Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1895 — In Young California. [ARTICLE]

In Young California.

There were neither courts nor juries In the land; the word of a Californian was the only bond required. Even the wary Yankee traders who frequented the coast when foreign commerce was finally allowed, trusted them freely from one season to the next. An incident illustrating this trait is told by the Aguirre family. Don Jose Aguirre, who owned a trading vessel, once had as supercargo a young man who was a stranger to California customs. While the ship, with cargo, lay in San Pedro h&rbor, the master being absent, Augustin Machado, a ranchero of considerable wealth in land and herds, but who could neither read nor write, went on board to do some purchasing, his cars awaiting him on shore. When he had made his choice and was about having the goods conveyed to land, the supercargo asked him for either payment or guaranty. Machado did not at first understand that he was being distrusted; no such demand had ever before been made of any ranchero, where the buyer offered no money he being credited without hesitation. When at length it dawned upon the Californian, he drew a lmir from his beard, and gravely handing it to the young man, said with dignity: “Deliver this to Senor Aguirre and tell him it is a hair from the beard of Augustin Machado—you will find It a sufficient guaranty." The supercargo, crestfallen, placed the hair In the leaves of his account book and allowed the goodß to bo removed. Upon Aguirre’s return he was deeply chagrined at the Insult that had been offered to his friend.—Helen Elliott Bandlnl in Overland.