The Coolidge examiner., 1938-07-07

into the church, filling it full of rev.
erence and alteration.
Fray Fermin gazed at his dream.
'Ah, Padre JuniperoI" he ex-
claimed gladly. lit has all been
worth it, has it mott Sing. o heav-
ems; and be joyful. o earth; and
break forth into singing. o noun
tains; for the Lord hath comforted
his people. D."
Padre mio 80
So stepped was Lasuen in his
dream; so real was the vision. that
at the sound of the voice he started,
really expecting to see the brown
figure of his brother Junipero beside
him. But it was Sergeant Ortega.
who stood, worried frown on his
brow, his hat in his hand.
Padre mio it grows late. There
is absolutely no sign of his Excel
lency. Soon the day OF Our Holy
PatronesS will be past. What shall
we better do?"
Painfully Lasuen made his deci-
sion. I'VE must go ahead with our
ceremony" he said sadly. And
when his Excellency comes, we will
have a rededication. There must be
some good reason that he is not
here" He rose painfully from the
ground, signing, 1T is disappoint-
ment, but it is in Gods hands"
And so, on December 4, 1875. was
founded the Mission Santa Barbara.
The standard of Spain waved above
the humble altar, and the sacred
flags of the Church. Mary's blue
banner. and the bloody banner of
Christ. The bells rang, prayers were
said, incense rose in pale blue
clouds. Then it was over. The Indi-
ans returned to their villages, the
soldiers returned to the preside.
Fray Lasuen was left with three
brothers and a few soldiers to guard
the shrine dedicated to the Holy Pa
troness Of artillerymen.
Several days before Don Pedro
planned to leave for the south for
the dedication of the Mission Santa
Barbara, he was riding the high
lands back Of Monterey and ponder
ing how best to approach La Cob
ernadora on the matter of accom-
panying him. AS he drove toward
the presidio, the clouds lifted for a
moment from the sea. and. it being
sunset time, a rich glow spread over
the gray ocean. turning it for few
minutes into molten gold and rosy
silver. The Governor paused and
admired the scene for a moment.
"a good omen!" he said with a
deep breath. "All will turn out well.
God willingl" AS he cantered into
the preside grounds the guards at
the gate smiled at him respectfully,
noting the cheerful expression on
his face that had for so long been
unnaturally gloomy. And as he ap-
preached the palacio his heart light
ed again as he made out CLEANS OF
fire. and candle light stealing
through the chinkS Of the closed
shutters.
''Hola!" he cried heartily as he
stamped into the sala. And how
| are all in my household this eve
ming? Did you notice the little bit OF
| sunshine at sunset time?"
A gloomy silence met him. Hud-
died near the fire sat Eulalia, with
the baby girl on her lap. And lean
ing over the fire, looking like an old
witch or Indian sorceress, Angustias
stewed some evil-smelling mixture
in a pannikin. At Eulalia's feet the
Indian nurse crouched and looked
fearfully at her charge.
What is the matter?" asked the
Governor, all his cheeriness fading
in the gloomy atmosphere.
"She is sick - the baby" mur
INJURED Eulalia.
"Ah!" Don Pedro retired anxious
ly to a corner and watched help
lessly while the women doctored the
tiny girl. rubbing her little chest
with unguents. dosing her with the
evil-smelling mixture that Anguish