davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
IT shall be bad-bad-badp

lieved that you had it in you to become a
saint. Yes, yes, 1 feel the strength and
maturity Of your nature, know the lengths
to which 1t might lead another; but you
could not be bad. Conchita. have known
many women. In you alone have l per-
ceived the capacity for spiritual exaltation.
You are the stuff of which saints and mar
tyrs are made. The violent will, the trans
cendent passions-they have existed in the
greatest of our saints, and been conquered"
Il will not conquer. L Oh, padre-for
the love of heaven
He left the box hastily and lifted her
where she had fallen and carried her into
the room adjoining the church. He laid
her on the floor and ran for Dona Ignacia
who. refreshed with wine and chocolate,
came swiftly. But when Concha, under
practical administrations and maternal en-
dearments, finally opened her eyes, she
pushed her mother coldly aside rose and
steadied herself against the wall for
moment. then returned to the church, clos
ing the door behind her.
When a woman has borne thirteen chill
dren in the lost corners of the world, with
scarce thought in thirty years for aught
else save the husband and his comforts, it
it not to be expected that her wits should
be rapiers or her vocabulary distinguished
But Dona Ignacia S unresting heart had an
intelligence of its own, and no inner con-
vulsion could alter the superb dignity of
mien which nature had granted her. AS
she rose and confronted Father Abela he
moved forward with the instinct to kiss her
hand. as he had seen Rezanov do
Mi PADRE she said, "Concha is the first
of my children to push me aside and it is
ike blow on the heart; but have neither
anger nor resentment, for it was not the
act of child to its parent, but of one
woman to another. Alas! this Russian,
what has he done, when her own mother
can give her no comfort? We all love
when young, but this is more. 1 loved
Jose so much 1 thought / should die when
they would have compelled me to marry
another. But this is more. She will not
die, nor even go to bed and weep for
days. but it is more. l should not have
died, know that now, and in time should
have married another, and beer as
happy as woman can be when the man
is kind Concha will love but once, and
she will suffer-suffer-. She may be more
than l. but l bore her and 1 know. And
she cannot marry him. A hereto! 1 no
longer think of the terrible separation.
Were he Catholic l should not think of
myself again. But 1t cannot be. Oh, padre.
what shall we do?'
They talked for long while, and after
further consultation with Don Jose and
Father Landaeta, it was decided that Con-
cha should remain for the present in the
house of Juan Moraga, where she could re-
ceve the daily counsels of the priests and
be beyond the reach of Rezanov. Mean
while, all influence would be brought to
bear upon the governor that the Russian
might be placated even while made to real
iZe that to loiter longer in California waters
would be but waste of precious time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
Xxx

The next morning Father Abella rode
over to the Preside and was closeted for
an hour with the comandante and the gov
ernor. Then the three rode down to the
beach. entered canoe and padded out to
the Juno. Rezanov met them on deck with
gravity as significant as their own, but
led them at once to the cabin, where wine,
and the cigarettes for which alone they
would have counseled the treaty, awaited
them
The quartet pledged each other in an en-
barrassed silence. disposed of a moment
more with obdurate matches. Don Jose in
haled aud1bly. then lifted his eyes and met
the yelled and steady gaze of the Russian
Senior" he said. II have come to tell
you that I consent to your marriage with
my daughter
Thank YOU" said Rezanov And their
hands clasped across the table
But this was far too simple for the taste
of a governor. So important an occasion
demanded official dignity and many words
Your excellency," he said severely, ST.
ting very erect. with one white hand on the
table and the other the hilt of his sword
yet full OF courtesy and longing to enjoy
the cheer and conversation of his host :;
the peaceful monotony of our lives has
been rudely shaken by a demand upon
three fallible human beings to alter the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

self rather better, but the more Californian
you are and remain the happier 1 shall be.
When am to see your ears? Are they de-
formed. pointed and furry like a fawn' :?
Do they stand out? Were all the women
of California tattooed in some Indian
raid -"
Concha glanced about apprehensively. but
not even Santiago was there to see the
dreadful deed. With a defiant sweep of
her hands she lifted both loops Of hair and
two little ears, rosy even in the moonlight
commanded amends and more from penitent
lips.
No man has ever seen them before
since was baby; not even my father and
brothers, said Concha, trembling between
horror and rapture at the tremendous sur
render. You will never remind me of it.
Ay VI! promise-Pedro mio!'
"On condition that you promise not to
confess 1t. I should like to be sure that
your mind belonged as much to me and as
little to others as possible. I do not OBJ
1ect to confession-we have 1t in our
church; but remember that there are other
things as sacred as your religion
She nodded. II understand-better than
you understand Romanism. I must con-
fess that l met you tonight but Father
Abella is too discreet to ask for more. 1t
Is such blessed memories that feed the soul,
and they would fly away on whisper"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

His character is long since formed and
cast-it is iron. Even love will not melt
1t. Were he younger
Il should hate him. All young men are
insufferable to me-always have been. I
have found my mate, and have him l will
If 1 have to hide in the hold Of his ship.
All, padre. milo, 1 know not what L say.
But you will help me. Only you can. My
father thinks you as wise as a saint.
And there are other things-my head turns
round-I can hardly think-but you dare
not lose the friendship of this Russian.
And my marriage to him would be as much
for the good of the missions as for Cali
forna herself. If you champion our cause,
point out that not only would it be a great
match for me, but that many ends would
be lost by running my life, the governor
will find himself in position to grant
your prayers for the cargo, particularly
If you first persuade my father-so long
not resist if he joined our forces. What
is one girl that she should be held of
greater account than the welfare of this
country to which you are devoting your
life? The happier are your converts the
more kindly will they take to Christianity
which they do not love as yet!-the more
faithful and contented will they be, in the
prospect of the luxuries and the toys and
the trinkets of the Russian north What is
one girl against the friendship of Russia
for Spain? Who am that should weigh
a peseta in the scale?'
You are Concha Arguello. the flower of
all the maidens of California, and the
daughter of the best of our men," replied
Father Abella muSingly. And until to-
day there has been no Catholic more de-
vout-'
TT lies with you, mi padre. whether I
continue to be the best of Catholics or be-
come the most abandoned of heretics You
know me better than any one. You know
that l will not weaken and bend and SUBJ
NIT, like a thousand other women. 1 could
be bad-bad-bad-and 1 will be! Do you
hear?' And she shook his arm violently,
while her hoarse voice filled the church.
MY child, My child! l have always be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
| respect. I have therefore decided chat the

respect. I have therefore decided that the
exchange shall be made on these terms,
but that your cargo shall be received by
Don Jose Arguello comandante of the San
Francisco Company, and held in trust until
the formal consent Of the king to the pur-
chase shall arrive"
Rezanov glowed to his finger tips. Not
even the assurance Of his union with the
woman of his heart, which after all had
met but the skeleton of his desires, gave
him the acute satisfaction Of this sudden
fulhlment of his self-imposed mission. He
dropped his own official demeanor and
throwing himself across the table gripped
the governors hand while he poured out his
thanks in voice thick with feeling his
eyes glittering with more than victory He
did not lose sight OF his ultimate designs
and pledge himself to eternal friendship
but he unwittingly conveyed the impress
sion that Spain had that day made friend
she could Ill afford to lose; and his three
visitors rose well pleased with the cuf-
mnation of the interview
You must stay here no longer Rezanoy"
said Don Jose. as they were taking leave
MY house is now literally your own 1t
will be some weeks before the large guam
titles of corn and flour and other stores
You wish can be got together-for We must
lay a requisition on the fertile mission
rancos in the valleys-and you will ex-
change these narrow quarters for such
poor comfort my house affords-I take
no denial. Concha will remain at Juan
Moraga's for the present
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

known to Rezanov as had they been aired
to his liking.
He had sought an interview with Father
Abella. and tactfully ignoring the question
and influential priest to make the propo,
sition regarding his cargo that Concha hao
suggested. The priest, backed by his three
coadjutors, had made it, and been repulsed
with fury. From another quarter Rezanov
learned that during his absence little else
was discussed in the house of the comand-
ante save his formidable matrimonial prof.
ect, and the supposed designs OF his coun-
try Troops had been ordered from the
south to reinforce the San francisco gar.
risons, and were even now massed at
Santa Clara, within a days march OF the
bay.
About mile from the Preside and al
most opposite the Junos anchorage were
six great stone tubs sunken in the ground
and filled by spring of clear water. Here
once a week the linen, fine and heavy, Of
Fort and Preside was washed, the stoutest
serving women of households and barracks
meeting at dawn and scrubbing for half a
day. ReZanov had watched the bright pic
ture they made-for they wore bit OF
every hue they could COMMUNICATIVE a lazy
interest, which quickened to thirst when he
heard that they were the most reliab BILE
newsmongers in the country. In every Pre-
sidal district was a similar institution, and
the four were known as the Wash Tub
Mail" Many of the women were selected
by the tyrants of the tubs for their comeli-
ness, and each had lover in the couriers
that went regularly with mail and official
instructions from one end of the Cali
fornias to the other. All important news
was known first by these women. and much
was discussed over the tubs that was long
in reaching higher but no less interested
circles, and domestic bulletins were as
eagerly priced. The sailor that brought
this information to ReZanov was good
looking and susceptible youth, already the
victim of an Indian maiden from the hand
some tribe in the Santa Clara valley and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
,ly She began to excuse the man.

Inevitably she began to excuse the man.
None knew better than she every side OF
the great question that was shaking not
only her life but California itself. Appeal
from the dictum of state and clergy would
be a mere waste of time. The only alterna-
tive was flight That would mean the wreck
OF Rezanov's avowed purposes In coming to
this quarter of New Spain, and perhaps OF
others she dimly suspected. 1t would mean
the very acme of misery for his Sitkans and
an indefensible blow to the company.
It might even prove the fatal mistake in
his career. for which his enemies were ever
on the alert He was not communicative
about himself except when he had an OBJ
ject in view, but he had told her something
OF his life, and his officers and Langsdorfr
had told more. He no silly caballero
warbling and drumming at her grating
when she longed for Sleep but a man in his
forties whose passions were I'm the leash
OF remarkably acute and ambitious brain.
She even thrilled with pride in his strength.
for she knew how he loved her. and al
though his part was action. her stimulated
instincts taught her that she would rarely
be long from his mind. And what was
she to seek TO roll stumbling blocks into
the career of a man like that? In this very
garden for four long days she had dreamed
exalted dreams of the manifold gifts she
should develop both for his, solace at home
and his worldly advancement. She had
once felt all a girls impotence when her
mothers tears made her fathers departure
on some distant mission more difficult than
need be, and although she knew now that
her capacity for tenderness was as great,
she resolved to mould herself In a larger
shape than that.
But she sighed and dropped little. The
burden OF womans waiting seemed already
to have descended upon her. Two years
were long-long. There might be other
delays. He might fall ill: he had been Ill
before in that barbarous Russian north.
And in all that time 1t was doubtful II she
received a line from him, a hint OF his
welfare. The Boston and British shippers
came no more, and it was certain that no
Russian ship would visit California again
until the treaty was signed and official news
of 1t had made its slow way to these utter
most shores She had resented, In her
young ambition and indocility, the chance
that had stranded her, equipped for civiliza-
ton, on this rim of the world. but never
so much as in that moment when she sat
with arrested breath and realized to the
full the primitive conditions of a country
thousands of miles from the very outposts
of Europe, and with never the sight of q
letter that did not come from Spain or one
of her colonies.
Would that we lived a generation latey"
she thought with a heavy sigh. Progress
is almost automatic, and TO a land as fer-
tile and desirable this the stream must
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
"Their eyes met in perfect understanding.

turn in due course. But not in my tim}
Not in my time"
She rose and leaned her elbows In til
embrasure of the grille, where Santiae|
had restored the bars, and looked out oy4
the fields of grain painted by the padre|
the immense sand dunes beyond, that shl !
the lovely bay from sight; the hills embra !
ing the primitive scene In a frowning ar
With all her imagination Ii was long b
fore she could picture a great city cove
A pueblo in time, perhaps, for Rezanoy hs
awakened her mind to the Importance
the harbor as a port of call. Many mo
adobe homes where the sand was not h
and shifting, few ships in the bay VIII
Spain had been compelled to relax h
jealous vigilance-or-who knew?-perhap
"a fourishing colony when the Russj}
bear had devoured the Spanish lion. 8
knew something and suspected more Of
rottenness and inetficiency of Spain, ar
We're Russia a nation of ReZanoys, VIII
opposition in California against the ii
laundering down from the north? Tho
perhaps, the city that had Travelled fro
the brain of the Russian to hers when
fog had rolled over the heights; the towe
and palaces and bazaars, the thousand lit
golden domes with the slender cross ate
the forts on the crags and the villas in
hollows, and on all the islands and hi
But when she and her lover were du
When she and her lover were dust.
But she was too young and too ardent
listen long to the ravens of the spirit. T
years are not eternity, and in haprfn1
the past rolls together like a scroll a
Is naught. She fell to dreaming. Her
that had been set with the gravity OF ste
relaxed in warm curves. The color ca
back to her cheek, the light to her ey
She was a girl at her grating with
rose poignant above her. and the woI
radiant alluring, and all for her. swi
ming in the violet haze beyond.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

There was no performance after all in the
Preside square that night, for the bear
brought in from the hills to do honor to
the Russians died of excitement, and it
rained besides. Rezanov made the storm his
excuse for not dining and dancing as usual
at the house of the comandante. But the
relations between the Preside and the Juno
during the next few days were by no
means strained. Davidov and Khostov
were always with the Spanish officers,
drinking and card playing, or improving
their dancing and Spanish with the girls
whose guitars were tuned for the waltz day
and night. The dignitaries met as usual
and conversed on all topics save those para
mount in the minds of each. Nevertheless,
there were three significant facts as well
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
xxi.

Rezanov in those days was literally 1
and master at the Preside. II he did
burn the house of his devoted host he
it to suit himself He turned one of
rooms into an office, where he received
ENJOYS from the different missions and
amined the samples of everything 8
nitted to him. trusting little to his q
missary. His leisure he employed seou1
the country or Shooting deer and quail
the company of his younger hosts.
literal mind of Don Jose accepted himI
an actual son and embryonic CalifornI
and, his conscience at peace, reveledI
his society as sign from propitis|
heaven; rejoicing in the virtue OF his vel
The governor, testify Remaining that
California was so well governed for
present he would retire TO Monterey
take siesta, rode off one morning, but
without an affectionate God preserve
life of your excellency many years"
But although Rezanov saw the most
guine hopes that had brought him to
fornia fulfilled, and although he looked
the mountain ridges of the east over
great low valleys watered by rivers
shaded by oaks, where enough grain G
be raised to keep the blood red in a Z
sand times the colonial population of
STA, although he felt himself in more
more abundant health, more and NOR
love with life, it is not to be supposed
moment that he was satisfied. Coz
he barely saw. She remained with
Moragas, and although she came occas
ally to the afternoon dances at the Pres
and he had dined once at her cou
house. where the formal betrothaf
taken place and the marriage contract
been signed in the presence OF her "a
and more intimate friends, the priests
officers, and the governor, he had
spoken with her for moment alone.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
XVII.
--HE muscles of Dona 1gnacia's
cheeks fell an inch as she lis
tened, dumbfounded. to the tale
XVII.

-HE muscles of Dona 1gnacia's
cheeks fell an inch as she lis
tened, dumbfounded. to the tale
her husband poured out. To her
simple aristocratic soul ReZanov
had doomed too great a parsonage TO cream
of mating with a Californian, and as her
sharp maternal instinct had recognized MS
personal probity, even his gallantries had
seemed to her no more consequent than the
more catholic trif1ing of his officers.
Holy Mary! she whimpered when her
voice came back. Holy Nary A hereto.
And he would take our Concha from US!
And she would go! To st. Petersburg.
Ten thousand miles! To the priests with
her-now-this very day."
Concha had thrown herself on her bed
in belated hope of siesta, when Malta Rosa
had been sent to the house of Don Mario
Sal in the Valley entered with the message
that she was to accompany her parents to
the mission at once. She rose sullenly, but
in the manifold essentials of a girls life
She had always yielded the implicit obedi-
ence exacted by the Californian parent. In
n few minutes she was riding out of the
Preside beside her father. Dona lGnacia
joted behind in her carreta. a low
and clumsy vehicle, on solid wheels and
springless, drawn by oxen and driven by
stable boy on a mustang The journey was
made in complete silence save for the male
dictions addressed to the oxen by the boy,
and an occasional: "Ay yin ''Madre de
Dios!" "Sainted Mary, but the sun bores
hole in the head" from Dona Ignacia,
whose increasing discomfort banished wrath
and apprehension for the hour.
Don Jose did not even look at his
daughter, but his face was ten years older
than in the morning. He had begun dimly
to appreciate that she suffering, and
in 4 manner vastly different from the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

CONTINUED on Seventh Page.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

the hills. Its jewel oasis alone made 1t ac-
ceptable to the Spaniard, but to Rezanov
the sandy desert, with its close companion
able silences, Its cool night air sweet with
the light chaste fragrance of the roses, the
simple, almost primitive, conditions envi-
roning the girl. possessed a power to stir
the depths of his emotions as no artful re-
enforcement to passion had ever done. He
forgot the wall His ego melted in sense
Of cc<plete union and happiness. Even
when they returned to earth and discussed
an odd resignation, very alien in his nature,
not only to the barrier but to all the
strange conditions Of his wooing. He had
felt something Of this before, although less
she had the gift Of clothing the inevitable
with the semblance and the sweetness of
choice; and wondered how long 1t would be
able to skirt the arid steppes OF philosophy
with Father Abella. HE will say nothing
to admit he is weakening, but feel sure
he has realized not only that our marriage
will be for the best interest Of California,
but that to forbid 1t would wreck my life;
and from this responsibility he shrinks 1
can see 1t in his kind. shrewd, perplexed
eyes. in the hesitating infections Of his
voice, to say nothing of the poor arguments
he advances to mine. What Of my father
and mother?" I
''They look troubled, almost i'll, but moth
ing could exceed their kindness to me- al
though they have pointedly given me no
opportunity to introduce the subject of our
marriage again. The governor makes no
sign that he knows of any aspiration of
mine above corn, but he Informed me to-
day that California is doomed to abandon
ment, that the Indians are hopeless. that
Spain will withdraw troops before she will
send others, and that the country will
either revert to savagery or fall a prev
to the first enterprising outsider AS he
was in comparison cheerful before 1 fancy
he apprehends the irresistible appeal of
your fathers surrender"
Concha nodded IF my father Yields he
will see that you have everything else that
you wish. He may have advocated meet
ing your wishes in other respects in order
to leave you without excuse to linger, but
that argument is not strong enough for
the governor. whereas If he made up his
mind to accept you as son he would
throw the whole force of his character and
will into the scale; and when he reaches
that pitch he wins-with men. 1 must
must bring you good fortune she added
anxiously. Marriage with a little California
girl-are you sure 1t will not ruin your
career?''
IT can think of nothing that would adj
vantage it more. What are you going to
call me?"
IT cannot say Petrovich or Nicolai-my
Spanish tongue rebels. I shall call you
Pedro. That is a very pretty name with
u.s."
My own harsh names suit my battered
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-01-13
CoIored Thief
Taken at Ration

The negro Davis, known as Boots
and Saddles who was sent to jail for
ninety days at the last term Of court,
for carrying concealed weapons, be-.
ing arrested while he was walking
about the street with a Ratchet showed
up under his vest. is In more trouble.
He was released last Tuesday, after
serving q small portion Of his sen
tence, MS the officers at the jail grew
tired of seeing him around.
The night was cold and his Cloth.
ing was thin, the night no was re-
leased, so the colored porter, Thomp-
son. at the Plaza hotel, took him in
for the night. On awakening next
morning the porter discovered that
he had nursed tina adder to his bosom,
as Davis had lit out during the night
with n thirty-Ave dollar overcoat and
n good suit OF clothes worth altogether
about ffty-ive dollars.
Davis could not be traced although
his description had been 'phoned ~
every neighboring town until yester'
day. when he was arrested by Shcrih
Marion Littrel at Ration. City Mar
shall Ward went TO Ration this mofnins
! 10 bring the wanted man back.