Weekly Messenger, Volume 1, Number 6, Vevay, Switzerland County, 25 October 1831 — Page 1

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W eekly

1 THE iAST-THE FRESEKT-FOR THE Fl-TURE, Vol- I. Printer's Retreat, Indiana, Tuesday October 25, 1831. No. G.

i

WILL1AV C. KUCK.

TERMS OF THE MESEJGER:' F jr fif sup !. umbers, in a ira"te, . . . g2 j d') do paid with li e v. jr 2 5u d.i do p.iid at tl'e txpira'ien, ;? CO 03" ' be sboe B'.'nts t.- hv p i; in pro-'u-c, drliv-r ed st l is offi e or such other plsc- as rray be a-rrc-; d oi , FiHetn per cent, d-ductio:-. de when paid in esb 53 No papT discontinued until srrearspes are pai' j3 Sebser;bers s- r ed by post lo pay ; 5 c-nts txirs mm VVr-rtisement- inserted at th tfua rti s ffg ----- - j ..--

that your fate is immovably fixed, and tlu t thai I could not live in this dungeon. deprived men walling up the door. 1 ;ow felt, indeed, nothing in the universe ran charge it. I.' - f my child, and shut out from the light of day as if I w?i to be buried alive. I had no Lngi.r lias gone too far to recede. He will not give and the air of hta.en. I besought her to anv hope, ad ! sunk into a most deplorable up your property, of which h? is now in pea. take pity on me, and to give tne my liberty state of tmdan'-hoiv, for several days passing

ses-mn. i:or will he run the ririk of setting you jaiid restore, ait torn mtant, lor which 1, neariv my whole tir.vj on tne bed.

CONTINUED ! Thus passed mv first miserable daj. Towards evening I felt so much exhausted, that 1 was obliged to lie don. I shed a torrent of tears as 1 placed myself on the bed: I felt as if I was taking pos-essinn of my tomb. I bad my dog AEor at my feet, and after a lone, time 1 sunk into a disturbed and feverish lumber.

at liberty, lest you should dif close what has already passed. It is now believed thr.t yon and your infant perished at s:a, and that Alnhonsine is the child of the Flemish servant;'.

She is well, and still with them in the cot-1 tage. Consider her as dead ito you, for you will never sec her more." Indignation and resentment for a while suspended my anguish on reading the cruel bil

let; I called to mind with more bitterness than ever, the artifice which had allured me

into entering the dungeon rrhich had been

prepared for me, and which was destined to He my tomb. I shuddered on reflecting how much I was in the power of Leonora. How

ever, it was some consolation to me to recollect, that I had money with me, and some valuable jewels, and I hoped that I might

bribe her to write to the ecsnt, and tell him

what I had urged in my letttrr. I resolved to

would most amply reward her.

At these words, Leonora most fiorttly interrupted me, as if I had proposed to her a i.-ii t -

crime. 1 still pei severed m my entreaties,

and promised to settle on her, when I resumed my properly, a much larger pension than thecount would ever grant her, and to present

her besides with an immense sumol money. "But," said Leonora, "how shall I be sure

that you will do all this?" 'My gratitude,"

replied l, ''shall guarantee the certainty ol your reward. "But even," resumed Leonora, "if it was possible for you to forget what

The basket was now let down through k

trap door, und at the end tf m forti ight i received again a supply of my former food, and n hoLtle of oil. i tcibed Leonora with a second sum of money to te!i me how my child was, and to furnish me with a crurjlix and some more book0, among which weie the lives of the most noted heimits; and in reading of the piety and tranquillity of these holy

men, secluded from the woild in the solitude of the wilderness, I felt my mind somewhat calmed. But alas! they were not like me, deprived of an only and leloved child, and

you have already suffered, and that it was Ijshut out from tht light of the day, and Iroin

who betrayea you into this dungeon, tin obr- (the enjoy ment of contemplating the lovely

dience, however, to the orders of the count,) face of nature.

I did not rise till 9 the next morning , for to

cne there was no longer anv distinction be- "peak to Leonora, through the wicket, and

tween day and night. My lamp was stiil ,!he day after the next, 1 wa," ted there at five bureinsr. as before I went to bed I had re-'in the morning.

plenihcd it, for I had found in a sort of closet A soon ae the basket descended, I called rear m) bed. several torts of provisions that II Leonora, and she answered me. The sound

had not discovered before, with two large jot her voice made me start, bull, after being

a prisoner tor a week, and confined in this

dreary solitude, I heard wi.th pleasure the

tones of a human being. Leonora told me that she had been ordered nest to epeak to me. and that in future she would return no answer when I called her. I implored her at least to tell me something about tny child, and she made no reply, and departed precipitately. I remained almost annihilated. How could I offer jewels or money to thi t pitiless goaler? 1 passed my days most wret chedly in thinking of my captivity , and in weeping for my separation from tny child. I tried to read, but I found it impossible. The books were all romances, and how could I be interested in the woes of 6ctious characters, when my own

sufferings were so real and so great. Once

I summoned courare to takt: the guitar, for

which there was a supply of strings and mu

sic, and placing before me a book of songs, I

began to sine; but as soon aa I heard tny

voice resound throug these iark and lonely

vaults, I started and stopped. 1 felt as if

it were 6inful in ray distress to sing any thing but sacred music. I commenced a hymn, but my tears soon choaked my voice.

I walked about these vast :averns, carrying

a small lantern that I had found in the closet.

When I became tired of carrying this lantern, I set it on the ground and w alked in the space

it lighted. Insensibly my vralk extended far

ther, and thus, without int ending it, acquired the habit of walking in nlarknese. I went every evening to offer up my prayers in the cave of the fountain. The motion and murmur of the water rendered this the

most agreeable place in my dungeon, and, independent of the cascade;, the form of the

rocks around it was striking and picturesque. I wrote to Leonora to 6nd me some religious book9, and to tell mc if my child was well. Both these requests were granted.

how will you shield me from the indignation of the world. 1 cannot restore jou now to li berty without risking the loss of my own, and without betraying the count, my master, and

ubjecting him to the punishment of the laws

I made an oratory of the grotto in which

was the rastade. I plated there my crucifix, affixing to it the rock beside the fountaiM. I spread a straw mat on the gmui d before it.

and there I knelt in prayer evt ry morning

1 herefore, cease o cherish this foolish hope,;anu evening. 1 obtained from Leonora

and never again speak tome on the subject , I large quantity of moss, with which I covered

bottles of oil, and several pounds of wax can

dles. Tho.igh I had been informed that I should receive my supply of fresh food only every o'her d , I could not help going to the wicket, and 1 saw that the basket had not yet been drawn up. I had no reason to expect any thiog, and I had more than sufficif nt food for tha' Hav ; ofrverf'eless, the sight of the empty ba-ket filled me with consternation, and biugh frightful thoughts into my mind. I trended when I reflected that my existence depended on the will of an atrocious man, or on the neglect of a mercenary woman who wa-j devoted tohim. I passed the day in thinking of my child, in lamenting my hard fate, and in anxintislv examining eve y part of the cavern. I lifted

up a piece of the matting that covered the tvall, and 1 felt a sensation like joy on discovering a vault which I had not yet seen. Again I hoped to find an outlet. I had to Jesf end about thirty steps to reach the bottom of this cavern, and before I could resolve o venture down, I went back to my chamber, where I procured from the closet a tinderbox, with a flint and steel, and two wax tapers. Ther I returned to the entrance of this nev vault, and, as I looked down into its iepth, it seemed so gloomy, and its walls were so black, that a feeling of terror made me stop on the first step of the staircase. Buf

I summoned courage, and, on descending tin-

step?, found nothing in this vault but a deep

well, which appeared to ne now dry. I returned to my chamber, where I examin

ed all the furniture, and discovered another closet containing drawing materials, books,

music, and a guitar. To offer me a musical instrument in this dismal dungeon, seemed like a cruel mockery; however, this guitar became most precious to me in the sequel. But I was agreeably surprised to find writing implements in the drawer of the table. I de

termined immediately to address a letter to

or I shall be obliged to inform the count, and

then you will be treated with tar more rigor than before."

So saing, Leonora rose to depart. She

left me petrified with grief and disappoint

ment. Suddenly an extravagant thought restored to me all my energy. I conceived the design of running after my Jailer, and esca

ping through the door by which she was to pass. I flew from my chamber, 1 heard the heavy step of Leonora, and 1 followed the sound. Mv dog, w'.io ran after me barking,

prevented Leonora from hearing me behind her, and my feet being bare, they made but little noise.

I soon perceived the light of the lantern

that Leonora carried, and speedily overtaking

her, I arrived at the first door of the cavern at the same time that she did, being just behind her. With a palpitating heart I saw her take the key, apply it to the lock and opeu the door; then at the moment she pass ed through, I sprung out with her, so impetuously, that I threw her down on the stairs. Emboldened by this first success, I darted up

the staircase with the rapidity of lightning.

a low rock that fimed a t unv-i,ie.t seat, and there 1 sat and tried to read, but too generally my thoughts wandered (rummy book and dwelt on my AlphcuHi.e, and on nr. '-tj captivity. Vet I felt that if my child r. old be with me, all the evils of my imprif-i inent might be borne with patience; and it w,i my daily and hourly prayer that she might by some means be restored to rue. At hat, that prayer was granted. What was my rapture on receiving ona morning from Leonora, a billet, with theea words. 4'tt is difficult to know how to dis

pose of the child, aa h:r increasing likeness to !.,.. a i. ... r... .. , i

tray her original. S une cf the servants of

the castle have frequently seen you and your late husband, when they acciGipanicd youfgrandfather on hia visits to Mxirid, and there are several families in the neighborhood who knew you in lhat city. Beside which, there are in the saloon, poi trails of yourself and Don Pedro, painted for your grandfa'.ber shortly before his death. Alphousiue alreadr resembles both these portraits, em! ihe re

semblance has been remarked by persons who

and in a moment I reached the door at theihave happened to see her at the cottage ia top. Alas! it was fast. tthe fou-ot. In vain did I shake the lock; rhy feeble j ''Her dsnth would remove much u; r.-si-hands had not strength to force it open. Le-jness from the mind of the count; a: il I v ill onora, furious at my attempting to escape, not disguise from you lhat he thinks tint and enraged at her fall, ran up in a tnoir.r nt. event may be acceleralt d, by imn.tn u g her

and threw herself upon me like a lioness seiz nn the vaults that f..im your prison. Sl.r is ing her prey. I made a desperate struggle, now too healthy. He has dt tci mintd to rewhich increased her anger. She held me in. store her to you. and this evening at 8 olo k,

her strong muscular arms, nnd tearing my

handkerchief from my neck, she used it to lie my hands behind my hack. I made the vaults rosound with my shrinks, and overcome with despair,! faiuted on the shoulder of my cruel

y ou will find her in the basket. Tle count leaves the ensile to-night, and returns to Madrid; but he will firt go to the nearest sea port, taking with hiin Martin and Kntiina, for whose services he ha ru farther oc-

enemy. She carried me to mv bed, untied t asion, and whom he will ship immediately

my nanus, ana left a:e to recover rny senses j lor ttieir native country. as I could. j So great was rm transport on finding that

On opening my eves, i found myself again jl was again to see my child and have her with

in my frightful solitude. The profound si-

and I was happy to hearth at my unconscious jlence of the cavern made me slumber. M) babe did not suffer from bei tig separated from! dog slent tranquilly beside me. I as in

tne, that I could scarcely read to the end of the rote. Still, how bitter was my indent:.

lion at the cruelty of the motive that had at

her unhappy mother. TI ieu I ventured tojsuch a deplorable state of nervous depression, last induced the count to make my infant the

the count de Moncalde, and place it in thelput in the basket five pice es of gold, with a j that his sleeping while I suffered so oju:h, partner of my captivity. "But, she shall not

seemed to add to my grief, and I awokv him. die, I exclaimed, '"I will wrtch her too rare-

I felt m)selt bruised all over, and my hhtids fuily, and the blessing of hefiV.-n will aid . J bore the maiks of Leonora's brutality, I jellorts lo preserve her existence in this e;.y

basket that was to be drawn up next da . billet, in which I thanked I eonora, and cave

In effect I wrote to my persecutor a long: her to understand that I ha d the means of re letter, in which I implored him to give me my I warding still better, any kfndriess she might liberty, and restore to me my child, and to bo disposed to ehow me. My present was send us under a feigned name to France or very well received, and Leonora sent me a it-tly, pledging rmself never to disclose the civil answer, in which. hj Kcver , she repeat rause I had to complain of him. In thisepis-ied that she would always remain faithful to tie I exerted all mv eloquence, and I hoped what she called her duty, o much from it, that after it was written I B:t I pined incessantlv to see my child, bet ame more tranquil. I went to bed earl), arid in a few days, feeling myself extremely I slept quietly, and was awakened at b o'clock ;ill and feverish, I wrote to Leonora, entreatin the morning by the barking of Az r, whicli;in her to come down to :ne, and I accom announced to me thtt Leonora fcaa at the; paniod this request with a earl-ring. I was wicket. I rose hastily, threw on a wrapper. 1 ing on my bed when the harking of my dog and ran to the foot of the stairs, where I saw announced her arrival at th v wicket. I quietthe basket already let down and full of provi- ed him and listened, and in the deep silence sions. emptied it, and put in the letter; of the cavern, I heard afa r the steps of Leob'lt I expeted to wait several days for an nora. The sound made r:lv heart beat vio nwer, and I allowed myself to hop'. that lently, for in a few minutes I should again see 'he d'or of the cavern would be opened fori't humin being. She appeared at hist, and I me about the end of we-ek. wa affected to tears, and holdout my arms to As the tiw approached w her, I ai;lh :p;i',f d j her. Sho carried in one ha tid a lantern, and a teply. I felt my hopes dimini-h. At Its' j in the other a basket filled with biscuits, bol -,tw the basket desc r.d, and a letter in it in Mes of wine and syrups. Her coare and r!..?ed in an envelr.po, which I tore open.; masculine face looked morft forbidding than tnd f:nnd my own letter to the count still ever, no ray of pity, no trat :e of feeling soft ealed,aed ;i billet from Leonora containing ened its cold and harsh expression. She fleat'hese worcN: .d herself by mj bedside, and in a severe tone "Mi if.rd. the count.! at Madrid. He has enquired about my illnes. I could not an i.! -hidden ire to seed him ae.y letter or coat wer her, my voice was sutlocated with sobs, 'ivink alion from y-m. not ev?u the smallest Leonora felt rny pulse, and then said I had n.-M'esrr-a;:". I le has ordei ed me t declare to! fever. She rose to leave me, and 1 seized

showed them to my dog; he licked the bruis

es; and while this poor aniirnl carce-ed r:ic

tnd seemed to share rny sorrow?, 1 wept sad

dungeon. Wc will be the whole woiIj h chlU other, and even in this dismal solitude

we may be "u-Tppy ,

ly but not vehemently, for 1 was now so v.eakj How did 1 long for the approach of evening, and so overcome with fatigue, that ! co-.ild do The day passed ;a cne continul thought of rav nbthing with energy. My mind seemed en- child, and two hours before the appointed feebl.-d nitli ir.y btdy. nnd llr several days I Mime, I was waiting in the outer cavern with lay on the bed in a state of apathy. I had my eye- st.adily fixed on the trap-door. At fnit, water, and lemon syrt'p on tha t.tl l ,:l'iigih I saw it ..pen, the basket began to deaiid during all lhat linn: I did not go to Ihejsct nd, f heard t tie try of my Aiphonsine, f wicket. When I visited it aasii, I found tvvolsaw her littl- hands extended, 1 tlew to her, basket? inr-tead of one, but neither of thcmjl held fcer again in my aru.s, nnd I was once contained any thing but bread. In each wa? more the h-ippiest of women. 1 thought not a note from Leonora. In th first t-he said, then of the ad piivMions this urifoi tun.tte that to punish tne. for abu-ing her condcscci child tnujt endure, in these gloomy and lonely ?io!i, she would give tt.e nothing bat bread fori vaults 1 thought only of the felicity c-fhuv-two weeks nd that no pretence t f sic'viie.-sjii.- he;- v,th me, nnd I kissed hera thousand

on my part, should induce Iter to visit n.e again. hi the second, he toU me thai th;. count had returned from Mud.'iJ, and wis r incensed when she informed bhn of my at tempi to escape1, that he wa. going o tiavc til ' door that led to tin; c avern walled up, on

pretence of its fitnishilig i retieat i)V thieve

She said nothing of my AlphonMi., and lu-euvd in inf.tut w,.nd:r, at the t

if ton make any j:tter:pt of this kind, her gown to d?tait her.

rr ptLack to my bed overw helm. vd with de

pair. Next day, I hoard nv do: ba; king most vi

deotly, and on gei ig towauls the stair cae,

tit.v. tydid b. lilted herituiot cut fire with teat? oj joy, i found her consitlerah! grow n , and plump Hi d iosv bey ;id my most sanguine h"pos. can ted her to my t hamber, aid I. iid het on the bet), while 1 prepared some 'trend ned rniik for her; but i turned mv lu ad

veiy inriiit nt to look nt herns she gszt d a-

:.. .1

I then protcoteJ h :w was I shocked to hear '.bo ;r:d of woik- know

!i ill .i' i I ,1 u ii, i ti j li I " W.''

....... ... i ..... - i iti. ti .'lit. iVUIIUI'Vlltlii ryes wee- frequently fixed on me, j i grieved in; to thii.lc that she wnjur.tt -t nf mv !ifl..n hor hiii!l,iir lin ; ' f

i , t i, ...

me.

I .- . - . . . -