SNOWDROP AND ROSEBUD.
A CALIFORNIA STORY.
Years ago, before the gold-seekers came to California, there lived at the Mission of San Gabriel, a Spaniard, whose beautiful vineyard was admired by all the country.
In early life he had been a great traveler, and while in Germany, he met a fair golden-haired maiden, whom he loved and married. After a few years he emigrated to America, and settled at the Mission of San Gabriel—near the town of Los Angeles.
There he prospered greatly, his cattle increased to great herds, covering the green hill-sides, and his vineyard was the pride of his heart. He built a pleasant house, and surrounded it with a garden filled with all kinds of fruit. In that delicious climate, fruits of the tropic and temperate zones grow together; while the white flowers of the North, and their crimson-hued sisters of the South, blossom side by side.
There seemed nothing wanting to make his happiness complete but children. The house was too silent; he wished for the silvery laughter of childish voices; he longed to press little ones to his heart, and call them his own.
At last, God gave him two little girls; but the fair, golden-haired mother lived only to bless them, and was then buried by the clear “Lake of the Tulés.” At first he was inconsolable, and for months refused to see his little ones; but one day, while he slept, the old Indian nurse took them into his room, and laid them on the bed by his side.
Little Snowdrop nestled in his bosom, but Rosebud ran her fingers into his beard, and pulled it so hard that she woke him. There she was, when he opened his eyes, crowing with delight—her little rosy lips close to his, and the fair Snowdrop in his bosom.
Then all the father’s love, which had only slept, awoke, and he pressed the little ones to his heart, weeping; but especially he loved the beautiful Snowdrop, she was so like her mother.
After this, although he still mourned greatly for his wife, he loved these little ones very dearly; and as years passed by, became happy in the absorbing devotion to them, which filled his whole heart.
He watched over them with the most jealous care. Even in childhood, he would not allow them to play with other children; and as they grew older, his fear was awakened lest some of the young señors of Los Angeles should see and fall in love with them. For his daughters to form a mèsalliance, he was quite sure would break his heart.