, the outlines of
still other casks.
OF the memorable confiagratons, OF which
the mission has had several, the casks from
this cellar were rolled out and their con-
tents used in extinguishing the flames, the
water supply Of the town being exhausted.
Leaving the wine cellar we stroll up the
nil and around the old vineyard. There
are stocks here as large around as mans
mead OF Old mission grapes, after all as
eoou an aground grape as was ever brought
TO california, though like many another
uos ~ mas had It's day and has given way TO
new Corners. ""' ~
Here are huge olive trees. with wide
spIeadlng branches, planted by the early
paures, VINO Kept countless numbers Of
their Indian proteges busy in setting out and
GulllVaMEg what was once great garden
mere. 1HE CALL artist gets picture of
this vineyard and the few remaining olive
trees. All the other traces of the old orchard
nave long since been uprooted. The Do
minican sisters have recently opened a
seminary here in pretentious brick struc-
ture, that presents strong contrast to the
crumbing old adobe wine cellar. The
church Itself is smart wooden structure.
which took the place several years ago of
the old adobe, which was DESTROYED by an
earthquake.
Like al the missions this place used to
keep open house in the good old days
: travellers coming through the pass were
welcome to stop here for days. There was
always bed to be had, corner by the fire.
The morning call., 1892-10-09

was one thing to be helping Miss Sally
alone, but certainly another thing to be
doing so under the eye OF q stranger, and /
am afraid that he met the stony observation
Of the Englishman with an equally cold
stare.
Miss Sally alone retained her languid ease
and self-possession. She called out:
"Wait moment, Mr.. Champney," slipped
lightly down the ladder, and, leaning against
1t with one foot on Its lowest rung, awaited
his approach.
81 reckoned yo' might be passing by"
she said, as no came forward. Council
COMMUNICATIVE an explanatory wave of
the hammer toward her companion, who re-
manned erect and slightly stiffened on the
corniee-"is no relation to those figures
along the frleze of the Redlands courthouse
but a No'th'n officer, friend OF Major
Reeds, who's come down here to look
after So'th'n property for some No'th'n capt.
talists. Mr.. Champney," she continued,
turning and lifting her eyes to CORTLAND as
she indicated Champney with her hammer.
when he isn't talking English. seeing Eng
lsh. thinking English. dressing English and
wondering why God didn't make everything
Englsh-is trying 70 do the same for his
folks. Mr.. Champney-Cun'el CORTLAND
Cun'el CORTLAND, Mr.. Champney." The
two men bowed formally. "And now,
cun'el. if yo'll come down Mr.. Champney
will show yo' round the fahm. When
yo've got through yo'n find me here at
work"
CORTLAND would have preferred, and half
looked for her company and commentary on
this round of inspection, but he concealed
his disappointment and descended. 1t did not
exactly please him that Champney seemed
relieved, and appeared to accept him as a
bona fide stranger who could not possibly
interfere with any confidential relations
that he might have with Miss Sally. Never
theless he met the EngIishman's offer to ac-
company him with polite gratitude, and
they left the house together.
In less than an hour they returned. 1t
had not even taken that time for CORTLAND
to discover that the real improvements and
the new methods had originated with Miss
Sally; that she was virtually the controlling
influence there, and that she was probably
retarded rather than assisted by the old
fashioned and traditional conservatism of
the company of which Champney was
steward. 1t was equally plain, however,
that the young fellow was dimly conscious
Of this, and vas frankly communicative
about 1t.
You see, over there they work things in
understand that there is any other. don't
you know? They're always wigging me
as II l could help it, although Pye tried to
explain the Niger business and all that,
don't you know? They want Miss Sally TO
refer her plans TO me, and expect me to re-
port to them, and then they'll submit them
to the board and wait for its decision.
Fancy Miss Bows doing tbatl But, by
Jove, they can't conceive OF her at all over
there, don't you known"
(which Miss Bows do you meant" asked
CORTLAND, dryly.
miss Sally, Of course" said the young fell
The morning call., 1892-10-09

entirely free from that peculiar superstition
which surrounds every mans romance. He
believed there was something more than a
mere coincidence IN his unexpectedly find
ing himself in such favorable conditions for
making her acquaintance. For the rest, il
rttere was anv rest he would simply trust
70 tate. And SO. 6edevIng himself a cool,
sRgacious reasoner. but being actually. as
far as Miss Bows was concerned. as blind,
fatuous and unreasoning as any OF her
previous admirers, he rode compaeently
forward until he reached the lane that led
to the Dows' plantation.
Here a better Kept roadway and fence,
whose careful repair would have delighted
Drummond, seemed TO Rugur well for the
new enterprise. Presently even the old
fashioned local form Of the fence-a slant
ing zigzsg-gave way TO the more direct line
of post and rail in the Northern fashion.
Beyond it presently appeared long low
frontage Of modern buildings which TO
Courtland's surprise were entirely new in
structure and design. There was no remin-
The morning call., 1892-10-09

llejo. brother Of the general. who once lived
here In all the stately magnifcence of those
lavish days, now lies crumbled heap OF
clay on the spot where until few months
ago. 1t still stood, a time honored landmark.
What was once the courtyard-where a
score or more of horses stood day and night
ready for use, the gardens where beauty
wandered under the jealous eyes of stern
duennas, aud brave caballeros fingered and
played and planned expeditions into the
mountains after game-is now occupied by
a sorry little TOW Of nondescript shops kept
by the butcher, the baker, the eandlestick-
maker and other gentry who cater to the
needs OF jewellers at the mission. The gar
dens and orchards have long since disap-
peared, and the first rains this autumn will
reduce the bricks of the house to shapeess
mass Of adobe mud.
With the erumoling of the wine-cellar
the last trace of the old mission days will
disappear, but it will be many long years
before the influence of that great era will
be forgotten. 1t is largely owing to the in
duence and example of the old padres that
this is q pioneer Embarrassing section In
California. 1t has been better for the
country that the Spanish Mexican regime
gave way TO American rule, but the memory
of the palmy days of the old regime may
SILL remain as a beautiful and romantic
background to our practical. matter-of-fact
American life.
A large congregation still worships at the
The morning call., 1892-10-09

-. But he was not the only one, Miss Dows.
There was another man picked up who also
had your picture"
"Yes-Joyce Masterton. They sent it to
me-. But you didn't kill him, too?"
II don't know that | personally killed
either" he said, little coldly. He paused
and continued with gravity which he could
not help feeling very Inconsistent and even
iudicrous: "They were brave men. Miss
DOws."
Sally. brightly.
ITO have thought they bad so much to
live for, and yet to have willingly laid down
their lives for what they believed was
right"
to tell me-a So'th'n girl-that So'th'n men
know how to fight, did yo'. Gun 'eig re-
turned the young lady with the slightest
lifting Of her head and dropping Oh her
blue-veined lids in divine hauteur
"They were always ready enough Tor that,
even among themselves. IL was mqcn
out than think it OFT. or work IL out. 10
folks in the Moth learned to do all three
that's where you got the grip on us. 10
look surprised, Cun'elP
81 didn't expect you would look at it
quite in-in-that way" said CORTLAND
awkwardly.
II am sorry I disappointed yo' after yo'd
taken such a heap o. trouble" returned the
you lady with a puZzllng assumption oil
humility as she rose and smoothed out her
skirts. "but didn't know exactly what 20,
might be expecting after three years; II L
had | might have put on moaning. She
stopped and adjusted strayng tendrll OF
her hair with the sharp corner OF the dead
mans letter. 'But thank yo' all the same.
Cnn'el. 1t was real good in yo', TO think OF
tOting these things over here. ana Sne
held out her hand frankly.
CORTLAND took It with the sickenlng con-
seriousness that for the last five minutes he
had been an unconsci0nabe ass. lie could
MT prOlong the interview after she had so
Significantly risen. If he had only taken
his leave aud kept the letter and ocket Tor
a later visit-perhaps when they were older
friends. 1t was too late now. He bent
over her hand for moment, again thanked
her for her courtesy and withdrew. A mo-
meDt later she heard the Tecedlng Deaf OF
his horses hoofs on the road.
She opened the drawer OF brass
handled cabinet, and after moments
critical survey of her picture in the dead
mans locket tossed 1t and the letter IN the
recesses OF tho drawer. Then she stopped.
removed her little slipper from her foot.
looked at 1t thoughtfully and called:
'Sophy"
Miss Sallyl" said the girl. reappearing
at the door.
lsdder?"
Il Glare to goodness. Miss Sally, nebber
teehed it,"
Miss Sally directed a critical glance at
her handmaiden's red-cofed head. mo,
she said to herself softly, "it didn't feel like
wool. anyway
To be continued
Copyright 1892. by the author. All rights re
The morning call., 1892-10-09

to the ledge. followed by the young girl,
who smlingy waived his preferred hand TO
help her up, and the two gravely set to work.
But In the intervals of hammering and tying
up the vines. Miss Sally's tongue was not
die. Her talk was rs fresh, as quaint, a
original as herself, and yet SO prsc-
teal and to the purpose of Court
lands visit as to excuse his
delight in it aud her own fascinating
propinquity. Whether she stopped to take
nail from between her pretty lips when
she spoke to him or whether holding on
perilously with one hand to the trellis while
she gestieulated with the hammer, pointing
out the divisions of the plantation from her
c0lgn OF vantage, she was as clear and con-
vincing tc his intellect as she was distract
ing to his senses.
She told him how the war had broken up
their old home in Pineville, sending her
father to serve in the Confederate councils
of Richmond. leaving her aunt and herself
10 manage the property alone; how the
estate had been devastated. the house de-
strOyed. and how they had barely time to
remove few valuables; how. although she
had always been opposed TO secession and
the war. she had not gone North, pre-
ferrng to stay with her people and take
with them the punishment of the folly she
had foreseen; how. after the war and her
fathers death, she and her aunt had deter
mined TO reconstruct themselves" after
their own fashion on this bit of property,
which had survived their fortunes because
it had always been considered value
less and unproitabef or negro labor :;
how at first they had undergone
serious difficulty through the incom-
petence and ignorance of the freed laborer
and the equal apathy and prejudice of their
neighbors; how they had gradually sue
ceede6 with the ado ton of new methods
and Ideas that she herself had conceived,
which she now briefly and clearly stated
CORTLAND listened with a new, breathless
and almost superstitious interest; they
were his own theories-perfected and de-
mOnstrated.
But you must have had capital for
this ?"
All, yes! that was where they were for
The morning call., 1892-10-09

found some of his own ideas practically
discounted; clearly there was nothing
his hostess and take his leave
But he felt far more uneasy than when he
had arrived and there was q singular sense
OF iucompleteDess in his visit that he could
not entirely account for. His conversation
with Champney had cOmpl lcated-be knew
not why-bis previous theories of Miss
D0ws, and although he was bali conscious
that tins had nothing to do with the BUSH
ness that brought him there, he tried
think that il had. Ii Miss Sally was really
a-a-distractiug element 10 contiguous
masculinity, it was something to be eonsid-
cred in a matter of business OF which she
would take a managerial part III was true
that Champney had said she was not that
sort of girl" but this was the testimony OF
one who was clearly under her influence. lie
entered the house through the open French
window. The parlor was deserted. lie
walked through the front hall and porch;
no one WAS there. He fingered few mo-
menti, a slight chagrin beginning 10 mlngle
with his uneasiness; she might have been
on the lookout for him-she or Sophy must
have seen him returning. He would ring
for Sophy and leave his thanks and regrets
for her mistress. He looked for a bell,
touched it. but on being confronted with
Sophy changed his mind aud asked to see
Miss Bows. In the interval between her
departure and the appearance OK MISS sally
he resolved TO do the very thing which he
had dismissed from his thoughts but an
hour before as i'll timed and doubtful. He
had the photograph and letter in his
pocket; he would make the,- his excuse for
personally taking leave of her.
She entered with her fair eyebrows lifted
in pretty surprise.
Il declare to goodness, / thought yo'd
ridden over to the red barn and gone home
from there. got through my work on the
vines earlier than l thought-one of Judge
Carrots nepbews dropped In in time to
help me with the last row. Yo' needn't
have troubled y0'self to send up for me for
mere company manners; but Sophy says
yo' looked sort Of anxious and particular
when yo' asked for me--so | suppose yo'
want TO see me for something"
Mentally oblurgating S0phy and with an
unpleasant impression In his mind OF the
unknown neighbor who had been helping
Miss Sally in his place, he nevertheless tried
to collect himself calamity.
81 don't know what my expression con-
veyed to Sophy," he said with a smile,
"but trust that what / have to tell you
may be interesting enough to make you
forget my second intrusion" He paused,
and still smiling continued: "For more than
three years, Miss BOWS, you have more or
less occupied my thoughts, and although
we have actually met to-day only for the
first time, | have during that time carried
your image with me constantly. Even this
meeting. which was only the result OF an
accident. had been seeking for three years.
l find you here under your own peaceful
vine and fix tree. and yet three years ago
you came to me Out Of the thunder-cl01d OF
battle"
"My good graciousw said Miss Sally.
She had been clasping hsr knee with her
The morning call., 1892-10-09
,rs. and, now Ieaned backward

linked fingers, andI now leaned backward
with affected CONSERVATION. but an express
sion Of Intense amusement in her bright
eyes. CORTLAND saw the mistake OF his
tone. but 1t was too late to change 1t now.
He handed her the locket and the letter,
and briefly, and perhaps little more seri.
ously. recounted the incident that had put
him in possession Of them. But he entirely
suppressed the more dramatic and CHASTITY
details and his own superstition and strange
prepossession toward her.
Miss Sally took the articles without a
tremor or the least deepening or paling OF
the delicate faint suffusion OF her cheek.
When she had glanced over the letter.
which appeared to be brief. she said. with
smiling, half plying tranquility:
"Yesl 1t was that poor Chef Brooks, sure
heard that he was kill ed at Snake River.
1t was just like him to rush in and get killed
the first pop! And all for nothing, too
pure foolshnessv'
Shocked, yet relieved, but uneasy under
both sensations, CORTLAND went on blindly
The morning call., 1892-10-09

had providentially fallen inside the room
and retreated ngloriously to the other end
of tie parlor. The vO ce came again from
the window; it struck him as being singu-
larly sweet and clear.
''Sophy, is that you?"
CORTLAND disereetly retired to the hall.
To his great relief voice from the outside
answered, "Whar, Miss Sally?"
What did you move the ladder for? You
might have killed me-"
"Fo' God, Miss Sally, / didn't move no
ladderw
Don't tell me, but 20 down and get my
slipper. And bring up some more nails"
CORTLAND waited silently In the hall. In
few moments he heard a heavy footstep
outside The rear window. This was his op-
portunity. Re-entering the parlor some
what ostentatiously, he confronted a tall
negro girl who was passing through the
room carrying a tiny slipper in her hand.
Excuse ME, "he said politely. but l could
not find any one TO announce me. Is Miss
Bows at homer"
The girl instantly whipped the slipper
behind her. rs yo' huntin' Miss Mirandy
D0ws% she asked with great dignity
"Oah Miss Sally Dows-her niece? Miss
Mirandy's bin gone to Atlanta for q
week"
~ have letter for Miss Miranda. but l
The morning call., 1892-10-09
Looked Demurelu Espectant.

6ess and Of being enthusiastically new.
1t was empty, but faint hammerlng was
audible on the rear wall of the house,
through tile two open French windows at
the back. curtained with trailing vines
which gave upon a sunlit courtyard. Court
land walked to the window. just before IT.,
on the ground, stood small light ladder
which he gently put aside TO gain a better
view of the courtyard as he stood at the
open window.
In this attitude he suddenly felt his bat
timed from his head, followed almost in
simultaneously by falling slipper and the
distinct impression of very small foot on
the crown Of his head. An indescrba6le
sensation passed over him. de hurrledIy
stepped back in the room, just as small,
striped-stockingc foot was as hastily drawn
ND above the top of the window, with the
feminine ejaculation: "Good gracious m el'
Lingering for an instant, only to assure
himself that the fair speaker had secured
her foothold and vas 10 no danger OF fall
ing, Courtlanc snatched up his hat. which,
The morning call., 1892-10-09
PAGES IS to l6.

their bounds bel Yet II moi arc xethef
Wild speculation. Already aueh eV sdeBcs
mas been brought toy lar which tells
OF the former existencs o4 sacn nIasses
OF water, Of great lee barrier st
cincinnati damming back 1000 Iuare
miles OF water. and another ak1 Of the Same
kind, further north in ths Rel RIVER rsq.on*
10000 square miles in area 100 to 200 miles
wide aud 600 miles lOl &. And the sans
evidence goes to show hat these gigantic
reservoirs Lake Ohio and Lake Agassiz
they have been called aid actually bcrst
temporary pond of the Bionsssay glacier
gave way the other day.
With such examples before az enc cannos
put hesitate before assigning too Uniform :
degree OF intensity to The various agents OF
denudation. nor can Or easily avoid tue
conclusion that, as reg ..ds some Of thea1s
thelr rate OF work WIS occasionally lar
gr eater in past than in r essnt times,
The morning call., 1892-10-09

iscences Of the usual Southern porticoed
gable or columns.or Veranda. Yet it was
not Northern either. The fsetory-liks
outlines Of facade was partly bid
den in Cherokee rose and jessamine.
A long rooted gallery connected the build
iDgs and became a veranda TO one. A broad,
well-rolled gravel drive led from the open
gate 10 the newest building. A smaller path
diYerged from IL to the corner honse, which,
pte its severe simplicity, had more
residential appearance. Unlike Reeds
house, there were no lounging servants or
field hands to be seen; they were evidently
attending to their respective duties. Dis
mounting, CORTLAND tied his horse to
post at the Office door aud took the smaller
path 70 the corner house.
The door was open to the fragrant after
noon breeze waited through the rose and
jessamine. So wac side door opening
from the hall into long parlor or sitting
room that ran the whole width of the house.
CORTLAND entered 1t. 1t was prettily fur
nIshed. but everything had tbs air OF fresh
The morning call., 1892-10-09
A New Collar-Button.


Collar buttons, five tnzen." 1t was the
voice OF Pouliski, the peddler, as he pushed
MS n mead through the swinging-do0rs OF a
nIsiintll-street saloon. Hey. whiskers." called
bil'y Gayboy. as he held his glass, shave
yer got any O. them 'lectrc light collar-but-
IONS that shine in the dark when yer lose
EN- under the bureau?"
mo, sir" said the peddler
Nor any of them with the whistl1g at
Iachnlents SOS you can locate them when
you lose emp" asked another.
mo, SIR" said the peddler.
nv wen, then, get along" said Gayboy.
gu haven't got anything we want"
ell, tell you vot hat got" said Poul-
buttons"
That beats us. What are they9" asked
one Of the crowd.
Dem, sir, are de kind vot do DER own
svearin' ven you lose DEM"
The morning call., 1892-10-09
THE GREAT MIsGIvING.

mot ours" say some. 'the thought OF death
dread:
asking no heaven we fear no tabled hell;
hIe is feast and we have banqueted-
snail not the worms as well?
"Ihe after-sIlence when the feast Is DER,
And void the p aces where the minstreis stood,
DlHers In noughU from what hath been before,
And Is nor Ill nor good"
An, but the appariton-the dumb sign
me beck oning finger bidding me forego
me Fellowship. the converse aud the VINE,
Inc songs, the fcsta glow
ana an, 10 know not. while with friends sit,
,, hhd while the purple Joy Is passed about.
"nether tbs ampler day divinelier lit
VI homeless night without;
nnu mhether, stepping forth. my soul shall see
rt t,ew prospects, or fall sheer-a blinded thing
mere Is, grave. thy hourly victory,
Anu there, death, thy stingi
WILLIAM WATSON.
The morning call., 1892-10-09

old mission under the minlstrations of
Father Caraher. the present pastor, but In
stead Of the simple, dependent mission In-
dams the present worshipers are de-
families, some Americans and large pro-
portion of Portuguese. landowners. most Of
them, and representing possibilities Of
future useful citizenship that the Indians
never presented.
The cradle Of Alameda County served
well its purpose and rocked lusty infant
into strength aud maturity; now. outgrown
and laid aside, Its memory should still be
cherished and its last fading landmark pre-
served from the ravages Of time and decay.
The morning call., 1892-10-09

Apropos of the siphon is very simple
application of the principle. Cut off q strip
OF cloth and arrange it so that one end shall
remain In glass of water while the other
hangs down. In a short time the water
from the upper glass Will have passed
through the cloth fibers to second glass
beneath il which was empty at the begin
ming OF the experiment. This attribute of
porous substances is called capilarity and
shows itself by capillary attraction in very
nue. pores or tubes. The same phenomenon is
exhibited In blotting- paper. sugar. sand and
lampwlcks, all OF which give familiar In
stances OF capillarty. The cook makes use
OF THIS property by using thin paper to alb
sorD grease from the surface of soups,