Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26

Jun, whose neat 10 borne like the oppressive
tenderness Of a too ardent lover; and before his
disk sinks in the west,,ths ocean sends up its
breath Of balm. stirring the imagination and
toning nerves and pulses
Years ago one of the Mexican governors OF
California granted a large tract Of land in this
valley to two soldier friends. Antonio Jurillo
and Carlos Mera. They, with few friends
and relatives settled upon it in its virgin state.
The original grant was miles in extent, and
vas known throughout the region and on the
record book at Los Angeles as the Jurillo
rancho.
northeast. came down a little river. the Santa
Inez, which never failed in the dry esson- 1t
ran through the JurillO land and was the dar-
ling and idol of the little colony-Spanish origi-
nally. Mexican sfterward and New Mexican
still later.
They intermarried good deal. but owing to
the dying Of the old people. and the drifting
on OF many OF the younger ones down to the
coast towns. they never became very numer-
Gus; but there were always there JurilIos:
Meras. Sarvedras and Medals. At no time did
they utilize more than moiety OF the big
grant-that portion lying along the river.
Here they pastured their sheep and cattle. and
raised such fruits and grains as flourish IN that
soft climate. almost without care.
A large tract of land on the river several
miles above the settlement had been sold for
song TO some eastern capitalists. who held it
idly for time. then put 1T upon the market
and disposed of 1t rapidly in lots suitable for
orange orchards and small vineyards This
new colony full of Yankee enterprise. in
telligence and push, and utterly wanting in
sympathy with or liking for the early owners
OF the soil and the Spanish-speaking Indians
who lived among them
Their first work was to construct at great
cost, a canal, the like of which had never been
dreamed n in ha yalla "a
river was conducted sometimes through fumes
built upon high trestle work, along the exact
line from which the extensive orangeries and
vineyards could be most effectuaily irrigated.
The natives regarded the work with jealousy
from tbs first. and when. two or three years
later, second canal was projected. their pro-
test grew loud and intense.
One evening near the last of Nav a carriage
drawn by two strong gray horses drove up to
an adobe house standing in a little grove of
pepper and Australian gum trees. The house
was low and long. its roof was of red tiles and
its thick walls we're pierced with small square
windows In one end of the structure was an
arched opening. larger than ordinary door
way, which disclosed the appointments and per-
formances peculiar to a Mexican kitchen. There
was wall OF fence around the yard, and the
carriage left the road and drew up quite
close TO the open end of the house. A group
OF children gathered abo &c and stared in vari-
Gus picturesque atti .ides. There were two
his gray beard, gave a peremptory 'Helloi"
and woman appeared at the door. He saluted
her in bad Spanish. then asked in English:
Where ls Jurillo!"
.'Yonder. with his horses He feeds them"
said the woman. pointing to a low matched
shed on the farther side Of a cypress hedge.
She turned to one of the brown little bows
With an order to summon his father, but be-
fore il could be obeyed Jurillo himself ap-
peared walking somewhat hastily. He was
tall. swarthy, muscular man OF about sixty.
He seemed to know the two men and a subtle
CLEAN OF dislike kindled in his deep-set ewes
as he approached the carriage.
Good evening. Jarillo. How's times?' said
he Of the gray beard. For answer the Mexican
lifted q repelling hand
-.., hou are too near my open door. senors.
with your horses and wheels. Yonder is the
high road: that Is yours. This ground ia mine
my childrens playground"
Muttering curse upon the pride of the garlic
eater, the man backed his horses down the
little knoll and turned them into the road
with their heads in the direction whence they
lad come The Mexican followed. When the
strangers turned to him again he was standing
beside the carriage with an air at once cour-
teous and commanding.
Vow, will know your pleasures, senors."
dressed him:
MY name is Tarnsey and this is NV friend.
capt scott We have come down from Hedge
way 70 learn II II Is true, We hear that you are
about to prosecute Our colony for damages, IN
der the old law Of riparian rights"
Il have been advised to do So, said Jurilo
Others have done il and the Judges have
gwen them redress The law is with us who
have owned these lands and the river, which is
their life blood. for many years.
Did lat use you've made Of the land or
the river. either. YOU Mexicans" said Can't
Scott, with an air of insolence strongly in con-
trast with the perfect high breeding that dis
tinguished the younger man.
III you have come here to insult me or INV
people, said Juriho. Il will go within"
I'VE have not come for that" said Tarnsev
quickly. We have no right or desire 10 a.
that am deeply interested in the irriyating
operations up the river. / am moreover an
attorney. and know Of what i speak when I
Tell you II viii be very unwise in you to begin
WIS suit Doaotless there are those who will
counsel you To do it, You are still a man of
property. and j, for one would be honestly
sorry TO see the remainder of your estate swai-
lowed up in litigation"
Others have recovered damages: vhv not
Jose Nera and L? He will sue with me-
But you will have to prove damages yerv
clearly To what extent have you suffered
loss by our canal"
The Mexican turned and pointed dramatically
toward the river.
:, You have iessened the Santa Inez one-half.
Aera has no water for his barley mill. The
current IL below the conduit that has Supplied
my house and garden Next year the wafer
VII be all gone and the river bed down here as
dry as tine Arroyo Seco."
It's just like this. broke in Scott: ..there's
no use your Insisting that the Santa Inez was
created Tor the sole benefit OF this little settl
nent You fellows have irrigated In all maybe
I'D acres Our bitches will irrigate lOOOO
screa. II you prosecute you'll Just Law you--
selves In for big bill OF costs The suit
couldn't be decided under a wear and before
she end OF that time there II be a new order OF
things Well have a new legislature this win
ter. and you ii see them old English laws fall
ing TO pieces like the dry rot was in EN-.
They re IN the way Of progress and the develop
ment Of the country
The horses grew res.iye holding the car
riage on the hill side. Scott refined them nm
sharply, then continued his fanfarouade sew
eraI minutes longer. Once he turned to his
companion Tor some verIfcation OF his words
but the appeal was UNDECIDED. He did not dis
Germ the direction of Tarnsey's ewes, which
we're gazing from beneath his slouchel ha,
orim at womans face, pure Spanish in out
hne and eoiorinS, and wondrously beautiful AZ
u looked forth from one o. the SQUARE yiudoxs
in the fortress-like wall
Rough fellow. that old Jurillo." said Scott.
Wien they had left she house and were bowling
along the smooth road 'Thev saw he's got I
daughter that's . reg'lsr daIk-skinned angel.
Lives up to nunnery at San Francisco. bu,
comes down on a visit about once a year. n
then all the young greasers for miles-far
downs Fort luma-come gallopin up here
With their long spurs and tapiderros, cour tin
that girl"
Refora thu carriare of the Ap,ars.ar. 4. :,