The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-11-22

century later, succeeded in converting
an entire race from heathenism to
Christianity. The Mission Play is to
America what the Passion Play is to
Europe. 1t is the greatest pageant
drama of this or any other country.
The actors of the Mission Play live in
San Gabriel in quaint little bunga-
lows and old adobe houses surrounded
by ever-blooming flowers and orange
and lemon trees. This they do from
choice and also because of the fact
that they must be in daily attendance
upon the play. Most of these actors
are native Californians, descended
either from old Spanish families which
went to California with the first pion-
eers, or from the Indians who were
converted to Christianity by the Fran
cisian Fathers. There are more than
thirty Indians in the play.
On the second day of August, about
10 o'clock we left the hotel and went
sightseeing again by way of automo-
bile. We passed Sugar Beach over
San Gabriel river to Ell Monte, Puente,
Spadre and Walnut. There were num-
erous walnut groves in Walnut and
Spadre and mock orange vines were
scattered every where. We could see
San Antoria mountain, called "Old
Baldy', which is 10,0SO feet high. We
went through Pamona where we saw
plenty of camphor trees, olive and
orange groves. Under each orange
tree could be seen Smudge pots which
are used to keep the frost from kill
ing the trees. In between these
orange trees could be seen the spine
less cactus, which is a splendid ami
NAL food-its food value being about
one-half that of alfalfa. 1t can pro-
duce from 25 to SO tons of forage per
acre.
In passing through Ontario we saw
a mountain fire caused by some camp
ing party. There is a fine of $3.50
for any one caught leaving fire in the
mountains as it hurts the water sup
ply.
There were many Apricot groves
and grape vineyards to be seen be-
tween Ontario and Riverside. Just be-
fore reaching Riverside we went up on
Mt Rubidox, which is 1,5OO feet high.
On top of this mountain is a cross
which can be seen for miles around,
and early every Easter morning SER
vices are held there. After getting
lunch at the Reubidoux Grill we went
up in the Glennwood Mission Inn. This
Inn is unique, carried out in the
Spanish style. The mattresses were
dressed in Spanish costumes, having
on yellow jackets and dark skirts.
During the meals there is singing and
playing. The performers also. having
on the Spanish costumes and stand
ing in balcony on one side of the
building. On the roof garden there
were numerous bells, one being the
oldest known in Christiandom, be-
ing made in Spain in 1247.
After leaving Riverside we drove
down Magnolia Avenue, which is seven
miles long. There was not a curve
in the road, and the street was paved
all the way. On one side there was more
pepper trees, and on the other side
were palms, all in row, each being
about the same distance apart. We
passed the Arlington Egg Ranch, Riv-
erside Portland Cement Co., which was
built on the side of a mountain, and
great many alfalfa fields. We went
through Bloomington, and Rialto, both
places noted for their grape fruit
groves, and at Glendora we were told
that we might help ourselves to some
oranges-this being quite treat to us
as we had never. been in an orange
grove before.
The next day we went to Venice, a
little town on the coast, ID miles from
Los Angeles, called the "Coney Is
land of the West" This town is pat
termed after Venice of the old world
with canals and architectural fea-
lures. We went in bathing while
there, both in the ocean and the swim
ming pool. After taking in the curio
shops we went to a Cafeteria where
we had lots of fun waiting on our
selves.
From Venice we walked about a
mile up the beach to Ocean Park.
mere we saw great crowd
gathering together and upon inquiry
we found that movie actor had got
ten seriously injured while diving in
the ocean to rescue some one. This
accident broke up the scene-and other
actors and actresses were seen to get