Old San Francisco
1
Under the proud banner
of Spain, Governor
Portola, heading a small
band of Franciscan Padres
and soldiers of Philip,
came, in 1769, upon a land-
locked harbor that was
destined to become the
site of the metropolis of
the Pacific.
2
"I, Enrique de Solano Y
Vasquez, do hereby claim
these lands and waters in
behalf of my Sovereign
Lord, King Philip of
Spain - to the glory of God
and the crown of Castile."
3
Thus did the Spaniards
and the House of
Vasquez come to the
shores of the Golden
Gate, founding a
settlement which, in
1848, became San
Francisco.
4
The Vasquez estate
prospered under grant
of the King - -
and Vasquez ships
sailed the "Seven Seas".
5
Grandsons of Enrique
de Solano Y Vasquez
sustained the glory
and cherished the
honor of his name.
6
"Gold! The American
river is running with
Gold -- the hills are
ribbed with it - GOLD
at Sutter's Mill - !"
7
"This is grave news, my
brother - Gold lust and
deserted ranches --
disaster!"
8
The elder Vasquez was
right. By 1849,
San Francisco had
become the mecca of
a gold-mad world.
9
".... and today fifteen more
of our peons have left for
the gold fields."
10
"In the stable yard,
Senor .... Captain Stoner
and his sailor men
steal the horses!"
11
"They have killed two
of our men!"
12
"Remain with your
mother - I am head
of the house."
13
"Captain Stoner! You
command my ships,
not my horses. Back
to your vessel!"
14
"Damn your ships!
We're on our way
to the gold fields!"
15
"I order you to return to
your duties at once!"
16
"Your orders - and your
Spanish glory - don't
mean a thing now.
Stand clear!"
17
"My brother -- you
now are - head of
the house -"
18
"You have dared to
shoot a Vasquez!"
19
"A Vasquez avenges
a Vasquez!"
20
"You have done well,
my son - for the greater
glory of God."
21
THE STORY
22
San Francisco grew and
prospered. By 1906 it
had become the Capital
of the West -- joyous,
cosmopolitan --- the
Bohemia of America --
the Paris of the Pacific.
23
The "cocktail route"
led to Barbary Coast
-- that mile of hell
which ran from
Chinatown to the
waterfront.
24
But even as the city
flourished and fulfilled
its brilliant destiny, the
glory of the ancient
Spanish Californians
grew dim. At the old
Vasquez Rancho ......
25
The old age of Hernandez
Vasquez was saddened
by the thought that only
in the integrity of the
Vasquez estate could
that proud name survive.
- - - Josef Swickard.
26
Dolores, the grand-
daughter -- a true
Vasquez.
- - - Dolores Costello.
27
"Why granddaddy, you've
been dreaming."
28
"Never fear, you will live
to see the glories of the
past restored."
29
"The city surges up toward
us. It will bury us and our
traditions beneath an alien
civilization."
30
To Michael Brandon
there were two sides
to the law. He was
always on the side
of those who had
the money.
- - - Anders Randolph.
31
"All you have to do young
man, is take care of this
brief case."
32
Terrence O'Shaughnessy,
recently taken into
partnership with his
uncle -- but not yet
into his confidence.
- - - Chas. E. Mack.
33
"Well, let's get down to
business. I'm here to
buy your ranch."
34
"Business is never so
important to us as
hospitality to our
guests."
35
"To the Colleen - and
an early marriage."
36
"I - I said 'Your brief case
is in the carriage'."
37
"'Tis you that are the
sweetest rose in this
fair garden."
38
"Please, Senorita - I am
not bold - I'm Irish."
39
"'Tis business they're
talking. I have no
heart for it meself."
40
"Sinful ye are - hiding
your beauty from a
starvin' world!"
41
"We Vasquez are Spanish
- our women remain at
home."
42
"Was it a Spaniard, then,
who wrote 'Home Sweet
Home'?"
43
"By Irish luck I got it -
by Irish pluck I'll keep
it."
44
"No, Senor. We give a red
rose only to the one we
love."
45
"Now the rose is priceless!"
46
"The Rancho is not for
sale."
47
"I know you're broke,
Vasquez. You can't
bluff me."
48
"Senor, the interview is
ended."
49
"You'll sell your ranch -
or we'll take it away
from you!"
50
"The man I represent can
make or break a dozen
Vasquez before breakfast!"
51
"He who seeks to intimi-
date a Vasquez is a fool.
I will not sell to you at
any price."
52
"Faith, I don't want me hat.
I'm in the presence of a
lady."
53
"What swine - they have
defiled the Hacienda!"
54
"But he -- I mean the
young Senor - I thought
him nice."
55
The Chinese question
had long vexed San
Francisco. To keep the
Mongol within the limits
of Chinatown -- what
graft and cruelty were
invoked!
56
Cruel, mysterious, crafty
-- Chris Buckwell had
grafted his way from
an unknown origin to
power. Czar of the
Tenderloin - - chief
persecuter of the Chinese.
- - - Warner Oland.
57
"Blame yourself for buying
property outside Chinatown!
Accept my figure for it - or
I'll take it away from you."
58
"Do you want me to close
your district - tighter than
a Chinese drum!"
59
"I bow to the wisdom of
Confucius: 'When thy
adversary is in power,
yield to him'."
60
"You're a wise Chinaman.
Bring the deeds and meet
me at the Poodle Dog
tonight."
61
"Vasquez - the old fool -
refused to sell at any
price."
62
"The arrogant ass! I'll have
his ranch condemned, and
buy it at my own price."
63
"That's villainous! The
Vasquez have owned that
rancho for generations."
64
"Vasquez has a grand-
daughter - that's what's
the matter with Terry."
65
"So - the senorita's lips
are red like the rose -
her eyes brim with
love, eh?"
66
"That remark is insolent!"
67
"The boy needs watching,
Michael."
68
"Start proceedings at
once to condemn the
old fool's property."
69
Dwarfed by nature -
caged by man - -
Chang Loo's soul
nevertheless dwelt
with his Gods.
- - - Angelo Rossita.
70
"Oh, god of my ancestors
- accept the sacrifices
I offer for the sins I
have committed against
my own people."
71
"What fresh deed of evil
is on your vile soul?
Not all the incense of
the Indies will blot
your sins from the eye
of Heaven."
72
"Kill me! Kill me! One
crime more will not
harm thee - and will
give me peace."
73
"Confucius hath said
'Falling hurts least
those who fly low' -"
74
"Thy fall will be mighty -
for thou hast soared high!"
75
A flower of the
Orient, stifled and
poisoned in Chinatown's
sunless cellars.
- - - Anna May Wong.
76
"I came to warn you --
Chinatown is in a furore
over your latest edict."
77
"I must see your
grandfather -- 'tis
about the Rancho -"
78
"But I'm afraid he would
not believe you -"
79
"But you - sure, you'll
believe me - ?"
80
"Senor, may I inquire
what brings you here?"
81
"They're plotting to take
your ranch away from
you!"
82
"When I require your aid -
I shall send for you."
83
"Please, grandfather - hear
what he has to say."
84
"'Tis the devil's own
scheme, sir, to condemn
your ranch unless you
sell. And they'll do it,
too - for they are ruthless
and powerful!"
85
"I'm sorry I was hasty -
you are acting in good
faith, Senor - but I am
not frightened. I stand
upon my rights."
86
"This sword, which took
the land, shall not fail
to hold it!"
87
"Senorita, you are more
beautiful than moonlight
on the water -- roses in
the sun -"
88
"The last of a family as
honorable as my own.
And one to whom I
may safely entrust the
happiness of Dolores."
89
"He comes when his
wealth and influence
are most needful."
90
"Pardon me - I think
I understand."
91
"To the Poodle Dog!"
92
"It is well you are here,
Don Luis. The Rancho
is in danger. I shall
need all your resources
to save it."
93
"I deeply sympathize,
Senor. But - what is
to be, will be. What
can I do?"
94
Somewhere on the
Mile of Hell.
95
"We'll hit every joint on
the Cocktail Route!"
96
"Let me see the young
senor - he will not fail
us."
97
"Do not depend on him.
He is one of their breed
- and blood will tell."
98
"The blood of Don Luis
told a cowardly tale."
99
"The carriage, Arturo. Do
you know the address of
the Poodle Dog?"
100
Carefree San Francisco
listened with tolerance
to the ravings of
Old Testament Charley --
threw him silver coins --
and promptly forgot him.
101
"In the midst of thy
iniquities, God will
punish thee! His
wrath will fall from
Heaven -"
102
"- And thou, Master of
this Mile of Hell. Thy
evil turns vice into
filthy gold and crime
into vile profit - !"
103
"And this underworld of
which thou art king - it
will perish with thee!"
104
"Father, forgive them -
for they know not what
they do."
105
"Can you tell me where I
might find Mr. Terrance
O'Shaughnessy?"
106
"There's a party in Room
10 - he may be there."
107
"I am looking for Mr.
Terrance O'Shaughnessy."
108
"Don't apologize. My
grandfather was right -
blood will tell."
109
"Now I understand your
interest in the Vasquez
- Rancho."
110
"By the way, Mike - drop
that Vasquez matter for
the present. I'll handle
it myself."
111
After a long night,
in which the dreams
of Dolores were of
a smiling face, and
self-reproaching eyes --
112
"The old wishing-well -
Time was when I, too,
believed in it."
113
"I was wishing that a
friend would appear
and help us. Someone
true and fine -"
114
"I trust you will pardon
my intrusion, but this
ancient sanctuary --
may I use the word? -
tempted me."
115
"I wish I might come here
often to pray."
116
"You would be welcome,
sir - but these ancient
walls are to disappear,
and this sanctuary torn
down - my rancho has
been condemned."
117
"You do not mean that
they would destroy
this monument to the
valor that made our
city possible?"
118
"Even our Spanish land
grant does not deter
them."
119
"I am not without some
influence - perhaps I can
help you."
120
"Take your land grants to
112 Sierra Street tonight.
I'll have an expert there
to examine them."
121
"Granddaddy, it looks as
if our wish will come
true."
122
"And now, my heart - a
wish that I might see
the young Senor - and
forgive him."
123
"I - I came to apologize for
my - my condition last
night. 'Twas the green
devil of jealousy. I tried
to paint it red."
124
"But 'tis your fault too -
for when I learned you
were engaged - I didn't
care what happened."
125
"You are engaged -
aren't you?"
126
"You do understand?
And I'm all forgiven?"
127
At 112 Sierra Street.
128
"Sir - there is some
mistake -"
129
"I have been retained by
one who is friendly to
you - the most powerful
influence in the City."
130
"I congratulate you on
your new-found friend.
He is without a rival -
a Czar!"
131
"May I look at your
papers?"
132
"They bear the signature
of King Philip of Spain!"
133
"You know if you take
those land grants - they
will never be returned!"
134
"It is my duty, in spite of
my uncle's displeasure,
to warn you that he is
plotting to rob you of
your lands."
135
"Do you, or don't you,
want me to examine
them?"
136
"When Buckwell hears of
this, I'm done for! You've
ruined your career and
mine - for the sake of a
girl!"
137
"But it happens that
I love that girl!"
138
"In that case - you're
out of luck!"
139
"Why do you suppose
Buckwell arranged to
have the girl alone at
the Rancho tonight?"
140
"Don't be alarmed,
Senorita."
141
"I sent your grandfather
to the City so that we
could be here alone -"
142
"Will you leave - or shall
I call the servant?"
143
"The Senorita does well!
But I happen to know
that your only servant is
with your grandfather."
144
"Surely the Senorita will
not blame me for the
admiration her beauty
has aroused!"
145
"One may pay too dearly
for a victory. By tomorrow
evening, I feel certain,
you will all regret this
apparent triumph!"
146
"There are some services
for which no words can
pay, Senor."
147
Love may move with
languid steps, but
Hate strikes with a
spider's speed.
148
"GET OUT!"
149
"We have orders from
the Boss to survey
this place."
150
"Now, you vandals -
GET OUT!"
151
"This sword has never
yet failed a Vasquez!"
152
"If you're trying to trap
me -- I'll break your
cringing back!"
153
"You -- you betrayer of
friends - you who would
defile innocence -- get
out of my sight!"
154
"Omit the heroics and
listen to reason. I have
authority to send you to
court for interfering with
official surveyors -"
155
"You tried to force shame
upon an unsullied
daughter of my race -
but a Vasquez avenges
a Vasquez!"
156
"You came to taunt a
noble gentleman -"
157
"- but he has escaped your
evil hands - his soul is
with his God - who also
is a God of Vengeance!"
158
"Stop - Stop those accursed
Christian bells!"
159
In the awful light
of an outraged,
wrathful, Christian
God, the heathen
soul of the Mongol
stood revealed.
160
When Chris Buckwell
sought solace of his
ancestral gods, he
knew the eyes of
Dolores had penetrated
his disguise and
guessed his secret --
161
"What cowardly sin now
weighs on your craven
heart, my brother?"
162
"Though you pen my body
in this cage, my spirit
travels far -- I always
know when my brother
has sinned."
163
Thus Hernandez de
Vasquez passed on
to his fathers, and
his proud name into
history --
164
"In a flash that hideous
Buckwell revealed
himself - and in his soul
he knew that I knew -
he is a Mongolian!"
165
"You have your enemy
in your hands -- his
own people will avenge
you!"
166
"Lu Fong is the one to
see - 'tis he who could
submit Buckwell to the
law and punishment of
his own people."
167
Lu Fong's place --
center of Chinatown's
"Inner Circle."
168
Chang Sue Lee -- made
his money in opium,
which he imported --
and spent it on
beauty -- which he
exported.
169
"Can you tell me where
Lu Fong lives?"
170
"Hinkley Alley - 326 -
some find it easier to
get in there than to
get out!"
171
"Another victim of
Buckwell's greed - she
will tell you something
that will place this
persecutor of your
people in your hands!"
172
"By the memory of my
grandfather whom he
killed, I swear it is
true -- He is of your
race - a Chinaman!"
173
"He knows that I know
his secret - go to his
place, and you will
find proofs."
174
"If he is guilty of this
offence against his
ancestors -- nothing
can save him from
our vengeance!"
175
"I will meet you at his
house -- you have the
white bosses there, too."
176
"Your yellow countrymen
have arrived - you know
what to do - and when!"
177
"Your great Christian God
cannot save you from the
fury of the enemy you
have made!"
178
"She lies - Chris Buckwell
is my brother - a Mongol
like me - and the day of
his power is passing!"
179
"I shall be pleased to know
what you consider proof
of the ridiculous charges
made against me."
180
"Proof rests in the word of
a lady of ancient and
honorable name - Senorita
Dolores Vasquez."
181
"You are jesting! The
lady is even now my
guest."
182
"These Chinamen declare
that you have said I was
of their race -"
183
"Will you be good
enough to disabuse
their minds - ?"
184
"If that light goes out -
you die!"
185
"I spoke in a fit of
jealousy - mine were
the words of an angry
woman -"
186
"But you swore to me he
was a Chinaman -"
187
"I - I never spoke more
falsely."
188
"I lied to you - he forced
me to!"
189
"Had I failed him --
your nephew would
have perished in the
cellar beneath!"
190
"She is demented,
gentlemen - you
see, she raves."
191
"When I accused him
first, I did not know -
Now I can prove it - if
you will follow me!"
192
"If you're covering
something, I want to
know it - come on!"
193
"There is his Chinese
shrine and the god he
worships!"
194
"There is his Mongolian
brother!"
195
"I need no more proof - he
shall be turned over to
the laws and retribution
of Chinatown!"
196
"We'll inform the officials
of the Chinese Six
Companies."
197
"Do you know where your
brother has gone?"
198
The labyrinths of that
mysterious "Inner Circle"
- - as remote from
Occidental life as the
alleys of Tientsin or
the gorges of the Yangtsze.
199
"Tonight Chang Sue Lee
is feasting the wealthiest
nabobs of Chinatown -"
200
"Dress her up - she'll be
worth a fortune!"
201
The lowest rendezvous
of the "Inner Circle"
was but on a level
with the life of its
inmates.
202
"Knowing your exquisite
taste, most honorable
Chang Sue Lee, I have
brought for your appraisal
the fairest gem of the
Occident -"
203
"Where's Chris and
the girl?"
204
"He go - Chang Sue
Lee place."
205
"Your vault overflows
with gold and jewels -
but never a gem so
rare as this -"
206
"You are the last of your
line. Who will avenge a
Vasquez now?"
207
"Our Father, who art
in Heaven -"
208
"- Thy Kingdom come -
Thy will be done -
- on earth -"
209
"EARTHQUAKE!!!"
210
"And this underworld of
which thou art king - it
will perish with thee!"
211
The ashes of disaster have
blown away -- the sea
breeze sweeps through
cleansed streets of the
Oriental quarter -- the City
that was has become the
San Francisco that is --
serene, sunlit and beautiful
on its thrice seven hills --
The End
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