The Coolidge examiner., 1938-03-10
Mistress Of Monterey
Dirqinia Stiuers Bartlett a'sSss""@ @as%S:s

again, and pretending to work, Fray
Junipero walked to Indizuela and
took her by the hand, saying, Your
benefactor, El Gobernador, wishes
to speak to you, child"
The singing girl walked toward
the Governor with grace and poise.
Somehow lighter, somehow taller,
somehow fairer-formed than other
Indians" he thought as she came
the long length of the room.
She waited for him to speak first,
but he only twisted his beard. so
she spoke in careful Spanish.
II hope you are well, Senor ell
Gobernador. l pray God for your
good health and deliverance from
all infrmities. thank God daily
for your kindness in saving me from
death and horror"
FACES started at her words.
Someone has taught you to say
that! You have learned it word by
word. Haven't you?"
Isl, Senior el Gobernador. Padre
Junipero and Dona Maria have
taught me-"
FACES laughed, twinkling his eyes
and opening his mouth widely. The
other girls and the matron looked
at one another. Sierra looked at the
floor.
Have you, then. so little graft
tude that you must have words put
into your mouth to thank me for
bringing you here from the desert
Of the Colorado where / found you
deserted and starving? What say
your"
The girl looked at the matron-
then proceeded along her own lines.
They would not let me say the
things 1 think myself. Senor. For 1
have said you are the most wonder
full man in the world. / think you
are a god, surely, and that"
"Ai, al! Indizuela." The matron
hurried forward. and Father Sierra
lifted a restraining hand. But FACES
only roared louder.
"You are right, Dona Maria, and
Fray Junipero! Don't let her talk
about me! A gcd-a hero! Al, al,
al! Ho, no" He stopped breath
lessly. The girls giggled. and Indi-
zuela sat indifferently down to her
weaving.
At last FACES got his breath
AFTER all, Padre Junipero." he
said, "she is just child"
MY son." answered the friar. 81
am pleased at your unworldliness.
Come with me and see this dove
cote" He led the Governor through
the long dormitory where he could
see little straw pallets beneath
barred windows.
Nests where they sleep at night,
safe from HARM" explained the
priest.
They went into the kitchen where
great bowls Of mush boiled and
bubbled, and curious girls watched
the process that they might learn it.
Then they passed into the garden.
Now, Pedro Fages," said Sierra
gravely, think well on what you
have seen. Remember this dove
cote where ignorant Indian girls are
made into useful pious women.
where they are kept safe from the
evils of the world. Most Of the
girls you have seen so busily en-
gagged, would have been depraved
animals had it not been for the
teaching we bring them"
II know" replied the Governor
thoughtfully.
do you not think they are better
off as they are?" inquired Sierra
anxiously. ''Do you not think they
are really happier? Think of their
lives as savages! You know as
well as I the frightful, filthy Gus
toms that attend the Indian women
at their child-bearing-"
Ugn, mdeed l 90, Paore. he
put his hand on the others shoul-
der. "You are a wonder worker, :"
he said respectfully.
Thank you. Oh, I have prayed.
my son, that the blessed Santa Ma
ria would soften your heart toward
her poor savage children. If that
had happened-if that could hap
pen-the way of Junipero Sierra