The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-26


friar, Era Junipero Sierra (pro-
nounced Hoo-nee'pero) the soldiers
and explorers would have deserted the
expedition and California.
A great conflict arises between Faith
er Jsnipero and the soldier, who
threaten to take him away by force.
They are discouraged because no
ship of provisions and aid has yet
come from Spain. They scoff at the
PADRES prayers. Junipero falls upon
his knees and storms the gates of
heaven for relief.
One faithful Baja Indian stays by
him. The climax to this act is the
aswer to the prayer of the one great
soul who alone had faith in God to
come to their relief.
In the fading twilight of rose, gray
and golden tints. ship is seen slowly
sailing into harbor.
The Indians and Spaniards are
speechless and ashamed before this
powerful appeal, and marvellous an.
swer to the PADRES prayer. Faith is
again revived and all give thanks.
Second Act-The Missions In Their
Glory.
Time 17S4-Typical of days event
I Time 17S4-Typical of days
levents from dawn until night
! The curtain rises on the rose EN-.
powered patio of the Mission San Car
los de Carmel, near Monterey in Cali
fornia.
This was Father Junipero Serra's
own mission where he labored, and
journeyed forth on sandaled feet to
walk from San Francisco to San Diego,
! six hundred miles distant many times
to visit his people and other missions
under his protection. His remains
rest there today in the half-ruined
chapel
The angelus is calling the people to
friars pass reverently before the ivy
covered cross into the chapel-fol-
LEVIED by the now picturesquesly
Idressed Indians and the gaily be-
decked Spanish and Mexican girls,
women and children in their red and
yellow satins, velvets. black lace
"mantillas" and high-heeled dainty red
slippers, the women accompanied by
:chivalous, beplumed, dashing cava
liers, we are held spell-bound by the
beauty and contrast Of the scene.
The reverent quiet is broken by the
chants and hymns from within the
, lighted chapel after which the peo
pie go away to prepare for the grea,
Fiesta DW" The people and pa
dres of California are to meet for 6
Fair at Monterey, then the capital
1t is now the Golden age under Span
ish- California and church rule.
!, The friars have done much to con
vert the many Indians-thousands o
them lived here then-where are thei
descendants today? Father Junipert
l is greatly beloved and it is to him Cal
Y ifornia owes her existence as Chris
I tian and civilized state. The padre
4 have come to make their reports ant
I encourage the people to continue II
| progression Twenty-one mission
have now been established
9 The Indians bring their beautiful
} handiwork to show. Their arts an
crafts exhibition in wonderful the wei
designed baskets, pottery, rugs, blanl
- cts, "copper" brass and silver worl
carving. and fruit and grain cultivs
q ton.
They also show some Of their quee
. weird games and dances accompanie
. by weird music of reed guitars sim
:. liar to Hawaiian "ukeleles" and violin
:, For some dances of course the "ton
% tom" is used.
i, The Fiesta Scene is beautiful in i
"A coloring. music and grace. The Me
leans and Spanish give some of the
most beautiful songs, folk games ar
dances. The gay costumes are el
- giant and beautiful. as well as Il
girls. and handsome are the me
- There is romance-Oh yes, sever
= affairs none that are anythil
:, but happy and clean. running III
= golden threads thru the play.
" All thru this act stands out Z
buoyancy and joy of living by the
" care-free, pleasure-loving Spanish-Ca
m fornians. Around and above II
of Ilight-heartedness is the fatherly pl
he lection and love of the padres for DO
white and red children. The faithf
sv lhappy devotion of the Indians to thu
"a. benefactors stands out clearly. It W
in only when the Spanish mistreat
h q Them that they lost their trust.