The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-12-02

Emerson and It. w. Higginson. She
wrote for the famous "NO Name
Stories" two novels, "Mercy Philbrick's
Choice" and "Hetty's Strange History
She was author of books of many types
including those for children. She be-
came greatly interested In the Indians
she was appointed a special commits
sioner to Investigate their condition
From this work resulted "a Century OF
DfshOnOr," and the novel by which she
Will be remembered, "RamOna." She
died Aug. IL, 1855, I'm San Francisco
She possessed the affectiOnate regard
of many readers.
XII AMONA! The b1esse d
X child!" Father Salvierder-
"a, nearing his journeys
end, cried with joy. Through the gold
en- mustard tangle that overhung his
path a dark-haired maiden came swift
ly to meet him. At sight of Ramona's
angelic face the aged Franciscan for
got his WEAKNESS, almost forgot his
burden of grief over his beloved mis-
sions, despoiled and crumbling. A 81
lent blessing, and he followed her con-
tentedly to the Moreno ranch, where
strengthening had been delayed until
his visit, that he might confess the
shearing band.
Before Mexico's surrender of Cali
fornia, General Moreno's estates were
lordly indeed. now huge portions had
been Topped away by the United States
land commission, and the generals
widow revenged her losses by de-
ncuncing all Americans as "hounds."
A marvellous manager, the Sonora Mo-
reno, whom her handsome, gentle son
Felipe obeyed in everything and knew
it not! Yet she never suspected that
Felipe's affection for Ramona could be
more than brotherly; she had never
loved the girl. For Ramona was not
of Moreno blood. Her father was a
tempestuous Scotchman, who, cruelty
Tilted by the senora's sister, married
an Indian woman. To his old love,
childless and unhappy, he gave his
beautiful blue-eyed baby to rear as
her own At Sonora Ortegna's death
the child came as a legacy to
Sonora Moreno, but at nineteen, Ra-
mona still waited to learn the mystery
of her parentage. The stern, silent
sonora would not tell.
The Indian sheep-shearers arrived
at sunset, just as Ramona hurried to
the brook to wash an altar-cloth. Her
face aglow, she bent over the stones,
all unconscious that Alessandro, cap
tain of the shearing band, beholding
her, stood spellbound.
When Father Salvierderra led the
household sunrise hymn next morn
ing. a new rich barytone voice thrilled
Ramona strangely.
81 never heard anything like it," she
told Felipe.
"That is Alessandro old Pablo's son
"a splendid fellow. He plays the vio-
lin beautifully, the old San Luis Rey
music. His father was bandmaster
there"
strengthening began most unfor-
tunately. Felipe, up too soon from a
long illness, suffered relapse while
packing the dusty feeces. Only Ales-
sandro could soothe his delirium; ac-
cordingly, Alessandro was persuaded
to remain until the invalid should re-
cover.
AS Felipe improved, he lived on the
open veranda, lying on rawhide bed
that Alessandro made. The family
sat near him. Alessandro, too, "his
music delight, his strength and fidel-
ity a repose, his personal presence
always agreeable, was freely welcome
The young Indian watched Ramona
with dumb devotion.
"Such eyes," she unused, 'like a
saint. so solemn, so mild. I am sure
he is very good" She ceased to re-
gard him as an Indian. How could
she understand this new feeling?
Felipe was the only young man she
had ever known.
One thought possessed Alessan-
dro after old Juan Canito, the
head shepherd, told him of Ramona's
parentage: "The senorita has Indi-
an blood. :. The sonora loves her
not" When Ramona wept at the
senora's unkindness, he trembled so
that Felipe read his secret.
eff only my mother could think II"
reflected generous Felipe, sit would be
best to have Alessandro stay here as
overseer, and then they might be mar
ried.''
The crisis came when Ramona's eyes
dimmed with tears because she feared