A Little Girl in Old San Francisco

  CHAPTER IX

  A PARTY AND AN ADMIRER

  When the sun dropped into the ocean the world for a time seemedablaze. Certainly, here was the place for sunsets. And as they went onthey crushed the dying ferns and foot-high evergreens into penetratingfragrance. Down below the Estenegas they turned around and took alower road that had little in it except the whispering trees andplaintive bird songs, until houses came into view, and human figuresmoving about. They did not go down in the city, there was always moreor less carousing on Saturday night. A strong young voice was shoutingout a favorite song:

  "Oh, Sally, dearest Sally; oh, Sally, for your sake, I'll go to California and try to make a shake; Says she to me, 'Joe Bowers, you are the man to win, Here's a kiss to bind the bargain,' and she hove a dozen in."

  There were musical voices, too. A square below them a wagon load weresinging to the accompaniment of an accordion. Lights were flashingout, throngs began to gather in the streets, and they were glad tocanter away to quiet.

  "It is the most splendid thing of my life," Miss Holmes said.

  "And you have done exceptionally well. You and Laverne can take manyan hour's enjoyment when I am busy."

  Pablo took the horses down while Miss Holmes spread the supper, andthe two went to look after the gull, who seemed very well content, andallowed his neck to be stroked without demur.

  "And we saw a great bird snatch a fish from one of your kind," Lavernetold him. "And such lots of your relations!"

  Bruno looked on curiously.

  "Don't you touch him. And don't you let any wild cat or fox come afterhim. Mind, now."

  Bruno beat his tail on the dry grass.

  If there were nations from almost every corner of the globe, they alljoined in celebrating Fourth of July. This year there was a finemilitary parade, and Sutter's Rifles from Sacramento City came up andpassed in review before the old true-hearted pioneer, Major-GeneralJohn H. Sutter, rapturously applauded by the crowd. Then they marchedto the Russ Garden, where they were presented with a set of colors.Irish and German were alike patriotic. There were singing andspeeches; booths on corners dispensed simple refreshments to the wearyand the children. Carriages were ornamented with small flags, andfilled with the better class, who cheered as heartily. It was really agala day. They had been invited to the Personettes, where tea was setout on the lawn, and as there was no moon it was hung with Chineselanterns. There were some schoolgirls, and they had a table tothemselves, and some dancing. Several of the young people gave thefancy dances they had learned at the classes the winter before.

  Vacations had generally commenced. There were picnics to San Jose andmountain climbs; there were excursions up and down the bay and to thetowns opposite up to San Pablo and Mare's Island, over to Sausalito.And on Sunday, the road to the old Mission Dolores was always throngedwith pleasure-seekers, elegant open carriages filled withfinely-dressed ladies, equestrians of all kinds, and the Spanishsenors often disported themselves in all their bravery. Miss Holmeswas rather startled at first, and to her it was Sabbath-breaking, butJason Chadsey was so used to the cosmopolitan order of the day, andshe met the people who had been to church in the morning.

  The hot sun and lack of rain had not dried up everything. There werefogs on the coast that dripped like fine rain, and fairly drenchedbush and faded grass. There were fine green hills and fields offlowers, and the new crop of wild oats and barley.

  And then autumn came in again, schools opened, business stirred up,there were blessed rains, and it was like a later summer.

  The little girl had been much interested in her gull and he had grownvery fond of her, eating out of her hand, and hiding his head underher arms as the squirrel did. She had traced Snippy to his home, andsure enough he had a companion. There was an old scrubby dead pine inwhich there was a hollow, or they had gnawed it, and thither theycarried nuts and crusts of bread that Laverne pretended to lose.

  "Uncle Jason," she said one day, "did you ever see an albatross?"

  "Yes. Not very often. They are in the Northern Pacific."

  "They are not like gulls."

  "Oh, much larger."

  "There is a story about one. Miss Bain has it in a beautiful book. Oneday she read it."

  "Oh, 'The Ancient Mariner.'"

  "Do you know about it?" Her face was alight with pleasure. "And is ittrue? Did he kill the bird:

  "'Who, every day for food or play, Came to the Mariner's hollo.'"

  "It's a queer story. No, I don't suppose it was really true. But it isalways considered bad luck to kill one. I must get the book for you."

  "Oh, if you would," in her pretty, coaxing way. "Pablo wanted to killthe gull. Then we might have had bad luck. And now we can't find anyname for him."

  "That's bad, too."

  His leg had mended nicely and the splints were off, though it must beconfessed he had tugged a great deal at them, and could not be broughtto understand their benefit, though it was explained over and overagain. But his wing did not seem to be just right, and his efforts tofly were not successful.

  "But I wish he could. He would look so lovely sailing about."

  "And fly away!"

  "Oh, I don't really believe he would."

  Uncle Jason brought home a fine illustrated copy of the "AncientMariner" from an English press. In the early fifties, even in vauntedNew York, Boston, and Philadelphia illustrating had not reached thehigh point of art it was destined to later on.

  She was delighted and in a little while knew it all by heart. She grewvery fond of poetry. She used to read to the gull until he seemedhypnotized, and presently would nod, sometimes put his head under hiswing.

  In September, there was another great celebration on the opening ofthe first electric telegraph. This was between San Francisco and PointLobos, and was erected by Messrs. Sweeny and Baugh to give earlyinformation of shipping arrivals. They had a station on Telegraph Hillin which they used various signals, but this was of immeasurablygreater service.

  Early in November, there was the anniversary of the founding of theMission of Dolores. There were a number of Catholic children in theschool, and a holiday was given.

  "Oh, come, go," Olive coaxed. "Eulogia Garfias and her mother aregoing, and we are great friends. You've never been in a CatholicChurch?"

  "No; but I know some Catholic girls, and one has gone to a convent tobe educated. Oh, and the two little ones were to come up to theSisters' School."

  "Why, maybe they will be there."

  She had not been to the Estenegas in a long, long time; since the dayshe and Uncle Jason had ridden down there.

  Miss Holmes made no objection. People grew broader in this grand air.There were many points in which all denominations worked together forthe city's welfare.

  It was constructed of adobe, partly whitewashed. It had been verygrand in its day, and had a capacious interior. The walls and roofroughly painted still held saints and angels and sacred subjects muchfaded by the seventy-five years. The damp earthen floor struck a chillto one. Some of the ornaments of the great altar had been carriedaway, and those left were of no great value. But on this occasionevery year there was a large accession of worshippers, even Spanishand Mexican men as well as women, kneeling reverently on the floor,and that seemed strange to Laverne, who glanced up with great awe tothe figure of the Christ on the cross between the two oriel windows.At the side was a female figure with hands clasped, the Virgin. Tallcandles were burning on each side of the altar.

  The service was mostly in Latin. The congregation went out reverently,some to walk in the small graveyard. Yes, there were Juana and Anestaand several other girls, attended by a sister. They were delighted tomeet Laverne, and were full of confidences as they walked out to thestreet. The house was shut up, their mother had gone to Monterey, andthey were staying at school all the time. They liked it so much. And,if they were allowed, they would be so glad to visit Laverne. EulogiaGarfias knew the sister and introduced her schoolmates; that ma
de thesister soften somewhat to them, and listen to their plea.

  So Laverne had quite an eventful morning.

  "But the little girls look sad, I think," she commented. "And the oldchurch isn't a bit pretty, it looks faded. And no seats to sit on. Itdidn't seem at all like church."

  What with lessons, her pets, and her rides, the days were all tooshort. Her gull still remained and now could fly a short distance. Itreally seemed to love the shelter of the house, and this amused UncleJason very much. Then it never flapped its wings, but seemed to riseslowly and float about with a serene air. It enjoyed the stream andthe new lake Pablo and Laverne had made. For now the frequent rainsswelled all the streams, and the bright bracing northwest windsbrought the fragrance of spring. Everything grew by bounds. The littlegirl could hardly believe it was winter. The bluest skies, the goldensunshine that flashed in streams of brilliance, the bay a sea ofsilver bearing on its bosom treasures of every land.

  And so came in a Merry Christmas, with pleasure in every home; achildren's festival, with not so much religious significance as now.They went to a grand dinner at Mrs. Personette's, Miss Gaines withthem, who looked splendid in her satin gown, and who was coining moneyrapidly. Lines were not very closely drawn; the aristocrat of to-dayriding round in his carriage was the workman of last year. The poormechanic lucky enough to find a nugget of gold brought his wife in thefront rank and dressed her in velvet, loaded her with jewels. Thekeeper of an ordinary restaurant branched out presently in a veryrespectable hotel. It was difficult to keep up with all the changes.Then, it must be admitted, that many of these people were from theEast and had good educations, had, indeed, been accustomed to therefinements of civilized life, but the thought of making a fortune ina few years had given them courage to breast the vulgarity and roughlife until they could advance themselves to the old standard.

  The children had a party in the evening. Howard had gone to apreparatory school in the East, as his keen-eyed stepmother found hewas in a rather dangerous circle of young men--girls, too, for thatmatter--who were likely to lead one astray, and this had alsoinfluenced Isabel and was bringing her forward much more rapidly thanwas judicious. So they were principally schoolgirls, with the cousinfrom Oaklands and the young sons of a few friends and neighbors. Atfirst Isabel was rather stiff and important, but she thawed presently.Mrs. Personette remembered her own youth and how much these pleasureshad been to her, and really exerted herself in a delightful manner tokeep them well entertained.

  Victor Savedra, one of the cousins from Oaklands, took a great fancyto the shy little girl, and asked her to dance.

  "I don't know how," she said, flushing and drawing back.

  "Why--don't you dance?" in surprise.

  "Just a little, with the girls at school. But--I am afraid----"

  "Why, I'll take you through. This is just the plainest quadrille. Oh,Aunt Grace, don't you think this--" little girl, he was about tosay--"your name is Laverne, isn't it--can't she dance? She looks as ifshe could--she's as light as a feather."

  "Oh, you can never learn younger. All the children dance here. I thinkit comes natural. But you are too late for that. And, Victor, youmight be explaining the figures to her and be ready for the next one."

  Victor led her a little to one side. "Aunt Grace is just a trump," hesaid. "We thought at first we shouldn't like her, some of the Yankeesare so queer, and talk so outlandish and all that, through theirnoses, you know, but she is just a lady all through, and full of fun.Now, look at this--it's an easy figure--balancing to corners, turningyour partner and a galop down the middle----"

  "Why, it's like the fairy rings you read about--I have a splendidfairy book uncle brought me, and on moonlight nights the little peoplego out and dance on the green. The Irish stories are just enchanting.They love the little people."

  Her eyes had been following the dances and she moved her head faintlyas if she was keeping time. Then the fiddles gave a sharp staccato andstopped.

  "Oh," she exclaimed, in bewilderment.

  He laughed at the startled look.

  "They'll tune up and begin again." Oh, what eager eyes she had. Why,she was really very pretty, with that soft rose flush and fair hair.Olive had called her "a plain little thing."

  Sure enough that was long ago, remember, before we heard of Straussand Sousa. Many a quadrille has begun with "Life let us cherish."Victor took her hand and fairly impelled her out on the floor. "Now,I'll tell you everything, and you just mind and don't feel afraid."

  She never knew whether she minded or not. She was thinking of Nora ofthe Mill when she stepped in the magic ring, and Laudeen, with theblue coat and a firefly for each button all the way down, just whiskedher around until the air was full of fireflies. It was splendid.

  "Oh, you've done very well," Victor said, in a delighted tone. "Youdidn't mind the mistakes at all, but just kept on, and that's the wayto do. But you must learn to dance regularly. And I hope we shalldance together often. You are just like a fairy. That Larkin girl trodon my foot about every other step. Oh, that is the Cheat. That's rarefun. Now, see--when it is 'All hands round,' and your partner turnsthe other girls, come straight back to him, to _me_, will you? Thefellows left out get laughed at. Now, you'll see."

  When the Cheat came he told her again. She turned away from theoutstretched arms and looked for Victor, whose face was flushed. Forhe felt he had been really rude to one of the best dancers in theroom. And in the next Cheat some one picked up Laverne, almost liftingher off her feet, while Esta Collins paid him back with interest and atriumphant smile.

  "I didn't do it right," Laverne said ruefully. "He was so big andstrong, and I never saw him----"

  "Oh, that's a good deal of the fun when you know all about it. Thegirls flirt awfully, but now and then one gets left in the lurch. Thenext is the Spanish Galop, and then the refreshments. Who is going totake you in?"

  "Why--I don't know----" hesitatingly.

  "Then I will, and we will have this galop."

  "Victor," Isabel said, rather sharply, in the pause. "You take MissPayne in for refreshments."

  "Can't, my dear cousin. I wouldn't dare poach on Leon Sturges' manor."

  "Victor!" But he had gone.

  "Just see how that little thing holds on to Victor! Olive, you put astop to it as soon as supper is over. I didn't think Victor would makesuch a fool of himself. He's danced three times with her. And she'sjust crazy over it. She's making a sight of herself."

  Olive nodded. She had had all the attention she wanted, and had neveronce thought of Laverne, or Victor either.

  Victor was asking if Laverne didn't most blow away up on the hillwhere she lived, and if she didn't get lost in the dreadful fogs. Andshe told him about her squirrel and the gull.

  "Why, I thought they were the shyest, wildest things, and that youcouldn't touch them while they were alive. And he really stays withyou?" in amaze.

  "He can't fly very far. You see, his wing isn't quite right, though hecan raise it, but it doesn't seem strong. Still he flies sobeautifully a short distance it is a pleasure to see him. Sometimes Imake believe he is an albatross. And I tell him about the 'AncientMariner.'"

  "Oh, do you know that queer old thing! And do you love verses? We'rereading the Iliad at school. It isn't verse exactly, but it's poetryall the same. There are some splendid heroes in it."

  She didn't know exactly what it was, but she liked reading aboutheroes and her eyes kindled.

  "Do you think I might come to visit you and the gull? Are there anymore pets?"

  "Oh, yes, a splendid big dog; and I never feel afraid with him. Andthe loveliest Mexican pony. Then the birds are very tame. There is thesauciest mocking bird, and we whistle to each other. He will come forcrumbs, and when the weather is very dry we put out a pan of water andit is fun to see them bathe. And the jays chatter and scold so."

  "How much you must love everything!"

  "Well--there are no children near by. Though now I go to school."

  "And you c
ame from Maine, Aunt Grace said, all the way round the Horn.Do you know they are talking of a railroad across the Continent? Oh,what lots of things we would have to talk about. I'll ask father tolet me come over here and then I'll come up and see you--someSaturday."

  "Oh, I shall be just delighted." The little face was all rosyeagerness.

  "You're not eating anything. Oh, here are the mottoes. Now, we'll havesome fun."

  They were prizes to children in those days. A candy in a prettycolored fringed paper, with two or four printed rhymes, sometimes veryfunny, at others sentimental. Victor had numbers sent to him bydifferent girls, who were beginning to think the little Maine damselwas getting more than her share of him.

  Olive stood ready to pounce upon him. But Miss Holmes was there at thedoorway.

  "Uncle Jason has come," she said, in a low tone. "Are you not tiredand almost ready to go home?"

  Laverne took the outstretched hand.

  "Remember," Victor said, "I shall come before long."

  "Really," began Olive tauntingly, "you seem very fond of small fry."

  "Why--she is your friend. You have told us ever so much about her. Andshe's a nice little thing."

  "Oh, a mere child! A flower of the field sort of thing," ratherdisdainfully.

  He thought her very ungracious when she had been quite eloquent overLaverne at Oaklands.

  She leaned against Miss Holmes' shoulder and talked of the dancing,while two or three men discussed the prospect of a road across thecontinent. The hardships of the overland journey were almostincredible. Congress could hardly be roused on the subject. DanielWebster, broad statesman as he was, opposed it with energy. The GreatAmerican Desert was a formidable thing. And there were the RockyMountains. The gold fields might give out--it was not an agriculturalregion--how could manufactures ever be established so remote fromevery centre! Spain and Mexico had tried their hands. There was enoughto do nearer home.

  The little girl listened with a curious interest. It was a wonderfulcountry to her. Maine had nothing to compare with it. And though shebegan to feel sleepy now that she was quiet, she winked her eyes hardso as not to lose a word.

  "We must go," Miss Holmes said at length; so they rose and wishedtheir host good-night.

  What a glorious night it was! There was no moon, but the wide bluevault was studded so thick with stars, great golden, twinkling globes,that seemed to keep Christmas as truly as when they sang to theshepherds on the plains of Judea. All the air was spicily fragrant,for there was just enough fog over on the ocean side to make a dew anddistil sweetness. Some of the newly whitewashed houses glistened likemarble, and the brick ones threw a weird kind of shade. There wereclumps of trees, and the little girl half suspected Indians or wolveslurking behind them.

  "Did you have a nice time, little one?" asked her uncle, in a fondtone.

  The cool, fresh, inspiriting air had wakened her.

  "Oh, it was splendid! And I danced. Don't you think I might go todancing school? All the children do. Olive's cousin was so nice to me,and he wants to come and see the gull. And he has a pony, too. He isgoing to ride over some day. He's nicer than Dick Folsom; that is--heis polite and gentle, and has such a sweet voice. Oh, I liked him somuch. And there were so many pretty and finely dressed girls--maybe itwas because I didn't have any brother or cousin that he was so good tome."

  Jason Chadsey gave a soft little sigh.