Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-08-21
In Ramona Land


For the Reflector.
Our Gailardias are blooming in the
August sunshine smaller not and so
bright colored as the ones from which
the seed was picked on the Camulos
rancho. The sight Of them reminds
US Of another August day in Califor-
mia when we visited the home Of Ra-
mona near Ventura.
With our we'll worn copy Of IRA
mona" in hand we journeyed from
the La Graude depot in Los Angeles
over brown mesa; past the green salt
marshes, always in sight Of the Sierra
Madre mountains; down BY the great
sugar beet fields; past the Arroyo till
we came to the little station where
greeted US kindly Senior Del Vale
and his sweet faced wife. They vel
coined US amid the cries Of mum.
bers Of peacocks whom we had in.
advsrtently frightened from the
trees that border the lane leading to
the house and then entered the an
Gent Spanish courtyard, the home Of
Ramona. The quaint old adobe
house was interesting and the sister
Of Senior Del Vale showed US about
explaining with pretty Spanish ges-
lures and accent the places mention.
ed in the book.
We examined curiously the crum-
bling fountain which still emitted
spasmodic jets, took q cutting Of Ra.
mona's willow under which the altar
linen was washed. The stones and
benches and the spring where she and
Alessandro plighted their VOWS, were
in evidence. We entered the chapel,
a picturesque little stone building
where the Indians were taught and
gazed wonderingly upon the light
which has burned at the side Of the
altar for thirty.ive years.
Our appreciation Of the artistic in
architecture became poetic over the
old beliry with Its cracked and en-.
crusted bells. And the rose covered
cross in the courtyard was lovely.
We were assured that the exterior
ami interior OF all the buildings was
kept intact during the thirty.two
years they had owned Camulos rancho.
Shading the long, low, irregular
walls is large English walnut tree
Of majestic proportions; also an i'm
mense pear tree planted by Ramona's
Aunt Sonora Moreno Manlities. The
Seuors's yellow musk blossoms per-
iumed the air and attracted lazy bees.
Some golden backed ferns flashed in
the sun as we came out to the light.
We have q treasured leaf between the
leaves Of our book. The ironds we're
used upon the altar during Father
jumpers ministration. The vest
ments were said to be over one hun.
bred years old, and back Of the chapel
and rancho house was the sheep
washing place and a path led down
into field OF wild,m mustard.
Oh the beautiful wild mustard, let
alone it forms thlckets SO high that
a man on horseback can easily be
hidden in it. 1t is true in California
as in Palestine it grows with marve-
lous rapidity from the least Of seeds
and that the birds lind it q shelter.
Down the path went Ramona to meet
Father Juniper, parting the mustard
with her hands. We purchased
views from an old Mexicano who,
with her soft speech and queer Mexi'
can dress, looked like a picture.
At evening returning to the city
we saw the sun set on the Pacific
ocean and afterward the full mosu
with the evening star standing BY
With our precious souvenirs OF Ra'
mona's home and happy memories
Of the day spent there we recall th'
final salutation, "Adios, Adios"
MRS. A. W. RICE.