The Little Lady of Lagunitas

The Little Lady of Lagunitas: A Franco-Californian Romance was originally published in 1892. Richard Henry Savage (1846-1903) was a soldier, engineer, diplomat, lawyer, novelist, civic leader and war hero. He graduated from West Point and became part of the Army Corp of Engineers. He worked on the Texas-Mexico frontier and as a chief engineer on a railroad in California. He wrote over 40 books. Savage died when he was run over by a horse-drawn wagon while crossing Sixth Avenue in New York City. An excerpt reads, "Cannons roar: the yells of the green jacket and yellow scrape brigade rise on the silent reaches of the Punta de los Pinos. A procession winds up to the Carmel Mission. Governor Alvarado, his staff, the leading citizens, the highest families, and the sefioritas attend a mass of thanksgiving. Attired in light muslins, with here and there a bright-colored shawl giving a fleck of color, and silk kerchiefs --fleecy--the ladies' only other ornaments are the native flowers which glitter on the slopes of Monterey Bay. Bevies of dark-eyed girls steal glances at Andres, Ramon, or Jose, while music lends a hallowing charm to the holy father's voice as he bends before the decorated altar."