The Coolidge examiner., 1938-07-21


of your life to your King and this
country. The King would be more
than willing to award you a great
slice of this land that you have gov
erned so long. Why not do II? Let
someone else be governor, and have
all the worries and anxieties, while
you retire and establish a grand
hacienda. enjoy your wife and chill
dren, and let the Indians do the
work."
Don Pedro was quiet a long time,
idly twirling his beaker, and watch
ing the ruddy juice washing in little
waves against the glass. All wn-
consciously his old friend, in relst-
ing his own hopes. had laid bare
the deepest desires of the Cover
nor's heart.
A great estate of his own! He
could see himself riding over the
land; could see the sleek herds, the
spirited horses he would raise; could
see the fields of corn and grain,
squashes, beans and chiles; he wan
dered through his own orchards and
vineyards. All, Dios, that was what
he wanted! A great house where he
could entertain a hundred guests,
and where a hundred servants would
do his bidding; where there would
be music and flowers and hospitality
and at the end host of strong
sons to speed his departure into
that dark uncertain land But
the vision did not hold Eulalia.
With a bitter laugh he gulped his
wine
Before God, Don Epifanio, you
are sent by Satan to tempt me!
That may be your life, but it can
never be mine"
II am sorry, my friend. For there
are many of us who campaigned
with you who are going to do this
very thing Of which I have spoken.
In fact, many have sent for their
wives and families to come from
Mexico, and. as I said before, those
Of us who have not wives will find
them here. Yes, we will found
new civilization, l think, in this
strange new land, and you should
be one of the founders"
The Governor left San Gabriel,
visited the troublous little village of
Los Angeles. and left there shaking
his head over the laziness and i'm
morality of its inhabitants. South,
then. to the Mission San Juan Ca
pristrano, and at last TO the Pre-
sidio and Mission of San Diego, the
cradle Of California Then he turned
north again. to return to Monterey.
more restless, more unhappy, more
disturbed in mind than when he had
started on his journey. He had not
left his anxieties behind. They
had travelled with him. And to them
was added the nagging certainty
that he was at crisis in his life.
He could not continue living as he
had been He and Eulalla were
killing each other.
He must resign as governor OF
the CALIFORNIA;.
And after that. what?
One of two things. Remain in the
province as an hacendado, and full
fill his dearest dreams. regardless
of Eulalia. Or return to Mexico,
perhaps to Spain.
He groaned in spirit, and worried
his grizzled beard as he considered
that possibility.
The soft breath of California
kissed his cheek as he rode north.
The very brambles and wild roses
reached out and clutched him with
clinging fingers; and when he lay
down at night the warm earth
seemed to cradle him in loving
arms that would not let him go.
When at last ne rode through the
gates of the Royal Preside Monte
rey two months after he had swept
through them. he had made a de-
cision.
He would not leave California.
no BE CONTINUED