THE YOUNG GOLD-SEEKER.
In the olden time, between the Mission of San Gabriel and Los Angeles, lived an old Spaniard, his wife, and one son.
In his early manhood, Don Pedro had been very rich, but sickness and misfortune had followed him, until, in his old age, he was destitute of many of the comforts of life.
Sorrowful and dispirited, he looked forward to death as the only portal of hope for future repose.
Francisco, his son, was full of youthful ambition and ardent life.
One morning he went to the bedside of his father and mother, and kneeling down beside them begged their blessing.
“I am going,” he said, “dear father and mother, to retrieve your fallen fortunes.”
The father blessed him, and bade him Godspeed, but the mother wept and clasped her arms about him, till her silver hair mingled with the glossy black of his; and when he tore himself regretfully from her embrace, she called him again and again to return for one more kiss. At last, when he rushed out, and was nearly gone from her, she buried her head in the bed-clothes and sobbed as if her heart would break.
Francisco was at first greatly saddened and subdued by his dear mother’s grief; but soon with the fresh morning air, the elastic spirits of youth, rose joyous and hopeful, and he sung merrily as he wandered on through the open country.
He had taken with him some tortillas (coarse Indian-meal cakes) and dried beef.