Synopses & Reviews
Chapter One
It was sheep-shearing time in Southern California; but sheep-shearing was lath at the Senora Moreno's. The Fates had seemed to combine to put it off. In the first place, Felipe Moreno bad been ill. He was the Senora's eldest son, and since his father's death had been at the head of his mother's house. Without him, nothing could be done an the ranch, the Senora thought. It had been always, "Ask Senor Felipe," "Go, to Senor Felipe," "Felipe will attend to it," ever since Felipe had the dawning of a beard an his handsome face.
In truth, it was not Felipe, but the Senora, who really decided all questions from greatest to least and managed everything an the place, from the sheep-pastures to the artichoke-patch; but nobody except the Senora herself knew this. An exceedingly clever woman for her day and generation was Senora Gonzaga Moreno, as for that matter, exceedingly clever for my day and generation; but exceptionally clever for the day and generation to which she belonged. Her life, the mere surface of it, if it had been written, would have made a romance, to grow hot and cold ever: sixty years of the best of old Spain and the wildest of New Spain, Bay of Biscay, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, -- the waves of them all had, tossed destinies for The Senora. The Holy Catholic Church had had its round her from first to last; and that was what had brought her safe through, she would have said, is she had ever said anything about herself, which she never did, -- one of her many wisdoms. So quiet, so reserved, so gentle an exterior was known to veil such an imperious and passionate nature, brimful of storm, always passing through stress; never thwarted, except at perilof those who did it; adored and hated by turns, and each at the hottest. A tremendous force, where ever she appeared, was Senora Moreno; but no stranger would suspect it, to see her gliding about, in her scanty black gown, with her rosary hanging at her side, her soft dark eyes cast down, and an expression of mingled melancholy and devotion on her face. She looked simply like a old lady, amiable and indolent, like her race, but sweeter and more thoughtful than their wont. Her voice heightened this mistaken impression. She was never heard to speak either loud or fast. There was at times even a curious hesitancy in her speech, which cam near being a stammer, or suggested the measured care with which people speak who have been cared of stammering. It made her often appear as if she did not know her own mind: at which people sometimes took heart; when, if they had only known the truth, they would have known that the speech hesitated solely because the Senora knew her mind so exactly that she was finding it hard to make the words convey it as she desired, or in a way to best attain her ends.
About this very sheep-shearing there bad been, her and the head shepard, Juan Canito, called Juan Can for short, and to distinguish him from loan Jose, the upper herdsman of the cattle, some discussions which would have been hot and angry ones In any other hands than the Senoras.
Juan Canito wanted the shearing to begin, even though Senor Felipe was ill in bed, and though that lazy shepherd Luigo had not yet got back with an flock and had been driven up the coast for pasture. "There were plenty of sheep on the place to begin with," he add am morning lead a thousand; " and by the time they weredone, Lingo would surely be back with the sot and as for Senor Felipes being in bad, to, Juan Canito, stood at the packing-bag, and handled do WOOL when Senor Felipe was a boy? Why could be not do it again? The Senora did not realize how time was Vbw, there would be, no shearers to be hired since the Senora was determined to have none but Indiana. Of course, if she would employ Mexicans, a All the Other ranches in the valley did, it would be different; but the was resolved upon having Indians, -- "God knows why," he interpolated surily, his breath.
"I do not quite understand you, Juan," interrupted Senora Moreno at the precise instant the last syllable of this disrespectful ejaculation had escaped Juan's lips; "speak a little louder. I fear I am growing deaf in my old age.
What gentle, suave, courteous tonal and do calm darkeyes a rested on Juan Canito with a look to the fathoming of which he was as unequal an me of his aim sheep would have been. He could not have told why he instantly and involuntarily said, "Beg your pardon, Senora."
"Oh, you need not ask my pardon. Juan." the Senora replied with exquisite gentleness; "it is not you who in to blame, if I am deaf. I have fancied for a year. I did" hear quite as well as I once did. But about the Indians, Juan; did not Senor Felipe tell. you that he had positively engaged the same band of shearers we had last autumn, Alessandro's band from Temecula? They will wait until we are ready for them Senor Felipe will and a messenger for them He them the best shearers in the country. He will be well enough in a week cc two, be thinks, md the poor sheep must ban their loads a few days Inner Are they looking Well, do you think, Juan? WMthe crop be a good one? General Moreno used to any that you could reckon up the woolcrop to a pound, while it was or the sheep's backs."
Synopsis
The Great American Love Story!
Ramona blushed as the handsome young Indian Alessandro looked upon her with favor. A great, star-crossed love was born. But the adopted daughter of Senora Moreno was defying the custom of her people. Her forbidden love would drive her from place to place with Alessandro until tragedy would strike and Ramona would at last come to an understanding of herself.
This extraordinarily popular novel of the Mission Indians of Southern California has entertained a vast, world-wide readership. Now this new edition brings it to still another generation who will thrill to Ramona's inspiring story.
Synopsis
Ramona blushed as the handsome young Indian Alessandro looked upon her with favor. A great, star-crossed love was born. But the adopted daughter of Senora Moreno was defying the custom of her people. Her forbidden love would drive her from place to place with Alessandro until tragedy would strike and Ramona would at last come to an understanding of herself.