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The book is a collection of stories, each set in a different California Mission, exploring themes of love, loss, art, and mystery. The stories are interconnected by their historical and geographical setting, but each has its unique narrative and characters. The book begins with the tragic love story of Te-filo and Magdalena at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, where their romance is doomed by societal expectations and ultimately ends in tragedy. The subsequent chapters introduce a range of characters, including Padre Urbano, whose umbrella becomes a symbol of humor and penance, and Ysabel, whose life and death are marked by the bells of the San Gabriel Arcángel Mission. The story of Leandro Rojas and the buried treasure of Sim adds an air of mystery, while the tale of Dick and Kitty's romance in the Padre's garden at the Santa Barbara Mission provides a lighthearted and humorous contrast. Throughout the book, the author weaves together historical and cultural details, creating a rich tapestry of California's past. The stories are often poignant and thought-provoking, inviting the reader to reflect on the human experience and the passage of time. Ultimately, the book is a tribute to the beauty and significance of the California Missions, and the people whose lives have been touched by these historic sites.
The story revolves around the California Missions, specifically San Juan Capistrano, where a young Indian named Te-filo falls in love with Magdalena, the daughter of the mayordomo Agust'n. Te-filo, who was once known as Lucas, was renamed by the Father after he showed exceptional skill and intelligence. He becomes the Father's body servant and learns to draw and paint. Magdalena, who is proud of her Spanish blood, is initially hesitant to accept Te-filo due to his Indian heritage. However, after seeing Te-filo's artistic talents, she begins to fall in love with him. The Father, who is unaware of their relationship, denies Te-filo's request to marry Magdalena, citing her obstinacy and Te-filo's Indian background. Magdalena, determined to prove her love and obedience, decides to carry a penitent's candle to mass, despite her initial reluctance. Tragically, during the mass, an earthquake strikes, and the church collapses, killing Te-filo and Magdalena. The Father buries them together, considering them married in death. The story also touches on the theme of art and beauty, as Te-filo's paintings and the architecture of the Mission are described in detail.
The story revolves around Padre Urbano, a priest at the Mission of San Diego, who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a supply ship carrying essential items, including an umbrella. However, upon the ship's arrival, one of his Indians, Pio, steals the umbrella and runs away. Pio's journey is marked by a series of misadventures, including being mistaken for a monster by the local Indians, who are frightened by his colorful clothing and the umbrella. Eventually, Pio returns to his village, where he is met with fear and hostility. Meanwhile, Padre Urbano sets out on his annual visitation of the outlying stations and discovers Pio at the Elcuanam village. The story takes a humorous turn as Padre Urbano, despite his initial anger, cannot help but laugh at Pio's ridiculous appearance. Pio is forced to carry the umbrella over the Padre during the rest of the visitations as a form of penance. The umbrella eventually ends up at the Mission of Santa Ines, where it becomes a treasured item in Father Alexander Buckler's collection of relics.
The story revolves around the Mission of San Gabriel Arcángel and its bells. The narrator visits the mission's cemetery, which is described as desolate and dusty, with old, worn-out crosses and headstones. The narrator notices a well-tended grave with fresh flowers and a touching inscription that reads "Ysabel, wife of Ramon Enriquez, born July 20, 1875, died October 23, 1893, Muy Querida" (Much Loved). The narrator is moved by the story of Ysabel, who died at a young age, and reflects on the fleeting nature of life. The story then shifts to the mission's bells, which are rung by old Gregorio, and the narrator describes the joyful sound of the bells on the day of the fiesta of San Gabriel. The narrator also witnesses a wedding procession, where Ysabel Alvarado, the beauty of the valley, is marrying Ramon Enriquez. However, the story takes a somber turn when the narrator attends Ysabel's funeral, where she is buried in the same cemetery, leaving behind a young child. The narrator is struck by the contrast between the joy of the wedding and the sorrow of the funeral, and the story concludes with the sound of the mission's bells, slowly and mournfully tolling, as if saying "Muy Querida" (Much Loved).
The story revolves around the idea of finding buried treasure, which has always fascinated people. The narrator visits the Mission of San Fernando and meets an old Mexican, Leandro Rojas, who tells him the story of his brother Pedro, who was injured while searching for cattle and became a paralytic. Pedro had found a box with Spanish dollars and a mysterious writing, which Leandro believes brought bad fortune to their family. The narrator examines the box and the writing, and after some research, he theorizes that the box may have belonged to Fray Francisco Ybarra, a priest at the Mission of San Fernando, who might have buried it to protect it from marauders. However, the true story behind the box and the treasure remains a mystery, and Leandro's parting words, "Quien sabe?" (Who knows?), leave the narrator with more questions than answers.
The story revolves around Dick Trevgern and his wife Kitty, who share a romantic and adventurous tale of how they got together. Dick had been in love with Kitty for years, but she had become involved in the woman's suffrage movement and initially refused his proposal because of his conservative views. However, Dick's willingness to help Kitty sneak into the sacred garden of the Santa Barbara Mission, a place where women are not allowed, ultimately wins her heart. The story is a lighthearted and humorous account of their escapade, which involves climbing walls, avoiding priests, and using a ladder to escape. In the end, Kitty agrees to marry Dick, and they live happily ever after.