New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17

800 feet above the sea level TO 400 feet scarcely
realizing that one has been climbing The road
sycamore trees. whose branches are festooned
with the wild grapevine. voodbine ana other
creepers' ana crosses dH"lh anu hs.Ii w" .
mountain stream. Here ana there stand ON Grcd,
lunches of the tall white California poppies. ana
their great white panicles. the fcathery elder inc
wild cematis and large beds OF cactus. brilliant
with their beautiful yellow and crimson blossoms
and ripe "tunas." The crested road-runners scam
per ahead of the horses the doves call across the
canyon. and nocks Of startled quail whirr from
At last we find ourselves at the entrance to tho
Modieska Canyon. which widcns into magnificent
natural park. BY buying UP different claims
from old mountaineers they have now about 1000
of land The tillablc part has been set to
orchards OF oranges. walnuts. olives and de-
ciduous fruits and considerable vineyard. The
mountain.sides afford abundant grazing for the
Two miles or more from the entrance. after "A
sharp turn in the road and once more crossing
the stream. We have first glimpse OF the house
spreading hve-oaks. make delightfully."- cool and
restful picture. The house is nestled within n
crescent OF the mountain. which rises behind 1t in
terraced grcencry In front Of the house is an old
fashioned stone-curbcd we'll from which an iron
bound bucket draws deliciously cold water Ham
mocks and easy chairs invite you to linger and
listen to the murmur Of the stream the plash OF
the fountain the song OF the birds, the drone OF
the bee; while you drink in deep breaths OF ex-
hilaratng air. and gaze your fill upon the mountain
peaks. the deep blue sky and the fern-draped ter
Beyond the house the scene becomes more wild
and rugged: the mountains crouch closer together.
lea wing only for the road and the stream to
wind about and in and OUT until the road dis
appears. and Nature is left I'm undsturb, d sub
Unity Count Bozenta. with the aid OF Ralph
Modjeska's engineering skill has conducted water
from these mountain soitudcs for domestic pur-
poses and for rrigating his Orch ards. In the i'm
provements that have been made there has been
an effort TO supplement the natural beauties but
to leave Nature unds.urbed as possible and
the result Is most pleasing.
The house is quaint and attractive In its appear
ance. charming In its arrangement and interest
ing throughout. But the room about which the
rest OF the house seems to cluster Is q large one
which serves studio. library, and music room
combined. The walls lined with bookcases
containing valuable libraries In Polish. French and
English. \ fireplace OF medieval design. built of
hewn stone with high narrow shelf, Is orna-
mental; the cool evenings and mornings are made
more comfortable by its open fire Couches In cosey
corners an organ and concert grand piano.
combine with pictures and art treasures picked up
In all lands to make this room most quaint and
attractive. The light comes through stained
glass window high up in the north gable recall
n summers evening when the fading light Of the
sunset aftergow fell softly through the stained
glass of the window and the shadows crcpt from
their hiding places and reached out their arms TO
chase the day away. when the sweet strains of
Ave Maria filled the quaint room with melody.
and the mind with tangle OF weird fancies that
made II all seem picture from an od-time story
book.