Keywords: Legends and Tales, Bret Harte, Fiction, Western
"One pleasant New Year's Eve, about forty years ago, Padre Vicentio was slowly picking his way across the sand-hills from the Mission Dolores. As he climbed the crest of the ridge beside Mission Creek, his broad, shining face might have been easily mistaken for the beneficent image of the rising moon, so bland was its smile and so indefinite its features. For the Padre was a man of notable reputation and character; his ministration at the mission of San Jose had been marked with cordiality and unction; he was adored by the simple-minded savages, and had succeeded in impressing his individuality so strongly upon them that the very children were said to have miraculously resembled him in feature."
from THE ADVENTURE OF PADRE VINCENTIO, A LEGEND OF SAN
FRANCISCO
(Frances) Brett Harte (1836-1902) was an American poet, short story writer and novelist. He was also the editor of the "Overland Monthly," where his story "The Luck of Roaring Camp," brought him instant fame.
Born in New York, he moved to San Francisco where he worked as a secretary in the United States mint. He helped establish Western literature. His stories are full of exuberance, wit, and the local color of America's newest frontier.
Although he later moved to New York, and then to Germany and Scotland as United States counsul, his stories were mostly centered in the American west.
THE LEGEND OF MONTE DEL DIABLO.
The cautious reader will detect a lack of authenticity in the
following pages. I am not a cautious reader myself, yet I confess
with some concern to the absence of much documentary evidence in
support of the singular incident I am about to relate. Disjointed
memoranda, the proceedings of ayuntamientos and early departmental
juntas, with other records of a primitive and superstitious people,
have been my inadequate authorities. It is but just to state,
however, that though this particular story lacks corroboration, in
ransacking the Spanish archives of Upper California I have met with
many more surprising and incredible stories, attested and supported
to a degree that would have placed this legend beyond a cavil or
doubt. I have, also, never lost faith in the legend myself, and in
so doing have profited much from the examples of divers grant-
claimants, who have often jostled me in their more practical
researches, and who have my sincere sympathy at the scepticism of a
modern hard-headed and practical world.
CONTENTS
THE LEGEND OF MONTE DEL DIABLO
THE ADVENTURE OF PADRE VICENTIO
THE LEGEND OF DEVIL'S POINT
THE DEVIL AND THE BROKER
THE OGRESS OF SILVER LAND
THE RUINS OF SAN FRANCISCO
A NIGHT AT WINGDAM
At keyword: Etext, you'll find thousands of interesting books.
Subject: MSR Legends And Tales
Author: Bret Harte
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Date: 8/10/2002
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Keywords: Legends And Tales, Bret Harte, Classic Fiction Western
Legends and Tales by Bret Harte
"One pleasant New Year's Eve, about forty years ago, Padre Vicentio was slowly picking his way across the sand-hills from the Mission Dolores. As he climbed the crest of the ridge beside Mission Creek, his broad, shining face might have been easily mistaken for the beneficent image of the rising moon, so bland was its smile and so indefinite its features. For the Padre was a man of notable reputation and character; his ministration at the mission of San Jose had been marked with cordiality and unction; he was adored by the simple-minded savages, and had succeeded in impressing his individuality so strongly upon them that the very children were said to have miraculously resembled him in feature."
from THE ADVENTURE OF PADRE VINCENTIO, A LEGEND OF SAN
FRANCISCO
(Frances) Brett Harte (1836-1902) was an American poet, short story writer and novelist. He was also the editor of the "Overland Monthly," where his story "The Luck of Roaring Camp," brought him instant fame.
Born in New York, he moved to San Francisco where he worked as a secretary in the United States mint. He helped establish Western literature. His stories are full of exuberance, wit, and the local color of America's newest frontier.
Although he later moved to New York, and then to Germany and Scotland as United States counsul, his stories were mostly centered in the American west.
At keyword: Etext, you'll find thousands of interesting books.
