RARE HONESTY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1001, 19 November 1881, Page 4

RARE HONESTY.

THE FIDELITY WITH WHICH A SPANISH LADY-KEPT HEB VOW ! An instance of remarkable honesty and fidelity has just been made public, which rivals in interest any olden legend or any tale of the Arabian Nights. The characters are all well known in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and the names figure conspicuously in Southern California history. The thread of the story, briefly stated, is as follows : —Nearly twenty years ago, one of the wealthy ladies of Los- Angeles County, finding herself nigh unto death, made a very unusual provision for her only daughter, then an infant. She intrusted to one of her near and dear lady friends a very large amount of jewellery and valuables, which the friend was to keep until the child grew to womanhood, and married. On her wedding day her mother’s gift was to be given to the daughter, but until then, the most profound secrecy was to be maintained regarding the existence of the legacy. There was a magnificent peal and diamond necklace, whose value was not less than 10,000dols. There were quantities of massive silver and gold plate, there were large solitaire diamond rings ; there were ornaments so rich and rare that they would have honored the diadem of a queen. The most costly wardrobes of silk and satin and fine lace were among the treasures which were confided to this friend, and with the rest was the very wedding robe which the mother had worn as she stood before the altar. It was the mother’s request that the daughter be married in this robe. And so the mother died, and the earnest kiss which the devoted friend pressed upon the pallid brow was the seal of a vow of fidelity The wealthy Spanish father may have wondered what disposition his wife made of her' treasures, but if so he never gave expression to his thoughts. Time rolled on, and the little orphan child became a sweet, graceful girl. Meantime the father removed to Santa Barbara, the tide of fortune turned from his door, and left him almost penniless. Misfortune too, had visited the household of the friend, and her vast estates became involved, and poverty crept close to herfireside. Shehad ason whose talents gave promise of a brilliant career. Her very life was wrapped up in his future. There was a time when the trust confided to her keeping would have been sufficient to have saved her from bankruptcy. There was not a living soul who knew of the existence of the treasures. From time to time the great chests had to be opened and the rich robes and laces cared for lest moths or dust, or time mar the delicate fabrics. Yet never once did this faithful friend falter. Reverses came, poverty came, and many bright hopes vanished, but the treasures were preserved. The girl to be a beautiful young lady, and in due time became betrothed to a young gentleman of good business prospects, and who is highly respected in the community. !

The wedding occured a short time ago, and was largely attended. The bride’s attire was so rich and elegant that it attracted universal admiration, but none guessed that it was the mother’s wedding robe so mysteriously preserved and so faithfully presented. All the treasures, to the value of many thousands of dollars, were scrupulously delivered to to the new 7 bride, and are now safely ’deposited in one of our city banks. The faithful friend is now living in Ventura County. Her son has been a member of the Legislature, and is one of the most prominent young men in Southern California. —- Santa Barbara Press.